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It is useful to briefly explain the arrangement of the original volumes. Though commonly described as a six-volume work, The World Crisis is more accurately described as a five volume work in six books: the middle two volumes, subtitled 1916-1918, were issued in two parts, but were sold as a pair, slipcased together in the USA and Canada. They are often referred to as “Volumes 3a and 3b.” Thus the last two volumes, The Aftermath and The Eastern Front, are correctly Volumes IV and V respectively, and the whole set is “5- in-6,” as usually described by knowledgeable booksellers.
Volume I goes back to 1911 and the great power rivalries to trace the background and dramatic opening of the war, more or less like The Gathering Storm traces events leading up to World War II. Volume II, 1915, is the most personal, largely devoted to Churchill’s failed efforts to break the deadlock in Europe by forcing the Dardanelles, knocking Turkey out of the war and succoring the Russians. Volume III, 1916-1918 (both parts) covers the carnage on the Western Front, the German victory over Russia and almost-victory over the Allies in 1918, and the final, exhausted end of the war. The Aftermath chronicles events in which Churchill was involved during the ten years after victory, including the Irish Treaty; The Eastern Front‘s subject is self-explanatory, dealing with the titanic battles between Russia and the German-Austrian armies.
One cannot think of another 20th Century statesman who not only spent most of the two World Wars in high office but was also able to write of them in such superb English, with such eloquence and verve. Even those who do not usually read war books will be entranced by the Churchill’s account of the awful, unfolding scene, written as if the reader were a colleague, observing the march of events over his burly shoulder.
It is not widely known that Volume I, at least, appeared in America before its British counterpart, making this the true First Edition. However, the Scribner volumes have not worn as well as the British, particularly Volume I, which was bound in an inferior cloth that, in most cases, quickly discolored and faded, while the gilt turned black. Later volumes, and later impressions of Volume I, used a much better cloth and brighter gilt, and these are often found in fine condition.
The American Edition had fewer reprints than the English, so non-first editions are less often encountered. They sell for half or less of the price of firsts. Reprints of Volume I are prized because of the deplorable state of most first editions of that volume. Jacketed sets are extremely rare. Typical unjacketed sets with Volume I “faded as usual” are good buys, but a perfect Volume I, if ever seen, would double their value.
Dark brown cloth blocked gilt, 8vo. Vol. I published April 1923 at $6.50, 604 pages numbered (i)-(xiv) and (1)-(590). Vol. II published October 1923 at $6.50, 592 pages numbered (i)-(xiv) and 1-578. Vol. III (in two parts) published 1927 in a slipcase at $10; Part 1 (“Vol. I”) 320 pages numbered (i)-(xviii) and 1-302; Part 2 (“Vol. II”) 338 pages numbered (i)-(x) and 1-326. Vol. IV The Aftermath published 1929 at $5, 520 pages numbered (i)-(xvi) and 1-502 (+2). Vol. V The Unknown War published 1931 at $5, 414 pages numbered (i)-(xviii) and 1-396. All volumes illustrated with maps and charts (and a photo in vol. I).
Vol. II: THE WORLD CRISIS and WINSTON S. CHURCHILL on top board (inside blind box rule) and spine; spine usually but not always contains two stars, the subtitle “1915” and the SCRIBNERS imprint.
Vol. III: Plain top boards; spines are lettered with the main title, author’s name and Scribners imprint and subtitles “1916-1918 and VOL. I or VOL II”.
Vol. V: THE UNKNOWN WAR and WINSTON S. CHURCHILL on top board (inside blind box rule); spine adds THE EASTERN FRONT and the SCRIBNERS imprint.
At least this many impressions are known: Vol. I, four (1923 twice, 1924, 1930). Vol. II, two (1923, 1929). Vol. III, one for each part (1927). The Aftermath, three (March, April, September1929). The Unknown War, three (1931 twice, 1932).
Identifying first impressions: Volumes I and II carry the date 1923 on title page and no reprint information on the title page verso. Volume III, both parts, carry the date 1927 on title page. The Aftermath carries the date 1929 on title page and no reprint information on title page verso. The Unknown War carries the date 1931 on title page and the block letter “A” on title page verso.
Volumes I and II: Off-white or cream paper printed black, flaps blank except for $6.50 price, book descriptions on front faces. Volume I back face details “Important New Scribner Publications,” Volume II back face contains an advert for Volume I.
Volume III: These two books were originally slipcased, and their jackets are thus plain, except for the legend “$10.00 | Two Volumes” on the upper front flaps and jacket spine lettering identical to the books themselves, printed black on off-white or cream paper. The very rare slipcase carries two tipped-on labels: a title/author’s name/publisher label on the back and a boxed description of the books, printed dark brown on cream laid paper, on one side.
The Aftermath: Grey paper printed navy blue, flaps blank except for $5.00 price, book description on front face with title/author’s name/publisher in an odd, bold face not used elsewhere; spine is lettered to match the book’s spine.
The Unknown War: Grey threaded paper printed deep red with titles, author’s names and publisher spine imprint in a unique, bold typeface. Description of the book on front face, advert with review blurbs for the Abridged Edition (Woods A31b) on back face. Front flap contains “The Unknown War…$5.00” above a blurb for A Roving Commission; backflap contains a blurb promoting The Aftermath.
Although all World Crisis jackets are extremely rare, collectors should pay close attention to the descriptions of them, since later impression jackets may be different; first impressions with later impression jackets are “married pieces,” and worth no premium.
Navy cloth blocked blind on cover, blind and gilt on spine, 8vo. Vol. I published 10 April 1923 at 30 shillings, 544 pages numbered (2), (i)-(vi) and 1-536. Vol. II published 30 October 1923 at 30 shillings, 560 pages numbered (1)-557 (+3). Vol. III (in two parts) published 3 March 1927 at 42 shillings; Part 1, 292 pages numbered (1)-(292); Part 2, 308 pages numbered (i)-(x) and 293-589 (+1). Vol. IV The Aftermath published 7 March 1929 at 30 shillings, 476 pages numbered (1)-474 (+2). Vol. V The Eastern Front published 2 November 1931 at 30 shillings, 368 pages numbered (1)-368. All volumes variously illustrated with photos, maps and charts.
Vol. I: THE WORLD CRISIS 1911-1914 and WINSTON S. CHURCHILL on top board (inside blind box rule). The same titling plus THORNTON BUTTERWORTH imprint gilt on spine. No star on spine.
Vol. II: THE WORLD CRISIS 1915 and WINSTON S. CHURCHILL on top board (inside blind box rule). The same titling plus THORNTON BUTTERWORTH and two stars gilt on spine.
Vol. III: THE WORLD CRISIS 1916-1918 Part. I. (or Part. II.) and WINSTON S. CHURCHILL on top board (inside blind box rule). The same titling plus THORNTON BUTTERWORTH and three stars (Part I) or four stars (Part 2) gilt on spine.
Vol. IV: THE WORLD CRISIS, THE AFTERMATH and WINSTON S. CHURCHILL on top board (inside blind box rule). The same titling plus THORNTON BUTTERWORTH and five stars gilt on spine.
Vol. V: THE WORLD CRISIS, THE EASTERN FRONT and WINSTON S. CHURCHILL on top board (inside blind box rule). The same titling plus THORNTON BUTTERWORTH and six stars gilt on spine.
Vol. I, eight (first edition April 1923; second edition April 1923, reprinted same month; third edition November 1923, reprinted July 1924, May 1927, December 1927, February 1930).
Vol. II, six (October 1923 thrice, December 1923, May 1927, February 1929).
Vol III, five (January 1927, March 1927 twice, April 1927, September 1930).
The Aftermath, three (two in March 1929; the third in June 1929).
The Eastern Front, two, both November 1931.
Identifying first impressions: All first impressions carry the legend “First Published” followed by a single date on the verso of the title page. All later impressions carry notes of subsequent printings in this place.
Quantities (according to Woods). Vol. I: 7380 first editions, 16,462 total. Vol. II: 7500 first editions, 14,260 total. Vol. III: 7523 first editions, 14,598 total. The Aftermath: 7500 first editions, 11,000 total. The Eastern Front: 5150 first editions, 7994 total.
Vol. I: Printed navy on grey paper. Title, author’s name, publisher, price and MAPS AND CHARTS on front face and spine; quote from page 188 also on front face. Contents blurb on front flap. No adverts for subsequent volumes or review blurbs for Vol. I on flaps or back face.
Vol. II: Printed dark brown on tan paper. Front face and spine similar to above. Contents blurb on front flap, Vol. I press noticed on back flap, advert for Vol. I on back face.
Vol. III: Printed black on grey paper. Front face and spine similar to above, but face blurb is not by Churchill. Contents blurb on front flap, six titles of “General Literature” on back flap, adverts for Vols. I and II on back face. Aside from the distinguishing legends “Part I.” and “Part II.” (no period after “Part”) on spines, jackets for the two parts are identical.
The Aftermath: Printed black on greenish grey paper. Front face, front flap and spine arranged similarly to Vol. III. Back flap contains blurb for Beaverbrook’s two volumes, Politicians and the War. Adverts for Vols. I, II and III on back face.
The Eastern Front: Printed black and red on green paper (which has often faded to a brown color). Front face, front flap and spine similar to above. Back flap contains press notices for My Early Life. Advert for the abridged and revised World Crisis on back face. The jacket was unaltered for the second impression.
Woods’ listing of two impressions of The Eastern Front has been challenged, but Woods is right: several copies of the second impression have been spotted; their title page verso notes publication in November 1931, the same month as the first.
All volumes are illustrated with photos, maps and charts which can be checked by consulting the lists of illustrations in the front of each. Some maps are fold-outs. Points to look for: Vol. I 1911-1914: a 13-item errata slip can occur in several places, including p. (vi), p. 1 and elsewhere. Vol. III, 1916-1918 Part 2: A three-item errata slip is tipped onto the half title. The Aftermath: A two-item errata slip is tipped onto page 9 (Woods says between 10 and 11, which may be a variation). The Eastern Front: a large color fold-out map is tipped onto the last free endpaper, following page 368. This is also the only volume with a frontispiece (Emperor Franz Joseph), and contains seven other photographs.
Although not the true first edition, the English version is more aesthetically desirable, being bound in a more durable and uniform material and equipped with shoulder notes on each page that summarize the subject of each page. Probably for that reason, it is more popular among collectors who only wish to own one edition. Jacketed sets are extremely rare and command deservedly high prices. The main problem with these volumes is spotting of pages and page edges from their damp life in England, and “bubbling” of the cloth, especially on The Aftermath. Later impressions cost much less, even in top condition and half as much with more wear. For this kind of money you might prefer one of the later sets, such as the full-leather Easton Press edition.
Published in Canada from the American plates, this issue is identical in all respects to the latter, save for Macmillan imprints on title pages (cancels), spines and dust jackets. The Canadian Macmillan logo also appears on dust jacket spines. Curiously, the jacket flaps contain no prices. These issues are quite rare. Ostensibly equal in value to the American Edition, the Canadian Issue is probably somewhat less important, and should not quite reach price levels of the Scribner set.
Two volumes: 1911-1914 and 1915 Published from the English plates, this issue is identical to the latter, save for Australasian Publishing Co. imprints on title pages and dust jacket spines. There is no publisher’s imprint, however, on the spines of the books. After Volume II, a separate Australian issue was not produced, and the Australian market received the standard English issues of the other volumes. These two volumes are interesting anomalies.
All volumes were sold cheaply by the Times Book Club, which usually used first printings, except for The Eastern Front, which is a second. The TBC binding has larger stars and cruder lettering; copies usually contain sticker labels on rear pastedowns. This is the second instance of a Times Book Club issue of one of Churchill’s works (see Lord Randolph Churchill). Collectors instinctively avoid anything non-standard looking, even if they don’t know what it is; in this case they are certainly right, for this is a book club issue despite first printing sheets. A full set is rare.
Navy cloth, boards blank. Spine blocked gilt with abbreviated title (THE WORLD CRISIS) author’s name and SCRIBNERS imprint. 8vo, 880 pages numbered (i) -xii and (1)-866 (+2). The verso of the half-title lists six of Churchill’s previous works. Illustrated with maps and plans. Published February 1931 at $5.00.
There are at least three impressions: 1931, 1942 and 1949. The first impression is easily distinguished by its 1931 date on the title page and block letter “A” on title page verso. Colors also aid identification: the 1931 is navy, the 1942 medium blue, the 1949 vertically scored red cloth.
The original dust jacket is printed black on yellow paper with the title, author’s name, description and “$5” appearing next to a photo of Churchill walking. The front flap contains a contents blurb, the back flap reviewer Comments on The Aftermath, and the back face reviewer Comments on My Early Life. Later jackets bear a Karsh photo of Churchill and facsimile signature on the front faces.
I had understood that according to The New York Times, this work was published on February 7th 1931, 19 days before the English Edition, making this the true first edition. The new Cohen Bibliography, however, indicates that the London edition takes priority.
Unjacketed copies are worth about the same as the English Editions. A jacketed copy is another proposition. I know of only two or three of these in existence.
Medium green cloth (bright green on third impression). The top board bears the title (“THE WORLD CRISIS 1911-1918 Abridged & Revised Edition”) author’s name and publisher logo debossed blind. Two thick blind rules at top and bottom of top board and spine. The spine bears the title, author’s name publisher’s name imprint, all gilt. 8vo, 832 pages numbered (1)-831 (+1). The verso of the half-title contains a boxed advert for 12 of Churchill’s other works. Illustrated with maps and plans. Published 26 February 1931 at 21 shillings.
Woods lists 5000 first impressions and 3000 second impressions (January 1932) but fails to mention a third impression in bright green cloth (October 1937).
A striking jacket is printed black and red-orange on thin, bright green paper (which is often faded); a variant jacket is printed on thicker, lined cream stock. Both these jackets carry a contents blurb on the front flap, an advert for The Aftermath on the back flap, and an advert for My Early Life on the back face. A second state jacket adds The Eastern Front to the back flap.
Often passed up by collectors as a mere abridgment, this volume is essential to the complete library because Churchill added new material and considerable revisions. Aside from his new foreword there is a completely new chapter on the Battle of the Marne. Also, writes Churchill, “I have had to record a somewhat different account of Lord Fisher’s resignation from than that which appeared in the original edition. Mr. Asquith’s disclosures in his ‘Memoirs’ and Lord Fisher’s own biographers have cast a less charitable light upon the conduct of the old Admiral than that in which I had viewed it.” (Asquith’s memoirs disclosed that Fisher had written an incredible letter offering to remain at the Admiralty if vested virtually with dictatorial powers, refusing to serve either under Churchill or his successor, Arthur Balfour). As such, a copy of this work belongs on the shelf of every serious Churchill library.
Dust jackets are extremely rare. Routine lightly worn unjacketed copies sell for less, and later impressions seem much less common than the first edition.
Produced with American plates and identical to the American Edition with the exception of Macmillan imprints on spine, jacket and title page. I have never seen the jacket but presume it is similar to the American. The same notes as to rarity and value apply here as to the American Edition.
A limited edition of 1,354 copies compiled by Churchill from the Abridged and Revised Edition, illustrated with maps. This is a textbook which, as it states, was “Privately printed for the Royal Military College, Sandhurst.” 16mo, 512 pages numbered (1)-511 (+1). Bound in red cloth, publisher’s logo blocked blind on top board. Spine printed black with THE WORLD CRISIS, author’s name, “Sandhurst Edition” and publisher’s name. Woods records its price as 13/6.
Because of Churchill’s association with Sandhurst, and because his chapter selections shed light on his military thinking, this is a desirable though scarce edition of The World Crisis. It contains a completely reset text in which Churchill selected various chapters from his 1931 Abridged and Revised volume. It was once deemed very valuable, but many copies have turned up recently. The rare fine example is likely to cost a good deal. However, most were used as cadet textbooks so the typical example is well worn, often underlined and/or marked with marginal notes. These sell for rather less.
The brief mention in Woods (page 51) quite fails to do justice to this beautiful work, which, though its text is abridged, constitutes the first illustrated edition of The World Crisis. It began as a serialization, issued in 26 magazine-format parts every fortnight between September 1933 and October 1934. Part 1 contains a brand new Foreword by Churchill; Part 26 contains appendices and index. After these were published Newnes offered the parts cased in three volumes, and later in a four-volume set jointly produced with The Home Library Book Company.
First Appearance (26 Parts): Measuring 7×10″, these are square-bound magazines, each with cover photo, title and author’s name dropped out against a medium blue background. Part 1’s spine is blank; the other spines are numbered with the title and author’s name repeated. Inside and back wrapper faces contain adverts for the series, other Newnes publications, even life assurance! Wrappers were omitted from the bound volumes noted below.
Second Appearance (3 Vols.): Bound volumes (520, 520, 672 pages numbered consecutively with eight pages of preliminaries per volume, comprising 98 chapters. Two styles of publisher-authorized bindings were offered, both by A. W. Bain & Co., Ltd. of Cambridge Heath, London.
The “Library Binding”: half crimson morocco leather, cloth sides, blocked 22 ct. gilt on spine with title, volume number, author’s name and a decorative design (globe exploding four ways). Offered at 8 shillings ($2) per bound volume (not including internals), or 4/6 ($1.12) for each case alone.
The “Standard Binding”: royal blue cloth blocked blind and gilt on top board and blind on spine with title, author’s name, volume number, publisher’s name, and decorative design (globe exploding from the top). Offered at 5 shillings ($1.25) per bound volume (not including internals) or 2/6 (66¢) for each case alone. Note: spine volume numbers appear in both Roman and Arabic, sometimes interchangeably within sets.
Later Bindings: Though not mentioned by Newnes, I have examined other binding variations, most commonly a plain red cloth with the title blocked gilt and a blind wreath design on the top board. The title, author’s name and volume number are blocked gilt between faint blind boxes on the spine. I have seen enough of these to conclude that they were a later, possibly cheaper, publisher’s binding, not a “freelance” variation.
Yet another binding, in plain red cloth blocked gilt on spine only, may be a private binding.
Third Appearance (4 Vols.): Bound volumes (392, 456, 492, 452 pages numbered consecutively with eight pages of preliminaries per volume, comprising 98 chapters) in “Red Cape Levant Moroquette” (leatherette) with gilt top page edges. A wreathed sword device is blocked blind on the top board and silver and gilt on the spine. The title appears in gilt on top board and spine; spines also contain gilt author’s name, volume number and Newnes name. The outside board edges of each volume are beveled: a nice touch.
This most elaborate and final variation of The Great War was an installment mail offer by the Home Library Book Company, 23-24 Tavistock Street, London in conjunction with Newnes, announced late 1934 and running into 1935. A 1934 advert states, “5/ [$1.25] brings the four superb volumes carriage paid to your door!” A 2 February 1935 advert reduces this to only “3/” (75¢). Whether these were the prices of each volume (which seems cheap), or simply a “hook” to bait the customer I have not determined.
All variants of The Great War contain the same pages, profusely illustrated and captioned, though it’s doubtful, judging by their English, that the captions are Churchill’s. They certainly offer wonderful graphics to support the author’s towering prose, and, since they constitute the first illustrated World Crisis, the serious collector really ought to own one. I know bibliophiles who own six!
Originally one shilling each, the individual parts cost little as odd volumes, but a full set of 26 is worth considerable money in fine condition, much more in custom-made boxes, or half as much in as-usual condition with wear and chips.
The most luxurious set is the three-volume half-leather Library Binding, but both the Standard and Home Library bindings are splashier and colourful. Half-leather bindings are rarely found in top condition because the leather tends to dry out and crack over the years. Fine examples of the cloth and Home Library bindings can cost dearly, and are worth it.
Bound in medium blue cloth (rougher material than the first edition) with publisher’s logo blocked blind on the top board and the title, author’s name and publisher’s name blocked gilt on the spine. The dust jacket is printed black and red on scored pale green paper and is quickly identified with its red Keystone Library logos.
The Keystone Library was a low-priced series of Thornton Butterworth titles which had run their course as trade editions and were now offered as low priced reprints. Aside from a title page cancel (bearing a red Keystone Library logo) and a new dust jacket, this is a direct reprint from the English first edition plates, and still includes the excellent color folding map tipped in following page 368. There was one impression only, offered at 5/ ($1.25).
Churchill tended to second-guess his English publishers when recommending titles. The Unknown War was the one he sold to Charles Scribner, and evidently he finally prevailed with his English publisher on this one. “The Eastern Front” appears as a subtitle on the spine, title page and (in parentheses) on the dust jacket.
I have Dr. Gordon Cohen to thank for pointing out to me that these thick volumes are not abridgments, but the entire text of the first four volumes, including Churchill’s revisions from the 1931 Abridged and Revised edition. Entirely reset, it constitutes a new and separate edition of over 1400 pages with comprehensive, if not elaborate, maps and illustrations. It is therefore quite desirable, both bibliographically and for collectors who want the complete text but not the financial burden of a first edition. Of course it lacks the final two volumes of the complete work, but these can be acquired separately (see some of the following entries).
Deep red cloth, red stained top page edges, author signature blocked gilt on top board, printed marbleized yellow-brown endpapers.
As above with a more elaborate spine: title/author’s name gilt on a blind panel; three groups of debossed spine ribs; 18 pairs of gilt decorative rules.
Originally the volumes were not jacketed and were shipped in grey cardboard boxes (one volume per box). In 1942 or later, the famous Karsh “angry lion” portrait, taken in Ottawa in late 1941, was the basis of an attractive dust jacket, printed orange or blue and black on white paper and marked “VOL. I.” or “VOL. II.” on the lower spine. These jackets have been found on all three binding variants, always bearing the same price: 8/6 ($2.12) for the two volumes. Clearly, the jacket was unavailable for pre1942 copies. Since the boards are quite elaborate for a cheap work, and since no other jacket has been observed on thousands of copies, it is likely that the Odhams Edition was originally issued without jackets.
This edition is very easy to come by in good condition, although better examples bring a premium. Combined with reprints of The Aftermath and The Eastern Front it forms the least expensive full text of The World Crisis available. It is an obvious choice for readers on a budget. Alternatives are the postwar four volume Odhams issue or the new Barnes & Noble issue (see below).
Officially retitled THE AFTERMATH | being a sequel to | THE WORLD CRISIS, this work was transferred to Macmillan after Thornton Butterworth went into voluntary liquidation in 1940. With 476 pages, it is reprinted from the Thornton Butterworth plates and bound in dark navy cloth blocked gilt (THE AFTERMATH | A Sequel to | THE WORLD | CRISIS) with author’s and publisher’s names on the spine. A second impression was issued in 1944. Dust jackets are printed red and black on off-white paper.
Identifying first impressions: this is distinctly taller than the 1944 impression: 9 1/2″ high against 9″. Dust jackets look the same, but the 1941 jacket is on slightly yellower paper and the type and photo of the author are reduced to fit the smaller dimensions of the 1944 impression. The half-title verso of the 1941 bears the first publication date and Macmillan transfer date 1941; the reprint adds, “Reprinted 1944.” This is a modestly priced Aftermath compared to first editions, but expect to pay a premium for a fine jacketed 1941 impression, which looks and feels like a first edition.
This reprint from Thornton Butterworth sheets was published simultaneously and uniform with the Macmillan Aftermath, but had only one impression of just 600 copies. Its size, binding and jacket are uniform with the Macmillan Aftermath, but it is considerably rarer, and commands a higher price—not nearly as high, of course, as Eastern Front first editions. Because the binding and spine lettering are quite close to the latter, it does not look out of place among a Thornton Butterworth editions, and is a budget substitute for the latter. But it is highly collectable in its own right, since it is so rare; the jackets are especially uncommon.
When Thornton Butterworth went out of business in 1940, most of their Churchill works were subsequently published by Macmillan, including Abridged and Revised World Crisis. There are three impressions, all on thin wartime paper: 1941 (dark blue cloth), 1942 (very dark blue-black cloth) and 1943 (rougher, lighter blue cloth). All these are easily identified by dates on their title page versos. All impressions sold for 18 shillings. Today the reprints are common: a fine Macmillan First in like dust jacket might approach $100/£60, but certainly no more; lesser copies and later impressions sell for as little as $10/£5.
Identifying first impressions: The title page verso of the Macmillan First lists all three 1930s impressions followed by the line, “Transferred to Macmillan & Co. Ltd. – 1941.” Later impressions give the first publication date, the transfer dates and the reprint date (“1942” or “1942,1943”). Although all dust jackets are printed red and black on cream paper, first impression jackets are different: their paper is heavier, scored material and the back face advertises (in order) My Early Life, Great Contemporaries, Step by Step and The World Crisis. Later impression jackets are printed on lighter, cheaper paper and their back faces advertise (in order) My Early Life, Thoughts and Adventures, Great Contemporaries and Step by Step. Later jackets add The World Crisis, The Aftermath and The Unknown War to back face adverts.
This is a budget alternative to 1930s editions which is just as readable, since all the original fold-out maps are preserved.
Standard: bright red cloth; title and one to four stars (indicating volume) blocked gilt and black, and author signature blocked gilt, on top board; title/star(s), author’s name and publisher’s name blocked gilt and black on spine, separated by repeat publisher’s devices and gilt rules.
Deluxe: red leatherette; author signature blocked gilt with blind rules on top board; title, star(s), author’s name between heavy rules blocked gilt on leather spine label; spine decorated with multiple devices, rules and the Odhams name, also gilt.
The familiar Odhams style, printed pink and black on white paper, bearing title, author’s name and stars to indicate volume on front face and spine and Odhams name printed black on lower spine.
Recommended if you can find it. There seems no difference in value between the two binding styles, although Odhams sold the deluxe for a premium back in 1949.
Published one volume at a time over two years, this was an offprint of the original Scribners volumes with smaller page margins resulting in smaller books: 5 1/2 x 8 1/2″ compared to the original 6 1/4 x 9″. The volumes are numbered consecutively, so 1916-1918 is no longer labeled “Volume I” and “Volume II” but are now Volume III and IV. Thus The Aftermath becomes Volume V and The Unknown War Volume VI. All are bound in medium blue cloth blocked gilt on top board and spines. Dust jackets, printed red, black and light blue on white paper, display some of the internal illustrations, and each contains the subtitle: THE FIRST WORLD WAR AS CHURCHILL SAW IT. Interestingly, the title page verso indicates that Churchill renewed his copyright in 1951.
Identifying first impressions: The codes mentioned in the following notes are Scribners, taken from versos of the title page versos; they help to identify first impressions, although I strongly suspect that Volumes III-VI were never reprinted. The complete work went out of print in the early 1970s; it seems reasonable to believe that Volume I only, or possibly Volume II, saw reprints to maintain full sets in stock.
Volume II: Published at $7.50 in August 1963, coded A8.63[MH]; no reprints examined.
Volume III: Published January 1964 at $7.50 simultaneously with Volume IV. Coded A-1.64 [MH].
Volume IV: Published January 1964 at $7.50 simultaneously with Volume III. Coded A-1.64[MH].
Volume V: Published July 1964 at $7.50 simultaneously with Volume VI. Coded A7.64[MH].
Volume VI: Published July 1964 at $7.50 simultaneously with Volume V. Coded A7.64[MH].
Except for The Great War, which was a textual abridgment, this was the first illustrated edition of The World Crisis. That is the chief thing it has to recommend it. The books themselves, offprinted from the Scribners originals, are shorter, squatter, and bound in a cheap blue material which doesn’t seem to hold up well. Even jacketed copies often have a soiled, rumpled appearance, and the dust jackets are usually faded or grotty. Until the Easton Press Edition, this set was hotly sought after, but its value has declined somewhat.
This thick “Four Square Book” reprints the Abridged Edition for the first time as a paperback. The cover portrays Churchill and a war memorial, the back cover the Cenotaph in London. 958 pages, illustrated with maps, published at 7/6. A second and third impression were issued, both in 1964.
Two volumes Reprinted from plates of the Four Square paperback (pagination identical throughout) but divided into two volumes of 496 and 460 pages. The covers portray a white sculpted head of Churchill against a blue (Vol. 1) or green (Vol. 2) background. Published at 10/6 in a blue and green slipcase.
“My finest hour,” reports Richard Langworth, “bibliographically speaking, was when the Easton Press asked my help in designing a new limited edition of the original World Crisis for their series of elegant leatherbound classics of literature. It was carte blanche to create the ultimate set, the World Crisis I would take with me if confined to a desert island. Like a boy turned loose in a sweet shop I specified the best text (Thornton Butterworth’s First English Edition, with its novel shoulder notes and beautiful folding maps), coupled with the best illustrations (Scribners, from their postwar edition). Easton Press added an elaborate binding in leather and gilt with raised spine bands, gilt page edges and silk page markers, and priced the new set so low that the value of first editions was cut by half—although they have since recovered. From the bookseller standpoint I had committed a kind of hara-kiri…but many more people now own The World Crisis.
“With the exception of the tacky bookplates, which are thankfully laid-in (and please throw them away), the Easton Press produced a good aesthetic achievement for the money. While not as perfect as classic morocco leather bindings, the pigskin boards are strong and durable and the quality of the offprinting is high. Easton’s full color reprints of the original folding maps—including the fine folding map at the end of The Eastern Front—are, if anything, better than the originals.
There’s always a nit, however, and it is my fault. When recommending the use of Scribners postwar illustrations, I forgot that the original Eastern Front itself contained eight illustrations, including the frontispiece. Easton, with wads of new Scribner photos to insert, naturally left them out. But I omitted to remind them also to omit the original illustration list from page 13—so there it sits, directing the reader to plates that don’t exist!
“Easton’s price was originally only $260—hundreds less than any complete set then available. The first printing quickly sold out, but they have been reissued periodically, using an improved, more supple but still pigskin binding.
The chain booksellers Barnes & Noble have done Winston Churchill many services, producing cheap copies of numerous books by and about him over recent years. One of their latest was this fine offprint of the two-volume Odhams Edition, bound in half black cloth and stamped gilt on the spines, sold in a black, heavy cardboard slipcase. Only available from Barnes & Noble, at the bargain price of $29.95/£19, it remains in print at this writing.
In 1995, the Churchill Center presented a certificate of appreciation to the President of Barnes & Noble for his efforts in keeping Churchill in print, along with copies of The Aftermath and The Eastern Front, which we hoped he would consider for reprinting alongside this work, thus creating a complete World Crisis that would certainly sell for under $100/£60. After months of silence he sent them back; he did not even want them as gifts? The Churchill Center duly produced its own reprints: see below.
This work is mentioned by Woods (page 55), who describes it as a cheap edition published in 1941 at 6/ ($1.50). Since it has never been encountered among the publisher’s records or hundreds of copies examined by dealers and collectors, I doubt very much that it ever existed.
Navy boards blocked blind on top boards and gilt on spines with main title, subtitle, author’s name, five or six stars indicating volume, and the name of Thornton Butterworth, the original publisher. Both are reset, based on the original Thornton Butterworth text, leftover from the 1974-75 collected edition (and, as a result, printed on 500-year archival paper, but thinner than the originals). Note that The Eastern Front contains all the original photos and illustrations, save for the elaborate folding map following the index.
A bookseller colleague salvaged leftover “Collected Works” sheets and bound them as replicas of the original Thornton Butterworth cases—down even to the publisher’s name in gilt on the spines: the first appearance of Thornton Butterworth since 1940. Although another colleague laughingly called this “an act of bibliographic obfuscation,” the books cannot be mistaken for first editions. The internals bear “Collected Works” markings, being entitled Volume XI (The Aftermath) and Volume XII (The Eastern Front) from that 34-volume collection.
Woods (page 51) mentions some but not all of the following; by “Yugoslavian” he apparently means the Serbo-Croat edition.
Translation of The Great War, published by Hasselbalch: Copenhagen 1935. Only 89 of the original 98 chapters were published, originally in 33 separate parts. The parts were later bound in two thick quarto (8 1/2 x 11 1/2″) volumes bound in half brown leather, half blue leather and, say some Danes, in wrappers. Elaborately illustrated with 38 color plates of world leaders, each tipped onto a heavy backing page. Though pagination differs, black and white illustrations are the same as in the Norwegian Edition. 1576 pages. Books came in specially designed cardboard boxes.
A thin abridgment of Volume III, published in rose wrappers printed black with a photo of the author by De Telegraaf: Amsterdam 1927. 102 pages, illustrated, plus wrappers.
Translation of The Aftermath, published by W. S. Oberstrom: Porvossa, Finland, 1929.
Published by Payot: Paris in grey wrappers, consisting of the following volumes: Tome I 1911-1914 (1925), Tome II 1915 (1926), Tome III 1916/18 (1930) and Tome IV 1919 (1931). 1,946 pages. This work had several impressions but is usually found in well worn condition at low prices. Glassine wrappers often found with this work are not original; French booksellers put this on everything.
Published by Koehler (1924-26) and Amalthea (1928-31) in four volumes and five parts: 1911-1914 (1924), Zweiter Band 1915 (1926), 1916/18 (2 vols., 1928) and Nach Dem Kriege (The Aftermath) (1931). An interesting set: the font is old style German; Volumes I and II came bound and unbound; the 1916-1918 pair is known in deep green and dark blue cloth. Nach Dem Kriege is found only in large card wrappers.
Abridged edition, published by Verlag am Stutz Herdeg: Zurich 1947, bound in dark blue cloth; grey dust jacket with white titles.
Volumes I and II published by Società Anonima Poligrafica Italiana in Rome; Volumes III and IV published by Tipo-Litografia della R. Accademia Navale in Livorno. The four volumes in five parts were as follows: Vol I 1911-1914 (1929), Vol II 1915 (1930), Vol III 1916-1918 (2 vols., 1930) and Vol IV Il Dopoguerra (The Aftermath) (1931).
Published by Pereira: Lisbon 1941. Likely a multi-volume set using the Odhams 1911-1918 text; three volumes have been discovered covering 1911-14 and 1915.
Abridged edition published in Zagreb, Yugoslavia, 1936.
Abridged edition published by Los Libros de Nuestro Tiempo: Barcelona 1944.
Abridged edition published by Skoglund: Stockholm 1931. Offered in orange card wrappers or as a single volume bound in blue cloth.
The Great War, published by Skoglund: Stockholm 1935 (Vols. 1 & 2) and 1936 (Vol. 3); first published in nine slim softbound volumes priced at 4.5 krona, or four thicker volumes. These were later bound in half mottled red-brown or tan and dark green leather and plain or marbled cloth. At 7 3/4 x 10 1/2″, smaller in size than the Danish/Norwegian versions but stretched out to three volumes, the Swedish Edition contains its own set of black and white photos, no colour plates and 95 of the original 98 Great War chapters. The volumes originally sold for 26 krona each; in Sweden today, a bound set costs over $200/£120, but sets on the American secondhand market cost much less because there is little demand. Recommended for its unique photos. | 2019-04-20T18:48:37Z | https://www.chartwellbooksellers.com/connoisseurs-guide/world-crisis/ |
Thema der nächsten ProcessLab Konferenz ist die Automatisierung von Prozessen mit Hilfe neuer Technologien. Das Potenzial z.B. von Künstlicher Intelligenz und Blockchain ist enorm. Darüber hinaus erlauben automatisierte Prozesse ein hohes Maß an Vernetzung innerhalb und außerhalb des Unternehmens. Welche Konzepte verfolgen Banken und Versicherer bei ihrem Bestreben, Prozesse zu automatisieren? Wie können die neuen Technologien konkret genutzt werden, um die Effizienz zu erhöhen?
Auf der kommenden ProcessLab-Konferenz werden Gedankenanstöße und Praxisbeispiele gegeben, wie diese Themen angegangen und die herausfordernden Fragestellungen gelöst werden können. Auf Sie wartet wieder ein vielfältiges Programm mit spannenden Vorträgen zur Prozessautomatisierung in der Finanzbranche.
ist ein Forschungscenter der Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Das Center beschäftigt sich mit verschiedensten Aspekten des Prozessmanagements in der Finanzbranche.
Wir sind der erste Ansprechpartner in Deutschland für die Entwicklung innovativer, wissenschaftlicher Lösungen für das Prozessmanagement in der Finanzbranche.
Wir arbeiten eng mit der Praxis zusammen und vernetzen uns international in der Forschung. Mehrere Veranstaltungsreihen des ProcessLab ermöglichen den Austausch zum Prozessmanagement.
Das aktuelle ProcessLab-Team setzt sich aus den beiden Co-Heads, Prof. Dr. Moormann und Prof. Dr. Beimborn, zwei PostDocs, drei Doktoranden, zwei assoziierten (Senior-)Mitgliedern und zwei studentischen Hilfskräften zusammen. Sieben ehemalige Mitarbeiter/innen des ProcessLab konnten bislang promoviert werden.
Dirk Wölfing (Dipl.-Volkswirt) ist assoziiertes Mitglied des ProcessLab der Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Sein Arbeitsschwerpunkt liegt in der prozessualen Neugestaltung und kontinuierlichen Verbesserung von Cash-Prozessen.
Kürzlich hat er in Kooperation mit dem ProcessLab an einer internationalen Studie zum Reifegrad dieser Prozesse gearbeitet („Treasury-Studie: Vom Cash-Manager zum Cash-Process-Manager“). Im Rahmen der Studie hatten die beteiligten Unternehmen die Möglichkeit, ihre Prozesse mit denen von anderen an der Studie beteiligten Unternehmen zu vergleichen. Kooperationspartner der Studie waren BearingPoint, HSBC und TIS. Wenn Sie Interesse an der Studie haben, wenden Sie sich gern an Herrn Wölfing.
Herr Wölfing ist ausgewiesener Experte im Bereich des Zahlungsverkehr und des Cash Managements. Er war in den letzten Jahren in Finanzabteilungen großer Unternehmen, insb. zwei DAX-Konzernen, tätig und unterstützte Unternehmen bei der Neuorganisation ihres globalen Zahlungsverkehrs und des Cash Managements. Davor arbeitete er für Beratungshäuser sowie als selbstständiger Berater in einer Vielzahl von Banken im Bereich der Prozessoptimierung. In der ersten Phase seines Berufslebens hat Dirk Wölfing im Rahmen der Wirtschaftsprüfung Geschäftsprozesse in Bezug auf die Sicherheit interner Kontrollsysteme analysiert.
Seit Juni 2016 ist er zudem Dezernent für Klimaschutz und Energiewende im Magistrat der Stadt Neu-Isenburg.
Janina Kettenbohrer (M.Sc. - Wirtsch.-Inf.) ist assoziiertes Mitglied des ProcessLab der Frankfurt School of Finance & Management und wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Lehrstuhl für Wirtschaftsinformatik, an der Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg.
Ihre Forschung befasst sich mit der Standardisierung von Geschäftsprozessen, wobei der Fokus auf mitarbeiterbezogenen und organisationalen Einflussfaktoren liegt. Im Rahmen dessen wurden ein Vorgehensmodell zur erfolgreichen und nachhaltigen Prozessstandardisierung sowie ein Governance-Modell zur Sicherstellung der Standardisierung entwickelt. Beide Modelle werden bereits erfolgreich in der Praxis eingesetzt und wissenschaftlich begleitet. Zudem beschäftigt sich Frau Kettenbohrer mit dem Einfluss verschiedener Eigenschaften von Arbeit und welche Auswirkung diese auf die Akzeptanz von Mitarbeitern gegenüber standardisierten Prozesse hat. In ihren Forschungsarbeiten finden sowohl qualitative als auch quantitative Forschungsmethoden Anwendung.
Ihre Forschungsbeiträge wurden unter anderem auf zahlreichen nationalen und internationalen Wirtschaftsinformatikkonferenzen wie bspw. ICIS, ECIS, WI und AMCIS veröffentlicht.
Im Rahmen ihrer universitären Lehre betreut Janina Seminar- und Abschlussarbeiten.
The ProcessLab is essentially supported by the research work of our PhD students at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Our PhD students are supervised by a professor and by an external partner.
The supervising professor is primarily responsible for the scientific rigor, relevance, and methods, whereas the external partner, usually one of our sponsors, is responsible for ensuring practical relevance.
Dissertations at Frankfurt School are always supervised by two of our professors as well as by one professor from another university.
Lean Six Sigma (LSS) describes the combination of Lean Management and the Six Sigma methodology. LSS is one of the most important concepts to increase operational efficiency. Correspondingly, the concept is currently used by many companies in the financial sector. In order to determine the state of the art as well as approaches for the further development of LSS, we carry out an international study in cooperation with colleagues from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the Indian University IIM Tiruchirappalli and the University of Amsterdam.
The study is aimed at employees in banks, insurance companies and other financial service providers. A particular focus is the examination of the relationship between the project results (performance) achieved with LSS and the capabilities needed for successful LSS. Ultimately, we will try to develop a theory for the ability of LSS as well as a concept for measuring this ability. This will enable companies to determine their own LSS capability.
Particularly in times of digitalisation, companies are faced with the question of how they can achieve process innovations. What skills are required to innovate processes, rather than incrementally improving them? Can these abilities be measured? How can these skills be enhanced within companies?
In order to answer these questions, we use the capability-based view, which is grounded in the resource-based view of the firm. At first, we develop a four-dimensional concept that considers not only already trained routines for process innovation, but also the suitability of the organizational structure, the motivation for process innovation and the organizational willingness to implement already developed innovations. Secondly, a tool for PIC measurement will be developed to provide recommendations for setting up PIC capabilities for financial service providers.
We analyze enablers and success factors for organization-wide process standardization initiatives and we examine how process governance concepts need to be designed and implemented so that employees are able and willing to follow defined process standards. Using different scientific approaches, such as action design research, case studies and employee surveys, we help firms to evaluate the degree of process orientation and acceptance of process standards among their management and staff.
Blockchain was initially launched as an approach to payment transactions based on cryptography to provide an alternative mechanism for trust between two transacting parties. The number of uses cases has increased ever since and the emergence of blockchain has led to an animated discussion among both researchers and practitioners about its future prospects. In our research we focus on the impacts of blockchain on business models and we analyze the challenges the technology needs to overcome before achieving breakthrough. In particular, we are analyzing the organizational adoption of blockchain technology based on expert interviews to develop guidelines for new forms of organizational design adequate for digital innovation.
Due to complex, unpredictable and instable environmental changes, firms struggle to find an efficient organizational structure that is flexible enough to adapt to changing environmental demands. This applies particularly for digital innovations, either continuous or disruptive. The management literature has proposed a number of approaches. One of them is a firm’s capability to cope with the changes by detecting and reacting to market opportunities and has been termed “agility”. Still, the organizational adjustments and changes to the organizational structure are unclear. Hence, we are conducting a quantitative study to analyze the organizational structure, agility, and a firm’s capability to develop digital innovations. Our goal is to distill the decisive factors in an organizational design contributing to agility and analyze their effects.
Digitization permeates almost all areas of life. This has eminently made the topic of payment procedures enormously important. The trend is clearly moving towards cashless, mobile procedures - be it by card, online, smartphone or combinations of these. The market is considered attractive by many players - from FinTech to the major Internet companies. These companies are trying to compete with traditional banks in this part of the value chain to maintain customer contact. Our research focuses on innovations with regard to the business model and the associated processes. These include studies on network effects in the dissemination of mobile payment (dealer's view), the use of blockchain in payment transaction processes, payment concepts in connected cars, etc.
Once a year, ProcessLab organizes a full day conference concerning process management. The aim is to offer a forum in which practitioners are invited to present the best practice cases and researchers contribute with new academic findings in the field.
The conference is in German so switch to the German page for more information.
Wir laden Sie herzlich zu dieser Veranstaltung ein und freuen uns auf Ihren Besuch!
In several evening events during the year, researchers and practitioners are brought together for presenting and discussing individual topics of business process management in the financial services area.
Das nächste ProcessLab-Colloquium findet am 10. April 2019 statt.
Thema: Lean Six Sigma – ein mächtiges Instrument, aber reicht das aus?
Abstract: Die permanente Verbesserung von Geschäftsprozessen ist für Finanzdienstleister unumgänglich. Vor diesem Hintergrund spielen Operational-Excellence-Programme eine große Rolle. Eines der verbreitetsten Konzepte zur Erzielung von Exzellenz ist Lean Six Sigma (LSS) – die Kombination aus Lean Management und der Six-Sigma-Methodik. Aber was ist wirklich wichtig für den Erfolg von LSS-Programmen? Welche Hindernisse gibt es? Wie können Banken und Versicherer die Fähigkeit entwickeln, LSS erfolgreich anzuwenden? Zur Beantwortung dieser Fragen werden die Ergebnisse der bislang umfangreichsten empirischen Untersuchung zum Einsatz von LSS in der Finanzbranche vorgestellt. Außerdem werden wir zeigen, wie man aus der LSS-Methodik eine organisationale Fähigkeit entwickeln kann.
Special: Jede/r Teilnehmer/in am Colloquium erhält einen Bericht zur LSS-Studie!
This event offers the possibility for an intense discussion on certain important issues of process management in the financial services sector. The meetings are limited to small groups and are conducted one to two times a year.
For more information, switch to the German version of this page.
In lectures and training seminars on Six Sigma or on business process management, practical examples or lectures from manufacturing are generally used. These examples often appear to be rather abstract for practitioners in the financial service industry, who often experience difficulties in transferring the learnt methods to their businesses.
In order to sensitize employees within the financial sectors to problems and solutions on a process level, the simulation KreditSim was developed. This business game deals with the loan approval process – the central task in the classic banking business. The participants of the simulation adopt the roles of service specialists processing credit applications at the fictitious bank “Home Loan Bank Ltd.” They perform the respective tasks on the basis of predetermined job descriptions. It becomes quickly apparent in the first round of the simulation that each fictitious employee focuses only on a small part of the whole process chain and that a selective optimization of single parts of the process is not sufficient. The elimination of processing errors and the reduction in total processing time can only be achieved by optimizing the whole process chain.
After the first round of the simulation, the process is analyzed by applying the DMAIC cycle (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) and the Six Sigma methodology. Alternatively, other methods of business process optimization can be used in order to identify problems and errors in the process flow. Ideally, participants develop an optimized process flow, which they subsequently simulate. The resulting comparison of both simulations in terms of total processing time and the amount of processing errors serves to demonstrate the importance of Business Process Management.
The simulation KreditSim can be used for different types of trainings, either in the context of Six Sigma or Business Process Management.
Which Process Is Analyzed in KreditSim?
Considering the customer’s wishes while processing the loan (e.g., interest and pay back modalities).
However, the predetermined process design does not allow participants to comply with these criteria. Participants will observe that the requirements cannot be met at present. A decision concerning the approval takes 9 to 10 days (i.e., 9 to 10 minutes in the simulation). Furthermore, incorrectly determined ratings and thus incorrect loan decisions occur permanently. In addition, customers’ wishes are insufficiently considered. An in-depth analysis of the loan approval process is consequently essential.
KreditSim is well-suited to illustrating the Six Sigma methodology in a seminar. Participants learn how to define the process based on customer requirements, to enhance the loan process on the basis of different quantitative and qualitative criteria, and to conduct process analyses. Participants are shown that the problems are caused by unspecified interfaces, non-value adding processes, and the process flow. Participants are then challenged to find new solutions for a loan process design without reducing staff or automating the process.
KreditSim can be divided into 3 phases: The first phase relates to the simulation of the current loan process of the Home Loan Bank Ltd. (as-is-situation). This phase is standardized and constant, as the used materials and simulation instructions are predefined. The second phase addresses the optimization of the process. During this phase, participants receive guidance from a trainer. The DMAIC cycle of the Six Sigma methodology can be applied to design a new loan approval process (target situation). In the third phase, participants simulate the optimized loan approval process. The success of the process optimization can be documented and be compared to the results of the initial situation.
The simulation is limited to 18 participants and a moderator. If the number of attendants exceeds this number, any additional seminar members can be deployed as observers during the simulation and they can participate subsequently in the optimization phase. The number of participants can be reduced to 12 participants without negatively impacting the basic flow.
KreditSim is a protected trade mark (Nr.: 302009 048 678).
For more information on KreditSim please send an e-mail to Prof. Dr. Jürgen Moormann.
Leyer, M./Hirzel, A.-K./Moormann, J. (2015): Effectiveness of role plays on process-oriented behavior in daily work practices: An analysis in the financial services sector, in: Proceedings of the 23nd European Conference on Information Systems (ECIS 2015), Münster, Paper 120.
Moormann, J./Börner, R./Wang, M. (2011): Advancing staff training: Transforming a paper-based role play into a workflow management system, in: Development and Learning in Organizations, 25. Jg., Nr. 6, S. 16-19 (DOI: 10.1108/14777281111173351).
Moormann, J./Wang, M. (2010), Using role-play based simulation to acquire tacit knowledge in organizations: The case of KreditSim, in: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Knowledge Management in Asia Pacific (KMAP 2010), 16-17. September 2010, Xi’an, China (Artikel zum Download).
Börner, R./Uremovic, A. (2010), Sparking Employee's Interest in Six Sigma. Transferring a paper-based Simulation to a Workflow Management Application, in: Cordeiro, J./Shishkov, V./Verbraeck, A./Helfert, M. (Hrsg.), Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Computer Supported Education, Band 2, Valencia, Spanien, S. 203-210 (Artikel zum Download).
Börner, R./Leyer, M. (2010), Using role-plays to acquire process-oriented knowledge in enterprises, in: Liu, K./Filipe, J. (Hrsg.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Knowledge Management and Information Sharing, Valencia: SciTePress, S. 149-156 (Artikel zum Download).
The cooperation with colleagues from other universities is vital for our research. ProcessLab works closely together with other universities for connecting different research methodologies as well as supporting academic exchange in general.
Together with Dr. Theresa Schmiedel, Assistant Professor at the Hilti Chair of Business Process Management at the University of Liechtenstein, we conduct a study regarding the impact of organizational values (especially regulatory-driven measures) on process performance as well as on the overall performance of financial service providers.
The QUT´s BPM Research Group in Brisbane, Australia, is one of the major research groups in the field of Business Process Management covering many topics along the lifecycle of business processes. Prof. Dr. Michael Rosemann, Head of the Information Systems School at QUT, is a long-time partner of ProcessLab. The BPM Research Group is an important part of the Information Systems School.
The Laboratory for Knowledge Management & E-Learning is a research center at the University of Hong Kong directed by Prof. Dr. Maggie M. Wang. The main focus of the laboratory’s research is the general improvement of knowledge management as well as effective learning. Prof. Wang is also the editor-in-chief of the journal „Knowledge Management & E-Learning: An International Journal“.
The main goal of ProcessLab is a mutual exchange of knowledge between research and practice. For achieving this goal, ProcessLab is supported by several industry partners.
Are you interested in a partnership with ProcessLab? New industry partners are welcome at any time!
Seit Gründung unterstützen wir die Arbeit am ProcessLab. Hier finden wir eine Plattform zum Wissenaustausch zwischen Theorie und Praxis, sei es in persönlichen Gesprächen oder im Rahmen von ProcessLab-Colloquia und -Konferenzen. Die vielfältigen Fragestellungen des Prozessmanagements bieten viele Ansatzpunkte, um miteinander zu arbeiten und voneinander zu lernen.
Als Strategieumsetzungsberatung unterstützt UMS Unternehmen der Finanzbranche bei der Schaffung messbarer Werte. UMS hat mit dem ProcessLab einen Partner gefunden, der es in idealer Weise ermöglicht, die Praxis mit wissenschaftlichen Ansätzen zu verbinden.
Im Oktober stellten Prof. Dr. Moormann und Dr. Bogodistov in mehreren Vorträgen die Ergebnisse unserer Studie vor. Darin ging es um Prozessinnovation und die Bewältigung von Veränderungen im Rahmen einer in der Ukraine laufenden Strukturreform im Gesundheitswesen. Das Forschungscenter ProcessLab der Frankfurt School hatte umfangreiche Datenerhebungen in der Stadt Krywyj Rih (knapp 700.000 Einw.) durchgeführt, die als Vorreiter der Strukturreform gilt.
In Schulungen zum Prozessmanagement oder auch zu Six Sigma werden üblicherweise Anwendungsbeispiele aus der Fertigungsindustrie oder der Logistik verwendet. Für Teilnehmer aus dem Finanzbereich erscheinen diese Beispiele meist sehr abstrakt. Es gelingt ihnen deshalb nur schwer, die erlernten Methoden auf ihr eigenes Geschäftsfeld zu übertragen. Um Mitarbeiter aus der Finanzbranche für Prozessprobleme und -lösungen zu sensibilisieren, wurde die Six-Sigma-Simulation "KreditSim" (für Versicherer "InsuranceSim") konzipiert. | 2019-04-22T04:35:23Z | https://www.frankfurt-school.de/en/home/research/centres/processlab |
bat blog-a-ton fiction guilt infidelity Love The Silent Whispers !
It was the beginning of the 1st Sem of M.Tech. Life was not different at College of Engineering, Pune.I continued from where I stopped in B.Tech .I belonged to the league of spoiled brats. Infact, it was disgraceful to be tagged as a scamp amongst a group of 70.It was ironic that despite being called so, some groups of beautiful lasses found me attractive and called me an adorable rogue. Truth is always bitter, but sometimes my heart fails to accept the different smutty adjectives bestowed upon me. Human heart is bound by feelings and emotions. It hurts at times when you are subjected to such things. Owing to this, the beautiful damsels of my class never spoke much to me. People entered my life and left. Few things can't be said, but people failed to identify the storm within me. I had been nursing a broken heart. I never had any intimate friends with whom I could share my sorrows. There were few groups of voracious men whose company I cherished. They eyed my wealth, I eyed their friendship. But it did hurt me when they prioritized my money. Such ravenous men irk me. Solitude snatched the happiness in my life. I often walk alone along the veranda in pursuit of peace and lost happiness, listening to Radio. I sit at the corner section of the library where people never went. Some say that I was turning into a loner. I never cared for what the world said. But for me, it was the place where I found peace, the place where I met my first love. Yes, I fell in love with a beautiful woman. How could I forget her?
Those days I was never the same. Life was full of happiness. I was boisterous young man of 21,a brilliant student studying in 3rd Sem at COE, Pune. The day I turned Twenty One, I decided to throw a big party to all my classmates. I distributed sweets and tried to make everyone happy. I spend all my pocket money to make my birthday grand. My doting parents could never say no to any of my demands. They decided to make my birthday special and I became a proud owner of an Audi A4.The class was festooned with colourful balloons and glitter papers. Everyone sang the birthday song for me and everyone wished and greeted me. That was the day when I saw her for the first time. She looked nervous and muddled as she entered the classroom. She witnessed something unusual and preferred to remain silent. She was tall - about 5'6”, wheatish and had a slender body. Her long straight hair was neatly braided with a middle partition. Her angelic and seraphic eyes hid the eternal universes behind. Her arched charcoal dark brows looked like the bow of an archer ready to wound many hearts. Her nose, haughty and long made her look magnificent. She had a perfect lips, blood red in color.Her entire face was alluring. It was her first lecture. Nervousness had muffled her smile. I was damn sure that this pretty girl would be more beautiful if she smiled a bit. I was anticipating a smile from her and of course a wish - a birthday wish. I stifled a smile when few of my friends’ cracked funny jokes. I gazed at the new entrant to our class. Everyone was busy engrossed in their other activities, while few of them were gorging on the delicious puff rolls which I gave them. The studious lot of the class were busy writing their daily assignments. She sat at a vacant seat on the first row. I was wondering why she never spoke. A chubby girl, my close friend greeted her. That was the perfect moment when she smiled. I saw her smile and realized that I had got the best birthday gift of my life. She introduced herself as 'Muskan'. I keenly observed her as she uttered her name. I was not surprised when her parents named her. They must have been beguiled by the lovely smile of their daughter.
"Guys, Lets welcome the gorgeous Muskan," The same chubby girl Dimpy introduced her to the class.
"Gorgeous... appropriately described," I murmured.
The entire class gathered at her desk to welcome her. I stood there admiring her smile. I could infact request her to keep smiling like that. The same day I had visited the Library to collect my library card. I saw huge stacks of books neatly arranged and organised in the book shelves. I randomly picked up a book from one of the shelf. "Discrete Structure" I read.
I scanned the entire lobby in search of a vacant seat. I got a glimpse of Muskan once again. She was seated at the corner in complete isolation. She held her hair loose which in turn kissed the table top. I sat in front of her and looked at her as she was completing her notes. I observed that she was wearing a dark red polish on her nails.
"Hi Muskan," I greeted her.
"Hey Birthday boy!" she smiled at me. As she smiled, a new feeling of hope and happiness aroused in me. Her radiant smile gave me the ultimate joy of my life. I smiled back at her.
"So what’s the plan for the day birthday boy?" she said as we exchanged smiles.
"Nothing ...Planning to throw parties to my friends,"
"Well, if you don't mind, Could you join me for a coffee?" I asked her. I knew it was inappropriate to ask a girl out for the first time when you meet.
"I will certainly...," she said as I saw her tresses striving hard to reach her eyes. Even they didn't want her to focus on her studies.
"..But not now. Lots of writings to be done and it’s not good to go out for a coffee with a guy whom I don’t know," she winked.
"Oh ... by the way I am Nikhil," I said.
"So Nikhil. I am sorry. I can't come with you," she blatantly refused.
"But you should be spending your day with your loved ones,” she said with an unwarranted placidity to which I exhibited a frown.
I wish I could tell her that she could be that ‘loved’ one in my life. I wanted to befriend Muskan but I had already messed up. All I did was to be good to her. That night I could not stop thinking about her. Did I fall for her or for her smile? I knew it was affection but I could never stop thinking about her.
The next morning I got up and after completing my daily morning rituals of bathing, shaving and breakfast, I headed for college. I was dressed in a dapper outfit, dashing enough to impress girls. I entered the class ceremoniously at sharp 9 am and all eyes were glued on me .I could understand that they were not used to this, but sometimes things could change drastically. I sat on the 2nd bench and a few more pair of bemused eyes looked at me. Maybe they had never seen me seated at the 2nd row. I wished they would stop embarrassing me. The lecture started and I was waiting to get a glimpse of Muskan.
“May I come in Sir,” I heard a soft voice. I looked at the door and saw Muskan. She was wearing a colourful Kurti. I kept staring at her as she walked towards me. She sat beside me. Days passed and I got close to her. We both used to study and hang out together. There was a drastic change in my behaviour as Muskan entered my life. People couldn’t digest this change . I soon started loving her company. Her presence made me feel good. During this span of time, I got to know her more - her likes, dislikes and every damn thing. She shared her secrets with me. We became good friends and the good changed to best. I knew that I had fallen for her. We both were at the library completing our OS assignments. I sat next to her.
“Can I ask you something?” I said. I liked her but I never knew if the feelings were mutual. Although we were close, I had a constant fear of losing her. I wanted to embrace her and lock her in my heart.
“I should admit that life is never the same as before. I could divide my life into two parts – before you and after you. Things have totally changed since you entered my life,” I said.
“Every time I look at you, I love the way you smile at me. I love the way you do things. I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I continued.
“Even the birds warbling everyday would like to see us together. If they could speak, they would give you the testimony of my love for you. I am losing myself to you. I am in love Muskan. I love you Muskan. Do you love me?” I asked her with fingers crossed.
There was a deafening silence for 5 minutes. She didn’t look at my eyes. Her silence killed me as every seconds passed. I wanted to know what was running in her mind. I was waiting for her reply. She refused to look at me. Over thousand questions ran through my mind.
“Muskan,” I said. I looked straight into her eyes. I didn’t know how to react. She finally broke her silence with a smile. Yes, she smiled at me. I could feel butterflies fluttering in my stomach as she smiled at me.
“Yes,” she replied me. My heart skipped a beat as I heard the yes from her. I couldn’t express my feelings. My happiness grew no bounds.
“I am always yours Nikhil and will never leave you,” she promised me. We had completely surrendered to the divine master called ‘Love’. I looked at her eyes and she looked at mine. Our lips locked, she smiled and I smiled back at her. We started hanging out together. We used to go out for movies and shopping. There was no worldly power that could separate us. We were made for each other, always together. I gave her everything which could make her happy. I was ascertain that I could do anything and everything for her happiness. Our 3rd SEM got over and our vacations started. I left for Delhi to meet my maternal grandparents. Muskan was at Amritsar during those days and we used to communicate through cell phone. Our vacations soon got over and I was back to Pune for my 4th Sem. Weeks passed but there was no news from Muskan. I tried contacting her several times but all my attempts were futile. I was worried for once. I wish I could tell her that she had topped in the 3rd Sem. That would be great news for her. She was brilliant at studies. Her insatiable thirst for excellence was the main reason for her success. I was extremely happy for her. Months passed and she never came back. I started missing her badly.
I wanted to talk to her badly but I didn’t know how. I still remember that day. It was the 4th of April. We were strolling at the College campus. I saw a bike racing towards the gate. A rugged faced man sporting a four day old stubble, was riding the bike. He had a perfect build and wore Aviator sunglasses. He was looking smart in his check shirts and Cotton Trousers. He wore the Infosys ID card. I saw that a woman was seated behind him. She wore a Red Kurti, embroidered with different colourful designs. When he stopped the bike, I got the biggest shock of my life. It was Muskan in a totally new avatar. She wore a red sindoor on her head. A red bindi graced her look. She looked matured like a woman although she was 19. I remained stunned for a moment when I saw the ‘mangal-sutra’ on her neck. I stood there cursing my fate as I saw our eyes met once again. This time she refused to acknowledge my glance. She exhibited a straight face as her husband bid her good bye. She bid him bye and left for the class. I stood there as she walked .I was heartbroken. She looked behind and I witnessed the silent tears rolling down her cheeks. I wish I could wipe her tears for she was once the girl who meant everything to me. I wish I could talk to her but I could not muster enough courage for I had the fear of breaking down in front of her. How could she do that? I was jinxed. My feeling for her was indeed true and my heart was fragile enough to see her with a different man. May be I wasn’t lucky enough to cherish the purest form of love .She was never meant for me.
And the world was silent when they saw this. Everyone knew how close we were. But within matter of time, things changed. I left for the Linux lecture. I purposely refrained from any kind of eye contacts with her. I decided to avoid her. I had to do this for her good. She was not mine but sometimes I feel upset when I look back at how life had veered in recent few months. I sat on the last bench, the same bench where I used to sit before Muskan entered my life. She showed me a dream of happiness and my feelings for her was nipped in the bud. We soon turned into known strangers. Every time I looked her, her eyes suggested me that she had something to say. She seemed gloomy and unsociable. Every time I passed by her side, I could see tears in her eyes. I had a strong intuition that she wanted to talk to me. How could I hate her? All that I desired was to see a smile on her face. It was that million dollar smile which made me fall for her. How could I tell her that I was not strong? For someone who showed me dreams of togetherness, how could I forsake her?
That day I decided to talk to her. I hunted her at the classroom but I couldn’t find her. I rushed to the library as I knew that it was the same place where she sought happiness. It was the same corner where I sought solace.
“I don’t want you to cry,” I sat next to her. I saw that she couldn’t face me. She was helpless but I wanted to tell her few things.
“I observe intense hurt and pain that resides in your eyes. This isn't pleasing as I am not used to seeing all this,” I continued.
“I hate to see tears invading your face. Will you please smile for me?” I paused.
She looked at me. Tears welled in her eyes. I asked her to wipe the tears.
“If not me, at least for the beautiful face that you have. People here are not used to see you like this Muskan”.
She gave me an animated smile. “I am sorry Nikhil,” she said and cried again.
“You don’t have to be sorry,” I riposted.
“Destiny didn’t want us together. You or me are not responsible for this,” I smiled.
She informed me that her father had seen us romancing at a nearby garden. I was shocked when I heard this from her. Her entire family cursed her that day. Poor thing had to suffer because of me. They decided to get her married at their hometown. She got married to a Software Engineer, senior to her by 8 years. I was stunned to know that she had sacrificed me for her family. She had compromised her love for her family. Any girl would do that. Muskan was just traditional girl who belonged to a middle class background.
“How is he?,” I asked her, although I didn’t want to.
“Why so?” I curiously asked her.
“I am trying to overcome this thing. I can’t think of any other man in my life. I have just done this for my family and their happiness,” she retorted.
We were completing our submission stuff and lately noticed that it was already 9 pm. It was late for her.
“Come, I will drop you home,” I said her. “No. It’s okay. I will take an auto,” she replied.
“That’s sad..I just asked you as a friend,” I responded.
“Okay. Let’s go,” she said and sat on my bike. It was after months that she was riding with me.
As I was riding, I observed that it had started raining heavily. We reached her home in 45 minutes. By then we both were completely drenched.
“Okay I am going,” I said and bid her bye.
“You are wet. I don’t want you to fall sick..and I care for you ...Okay,” She said.
“What will your husband think of me?,” I said to her.
“Onsite?” I asked her. “I mean some company assignments and he left for New York today evening,” She answered me. She lived at Pimpri Saudagar. Her house was spacious with 3 rooms, tiled in Granite marbles. It had a huge veranda from where you could get a view of the garden.
I stood there at the veranda as the clock struck 10. She gave me Gautam’s shorts and t-shirt. I thoroughly dried my hair with the towel that she gave me. We both had dinner together. This time it was a different feeling. I ate Aloo Paratha’s and Chole. I praised her culinary skills to which she blushed. She was wearing a blue colour saree.
“You know ...I was afraid of facing you,” she said. Her smile was lost.
“I am sorry Nikhil,” she apologised.
“Do you still love me?” I asked. It rekindled my old memories which reminded of the day I proposed her. There was deafening silence once again although I never expected a yes.
“Yes,” she said. My heart skipped a beat. I went close to her. I held my arms around my shoulder and asked her once again.
“Yes... I do love you,” she said with a straight face. This time there were no tears on her eyes. I was so close to her that I could feel her breathe. I jabbed my lips over hers. With slight hesitation, she refused to acknowledge my kiss. I kissed her once again and this time she responded. I could feel her heart beats as our lips touched. We both passionately kissed each other for few minutes. It reminded me of our first kiss. How could I forget it? I undraped her saree and witnessed her blue blouse and her petticoat. She closed her eyes as I unlaced her blouse. For once I had completely undressed her. She lay on the bed completely naked just like a new born baby. I caressed her soft alluring skin as I kissed her again. My fingers stroked her hair as I explored her back. It was then I decided to explore her whole body. I kissed her everywhere, on every part of her body. I ran the tip of my index finger along the length of her body, through her spine and then through her thighs and then through her feet. Her soft breasts, firm and round was full of secret energy ready explode anytime. I enfolded her slender body as I kissed her delicate lips once again. Infact her lips were the best part of her body. They were inviting. It was a perfect moment of bliss when her succulent bare bosom kissed my chest as she humped over me. I could feel the sudden gush of blood on her veins. With a swift movement, we swirled our body. She moaned as our body brushed against each other. I nuzzled her nose and embraced her. I kissed her on her eyes and felt the tears pouring from her eyes.
“Even the Gods won’t forgive me for what I have done,” she looked sad.
“You have nothing to worry,” I said as we lied naked on the bed. It was the night to remember. The next morning when I woke up, she greeted me with a smile. It was the same smile which took my breath away. She returned back my notebook which she had borrowed from me. But somehow I thought that she had faked her smile. I left for my home at morning 6.
I never saw Muskan again for days. One week later, I got the news about Muskan’s death. I was shocked at first. I couldn’t believe it. That night I cried like anything. I had lost a part of myself. I had lost my love. Disturbed, I sat on the couch staring at the notebook that she gave me. I browsed through the pages and found a letter on it.
“Some say that love stories never exist. But I somehow feel that love stories do exist just that it didn’t happen in our case. I always loved you and wanted to live with you. You showed me dreams and I can’t tell you how happy I was with you. Sadly our dreams could never materialize. You loved me and I promised you to be together with you in the journey of life. I betrayed you Nikhil. The Almighty won’t forgive me for what happened between us the other night. I cheated the man who married me. That feeling of guilt will kill me every day, every single minute and second. I can’t forgive myself. But I want to tell you that my feelings for you were true. Please forgive me Nikhil. Will you?” I broke into tears when I read it. How could she think of leaving me all alone?
She was my world – a world full of happiness. And now the world was silent once again -the last time when she got married and this time when she left me.
Some people do enter your life and they completely change your life. Muskan was gone but when I reminisce my past, I cherish every single moment I spend with her. It’s been 2 years now and I still remember everything, every damn thing about my Muskan ,especially the smile.
Tum hi tum ho , Tum har kahi ho.
The Radio played the song which brought tears into my eyes.
Images Taken from Google Images!!
I know somethings have to be sad aativas. Life is not about happiness!
I am glad this fiction has touched your heart.Life is an amalgamation of happiness,sorrow and other such feelings. Sometimes you were be euphoric and sometimes full of tears. Thats how life goes on!
Thanks for this. This is the first time I am using 'Nikhil' for my character. Glad you loved it. Keep Coming!
This was the Long post , worth the entire 4000 words, One that leaves you thinks the ONLY IFs, like any other love story on your blog, beautiful.
Thank you Reshmi! :) This was kind.
Ha-Ha I seemed to have mastered the skill of writing sad stories. Thanks Aarti.
Love stories... *sigh* always leaves obvioys emotions in heart.
Maybe some love wasn't meant to be indeed.
what do I say, love is ur toughest foe and ur bestest friend..at the same time.
its difficult to contain stories to fewer words i know . . but then i have no complaints , for this one was truly heart warming . . i love lovestories . there isnt a ' lived happily therafter ' most of the times , such a bitter truth .
I am glad you liked it and I agree with you.
Long but fluent narration and a loving story. Good read.
I couldn't stop reading once I started. very well narrated, why the good love stories have to meet a tragic end!!!
Hmm! i generally avoid writing long stuffs but I couldn't stop once I started this.
not every love is meant to be together.. but wherever we are, whatever we do, love is always there for that special someone. nice story with a bitter ending. enjoyed reading it.. all the best.
Reading a nice, romantic story after long. Sad ending but I enjoyed the ten minutes I spent with you.
Elegant, sensual and a beautiful piece of writing. Though the end makes one feel gloomy.
I agree the ending isn't that amusing but i seriously thought of changing it but couldn't.
Wow! Beautifully written story. This is exactly what happens in real life. | 2019-04-26T09:42:53Z | http://www.thesolitarywriter.com/2013/01/the-silent-whispers.html |
If you are looking for the best way to burn fat and keep fit at home, then look no further because the Maxi Climber Vertical Climber Exercise Machine might just be the perfect home workout solution for you. Being the very first vertical climbing machine that was patented, it has achieved and maintained a high level of customer satisfaction. It’s no wonder why its popularity has grown significantly over the years.
The Maxi Climber Vertical Climber is well known for its effectiveness and fairly low price. Working out with this vertical climber provides benefits that are similar to those of other gym equipment such as Stairmaster or step machines, but at a much reduced cost. Also, each workout session lasts just a few minutes, and because it is a low-impact exercise machine, it is suitable for anyone to use.
The Maxi Climber Vertical Climber provides a total body workout that includes resistance training and cardio workouts, by actively working out on the machine for only 10 minutes per day, and repeating it for about three times in a week, you burn more calories, strengthen and tone your muscles at a rate faster than you could imagine.
According to several tests that have been conducted by the manufacturer, exercising on the Maxi Climber can help you burn more calories than you would on stationary bikes or treadmills. Distributors of the product have also tested the machine and have confirmed this to be true.
In this in-depth review, we will look at the pros, cons, and all the important details about the Maxi Climber. All these will help you make an informed choice on whether this is the right equipment to help you achieve your fitness goals.
How Does the Maxi Climber provide a full-body Workout?
The Maxi Climber engages the muscles groups that you would engage during rock climbing. Thus, by making it a part of your daily schedule, you will be able to work and strengthen every muscle group in your body such as your legs, shoulders, arms, calves, and core.
How Intense are the Maxi Climber workouts?
The Maxi Climber uses your own body weight and motion as the resistance. This means that you can change the level of intensity by putting in more effort during your workouts. The amount of resistance you add will determine the rate at which you will burn calories and how fast you will improve your total body health.
Other Benefits of working out with the Maxi Climber?
Apart from the phenomenal muscle toning benefits you will get by working out on a regular basis, this home gym equipment will help you burn calories and lose more body fat. It will also boost your endurance and stamina significantly. Regular usage has been proven to help increase bone density and improve overall body health.
Working out barefooted on the vertical climber is not advisable as the impact of the hardness of the foot pedals will be felt directly by your feet. This can be avoided by putting on a good pair of sports shoes that’s both comfortable and supportive.
As with any workout equipment, perspiration is bound to happen while exercising with the Maxi Climber. Thus, having a bottle of water to keep you hydrated is important. A towel can also turn out to be very useful in keeping the handlebars free of sweat.
It is also recommended to check if the handlebars of the Maxi Climber are at a height comfortable enough for the length of your arms. You can easily check for this by mounting the machine. Begin by standing in front of the climber and holding the stationary handlebars for balance. Move up slowly, with your right foot firmly placed on the right pedal of the climber, adjust your weight to pull your left foot over the left pedal. Now that both of your feet are on the same level, adjust the handlebars until they are almost at a height level with your chin. Finally, use the push pin to fasten them into position.
To prevent accidents or injuries, ensure to do a warm up before you begin with each any workout on the Maxi climber. Each warm-up should begin with short strides, then gradually move on to longer strides and increase your pace. The purpose of this is to get your arm muscles and whole body ready for much more intense exercises.
Just as it is important to do warm-ups before a workout, cool-downs are also equally important. At the end of a workout session, take some time to cool and calm yourself down. This is essentially a reverse of the initial warm-up you did at the beginning of your workout.
Begin in an upright position, with your weight resting solely on the pedals. Once you’ve adjusted yourself to this position. Keeping your upper body stationary, work and engage your core while keeping both of your hips aligned.
The type of workout you can perform on the Maxi Climber and the intensity at which you exercise will be determined by how fit you are. Manufacturers of the Maxi Climber made a suggestion of 10 minute per session. This may not seem like much but it is worth remembering that you’ll be using your own body weight as resistance. If you are well experienced and your fitness level is already high, you will be able to breeze through the 10 minute sessions without any difficulty. If you can do this, you may consider exercising consistently for as little as 2 minutes, and then taking a break of 30 seconds. If this is too difficult for you, you can go for 1 minute climbs, and take 30 second breaks.
Continue this process until you have exercised for 10 minutes. As your body gets used to this and your strength and endurance increases, you will able to go for longer climbs with little rests in-between. After training regularly with the machine for some time, you may feel comfortable enough to take your workouts to another level with HIITs (High Intensity Interval Trainings). This involves going at a high intensity for two minutes and taking a rest for about a minute or reducing it to 30 seconds. Gradually increase the number of minutes for each workout while decreasing the time you spend resting. When you get used to this, you can increase the total duration of your workouts up to 20 or 30 minutes.
The Maxi Climber is designed for people of different heights as there are five different height settings available to choose from.
The machine features a workout timer that helps you keep track of the amount of calories you burn during each workout. It is designed in such a way that it starts automatically at the beginning of your exercise, and stops immediately you finish it.
The workouts that are performed on the Maxi Climber are sure to be comfortable and smooth because of the ergonomic design of the machine. It features isometric non-stick grips and is a low-impact exercise machine.
Another feature of the Maxi Climber is its cutting edge Bio-X technology which delivers what is called a cross-crawl motion. This helps to work your core and abs while using the machine.
The Maxi Climber was designed with ease of storage in mind. When you are not using the machine, it can be easily folded and stored in a space as small as a standard closet or under your bed.
The Maxi Climber is sold at a cheap and affordable price compared to other gym equipment that offer similar benefits.
It only requires you to exercise for 10 minutes a day, and three times a week for you to start seeing exceptional results.
This vertical climber is capable of serving you with a full aerobic and anaerobic workout. Making the machine a part of your daily activities will greatly improve your cardiovascular health. It will also help you burn calories and achieve toned glutes, biceps, shoulders, and core.
By exercising on the Maxi Climber for just one hour, you will be able to burn up to 500 calories.
When this vertical climber is folded, it takes up very little space, and is a plus for people who don’t have much space to house the machine.
The Maxi Climber is a very strong and durable exercise machine due to the solid cold-rolled steel from which it is made.
If you’ve been wondering whether the Maxi Climber is stable or not, we are glad to tell you that the machine is a very stable one. Even though there has been some complaints about the machine shaking slightly when used with a carpet underneath it, it was generally accepted that the machine is stable and will not fall during a workout.
The Maxi Climber does not produce any annoying sound and is very silent when in operation. So, you can spend your time working out effectively rather than worrying about the machine disturbing the peace of the people around you.
Assembling the Maxi Climber Vertical Climber is one of the easiest gym equipment assembling tasks you can ever take on. It comes almost completely assembled and finishing up the job would only take as little as 10 to 15 minutes. Towards the end of this review, we have provided you with a well detailed guide on how you can easily put the exercise machine together, piece by piece.
A warranty of 1 year is included when you purchase the vertical climber.
If you are very tall, you may find it difficult to use the Maxi Climber in rooms with low ceilings. It is recommended that you use the machine in rooms with ceilings that are at least 8 foot high. This will you are comfortable during your workouts.
Because your own body weight is the resistance, you can’t adjust or vary the resistance. However, by increasing the effort you put into your workout, you will be able to increase the intensity and get even better results.
Another downside of the machine is the way the timer is located. It is placed in such a way that it is very difficult to view your stats while working out. In the next session, we will look at the feedbacks of customers about the machine as well as their opinions.
Many of the customers that have purchased this vertical climber have left feedbacks about the machine. It turns out that a vast majority of the reviews have been very positive. Most of them confirmed that the home gym truly does what it claims to do and they are able to blast their body fat and see the toning effects on their muscles. It was accepted among some of them that the price of the machine is well worth it. Several customers also praised the quietness and smoothness of the machine during operation.
There was also comments about how challenging working out on the machine is. They also appreciated the workout timer as it helps them to keep tabs on their workout and how they are progressing toward achieving their fitness goals. We mentioned earlier that the machine takes up only a little amount of space and the customers also commented positively on this. A good number also praised its adjustability and how they can customize it to suit the needs of other members of their household.
The seamless process of assembling and disassembling it has also received several [positive comments. However, some buyers mentioned cases where they received damaged machine parts. Others reported that they found the Maxi Climber uncomfortable to workout with, with some stating that it they feel pain in their knees when using it.
There were a few customers who said that the quality of the Maxi Climber is low. However, from my experience, I’ll say this is not true. It may not have the same quality that the Xiser possesses, but it produces great results at a fraction of the price of the Xiser.
The Maxi Climber Vertical Climber Exercise Machine is the perfect solution for anyone looking for a compact home gym equipment that delivers excellent results. It has received tons of positive feedbacks from several different buyers around the world. Only a few buyers have given negative comments about the vertical climber.
It comes at a fraction of the price of other similar exercise machines and will make aerobic and anaerobic exercises more effective and easier for you to perform. You will only need to exercise for 10 minutes a day, and three times in a week to start seeing the results and benefits. There is a simple 7 step Meal Plan that you can follow to help you burn more calories and tone your muscles faster. The interval training workout guide on the training CD can also help you with this. Also, by increasing the amount of time you spend in each workout and the number of times you exercise in each week, you can achieve faster and better results.
The assembly instructions for the Maxi Climber has been added to help you if you are thinking about hiring someone to do it for you. You may still decide to go ahead and do that, however that might not be worth it as the process of assembling it is relatively easy and the instructions are simple enough to understand and follow.
The first thing to do before you even begin with the process of assembling the machine is to check and confirm if all the components are in the package delivered to you. You should find the following parts in the box.
If you find any of these components missing, do not hesitate to contact the manufacturers and request that they should send the missing components to you. Otherwise, you are all set and ready to start putting the parts together.
The Maxi Climber will take up space close to 6 square feet when fully assembled, so ensure you create enough space to put the machine as well as enough space where you can work out comfortably.
The Maxi Climber is easier to set up when you start by forming the base. Begin by setting up the body in an upright position, when you do this, you will notice that the Maxi Climber logo is in an inverted position.
The next thing to do is to grab and move one arm of the machine in a downward position. This way, it will be easy for you to see the nuts and bolts on the apex of the machine. Be sure to unfasten them and keep them where you can readily find them. From the two U-Bars, select the largest one and insert it into the top cradle. The holes of the U-Bar and Cradle should align. Finally, retrieve the two bolts and fit them into the holes, and screw them into place with the tightening wrench.
If you followed the instructions in the last step properly, then one of the arms would be in a lowered position. Now, push it back up to be able to easily work with the second cradle. Just as you did in the previous step, detach the nuts and bolts and place them where you won’t lose them. Now, fit the second U-Bar, which is the smaller one, into the cradle, align the holes and fasten the bolts into position with the tightening wrench. You will now notice that the base of the Maxi Climber is fully set up. The final thing to do is to flip the machine upside down so that the two U-Bars are now firmly resting on the ground.
At the base of the Maxi Climber, there is a pin that keeps the stabilizing bar in position. You task is to remove the pin. You have to grip the bar very well to do this effectively. After you’ve done this, the bar will move downward by itself and stop as it gets to the little triangular bulge on the far end of the base of the machine. Your height will determine how far from each other or how close you will place the two U-Bars. The next thing to do is to align the holes and fit the pin into position.
There are several bolts fastened to the forepart of the machine not far away from the base. Unfasten the nut on the bolt in the center. Towards the end of the pulley, there is a circular attachment and you have to tighten the pulley strings to it. Put back the nut you removed earlier and fasten it in place with the wrench. Be sure to repeat this for each side. During the whole process, be sure to keep the bolts safe and not misplace them.
The last step involves putting together all the handlebars. Look for the longer handlebars first and place one of them into the small opening on the right side of the machine, and repeat it for the other side. Both handlebars are easy to select as they are indicated L and R for the left and right sides respectively. With all these in place, you will be able to set the handlebars to a height that is comfortable for you. Finally, fit the stationary arms to the hollow cylinders on both sides of the Maxi Climber. You can simply do this by gliding in the ends first and fixing the metals pins in to fit firmly into position.
Follow all these steps and your Maxi Climber Exercise Machine is ready for action. | 2019-04-25T06:38:33Z | http://exercisen.com/maxi-climber-vertical-climber-exercise-machine-review/ |
My parents live in the heart of suburbia, in Worthington, Ohio. My mother is a longtime gardener, and has always kept an interesting stable of plant life. When I came into being some years back and gradually became aware of birds, I began to encourage additional plantings. At that time - I was just a tot - I had not yet developed any sophistication about flora; I just knew that MORE plants and MORE cover meant MORE birds. Being that I wasn't to be mobile beyond the limits of my bicycle for a good number of years, it seemed wise to lure as many birds as possible to MY location, and plants seemed to help with that.
Well, a number of years have passed by, my parents still live in that same house, and their level of sophistication involving the garden has evolved. Many native plant species now share space with a dwindled number of day lilies, four-o-clocks and the like. I was up the other day for a visit, and was pleasantly surprised by all of the beasts great and small that had adopted their yard and the plants within.
The walk from the driveway to the front door is a brief one, but an interesting trip nonetheless.
In part because of this luxuriant Helianthus sunflower. It's right along the front walk, and I noticed a lot of action in its boughs as I walked past. Directly in front of the sunflower is a smooth beard's-tongue, Penstemon digitalis (another native!), and my mother reports that Ruby-throated Hummingbirds stop by to sip from its flowers.
I saw that many of the sunflower's stems teemed with tiny red aphids - very cool!
Here's a closeup (as always, you can click the pic to enlarge). These are red sunflower aphids, Uroleucon helianthicola, which apparently are quite happy to nosh on this planted sunflower. Some of the aphids still have their wings, as that's how some them disperse to establish new colonies. Their probosci (snouts) are firmly inserted into the plant tissue, and the tiny insects are happily sucking out nutritious liquids. Happy, that is, until the goldfinches stop by and strip some of them off the stems like boys chomping corn off a cob, which mom reports seeing.
Whether the aphids ultimately kill the sunflower remains to be seen, but for now they have probably provided fodder for all kinds of predators such as those goldfinches. They'll stay, and if some enemies rise up against them and wipe out the colony, so be it.
Myriad flies of several species were in constant attendance. Whether they are seeking honeydew secretions from the aphids, lapping up detritus left over from aphid bore holes, or are just there to watch the show remains unknown to me. Like the aphids, the flies were doing no harm, and certainly weren't rushing the house or causing concern.
I and my camera were excited to see these orange and black brutes wandering about in Sunflower World; comparative giants among the tiny aphids.
They are false milkweed bugs, Lygaeus turcicus (thank you Janet Creamer for helping me identify these. Janet's excellent blog is RIGHT HERE). My initial reaction was that they were one of the milkweed bugs, and I guess they are, sort of. While false milkweed bugs occur on milkweed plants, they routinely jump ship and feed on plants in the sunflower family.
I'm sure this one sunflower plant spawns plenty of other action that I didn't see in my limited observation time. It certainly created a bit of intellectual stimulation between passing the fifteen feet from my car door to the house's front door. Even just a few native plants can cause a massive boost in biodiversity. You would never see this sort of action on a hosta or most other alien garden fare.
And that's just the front yard, which has to be kept rather tidy and groomed for appearance's sake. Wait'll you see the far wilder backyard!
Again, if you wish to delve more deeply into the world of native plants and their myriad benefits, visit the Midwest Native Plant Conference.
The 3rd annual Midwest Native Plant Conference is approaching: July 8, 9, & 10 in Dayton, Ohio. If you are interested in native wildlife, this conference is for you. The focus is on native plants, but indigenous flora is the building block upon which animals flourish. Check the agenda out RIGHT HERE. There is a Saturday-only option as well, if time is tight.
One of the conference's field trip sites is the legendary Cedar Bog near Urbana. I was there last Saturday, ostensibly to teach a workshop on breeding birds, and we saw/heard plenty of those. But our group didn't ignore the entire ecosystem, either, and what an ecosystem! We saw a great many interesting plants and animals, and a few of the former follow.
Tightly clustered tiny white flowers collectively create a large and showy domelike inflorescence in elderberry, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis. This common shrub is a staple of woodland borders, fencerows, ditches and lots of other habitats. A member of the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae), its berries are often harvested for the production of various foodstuffs; even elderberry wine.
Elderberry, especially when in flower, lures an amazing diversity of interesting insects. They in turn attract predators higher up in the insect food chain, which then can become food for birds and higher animals. An elderberry specialist of the insect world is an absolutely gorgeous beetle called the elderberry borer. I have wanted to see one of these gems since I first saw a photo, and finally added one to my beetle life list a few weekends ago. I'll share it later, in a post about the wacky world of beetles.
Resembling a cluster of elfin beach balls, the fruit of starry false solomon's-seal, Maianthemum stellatum, provides a point of interest in Cedar Bog's wet woods. A member of the wildly diverse lily family (Liliaceae), this species is nowhere near as common as the false solomon's-seal, or solomon's plume, M. racemosum, at least in Ohio. Starry false solomon's-seal requires rich limey soil with an above neutral pH.
Certain to grab the eye in Cedar Bog's rich fen meadows is this odd member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It is fen indian-plantain, Arnoglossum plantagineum. It is quite rare in Ohio and highly restricted to high quality fens.
Further proof of the lily world's diversity can be found in this curious little herb, false asphodel, Triantha glutinosa. These little fellows might stretch to 8 inches or so in height, and occupy open marly flats within the fen meadow community. It, too, is quite rare in Ohio and is listed as threatened. The specific epithet, glutinosa, means "sticky" and that they are. The stem, especially the upper regions, are heavily beset with glandular hairs and so sticky that small insects frequently become stuck and perish. This stimulates questions about carnivory. Does the plant then absorb useful nitrogen and proteins from these bugs? I don't know that anyone has studied Triantha in this light.
Stars of the meadow, at this season, are the showy grass-pink orchids, Calopogon tuberosus. Grass-pinks are found in fens and bogs, and seeing how well over 90% of those habitats have been destroyed in Ohio since European colonization, the orchid has become quite scarce. Click the photo and you'll better see the small wasp that has landed on the labellum, or lip, of the flower.
Most orchids have the labellum fixed at the lower part of the flower; this arrangement is reversed in Calopogon. The labellum is adorned with a thick brush of hairs which look as if they are coated in tasty nectar. They're not - it's a ruse, but one that has attracted this wasp. The wasp wasn't heavy enough, but if a bee - a common pollinator - lands on that brush of hairs, the labellum will quickly fold downwards, catapulting the bee onto the column where it will be dusted with pollen. Should the bee already carry pollen from another orchid, it'll transfer that to the the stigma and thus pollinate the grass-pink. Apparently, it's primarily the younger bumblebees that fall for this trick; older bees become wise to the deceptive ways of the orchid and learn that there is no tasty nectar reward and ignore the grass-pinks.
Anyway, come out to the Midwest Native Plant Conference and learn much more about our botanical world - and you can even buy some plants!
Excellent! Purple fringed orchid, Platanthera pyscodes, a plant I had not seen for a number of years. It's quite the rarity in Ohio, where it is considered threatened and known from but a few sites. These plants were whoppers as well, towering to about two feet in height.
To be technical, I should probably call this one small purple fringed orchid, to distinguish it from the extremely similar large purple fringed orchid, P. grandiflora. Unless you have firsthand experience with both of these closely allied species, you're going to struggle to figure out which one you've got. Some authorities have submerged the latter into the former, and just give grandiflora a varietal rank - Platanthera psycodes var. grandiflora.
The purple fringed orchids are, beyond any shadow of a doubt, among the most beautiful of North American orchids. The lacerated or fringed flowers are works of art, and the color is nearly shocking. Anyone would be impressed. I hope you get to see this plant sometime, if you've not already.
The view from near the summit of Clingman's Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This high altitude knob straddles the North Carolina/Tennessee state line, and rises to 6,643 feet - the highest point in the Smokies. Red spruce, Picea rubens, and Fraser Fir, Abies fraseri, form the dominant plant community but all is not well in coniferland. All of those dead snags are fir that have been attacked and killed by balsam woolly adelgid, Adelges piceae, an introduced insect pest.
Removal of the mature fir has wrought lots of changes in these mountain forests' ecology, including bird life. Nonetheless, many boreal breeders still thrive on Clingman's Dome, including Dark-eyed Junco. Juncos are one of America's best known birds, due to their frequency at winterime backyard feeding stations throughout much of the country. For instance, last winter in my state of Ohio, the Dark-eyed Junco was the second most frequently reported species tallied as part of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Project FeederWatch.
Yet only a tiny percentage of all of the people who buy seed and ogle juncos probably know the bird on its nesting grounds. These sparrows breed primarily in coniferous boreal forests, far to the north of the vast majority of folks who feed them in the winter. So, we'll go have a look at how little juncos are made.
At the end of the road leading to Clingman Dome's summit, there is a parking lot and then a steep half-mile trail to the absolute peak and an interesting observation tower. I made this trek both days that I was in the Smokies, hoping for clear skies and grand vistas for photography. It wasn't to be; both times clounds were thick and all-enveloping, allowing only the occasional misty portal into the mountains beyond.
The hikes were hardly a waste of time, though. Many interesting plants, birds and other animals will be seen as one lumbers up and stumbles down the mountainside. On Hike One I noticed an adult Dark-eyed Junco perched near the trail, bill stuffed with a large and scrumptious insect morsel. Obviously a nest was close at hand, complete with young, so I backed off and waited for Mrs. Junco to give up the lair.
And that she did, flitting down to a small well-vegetated opening and into a well-hidden alcove largely masked by plants. It's that small brownish opening dead center in the photo. She was in there for just a moment, and from my perch I could hear the young juncos' wheezy cries reach a fevered pitch as they sought her attention and the insect.
I have found a number of junco nests over the years, and they all pretty much have resembled this one in regards to site characteristics, although the composition of plant species varies. I will take a risk by breaking new etymological ground, and coin a new word for junco nests: phytotroglodytean (phyto = of plants; troglodyte = of caves; cave-dwelling).
Whatever you call a junco nest, it's almost certain to be well hidden. Scads of people walk within ten feet of this nest, every day, and I doubt that hardly any of them noticed it. Nor would I, had I not seen the adult junco with a mouthful of fresh food.
Right after the adult junco departed after a feeding, I found the right angle, and zoomed the camera into the junco's cave hoping that the youngsters would be visible. And one of them was; the others - three, most likely - remained hidden in the nest cave's darker recesses. Their's is a neat little hiding spot, and juncos excel at creating such nurseries. They must know what they are doing - this species is one of the most common birds in North America.
The next morning, I was pleased to see Senora Junco once again busily delivering insects to the juniors and cramming them down their throats, as the nonstop parade of touristos huffed by up the hill, oblivious to the production of the little "snowbirds". Many of the passersby undoubtedly spend money to purchase seed that fuel wintering juncos, and only know these charismatic little birds from their frosty wintertime backyards.
A trail weaves through lush spruce-fir forest near the summit of Clingman's Dome in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. These high elevation Appalachian woodlands are fascinating places to explore. They are filled with a spectacular diversity of plant life, which in turn spawns a fantastic assemblage of birds and other animals. Including salamanders.
While my main mission in the Smokies did not involve amphibians, I just can't resist turning rocks and logs to see who might be home. And with a claimed two (2!) salamanders per square meter in some areas of the park, it'd have been folly not to salamander-search a bit. There are 31 salamander species in the Smokies (only 24 in all of Ohio), and some of them are extremely localized, occurring only or primarily in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I'd of course love to see them all, but that'd take a lot of effort and time not available to me on this mission. But there was one species in particular that I really wanted to see, and I did.
Voila! The striking Jordan's salamander, Plethodon jordani (also called red-cheeked salamander). It was almost too easy to find these little beauties, and I must have seen a dozen or more without undue effort beyond turning a few rocks and logs. The salamanders in this genus - Plethodon; the lungless salamanders - originated in the southern Appalachian mountains, and this region harbors the greatest numbers and diversity of salamanders of anywhere in North America. Fully 8% of the world's salamander species are found here. It is said that the total biomass of salamanders in the Smokies is twice that of birds, and probably equal to that of the smaller mammals.
Jordan's salamander is named for an ichthyologist (fish scientist), David Jordan of Stanford University. I don't know the back story about how this recognition came his way - perhaps he discovered it - but Dave should be flattered to have such an exquisite creature bearing his name. Jordan lived some time ago, from 1851 to 1931, so I'll assume this salamander has been known for many decades. Yet, extraordinarily, its nest has never been discovered, so data on eggs or nest sites is unknown. The Smokies still harbor many secrets.
The other moniker, red-cheeked salamander, is logical and fitting. The brilliant red cheeks are probably an aposematic warning - the skin secretions of this species are nasty and the cheeks send a warning to would-be predators. As in other Plethodon salamanders, the skin is a vital organ. Jordan's salamander and the others have devolved their lungs and eliminated the energy budget associated with those organs. Instead, respiration takes place directly through the skin, which is rather like a large all-enveloping lung.
The Jordan's salamander is an emphatic punctuation point to the incredible and often extremely localized biodiversity of the Smokies. Even though this species can be locally abundant within the park, it is not known outside the park's borders.
I read the entry on your blog regarding the Jordan’s Salamanders you found recently in the Smoky Mountains. I thought you might be interested in knowing that the naming of that salamander after David Jordan has strong Indiana connections to three individuals. The first connection is Jordan himself. David Starr Jordan was a well-known ichthyologist and later university president, and one of his first jobs was teaching in the biology department of Butler University in Indianapolis (the same Butler University of NCAA basketball finals fame the past two seasons). He left Butler for Indiana University where he again taught in the biology department. During his tenure at IU, he became president of the university at the young age of only thirty-four! He left IU to become president of Stanford University in California, where I believe he remained for the rest of his career.
While in the biology department at IU, one of Jordan’s students was a fellow named Willis S. Blatchley, the second Indiana connection related to this story. Blatchley was pretty much in awe of Jordan, and considered him very much a mentor. After college, Blatchley’s interests and accomplishments were many, and included such varied subjects as entomology, malacology, ornithology, herpetology & geology. He was the state geologist for the State of Indiana for quite a few years. His list of published papers is extremely long, and among his achievements was a treatment of Coleoptera that is still highly regarded today. Do a Google search of Willis Blatchley and many links will pop up!
And finally the third Indiana connection to this salamander -- In the summer of 1900, a man by the name of L.E. Daniels of LaPorte, Indiana was collecting mollusks in Tennessee. During his excursion, he collected several salamanders which he later gave to Blatchley. Among them was Jordan’s Salamander, which was undescribed at that time. Blatchley described the species and named it after his old friend and mentor David Starr Jordan.
I made a whirlwind trip to America's most heavily visited national park last weekend. It was long overdue. Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the North Carolina/Tennessee border, and hosts some nine million (million!) visitors a year. It's a bit of circus traffic-wise at times, but the park is within an easy drive of much of the eastern U.S. and given the beauty of the place, it's no mystery why so many people would want to come here.
But if you are interested in flora and fauna, it is easy to get off the beaten paths and find much of interest. The Smokies encompass 814 square miles and that's a lot of space. But, to bring out its fabulous biodiversity, it is instructive to compare the Smokies with my home state, Ohio, which at 41,222 square miles is nearly 51 times larger than Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The Smokies is full of gorgeous scenery, at every turn. It is a place of indescribable beauty, and even if one had no interest in the finer points of biology, a trip here will be most fulfilling. For a great many people, the Smokies has probably been their first true experience of a large, wild landscape.
But there are large-scale problems, all of them man-induced. Click the photo o expand it, and look at all of those dead trees on the distant mountainside. They are Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis, victims of the woolly adelgid, an insect inadvertently imported from Asia. The amount of mortality caused by this invasive pest is staggering. At higher elevations, as around the summit of Clingman's Dome, another species of non-native insect has laid waste to the Fraser's fir, Abies fraseri.
Another big impact comes courtesy of our cars, trucks, and factories. Air pollution, at least on bad days, has reduced visibility from the high peaks by as much as 80% from what it was five or six decades ago. The smog also casts a pall on the overall landscape, muting colors and dimming vistas with haze. Airborn chemicals also harm vegetation, especially acid rain.
But much of the park still looks great and harbors habitats chockfull of life. This is great rhododendron, Rhododendron maximum, which was near peak bloom during my visit. This showy evergreen shrub creates lush tangles along stream courses, and contributes heavily to the ambience of the mountain coves.
There are about eight other species of Rhododendron in the Smokies, but few can hold a candle to this high elevation shrub. It is Catawba rosebay, R. catawbiense, a real ooh and aah plant by any standard. This shrub was nestled amongst red spruce, Picea rubens, high up on Clingman's Dome. This particular mountain boasts one of the highest elevations in the Smokies, pushing to 6,643 feet. At this spot, there were many boreal breeding birds, including Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Winter Wren, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Black-throated Blue and Canada warblers, Dark-eyed Junco, Purple Finch, Red Crossbill, and Pine Siskin.
The flowers of Catawba rosebay are especially striking, the brilliant pink clusters glowing from the shadows and drawing the eye of all who see them.
I was quite interested in less conspicuous plants, such as this southern mountain cranberry, Vaccinium erythrocarpum. A rather small shrub, the cranberry forms thickets that blend with the other vegetation, until one notices the striking flowers dangling below the leaves.
If you find this one in Ohio, you've made a great discovery. It is mountain wood-sorrel, Oxalis montana. While this showy little wildflower is endangered in Ohio, it's all over the Smokies and not hard to find.
Freshly back from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park with lots of interesting finds and photos. But more on those experiences later - kites are the news of the day.
Last year, Mississippi Kites were confirmed as nesting in Hide-A-Way Hills (HAWH), Hocking County. The first documented Ohio nesting dates to 2007, when adults were observed feeding a recently fledged juvenile elsewhere in Hocking County. You can read some details about the inaugural nesting HERE. But we never were able to find the actual nest of the pioneering pair. So it was with great excitement that I received a call last summer from Elizabeth vanBalen Delphia, who reported Mississippi Kites that were constantly present near her and her husband Michael's house in HAWH.
Ohio Division of Wildlife photographer Tim Daniel made the trip down a few days later, in mid-August, and not only obtained stellar images of the kites, he found the nest high in the boughs of a white ash. It wasn't long after that and both young birds left the nest and became conspicuous members of the HAWH community. Perched atop lofty dead tree branches, they would constantly exhort the hard-working parents to bring yet another plump cicada.
HAWH is a gated community and locked up tight as a drum. You either have to live there, or have explicit permission from a resident to gain access. But the spectacle of young kites being attended by adults was just too good not to share, so we hatched a plan with Elizabeth and Michael to have an open house "Kite Day", which happened on August 21. You can read all about that event and see photos RIGHT HERE. Dane Adams, who kindly lets me share some of his stunning imagery from time to tiime, was there and took these STUNNING PHOTOS.
Well, the kites are back in HAWH this year, and Elizabeth reports that incubation is well under way. Dane was able to visit a few days back, and sent along these photos. Above, one of the kites peers from its leafy abode.
In this photo, the kites are in the act of swapping positions atop the eggs. The sexes share incubation duties, and are probably warming two eggs - a typical clutch size.
This may not be the only HAWH nest. There is another pair of kites in the neighborhood, and all signs point to another nest. Elizabeth and Michael are looking, and hopefully will find it. I can attest from personal experience that Mississippi Kite nests are sometimes not the easiest things to find. They often site them high in trees, typically near the trunk, and leaf cover can render the aerie nearly invisible. Mississippi Kites are somewhat colonial in their nesting habits, especially out west, so multiple breeding pairs in HAWH would not come as a total surprise.
Anyway, Elizabeth and Michael have graciously agreed to work with the HAWH administration and establish a day in which interested birders can come witness the spectacle. We want to wait until the young kites are free-flying but still being attended to by the adults, which should be in early to mid August. At that point, the birds just can't be missed, and they are utterly unconcerned with fawning masses of people. Also, the adults can often be observed deftly snagging flying cicadas from the ether, and I'll tell you, that is an aerial feat that is hard to match.
We'll try to provide as much notice as possible of Kite Day 2011, and I'll post up details here and on the Ohio Birds Listserv.
Thanks once again to Elizabeth and Michael for their monitoring of the birds and sharing details with us. And kudos to Dane for his great work.
On a recent trip to southern Illinois, I ran across a number of slaty skimmers, Libellula incesta, foraging high on a ridge in a woodland gap. This female was especially cooperative, and it was fun to watch her engage in frequent flycatcherlike "yo-yo" flights; darting from a favored perch and returning to the same spot to consume her prey.
You do NOT want to be a lesser bug and find yourself on the radar of a dragonfly. They are quicker than winks, can easily outmaneuver the most agile of helicopters, are capable of acceleration that would shame a Ferrari, and have all of the goods to deal with a victim once it is seized. Check out the bristles on those legs. They are known as raptorial spines, and form an Iron Maiden death grip on anything unlucky enough to be caught. From there, the hapless bug's next stop is the powerful mandibles of the dragonfly, where it will be crunched like a can in a trash compactor, and swallowed.
Life is scary for the lesser bugs, with death-dealers such as this slaty skimmer hanging around.
An adult Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, Nyctanassa violacea, stands sentinel in its big sycamore tree in a very suburban Columbus, Ohio neighborhood. Ace photog Dane Adams stopped by the site yesterday and took some outstanding documentary photos of one of Ohio's very few known nesting pairs of these interesting herons.
These night-herons have been nesting in their Bexley suburbanscape for many years now, and the nests - I believe there are two, at least there were the last time I made it by - resemble overgrown Mourning Dove nests. The stick platforms have become somewhat larger and bulkier with each passing nesting season, and this one has gained considerable mass since the birds first began to breed at this site. I covered this story a few years ago in more detail, you can read it RIGHT HERE.
Flimsy abode or not, it obviously suffices to support a clutch of night-heron eggs, and later, the gangly offspring. As we can see from Dane's photo, there are four awkward-looking big-billed heronlets in the nest, curiously peering about.
The young herons may not be much to look at at this point, but they'll morph into one of our most beautiful waders, at least the males will. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is an extremely rare bird in Ohio, and is listed as threatened in the state by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. A compelling argument could be made for upgrading the species to endangered. There has been only one other confirmed nesting in the past few years, and a half-dozen possible but unconfirmed reports. They are at the extreme northern limits of the breeding range here; yellow-crowneds become common as one moves southward into the southern states, the Caribbean, and coastal areas (primarily) of Mexico and Central and South America.
It shouldn't be long and these little bulbous-billed wonders will be out and about, fishing for their own crayfish in nearby Alum Creek. Hopefully this nesting site will continue to be used for many years to come.
Thanks, as always, to Dane Adams for freely sharing his work with us.
Exciting news broke last Sunday afternoon, when veteran birder Doug Overacker announced on the Ohio Birds listserv that he may have located a Cassin's Sparrow in Shelby County, which is in western Ohio. Doug was driving along a rural lane when he heard the bird sing, but was unable to locate the sparrow despite searching.
Well, Doug went back yesterday, and Bingo! - he relocated and photographed the Cassin's Sparrow, documenting a new state record. Before I go on with this story, I want to give major kudos to Doug Overacker. This is without doubt one of the most skilled finds around here in recent memory. While Cassin's Sparrows do have distinctive songs, this species would probably be far from one's mind while in Shelby County, Ohio, and it'd be easy to ignore or miss the song amongst the quiet cacophony of other field singers. Great find, Doug.
I couldn't stand the thought of such a cool beast not too terribly far off, so after work today, I drove on over to have a look at the sparrow.
Not exactly a memorable piece of real estate. Courtesy of Google Earth, we can look down on the exact tract of land that the Cassin's Sparrow has adopted. It seems to hang out exclusively in the area circled in red - very typical western Ohio farm country, but there is a bit more to the habitat story, as we shall see.
You can see why Doug's find is significant and excites birders. The Cassin's Sparrow is very much a bird of the Great Plains and points south, where it occupies dry grasslands. Ohio is well to the east of its normal range, but these shy skulkers are well known for their proclivity to wander. There are numerous records east of the Mississippi and Indiana, Michigan, and Ontario, Canada - all of which abut Ohio - have had records. It was only a matter of time before we got one.
Here we are - ground zero at the Cassin's Sparrow site. Dave Collopy and Steve Landes keep a vigil, in particular eyeing that small tree at the end of the road - the only tree in the immediate proximity of this spot.
A closer look at the tree, which you will certainly inspect should you make this rarity chase. I believe the bulk of this woodiness is a dead American plum, with a smaller - and living - silky dogwood growing intermixed. There are thick tangles of poison ivy in there, too, look - don't touch. Anyway, the Cassin's Sparrow is for whatever reason smitten with this shrub, and perching in it is apparently a regular part of his routine.
Finally - the bird! It seems that this Cassin's Sparrow, which is a male, sings somewhat frequently at certain times of the day; that's how Doug initially found it. This morning, Ken Beers observed it "sky-larking"; doing its beautiful aerial song display. When I was there it never did sing, but made a few trips into the aforementioned tree to hang out and have a look around.
Cassin's Sparrows are plain janes, there isn't any other way to put it. But have a look at that honker of a tail, which imparts a rather unique look to the bird. And like most sparrows, it compensates for less than showy plumage with a pleasing song.
This species is in the genus Peucaea (long in Aimophila; recently moved), which includes two other species in the western U.S.: Botteri's and Rufous-winged sparrows. There is only one Peucaea (normally) in the east: Bachman's Sparrow. As I saw Ohio's last territorial Bachman's Sparrow, when I was just a young lad, as of this moment I may be the only birder to have two species of Peucaea in Ohio.
Here's a grander view of the habitat that the Cassin's Sparrow is frequenting. It is typical farm country, but there are different ways of growing crops and I think this is worth noting in this case. The field front and center is where the Cassin's seems to spend the bulk of its time. It has companions, too. This field had Grasshopper, Savannah, and Vesper sparrows, and Steve Landes heard a Henslow's Sparrow further down the road.
That's my car in the background, and the field that lies beyond is very different.
The Cassin's Sparrow field is no-till agriculture - the farmer allowed some wheat, primarily, to remain unharvested. As the field wasn't plowed under after the last crop, lots of "weeds" came up as well. You can see the new corn coming up in rows between the wheat. The upshot of no-till is that it leaves tons of food in the form of seeds, and that makes sparrows happy. It also provides structure in the form of the old weeds and remnant crops that birds can use for nesting cover.
This is the adjacent field - clean agriculture tilled thoroughly and nearly to the exclusion of all non-crop plants. There were no sparrows cavorting over here. I'm not saying that the Cassin's Sparrow picked his field because it was the only no-till field around. There are plenty of farmers who practice no-till but unfortunately they are usually outnumbered by growers that plow everything into submission. But I do think the reason the Cassin's is hanging out - and who knows how long it was present before Doug found it - is that it finds an abundance of food, and ample cover.
By the way, this Cassin's Sparrow was #366 on my Ohio list. Thanks again to Doug Overacker for his fantastic find, and I hope you get over to Shelby County to see this little charmer.
On a recent excursion into Indiana's Hoosier State Forest - yes, they have trees over there - I happened to glance at this oxeye daisy and notice a weevil. I like weevils. These beetles remind me of tiny elephants with their trunklike proboscis, so I swiveled the macro lens in its direction. No sooner had I drawn a bead when another even more interesting creature alit on the weevil's flower, even having the temerity to step on my subject.
I must admit, my first thought was "wasp!" followed by "this might be good!". My initial childish hope was that the "wasp" might attack or otherwise engage the beetle, giving me some real action photos. But all of that flitted through my mind in just a second or so, as the reasoning part of my brain worked at digesting what was really going on.
But it didn't take long to realize that this was no wasp at all, but a remarkably good wasp mimic.
It is, I believe - and as always, someone please correct me if I am wrong - a species of tachinid fly in the genus Cylindromyia. A giveaway that this is actually a fly is the single pair of wings - non-flies such as wasps have two obvious pairs of wings. In flies, the second pair of wings are greatly reduced, and called halteres. The Cylindromyia's halteres are whitish, and visible behind and at the base of the primary wings.
Also, our wasp-fly has stiff hairs projecting from its body - a very tachinid fly-like feature, and the field mark that put me in the right arena in regards to trying to figure its identity. Looking like a stinging bad guy probably helps the fly survive the predation dangers that come with visiting flowers for nectar.
The Bug World is absolutely full of this sort of mimicry; an endlessly fascinating subject. | 2019-04-22T15:17:20Z | http://jimmccormac.blogspot.com/2011/06/ |
Many people are just living life … just eking out an existence. Only just getting by. And many of those people are the very same people who believe in Jesus, this same Jesus who promised us an abundant life. Frankly – the physical reality and the spiritual reality just don’t match up.That’s why this week, Berni Dymet will be taking another look at life from a different perspective. What exactly does Jesus mean – “an abundant life”? How can we live out that particular promise in our lives?
When you hear Jesus promising us an abundant life – which is exactly what He does promise you – it’s easy to think, “Yeah, right! Must be for someone else.” But actually … it’s not. It’s a promise for everyone who decides to follow Jesus. Question is – how does it work? How can you have an “abundant life”?
As we race through life day after day one of the things that I think happens to us is that we somehow get conned or duped into the mantra of the times, ‘the great lie’ I call it. And that great lie goes something like this: If you earn lots of money and you spend it on this and this and this and this and this, this toy, these clothes, that holiday, this dining experience, if you live your life like that, then you’re going to be happy.
Now that lie is as painful for the rich as it is for the poor. For the poor, people who simply don’t have much money, many who don’t even have enough food and shelter, they see this dream of wealth and it aches to think that they have so little and so many others have so much. It’s not fair.
And for the wealthy this lie is just as much a pain but only different. They’re in a position to chase that dream; the only problem is that it’s like a mirage in the desert. When they get there, this place where they thought they’d arrive at, this place where having earned and spent the money on themselves they should be happy, they discover it’s a mirage, it’s a sham.
And so they try again and again and again, many spend their whole lives chasing happiness only to be disappointed at every turn. And before you know it they’re looking back on a wasted life and that is so tragic. So what’s the answer?
I think as we head into yet another new year now’s not a bad time to be asking these questions. What’s life all about? Am I going to be happy this year? And so that’s why today we’re kicking off a series of programs that I’ve called ‘An Abundant Life In Jesus’. Because so many of us have spent so much of our lives chasing happiness, me included. That’s what I was looking for and that’s what I could never find.
So many of us wish we could be happy and yet we don’t really know what happiness is so we go looking for it in all sorts of places. Jesus promised something outrageous to His disciples, to all those who followed hard after Him. He promised them an abundant life, in fact a super abundant life. Sounds fantastic doesn’t it?
Someone once asked me, “Okay but what does that actually mean, an abundant life?” That’s a good question. I mean a super abundant life sounds just perfect but what is it? What does it look like and how can we have it?
Very truly I tell you anyone who does not enter the sheep fold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gate keeper opens the gate for him, the sheep hear his voice, he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he’s brought out all his own he goes ahead of them and the sheep will follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers. Jesus used this figure of speech with them but they didn’t understand what He was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and bandits but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate, whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd, the shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired hand who isn’t the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand doesn’t care for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me just as the Father knows me and I know the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep.
Now that’s a really interesting passage, it’s a beautiful picture; the shepherd and his flock. Back in those days, let me explain, the shepherd normally had a small number of sheep, 50 to 100, and literally he knew each one of them by name. Now sheep, we sometimes think are stupid animals. They’re not, they’re actually quite bright.
They’re problem simply is that they’re short sighted and so that’s why he calls them, they hear his voice and they go to him and then he goes ahead of them and they follow on behind him looking for pasture and water and the shepherd keeps them safe.
Now being a shepherd was a tradition. It was handed down from father to son. A real shepherd would literally protect his sheep with his life from wild animals and robbers we’ll look at that tomorrow. So there’s the shepherd with his flock wandering the rocky plateau and in winter he’d bring them into the sheep fold in the town or the village which is what Jesus was talking about. He’d take them in and all the shepherds would basically bring their flocks into the same sheepfold.
The next morning the shepherd, one by one, would come to the front gate, the real shepherd of each flock and because he had a personal relationship the sheep would know his voice and he would call them and they would go only when their shepherd came. Not with a stranger because they didn’t know the stranger’s voice. They would go with their shepherd.
That’s exactly the picture that Jesus paints here. So this is a picture that the people had in their minds in 1st century Israel as Jesus was telling them this story; this winsome picture of the lonely shepherd tending his flock, protecting them with his life.
That’s what Jesus was drawing on in this story but did you notice verse 6 of John chapter 10?
Jesus used this figure of speech with them but they did not understand what He was saying to them.
You and I, we wander through some difficult places in life, we truly do. When we’re young we think we’re invincible, we think huh, we can conquer every mountain, but life soon teaches us that we’re more of a small boat on a great and mighty ocean.
And yes Jesus promises us an abundant life. Again we’ll look at what that means over the next couple of days, but look at the context; the context of this abundant life is as one of His sheep in His flock under the safety and the care of the true shepherd.
See it’s this picture of safety and protection and of a shepherd who did in fact lay down His life to save us – to save us from the ravages of the devil; to save us from our own sin; to save us from God’s judgement.
Storms will come and go, wild animals will come in life to tear at our flesh, thieves will come to kill and destroy, bad things will happen to good people. Is there any one of us who doesn’t have one thing, something in our lives right now that hurts? Something we wish wasn’t there. I mean is there?
I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. For in this world you WILL face persecution but take courage I have conquered the world.
The promise of an abundant life comes not as a promise to make all our circumstances and all our relationships and all our finances and all our futures rosy, that was never ever His promise. No, the promise of an abundant life comes to us in the context of sheep wandering the plateau with their shepherd in a dangerous place.
And because of the world in which we live, that abundant life was purchased for you and me at a price, at a very great price.
Jesus promised each of his disciples, that’s anyone who believes in Him would have an abundant life. Yeah, right!! But in the same breath, in the very same verse in the Bible, he also says that there’s a thief, and all the thief is interested in is stealing, killing and destroy. Well, if Jesus talked about him – this thief – then maybe it’s worth you and me taking a closer look.
If you don’t have at least one such thing in your life raise your hand in the air. There would have been, I’m guessing, over a hundred people in the room. Silence. I cast my eyes around the room, I just allowed the silence to hang there momentarily and not a single hand went up in the air, not one.
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.
They all heard Jesus promise them an abundant life. Literally what Jesus says here, the original Greek language, it means a super abundant life and yet everybody had something in their lives that was troubling them and you know what it’s like, your whole body can be healthy but you jam your finger in a door and the excruciating pain in that one finger is all you can think about.
The fact that the rest of your life is just fine at that point is pretty much irrelevant; it’s all about that one bit that hurts.
It’s true isn’t it? It is so easy to live our lives focusing on that one bit in our lives that hurts; The difficult relationship, the financial pressure, the problem at work, the worry about what other people are thinking about us. It’s pretty much different for each one of us but when we have that one thing, or perhaps even two or three, that ache that we wish would just go away then it consumes us. It robs us of life.
Truly I tell you anyone who doesn’t enter the sheep fold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gate keeper opens the gate for him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he’s brought out all his own he goes ahead of them and the sheep will follow him because they know his voice.
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate, whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired hand who isn’t the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
This was a very familiar story to those who were listening. They knew the profession of a shepherd was one of honour, one of protecting his sheep. They knew that as a shepherd led his sheep out over the stony plateau of Israel in search of pasture, thieves would often attack to try and steal the sheep. Wild animals would sometimes attack to steal a sheep and eat it for dinner. It was the reality of life for a shepherd.
And a true shepherd’s job was to defend his flock. But let’s focus for a moment in this story on the thief.
Jesus is telling a parable here, a parable that’s meant to reach into our lives. And the thief in this story is the enemy, the devil, the tempter, the deceiver he’s referred to elsewhere. The one who dangles glittery baubles under our noses, trinkets and treasures that are so alluring, so seductive they appear to promise so much. Can he get us to wander off?
And other times he comes simply to attack us through circumstances, through other people. We see that in Job’s story in the Old Testament, how the devil uses financial collapse, sickness, family breakdown, even so called friends to attack Job.
Our struggle isn’t against enemies of blood and flesh but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
See there’s a spiritual dimension to life and if we ignore that we do so at our peril. There is a devil, he is our enemy and sometimes he comes dressed as an angel of light to deceive us. Other times he sneaks up like a thief or he attacks openly like a wolf. All that is in the Bible and we ignore this, this spiritual dimension of evil at our peril.
In summer the shepherds would stay out over night with their flocks. They’d roam further because it was warmer and dotted around the place on the plateau were pens that had been built using dense hedges. So by night the shepherd would lead his sheep into one of these pens but the pens had no gate so he would sleep in the opening, in the gateway.
He, in effect, became the gate to keep the sheep in over night safe and sound so none would wander off and to keep the thieves and the wild animals out. He would fight any that came with his shepherd staff and his rod, a kind of club with spikes. He was the gate, he was their safety. He gave them protection and so safety and peace.
And that is Jesus in our lives today my friend, make no mistake about it. The thief will come to steal, kill and destroy. To rob us of the abundant life that Jesus has planned. The wild animals will come to tear at our flesh and to corrupt our flesh. And yes we could wander off in our own direction but out there on our own you and I are sitting ducks.
The place of safety is with Jesus. The place of safety is close to our shepherd, the true shepherd who laid down His life for us. Think about it, if we’re constantly being ravaged by the devil how can we possibly be having an abundant life? Yep there are going to be struggles in our lives and when they come, when things hurt the place to go is Jesus, the one true shepherd; the one who lays down His life for His sheep.
He is meant to be our refuge. He can and He will protect us. What a pity, so many suffer through things alone when all along Jesus is waiting. You see the thief only comes to steal and kill and destroy but Jesus came that we may have life and have it abundantly.
If there’s one thing we can all agree on about Jesus is that He didn’t do anything by half measures. No. He threw Himself into things and when He said something, He meant it. So, when He promised us an “abundant life”, the words in the original Greek language literally mean – a super-abundant life! He actually meant it. I told you, He doesn’t do anything by halves.
I don’t think I know a single person who doesn’t want to enjoy their lives. And I guess when we think about it that doesn’t always mean happiness. Happiness is great, it’s great to feel on top of the world but then some of the most satisfying moments in life don’t always involve happiness.
You can be exhausted, a complete wreck and yet still experience a deep sense of satisfaction at what you’ve just been through or achieved. Or you can experience a deep sense of contentment in life even if all our circumstances and relationships and finances and all those things aren’t quite what we want them to be.
Then we can experience a sense of peace knowing that we’re safe even though we might have some things going on in our lives that might be a threat. Or we can even experience fulfilment at being comfortable with who we are and what we’re able to do with our lives and even more being happy to let go of aspiring to things that perhaps we’ll never be able to do.
Do you see my point? Happiness ain’t everything. There are so many other things that go into making a full and rich and abundant life. And it’s that abundance that we’re taking a look at this week on the program. And with good reason, an abundant life is something that Jesus promised to His disciples.
For me one of the most fantastic revelations of God and this promise from Jesus of an abundant life is that everything in my life doesn’t have to be going perfectly well for me to be living an abundant life. Now let me say that again because I believe this is incredibly important. Everything in my life doesn’t have to be going perfectly well for me to be living an abundant life.
It’s a huge revelation because I don’t think I can remember a single time in my life, maybe a month or two here or there but overall very few times in my life where absolutely everything has been going perfectly. Every relationship, everything to do with my finances, everything to do with my work, everything to do with my hopes and my dreams and my aspirations; Do you know what I mean? There’s always something there to take the shine or the gloss off life.
To keep me from being too elated a thorn was given me in the flesh. A messenger of satan to torment me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I appealed to the Lord about this that it would leave me but He said to me, ‘my grace is sufficient for you for power is made perfect in weakness.’ So I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.
You see this from a guy who writes almost half the Books in the New Testament. There’s always something isn’t there? Always some thorn in the flesh, and I wonder if that isn’t just God’s plan. I wonder if everything was always going swimmingly well in my life whether I’d even bother seeking God out.
I wonder if everything in my life was perfect whether I’d be of any use to you in these radio programs ’cause much of what I talk about is, in fact pretty much all of it is born out of the struggles and the realities of life, bringing God’s wisdom to bear in our lives.
Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, anyone who doesn’t enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he’s brought out all his own he goes ahead of them and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger; they’ll run away from him because they don’t know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them but they didn’t understand what He was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and bandits but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate, whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep. The hired hand who isn’t the shepherd and doesn’t own the sheep sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.
See the life of a shepherd was a hard one. There were thieves and robbers and wild animals and the shepherd was called to go out there on the plains and find pasture and protect the sheep with his life. And in fact many a time it did cost the shepherd his life back then. Without the shepherd the life of a sheep was a precarious one. A sheep out there on its own would be a sitting duck to be picked off by a wolf, or stolen, or fall down some ravine.
Jesus here is telling a story about life and death struggle. It’s a parable that reaches deep into the realities of your life and mine. It’s a story about a life lived out in a challenging world in which Jesus Himself, through His death and resurrection, becomes our true Shepherd.
A Pastor friend of mine told me a story once about ministering in a country area. One of his parishioners was a farmer of sheep and the farmer told him that when he was a young lad he always observed how the sheep would be standing grazing but when his dad would come into the field they often laid down.
So he asked his father about that, who told him that sheep will only lie down pretty much when they feel safe and that when the shepherd is close they know that they’re safe which is why they’ll often take the opportunity to lie down at that point.
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures. He leads me by still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley I fear no evil for You are with me, Your rod and Your staff they comfort me.
You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil and my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I’ll dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long.
So often an abundant life is not about being taken out of difficult circumstances. It’s why Jesus tells this story out there in the life and death struggle of a shepherd and his sheep. It’s about experiencing the peace and the protection of Jesus, the one true shepherd, right out there in the middle of the difficult circumstances.
And the incredible power of that is this. If we choose this sort of an abundant life, the one that Jesus has to offer, not the one the world is dangling under our noses. Not the false one, not the one that the thief is dangling under us, he comes only to steal, kill and destroy.
No, if we choose the true authentic shepherd and follow Him and choose the abundance of life that He offers and it doesn’t matter what our circumstances are, good, bad, up, down, positive or negative. It doesn’t matter because even though we may walk through the darkest valley we need fear no evil because He’s with us.
One of the ways that God explains His relationship with us, is that He is our Father, and we are His children. And actually, when you think about it, a father-child relationship is, or at least should be – an incredible blessing. So, if God’s our Father, and we’re His children – shouldn’t that be a huge blessing?
We’re chatting together this week on the program about living out the abundant life that Jesus promised us. A life overflowing with His grace and mercy, and love and peace, and joy and blessing. By that we don’t always mean abundant finances or complete safety. God has a tendency not to wrap us in cotton wool but to be with us out there in life, in the good times and the bad with His presence, which is what gives us that sense of overflow, that sense of abundance.
It’s funny how most of us in our heart of hearts desire a life that’s, well perfect. Blessed in every way, every relationship perfect, finances perfect, home life perfect, our own sense of self-perfect, everything’s perfect. But life just isn’t like that. In fact as you and I think back on our lives thus far chances are that there are very few times, if ever, where we could tick the box in every part of our lives as having been perfect. Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick.
Truly I tell you anyone who doesn’t enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, the sheep hear his voice, he calls his own by name and leads them out.
When he’s brought out all his own he goes ahead of them and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They won’t follow a stranger but they’ll run away from him because they don’t know his voice.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them but they did not understand what He was saying.
So again Jesus said to them, ‘Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the gate, whoever enters by me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that you may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
While I was with them I protected them in Your name that You have given me. I guarded them and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost so that the Scriptures might be fulfilled. I’m not asking You to take them out of the world but I ask You to protect them from the evil one.
In other words, “Dad, let’s not take them out of all these situations and wrap them in cotton wool but rather let’s be there with them and protect them from the evil one.” Do you see how different God’s perspective is? His promise is for an abundant life not a perfect one and I have to tell you as I sat and thought about that a lot it makes an enormous amount of sense to me.
I’m a father, I have children, I love them dearly. When they were young they lived with my wife Jacqui and me in our house under our care and our protection with our provision as is right. That’s why God gives us children and that’s why He gives children parents. But there comes a time and in fact it starts quite early, where as they grow up we as good parents give them more and more responsibility for themselves.
Because one of the main parts of growing up is shifting the responsibility for their care from the parents to the children as they become capable of accepting that responsibility. Not always easy and it’s one of the reasons that teenage years can be so stressful because often teenagers and I know this was true of me as a teenager, they want to behave like children and be treated like adults.
In other words they still want their parents to do all the things they ever did for them when they were kids and incapable of doing them back then, whilst at the same time giving them all the freedoms that an adult has. Tension with a capital ‘T’; children in effect want the best of both worlds, the perfect life. Sound familiar?
So then brothers and sisters we are dead as not to the flesh, to live in accordance to the flesh, for if we live according to the flesh you will die. But if by the Spirit you’ll put to death the deeds of the body you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God, for you didn’t receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear but you’ve received a spirit of adoption.
When we cry ‘Abba Father’, it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God and if children then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. If in fact we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
It’s a beautiful passage. One of the most beautiful passages in the Bible because it puts everything into perspective for me. Sometimes in the cut and thrust and hurts of life we lose our heavenly perspective, we lose sight of the fact that God is indeed our Father, in fact Jesus called Him ‘Abba’ which literally means Dad. If we live our lives for Him, if we choose to be led by the Spirit of God rather than by the desires of our flesh then we are children of God. And deep down if we’ll let Him the Spirit of God witnesses to us that we are His children, the children of the living God.
That means something. It means what Jesus prayed for you and me back there in the Garden of Gethsemane. It means God’s protection from the evil one rather than being wrapped completely in cotton wool. Do you see the difference? God wants us to be out there in life just as you and I as parents want our children to be out there in life and we’ll help them and protect them where we can but they need to grow up, they need to live their lives and they need to suffer the consequences of the things they do wrong because its the only way that they learn.
I for one would hate to be wrapped in cotton wool by God. I want to experience life and all that it’s meant to be and that means sometimes, well sometimes we get hurt but all along God is my Father. Father’s know this, when our children grow up we don’t stop being their father, we don’t stop being there to help and to advise when they need, we don’t stop caring for them and one day they will receive their inheritance from us.
Same with our Dad God, we are and always will be His children and His protection is always available to us from the evil one. Can I tell you something? Somewhere in that knowledge, deep within, lies a source of His abundance in my life. He loves me, He wants me to know Him and to honour Him and to be all that He made me to be, to experience every day that He wrote for me in His book even before any of them ever existed.
That’s where abundance begins, as a child of the Father who is God who created us and created us to live a life in all its abundance.
Life can be a grind, and frankly life can get us down sometimes. We all know that. And so our view of what life is, and what it should be, becomes all twisted – inside out and upside down. So it’s time to get things right way up again. It’s time to discover what God has to say about the life He wants for you to live.
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy. I came that you may have life and have it abundantly.
It’s a beautiful promise and it’s one that’s always touched my heart. It’s a promise from Jesus that I take seriously. He came so that you and I could have life and not just have life but have it in all its abundance.
Now abundance is an amazing word isn’t it? It means plenty, overflow, a very large quantity of something. But what if I told you that the original Greek word used here for abundance literally means super abundance. More than abundant, over the top abundant, because that’s exactly what it means.
And in fact as we’ve seen earlier this week on the program this whole story where Jesus teaches us that He is the good and true shepherd of us, the sheep, is about the authenticity of who Jesus is as that shepherd versus the sham of the impostors. Question is: why did Jesus make this beautiful promise in such a context?
Well of course the thief in the story is the devil and the original Greek word for the devil is diabolos which is the word from which we get our English word diabolical. It means a slanderer, a false accuser and elsewhere in the New Testament, in Revelations chapter 12 verse 9, the devil is also called the deceiver; someone who tricks people and leads them astray away from the right path or away from the truth into error.
That’s the devil here in this story, a thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy. And so here Jesus presents us with an alternative, the thief or the true Shepherd, the hireling or the true Shepherd. The people who come into the sheepfold, climbing over the walls or the true Shepherd who comes to the front gate.
Now you might say to me, well there’s no real alternative, I don’t want the impostors, I don’t want a thief, I want the real thing, I don’t want someone who steals, kills and destroys, I want Jesus the good Shepherd. I will have the good Shepherd thank you very much, who came to give me a super abundant life.
That satan disguises himself as an angel of light.
Isn’t that true? The whole point of temptation is that it’s seductive. Evil comes to us wrapped in a wrapper that cries out to us, “Open me, come follow me, take me I’m good, I’ll bless you.” The very first deception and temptation of Adam and Eve in the Garden was exactly that. Evil was dressed up as having a benefit, that’s why it’s so diabolical, that’s why the devil is a liar and a deceiver.
And so we’re seduced into his lies and all of a sudden we’re in the hands of the thief who comes only to steal, kill and destroy. To rob us of the super abundant life that Jesus came to give us because you know what? He came disguising himself as an angel of light.
Do you see the power of this parable? Do you see what’s going on here? God wants to bless us, God wants to heap His super abundant blessing into our lives but like any father when his children are rebelling He can’t bless us because the blessing would reward the rebellion.
When my children played up sometimes when they were young the tap of dad’s blessing turned off. Sometimes they were punished by removal of a privilege, no internet access for a few months. Why? Was I being mean? No, because I was teaching them right from wrong and the basis of that lesson is that blessing comes when you do right and you lose it when you do wrong. Parents do that because A) they love their children and B) we’re wired to be like that.
If you only obey the Lord your God by diligently observing all His commandments that I am commanding you today the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.
All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord. Blessed shall be your city and blessed shall be your field, blessed shall be the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your livestock both the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock.
Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed you will be when you come in and blessed you shall be when you go out. The Lord will cause the enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you in seven ways. The Lord will command His blessing upon you in your barns and in all you undertake, He will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
The Lord will establish you as His holy people as He has sworn to you if you keep the commandments of the Lord your God and walk in His ways. All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of the Lord and they will be afraid of you. The Lord will make you abound in prosperity and the fruit of your womb, the fruit of your livestock, the fruit of your ground in the land that the Lord swore to your ancestors to give to you.
The Lord will open for you His rich storehouse, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all your undertakings. You will lend to many nations but you will not borrow. The Lord will make you the head and not the tail. You shall be only at the top and not at the bottom.
If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I am commanding you today by diligently observing them and if you do not turn aside from any of the words that I am commanding you today either to the right or to the left following other God’s to serve them.
But if you will not obey the Lord your God by diligently observing all His commands and decrees which I am commanding you today then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you. Cursed shall be the city. Cursed shall be your field.
And it goes on and lists a whole bunch of curses.
All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you if you obey the Lord.
The Lord will make you the head and not the tail. You shall only be at the top and not the bottom. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God which I am commanding you today.
Friend, God wants to bless us, super abundantly so that the blessing chases us down the street and overtakes us. Do you get it? But that blessing happens when we are close to the good shepherd, safe in His care. Not when we follow the thief and let him plunder our lives through deception and temptation. Our Dad in heaven truly does want us to be the head and not the tail, to be above and not below. What father wouldn’t want that for his children? | 2019-04-20T05:14:16Z | https://christianityworks.org/adp/series/an-abundant-life-in-jesus-pt-1/ |
Published: Oct. 19, 2011 at 10:59 a.m.
Byes: 49ers, Bengals, Bills, Eagles, Giants, Patriots.
Tim Tebow at Dolphins: It's Tebow time, not just in Denver but also in the world of fantasy football. The Florida product returns to his collegiate state to face the Dolphins, who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to quarterbacks. Tebow has averaged better than 11 fantasy points per half in his last four extended stints, which is all the more reason to start him.
Tony Romo vs. Rams: Romo might be just 14th in fantasy points at his position, but I still consider him a valuable option in all leagues -- especially when he has a favorable matchup. This week he goes up against the Rams, who have surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to QBs. That's good news for Romo, who should post a nice stat line.
Ben Roethlisberger at Cardinals: Roethlisberger hasn't been a reliable fantasy quarterback this season, but he's still a viable option when he faces a weak defense. That's the case here, as Arizona has allowed an average of more than 18 fantasy points per game to QBs.
Josh Freeman vs. Bears (London): Speaking of unreliable fantasy quarterbacks, Freeman has been somewhat of a conundrum. He is coming off a terrific performance against the Saints, though, and this week's matchup against the Bears is a favorable one. Chicago's defense has allowed an average of nearly 19 fantasy points to signal-callers.
Matt Cassel at Raiders: If you're in a deeper league and need a spot starter, Cassel is worth a look off the waiver wire. The veteran had his best stat line of the year in Week 5, throwing for 257 yards and four touchdowns against the Colts. Now he goes up against the Raiders, who have surrendered the fifth-most fantasy points to QBs.
Sleeper alert -- Colt McCoy vs. Seahawks: McCoy has averaged a respectable 15.3 fantasy points, and a matchup against the Seahawks makes him a legitimate starting option. Seattle has given up an average of close to 17 fantasy points per game to QBs, so don't overlook McCoy in leagues with 12-plus teams.
Matt Schaub at Titans: It's tough to bench a quarterback like Schaub during the bye weeks, but he's been far less impressive without Andre Johnson. Furthermore, he's dealing with a chest bruise and a tough matchup against the Titans. Fresh off a bye, Tennessee's defense should be ready to roll -- the unit has allowed an average of under 14 fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks.
Matt Ryan at Lions: When you look at a Falcons-Lions matchup on paper, there's a definite chance for a shootout. But looking at the numbers, Ryan is not a favorable starter from a fantasy perspective. The Lions have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to signal-callers, so Ryan is no guarantee for a monster day. Start him with caution.
Kevin Kolb vs. Steelers: With all of the talk about the Steelers getting old on defense, this unit has still been one of the toughest on quarterbacks -- giving up the fourth-lowest average in fantasy points. That doesn't bode very well for Kolb, who has averaged 4.93 fantasy points on NFL.com over his last two starts.
Mark Sanchez vs. Chargers: Sanchez is coming off a solid 18-point performance in a win over the Dolphins, but he's not in a position to succeed in Week 7. The Chargers have been tough against opposing quarterbacks, allowing an average of just over 13 fantasy points per game to the position. So unless you're desperate for a signal-caller, it's better to leave Sanchez on the sidelines.
Matt Hasselbeck at Texans: Hasselbeck, who ranks 15th in fantasy points among quarterbacks, has been a pleasant surprise for owners who play the matchups. Unfortunately, the veteran could struggle against the Texans -- Houston's defense has allowed the eighth-fewest fantasy points to QBs.
Owners beware -- Philip Rivers at Jets: First off, I wouldn't bench Rivers unless I had another viable option. If you do have that sort of luxury, it might be a good idea to at least consider the move. Rivers has struggled, throwing six touchdowns and seven interceptions, and this week's matchup against the Jets isn't at all attractive.
Ryan Mathews at Jets: Mathews is in the midst of a breakout season, posting 674 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns in five games. His rise to fantasy stardom should continue against the Jets, who have suddenly become a defense to target in running back matchups. In fact, New York has given up an average of 22-plus fantasy points per game to runners -- that's the sixth-most in the NFL.
Rashard Mendenhall at Cardinals: If you were worried about Mendenhall's slow start to the season, he calmed your nerves a bit last week with a monster performance against the Jaguars. Next on the schedule is the Cardinals, who have allowed an average of 19-plus fantasy points per game to backs. That makes Mendenhall a solid option in all formats.
Mark Ingram vs. Colts: Ingram hasn't become a fantasy star in his rookie season, but he has found the end zone in two straight games. And while Darren Sproles is the best Saints runner to use, Ingram is also a nice flex option against the Colts. Their defense has surrendered the seventh-most fantasy points to runners.
Jackie Battle at Raiders: Battle is coming off a huge performance against the Colts, rushing for 119 yards the week before Kansas City's bye. Now he goes up against the Raiders, who have given up the fifth-most fantasy points to backs. While Thomas Jones is also going to see his share of the work, Battle is worth a look as a potential flex starter.
Ryan Torain at Panthers: It's impossible to predict who will see the bulk of the carries for coach Mike Shanahan week to week -- we learned that against the Eagles, didn't we? But I'd still give Torain a shot as a flex starter against the Panthers. No team has allowed more fantasy points to running backs, so Torain could be in play if Shanahan doesn't fool us all again.
Sleeper alert -- DeMarco Murray vs. Rams: The Cowboys have lost Felix Jones for several weeks due to an injured ankle, so Murray is next in line. Tashard Choice will also see his share of the work, but Murray has more upside and saw more touches once Jones went down. The Rams are awful against the run, so the rookie is worth a look as a potential flex starter.
Steven Jackson at Cowboys: Chances are most fantasy owners don't have enough to bench Jackson, especially during the byes. Just keep in mind that he's not even in the top 30 in fantasy points among backs. This week, he faces a Dallas defense that has surrendered the third-fewest fantasy points to opposing runners. That makes Jackson a bit of a risky option.
Peyton Hillis vs. Seahawks: Whether it's Hillis (hamstring) or Montario Hardesty in the Browns' backfield this week, neither has a favorable matchup. Despite all of the jokes about the Seahawks, their defense has actually allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to running backs. That makes Hillis or Hardesty little more than flex starters in most formats.
Shonn Greene vs. Chargers: Greene might be the 21st-ranked running back based on fantasy points, but that's more a reflection on the state of the position than his emergence. Despite the fact that he's seeing a ton of touches, Greene is still averaging a mere 8.4 fantasy points. I'd bench him against the Chargers, who have been tough on opposing runners.
DeAngelo Williams vs. Redskins: Williams scored an impressive 17.50 fantasy points against the Saints in Week 5, but 12.90 of those came on one run -- a 69-yard touchdown scamper. He came crashing back to earth last week, finishing with a mere 4.6 points. The Redskins have a tough run defense, which makes Williams a risk as anything more than a deep-league flex starter.
Delone Carter at Saints: Carter and Donald Brown are sharing the carries in Indianapolis -- that's bad news for both players, as it will be tough to gauge who sees more work. This week Carter and Brown face the Saints, who have allowed the sixth-fewest fantasy points to runners. That alone is enough to avoid this backfield committee -- so is Joseph Addai's potential return.
Owners beware -- Maurice Jones-Drew vs. Ravens (Mon.): If you have "Pocket Hercules," chances are you have to roll with him through good matchups and bad ones. Unfortunately, the latter applies this week when Jones-Drew faces a Ravens defense that has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to backs. That makes MJD a risk.
Dez Bryant vs. Rams: For the second straight week, Bryant has a terrific matchup -- this time he goes up against a Rams defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to receivers. That makes Bryant a tremendous No. 2 or 3 fantasy option, as the Cowboys will throw the ball a ton in an effort to break their two-game losing streak.
Marques Colston vs. Colts: For the first time all season, Colston had a big game (118 yards, TD) in last week's loss to the Buccaneers. He has another solid matchup, as he'll face a Colts defense that has surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to receivers. That makes both Colston and Lance Moore nice options in most leagues.
Pierre Garcon at Saints: Garcon is seventh among receivers in fantasy points, which is amazing after he did nothing in the first two weeks of the season. Regardless, he's become the top target in the offense for Curtis Painter. Couple that with a matchup against the Saints, who have allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to wideouts, and it's clear that Garcon should be active.
Eric Decker at Dolphins: The trade that sent Brandon Lloyd to St. Louis made Decker the new No. 1 option in Denver, and he'll be a nice No. 3 option against the Dolphins. Miami has allowed an average of 25.16 fantasy points per game to wideouts, so it wouldn't be a shock to see Decker have a nice day even with Tebow at QB.
Darrius Heyward-Bey vs. Chiefs: Over the last three weeks, Heyward-Bey has averaged a very respectable 11.8 fantasy points on NFL.com. He makes for a nice No. 3 option or flex pick against the Chiefs, who have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to receivers. Heyward-Bey is still a free agent in over 50 percent of NFL.com leagues.
Sleeper alert -- Greg Little vs. Seahawks: A preseason sleeper on NFL.com, Little has emerged as the top wide receiver in Cleveland. He saw an impressive 12 targets last week, so you know coach Pat Shurmur wants to get him involved moving forward. Little, still a free agent in a ton of NFL.com leagues, is well worth a look if you need a wideout.
Vincent Jackson at Jets: Jackson is tough to bench, so consider this a warning. Facing an elite cornerback like Darrelle Revis while dealing with a bum hamstring is not the most attractive scenario. In his last game, Jackson was all but shut down by Broncos CB Champ Bailey -- the same could happen against Revis and the Jets' pass defense.
Santana Moss at Panthers: Moss, who was in the sit 'em portion of this column last week and finished with a meager 3.80 fantasy points, has another tough matchup. This time, the veteran will go up against a Panthers defense that's allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to receivers. If you have depth at wideout, keep Moss on the pine.
Percy Harvin vs. Packers: Harvin ranks a disappointing 38th in fantasy points among wide receivers, and he'd be even lower if not for his 158 rushing yards. While he is coming off a seven-catch game, Harvin still put up just 7.8 fantasy points in standard leagues. And with Christian Ponder under center, Harvin will come with even more risk in Week 7.
Mike Thomas vs. Ravens (Mon.): Thomas has been one of the most targeted wide receivers in the league, ranking tied for fifth. Unfortunately, his targets haven't turned into fantasy points -- he's an unimpressive 44th among wide receivers on NFL.com. Keep him on the sidelines against the Ravens.
Mike Williams vs. Bears (London): As we predicted in the preseason, Williams is in the middle of a terrible sophomore slump. He's an awful 64th in fantasy points among wideouts and is currently on pace to finish the season with just 645 yards. The Bears have allowed only three touchdown receptions to wideouts this season, so Williams' chances of improving are pretty slim.
Owners beware -- Santonio Holmes vs. Chargers: Holmes is getting back into the good graces of fantasy owners, scoring a touchdown and putting up double-digit fantasy points in consecutive weeks. He's still subject to the matchups, however, and this week's game against the Chargers is a tough one -- the Bolts have allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to receivers.
Tony Gonzalez at Lions: Did Gonzalez find the fountain of youth or what? After a mediocre season by his standards in 2010, the future Hall of Famer is third in fantasy points at his position. His rising stock won't slowdown against the Lions, who have allowed an average of close to 10 fantasy points to tight ends.
Fred Davis at Panthers: Davis led the Redskins in receptions and receiving yards last week, and will see more targets moving forward with Chris Cooley out due to an injured finger. Though the Panthers haven't been overly vulnerable to tight ends, Davis is still a great option.
Dallas Clark at Saints: One of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football, Clark is ranked just 18th in points at his position in the absence of Peyton Manning. However, Clark's still worth a look if you need a tight end this week against the Saints -- their defense has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to the position, including four touchdowns.
Sleeper alert -- Ed Dickson at Jaguars (Mon.): There are a number of good tight ends on byes this week, so countless fantasy leaguers will need a one-and-done option to fill the void. Enter Dickson, who faces a nice matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has allowed an average of close to 11 fantasy points to tight ends.
Dustin Keller vs. Chargers: Keller is doing it to us all over again. Much like 2010, he had a hot start to the season only to cool down after a few weeks. Over the last three games, he has scored a combined seven fantasy points on NFL.com. Keller scored 30.9 in his first three starts. So despite a favorable matchup against the Bolts, he's a risk.
Kellen Winslow vs. Bears (London): Much like Keller, it's becoming more and more difficult to trust Winslow. Despite what is a nice matchup against the Bears, it's hard to promote Winslow as anything more than a low-end No. 1 option. Outside of PPR leagues, he's averaged a very weak 3.67 fantasy points over his last four games.
Jared Cook vs. Texans: Cook is clearly on the fantasy radar heading into Week 7, but he's still not an attractive option based on a difficult matchup against the Texans. In their first six games, Houston has given up the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. So despite the fact that he's seeing more targets, Cook could struggle to produce.
Marcedes Lewis vs. Ravens (Mon.): Remember when Lewis was a solid starting option last year? Well, that was then and this is now. Even in a week with several prominent tight ends on a bye, you still can't lean on Lewis even as a one-week option. The Ravens have allowed the fewest fantasy points to tight ends.
Owners beware -- Brandon Pettigrew vs. Falcons: Pettigrew has been on fire in recent weeks, catching 18 passes and scoring two touchdowns over his last three games. Numbers like that make him tough to bench, but he does have a tough matchup against the Falcons -- their defense has allowed just one touchdown and an average of 6.63 fantasy points to tight ends.
Mason Crosby at Vikings: One of the better kickers in fantasy football, Crosby has a chance to put up some big numbers in Minnesota. The Vikings have allowed the second-most fantasy points to kickers, giving up more than 10 points per game. In a game that should see the Packers score often, Crosby is a very nice option.
Jason Hanson vs. Falcons: Detroit's offense has turned into a juggernaut this season with a healthy Matthew Stafford under center. That's been great for Hanson's value. He's a solid No. 1 option against the Falcons, who have allowed an average of close to nine fantasy points to kickers.
Nick Novak at Jets: Novak has been hot of late, scoring a combined 41 fantasy points in his last three games. That includes a monster performance in Week 5, when he recorded 19 points in a win over the Broncos. This week he faces the Jets, who have allowed an average of close to nine fantasy points to kickers.
Sleeper alert -- Dan Carpenter vs. Broncos: The Dolphins are struggling to move the football, but Carpenter still has some fantasy value when the matchup is favorable. That's the case here, as he faces a Broncos defense that has surrendered more fantasy points to kickers than any other team. Consider Carpenter as a potential one-week replacement.
Nick Folk vs. Chargers: Folk has struggled to put up fantasy points, scoring a mere 20 in his last four games combined. His fortunes aren't likely to change here, as he goes up against a Chargers defense that is tied for ninth in allowing the fewest fantasy points to kickers. Look elsewhere for a kicker if at all possible.
Ryan Longwell vs. Packers: Longwell has been a useful matchup-based option this season, but he's still nowhere near elite status. This week he faces his former team, the Packers, who have given up the third-fewest fantasy points to kickers. That's bad news for Longwell, who needs to be on the fantasy sidelines -- or the waiver wire.
Josh Scobee vs. Ravens: If there was ever a poster child for unreliable fantasy kickers, Scobee would be the man. He's been known to put up huge numbers one week then disappear the next three games. I'd keep him on the sidelines in Week 7 considering the Ravens have allowed the fewest fantasy points to kickers.
Owners beware -- Neil Rackers at Titans: Rackers has re-emerged as one of the better kickers in fantasy land, but don't be shocked if he struggles against the Titans. In two games against them last season, Rackers averaged a mediocre 6.5 fantasy points. Tennessee has also allowed just 7.2 fantasy points per game to kickers.
Steelers defense at Cardinals: Two weeks ago, we were ready to bury this unit in fantasy land. But while Pittsburgh is still just 19th in fantasy points, you have to like them this week against the Cardinals. Defenses facing Arizona have scored the eighth-most fantasy points this season.
Cowboys defense vs. Rams: The unit has played well for the most part this season, and a favorable matchup against the Rams makes the Cowboys a nice fantasy option. Opposing defenses facing St. Louis have scored an average of close to 15 fantasy points, and the potential for Sam Bradford to miss the game makes the 'Boys that much more attractive.
Saints defense vs. Colts: The Colts used to be a team to avoid in defensive matchups with Manning, but units facing them this season have averaged the seventh-most fantasy points. That's great news for the Saints, who will be fired up to play in front of their home crowd Sunday night. They're available in more than 30 percent of NFL.com leagues.
Sleeper alert -- Broncos defense at Dolphins: The Broncos are fresh off a bye, while the Dolphins will have a short week after taking a beating Monday night. And with Matt Moore under center and a questionable offensive line in front of him, even a mediocre defensive team like the Broncos can put up a plethora of fantasy points.
Texans defense at Titans: In their first game of the season without LB Mario Williams, the Texans scored a mere five fantasy points in a loss to the Ravens. What's more, this unit has scored five of fewer points in three of its last four games. That doesn't bode well against the Titans -- defenses facing them are averaging just 4.40 fantasy points.
Buccaneers vs. Bears (London): The Buccaneers have been a borderline No. 1 fantasy defense in some deeper leagues, but a matchup against the Bears across the pond isn't favorable. Outside of games with windy, wet conditions, teams have been able to score points on the field at Wembley Stadium. What's more, defenses facing the Bears have averaged just 6.83 fantasy points.
Falcons defense at Lions: Despite the addition of DE Ray Edwards to what was supposed to be an improved defense, the Falcons have still been very unreliable from a fantasy perspective. In fact, Atlanta needs to be benched against the Lions -- defensive units facing Stafford and Co. have averaged the fourth-fewest fantasy points.
Owners beware -- Vikings defense vs. Packers: Remember the days when the Vikings were an elite fantasy defense? Well, those days are over -- and you definitely want nothing to do with this unit when facing a premier offense. That's the scenario here, as Aaron Rodgers and the Packers come to town. It's a good idea to look elsewhere for a starting defense. | 2019-04-21T08:50:22Z | http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82340bb9/article/tebow-should-roll-for-the-broncos-and-fantasy-owners |
Multiple hygienic effects are concurrently applied to body structures. This is established by one or more light source sources each capable of delivering a light beam to the structures using an optical means whereby each light beam provides a unique hygienic effect to the body structures. The device could be a handheld device with detachable components. The device could be a brush or a comb. The device could include a massaging means and/or a vibrating means. An agent could be used to the body structures to assist in the hygienic treatment plan. A cradle could be included to store the device, reload the power supply of the device, as well as a means to communicate with a hygienic service provider. The cradle could also host a displaying means and a selecting means.
Hygiene relates to the principles of cleanliness, promotion and preservation of health or the freeing from disease-causing microorganisms. Hygienic effects can be established in different ways of which one is through the effect of light on biological structures. For instance, the hygienic effect of visible, near ultraviolet and infrared light on biological structures is well known and has been described to provide anti-inflammatory effects, preventative effects, anti-bacterial effects, sterilizing effects, cleaning effects, cosmetic effects, therapeutic effects, healing effects (bio-stimulative effects), bio-altering effects, pain-releaving effects, agent-penetrating effects, photo-rejunivating effects and photo-dynamic treatment effects (See for instance a book by Goldman (1981) entitled “ The biomedical laser: technology and clinical applications” and published by Springer-Verlag, New York; a book by Katzir (1993) entitled “Lasers and optical fibers in medicine” and published by Academic Press, New York; a book by Hajder et al. (1994) entitled “Acupuncture and lasers” and published by Ming, Belgrade; a book by Tuner et al. (1996) entitled “Laser therapy in dentistry and medicine” and published by Prisma Books, Grangesberg, Sweden; a book by Alster et al. (1996) entitled “Cosmetic laser surgery” and published by Wiley & Sons, New York; or a book by Fitzpatrick et al. (2000) entitled “Cosmetic Laser Surgery” and published by Mosby, St. Louis). The effects of a laser on biological structures is dependent on the laser properties (active matter, beam wavelength, continuous or impulse mode of operation), characteristics of the structures, water content, pigmentation degree, vascularization, vitality, heterogeneity, specific heat conductivity or time exposure. The photo-effect of a laser can be applied to superficial structures and subcutaneous structures. As far as the mechanisms of laser radiation effects are concerned, they may be thermal, mechanical or chemical.
In general, hygienic effects relate to the cleanliness of these structures, promotion and preservation of health of the structures or freeing the body structure from disease-causing microorganisms. In particular, the present invention encompasses hygienic effects related to the hygienic effect of visible, near ultraviolet and infrared light on these structures, which are known in the art (for a light spectrum refer to page 13 in a book by Tuner et al. (1996) entitled “ Laser therapy in dentistry and medicine” and published by Prisma Books, Grangesberg, Sweden). Examples of such hygienic effects that could be selected as the two or more hygienic effects include anti-inflammatory effects, preventative effects (e.g. disease, irritation or the like), anti-bacterial effects, sterilizing effects, cleaning effects, cosmetic effects, therapeutic effects, healing effects (bio-stimulative effects), bio-altering effects, pain-releaving effects, photo-rejuvination effects, photodynamic effects, agent-penetration effects, a skin stimulating effect, a hair growth stimulating effect or a nail treatment effect.
Currently available teachings are described in the following books, which provide an exemplary list rather than a comprehensive list. The list includes a book by Goldman (1981) entitled “ The biomedical laser: technology and clinical applications” and published by Springer-Verlag, New York; a book by Katzir (1993) entitled “Lasers and optical fibers in medicine” and published by Academic Press, New York; a book by Hajder et al. (1994) entitled “Acupuncture and lasers” and published by Ming, Belgrade; a book by Tuner et al. (1996) entitled “Laser therapy in dentistry and medicine” and published by Prisma Books, Grangesberg, Sweden; a book by Alster et al. (1996) entitled “Cosmetic laser surgery” and published by Wiley & Sons, New York; or a book by Fitzpatrick et al. (2000) entitled “Cosmetic Laser Surgery” and published by Mosby, St. Louis).
FIG. 1 shows a first exemplary embodiment of two light sources 110, 120 delivering a light beam with a green wavelength 112 and a light beam with a blue wavelength 122, respectively. The green wavelength 112 and blue wavelength 122 each provide a unique hygienic effect when applied in a quasi-stationary manner to body structure 130. In this example, both light beams 112, 122 have a fairly superficial hygienic effect at body structure 130 as shown by 114, 124. In general, two or more light sources could be used such as n light source 140-1 to 140-n. As discussed supra, two of the same light sources could be used such as two light sources 150-1, 150-2 that each deliver blue light, however, with at least one different parameter to establish a different and unique hygienic effect for each of the two light sources 150-1, 150-2. Such as different and unique hygienic effect could be established by different fluences for each of the two light sources 150-1, 150-2, i.e. fluence 1 and fluence 2, respectively. Another examples is that there is one light source, e.g. 140-1 or 150-2, to deliver a hygienic effect. Yet another example is that there are three light sources, of which two are the same 160-1, 160-2 and one 160-3 is different, though all three delivering a unique hygienic effect.
Body structure 130 is shown as a structure with a homogenous consistency. However, most structures that one would encounter, as described supra, have a heterogeneous consistency or formation. FIG. 2 shows a second exemplary embodiment of two light sources 210, 220 delivering in a quasi-stationary manner a light beam with a green wavelength 212 and a light beam with a red wavelength 222, respectively to a heterogeneous body structure 230. Structure 230 distinguishes three different layers, i.e. a superficial layer 232, a middle layer 234 and a deep layer 236. The green wavelength 212 and red wavelength 222 each provide a unique hygienic effect when applied at body structure 230. Light beam 212 has a superficial hygienic effect as shown by 214, which is similar to the example in FIG. 1. However, light beam 222 has a hygienic effect in superficial layer 232 that extends to part of middle layer 234. In other words, the red wavelength penetrates deeper in structure 230 than the green or blue wavelengths.
In addition, as it is known in the art, the relative subsurface fluence of a light beam in a structure 310 is dependent on the spot size, which could be relatively small 320 or relatively large 330, as shown in FIG. 3. The contour lines 322, 333 represent the relative subsurface fluences for identical fluences for the small 320 and large 330 spot size, respectively. The same subsurface fluence values appear at deeper levels with the larger 330 spot size compared to the smaller spot size 320.
FIGS. 1-2 show exemplary embodiments of different hygienic effects in a body structure in which the light beams are applied in a quasi-stationary manner. FIGS. 4-5 show exemplary embodiments of the application of hygienic effects as shown respectively in FIGS. 1-2, but now in a dynamic manner. Movement 410 of light sources 110, 120 concurrently applies the hygienic effects 114, 124 to different locations at body structure 130 to achieve blending of these two unique hygienic effects at these different locations; 420 is an example of a blended hygienic effect of light beams 112, 124 as a result of movement 410, which is a blend of blue and green light. Movement 510 of light sources 210, 220 concurrently applies the hygienic effects 214, 224 to different locations at body structure 230 to achieve blending of these two unique hygienic effects at these different locations where some of the areas of penetration overlap; 520 is an example of a blended hygienic effect of light beams 212, 224 as a result of movement 510, which is a blend of red and green light. Note that there are areas where the hygienic effects do not blend together due to different penetration areas, though these hygienic effects are applied in a concurrent fashion. The movement relative to structure 130 is not limited to movement 410, 510 (i.e. Z translation), but could be applied in X, Y, or Z direction (translation/rotation).
FIG. 6 shows an exemplary embodiment related to the application of a plurality of light beams 610 . . . 610 n produced by light sources 620 . . . 620 n. On the one hand, light beam 610 could provide one or more hygienic effects focusing on the superficial skin layer 630 (epidermis) and could be selected as an anti-inflammatory effect, preventative effect, an anti-bacterial effect, a sterilizing effect, a cleaning effects, a therapeutic effect, a healing effect, a bio-stimulative effect, a bio-altering effect, a pain-releaving effect, a tissue rejuvenating effect, a photo-rejunivating effect, a photo-dynamic therapy effect and/or an agent penetrating effect. On the other hand, light beam 610 n could provide one or more hygienic effects focusing on the subcutaneous skin layer 640 (e.g. dermis as indicated by arrow or deep fascia (not indicated by arrow), muscle (not indicated by arrow), etc.) and could be selected as, but not limited to, an agent penetrating effect, a preventative effect, a therapeutic effect, a healing effect, a bio-stimulative effect, a bio-altering effect, a pain-releaving effect, a tissue rejuvenating effect, a photo-rejunivating effect, and/or a photodynamic therapy effect. Again, as described supra, the application to the two skin layers could be accomplished in a quasi-stationary manner, but preferably in a dynamic manner more or less similar to the movements related to brushing.
A first embodiment of a device of the present invention includes a head 710 and a handle 720 as shown by device 700 in FIG. 7. In one aspect, the handle and the head could be a single piece (not shown). However, in another aspect, as shown in FIG. 7, head 710 and handle 720 could be two separate parts of device 700, which would be preferred since it allows the user to replace the head with a new head or a different style head. The handle could take any shape and is not limited to the shape of handle 720 as shown in FIG. 7. However, it would be preferred to have an ergonomically shaped handle that easily fits in a user's hand. Different shapes and sizes of handles would then accommodate the shapes and sizes of the hands of children and adults. The inside 712 of head 710 includes light sources 730 (i.e. 730A, 730B) and deliver light beams 740 with the desired hygienic effect as discussed supra. For illustrative purposes it could be assumed that there are two light sources delivering a light beam 742 with a first hygienic effect and a light beam 744 with a second hygienic effect. However, as described supra the present invention is not limited to two light sources and could be one or more that two. Light sources 730 are powered by a power supply 750, such as a (rechargeable) battery. Power supply 750 is connected to a switch 760. Switch 760 is preferably positioned at the outside of head 720 and controls the on/off stage of power supply 750 and therewith the on/off stage of light sources 730. The present invention is not limited to one switch as there could also be multiple switches to control individual light sources or parameters. The inside 712 of head 720 includes an optical means with optical paths to direct light beams 742, 744 from the inside of head 720 to the outside of head 720. As a person of average skill in the art to which this invention pertains would readily appreciate, this could be accomplished in different ways. To accomplish the output of light beams 742, 744 one could establish different optical means or pathways, which could include one or more optical components. Examples of such optical components, which are commonly available in the art, include optical fibers, lenses, spectral filters, mirrors, transparent materials, semi-transparent materials, prisms, reflective coatings, reflecting grooves, beam splitters, collimators, light channels and gratings.
In the example of FIG. 7, the optical means includes reflective prisms 770 to reflect and direct light beams 742, 744 in such a way that they are able to pass through openings 780 as shown in FIG. 7 (note that for clarity only one opening is indicated by 780). Optical means could include a main reflective prism 790 at the end of the optical pathway in head 720 to further assist in outputting light beams 742, 744. Likewise, the optical means at the inside of head 720 could further include a reflective coating 795 to assist in outputting light beams 742, 744. Openings 780 could be considered as part of the optical means. Openings 780 could define a spot size. Openings 780 could also include one or more optical components such as a lens, a transparent material a semi-transparent material, or the like.
FIG. 8 shows different exemplary heads 810, 820 and 830 each with a different solution to outputting the light beams, which are shown for illustrative purpose only and should not be regarded as limiting to the invention. In the example of FIG. 8, three different hygienic light beams 840, 850, 850 are used. It is noted that the present invention is not limited to three different light beams, since it is also possible that one type of light beam, two different types of light beams or more than three different types of light beams can be used in the examples of FIG. 8. A first variation of the optical means could result in head 810 outputting light beams 840, 850, 850 through three rectangular shapes 812, 814, 816 distributed over head 810. Another variation of the optical means could result in head 820 outputting light beams 840, 850, 850 through three rectangular shapes 822, 824, 826 distributed over head 820. Yet another variation of the optical means could result in head 830 outputting light beams 840, 850, 850 through fifteen circular shapes 832, 834, 836 distributed over head 830 (note that only three circular shapes as indicated by 832, 834, 836 respectively). A consideration in the design of the optical outputs in a head relates to the ergonomics and ease of using the head when the hygienic effects are applied to a body structure.
A second embodiment of a device of the present invention is similar to device 700 as shown in FIG. 7 and is shown as device 900 in FIG. 9. Device 900 includes a head 910, handle 920, light sources 930 (i.e. 930A, 930B, 930C), power supply 940 and switch 950. The difference, however, between device 700 and device 900 is in the optical means. Device 900 includes optical fibers 932, 934, 936 that output the light beams from the light sources 930 through openings 960. In the example of device 900 there could be three light sources each delivering a light beam with a unique hygienic effect that is guided through optical fibers 932, 934, 936 respectively. There could be one optical fiber 960 connected to one opening or there could be several optical fibers bundled 970 together to output through one opening.
It has been shown that effect of radiation is improved in combination with massaging the gums. Pressuring alive soft tissue causes an increase in its transparacy thereby providing for better penetration of the radiation (See G A Askaryan (1982) in a paper entitled “ The increasing of transmission of laser and other radiation through the sift turbid physical and biological media” and published in “Kvantovaya Electronika, V9(N7):1370-1383). The present invention generalizes this concept. Accordingly, the present invention could include a massaging means to massage the body structure(s) and improve the transparency to the light beams. A first aspect of applying a massaging effect relates to the movement of the head or the pressure of the head against the body structures will apply a massaging effect.
FIG. 10 shows a second aspect of applying a massaging effect. Device 1000 is similar to device 700 with the difference of a massaging means 1010. Massaging means 1010 could be a brush or a comb. The bristles of the brush could be positioned in any direction with respect to the handle. For instance, bristles could be positioned more or less perpendicular to the head as shown by bristles 1010 or bristles could be positioned under an angle with respect to the head as shown by bristles 1020 and bristles 1030. The direction of the bristles could depend on the type or shape of the head or the type of massaging effect that would be desired. The type and size of bristles is dependent on the type of body structure. It would however be preferred to have flexible bristles that do not irritate or damage the structures. For instance, bristles could be made out of nylon, soft fiber, or any synthetic blend. The bristles could be attached to head 710 in a similar fashion as to how bristles are attached to a brush head or comb head. Massaging means is used in a similar fashion as a brush to add a massaging effect to the hygienic effect of the light sources. Device of the present invention could be a brush or a comb that provides hygienic effects according to the teachings of the present invention.
FIG. 11 shows a similar device 1100 as device 900 shown in FIG. 9 with the difference of the massaging means 1010. FIG. 12 shows device 1200, which is a variation of device 1100 as shown in FIG. 11. Device 1200 includes multiple optical fibers 1210 (2 fibers), 1212 (2 fibers), 1214 (2 fibers), 1216 (2 fibers) that transmit light beams from light source 1220 (including four light sources 1220A, 1220B, 1220C, 1220D). Another variation shown in FIG. 12 with respect to device 1100 is that the light beam does not pass through the openings 960 as shown in FIG. 9. Instead, an optical connection between the optical fibers and the bristles is created to establish that the bristles are able to continue to guide the light beams and finally output the light beams. In this case the bristles should be made out of materials capable of guiding light and flexible enough to prevent irritation or damage to the structures.
In another aspect, the present invention could include a vibrating means to vibrate the body structures and therewith provide an additional massaging effect. Examples of vibrating means that could be used are an ultrasonic means, a piezoelectric means or a mechanical means. Such vibrating means are known in the art. FIG. 13 shows a head 1300 with a vibrating means 1310. Since vibrating means 1310 is positioned against the inner edge 1320 of head 1300, the entire head 1300 might vibrate. FIG. 14 shows a head 1400 with a vibrating means 1410 that is connected in such a way to vibrate massaging means 1010, i.e. vibrating the bristles to provide an additional massaging effect to the massaging effect established by the bristles through movement as described supra.
FIG. 15 shows a cradle 1510 that can be used to store the hygienic device 1512 or the head 1514 of the hygienic device 1512. Cradle 1510 could also be used as a power supply (re)charging device. In one aspect, hygienic device 1512 is placed in cradle 1510 and the power supply in the head is connected to a power recharging mechanism via the handle. In another aspect it would be possible to position the power supply of the hygienic device inside the handle, which is then directly connected to a power recharging mechanism. In yet another aspect, the head 1514 of the hygienic device is placed in cradle 1510 and the power supply in the head is directly connected to a power recharging mechanism.
Cradle 1510 could include a selection means 1540 for a user to select the hygienic effects or treatment parameters related to the unique hygienic effects. Selection means 1530 could be a selection means with, for instance, four arrow buttons 1532 and one center button 1534. Each arrow button 5132 corresponds to a function or selection that could be selected from a displaying means 1520. The up, down, left and right arrow buttons could relate to the browsing or selection from displaying means 1520. Displaying means 1520 could be any type or size of displaying means that would fit the cradle and is useful to the user. Necessary software and hardware components would be included to provide the functionality to display the parameters, selections and/or functions as well as provide functionality to the buttons. Center button 1534 could be used as the enter button to confirm a selection as is common in the art. The cradle could include different variations of a selection means and is not limited to the selection means shown by 1530.
Cradle 1510 could also include a slot 1540 for a read/writer card 1550 to read or write data. Examples of read/writer card 1550 are for instance a memory stick, compact flash card, smart media card, secure digital card, multi media card, microdrive or the like, which are common in the art. Read/writer card 1550 can upload information to the device, store information from the device, and could be interactively used with any type of hygienic service provider. A communication means such as a wireless protocol or Internet protocol could be included with the device to communicate with a hygienic service provider.
The present invention has now been described in accordance with several exemplary embodiments, which are intended to be illustrative in all aspects, rather than restrictive. Thus, the present invention is capable of many variations in detailed implementation, which may be derived from the description contained herein by a person of ordinary skill in the art. For instance, the hygienic device of the present invention could be a handheld device. Furthermore, the hygienic device could have several removable or detachable components, which would allow these components to be changed, renewed or updated. For example, the components could be disposable components, or even recyclable components. FIG. 16 shows some examples 1600A, 1600B of configurations of detachable components of the hygienic device, which are shown for illustrative purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting to the invention. Device 1600A shows a head 1610 for optical guidance and output of the light beams, a mid-component 1620 hosting the light sources 1622 and the power supply 1624, and a handle 1630 with a switch 1632. Device 1600B shows a head 1640 for optical guidance and output of the light beams, a mid-component 1650 hosting the light sources 1652, and a handle 1660 with a switch 1662 and a power supply 1664. Another variation is that the device of the present invention could have pre-arranged settings or memory similar to car seat adjustment for individual users. This would allow different users to retrieve their personal settings by a simple click of a button or a simple voice command to the device.
Yet another variation to the hygienic device is the shape of the device; in particular the shape of the head component or the head and mid-components combined. FIG. 17 shows two examples of shapes that could be used, which are shown for illustrative purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting to the invention. Shape 1710 has an irregular but smooth surface that would for instance be desired to enhance the massaging effect or contribute to the output path of the light beams. Shape 1720 has a banana-like or curved shape and would for instance be desired to approach particular body structures that are difficult to access with a more rectangular shaped-component or device.
FIG. 18 shows still another variation of a device 1800 to apply different hygienic effects. Device 1800 has multiple arms 1810 on which light sources 1820, 1830 and 1830 are attached. Light sources 1820, 1830 and 1830 could for instance be a blue, green and red light sources each providing a different and unique hygienic effect. Again as discussed supra the type of light source and number of light sources can be varied and is dependent on the objectives of hygienic application(s). Light sources 1820, 1830 and 1830 could be placed at various different locations on arms 1810 and is not limited to the arrangement as shown in FIG. 18. The light 1850 that is outputted by each light source can also be delivered in different directions and is not limited to the directions shown in FIG. 18. Device 1800 could also include a massaging means and/or vibrating means 1860, which could provide additional vibration by similar massaging and/or vibration means as discussed supra. Massaging means and/or vibrating means 1860 could operate all arms 1810 simultaneously or one or more individual arms 1810 independently. Device 1800 include a hand piece 1870 that includes the light sources 1872 and one or more switches 1874. Optionally hand piece 1870 could include a display 1876 or a memory slot or communication means 1878.
Still another variation is that an agent could be used and applied to the body structures before, during or after the application of the hygienic treatment. Examples of agents are for instance bioprotective agents, photocatalyst, treatment gels or cream, soothing agents, skin permeation enhancers or the like (See, for instance, the following companies/products which are listed for purposes of illustration and should not be regarded as limiting to the invention: Neova by Procyte Corp. www.procyte.com; Medicalia Inc. www.medicalia.com; or ESBA Laboratories Inc.). Such agents could work as a catalyst, soother or enhancer to the structures. Still another variation relates to verifying the condition of the body structures before, during or after a hygienic treatment is applied. Such a diagnostics for structures could, for instance, be employed by means of spectroscopy resolved fluorescence (See e.g. Pferer et al., (2003) in a paper entitled “ Temporally and spectrally resolved fluorescence; spectroscopy for the detection of high grade dysplasia in Barrett's esophagus” and published in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine 32:10-16). Diagnostics of the structures could provide valuable information to evaluate and compare the efficacy of the hygienic treatment. All such variations are considered to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention as defined by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
(b) an optical path for each of said light beams to individually apply each of said light beams at said body structure.
2. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the relative location of said device with respect to said body structure is varied, and therewith the application of said unique hygienic effects with respect to said body structure is varied, to achieve blending of said unique hygienic effects at said body structure.
3. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light sources are low power lasers, light emitting diodes or semiconductor lasers.
4. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said hygienic effect is selected from the group consisting of an anti-inflammatory effect, a preventative effect, an anti-bacterial effect, a sterilizing effect, a cleaning effect, a cosmetic effect, a therapeutic effect, a healing effect, a bio-stimulative effect, a bio-altering effect, a pain-releaving effect, an agent penetrating effect, a photo-rejuvinating effect, a photo-dynamic treatment effect, a skin stimulating effect, a hair growth stimulating effect and a nail treatment effect.
5. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said each of said light beams comprises light from the ultraviolet, visible or infrared spectrum.
6. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said body structure comprises a naturally created body structure, a wound, or a surgically created body structure.
7. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said light beam is applied in a manner selected from the group consisting of a pulsed manner and a continuous manner.
8. The device as set forth in claim 1, wherein said optical path comprises one or more optical components wherein said one or more optical components are selected from the group consisting of optical fibers, lenses, spectral filters, mirrors, transparent materials, semi-transparent materials, prisms, reflective coatings, reflecting grooves, beam splitters, collimators, light channels and gratings.
9. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising an agent that is applied to said body structure.
10. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a massaging means to massage said body structure.
11. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a vibrating means to vibrate said body structure, wherein said vibrating means comprises an ultrasonic means, a piezoelectric means or a mechanical means.
12. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a feedback means to provide feedback to a user, wherein said feedback is selected from the group consisting of sound, display and vibration.
13. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a selection means for a user to select parameters related to said unique hygienic effects or related to said light beams to a user.
14. The device as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a displaying means to display data related to said unique hygienic effects or related to said light beams to a user.
(b) providing an optical path for each of said light beams to individually apply each of said light beams at said body structure.
16. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein the relative location of said device with respect to said body structure is varied, and therewith the application of said unique hygienic effects with respect to said body structure is varied, to achieve blending of said unique hygienic effects at said body structure.
17. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein said light sources are low power lasers, light emitting diodes or semiconductor lasers.
18. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein said hygienic effect is selected from the group consisting of an anti-inflammatory effect, a preventative effect, an anti-bacterial effect, a sterilizing effect, a cleaning effect, a cosmetic effect, a therapeutic effect, a healing effect, a bio-stimulative effect, a bio-altering effect, a pain-releaving effect, an agent penetrating effect, a photo-rejuvinating effect, a photo-dynamic treatment effect, a skin stimulating effect, a hair growth stimulating effect and a nail treatment effect.
19. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein said each of said light beams comprises light from the ultraviolet, visible or infrared spectrum.
20. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein said body structure comprises a naturally created body structure, a wound, or a surgically created body structure.
21. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein said light beam is applied in a manner selected from the group consisting of a pulsed manner and a continuous manner.
22. The method as set forth in claim 15, wherein said optical path comprises one or more optical components wherein said one or more optical components are selected from the group consisting of optical fibers, lenses, spectral filters, mirrors, transparent materials, semi-transparent materials, prisms, reflective coatings, reflecting grooves, beam splitters, collimators, light channels and gratings.
23. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the step of adding an agent to said body structure.
24. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a massaging means to massage said body structure.
25. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a vibrating means to vibrate said body structure, wherein said vibrating means comprises a ultrasonic means, piezoelectric means or mechanical means.
26. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a feedback means to provide feedback to a user, wherein said feedback is selected from the group consisting of sound, display and vibration.
27. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a selection means for a user to select parameters related to said unique hygienic effects or related to said light beams to a user.
28. The method as set forth in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a displaying means to display data related to said unique hygienic effects or related to said light beams to a user.
30. The handheld device as set forth in claim 29, wherein the relative location of said handheld device with respect to said body structure is varied, and therewith the application of said unique hygienic effects with respect to said body structure is varied, to achieve blending of said unique hygienic effects at said body structure.
32. The handheld device as set forth in claim 31, wherein the relative location of said handheld device with respect to said body structure is varied, and therewith the application of said unique hygienic effects with respect to said body structure is varied, to achieve blending of said unique hygienic effects at said body structure.
(b) a detachable head, wherein said detachable head comprises one or more optical paths each capable of delivering a light beam with a unique hygienic effect at said body structure.
34. The handheld device as set forth in claim 33, wherein the relative location of said handheld device with respect to said body structure is varied, and therewith the application of said unique hygienic effects with respect to said body structure is varied, to achieve blending of said unique hygienic effects at said body structure.
35. The handheld device as set forth in claim 33, wherein said detachable head comprises at least two detachable components, wherein a first component comprises light sources that generate said light beams and wherein a second component comprises means to guide and output said light beams to said body structure.
36. The handheld device as set forth in claim 35, wherein said at least two detachable components are disposable components.
37. The handheld device as set forth in claim 33, wherein said detachable handle is a disposable handle.
38. The handheld device as set forth in claim 33, wherein said detachable head is a disposable head.
ITVI20100309A1 (en) * 2010-11-18 2012-05-19 Giannino Algeri held laser device, particularly for the self-treatment of algic events. | 2019-04-21T02:53:22Z | https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040006332A1/en |
We are JesseJames Creative. How can we help you?
We deliver a full range of highly integrated on- and off-line marketing services.
We live and breathe user experience and nowhere is that passion more visible than in the websites, Intranets, apps and support systems that we architect, design and build. If it can be done in a browser, chances are we’ve done it. We deliver great branding, award-winning content creation, sleek UX and insane usability on every project we take on. While we have experience with every enterprise and open source CMS solution out there, we are partial to our own content (and business) management platform, OrgCentral-the most intuitive and powerful CMS on the planet.
Reimagining the look and feel and overall messaging of great businesses is something we do on a daily basis. What makes you tick? What does your storytelling look (and feel) like? What makes your products so extraordinary? What are you not saying that you should be shouting? And why should anyone care? From naming to logos to lookbooks, we’ll help you define all of that, get to the heart of the matter and communicate it a way that will make people care deeply. And buy often.
We can design like a great design firm, strategize like a big ad agency and do interactive with the geekiest of them. Whether you need a new ad campaign, a training video, a catalog, an email campaign, a unique leave-behind or an unconventional event invitation that will have people knocking down your door, we can help. We just hope you don’t have a problem being the center of attention.
After 25 years in business, we've seen and done a lot. That experience...that body of work...the relationships we’ve formed...the things we learned...allow us to bring many intangibles to our client partnerships—things you won’t see on a statement of work (nor on your invoices for that matter). An introduction...access to a network of influencers you may not have known were out there...a supplier who can save you money...or simply a really fresh way of looking at something you may have been taking for granted. Let’s put our heads together and watch the awesome happen.
Established in 1990, JesseJames Creative is a fully integrated marketing communications firm based in New York. We deliver expertise in interactive marketing and strategy, website and web application development, mobile, consumer and B2B advertising, branding and direct response programs.
We have intentionally maintained a flat organizational structure so that we don't bog down our clients (or ourselves) in meaningless rhetoric and extra paperwork.
We are creative thinkers in every area: marketing and branding, promotion, interface design as well as project management and technology.
We live and breathe customer experience.
We build relationships with our clients and their customers.
Structured where it needs to be, but nimble enough to allow for innovation at every step, our process is designed to streamline every aspect of a project and deliver maximum ROI and minimize your time to market. To us, the great Herb Kelleher, CEO of Southwest Airlines, said it best: "We have a strategic plan...it's called doing things."
If you have a sense of humor, love doing great work, cherish having a life outside the office and aren't allergic to dogs, Drop Us a Line. We're always in the market for inspired art directors, designers, coders, copywriters and conceptualizers.
In 20+ years of business we’ve had more than our fair share of big ideas. Lately, we’re turning some of them into products. From a CMS that’s so powerful...so intuitive, it makes other systems feel really bad about themselves, to a 100% customizable CRM system to an online tool that allows organizations of all types to monetize unused spaces, we’re always thinking around here. What can we be thinking about for you?
OrgCentral is the lovechild of CMS, CRM, ERP and LOL.
A single platform that does the superhuman work of many, gives organizations full 360-degree visibility into their businesses, keeps the right hand apprised of what the left hand is doing and makes people smile when they use it. Learn More.
Available as part of the OrgCentral suite or as a standalone, this powerful system is designed to showcase, reserve and monetize (Ka-Ching!) available spaces--in a city or town, within a single corporate office or across continents. Get a room already!
Uber CRM (Customer Relationship Management) is designed to be "The CRM for the rest of us." With full self-service customization (as in no army of consultants with their hands on your wallet), no per-seat pricing nightmares and scalability for even the largest organizations, it's easy to see why we call it Uber. Get Connected.
We’re usually too busy working to add everything we do to this section, but the highlights below should give you a sense of the things we create around here.
This is just the tip of the JJC portfolio iceberg. Contact us to see more.
And to see what we can do for you.
Using Produce to Produce Results.
If the idea of sitting through an all-day sales seminar sounds painful, you haven’t attended one of Jack Daly’s “Smart Selling” seminars. America's preeminent Sales Guru, Jack's infectious energy is off the charts and his ability to communicate immediately actionable ways to increase business is remarkable. Getting “Jack'd” as it has come to be known, is a must for any business owner or team. When the NY Chapter of The Entrepreneurs' Organization invited Jack to speak, they knew a standard invitation would not get the job done. (Getting the attention of 200 busy Entrepreneurs is no easy task, and as such, attendance was down at Chapter events that year.) Enter the JJC team. To let everyone know about this must-see event, we hand delivered clear tubes with a real carrot and stick inside to every member in the chapter with a hangtag telling them that there was a better way to motivate their salespeople. As the packages hit people's desks, the invite itself went viral and the event sold out in hours.
When Jet Blue asked us to help them promote an event featuring their visionary CEO David Neeleman, we were happy to get on board. The target audience was busy NYC business owners and road warriors, so we knew we had to do something that would break through and entice an audience of hard chargers who usually didn’t stop for lunch, much less take an entire afternoon off to join us. Playing off the guts (ahem) it took JetBlue to launch a new airline in the midst of a recession, the invite we sent out raised more than a few eyebrows and sold out the event in one day.
This is how a modern city rolls.
In 2012, JJC began a wonderful relationship with The City of Edina and launched a brand new, fully rebranded web presence and CMS system. We re-created every city department section and designed microsites for their larger facilities, bringing the entire enterprise under a single CMS system.
A secure OrgCentral-powered extranet, with LDAP integration helps keep things humming for the city's staff behind the scenes. To this day, the site continues to evolve and we continue to deliver innovative, time- and resource-saving features and functionality for Edina.
Architecting a Great Success Story.
When an MIT dropout was ready to disrupt the multibillion-dollar AE industry with a breakthrough project management and accounting system, we were there to help.
Our irreverent, often brash, work for Sema4 really set the tone for the brand and included advertising, direct mail, sales collateral, guerrilla marketing and training materials. The work had some serious attitude (just like the company and product it was done for) and really helped get the attention of an audience used to the same old, same old.
As the product continued to gain momentum and market share, the company was snapped up by the largest old school player in their space, who, recognizing the threat posed by the leaner and decidedly meaner Sema4, figured, "If you can’t beat 'em, join 'em."
Our irreverent, often brash, work for Sema4 really set the tone for the brand and included advertising, direct mail, sales collateral, guerrilla marketing and training materials. The work had some serious attitude (just like the company and product it was done for) and really helped get the attention of an audience used to the same old same old.
Moving the tourism needle for a great town.
With a hot spring running down main street and 400+ inches of super skiable powder per year, Pagosa Springs is a year round destination with something for everyone. The new site we created for them has helped raise Pagosa's profile nationally. We did the website, a mobile site, a Visitor Center Kiosk and more. Regardless of the medium, it's all starting to click—visitor days and tourism spend are both way up.
Serious design for serious eats.
Addison, Texas, is one happening place. A series of special events draws nearly a million visitors to town every year. When their marquee event, a two-day food and wine festival, was being rebooted, JJC was given a seat at the table. (We redesigned Addison's main city site as well.) The standalone site we created (with an OrgCentral-powered CMS of course) raised the bar significantly and became a key driver of awareness and ticket sales. Based on the sucess of Fork & Cork, the city asked us to create sites for the rest of their special events as well. Now Kaboom Town, Octoberfest and the Addison Summer Series not only look great, but they are all manageable via a common CMS that is smart enough and flexible enough to handle anything their events team can throw at it-from sponsors to advertising to ticket sales.
When it comes to launching a business, the smart money is always on JesseJames Creative.
When a group of top advisors left one of America's biggest banks to pursue their own entrepreneurial dreams, they didn't go it alone. JJC was there to create their logo and identity program and help handle the firm's launch. After branding the firm, we produced a series of immersive, invitation-only events at top Manhattan venues, to help them quickly gain mindshare in a crowded "me too" space and ultimately secure some of their first high-net-worth clients. We eschewed glossy and other standard (and disposable) collateral and instead delivered the firm's message via guerrilla-style messaging during the events. This innovative and irreverent multimedia barrage included cocktail napkins, coasters, custom drink recipes, dynamically printed attendee badges, wall projections and even rest room signage. ROI for the series was extremely high and we heard from the client that this was one of their best investments ever.
We are extremely proud to have helped launch a major new player into the multi-billion dollar fantasy sports space. Draft Valet creates once-in-a-lifetime fantasy draft experiences that closely mirror the live draft day drama that happens in pro sports. They also provide in-season, expert level, advice designed to give teams in the know, a decidedly unfair advantage.
JJC was recruited to help build the brand from day one. We created the company's logo, launched their first website, helped produce their inaugural series of events and conceived and built what you see here: The MegaBoard--a JumboTron-sized behemoth that runs an in-person fantasy draft in real time complete with big data integration, a mobile Smack Talk app, personalized expert advice and much more. Are you ready for some football?
Over the years, we had the priviledge of working with some of the best networks on TV. We launched the History Channel for A&E, helped the Independent Film Channel gain some mainstream exposure for Bravo and as you see here, helped convince notoriously finicky cable operators that American Movie Classics was the one channel they could never go wrong with.
When Nike was ready to launch the customizable Presto sneaker, they turned to JJC and Clifford PR to kick things off. We created all kinds of promotional goodness for the Presto campaign including some way-out-of-the-box press outreach materials, invitations and graphics for a series of global kickoff events, and the piece you see here—an old school flip book that let viewers match Archetypical New Yorkers with just the right Presto shoe.
For this action sports startup, It's always go big or go home.
When some of the top (and by top, we mean crazy) minds in kitesurfing came up with a binding idea sure to revolutionize water and snow action sports, they turned to JJC to help spread the love.
We named the comapny, did the branding, worked with them to put together an industry partnership program and launched a teaser website, putting the world on notice that from here on, going big was going to be a whole lot safer.
The uber guide to German art and culture.
Sponsored by the German Consulate and powered by our OrgCentral platform, Germany in NYC is the definitive online guide to all things German in our fair city. Appealing not only to German expats and citizens living an working in NY, but New Yorkers themsleves, the site has been hugely successful since its launch. The back-end allows a single editor to do what should be the work of multiple people, making updates to every section, managing hundreds of active events, selling advertising, staying in touch with an integrated email blast function and much more.
Georgia is Always On Our Minds.
When the City of Dunwoody, one of the fastest growing cities in the Atlanta metro area, was doing a rebranding, they looked North to JJC for the interactive portion of the effort. Powered by a highly intuitive CMS, the site we designed and built, organizes every aspect of this dynamic City into one easy-to-navigate site.
Residents, businesses and prospective residents can now find everything from voter information to documents to a robust online events calendar and program registration system. Department teams now self-manage their own corners of the site using a consistent set of tools that makes everyone a web genius without even trying.
When the Dunwoody PD decided they wanted a site of their own, we were able to quickly spin up an “arresting’ microsite for them using the very same CMS that the rest of the city now depends on.
Along the way, we also able to streamline a number of other operations and save the city some money on external software licences and spare them the nightmare of having to train staff on 19 different pieces of software. Custom OrgCentral modules now handle job recruiting, procurement, document management and much more.
We even put together a module to showcase, with 100% transparency, the many capital improvement projects the city has going on and automatically archive them when they are finished.
The Anna Sobol Levy Foundation provides fellowships for US college graduates to study in Israel. This unique program provides Fellows with a concentrated, experiential education that covers issues such as global security, counter terrorism, international relations and diplomacy.
JJC helped rebrand the foundation and create a dynamic website designed to raising awarenes of The Foundation internationally and attract more qualified applicants to the program.
Behind the scenes, a secure members-only area provides sense of community and a place where program alumni from the past 16 years (and current fellows) can get to know each other better, share experiences, network and trade opportunities.
Building female leaders one high school at a time.
Her Honor Mentoring (Judge Judy's Nonprofit) seeks to provide a platform for young women to reach their full potential. Practical skills to realize a life full of promise are attained through a structured framework for learning and growth. Through one-on-one mentoring, intimate seminars and unique experiential learning, the program endeavors to reinforce the importance of college education and ultimately a meaningful profession. Young women achieve a sense of confidence and independence that will lead them to a career guided by their passion.
When Judy and her daughter Nicole (who is responsible for the vision of the organization and all day-to-day operations) launhed Her Honor in 2011, JJC did the branding, designed the public-facing website and built out a suite of web-enabled systems to automate and streamline the business end of the organization-everything from recruiting to mentor matching to time sheets, invoicing and event management. Girl Power!
A major redesign just launched.
Irreverent, but right on point.
Serious branding for serious eats.
From True Startups to New Ideas for Big Brands, We Know How to Make an Impact Fast.
Going big: Our most intense startup story yet.
“People do that on Facebook and it's the dumbest thing in the world.
I don't care what your dinner looks like.
Jesse co-founded JesseJames Creative. Prior to getting the entrepreneurial bug, she worked at a number of top New York ad agencies, where she created successful print and television campaigns for clients such as McDonald’s, Clairol, HBO Video, American Movie Classics and Chase. An award-winning copywriter, Jesse is responsible for developing the words, content and overall messaging that power our projects.
As a co-founder of JJC, Jim brings a wide range of experience to the firm including work for CBS Records, Nike and the Meredith Corporation. An expert in user experience and information architecture, Jim makes sure that every site and application we build is as intuitive and simple to use, as it is powerful.
Logan is the official JJC mascot. He spends most days laying about the office begging for food and thinking up new multimedia campaign ideas—mostly centered around securing more food from the rest of the staff here. He also loves spending time with his crew at the Madison Square Park Dog Run. Logan was rescued from a terrible place called Dead Dog Beach in Puerto Rico. All of us here are forever grateful to The SATO Project for the amazing work they do.
We are as passionate about what we do today as we were when we first opened our doors. Each completed project makes us even more hungry. Hungry for the next challenge...the next win...the next opportunity to dispense with the status quo and really make a difference for our clients.
From towns and cities, to non-profits to Fortune 500 brands to startups, we are all about doing exactly what’s right for our clients and making a meaningful difference in their lives and in the lives of their customers. We focus on one thing—results.
We do it with integrity and we make sure that everyone always has fun along the way.
"The JJC team always seems to bring that something extra. An unexpected twist or point of view, that takes an idea to a whole new place. On the technology side, OrgCenral, their CMS solution, is a thing of beauty."
"I’ve been highly impressed by the commitment, creativity, and 'get it done' capability of the JJC team. Not only has the quality been exceptional, they have repeatedly “gone the extra mile” in supporting our veteran-focused charitable endeavors. JJC is truly a patriot enterprise!"
"Franklin County has a lot of moving parts. In the process of redesigning our website, the JJC team also helped us tell our story better, decentralize our workflow across all departments, manage all kinds of operations from a single system and maintain our brand integrity at every point along the way.
We’ve also won an award or two together!"
Tell us your story. Challenge us. Tell us a joke. Or just say Hi. To get in touch, just pick up the phone or complete the form below (we promise not to spam you or sell your information to people with bad intent). We look forward to connecting.
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If you are “Wanted” we will turn you in and collect the bounty. If you’re unwanted, you have our sympathy. Don’t give up, there’s someone out there for everyone. They just haven’t found you yet.
All of it and however we see fit.
How does JesseJames Creative protect customer information?
Logan, guard dog extraordinaire, is on the case providing round the clock protection for our customers’ information. Logan is very dedicated to his mission. And he loves rope toys.
Cookies are a delicious baked good. Available in a variety of flavors ranging from chocolate chip to oatmeal raisin to oatmeal chocolate chip. Frosted cookies such as the “black and white” and the cream-filled “sandwich cookie” are also quite tasty. All will make you fat. Beyond that, we’re not saying.
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How does JesseJames Creative protect the privacy of minors?
JesseJames is committed to protecting the privacy of impressionable young children. Which is why when we catch one doing goofy things on YouTube, we tell no one. We respect their privacy. Have a nice day. And by the way...nice shoes.
By using our website, you consent to the collection and use of your private information by JesseJames Creative, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries worldwide. You consent to enter into a long-term, retainer-based relationship with JesseJames Creative. You consent to a series of painless psychological experiments including, but not limited to studies involving sleep deprivation, phobia confrontation and the effects of subliminal advertising.
We hate those annoying little opt-in boxes, so we'll just assume that since you're shaking your head, that's a yes. | 2019-04-24T06:43:03Z | https://www.jjcreative.com/ |
Shoppers gravitate to the irresistible baubles in boutique and department store showcases. The preview to this glamorous ornamentation is in the wholesale jewelry market that sets the course months before shoppers see it. So a look into the crystal ball of things to come is found in the showrooms and trade shows of jewelry wholesalers. Veteran retailers that visit these showrooms and trade shows regularly see a change–a line that is blurring.
Labels easily categorize wholesale jewelry in the past-labels like “costume jewelry”, “fashion jewelry”, “semiprecious jewelry”, and “fine jewelry.” Today that is not so easy. A current in fashion trends moves wholesale jewelry to a new level. The driving force is the classic look. Think Joan Crawford, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly. Think beauty that appeals to every generation in your family and you have classic fashion.
Classic reigns on the runways and in the fashion magazines. This overall look cannot be held down by labels. Suddenly wholesale jewelry showrooms that were called “costume jewelry” are filled with designs showing turquoise, coral, agates, and rose quartz that once belonged to the rock and gem wholesalers. The shell jewelry of the beach resort wholesalers finds beautiful expressions in these same showrooms.
The sterling silver of fine jewelry has been in fashion jewelry showrooms for more than a decade, but the once obscure art of glassmakers has suddenly joined sterling silver in these same showrooms. Murano glass, lamp work beads, and diochroic glass that were once niche markets, have now become household names and grace the showcases of boutiques and fine department stores.
The very name of fashion implies change. Without change there is no fashion, so how long can we expect the upscale momentum of wholesale jewelry to blur the lines between all the categories that exist? A new season is opening with a surprise of bright colors. Again wholesale jewelry takes the high road accessorizing the vivid hues with gorgeous dyed shell. This natural beauty of the sea goes beyond trendy chokers for teens in the beach shops and even beyond the upscale shell jewelry of seaside resorts. Designers craft brilliant shell colors into high fashion jewelry that takes its place in boutiques and stylish accessory stores to give the season’s tropical brights a classic counterpart in jewelry. This season leaves no doubt wholesale jewelry continues to follow classic trends, but what about the fall?
The palette is in place for the fall and fashion shows begin to shape the wholesale jewelry that will carry the season. Wholesale jewelry for the fall season shows no movement away from the classic trends that society is embracing. After all, it is society that ultimately determines fashion and it was the mood following so many tragedies like September 11th, The Tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina that put the brakes to rapid fire changes and fast forward fashion. A reflective mood set in and a look back captured beauty in art and nature that gelled into the classic designs of wholesale jewelry houses. Fashion does not magically appear from thin air. Leading designers have a network of feedback from society that influences direction and the feedback is keeping the focus on classic beauty. Expect designers to dig deeper to uncover more obscure art forms and wonders of nature.
Like all roads lead to Rome all that is beautiful leads to classic jewelry. Even the most isolated arts will be swept into the current. So this season and next classic dominates. Drop labels and expect surprises of eye-pleasing beauty that fit under the umbrella of wholesale jewelry.
Fashion handbags can be available to every woman if you just know where to look. Discount sites sometimes offer only knock-off brands, but a lucky few sites offer knock-down pricing on designer brands and styles! Skip the hassle and overblown prices of department stores and head straight to the manufacturer through discount online shopping. Special offers bring the newest designer brands straight to your door without added fees.
Fashion handbags allow any girl the chance to be recognized and adored. When you step out with the latest in designer discount bags you’ll have plenty of co-workers, friends, and contacts asking where you got that great bag. Bring some additional confidence to that interview you have coming up or look like a celebrity or model on that new hot date, with any of the hottest trend-setting bags available. From purses and clutches to totes and shoulder bags, be ready to sprint from work to the gym to a night out on the town with a classic accessory under your arm.
When considering dropping some serious coin on these items, keep in mind not only what it needs to carry, but also the look you are going for. Designer handbags give every outfit that extra zip it needs to be noticed and envied. Choose the latest styles to accent your work wardrobe, find a hip new color to add to that classic black dress, or add some exciting new textures to an already outrageous and fashion-forward ensemble. Let your bag speak for you and your tasteful, playful personality.
Fashion handbags also mean the latest in trends. Solid colors, prints, polished hardware, straps, and clasps … find fashion-forward bags at great prices without having to dig through last season’s cast-offs. From tassels and jeweled detail to signature patterns and patchwork, stylish bags offer you the runway styles and creativity you are craving. You don’t have to be stuck home leafing through fashion magazines, instead you can find your own stylish bag and show it off at work and play.
When it comes to finding a great gift for that special lady, fashion handbags are sure to impress. The latest designer brands and styles can be available at special discount prices. Also, these stylish items are shipped straight to your office or home. Handbags also provide a great practicality for your gift. Used daily or for special occasions, a great purse means not worrying about all your possessions as you enjoy an evening on the town or a romantic weekend get-away. Purses also offer some fun and excitement in your gift since great colors, textures, styles, and creativity go into the making of a great bag. Always needed, wanted, and offering the newest designs and trends, every woman deserves and enjoys a fashionable arm accessory.
Find the perfect bag for you. Any length of strap, small or large, leather or denim, solid colors or printed, trend-setting or classic, there’s always at least one great designer brand and style of bag out there for everyone.
The H&M clothing line is very popular and is one of the leading competitors to Zara clothing. The company has been around since the 1940s and has been making a steady rise in the fashion field from that time hence forth. They have grown with the aim of providing fashionable and quality clothing at the most affordable price to their customers and that they have achieved. For years now, they have given you the option of buying your garments within one of their stores or shop H&M clothing online at your own convenience. This is one of the factors that contribute to their popularity along with the diverse styles and trends that can be attained from their stores.
When you shop H&M clothing you know that quality goes without saying and you know that you can get clothes for any occasion, race class or creed. No matter the time of year, you will always be able to get suitable atmosphere clothes that will keep you warm in winter, keep you cool in summer, colourful in spring and trendy in fall.
This company, although already popular is still growing and this may be due to a number of reasons, one of which is the fact that they are committed to providing stylish clothing at a cost that everyone can afford and the quality is always superb. They keep this commitment because they know that this is what customers look forward to and keeping those standards can only be a win-win situation, the customers go home happy and will always come again and H&M will not just always be in business but will also continue to grow.
Another reason that contributes to this company’s success is the use of guest designers that the company incorporates. While H&M houses their own designers who are capable of making waves with their unique designs, the company often invite the incites of some of the designers in the business to spark a new trend and keep the company’s brand in the top list of trend, style and affordable pricing. These designers are often not limited to clothes only, but also to accessories that accompanies these clothes for a total classy and trendy outfit.
A third reason for this company’s constant growth is its knack for innovation and creativity, did you know that you could actually incorporate your fashion sense into The Sims 2 (the game) by using H&M? Yes it’s true, you can shop H&M clothing in the Sims and enjoy the game more by making your character really reflect your taste and style in clothes and accessories. This is not a new concept for the company because it has been incorporated from about 2007, but some persons are still not aware and you can never have too much info about your favourite store.
Fashion is something that almost every woman follows. Fashion is constantly changing and evolving. Some styles seem to disappear and reappear over the years. One thing that will always be a major part of fashion are accessories and handbags. During the 80’s and 90’s the trend was to have a handbag to match every pair of shoes. Nowadays that’s not the case. Now what most women just look for are handbags that are fashionable and trendy. As we take a look at celebrity styles we often see designer handbags and accessories like belts, sunglasses, and jewelry. Many people look to recreate these styles on a budget. All of these show off an individual’s fashion style and taste. Handbags and totes will always be a major part of any woman’s wardrobe.
There are different types of handbags, such as: clutches, satchels, totes, backpacks, duffel bags, and celebrity themed handbags; like Betty Boop and Marilyn Monroe. Evening bags are good for formal occasions, but one can get everyday use out of handbags and tote bags; they also come in a wider variety of designs. Many women also desire a stylish bag that can hold multiple items. Fashionable and functional bags are popular among working women, because of their versatility; they can be used during the work day, at the grocery store, or a night out with friends. It is convenient to be able to use one bag in multiple settings, as opposed to having to switch bags for different occasions.
Designer products are very sought after by those who are fashion conscious, but for many, those styles are outside of their price range. To get the look for less, people invest in designer inspired handbags, which provide the same styles as the expensive designer handbags, but without the pricey name/label. For many women, wearing designer products makes them feel empowered and helps them to create a unique style. Designer inspired products create the opportunity for the average woman to have similar styles to those of the rich and famous. The most convenient and efficient way of buying designer inspired handbags, totes and accessories is online. It is perfect for those who are not near a shopping center, or simply don’t have the time to go. There are also many unique and stylish items available online, that are not available in retail stores.
Shopping for mens fashion watches is not something that should be done haphazardly. You will want to make sure that the watch you choose satisfies your needs as well as your personal tastes. Having the right watch can allow you to stand out in the crowd. It can also enhance your wardrobe if worn with the right clothing. There are some considerations that you can make before and during your journey for the perfect mens watch for you.
Before you begin shopping through mens fashion watches, you first need to take a look at your budget. There are a variety of price ranges available for this accessory, so you it is important that you know how much you can spend before you start to look. You will want to take note that the more you spend, the better quality of mens watch you are likely to get. This is especially true if you shop wisely and do not fall for selling tactics that provide you with cheaply made watches. Look over the reviews posted on the Internet regarding the different watchmakers to choose the best brand to go with.
When you have decided how much you want to spend, the next thing you should consider is style. A watch can be paired with an outfit to add a great deal of fashion to the overall look. It is important that your watch matches your wardrobe. Mens fashion watches come in a variety of metals and other materials. You want to be sure you choose the right one that will go well with the type of clothing you enjoy wearing. There are various sizes of watch faces and bands that you will need to think about, but these different dimensions may be more about your personal preference than the style of your clothing.
Another factor to consider when looking for a mens watch is the amount of use it will get. Do you plan to wear the watch you are buying in a day-to-day basis? Or, are you looking for a more stylish, expensive watch that you will only wear on certain occasions. If you are going for an ordinary watch that you will be using regularly, it is best to choose a model that is built to last for a long period of time. Metal watches tend to last longer than most other bands, as the material will begin to wear out if made with anything other than strong metals.
As you can see, sorting through all of the mens fashion watches on the market should be more than just a random decision. You will want to be sure that you choose something that complements your style. If not, it may not work well with most of your outfits. Price, style, and use should also be considered when choosing a mens watch that you will want to sport on your wrist.
There are so many online jewellery shops these days. Most of them sell different jewellery designs that have very appealing colors with many different styles. A lot of people have embraced the use of them to enhance their everyday looks and celebrities have also not been left behind in this trend.
The only way a business can gain international presence is by having a successful online business. Business people have understood this very important factor. Most of them are refusing to be left behind when it comes to advertising their jewellery products.
It is very hard for a lot of people to personally go shopping these days because of their hectic schedules. This however is not a major problem because you can do this online and still maintain a stylish and new look everyday. If you do not want to be left behind, ensure you catch up with the television shows that highlight the new different designs and where you can get them.
The Internet and online shopping has made most people lives simpler because they do not have to leave their homes or busy schedules to go shopping. They are able to purchase anything they want from where they are. This way they are still able to keep up with the latest trends by looking at the information online or watching television shows that deals with fashion.
All you have to do is look for the ones that have good quality so that they can last longer. Be very careful when selection them so that you can be sure that everything is working in perfect condition. It can be very disappointing to buy something only to realize later that it is not in perfect condition.
It is therefore advisable to stick to one jeweler that you know and trust with his products. It does not matter if you are purchasing earrings, necklaces or bracelets whatever it is, it should be long lasting. It is very important to do this so that you can void wasting your money all the time. The two most bought accessories are earrings and necklaces.
For a woman to enhance her attire, she relies on ornaments like earrings, bracelets and necklaces. This then make a glamorous look in the end. It is no wonder that many women love gifts and if you are thinking of getting that special woman in your life a gift, jewelry will always be a good option.
Therefore before purchasing fashion jewellery, ensure you know what is new in the market and what will work well with you. Not everything is suitable for everyone. Once you find what works well with you, go for that and try to be as creative as you possible can. To know more about where you can find new jewellery designs keep checking in the online shops, fashion magazines and in the television fashion shows. | 2019-04-22T23:58:34Z | http://www.coltsproshop.us/2018/11/page/2 |
Quickie Album Review: Shuggie Otis "Inspiration Information/Wings Of Love"
This is a GREAT album. I have been waiting for this album to appear since the mid 1970's. It's the best album I have heard so far in 2013.
And it's not because of the music itself.
It is also about the persona of Shuggie Otis himself, his artistic genius, his relative youth at the time and how his "lost potential" seems to be a metaphor for other "geniuses" that I knew growing up. I want for Shuggie Otis (and all of the other young geniuses, that I have known in my life) to live up to their potential to change the world for the better.
Disc 1 - Contains the original 9 tracks from the "Inspiration Information," the "genreless acid drenched one man band album" which consists of all "genres" that have memorized me for the better part of the past 35 years and is literally the "Rosetta stone" for late 20th century Black music. It also contains 4 "bonus" tracks that apparently were considered for the original album, but didn't make the cut.
Disc 2 - Contains a collection of songs that Shuggie Otis recorded between the mid 1970's - 2000's that have never been released before.
I am not going to review the original "Inspiration Information." I have reviewed it many times and I don't want to repeat myself. If you have any interest whatsoever in the human condition of 20th century earthlings, IMHO you should own this album.
This is what I have been waiting for all of these years. This is an album that is filled with GREAT music, never before heard. These songs have little if anything to do with the original "Inspiration Information" album. A half dozen or so of these songs ("Special," "Tryin' To Get Close To You," "Doin' What's Right," "Wings Of Love," "Don't You Run Away," "Fireball of Love," "Fawn," "Destination You!") would have been hit records, had they been released on major labels during the period when they were recorded. Listening to these songs today, make the original "Inspiration Information" seem like just what it was. An experimental album constructed by a "genius mad scientist," simply because he could. This collection of previously unheard songs sound like they come from someone who now has totally perfected the whole "one man band" thing, is ready to unleash all of that knowledge into the commercial marketplace. Why Shuggie was never given the opportunity to release these songs to the public, continues to be a mystery and open to lots of speculation. However I'm glad to finally be able to hear them today.
As you look at my quickie reviews of these songs below, pay close attention to the dates they were recorded and the music I am suggesting a similarity with. In many cases, Shuggie is actually "channeling" these artists long before we ever heard of them!! In other cases you can certainly hear who some of his influences were. If you like the artists that I am making the comparisons with, then you will also like "Wings of Love."
I have listened to this album 3 times, since it arrived in my mailbox and each time I discover more and more to like about it. So I'll leave it here for now, simply because I am positive that I will be writing about it again. It is by far the best album I have heard in 2013.
PS - If you would like to compare the "Wings of Love" album to a modern day artist, check out an artist named "SonnyBoy" His music is also "genreless," yet also encompasses all "genres" at the same time.
Stevie Wonder, Geroge Benson, Sly Stone, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Mike Olefield, Grover Washington Jr Billy Preston, Funkadelic, Quincy Jones, Meters, Elton John and BB King ALL AT THE SAME TIME?
Well, let me tell you a little bit about him!
Normally I don't like to write about artists who are obscure, because i don't like to discuss music that people have never heard or are unlikely to ever hear, I mean.....what's the point?
But please indulge me this one time?
Many times since the creation of Urban Sounds, people have asked me who my favorite FUNK artist is and I have always refused to answer the question, today I'll answer that question!
Because I am about to tell you all about a truly GREAT FUNK artist!
When the album "Inspiration Information" came out in 1974, I became aware of it as a result of hearing the single "Inspiration Information" on radio station WAMO in Pittsburgh. I liked the catch/bouncy beat and the positive groove of the "Stevie Wonderish" song.. I immediately went out and purchased the album and took it back to my dormitory room to listen to it. This album completely BLEW me away as I listened to it in the "black light and incense filled room". This album is difficult to describe except to say that it sounded like a combination of ALL of the artists I mentioned earlier and then some.
All blended together, held together by a "glue" that turns out to be a message that sticks with me to this day! It' got both lyrics and a beat that can only make one think of good times and a positive future, filled with hope and free from despair. Needless to say, I listened to the album over and over again till I couldn't stay awake any longer.
The next day, I played this album for a few of my friends and they also had their minds BLOWN AWAY by it. Soon the album became a favorite among the crowd I hung around with at that time . See not only was the music GREAT, but everyone was totally amazed because not only did Shuggie Otis play EVERY instrument on the album, write EVERY song, but he also was just NINETEEN years old at the time!
In other words he was some kind of musical prodigy!
A few months later I saw the album "Freedom Flight" in the record store and picked up on it as well. This album was just as FUNKY as "Inspiration Information, but a bit less experimental. Ever hear the song "Strawberry Letter #23" - Brothers Johnson? That song was a remake of the original, written by Shuggie Otis, which appears on the album "Freedom Flight". Soon after I had purchased "Freedom Flight" , I listened to it (in that very same "black light and incense filled room"), that I had listened to "Inspiration Information". This music was certainly powerful and the messages contained were striking, just by looking at the album titles you can see what the message is.
Shuggie Otis abruptly "retired" from the music business a few years later at the age of 22 years old. I "lost" my copies of BOTH albums years ago. To this day whenever I go to a record store, the first thing that i do is go to the "O" section and look to see if either one of these two albums has ever been reissued on Compact Disc. Of course I have never found either one. Most likely Shuggie Otis music will probably NEVER be reissued on CD. He wasn't a big hitmaker and I don't suppose there is much of a demand for his stuff .
2005 Update A lotta bad stuff has been happening lately around the corner and around the world. In fact, based on what we have been watching on TV for the past week it almost looks as though we have indeed reached "the last days in time".
Sometimes even I have to just tune it all out, because if I don't I will lose perspective. At times like these I reach for Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information. It's one of my favorite albums of all time.
It's a document of lyrical and musical genius that still resonates in my mind 31 years after the first time that I heard it.
"It's the bridge between Sly and the Family Stone and Prince.."
No matter what my mood or how bad things might seem to be at that particular moment this album never fails to make me smile. Perhaps it's just nostalgia? Or perhaps it's just the expression of pure joy that this music brings to me. It was in it's time one of the most cutting edge and experimental albums ever made. Back in 1974 it was kinda the "drugged out, ultimate freak out". Listening to it today 21 years later it's tame, hardly "cutting edge" at all. Today Inspiration Information almost sounds like it could be used as the soundtrack for a show on Nickelodeon or some other childrens programing, perhaps that's why it makes me feel good?
Sometimes when an artist seems to disappear before their time, it feels like they have missed an opportunity to make the impact that they could have made. Even worse is that it sometimes makes us feel as individuals that we have also missed out on something, we often feel so exhilarated by their genius that we may even fell cheated by the artist.
Certainly these are some of the types of feelings that I have felt in my heart about Shuggie Otis over the years. Sometimes I have even selfishly cussed him out for depriving me of more of himself.
However today as I sit here in 2005 listening to Inspiration Information, once again for the 12 gazilionth time in my life I have come to the conclusion that it doesn't really matter. The only thing that matters is that this album actually exists and once again it's available to me, to put a smile on my face whenever I need one.
I don't know how Shuggie Otis feels about all of this. I have never spoken with him. I suspect that he must be on an emotional roller coaster about Inspiration Information, damn near every day of his life and I'm sure that ride must be extremely painful for him to take every day.
However I think that he needs to know that in creating this album, its enough of a legacy of his vision that it will last long after he leaves this earth and that certainly that for a certain fan of his, located on the east coast of the United States and I'm sure for many others who are down, he can rest assured that his influence is major and far reaching into the future. Today in 2005 I see and hear the influence of Inspiration Information all around me. Lots of artists who are associated with Soul-Patrol (ex: SonnyBoy, Martha Redbone, Stozo, etc) are "direct descendents" and are "inspired" by the "information" contained in this album. So their music continues the thought process and expands it in a way that Shuggie Otis probably never even imagined back in 1974.
So for that I am happy, because if there was ever a thought process that we needed here in 2005, as we try to deal with both the physical, emotional and spiritual realities of what may indeed be "the last days in time", the perspective of Inspiration Information is something we can still absorb to serve the purpose of keeping us whole. My endearing hope as I sit here listening to Shuggie Otis - Inspiration Information once again for the 12 gazilionth time in my life is that, you will take the time to listen it at least once?
It's the ultimate expression of a thing that existed for just a relatively short moment in time during the 1970's, where all of it came together, under the umbrella of "peace and positivity". At the time it felt like something that would last forever, but ultimately it would prove to be fleeting. However fleeting that feeling ended up being in terms of influencing the masses, ultimately it lives on in the hearts and minds of people who know that "peace and positivity" really is the only way and that life itself therefore must become a restless search for bringing the truth of "peace and positivity" to your heart and to your mind.
Just got back from seeing the great Shuggie Otis perform live at the [re-]release party for his classic 1974 album, "Inspiration Information"
(Luaka Bop), at Joe's Pub in NYC. Although there had been some concern among the staff at his label as recently as last week as to whether Shuggie would in fact perform tonight, he pulled it off and it was incredible!
Following on the heels of Tuesday night's fine performance of Shuggie's "Strawberry Letter 23" on Conan O'Brien (he will perform on David Letterman's show on Friday night), Shuggie took the stage promptly at 9 p.m. (after a brief introduction by Luaka Bop honcho David Byrne) for a one-hour set of blues and soul classics and a couple of original tunes from the "Inspiration" CD.
Backed by guitarist Jimmy Vivino from the Late Night band (AKA the "Max Weinberg 7"), younger brother Nicky on drums, and a bassist and keyboard player, Shuggie began his set with Freddie King's classic blues instrumental, "Hideaway." This was followed by another 12-bar blues, at which point I began to worry that we might not get to hear any of Shuggie's own brilliant compositions.
This fear was quickly allayed by the next number, a SMOKING version of the aforementioned "Strawberry Letter 23." After a somewhat oblique introduction during which Shuggie attempted to explain the background of the song, they launched into the tune (complete with the famous glockenspiel part played on the keyboard), Shuggie and Jimmy Vivino playing the same guitar lead simultaneously, recreating Shuggie's studio overdubs. This song was the highlight of the set, and had the audience up on their feet and cheering.
"Strawberry Letter 23," probably Shuggie's most famous composition, by virtue of the Brothers Johnson's 1977 hit version, is included on the "Inspiration Information" CD, even though it originally appeared on Shuggie's first album, 1971's "Freedom Flight." Three other songs from that album are also included on the CD, including the mind-blowing title track, a 13-minute guitar opus a la Funkadelic's "Maggot Brain."
It should be noted, with all the rumors about Shuggie's health and low profile for the past 25 years, that he both looks and sounds just great. We spoke for a couple of minutes, and he appeared fit and content in a fashionable dark grey suit, and could easily pass for quite a bit younger than his 48 years. And his guitar playing was as astounding and fluid as ever. This guy's just gearing up for his second career - watch out!
The next number after "Strawberry" was a rousing version of Sly's "Thank You (Falletinme Be Mice Elf Again)," the band occasionally sounding a bit under-rehearsed, but their enthusiasm more than compensating for the rough edges. At several points during the set Shuggie told the audience how happy and grateful he was to be back performing this material, and it was obvious he really WAS pleased to be there, 27 years after "Inspiration Information" was first released. With so few happy endings in the music biz, it was nice to witness one unfolding right in front of our eyes.
After another blues, "I Just Wanna Make Love To You," the band left the stage for a moment, before Shuggie and Nicky returned for a duet version of "Ice Cold Daydream," which originally appeared on Shuggie's first album, 1971's "Freedom Flight. It was a fine ending to a great night.
When "Inspiration Information" was originally released by Epic in 1974, it quickly slipped off the radar. Shuggie was eventually dropped from the label, and his subsequent disillusionment with record company politics led to a 25-year absence from the spotlight, although he continued to perform with his father, legendary bandleader Johnny Otis. But in recent years "Inspiration Information" has been cited by many influential DJ's and musicians as a "lost classic," leading David Byrne to reissue it in March to universal acclaim from the likes of Rolling Stone, Vibe, Spin, and countless others. I guess sometimes an artist just has to wait for the world to catch up with his genius. At least in this case we are fortunate that Shuggie is alive and well and enjoying the belated and much-deserved attention.
I only hope that the exposure being afforded Shuggie now as a result of the album's reissue, and the media blitz surrounding it, enables him to both revive his career where he left off in 1974, and to reach an audience far wider than the one which initially greeted this brilliant and singular work.
Special thanks to Bob Davis of Soul Patrol (www.soul-patrol.com) for turning me on to Shuggie and "Inspiration Information," Jonathan Rudnick and Maurice Bernstein of Giant Step for a beautiful job promoting the record and the party, and Jeff Kaye of Luaka Bop for the guest list hookup and gracious response to my queries about Shuggie. Finally thanks to David Byrne for reissuing this gem, and of course to Shuggie Otis for creating it and being so patient! | 2019-04-24T14:23:41Z | http://www.soul-patrol.com/funk/shuggie.htm |
An Energy Action Plan (EAP) is a strategic planning document that lays out the City’s goals and possible actions to reduce energy consumption by increasing energy efficiency and procuring more renewable energy. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Brandon Kaysen explains how the City is requesting Ventura residents to take the Energy Action Plan Survey - a quick survey to help determine goals to reduce energy consumption.
Almost 20% of the waste going to landfill from Ventura residents is made up of food waste, half of which is inedible (things like avocado skins, corn husks). So for the 10% that’s preventable, the City of Ventura has gathered together some important information and tools to help you curb your food waste. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Arriana Rabago is here to share some tips on how to save the food.
Lower Your Utility Bills with the emPower Program!
emPower program helps homeowners make affordable utility upgrades to their home offering a variety of incentives, financing, qualified contractors, and expert energy advice. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Brandon Kaysen talks to Sustainable Ventura about the program.
Get your ticket to the 21st Annual Poinsettia Awards Luncheon 2017 on December 7, 2017. Visit VenturaChamber.com or the Ventura Chamber website.
As part of the City of Ventura’s Public Works department, the Environmental Sustainability Division’s mission is to assist in protecting and preserving the sustainability of our beautiful city in order to ensure the environmental, social and economic viability of Ventura for future generations.
The 33rd Annual California Coastal Cleanup Day is Saturday, September 16, 9:00 AM to Noon. The event is looking for volunteers to help pick up trash on beaches and near waterways to protect California wildlife as well as conserve the health and beauty of our environment. City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Arriana Rabago shares information.
The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division and Ventura Water offer free educational presentations to all local K-12 schools, after-school and pre-school programs. These interactive educational programs teach students about natural resources, solid waste management, recycling, waste reduction strategies, and water conservation. All presentations are tailored to specific grade levels and standards-based. In this PODCACAST, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Brandon Kaysen talks about the programs for 2017.
Help keep stormwater clean this winter, and consider planting more native plants; these are plants that have adapted to the local geography, and climate of the area. They tend to need less care, require little or no irrigation or fertilizer, are resistant to local pests and disease, and provide habitat for native wildlife species. In this Sustainable Ventura PODCAST, City of Ventura Environmental Services Supervisor Todd Hunsdorfer shares some great TIPS on how you can be proactive in reducing storm drain and stormwater pollution!
This past July 2016, Ventura City Council granted a 10-year franchise renewal agreement to EJ Harrison & Sons, Inc., for the collection, sweeping, diversion, and disposal of solid waste, and collection and transport for processing of organic waste and recyclable materials.
To date, EJ Harrison & Sons, in conjunction with Gold Coast Recycling and Agromin, in partnership with the City of Ventura, have helped the city achieve a solid waste landfill diversion rate of over 70%.
In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Tobie Mitchell talks about some of the new enhanced services that apply to existing residential, commercial and City Services.
City of Ventura residents, Get Your FREE Sustainability Kit - The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division in partnership with the Ventura Water Department are offering Sustainability Kits to city residents to help increase recycling and assist residents with conserving energy, water, natural resources, and even save some money.
The kit includes either a tote to carry recyclables to the bin outside, or a 10 gallon kitchen recycling bin, a reusable shopping bag, reusable produce bag, water bottle, BPA free plastic drinking cup (for Ventura tap water!), a refillable homemade cleaner bottle with recipes, grease can lid, dish scraper, compact fluorescent light bulb, a hose nozzle, and water saving devices for the home.
In this segment of Sustainable Ventura News, host Maryann Ridini Spencer talks with City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Tobie Mitchell.
Get Your Sustainability Kits, click here!
Become a City of Ventura Green Certified Business in 2016!
Becoming a GREEN Business is SMART Business. In this Sustainable Ventura News POCAST Host Maryann Ridini Spencer speaks with City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Lars Davenport about "How to become a City of Ventura Green Certified Business."
For more information on becoming Green Certified, visit: SustainableVentura.TV and SEARCH "Green Certified Business" and "Green Business."
Everyone loves a clean house, but not everyone loves the process of cleaning a house! Household cleaning products often contain harsh chemicals that can potentially irritate our skin, burn our eyes, or contribute to long-term health consequences. In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Tobie Mitchell shares some important tips to clean your home in a healthy, safe, and environmentally-friendly way.
DIY Green Cleaning Ideas, Click Here.
You're Invited to take the City of Ventura's FOOD WASTE PREVENTION CHALLENGE!
In this Sustainable Ventura News PODCAST, City of Ventura Environmental Specialists Courtney Lindberg and Tobie Mitchell talk to show host, Maryann Ridini Spencer, about the City of Ventura's Food Waste Preventional Challenge taking place from May 18-July, 12, 2015.
Whether it's sour milk, mushy bananas, moldy bread, or soggy restaurant leftovers, chances are we have all wasted some food this week. You're not alone. The sad truth is 40% of all food in the United States goes uneaten. Meanwhile, 1 in 6 Americans lack a secure supply of food to their tables.
You're invited to join the City of Ventura on an 8-week challenge to DO SOMETHING about wasted food. All residents are welcome to particiipate. We will provide you with the tools you need to be successful. You just need to bring your enthusiasm and commitment!
During the Challenge, we'll measure how much food waste your household throws away, then give you strategies to shop smarter, prep and store food more efficiently, and get creative with cooking.
Love Food, Hate Food Waste, Save Our Water, and Other Helpful Green Tips!
According to a recent article in the Washington Post, Americans throw away nearly $170 billion dollars of food every year. That's an astounding figure when nearly 50 million Americans live with the reality of food insecurity.
Why is this happening? What can be done about it?
How does food waste impact our water supply? Greenhouse gas emissions?
In this Sustainable Ventura Podcst, City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Jill Santos talks to Sustainable Ventura's Maryann Ridini Spencer who helps shed some light on this critical issue. Jill also shares helpful green tips and green living ideas.
UPCOMING EVENT: On Friday, April 24 from 6-9pm at Ventura's Bell Arts Factory, 432 Ventura Avenue, Environmentalist Rob Greenfield will screen his documentary focusing on how to prevent food waste and other green topics.
When you turn on a light, work at the computer, watch television, or blend up your favorite fruit smoothie, you may not think about the fact that all these tasks require energy. The production and flow of energy to your home and work place requires complex infrastructure that requires ongoing maintenance. Over time, this upkeep of energy systems and operations translates into cost increases on your energy bill.
Moving forward, how can you possibly ensure your electricity costs will stay the same or even decrease over time? There’s a simple, affordable solution.
On April 17, 2014, underneath the solar panels at Patagonia’s downtown Ventura headquarters, Community Environmental Council’s (CEC) in partnership with the City of Ventura announced the new “Solarize Ventura” program.
The program, which educates and assists residents with residential solar installations, is based on a successful model used in other communities across the country.
A typical residential solar system can range from $7,000 to $20,000 per home and take approximately 4-8 weeks to install. When purchasing a system, homeowners can often re-coop their investment within 5-7 years. Additionally, solar panels have a lifespan of approximately 25-30 years, and thus become an added value to any property. If a homeowner is reluctant to purchase a system, lease programs are available for no money down. With either method, homeowners will likely see immediate energy savings.
Several FREE Solarize Ventura workshops have been held during June to enthusiastic resident response.The program will run through July 2014. Interested residents should sign up on or before the end of July to take advantage of this program. Once signed up by the end of July, you will be able to book an installation date within the following 12 month period.
Homeowners interested in going solar should contact Jefferson Litton at (805) 963-0583 or register at www.solarizeventura.org.
On Thursday, October 24, 2013, SustainableVentura.TV went on location to the "Haunting at the Harbor Business Tabletop Expo" presented by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce. The event, held from 4:30pm to 7:30pm at the Four Point Sheraton Ventura Harbor Resort, featured 59 exhibitors, food vendors, raffle prizzes and three hours of fun, networking and mingling. The City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability and Ventura Water both had booths at the event and were promoting a number of green and sustainable practices.
On Saturday, October 12, 2013, from 10am-11:30am, Ventura Water, Aqua-flo and Green Thumb Nursery presented the second in a series of six Water Wise classes. The topic for the day was “How to employ Ocean Friendly Garden principles of CPR- Conservation, Permeability and Retention."
Ocean Friendly Gardens is a trademark of Surfrider Foundation and OFGs, as they’re also known, are beautiful, easy-to-maintain, and serve as vehicles to assist in the prevention of stormwater pollution.
Laura Bauer, BauerFineGardening.com, gave a talk and presented an informative slide show that took the audience through the concepts of an Ocean Friendly Garden, how it works, as well some examples of beautiful native plants. SustainableVentura.TV spoke to some of the attendees who took the class.
For more information on Green Events, visit: SustainableVentura.TV.
On August 14, 2013, Ventura Chamber of Commerce's Green Task Force and Friends of the Channel Coast State Parks presented a FREE Green Drinks Event from 5-7:00pm at San Buenaventura State Beach. Sustainable Ventura's Maryann Ridini Spencer talked to attendees.
SustainableVentura.TV attends the Ventura Green Task Force's Green Drinks Event on May 8, 2013 at Connect Ventura, (50 West Main Street, Ventura).
Green Drinks, well known in international environmental circles, and hosted in approximately 600 cities worldwide, is a network of unstructured meet-ups where environmental professionals from a variety of industries and concerned locals get together in a relaxed settings to network and discuss sustainable topics, exchange ideas, forge valuable relationships and of course, partake in appetizers and drinks. Show host Maryann Ridini Spencer talks to professionals that attended the event.
In this "Sustainable Ventura" podcast host Maryann Ridini Spencer talks with Ray Olson, Manager, City of Ventura's Environmental Sustainability Divsion about preventing stormwater pollution. Ray offers some great tips on how individuals can make a difference in keeping our environment safe and clean by taking some simple steps.
The February 2013 “Sustainable Ventura” TV series features “Beautiful Lessons” music video featuring valuable reduce, reuse and recycling messages and the music of Holly Overin ([email protected]) and Charell Charley. Environmental Sustainability’s Ray Olson also appears with Marian Macumber. Katherine Kasmir plays the CEO.
In the City of Ventura, California, part of being a smart business means incorporating environmentally friendly practices that take care of your company's bottom line and that help preserve the environment. In this podcast, Sustainable Ventura host Maryann Ridini Spencer talks with City of Ventura Environmental Specialist Courtney Lindberg about how business can become certified. It's a FREE process to Ventura-based businesses. Contact Courtney by email: [email protected] or call (805) 667-6502.
Also CLICK HERE to WATCH THE VIDEO to find out more about becoming a Certified Green Business on the January 2013 "Sustainable Ventura" show.
The October 2012 "Sustainable Ventura" TV series features this "Sunflower People" music video featuring valuable reduce, reuse and recycling messages and the music of Holly Overin and Charell Charley. Environmental Sustainability's Ray Olson also appears with Marian Macumber.
Also on the show this month, Sustainable Ventura talks with Steve Dodge and Josh Ball, the owners of Endless Sustainability, about Aquaponic Gardens, how they work and why they are so great for the environment. Additional segments on the show this month feature interviews with Gary Kohler, Director of Sales and Marketing for Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach and Jim Rice, President and Executive Director of Bell Arts Factory about their sustainable and eco-friendly practices.
"Sustainable Ventura" hosted by Maryann Ridini Spencer and Ray Olson, airs on Caps-TV VTV's Channel 15, Thursdays at 8:30pm. It rebroadcasts Monday-Thursday and Saturdays at 9:00am, Sundays at 8:30pm and every other Wednesday at 8:30pm.
CAPS-TV presented Ray Olson, Manager, City of Ventura’s Environmental Sustainability Division with a 2012 Cappie Award, at the recent awards ceremony for TV movie, “The Treasure of San Buenaventura.” Ray produced the project which takes viewers back to the old west in 1880′s Ventura. The project touches upon important environmental issues and programs encouraging the citizens of the time to start recycling, water conservation and stormwater protection programs paving the way for a more sustainable future. In this podcast, Sustainable Ventura host, Maryann Ridini Spencer, talks to Ray about the project.
To find out more, Visit: sustainableventura.wordpress.com and "search" "Treasure of San Buenaventura."
Green School Awards - Get your application in TODAY!
If you are a school located within the City of Ventura, Ca, get your submission in for a GREEN SCHOOL AWARD before October 8, 2012. In this podcast, Environmental Specialist Christine Wied talks to "Sustainable Ventura" about the Green School Award and how to apply.
Does your school have a great recycling program?
Does your school strive for zero-waste lunches?
Does your school try to conserve water and energy?
Does your school have a compost or worm bin to support a garden project?
Then we encourage your school to apply for the 2012 GREEN SCHOOL AWARD! This award sponsored by the City of Ventura Environmental Sustainability Division in partnership with Agromin Premium Soil Products recognizes schools that show exemplary efforts in caring for our environment.
Applications are due by Monday, October 8, 2012. For more information, contact Christine Wied at (805) 652-4584 or [email protected]. READ MORE & GET THE APPLICATION, CLICK HERE.
On June 7, 2012, The Ventura Chamber of Commerce held the semi-Annual Tabletop Business Expo "Olympics by the Ocean" at the Four Points Sheraton (1050 Schooner Drive in Ventura) from 4:30-7:30pm. On hand were 59 local Exhibitors including the City's Environmental Sustainability Division and Ventura Water. The City was also one of the event sponsors. Sustainable Ventura's Maryann Ridini Spencer spoke to some of the attendees about their green and eco-friendly business practices.
Earth Day, April 22: Be a Part of it!
Buying local fresh fruits and vegetables, whenever possible, is a great way to support the local economy. Purchasing produce when it's "in season" is also the best way to enjoy the nutritious benefits. Attending Certified Farmer's Markets are a great way to take advantage of the best produce, baked goods, and beautiful flowers and plants that come direct from the farm to your table. Listen to this podcast where host Maryann Ridini Spencer shares some shopping tips.
For more information, visit: SustainbleVentura.wordpress.com and SEARCH "Farmer's Markets."
"Sustainable Ventura," an Environmental Sustainability Production, is hosted by Maryann Ridini Spencer and Ray Olson and seen on CAPS-TV's VTV, Channel 15 on Thursdays at 8:30pm and rebroadcasts weekly. For more show schedule information, visit: http://www.Capstv.org (program listings for Channel 15). | 2019-04-24T22:15:24Z | http://sustainableventura.libsyn.com/webpage/category/Sustainability |
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Hitachi Vantara has taken a leaf out of the Cisco-NetApp FlexPod playbook by using twinning Cisco servers and networking with its own storage in a converged infrastructure deal.
The Cisco and Hitachi Adaptive options for Converged Infrastructure is a Cisco Validated Design (CVD) that the two organizations noted they have engineered, proven and may collectively help.
The design uses VSP array storage from Hitachi Vantara, F-collection all-flash or G-sequence hybrid usaservers, and Nexus and MDS exact-of-rack switches. The servers have a 5108 blade chassis with dual-CPU B200 (up to eight/chassis) or quad-CPU B480 (as much as 4/chassis) blades.
The management software has a trifecta of add-ons from Hitachi Vantara, Cisco and VMware. daily administration might be carried out via VMware vCenter. non-compulsory Hitachi Vantara utility will supply monitoring, analytics, statistics insurance policy, disaster healing and backup.
there may be a datasheet here (PDF).
it be removed from Cisco's first converged rodeo: anyway the NetApp Flexpod effort, it connected with IBM for VersaStack – seen on the time as a chance to Flexpod – and with Dell EMC for VxBlock converged programs.
lower back in 2015, NetApp said a full 5 years of its FlexPod reference converged device structure partnership with Cisco had netted it shared revenues of $5.6bn.
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Cisco and NetApp closing week introduced plans to promote a brand new FlexPod cloud architecture, this time as an entry-level mannequin designed and priced for smaller workloads.
introduced in 2010, FlexPod is a pre-configured, pre-licensed storage community. It became at the start configured for person organizations of between 1,000 and a couple of,000 americans.
The normal FlexPod came with a NetApp FAS3210 midrange array, Cicso’s Unified Computing equipment (UCS) blade server and a Nexus change, and VMware’s vSphere cloud platform and vCenter administration console.
the brand new entry-stage FlexPod, anticipated to be purchasable in can also, is sized for enterprise software workloads with 500 to one thousand users.
Like its predecessor, the new FlexPod sequence is built on scalable architecture that combines computing, networking and storage items from Cisco and NetApp. moreover, both agencies have validated a number of new management equipment from utility carriers, similar to CA, Cloupia and Gale technologies, for all FlexPod design architectures.
on the aspect administration layer, FlexPod users can additionally leverage NetApp Operations manager, insurance policy manager, Provisioning manager, VMware vCenter and Cisco usaand Nexus Managers, which might be protected as part of the overall FlexPod package.
The entry-degree FlexPod combines the NetApp FAS2240 storage array and the Cisco united states of americaC-sequence Nexus 5000 Switches, the Nexus 2232 textile Extender and the Cisco usa6200 sequence textile Interconnects. The fabric Interconnects give the administration and verbal exchange spine for the Cisco u.s.a.B-series Blades and Cisco u.s.5100 sequence Blade Server Chassis.
Cisco and NetApp refused to expose pricing for FlexPod, asserting it'll range in accordance with the design.
Omer Mushahwar, senior associate at urban architectural firm Torti Gallas and partners, talked about in a statement that the enterprise was trying to find a cloud solution to change a large part of its existing server infrastructure. “We sought three issues: storage, pace, and virtualization,” Mushahwar talked about.
FlexPod, he pointed out, replaced ageing machine and freed the enterprise from a physical ambiance.
“Our FlexPod answer has helped us to keep away from the lack of $forty five,000 per day all through vigor outages, streamline IT administration, improve service degrees, position the business for growth and [it] empowers us to serve our customers and generate salary with out skipping a beat,” he spoke of.
As one in every of few certified partners in Europe, Proact has partnered up with NetApp and Cisco to offer the newest FlexPod solutions, including the brand new Managed private Cloud provider. in accordance with confirmed FlexPod structure, Managed private Cloud options provide valued clientele with new consumption options and elevated flexibility.
As valued clientele continue to modernise their statistics centres and look against hybrid cloud fashions, Proact can offer design, implementation and optimisation capabilities to help companies leverage on powerful FlexPod IT infrastructures. Managed deepest Cloud solutions are constructed on FlexPod and permit companies to understand a cloud-like, ‘as a carrier’ mannequin for his or her on-premises IT.
Proact can enable a streamlined transition to a Managed inner most Cloud it is observed on-premises however managed remotely through one of the most business’s superior consultants. by way of adopting a Managed inner most Cloud alongside Proact’s 24/7 provider administration, companies can be sure that vital consumer statistics continues to be cozy whereas also advancing cloud capabilities.
The mixture of Proact and FlexPod continues to be a platform for innovation and funding insurance plan. Proact’s provider portfolio now contains competent-to-use solutions for the latest virtualisation utility, commercial enterprise purposes and databases, incorporating the latest technologies from Cisco and NetApp.
"As probably the most first and largest FlexPod premium companions in Europe, Cisco and NetApp technologies have been used for decades as part of our commercial enterprise-classification managed capabilities. we are hence extremely joyful to add the new Managed private Cloud answer to our portfolio, giving us even more desirable capabilities to correctly and simply manage on-premises private clouds for our clients throughout Europe." says Paul Bates, vice president for Managed services at Proact.
Proact can now also offer a series of pre-verified and validated vertical-primarily based solutions including FlexPod information Centre for Epic HER, an utility for healthcare customers. “These solutions will support our clients address trade-centric challenges, where key functions can be deployed rapidly and firms can overcome the hurdles of distinct, dynamic and distributed facts” continues Paul Bates.
Siva Sivakumar, Senior Director, statistics Centre options at Cisco techniques, says: "With these new choices we are assisting establishments speed up deployment of their business-crucial purposes with the aid of offering a secure, strong and versatile inner most cloud infrastructure that has the pace and ease of public cloud."
About Proact Proact is Europe’s main impartial information centre and cloud capabilities issuer. by using providing flexible, obtainable and at ease IT options and features, we aid companies and authorities reduce risk and costs, even as increasing agility, productiveness and efficiency. We’ve accomplished over 5,000 a hit initiatives all over, have more than three,500 consumers and at present control in extra of a hundred petabytes of guidance in the cloud. We make use of over 800 people in 15 nations throughout Europe and North america. founded in 1994, our mother or father company, Proact IT community AB (publ), listed on Nasdaq Stockholm in 1999 (under the image PACT).
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FRAMINGHAM, Mass. — Cisco and NetApp last week announced plans to sell a new FlexPod cloud architecture, this time as an entry-level model designed and priced for smaller workloads.
Announced in 2010, FlexPod is a pre-configured, pre-certified storage network. It was originally configured for user groups of between 1,000 and 2,000 people.
The original FlexPod came with a NetApp FAS3210 midrange array, Cicso’s Unified Computing System (UCS) blade server and a Nexus switch, and VMware’s vSphere cloud platform and vCenter management console.
The new entry-level FlexPod, expected to be available in May, is sized for business application workloads with 500 to 1000 users.
Like its predecessor, the new FlexPod series is built on scalable architecture that combines computing, networking and storage products from Cisco and NetApp. Additionally, the two companies have validated several new management tools from software vendors, such as CA, Cloupia and Gale Technologies, for all FlexPod design architectures.
At the element management layer, FlexPod users can also leverage NetApp Operations Manager, Protection Manager, Provisioning Manager, VMware vCenter and Cisco UCS and Nexus Managers, which are included as part of the overall FlexPod package.
The entry-level FlexPod combines the NetApp FAS2240 storage array and the Cisco UCS C-Series Nexus 5000 Switches, the Nexus 2232 Fabric Extender and the Cisco UCS 6200 Series Fabric Interconnects. The Fabric Interconnects provide the management and communication backbone for the Cisco UCS B-Series Blades and Cisco UCS 5100 Series Blade Server Chassis.
Cisco and NetApp refused to disclose pricing for FlexPod, saying it will vary based on the design.
Omer Mushahwar, senior associate at urban architectural firm Torti Gallas and Partners, said in a statement that the company was looking for a cloud solution to replace a large part of its existing server infrastructure. “We sought three things: storage, speed, and virtualization,” Mushahwar said.
FlexPod, he said, replaced aging equipment and freed the firm from a physical environment.
“Our FlexPod solution has helped us to prevent the loss of $45,000 per day during power outages, streamline IT management, improve service levels, position the company for growth and [it] empowers us to serve our clients and generate revenue without skipping a beat,” he said.
Cisco and NetApp's new prepackaged ExpressPod solution is intended for resellers with small-to medium-sized virtualization customers. ExpressPod combines computing, networking, storage, and management products into a solution architected for streamlined deployment. The joint announcement also includes details about new FlexPod storage clustering capabilities and the release of a validated VMware FlexPod solution for Oracle Real Application Cluster (RAC).
ExpressPod integrates Cisco UCS C-Series servers, NetApp FAS2220 or FAS2240 storage, and Cisco Nexus 3048 switches with infrastructure management to support an open ecosystem of management and hypervisor solutions.
FlexPod now features support and validation for VMware vSphere on NetApp Data ONTAP 8 operating in Cluster-Mode. FlexPod administrators can now also add nodes to a cluster in order to create large storage pools that span storage devices and can be isolated to support multi-tenancy. The new VMware-validated Oracle RAC on FlexPod solution offers multi-tenancy, application and data mobility, integrated data protection, and automated provisioning functionality.
Cisco and NetApp currently offer a Plan, Design and Implement Help Desk that allows partners to consult NetApp and Cisco on FlexPod deployments. Beginning in November, Cisco and NetApp will also offer readiness and enablement packages to support ExpressPod deployments.
ExpressPod will be available in November. | 2019-04-23T17:52:44Z | http://www.partillerocken.com/certs.php?exam=500-170 |
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Safe Rodent Control | Bradenton, Parrish & Sarasota, FL | Rodent Solutions Inc.
The City of Cape Town on Wednesday warned of the dangers of using pesticides in the home following the conclusion of an investigation into the death of a 10-year-old boy in Khayelitsha who died after ingesting rat poison.
The City of Cape Town's Health Directorate called on residents to exercise extreme caution and read labels carefully when using store-bought pesticides.
The warning came following the conclusion of an investigation into the death of a 10-month-old baby boy who died as a result of ingesting rat poison in Khayelitsha.
The City Health's Environmental Health section is mandated to investigate all pesticide/chemical incidents.
According to the City, it is understood that the child was playing inside his home when he came into contact with the poison pellets which had been set out on a side-plate, hidden behind a cupboard.
Apparently the poison had been put out for rats, but the residents had forgotten about it. The baby's caregiver took him to the local hospital after he started vomiting, but he was declared dead on arrival.
"This is a truly heartbreaking incident and my thoughts and prayers are with the family. It is important that this baby's death not be in vain and so I appeal to parents to learn from this tragedy and ensure that they do everything possible to mitigate the risk of their children being exposed to pesticides.
"These incidents are not commonplace, but one death is one too many," said the City's Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli.
During the 2014/15 financial year, City Health investigated six pesticide poisoning cases across the city.
Environmental Health Practitioners also conduct regular inspections of informal traders to root out the sale of very toxic pesticides that were being sold illegally.
These poisons often carried no label and thus no information about the ingredients, manufacturer, etc thus placing users, children, pets and the environment at risk, the City said.
"Pest control affects all of us and it is a problem that is difficult to handle, but it becomes even more challenging in conditions that are conducive to the proliferation of vermin. Rats and other pests thrive in areas where they have a steady supply of food, where there is harbourage, and in the absence of predators.
"I understand that not everyone is able to afford professional pest control services, but I would also caution against buying cheap and toxic products that are not correctly packaged or labeled. There have been instances of children drinking poisonous chemical substances that have been stored in plastic cooldrink bottles because they are stored within easy reach. I appeal to residents to buy only approved and legal pesticides and to use them with care, especially when they have children or pets in the home," added Mamkeli. City Health offers a free rodent control service to members of poor communities that can be accessed by contacting their local Environmental Health Office or by leaving a rodent complaint at their local municipal clinic.
The first line of defense against rodents should be exclusion and trapping. These methods do not pose a poisoning risk to children, pets and wildlife. If you plan to use rodenticides, be sure to follow all label directions.
Remember, removing rodents with traps or poisons will not keep rodents out of your property in the future. To permanently keep rats and mice out of your home or business, you will need to prevent access by sealing all possible entry points. It is equally as important to eliminate rodent attractions such as food and water by keeping food in tightly sealed glass or plastic containers and repairing leaky pipes.
Rats and mice have been living with humans for centuries, and humans have been working for just as long to keep them at bay. Rodents such as gophers, moles, voles, and squirrels are also viewed as pests in some settings.
Poisons have been used as rodent-control measures for many years. Before the 1940s, rodenticides contained heavy metals such as arsenic and thallium or poisons such as strychnine and red squill. Most of these chemicals are no longer used as rodenticides with the exception of strychnine, which is currently registered for use only below-ground as a bait application to control pocket gophers. For more details, see US EPA's RED Facts on Strychnine.
In the 1940s and 1950s, the first kind of anticoagulant rodenticides known as first-generation rodenticides were developed. This class of rodenticides work by disrupting the normal blood clotting or coagulation process so that dosed individuals or animals suffer from uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhaging. Anticoagulant rodenticides that are in wide use today are members of a more potent class of anticoagulants known as second-generation rodenticides. The following section provides a more detailed comparison between first and second generation rodenticides.
Other rodenticides are non-anticoagulants and work in different ways. Non-anticoagulant rodenticides in use include bromethalin, cholecalciferol, and zinc phosphide.
Using rodenticides for control is frequently the cause of unintended consequences, from the stench of rodents decomposing in the walls to poisonings of non-target organisms. Primary poisoning can result from wild birds, pets, or even children eating baited rodenticides, while secondary poisoning of birds and mammals (including dogs and cats) can accompany the ingestion of poisoned rodents.
First-generation anticoagulant rodenticides listed in the table below require rodents to consume the bait for several consecutive feedings for delivery of a lethal dose. There are three US EPA-registered first-generation rodenticides, including warfarin (also used as an anti-clotting drug for coronary artery disease), chlorophacinone, and diphacinone. The first-generation compounds are excreted fairly rapidly by mammals, usually within a week. However, the use of any rodenticides pose a poisoning risk to children, pets and wildlife.
Low (birds), Moderate (mammals). Highly toxic to cats.
The second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) are substantially more potent than the first-generation compounds, and a lethal dose can be ingested in a single feeding. Included in this class of rodenticides are the compounds difenacoum, brodifacoum, bromadiolone and difethialone. SGARs are not excreted easily, persisting in bodily organs such as the liver. Some SGARs are especially problematic to birds and mammals. For instance, brodifacoum and difethialone pose the greatest potential risks to avian predators and scavengers that feed on target or nontarget animals poisoned with bait.
EPA studies indicate that the first-generation anticoagulants are less hazardous than the more highly toxic and persistent second-generation anticoagulants. SGARs compounds described in the table below are much more likely to poison predatory wildlife that eat live or dead poisoned prey and have a higher risk of severe poisoning for children, pets, and other non-target wildlife.
Non-anticoagulant rodenticides, including bromethalin, cholecalciferol, and zinc phosphide, are US EPA-registered and frequently used in controlling pest rodent populations. The potency of these rodenticides is highly variable, with rodent mortalities typically occurring on the order of several hours to days following ingestion of a lethal dose. These rodenticides belong to three different chemical classes that differ from one another as well as the anticoagulants in their mode of action, or anatomical change leading to rodent death.
As a neurotoxicant, bromethalin poisons the central nervous system and ultimately causes respiratory distress following ingestion of a single dose. Cholecalciferol, the biologically active form of vitamin D, is completely nontoxic in small amounts, but massive single doses or prolonged low level exposure can prove toxic. Ingestion of excessive amounts of cholecalciferol induces hypercalcemia (elevated blood calcium levels), which ultimately results in heart problems and kidney failure. Zinc phosphide, which functions to liberate toxic phosphine gas upon interaction with stomach acid, is highly toxic and can lead to rodent mortality within hours of ingestion. Unfortunately, zinc phosphide can also poison birds, such as hawks and owls, following ingestion of treated baits.
For more information on different types of rodenticides, see the National Pesticide Information Center's (NPIC) fact sheet.
For more resources on rodent control, see the National Pesticide Information Center.For more information on different types of rodenticides, see the National Pesticide Information Center's (NPIC) fact sheet.
Fishel FM. 2012. Pesticide Toxicity Profile: Coumarin and Indandione Rodenticides. University of Florida IFAS Extension.
Fishel FM. 2012. Pesticide Toxicity Profile: Miscellaneous Rodenticides. University of Florida IFAS Extension.
Hadler MR, Buckle, AP. 1992. Forty-five years of anticoagulant rodenticides-Past, present and Future Trends. Proceedings of the Fifteenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1992. Paper 36.
Thacker, JL, Willhite L. 2009. Long- Acting Anticoagulant Rodenticides. Iowa Statewide Poison Control Center.
Watt BE, Proudfoot AT, Bradberry SM, Vale JA. 2005. Anticoagulant rodenticides. Toxicology Review 24(4): 259-269.
US EPA. 2007. Pesticide Fact Sheet: Difenacoum. US Environmental Protection Agency.
The Safe Rodent Control (SRC) Coalition promotes resources to help you manage rodents safely, effectively, and affordably without the harmful impacts of chemical rodent control methods. SRC is a resource center supported by a broad coalition of stakeholders striving to protect children, pets, and wildlife from exposure to rodenticides.
Real Life Solutions: An easy-to-follow guide of best practices in safe rodent control solutions - from excellent exclusion tactics to an overview of the most effective, affordable traps.
Rodenticides - Know the Science: Our resources include the latest and most comprehensive scientific reports and fact-sheets on the risks of using rodenticides in your home or business.
At Risk - Children, Pets & Wildlife: An in-depth, science-based outlook on how chemical rodent control methods put children, pets and wildlife in danger; including up-to-date poisoning data.
Stay Informed: From the history of rodenticides to a regulatory overview, learn everything you need to know about the past, present and future of rodenticide use.
The Coalition: An alliance of non-profit organizations, municipalities, businesses, scientists, and others dedicated to safeguarding your family and pets, and vulnerable wildlife through safe rodent control measures.
Rodent Solutions highly recommends that you do not attempt rodent removal. Hiring a licensed and insured professional is the safest and most effective way to remove rodents and protect against re-entry. This information is provided as an effort to support safe rodent control. If you have a rodent or pest problem contact Rodent Solutions at (941) 704-0063 for a professional pest inspection!
Use exclusion and sanitation tactics to get rid of rodents in a safe and cost-effective way. The most effective long-term solution is to keep rodents out in the first place. Measures such as sealing entry points prevent rodents from entering buildings and help you avoid a full-scale invasion.
Follow the tips in the sections below and you will be one step closer to keeping your home permanently free of rats and mice.
Rats and mice are not only a nuisance but can also cause property damage and transmit diseases. You'll know they've arrived if you see rodent droppings near a food source or shredded fabric or paper. If you identify rodents, there are several steps to take to ensure permanent removal of these pests.
Food in unsealed containers such as bags of chips, rice, cereal, crackers, flour, and other non-perishables.
Pet food and water left out overnight or in a bag rather than in a secure container.
Fruits or vegetables in open bowls left outside of refrigerator.
Leaky pipes or faucets throughout the house.
Open trash and compost containers.
Holes near cabinets, closets or doors leading to outside or crawl spaces.
Holes around sink or appliance pipes.
Cracked foundations in the basement or unscreened ventilation holes in the attic, especially in older structures.
Holes around windows or doors.
Missing screens in vents or crawl spaces under buildings.
Once you have blocked the access points and removed sources of food and water, you'll need to eliminate the remaining rodents. The following sections offer an overview of different treatment options and serve as useful guidance for keeping your home or business permanently free of rats and mice.
Seal entry points to prevent rodents from entering your home or business. Be sure to use 1/4" x 1/4" metal mesh to seal off existing entry points. For more tips on how to exclude rodents and what type of materials to use, visit University of Florida's Non-Chemical Rodent Control page.
Remove rodent attractions such as food or shelter by ensuring that food is securely stored and that surroundings are clean.
Look for signs of rats and mice such as rodent droppings round food, kitchen corners, inside cabinets or under sinks.
Also, look for nesting material such as shredded paper or fabric.
Remove rodents by using snap or electronic traps. Be cautious with live traps as rodents might urinate which increases the risk of spreading disease. In addition, some states prohibit releasing rodents into the wild.
Install barn owl nesting boxes to naturally control rodents.
Don't plant ivy - it provides shelter and a food source for rodents: snails and slugs. Ivy on walls can form "rat ladders" to windows, attics and other interior spaces.
Keep compost piles as far away from structures as possible and grass cut to no more than two inches tall.
Maintain at least a 2 foot space between bushes, shrubs, fences, and buildings. Also, remove tree limbs within 3 feet of a structure or roof.
Avoid having a birdfeeder since it provides a source of food for rodents.
Keep outdoor grills and cooking areas clean.
Keep firewood off the ground and as far away from structures as possible to mitigate shelter opportunities.
Use city-issue plastic trash bins. If cracked or missing a lid, contact the Department of Sanitation for a replacement.
Encase all food items such as breakfast cereals, chips, and crackers in containers.
Opt for garbage bins and compost containers with a top that seals tightly.
Rinse food and beverage containers before discarding or recycling.
Clean your garbage and recycling bins frequently.
Do not leave pet food or water out overnight.
Maintain stove tops clean and free of food scraps.
De-clutter your home of papers, fabric, and any similar materials that attract rodents for nesting.
Seal entry points around cabinets, interior walls, attic, and crawl spaces with steel wool, caulk, or 1/4" x 1/4" metal mesh.
Maintain attic, crawl spaces, and cabinets near sinks clean and free of moisture.
Natural predators such as snakes, hawks, and owls can help to control rodent populations by feeding on rats and mice. Barn owls are efficient hunters and a family of barn owls can eat as many as 3000 mice per year. To encourage barn owls to nest and stay in your area, consider installing a nesting box. Strategic placement of nesting boxes combined with the use of traps and other preventative measures will go a long way to managing your rodent problems.
For more information on installing and maintaining nesting boxes, visit the Hungry Owl Project or the Barn Owl Box Company. Please note that the Hungry Owl Project strongly urges that NO rodent poisons be used indoors or outdoors while encouraging owls to your property. Using rodent poisons could kill an owl if it feeds on a poisoned rodent.
If you confirm that rats or mice are present in your home, you will need to use a combination of preventative measures and treatment options to get rid of them. The preventative measures include, removing food, water, shelter, and access to your home. This section will focus on the treatment options available and provide an overview of traps.
Using traps instead of rodent poisons gives you clear confirmation of a captured rodent and allows you to better gauge the effectiveness of treatment. You are also able to dispose of rodents immediately rather than dealing with the foul odor of rotting carcasses from poisoned rodents inside your walls or otherwise out of reach. Most important, using traps allows you to avoid rodenticides, which pose a greater threat of exposure to children, pets, and non-target wildlife, including natural predators.
This is the oldest type of trap and uses a spring-loaded bar to kill a rodent on contact. Some modern snap traps prevent risk to children and pets by enclosing the device in a plastic box.
This battery-powered trap delivers an electric shock that kills rodents quickly. This is a newer type of trap, and models are available for both rats and mice.
This is a catch and release system that avoids killing a rat or mouse. Some states prohibit releasing rodents into the wild. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) warns that captured rats or mice might urinate and increase risk of spreading disease.
This is a catch and release system that allows for capture of multiple mice. See warnings for the live animal trap above.
Glue traps are not recommended because the adhesive plate that is used to capture rodents can also trap birds, baby animals, lizards, and even pets. These traps also cause undue suffering to rodents. The CDC warns that captured rats or mice might urinate and increase the risk of spreading disease.
Enclosure boxes are plastic boxes that can fit a single snap trap, sometimes more, in order to provide an additional layer of protection for kids and pets. These boxes also hide the dead rodent, making for easier disposal of rodent, and can be re-used.
Always read and follow the label instructions on the rodent control product.
Be sure to place traps in locations where children and pets cannot access them or place traps in safety enclosure boxes.
Use gloves when disposing of dead rodents, nests, or any nesting material.
Spray the dead rodent or nesting material with a disinfectant solution and allow them to soak for 5 minutes before disposing rodent or materials in a secure plastic bag.
Spray and wipe up the area surrounding dead rodent or nesting material with a disinfectant.
Place the plastic bag with rodent or nesting material into another plastic bag along with any wipes or rags that were used to sanitize the surrounding area.
Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Review all your options before deciding on a treatment plan. If you decide to work with a pest control professional, be sure the company uses proper Pest Management techniques.
Preventing and treating rodent infestations requires a combination of eliminating access points rats and mice might use to enter your home, removing food sources and shelter that attract rodents, and using traps to get rid of existing rats and mice in or around your home. Using a multi-tactic approach to manage rodents decreases the risk of dealing with future infestations since a significant piece of the puzzle is adopting preventative measures such as blocking access and eliminating food and water sources that attract rats and mice.
Rodenticides consist of different types of poisons used to kill rodents. Rodenticide baits can be lethal for any mammal or bird that ingests them and are not only poisonous for rodents. As a result, all baits pose a high risk of poisoning for non-target animals that might eat the bait or consume a poisoned rat or mouse.
Rodents are likely to die in locations where they cannot be retrieved. The smell of a dead animal will persist for several weeks to several months.
If you or your neighbors have cats or dogs, they may die or become acutely ill from eating poisoned rodents.
Predatory birds like hawks, eagles and owls, and mammalian predators such as foxes and coyotes may die from eating poisoned rodents or a rodenticide bait.
Children are at risk of accidental poisoning since they might mistake the rodenticide bait for candy or food.
Always read and follow the label instructions on the pesticide product. The label is the law and you could be liable for any damage resulting from not following the label instructions.
Use only US EPA approved products that are sold and used with tamper resistant bait stations to protect children, pets, and wildlife. See US EPA's list of rodenticide bait station products here.
Indoors, only place rodenticide bait stations in locations that are completely inaccessible to children and pets-inside walls, under heavy appliances, or in enclosed crawlspaces.
To protect wildlife, consumer-use rodenticide bait products must not contain the second-generation anticoagulants (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, and difethialone) as active ingredients (US EPA).
Once all signs of rodents are gone, remove bait stations promptly by placing in a secure plastic bag.
The best way to prevent an accidental rodenticide poisoning is to eliminate the risk of exposure in the first place. Many safe and cost-effective solutions can ensure that your home remains rodent-free and that your pets stay safe.
Ask immediate neighbors if they use rodenticides and offer alternative solutions. If they do use rodenticides, ask them if they use tamper-resistant bait boxes. However, tamper-resistant bait boxes will not protect pets from secondary poisoning.
For dogs, make sure your fencing does not have gaps that make bait stations in neighboring yards accessible.
For cats, consider installing a fence that is specific for cats to decrease odds of your cat consuming poisoned rodents from neighboring yards. However, be aware that a poisoned rodent may enter your yard and poses a threat to any animal that consumes it.
If you have had issues with neighbors complaining about your pet, stay alert and try to maintain an open dialogue. If you observe strange behavior from someone or find suspicious food products, contact your vet or ASPCA at (888) 426-4435. Also preserve a sample of any suspicious-looking material for authorities to test.
Dogs, cats, and other domesticated animals are all too commonly exposed to toxic rodenticide baits. Sadly, these chemicals make the top-ten list of toxins responsible for pet poisonings, according to American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The US EPA states that more than 100 pet deaths are reported each year from exposure to rodenticides.
Rodenticides are not only poisonous for rodents. Rodent baits can be lethal to any mammal or bird that ingests them or feeds on a poisoned rodent. That's why controlling rodents with rodenticide baits puts pets at high risk of becoming ill or dying - either through direct ingestion (primary poisoning) or by eating poisoned rodents (secondary poisoning).
Safeguarding your home from rats, mice, and other rodents doesn't require the use of potentially hazardous poisons. Safe, effective, and affordable solutions can help you rodent-proof your home while ensuring the health of your pets.
The following sections offer an overview of how rodenticides work, how pets are exposed, emergency measures if a pet is exposed, and methods to prevent poisonings.
Rodenticides can often be lethal to dogs, cats, and other domestic animals. Depending on the product's active ingredient, some baits can pose a higher risk to specific animals.
Rodenticides vary by type and potency and are grouped by how they work. For example, anticoagulant rodenticides work by preventing the blood from clotting. Therefore, poisoned mammals (or birds) die by bleeding out. Find out more on different types of rodenticides from the National Pesticide Information Center's (NPIC) fact sheet. It's important to understand the risks of different rodent baits since some may be more lethal to your pet than others.
There is a further distinction between the first type of anticoagulants developed and newer types. First-generation anticoagulants are metabolized more rapidly and are less acutely toxic than the newer, more potent second-generation rodenticides (SGARs), which are largely responsible for pet poisonings. Treating pets poisoned by SGARs is also more difficult and expensive, and pets must be under veterinary supervision for a longer period of time. So, while all baits pose a high risk of poisoning, SGARs are more toxic and have a higher risk of poisoning for pets and other non-target animals that feed on poisoned rodents.
Don't underestimate your dog or cat's ability to access rodenticides baits that are placed in seemingly secure, out-of-reach locations. The misconception that your pet will not be able to find or chew through a secure bait station results in thousands of pets being poisoned every year, averaging over 100 pet deaths annually. Additionally, many rat and mouse poisons are formulated with food grade ingredients meant to attract rodents that can also end up attracting curious dogs, cats, or other animals.
For pets that spend unsupervised time outdoors, it's important to be aware that they can be exposed to rodenticides if neighbors or others use rodenticides to control rodents. Additionally, dogs and cats are sometimes intentionally fed rat poisons by people intent on harming a particular animal.
It's important to always be aware of the risks, even if you don't use these chemicals.
If you suspect that your pet has ingested a rodenticide, the ASPCA recommends first calling your local veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center hotline at (888) 426-4435.
If you see or know that your pet has ingested rodenticide or has consumed a poisoned animal, take your pet to local veterinarian or emergency veterinary clinic.
If your pet is exhibiting severe symptoms such as seizures, unconsciousness, or breathing difficulties, call ahead and take your pet immediately to an emergency veterinary clinic.
The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center may apply a $65 consultation fee to your credit card.
Have the rodenticide package or name of the active ingredient handy to relay this information to the vet or animal poison control operator.
If you suspect that a pet has swallowed a rodenticide, check their mouth for bright colors as these poisons sometimes have indicator dyes that leave a stain around the mouth or in stool or vomit.
Also pay attention to changes such as loss of appetite or lethargy.
University of Illinois's College of Veterinary Medicine identifies a range of symptoms that can appear in your pet. These symptoms may include lethargy, depression, weakness, trembling, drunken walk (ataxia), abnormal eye movement, paralysis, increased water intake, increased urination, bloody urine or a bloody nose, and gastrointestinal problems.
The Animal Control Poison Center: Animal-specific poison center serving North America and is a member of the American Association of Poison Control Centers.
The National Pesticide Information Center: An organization that provides information on pesticides.
EPA Intent to Cancel Registration of Certain Rodenticide Products: Notice Document from EPA on cancellation of certain rodenticide products.
The Humane Society of the United States: The nation's largest animal protection organization.
The American Humane Association: An organization committed to protecting the welfare of children and animals.
University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign, College of Veterinary Medicine: An educational institution committed to improving human, animal, and environmental health.
Rodenticides are designed to kill mammals such as rats and mice. It should therefore come as no surprise that these products commonly poison non-target wildlife species. Numerous studies have documented harm to mammals and birds. Other vertebrate species, such as reptiles and amphibians, are also at risk. Most rodenticides work by disrupting the normal blood clotting or coagulation process so that dosed individuals suffer from uncontrolled bleeding or hemorrhaging. This hemorrhaging can occur spontaneously or from any cuts or scratches. Because internal hemorrhaging is difficult to spot, often the only indication of poisoning in exposed wildlife is that they are weak or listless. Signs of bleeding from the nose or mouth may be visible on occasion. Affected wildlife may be more likely to crash into structures or moving vehicles or to be killed by predators. This makes these poisonings even more difficult to document.
Wildlife poisonings have been documented in over 25 wildlife species including: San Joaquin kit foxes, Pacific fishers, golden eagles, bald eagles, bobcats, mountain lions, black bears, coyotes, gray foxes, red foxes, Cooper's hawks, red-shouldered hawks, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, barn owls, great horned owls, long-eared owls, western screech owls, spotted owls, Swainson's hawks, raccoons, skunks, squirrels, opossums, turkey vultures and crows.
Non-target wildlife species are often attracted to rodenticide baits. These are formulated to be tasty and alluring. This exposure can be reduced through a more careful placement and use of tamper-proof bait stations. Loose bait, whether pellets or poison grain, present the highest risk, the latter being particularly attractive to seed-eating birds and to many small mammal species.
Unfortunately, bait stations cannot stop all routes of exposure. House sparrows have been seen entering bait stations in urban environments. Other wildlife species may disturb and attempt to break in to bait stations. Cockroaches and other invertebrate species enter bait stations to feed. They are not affected by anticoagulant products but scatter bait material and carry the poison in their own bodies raising the potential for secondary poisoning.
Rats and mice that feed on these baits can take several days to die. The poisoned rodents become increasingly weak, making them easy prey for predators. Hungry raptors or other wildlife can receive a lethal dose when they feed on the poisoned rats and mice. This is tragic not merely because hawks, owls, foxes and other animals are dying, but because wildlife predators provide us with valuable rodent control services - unless of course we kill them first.
The biggest-selling rodenticides are of the so-called 'second-generation'. These include compounds such as difenacoum, brodifacoum, bromadiolone and difethialone. Second-generation compounds were designed to kill rodents after a single feeding on bait. They are much more persistent than the first-generation compounds (warfarin, chlorophaninone, diphacinone) and clear very slowly from the body. In addition, second-generation rodenticides tend to be much more acutely toxic to non-target wildlife.
As a result, the second-generation compounds are much more likely to poison predatory wildlife that eat live prey or carrion - whether targeted mice and rats or other species. These compounds are causing innumerable casualties among owls and hawks, bobcats, fishers and other predators. Rodenticides may now be the single most important source of mortality for some wildlife species. Where second-generation compounds are used, entire food chains are contaminated. Residues are even detected in species that typically feed on birds rather than on rodents.
Because food chains are contaminated with rodenticides in most inhabited parts of the world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find owls, red tailed hawks or other birds of prey that do not carry residues of one or several rodenticide products. Many mammalian predators like foxes and fishers show similar levels of exposure to rodenticides.
What important physiological processes are impaired by low level rodenticide exposure; for example, a link between disease (mange) and rodenticide exposure has already been documented in mountain lions.
Whether exposed wildlife are more likely to hemorrhage than animals who have not previously been exposed to rodenticides following re-exposure with the same or different rodenticide products.
Finally, surveillance networks are reporting an increasing number of wildlife fatalities with an apparent rodenticide involvement, whether large carnivores or birds of prey. Diagnosis can sometimes be difficult, especially when the individuals have been struck by moving vehicles or have experienced other forms of traumatic injury.
Despite the known harms to wildlife of rodenticides use, rodenticides have played an important role in controlled restoration programs to reduce or eliminate non-native rodent species. These controlled restoration programs are conducted by wildlife experts as a last resort and usually occur on islands where native seabirds or their young and eggs are taken by mice or rats or where rodent invaders are completely changing the natural environment of these fragile places. The terrain on these islands is often difficult, making other control methods impossible. Complete eradication is necessary for a program to be successful. Impacts on desirable species are often seen in these eradication programs. This is weighed against the long term benefits of rodent eradication in terms of preserving natural biodiversity and protecting what are often rare and declining species. Permitting systems are in place to try to ensure the minimum amount of unacceptable impacts.
California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Rodenticides can harm wildlife; please use carefully.
Stone WB, Okoniewski JC, Stedelin JR. 1999. Poisoning of wildlife with anticoagulant rodenticides in New York. J Wildl Dis. 35: 187-193.
Uzal FA, Houston RS, Riley SP, Poppenga R, Odani J, Boyce W. 2007. Notoedric mange in two free-ranging mountain lions (Puma concolor). J Wildl Dis. 43: 274-278.
Thomas PJ, Mineau P, Shore RF, Champoux L, Martin PA, Wilson LK, Fitzgerald G, Elliot JE. 2011. Second generation anticoagulant rodenticides in predatory birds: Probabilistic characterization of toxic liver concentrations and implications for predatory bird populations in Canada. Environ Int. 37: 914-920.
**If someone collapses or stops breathing, call 911!
The best way to prevent an accidental rodenticide poisoning is to eliminate the risk of exposure in the first place. Safe and cost-effective solutions can ensure that your home remains rodent-free and that your children stay safe.
Have all gaps sealed on the outside of your home and worn weather stripping replaced on windows and doors to keep rodents out.
Keep your outdoor space clean and organized ⎯ trim plants and trees and keep your trash cans tightly shut.
Check your home for old rat and mouse poison baits that have been left behind from previous use or by a previous occupant.
Kids and rat poisons do not mix. Unfortunately, these chemicals poison over 10,000 children across the U.S every year.
Young children, especially those under the age of 6, are at high risk of unintentional poisoning through ingestion. Kids' curious nature and desire to stick everything in their mouths makes exposure to rodenticides a real danger.
Safe rodent control can help you keep rats and mice out of your home while protecting your little ones from rodenticide poisonings.
The following sections offer an overview of how kids get exposed, emergency measures, and how to prevent poisonings in the first place.
Residential use of rodenticides puts children at high risk of accidental poisoning in their own home. Rodenticide baits can be lethal for any mammal or bird that ingests them and are not only poisonous for rodents.
Rodenticide as usually formulated as baits that come in different colors and forms such as pellets, grains, and blocks (see picture of blue rodenticide pellets). Some baits also include flavorings such as fish oil and peanut butter.
As a result, all baits, especially the small and colored pellets, pose a high risk of poisoning for children who might mistake the bait for candy or food. It can be surprisingly difficult to keep these products out of the reach of children since baits - to be most effective - are usually placed on the floor, offering kids ready access.
Clear their mouth and give a small amount of water or milk to drink.
Immediately call the Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222.
Have the rodenticide package or name of the active ingredient handy to relay to the poison control operator and medical personnel.
If you suspect that a child has swallowed a rodenticide, check their mouth for bright colors as these poisons sometimes have indicator dyes that will leave a stain on the child's mouth or hands.
For more information on poisonings, see the American Association of Poison Control Center's Poison Prevention brochure.
Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Chlorophacinone, Difethialone, Diphacinone (Anticoagulant) Ingestion, inhalation, dermal Anticoagulants do not have onset symptoms. Some symptoms might manifest days later and may include: blood in urine or stool, tendency to bruise easily and bleeding under the skin, confusion, lethargy, or altered mental status from bleeding in the brain, low blood pressure, nosebleed, pale skin, shock, and vomiting blood.
Bromethalin (Non-Anticoagulant ) Ingestion, inhalation, dermal Symptoms may include: headache, confusion, personality change, tremors, seizures, coma and marked respiratory depression.
Cholecalciferol (Non-Anticoagulant ) Ingestion Symptoms are similar to hypercalcemia: anorexia, fatigue, headache, itching, and weakness.
- Polyneuropathy, a neurological disorder, has been reported after acute intoxication.
- Nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea may be seen.
- Extreme depression, apathy, confusion, and fatigue may be associated with chronic excessive intake of vitamin D.
Anticoagulants do not have onset symptoms. Some symptoms might manifest days later and may include: blood in urine or stool, tendency to bruise easily and bleeding under the skin, confusion, lethargy, or altered mental status from bleeding in the brain, low blood pressure, nosebleed, pale skin, shock, and vomiting blood.
Additionally, poisoning by Warfarin may lead to bleeding pinpoint purplish-red spots.
Zinc phosphide (Non-Anticoagulant) Ingestion, inhalation Some symptoms of exposure via inhalation may include: a cough, diarrhea, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting. Some symptoms of exposure via ingestion may include; abdominal pain, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, labored breathing, nausea, unconsciousness, vomiting, uncoordinated movement, fatigue.
Sources: National Pesticide Information Center, US EPA Recognition and Management of Pesticide Poisonings, and U.S National Library of Medicine- National Institutes of Health. | 2019-04-21T12:26:31Z | https://rodentsolutioninc.com/safe-rodent-control/ |
The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting shares of common stock held by non-affiliates of Corporate Office Properties Trust was approximately $2.7 billion, as calculated using the closing price of such shares on the New York Stock Exchange and the number of outstanding shares as of June 30, 2018. For purposes of calculating this amount only, affiliates are defined as Trustees, executive owners and beneficial owners of more than 10% of Corporate Office Properties Trust’s outstanding common shares, $0.01 par value. At January 31, 2019, 110,263,078 of Corporate Office Properties Trust’s common shares were outstanding.
The aggregate market value of the voting and nonvoting common units of limited partnership interest held by non-affiliates of Corporate Office Properties, L.P. was approximately $84.4 million, as calculated using the closing price of the common shares of Corporate Office Properties Trust (into which common units not held by Corporate Office Properties Trust are exchangeable) on the New York Stock Exchange and the number of outstanding units as of June 30, 2018.
Portions of the proxy statement of Corporate Office Properties Trust for its 2019 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
This report combines the annual reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 of Corporate Office Properties Trust (“COPT”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) and Corporate Office Properties, L.P. (“COPLP”) and subsidiaries (collectively, the “Operating Partnership”). Unless stated otherwise or the context otherwise requires, “we,” “our,” and “us” refer collectively to COPT, COPLP and their subsidiaries.
COPT is a real estate investment trust, or REIT, and the sole general partner of COPLP. As of December 31, 2018, COPT owned approximately 98.8% of the outstanding common units in COPLP; the remaining common units and all of the outstanding COPLP preferred units were owned by third parties. As the sole general partner of COPLP, COPT controls COPLP and can cause it to enter into major transactions including acquisitions, dispositions and refinancings and cause changes in its line of business, capital structure and distribution policies.
There are a few differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership which are reflected in this Form 10-K. We believe it is important to understand the differences between the Company and the Operating Partnership in the context of how the two operate as an interrelated, consolidated company. COPT is a REIT whose only material asset is its ownership of partnership interests of COPLP. As a result, COPT does not conduct business itself, other than acting as the sole general partner of COPLP, issuing public equity and guaranteeing certain debt of COPLP. COPT itself is not directly obligated under any indebtedness but guarantees some of the debt of COPLP. COPLP owns substantially all of the assets of COPT either directly or through its subsidiaries, conducts almost all of the operations of the business and is structured as a limited partnership with no publicly traded equity. Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by COPT, which are contributed to COPLP in exchange for partnership units, COPLP generates the capital required by COPT’s business through COPLP’s operations, by COPLP’s direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness or through the issuance of partnership units.
Noncontrolling interests, shareholders’ equity and partners’ capital are the main areas of difference between the consolidated financial statements of COPT and those of COPLP. The common limited partnership interests in COPLP not owned by COPT are accounted for as partners’ capital in COPLP’s consolidated financial statements and as noncontrolling interests in COPT’s consolidated financial statements. COPLP’s consolidated financial statements also reflect COPT’s noncontrolling interests in certain real estate partnerships and limited liability companies (“LLCs”); the differences between shareholders’ equity, partners’ capital and noncontrolling interests result from the differences in the equity issued at the COPT and COPLP levels and in COPT’s noncontrolling interests in these real estate partnerships and LLCs. The only other significant differences between the consolidated financial statements of COPT and those of COPLP are assets in connection with a non-qualified elective deferred compensation plan and the corresponding liability to the plan’s participants that are held directly by COPT.
Note 21, Quarterly Data of COPT and subsidiaries and COPLP and subsidiaries.
This report also includes separate sections under Part II, Item 9A. Controls and Procedures and separate Exhibit 31 and Exhibit 32 certifications for each of COPT and COPLP to establish that the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of each entity have made the requisite certifications and that COPT and COPLP are compliant with Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and 18 U.S.C. §1350.
This Form 10-K contains “forward-looking” statements, as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Act of 1995, that are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about future events and financial trends affecting the financial condition and operations of our business. Additionally, documents we subsequently file with the SEC and incorporated by reference will contain forward-looking statements.
approximately 900 acres of land controlled for future development that we believe could be developed into approximately 11.7 million square feet and 150 acres of other land.
Equity interests in COPLP are in the form of common and preferred units. As of December 31, 2018, COPT owned 98.8% of the outstanding COPLP common units (“common units”); the remaining common units and all of the outstanding COPLP preferred units (“preferred units”) were owned by third parties. Common units not owned by COPT carry certain redemption rights. The number of common units owned by COPT is equivalent to the number of outstanding common shares of beneficial interest (“common shares”) of COPT, and the entitlement of all common units to quarterly distributions and payments in liquidation is substantially the same as those of COPT common shareholders. Similarly, in the case of any series of preferred units held by COPT, there would be a series of preferred shares of beneficial interest (“preferred shares”) in COPT that is equivalent in number and carries substantially the same terms as such series of COPLP preferred units. COPT’s common shares are publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “OFC”.
We believe that COPT is organized and has operated in a manner that satisfies the requirements for taxation as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and we intend to continue to operate COPT in such a manner. If COPT continues to qualify for taxation as a REIT, it generally will not be subject to Federal income tax on its taxable income (other than that of its TRS entities) that is distributed to its shareholders. A REIT is subject to a number of organizational and operational requirements, including a requirement that it distribute to its shareholders at least 90% of its annual taxable income.
Our executive offices are located at 6711 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 300, Columbia, Maryland 21046 and our telephone number is (443) 285-5400.
Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Financial Officers. We intend to make available on our website any future amendments or waivers to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Code of Ethics for Financial Officers within four business days after any such amendments or waivers. The information on our Internet site is not part of this report.
The SEC maintains an Internet website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. This Internet website can be accessed at www.sec.gov.
Our primary goal is to create value and deliver attractive and competitive total returns to our shareholders. This section sets forth key components of our business and growth strategies that we have in place to support this goal.
Defense/IT Locations Strategy: We specialize in serving the unique requirements of tenants of our Defense/IT Locations properties. These properties are primarily occupied by United States Government and contractor tenants engaged in what we believe are high priority security, defense and IT missions. These tenants’ missions pertain more to knowledge-based activities (i.e., cyber security, research and development and other highly technical defense and security areas) than to force structure (i.e., troops) and weapon system mass production. Our office and data center shell portfolio is significantly concentrated in Defense/IT Locations, which as of December 31, 2018 accounted for 154 of the portfolio’s 163 properties, or 87.9% of its annualized rental revenue, and we control developable land to accommodate future growth. These properties generally have higher tenant renewal rates than is typical in commercial office space due in large part to: the importance of their proximity to defense installations or other key demand drivers; the ability of many of these properties to meet Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (“ATFP”) requirements; and significant investments often made by tenants in their space for unique needs such as Secure Compartmented Information Facility (“SCIF”), critical power supply and operational redundancy.
Data center shells, which are properties leased to tenants to be operated as data centers in which the tenants fund the costs for the critical power, fiber connectivity and data center infrastructure, have been a significant growth driver for our Defense/IT Locations in recent years. From 2013 through 2018, we placed into service 17 data center shells totaling 2.8 million square feet, and we had an additional four under construction totaling 731,000 square feet as of December 31, 2018. We enter into long-term leases for these properties prior to commencing construction, with triple-net structures and multiple extension options and rent escalators to provide future growth. Additionally, our tenants fund the costs to fully power and equip these properties, significantly enhancing these properties’ values and creating high barriers to exit for such tenants.
depth of knowledge, specialized skills and credentialed personnel in operating highly-specialized properties with high security-oriented requirements.
office space. We believe that these types of submarkets provide better overall quality and opportunity for long-term, sustained growth than other commercial office submarkets. As of December 31, 2018, we owned seven Regional Office properties, representing 11.5% of our office and data center shell portfolio’s annualized rental revenue; these properties were comprised of: three high-rise Baltimore City properties proximate to the city’s waterfront; and four Northern Virginia properties proximate to existing or future Washington Metropolitan Area Metrorail stations and major interstates. In prior reporting periods, this segment also included other suburban properties not meeting these characteristics that were since disposed.
Asset Management Strategy: We aggressively manage our portfolio to maximize the value and operating performance of each property through: (1) proactive property management and leasing; (2) renewing tenant leases at increased rental rates where market conditions permit; (3) leasing vacant space; (4) achievement of operating efficiencies by increasing economies of scale and, where possible, aggregating vendor contracts to achieve volume pricing discounts; and (5) redevelopment when we believe property conditions and market demand warrant. In 2017, we completed seven years of programmatic property sales to improve the strategic focus of our portfolio and improve our balance sheet and overall capital position. In the future, we plan to continuously evaluate our portfolio and consider dispositions when properties no longer meet our strategic objectives, or when capital markets and the circumstances pertaining to such holdings otherwise warrant, in order to maximize our return on invested capital or support our property development and capital strategy.
We also aim to sustainably develop and operate our portfolio to create healthier work environments and reduce consumption of resources by: (1) constructing new buildings designed to use resources with a high level of efficiency and low impact on human health and the environment during their life cycles through our participation in the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (“LEED”) program; (2) investing in energy systems and other equipment that reduce energy consumption and operating costs; (3) adopting select LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (“LEED O+M: Existing Buildings”) prerequisites for much of our portfolio, including guidelines pertaining to cleaning and recycling practices and energy reduction; and (4) participating in the annual GRESB (or Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark) survey, which is widely recognized for measuring the environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) performance of real estate companies and funds. We earned an overall score of “Green Star” on the GRESB survey in each of the last four years, representing the highest quadrant of achievement on the survey.
Property Development and Acquisition Strategy: We grow our operating portfolio primarily through property development opportunities in support of our Defense/IT Locations strategy, and we have significant land holdings that we believe can support that growth and also act as a barrier against competitive supply. We pursue development activities as market conditions and leasing opportunities support favorable risk-adjusted returns on investment, and therefore typically prefer properties to be significantly leased prior to commencing construction. To a lesser extent, we may also pursue growth through acquisitions, seeking to execute such transactions at attractive yields and below replacement cost.
continuously evaluating the ability of our capital resources to accommodate our plans for future growth.
data center shells, primarily in Northern Virginia (including six owned through an unconsolidated real estate joint venture).
As of December 31, 2018, Defense/IT Locations comprised 154 of our office and data center shell portfolio’s properties, representing 88.0% of its square feet in operations, while Regional Office comprised seven of the portfolio’s properties, or 11.1% of its square feet in operations. Our Wholesale Data Center segment is comprised of one property in Manassas, Virginia.
For information relating to our segments, refer to Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements, which is included in a separate section at the end of this Annual Report on Form 10-K beginning on page F-1.
As of December 31, 2018, we had 378 employees, none of whom were parties to collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our relations with our employees are good.
The commercial real estate market is highly competitive. Numerous commercial landlords compete with us for tenants. Some of the properties competing with ours may be newer or in more desirable locations, or the competing properties’ owners may be willing to accept lower rents. We also compete with our own tenants, many of whom have the right to sublease their space. The competitive environment for leasing is affected considerably by a number of factors including, among other things, changes in economic conditions and supply of and demand for space. These factors may make it difficult for us to lease existing vacant space and space associated with future lease expirations at rental rates that are sufficient to produce acceptable operating cash flows.
We occasionally compete for the acquisition of land and commercial properties with many entities, including other publicly-traded commercial office REITs. Competitors for such acquisitions may have substantially greater financial resources than ours. In addition, our competitors may be willing to accept lower returns on their investments or may be willing to incur higher leverage.
We also compete with many entities, including other publicly-traded commercial office REITs, for capital. This competition could adversely affect our ability to raise capital we may need to fulfill our capital strategy.
In addition, we compete with many entities for talent. If there is an increase in the costs for us to retain employees or if we otherwise fail to attract and retain such employees, our business and operating results could be adversely effected.
Set forth below are risks and uncertainties relating to our business and the ownership of our securities. These risks and uncertainties may lead to outcomes that could adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, cash flows and ability to make expected distributions to our equityholders. You should carefully consider each of these risks and uncertainties and all of the information in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and its Exhibits, including our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2018, which are included in a separate section at the end of this report beginning on page F-1.
potential liability under environmental or other laws or regulations.
We may be affected by adverse economic conditions. Our business may be affected by adverse economic conditions in the United States economy or real estate industry as a whole or by the local economic conditions in the markets in which our properties are located, including the impact of high unemployment and constrained credit. Adverse economic conditions could increase the likelihood of tenants encountering financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, insolvency or general downturn of business, and as a result could increase the likelihood of tenants defaulting on their lease obligations to us. Such conditions also could decrease our likelihood of successfully renewing tenants at favorable terms or leasing vacant space in existing properties or newly-constructed properties. In addition, such conditions could increase the level of risk that we may not be able to obtain new financing for development activities, acquisitions, refinancing of existing debt or other capital requirements at reasonable terms, if at all.
We may suffer adverse consequences as a result of our reliance on rental revenues for our income. We earn revenue from renting our properties. Our operating costs do not necessarily fluctuate in relation to changes in our rental revenue. This means that certain of our costs will not necessarily decline and may increase even if our revenues decline.
For new tenants or upon lease expiration for existing tenants, we generally must make improvements and pay other leasing costs for which we may not receive increased rents. We also make building-related capital improvements for which tenants may not reimburse us.
If our properties do not generate revenue sufficient to meet our operating expenses and capital costs, we may need to borrow additional amounts to cover these costs. In such circumstances, we would likely have lower profits or possibly incur losses. We may also find in such circumstances that we are unable to borrow to cover such costs, in which case our operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, the competitive environment for leasing is affected considerably by a number of factors including, among other things, changes due to economic factors such as supply and demand. These factors may make it difficult for us to lease existing vacant space and space associated with future lease expirations at rental rates that are sufficient to meet our short-term capital needs.
We rely on the ability of our tenants to pay rent and would be harmed by their inability to do so. Our performance depends on the ability of our tenants to fulfill their lease obligations by paying their rental payments in a timely manner. As a result, we would be harmed if one or more of our major tenants, or a number of our smaller tenants, were to experience financial difficulties, including bankruptcy, insolvency, prolonged government shutdown or general downturn of business.
Most of our leases with the United States Government provide for a series of one-year terms. The United States Government may terminate its leases if, among other reasons, the United States Congress fails to provide funding. We would be harmed if any of our four largest tenants fail to make rental payments to us over an extended period of time, including as a result of a prolonged government shutdown, or if the United States Government elects to terminate some or all of its leases and the space cannot be re-leased on satisfactory terms.
As of December 31, 2018, 87.9% of our office and data center shell properties’ total annualized rental revenue was from Defense/IT Locations, and we expect to maintain a similarly high revenue concentration of properties in these locations. A reduction in government spending targeting the activities of the government and its contractors (such as knowledge-based defense and security activities) in these locations could adversely affect our tenants’ ability to fulfill lease obligations, renew leases or enter into new leases and limit our future growth from properties in these locations. Moreover, uncertainty regarding the potential for future reduction in government spending targeting such activities could also decrease or delay leasing activity from tenants engaged in these activities.
We may suffer economic harm in the event of a decline in the real estate market or general economic conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region, particularly in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region, or in particular business parks. Most of our properties are located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States, particularly in the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region. Our properties are also often concentrated in business parks in which we own most of the properties. Consequently, our portfolio of properties is not broadly distributed geographically. As a result, we would be harmed by a decline in the real estate market or general economic conditions in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Greater Washington, DC/Baltimore region or the business parks in which our properties are located.
We would suffer economic harm if we were unable to renew our leases on favorable terms. When leases expire, our tenants may not renew or may renew on terms less favorable to us than the terms of their original leases. If a tenant vacates a property, we can expect to experience a vacancy for some period of time, as well as incur higher leasing costs than we would likely incur if a tenant renews. As a result, we may be harmed if we experience a high volume of tenant departures at the end of their lease terms.
We may be adversely affected by trends in the office real estate industry. Some businesses increasingly permit employee telecommuting, flexible work schedules, open workplaces and teleconferencing. These practices enable businesses to reduce their space requirements. These trends could over time erode the overall demand for office space and, in turn, place downward pressure on occupancy, rental rates and property valuations.
We may encounter a decline in the value of our real estate. The value of our real estate could be adversely affected by general economic and market conditions connected to a specific property, a market or submarket, a broader economic region or the office real estate industry. Examples of such conditions include a broader economic recession, declining demand and decreases in market rental rates and/or market values of real estate assets. If our real estate assets decline in value, it could result in our recognition of impairment losses. Moreover, a decline in the value of our real estate could adversely affect the amount of borrowings available to us under future credit facilities and other loans.
We may not be able to compete successfully with other entities that operate in our industry. The commercial real estate market is highly competitive. Numerous commercial properties compete with our properties for tenants. Some of the properties competing with ours may be newer or in more desirable locations, or the competing properties’ owners may be willing to accept lower rates than are acceptable to us. In addition, we compete for the purchase of commercial property with many entities, including other publicly traded commercial office REITs.
market conditions, including real estate lending conditions, are not favorable. Such illiquidity could limit our ability to fund capital needs or quickly change our portfolio of properties in response to changes in economic or other conditions. Moreover, under certain circumstances, the Internal Revenue Code imposes certain penalties on a REIT that sells property held for less than two years and limits the number of properties it can sell in a given year.
We are dependent on external sources of capital for growth. Because COPT is a REIT, it must distribute at least 90% of its annual taxable income to its shareholders. Due to this requirement, we are not able to significantly fund our development and acquisition activities using retained cash flow from operations. Therefore, our ability to fund these activities may be dependent on our ability to access debt or equity capital. Such capital could be in the form of new debt, common shares, preferred shares, common and preferred units in COPLP, joint venture funding or asset sales. These capital sources may not be available on favorable terms or at all. Moreover, additional debt financing may substantially increase our leverage and subject us to covenants that restrict management’s flexibility in directing our operations, and additional equity offerings may result in substantial dilution of our equityholders’ interests. Our inability to obtain capital when needed could have a material adverse effect on our ability to expand our business and fund other cash requirements.
We often use our Revolving Credit Facility to initially finance much of our investing activities and certain financing activities. Our lenders under this and other facilities could, for financial hardship or other reasons, fail to honor their commitments to fund our requests for borrowings under these facilities. If lenders default under these facilities by not being able or willing to fund a borrowing request, it would adversely affect our ability to access borrowing capacity under these facilities.
We may be unable to execute our plans to develop and construct additional properties. Although the majority of our investments are in operating properties, we also develop, construct and redevelop properties, including some that are not fully pre-leased. When we develop, construct and redevelop properties, we assume the risk of actual costs exceeding our budgets, conditions occurring that delay or preclude project completion and projected leasing not occurring. In addition, we may find that we are unable to successfully execute plans to obtain construction loans to fund property construction activities.
We may suffer adverse effects from acquisitions of commercial real estate properties. We may pursue acquisitions of existing commercial real estate properties as part of our property development and acquisition strategy. Acquisitions of commercial properties entail risks, such as the risk that we may not be in a position, or have the opportunity in the future, to make suitable property acquisitions on advantageous terms and/or that such acquisitions will fail to perform as expected.
We may pursue selective acquisitions of properties in regions where we have not previously owned properties. These acquisitions may entail risks in addition to those we face in other acquisitions where we are familiar with the regions, such as the risk that we do not correctly anticipate conditions or trends in a new market and therefore are not able to operate the acquired property profitably.
claims for indemnification by general partners, directors, officers and others indemnified by the former owners of the properties.
Our wholesale data center may become obsolete. Wholesale data centers are much more expensive investments on a per square foot basis than office properties due to the level of infrastructure required to operate the centers. At the same time, technology, industry standards and service requirements for wholesale data centers are rapidly evolving and, as a result, the risk of investments we make in our wholesale data center becoming obsolete is higher than other commercial real estate properties. Our wholesale data center may become obsolete due to the development of new systems to deliver power to, or eliminate heat from, the servers housed in the properties, or due to other technological advances. In addition, we may not be able to efficiently upgrade or change power and cooling systems to meet new demands or industry standards without incurring significant costs that we may not be able to pass on to our tenants.
that are uniquely designed to run and maintain banks of computer servers. Data centers are subject to obsolescence risks. In the event that we needed to reposition data center space for another use, the renovations required to do so could be difficult and costly, and we may, as a result, deem such renovations to be impractical.
Our tenants and contractual counterparties could be designated “Prohibited Persons” by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. The Office of Foreign Assets Control of the United States Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”) maintains a list of persons designated as terrorists or who are otherwise blocked or banned (“Prohibited Persons”). OFAC regulations and other laws prohibit us from conducting business or engaging in transactions with Prohibited Persons. If a tenant or other party with whom we conduct business is placed on the OFAC list or is otherwise a party with whom we are prohibited from doing business, we may be required to terminate the lease or other agreement.
We may suffer adverse effects as a result of the indebtedness that we carry and the terms and covenants that relate to this debt. A few of our properties are pledged by us to support repayment of indebtedness. Any foreclosure on such properties could result in loss of income and/or assets.
if we are unable to pay our debt service on time or are unable to comply with restrictive financial covenants for certain of our debt, our lenders could foreclose on our properties securing such debt and, in some cases, other properties and assets that we own.
Some of our unsecured debt is cross-defaulted, which means that failure to pay interest or principal on the debt above a threshold value will create a default on certain of our other debt.
If interest rates were to rise, our debt service payments on debt with variable interest rates would increase.
As of December 31, 2018, we had $1.8 billion in debt, the future maturities of which are set forth in Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements. Our operations likely will not generate enough cash flow to repay all of this debt without additional borrowings, equity issuances and/or property sales. If we cannot refinance our debt, extend the repayment dates, or raise additional equity prior to the dates when our debt matures, we would default on our existing debt.
Our organizational documents do not limit the amount of indebtedness that we may incur. Therefore, we may incur additional indebtedness and become more highly leveraged, which could harm our financial position.
A downgrade in our credit ratings would materially adversely affect our business and financial condition. COPLP’s Senior Notes are currently rated investment grade by the three major rating agencies. These credit ratings are subject to ongoing evaluation by the credit rating agencies and can change. Any downgrades of our ratings or a negative outlook by the credit rating agencies would have a materially adverse impact on our cost and availability of capital and also could have a materially adverse effect on the market price of COPT’s common shares.
We have certain distribution requirements that reduce cash available for other business purposes. Since COPT is a REIT, it must distribute at least 90% of its annual taxable income, which limits the amount of cash that can be retained for other business purposes, including amounts to fund development activities and acquisitions. Also, it is possible that because of the differences between the time we actually receive revenue or pay expenses and the period during which we report those items for distribution purposes, we may have to borrow funds for COPT to meet the 90% distribution requirement.
our decision to reinvest in operations rather than distribute available cash.
In addition, we can make distributions to the holders of our common shares/units only after we make preferential distributions to holders of preferred shares/units.
Our ability to pay distributions may be limited, and we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to pay distributions regularly. Our ability to pay distributions will depend on a number of things discussed elsewhere herein, including our ability to operate profitably and generate cash flow from our operations. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to pay distributions on a regular quarterly basis in the future. Additionally, the terms of some of COPLP’s debt may limit its ability to make some types of payments and other distributions to COPT in the event of certain default situations. This in turn may limit our ability to make some types of payments, including payment of distributions on common or preferred shares/units, unless we meet certain financial tests or such payments or distributions are required to maintain COPT’s qualification as a REIT. As a result, if we are unable to meet the applicable financial tests, we may not be able to pay distributions in one or more periods. Furthermore, any new common or preferred shares/units that may be issued in the future for raising capital, financing acquisitions, share-based compensation arrangements or otherwise will increase the cash required to continue to pay cash distributions at current levels.
Our ability to pay distributions is further limited by the requirements of Maryland law. As a Maryland REIT, COPT may not under applicable Maryland law make a distribution if either of the following conditions exists after giving effect to the distribution: (1) the REIT would not be able to pay its debts as the debts become due in the usual course of business; or (2) the REIT’s total assets would be less than the sum of its total liabilities plus the amount that would be needed, if the REIT were dissolved at the time of the distribution, to satisfy upon dissolution the rights of equityholders whose preferential rights are superior to those receiving the distribution. Therefore, we may not be able to make expected distributions to our equityholders if either of the above described conditions exists for COPT after giving effect to the distribution.
We may issue additional common or preferred shares/units that dilute our equityholders’ interests. We may issue additional common and preferred shares/units without shareholder approval. Similarly, COPT may cause COPLP to issue its common or preferred units for contributions of cash or property without approval by the limited partners of COPLP or COPT’s shareholders. Our existing equityholders’ interests could be diluted if such additional issuances were to occur.
We may suffer economic harm as a result of the actions of our partners in real estate joint ventures and other investments. We may invest in certain entities in which we are not the exclusive investor or principal decision maker. Investments in such entities may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not present when a third party is not involved, including the possibility that the other parties to these investments might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions. Our partners in these entities may have economic, tax or other business interests or goals that are inconsistent with our business interests or goals, and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives. Such investments may also lead to impasses on major decisions, such as whether or not to sell a property, because neither we nor the other parties to these investments may have full control over the entity. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of the other parties to these investments.
our networks and related systems could disrupt our operations in numerous ways, including by creating difficulties for our tenants that may reflect poorly on us.
We may be subject to possible environmental liabilities. We are subject to various Federal, state and local environmental laws, including air and water quality, hazardous or toxic substances and health and safety. These laws can impose liability on current and prior property owners or operators for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances released on a property, even if the property owner was not responsible for, or even aware of, the release of the hazardous substances. Costs resulting from environmental liability could be substantial. The presence of hazardous substances on our properties may also adversely affect occupancy and our ability to sell or borrow against those properties. In addition to the costs of government claims under environmental laws, private plaintiffs may bring claims for personal injury or other reasons. Additionally, various laws impose liability for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances at the disposal or treatment facility. Anyone who arranges for the disposal or treatment of hazardous substances at such a facility is potentially liable under such laws.
Although most of our properties have been subject to varying degrees of environmental assessment, many of these assessments are limited in scope and may not include or identify all potential environmental liabilities or risks associated with the property. Identification of new compliance concerns or undiscovered areas of contamination, changes in the extent or known scope of contamination, discovery of additional sites, human exposure to the contamination or changes in cleanup or compliance requirements could result in significant costs to us.
We may be adversely affected by natural disasters and the effects of climate change. Natural disasters, including earthquakes, storms and hurricanes, as well as the potential consequences of climate change could adversely impact our properties. Over time, climate change could adversely affect demand for space in our properties or our ability to operate our properties; it could also have indirect effects on our business, including increasing the cost of (or making unavailable) property insurance, increasing the cost of energy and requiring us to expend funds as we seek to repair and protect our properties against such risks.
Terrorist attacks may adversely affect the value of our properties, our financial position and cash flows. We have significant investments in properties located in large metropolitan areas or near military installations. Future terrorist attacks could directly or indirectly damage our properties or cause losses that materially exceed our insurance coverage. After such an attack, tenants in these areas may choose to relocate their businesses to areas of the United States that may be perceived to be less likely targets of future terrorist activity, and fewer customers may choose to patronize businesses in these areas. This in turn would trigger a decrease in the demand for space in these areas, which could increase vacancies in our properties and force us to lease space on less favorable terms.
We may be subject to other possible liabilities that would adversely affect our financial position and cash flows. Our properties may be subject to other risks related to current or future laws, including laws relating to zoning, construction, fire and life safety requirements and other matters. These laws may require significant property modifications in the future and could result in the levy of fines against us. In addition, although we believe that we adequately insure our properties, we are subject to the risk that our insurance may not cover all of the costs to restore a property that is damaged by a fire or other catastrophic events, including acts of war or, as mentioned above, terrorism.
We may be subject to increased costs of insurance and limitations on coverage, particularly regarding acts of terrorism. Our portfolio of properties is insured for losses under our property, casualty and umbrella insurance policies. These policies include coverage for acts of terrorism. Future changes in the insurance industry’s risk assessment approach and pricing structure may increase the cost of insuring our properties and decrease the scope of insurance coverage. Most of our loan agreements contain customary covenants requiring us to maintain insurance. Although we believe that we have adequate insurance coverage for purposes of these agreements, we may not be able to obtain an equivalent amount of coverage at reasonable costs, or at all, in the future. In addition, if lenders insist on greater coverage than we are able to obtain, it could adversely affect our ability to finance and/or refinance our properties and execute our growth strategies.
Our business could be adversely affected by a negative audit by the United States Government. Agencies of the United States Government, including the Defense Contract Audit Agency and various agency Inspectors General, routinely audit and investigate government contractors. These agencies review a contractor’s performance under its contracts, cost structure and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and standards. The United States Government also reviews the adequacy of, and a contractor’s compliance with, its internal control systems and policies. Any costs found to be misclassified may be subject to repayment. If an audit or investigation uncovers improper or illegal activities, we may be subject to civil or criminal penalties and administrative sanctions, including termination of contracts, forfeiture of profits, suspension of payments, fines, and suspension or prohibition from doing business with the United States Government. In addition, we could suffer serious reputational harm if allegations of impropriety were made against us.
COPT’s ownership limits are important factors. COPT’s Declaration of Trust limits ownership of its common shares by any single shareholder to 9.8% of the number of the outstanding common shares or 9.8% of the value of the outstanding common shares, whichever is more restrictive. COPT’s Declaration of Trust also limits ownership by any single shareholder of our common and preferred shares in the aggregate to 9.8% of the aggregate value of the outstanding common and preferred shares. We call these restrictions the “Ownership Limit.” COPT’s Declaration of Trust allows our Board of Trustees to exempt shareholders from the Ownership Limit. The Ownership Limit and the restrictions on ownership of our common shares may delay or prevent a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for our common shares/units or otherwise be in the best interest of our equityholders.
COPT’s Declaration of Trust includes other provisions that may prevent or delay a change of control. Subject to the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange, our Board of Trustees has the authority, without shareholder approval, to issue additional securities on terms that could delay or prevent a change in control. In addition, our Board of Trustees has the authority to reclassify any of our unissued common shares into preferred shares. Our Board of Trustees may issue preferred shares with such preferences, rights, powers and restrictions as our Board of Trustees may determine, which could also delay or prevent a change in control.
The Maryland business statutes impose potential restrictions that may discourage a change of control of our company. Various Maryland laws may have the effect of discouraging offers to acquire us, even if the acquisition would be advantageous to equityholders. Resolutions adopted by our Board of Trustees and/or provisions of our bylaws exempt us from such laws, but our Board of Trustees can alter its resolutions or change our bylaws at any time to make these provisions applicable to us.
COPT’s failure to qualify as a REIT would have adverse tax consequences, which would substantially reduce funds available to make distributions to our equityholders. We believe that COPT has qualified for taxation as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes since 1992. We plan for COPT to continue to meet the requirements for taxation as a REIT. Many of these requirements, however, are highly technical and complex. The determination that we are a REIT requires an analysis of various factual matters and circumstances that may not be totally within our control. For example, to qualify as a REIT, at least 95% of COPT’s gross income must come from certain sources that are specified in the REIT tax laws. COPT is also required to distribute to shareholders at least 90% of its annual taxable income. The fact that COPT holds most of its assets through COPLP and its subsidiaries further complicates the application of the REIT requirements. Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could jeopardize COPT’s REIT status. Furthermore, Congress and the Internal Revenue Service might make changes to the tax laws and regulations and the courts might issue new rulings that make it more difficult or impossible for COPT to remain qualified as a REIT.
If COPT fails to qualify as a REIT, it would be subject to Federal income tax at regular corporate rates. Also, unless the Internal Revenue Service granted us relief under certain statutory provisions, COPT would remain disqualified as a REIT for four years following the year it first fails to qualify. If COPT fails to qualify as a REIT, it would have to pay significant income taxes and would therefore have less money available for investments or for distributions to our equityholders. In addition, if COPT fails to qualify as a REIT, it will no longer be required to pay distributions to shareholders. As a result of all these factors, COPT’s failure to qualify as a REIT could impair our ability to expand our business and raise capital and would likely have a significant adverse effect on the value of our shares/units.
We may be adversely impacted by changes in tax laws. At any time, U.S. federal tax laws or the administrative interpretations of those laws may be changed. We cannot predict whether, when or to what extent new U.S. federal tax laws, regulations, interpretations or rulings will be issued. As a result, changes in U.S. federal tax laws could negatively impact our operating results, financial condition and business operations, and adversely impact our equityholders.
Occasionally, changes in state and local tax laws or regulations are enacted that may result in an increase in our tax liability. Shortfalls in tax revenues for states and municipalities may lead to an increase in the frequency and size of such changes. If such changes occur, we may be required to pay additional taxes on our assets, revenue or income.
adverse changes in tax laws.
We may experience significant losses and harm to our financial condition if financial institutions holding our cash and cash equivalents file for bankruptcy protection. We believe that we maintain our cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions. We have not experienced any losses to date on our deposited cash. However, we may incur significant losses and harm to our financial condition in the future if any of these financial institutions files for bankruptcy protection.
(1) This percentage is based upon all rentable square feet or megawatts under lease terms that were in effect as of December 31, 2018.
Annualized rental revenue is the monthly contractual base rent as of December 31, 2018 (ignoring free rent then in effect) multiplied by 12, plus the estimated annualized expense reimbursements under existing leases. With regard to properties owned through an unconsolidated real estate joint venture, we include the portion of annualized rental revenue allocable to our ownership interest. We consider annualized rental revenue to be a useful measure for analyzing revenue sources because, since it is point-in-time based, it does not contain increases and decreases in revenue associated with periods in which lease terms were not in effect; historical revenue under generally accepted accounting principles does contain such fluctuations. We find the measure particularly useful for leasing, tenant and segment analysis.
Annualized rental revenue per occupied square foot is a property’s annualized rental revenue divided by that property’s occupied square feet as of December 31, 2018. Our computation of annualized rental revenue excludes the effect of lease incentives. The annualized rent per occupied square foot, including the effect of lease incentives, was $29.83 for our total office and data center shell portfolio, $33.31 for the Fort Meade/BW Corridor (our largest Defense/IT Location sub-segment) and $31.37 for our Regional Office portfolio.
Represents properties owned through an unconsolidated real estate joint venture. The amounts reported above reflect 100% of the properties’ square footage but only reflect the portion of Annualized Rental Revenue that was allocable to our ownership interest.
Includes land, construction, leasing costs and allocated portion of structured parking and other shared infrastructure, if applicable.
These properties had occupied square feet in service as of December 31, 2018. Therefore, the properties and their occupied square feet are included in our operating property statistics, including the information set forth on the previous page.
This land is owned by the United States Government and is controlled under a long-term, enhanced-use lease to a consolidated joint venture. As this land is developed in the future, the joint venture will execute site-specific leases under the master lease agreement. Rental payments will commence under the site-specific leases as cash rents under tenant leases commence at the respective properties.
Refer to definition provided on first page of Item 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
With regard to office and data center shell property leases expiring in 2019, we believe that the weighted average annualized rental revenue per occupied square foot for such leases as of December 31, 2018 was, on average, approximately 1% to 3% higher than estimated current market rents for the related space, with specific results varying by market.
We are not currently involved in any material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any material litigation currently threatened against the Company or the Operating Partnership (other than routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, substantially all of which is expected to be covered by liability insurance).
COPT’s common shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “OFC.” The number of holders of record of COPT’s common shares was 457 as of January 31, 2019. This number does not include shareholders whose shares were held of record by a brokerage house or clearing agency, but does include any such brokerage house or clearing agency as one record holder.
There is no established public trading market for COPLP’s partnership units. Quarterly common unit distributions per unit were the same as quarterly common dividends per share declared by COPT. As of January 31, 2019, there were 29 holders of record of COPLP’s common units.
During the three months ended December 31, 2018, 8,988 of COPLP’s common units were exchanged for 8,988 COPT common shares in accordance with COPLP’s Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement, as amended. The issuance of these common shares was effected in reliance upon the exemption from registration under Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
The following tables set forth summary historical consolidated financial and operating data for COPT and COPLP and their respective subsidiaries as of and for each of the years ended December 31, 2014 through 2018. Our revenues relating to real estate operations are derived from rents and property operating expense reimbursements earned from tenant leases on our properties. Most of our expenses relating to our real estate operations take the form of property operating costs (such as real estate taxes, utilities and repairs and maintenance) and depreciation and amortization associated with our operating properties. Most of our profitability from real estate operations depends on our ability to maintain high levels of occupancy and increase rents, which is affected by a number of factors, including, among other things, our tenants’ ability to fulfill their lease obligations and their continuing space needs based on variables such as employment levels, business confidence, competition, general economic conditions of the markets in which we operate and governmental actions and initiatives. You should read the following summary historical financial data in conjunction with the consolidated historical financial statements and notes thereto of COPT and its subsidiaries and COPLP and its subsidiaries and the section of this report entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information.
Reflects gain from sales of properties and unconsolidated real estate joint ventures not associated with discontinued operations.
Includes income derived from 31 operating properties disposed in 2013.
Reflects a decrease to net income available to common shareholders pertaining to the original issuance costs recognized in connection with the redemption of the Series K Preferred Shares (following shareholder notification of such redemption in December 2016) and Series L Preferred Shares in 2017 and the Series H Preferred Shares in 2014.
Basic and diluted earnings per common share are calculated based on amounts attributable to common shareholders of COPT.
Amounts reported reflect only operating office and data center shell properties, including six owned through an unconsolidated real estate joint venture.
Prior period amounts include retrospective adjustments in connection with our adoption of recent accounting pronouncements in 2018 to: revise the recognition pattern for a gain related to the partial sale of a real estate asset; remove the effect of changes in restricted cash from being reported as either operating or investing activities on our statements of cash flows; and revise the classification of certain cash receipts and cash payments on our statements of cash flows. Refer to the section of Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements entitled “Recent Accounting Pronouncements” for additional information.
Reflects a decrease to net income available to common shareholders pertaining to the original issuance costs recognized in connection with the redemption of the Series K Preferred Units (following notification of such redemption in December 2016) and Series L Preferred Units in 2017 and the Series H Preferred Units in 2014.
Basic and diluted earnings per common unit are calculated based on amounts attributable to common unitholders of COPLP.
You should refer to our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto and our Selected Financial Data table as you read this section.
We undertake no obligation to update or supplement forward-looking statements.
near high volume of development space leasing driven primarily by demand for Data Center Shell space.
continued strong demand for data center shell space. Data center shells have been a significant growth driver for our Defense/IT Locations in recent years. Development leasing of data center shells totaled 798,000 square feet in 2018, 743,000 square feet in 2017 and 728,000 square feet in 2016. All of this leasing pertained to properties in Northern Virginia, one of the largest data center markets in the world, and represented further expansion of our relationship with an existing tenant.
After ending 2017 with our office and data center shell portfolio 93.6% occupied, our highest year-end occupancy since 2005, we ended 2018 with the portfolio 93.0% occupied. This decrease in occupancy was due primarily to the addition in 2018 of unoccupied space in a newly-constructed property targeted for United States Government use that has taken longer than expected to lease. Our Same Properties (defined below) were 93.0% occupied as of December 31, 2018, an increase from 92.1% as of December 31, 2017, with average occupancy of 91.5% in 2018.
We had an active year for development activities in 2018, with 688,000 square feet placed in service in six newly-constructed and one redeveloped Defense/IT Location properties, including 514,000 square feet of data center shell space. These properties were 90.3% leased as of December 31, 2018. We also placed into service land that was 100% leased under a long-term contract as of December 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2018, we had ten properties under construction or redevelopment that we estimate will total approximately 1.3 million square feet upon completion, including two partially-operational properties.
992,000 common shares at a weighted average price of $30.46 per share under its existing at-the-market (“ATM”) stock offering program (the “2016 ATM Program”) for net proceeds of $29.8 million.
we ended 2018 with $1.82 billion in debt, which was virtually unchanged from year end 2017.
While net operating income (“NOI”) from real estate operations, our segment performance measure discussed further below, decreased by approximately $3 million from 2017 to 2018 in total and for our Same Properties, these results varied significantly between our segments. Most notably, and as discussed further in the section below entitled “Results of Operations,” our Same Properties NOI from real estate operations increased $3.7 million for our Defense/IT Locations properties but decreased $5.7 million for our Regional Office properties. Our net income increased $3.7 million from 2017 to 2018, which included: a $12.8 million decrease in impairment losses; offset in part by a $7.6 million decrease in gain on sales of real estate.
We discuss significant factors contributing to changes in our net income over the last three years in the section below entitled “Results of Operations.” The results of operations discussion is combined for COPT and COPLP because there are no material differences in the results of operations between the two reporting entities.
associated with periods in which lease terms were not in effect; historical revenue under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) does contain such fluctuations. We find the measure particularly useful for leasing, tenant, segment and industry analysis.
exclude, for purposes of amounts reported as of December 31, 2017, a property reported as held for sale that we sold in 2017 subject to our providing a financial guaranty to the buyer under which we indemnified it for up to $20 million in losses it could incur related to a potential defined capital event occurring on the property; our financial guaranty to the buyer expired on October 1, 2018, resulting in no losses to us. Accordingly, we did not recognize the sale of this property for accounting purposes until the expiration of the guaranty on October 1, 2018.
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require us to make certain estimates and assumptions. A summary of our significant accounting policies is provided in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. The following section is a summary of certain aspects of those accounting policies involving estimates and assumptions that (1) require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments in accounting for uncertain matters or matters that are susceptible to change and (2) materially affect our reported operating performance or financial condition. It is possible that the use of different reasonable estimates or assumptions in making these judgments could result in materially different amounts being reported in our consolidated financial statements. While reviewing this section, refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements, including terms defined therein.
We assess each of our properties and related intangible assets for indicators of impairment quarterly or when circumstances indicate that a property may be impaired. We review our plans and intentions for our development projects and land parcels quarterly. If our analyses indicate that the carrying values of operating properties, properties in development or land held for future development may be impaired, we perform a recovery analysis for such properties. For long-lived assets to be held and used, we analyze recoverability based on the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operations and eventual disposition of the assets over, in most cases, a ten-year holding period. If we believe there is a significant possibility that we might dispose of the assets earlier, we analyze recoverability using a probability weighted analysis of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated from the operations and eventual disposition of the assets over the various possible holding periods. If the analysis indicates that the carrying value of a tested property is not recoverable from estimated future cash flows, it is written down to its estimated fair value and an impairment loss is recognized. If and when our plans change, we revise our recoverability analyses to use the cash flows expected from the operations and eventual disposition of each asset using holding periods that are consistent with our revised plans.
Property fair values are estimated based on contract prices, indicative bids, discounted cash flow analyses or comparable sales analyses. Estimated cash flows used in such analyses are based on our plans for the property and our views of market and economic conditions. The estimates consider items such as current and future rental rates, occupancies for the tested property and comparable properties, estimated operating and capital expenditures and recent sales data for comparable properties; most of these items are influenced by market data obtained from real estate leasing and brokerage firms and our direct experience with the properties and their markets. Determining the appropriate capitalization or yield rate also requires significant judgment and is typically based on many factors, including the prevailing rate for the market or submarket, as well as the quality and location of the property. Changes in the estimated future cash flows due to changes in our plans for a property (especially our expected holding period), views of market and economic conditions and/or our ability to obtain development rights could result in recognition of impairment losses which could be substantial.
as recent sales data for comparable properties and, where applicable, contracts or the results of negotiations with prospective purchasers. These estimates are subject to revision as market conditions, and our assessment of such conditions, change.
the timing over which the items are recognized as revenue or expense in our consolidated statements of operations. For example, for allocations to the as-if vacant value, the land portion is not depreciated and the building portion is depreciated over a longer period of time than the other components (generally 40 years). Allocations to above- and below-market leases, in-place lease value and tenant relationship value are amortized over significantly shorter timeframes, and if individual tenants’ leases are terminated early, any unamortized amounts remaining associated with those tenants are written off upon termination. These differences in timing can materially affect our reported results of operations. In addition, we establish lives for tenant relationship values based on our estimates of how long we expect the respective tenants to remain in the properties.
As discussed above, a significant portion of our portfolio is leased to the United States Government, and the majority of those leases consist of a series of one-year renewal options, or provide for early termination rights. In addition, certain other leases in our portfolio provide early termination rights to tenants. Applicable accounting guidance requires us to recognize minimum rental payments on a straight-line basis over the terms of each lease and to assess the lease terms as including all periods for which failure to renew, or continue, the lease imposes a penalty on the lessee in such amounts that renewal, or continuation, appears, at the inception of the lease, to be reasonably assured. Factors we consider when determining whether a penalty is significant include the uniqueness of the purpose or location of the property, the availability of a comparable replacement property, the relative importance or significance of the property to the continuation of the lessee’s line of business and the existence of leasehold improvements or other assets whose value would be impaired by the lessee vacating or discontinuing use of the leased property. For virtually all of our leases with the United States Government, we have concluded, based on the factors above, that exercise of existing renewal options, or continuation of such leases without exercising early termination rights, is reasonably assured. Changes in these assessments could result in the write-off of any recorded assets associated with straight-line rental revenue and acceleration of depreciation and amortization expense associated with costs we incurred related to these leases.
Most of our leases involve some form of improvements to leased space. When we are required to provide improvements under the terms of a lease, we need to determine whether the improvements constitute landlord assets or tenant assets. If the improvements are landlord assets, we capitalize the cost of the improvements and recognize depreciation expense associated with such improvements over the shorter of the useful life of the assets or the term of the lease and recognize any payments from the tenant as rental revenue over the term of the lease. If the improvements are tenant assets, we defer the cost of improvements funded by us as a lease incentive asset and amortize it as a reduction of rental revenue over the term of the lease. Our determination of whether improvements are landlord assets or tenant assets also may affect when we commence revenue recognition in connection with a lease.
In determining whether improvements constitute landlord or tenant assets, we consider numerous factors that may require subjective or complex judgments, including: whether the improvements are unique to the tenant or reusable by other tenants; whether the tenant is permitted to alter or remove the improvements without our consent or without compensating us for any lost fair value; whether the ownership of the improvements remains with us or remains with the tenant at the end of the lease term; and whether the economic substance of the lease terms is properly reflected.
Allowances for doubtful accounts and deferred rent receivable are established based on quarterly analyses of the risk of loss on specific accounts. The analyses place particular emphasis on past-due accounts and consider information such as the nature and age of the receivables, the payment history of the tenants, the financial condition of the tenants and our assessment of their ability to meet their lease obligations, the basis for any disputes and the status of related negotiations. Our estimate of the required allowance is subject to revision as these factors change and is sensitive to the effects of economic and market conditions on tenants.
Activities we conduct to monitor the credit quality of our tenants include the following: monitoring the timeliness of tenant lease payments; reviewing credit ratings of tenants that are rated by a nationally recognized credit agency prior to such tenants’ entry into leases, and monitoring periodically thereafter; reviewing financial statements of tenants that are publicly available or that are required to be provided to us pursuant to the terms of such tenants’ leases; and monitoring news reports regarding our tenants. | 2019-04-22T22:28:55Z | https://q10k.com/OFC |
We bet you’ve heard all the rave about the Exposed Skin Care- 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit. And you’re here to learn more about it! Well, you came to the right place. This guide is all about Exposed and what’s inside the Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit.
The first step to clear skin is clean skin. The Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit begins with the Exposed Skin Care- Facial Cleanser. The Exposed Facial Cleanser is an important part of the acne treatment therapy. This cleanser is gentle yet effective. It cleans your skin without over-drying it.
You get your money’s worth with this product. Exposed Facial Cleanser is packed with the best acne treatment skin clearing ingredients, including a special formulation of alpha & beta hydroxy acids and olive leaf extract. This facial cleanser is a gentle face wash that is rich in contents. It is soap-free, non-comedogenic and hypoallergenic.
Since this acne treatment facial cleanser is soap-free and hypoallergenic, it is safe to use on even the most sensitive of skin. Furthermore, because it is non-comedogenic, Exposed Facial Cleanser won’t block your pores and cause blackheads, inflammation, or, ultimately, scars.
This Exposed acne treatment cleanser is revolutionary. The Facial Cleanser contains pro-vitamin B5 to help regulate your oil production and sage extract to detoxify your skin. The Exposed Facial Cleanser is like no other treatment cleansers. This product does not contain any harsh detergents such as lauryl and laureth sulfates. And just a trivia, these ingredients can cause redness, irritation, and inflammation of your skin. Yikes!
This unique acne fighting cleanser gently washes away skin impurities. Using this product brings you one step closer to removing pimples and getting that smooth and clear skin you deserve.
Purified water, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium olefin sulfonate, propylene glycol, capric/caprylic triglycerides, peg 150 pentaerythrityl tetrastearate, polysorbate 20, phenoxyethanol, dl panthenol (pro-vitamin B5), disodium edta, polyquaternium-7, salvia officinalis (sage extract), citrus medica limonum extract, citric acid.
The special active acne fighting ingredients make the Exposed Skin Care Facial cleanser the best acne treatment solution when it comes to clearing, curing, and preventing acne breakouts.
How To Use Facial Cleanser?
In any effective acne treatment program, the first step is to always remove any dirt and oil from your skin. The Exposed Skin Care Facial Cleanser gently clears your pores, removes dirt and helps counter acne-causing bacteria.
When you use the Facial Cleanser, the first thing you should do is to splash warm water over your face and neck. Choose water that is tepid because hot water could scald your skin. You never want this to happen because it will lead to more skin irritation and inflammation of the skin cells.
Next, use two pumps of the cleanser. Work it into a lather on your hands. A good lather is essential as it will help your hands glide across your skin and lightly distribute this effective acne treatment.
After you have lathered, wash the oily problem areas for approximately ten seconds.
Finally, you splash water on your skin to remove the acne treating cleanser, and gently pat your skin dry with a clean cloth.
You will do wonders to cure your skin’s impurities by washing your face with this acne treatment Facial Cleanser just twice a day. You will wash your face and neck once in the morning and once in the evening. This unique product will help you keep a healthy and balanced skin. Its ingredients have been specially chosen to ensure its gentle effects on your skin cells.
As mentioned earlier, acne is the result of your pores being blocked by a mixture of your dead skin cells and excessive sebum oil. When this happens there is a build-up of bacteria within the pore and acne breakouts occur. Hence, a major component of acne treatment is to clear the skin of dead cells and prevent the blocking of pores. And this is where the Exposed Skin Care Clearing Tonic comes in.
The second step for the Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit is the Clearing Tonic. The Exposed Clearing Tonic penetrates into your pores to control unwanted blackheads and whiteheads while returning your skin to its natural, healthy balance. The tonic also rejuvenates problematic skin with essential extracts and prepares your skin for the Exposed Acne Treatment Serum.
Its active ingredient is salicylic acid. This is excellent for exfoliating the skin. The salicylic acid is even more effective due to the fact that it is able to penetrate the pores and exfoliate from within. Removing all dead skin cells on a daily basis will help you prevent the clogging of pores. By using the Clearing Tonic, you will achieve and maintain clear skin.
Water, glycolic acid, propylene glycol, azelaic acid, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) distillate, dimethylethanolamine, phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide, camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract, passiflora edulis (passion) flower extract, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, fragrance.
How To Use Clearing Tonic?
Clearing Tonic is super easy to use. You must never skip this step as it is a vital part of your acne treatment.
You simply apply it to your face once a day. You will start noticing the effects in just a few weeks. You will notice a reduction in your acne breakouts as you rid your skin of dead skin cells.
Acne treatments require multiple stages. And while the Clearing Tonic is an excellent exfoliator, it is not enough to use it by itself.
Clearing Tonic should be used in conjunction with the Exposed Skin Care Acne Treatment Serum to combat acne-causing bacteria to achieve its maximum effectiveness.
Formulated with the latest and most advanced acne fighting ingredients, the Exposed Acne Treatment Serum helps prevent new acne, blemishes, and whiteheads. It is a Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment designed to clear whiteheads and blackheads.
Combating acne-causing bacteria trapped beneath the skin is one of the most important steps in acne treatment therapy. Remember that these bacteria lie at the root of the acne problem? This leads to the formation of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, and even scars.
Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide is the key ingredient in the Exposed Acne Treatment Serum. This active ingredient will fight the bacteria in your pores. The Acne Treatment Serum effectively clears skin and prevents acne breakouts.
The following proven acne treatment ingredients to reduce bacteria and clear your skin.
Water, glycerin, propanediol, carbomer, camellia oleifera leaf extract (green tea extract), melaleuca alternifolia (tea tree) leaf oil, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, disodium EDTA, sodium hydroxide.
The serum contains a combination of acne treating ingredients. These contents have been carefully selected to prevent further irritation and help you maintain healthy skin.
How To Use The Acne Treatment Serum?
The Acne Treatment Serum is the third step of the Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit. You should use it twice a day, once in the morning and once before you go to bed.
First, you need to wash your hands to remove any oil and dirt that may have accumulated on your skin. Once you this is done, squeeze the Exposed Acne Treatment Serum container twice to release the product onto your hands.
Gently spread it all over your face with your fingers. You have to avoid rubbing harshly because it can irritate your skin and lead to redness or inflammation.
This awesome Exposed Acne Treatment Serum is part of the best acne treatment therapy due to its carefully selected combination of acne treating substances.
Finally, we get to the fourth step. Clear Pore Serum is the last step of the Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit.
The Exposed Clear Pore Serum is a lightweight gel. This product penetrates into your pores to control acne pimples and blackheads. It also rebalances your skin as you sleep. This solution’s natural extracts and antioxidants repair your damaged skin to restore the healthy and youthful look of your skin.
Waking up with a clear skin that looks and feels smooth and healthy is probably one of the best feeling a person dealing with acne his or her life has. If this is how you want to wake up each day, then Clear Pore Serum is the best acne treatment product for you. Their carefully selected range of acne treating ingredients will ensure that you will wake up with a balanced, clear, healthy, and acne free skin.
Exposed Clear Pore Serum helps cure those unattractive acne problems of yours. This is because Clear Pore Serum uses a unique combination of ingredients that treat your skin. The green tea found in Clear Pore Serum has been shown to fight acne-causing bacteria while the salicylic acid gently exfoliates and prevents further clogging of pores.
How To Use Clear Pore Serum?
The Clear Pore Serum should be applied after the Facial Cleanser, Clearing Tonic, and Acne Treatment Serum. It has to be left on overnight to achieve the best results.
As you wake up, you will notice reduced acne. Over time, you will start seeing a clear and healthy looking skin. Not only does the Clear Pore Serum contain salicylic acid to gently exfoliate and prevent clogging of the pores, it also includes natural ingredients such as green tea and licorice to help you maintain balanced skin.
What Does Clear Pore Serum Contain?
It is always a nightmare to wake up in the morning and find a massive breakout of pimples, whiteheads, blackheads, and inflammation on your face. Clear Pore Serum has all the important ingredients needed to combat all these.
Clear Pore Serum solutions includes: salicylic acid (1.0%), purified water, hamamelis virginiana distillate (witch hazel), glycerin, propylene glycol, peg 120 methyl glucose dioleate, polyquaternium-37, hydrogenated polydecene, tricedeth-6, spiraea ulmaria extract (meadowsweet), glycyrrhiza glabra root extract (licorice), basil oil, camellia sinensis leaf extract (green tea), dl panthenol, fragrance, and phenoxyethanol.
Water, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) distillate, propylene glycol, glycerin, spiraea ulmaria (meadowsweet) extract , polyacrylate crosspolymer-6, triethanolamine, dl panthenol, glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) root extract , camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract , fragrance, ocimum basilicum (basil) extract.
If you purchase the Exposed 60-Day Basic Kit, other than the Facial Cleanser, Clearing Tonic, Acne Treatment Serum, and Clear Pore Serum, you also get a Derm-X Clothing.
The Derm-X Cloth is a microdermabrasion cloth that is proven to exfoliate dead skin cells, remove cosmetics, oil, and dirt. It is a great way to improve skin tone, reduce blemishes and firm up those problem areas.
This Derm-X cloth is a dermatologist approved microdermabrasion cloth that is proven to eliminate blackheads and whiteheads. Using the DERM-X Cloth is great for bringing you young and beautiful skin to the surface. Using it regularly also helps with skin discoloration, sun damage, and even minor scarring. The Derm-X cloth is a small yet important step in the Exposed acne treatment system.
Before you start using some of your Exposed acne treatment solutions, remember to wash away all daily impurities that have settled on your skin cells. This paves the way for oily pores and pimples. Exposed got you covered. They have come up with Derm-X Cloth which is an effective Exposed product. This Cloth can be used to brush away the makeup and toxins that have landed on your skin during the day.
What Is Exposed Skin Care?
Exposed Skin Care claims to be the only product line of its kind. It is developed by the collaborative efforts of cosmetologists, dermatologists, naturopaths, and chemists. Nowadays, the market is teeming with skin care products that promise to fade your acne scars and spots in no time.
While some of these skin care products actually work, others are just likely to be nothing but a wise scam designed to take your hard-earned money from you. Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit actually belongs in the former. It works and it really clears your acne given that you religiously follow its instructions.
Do not be misled, though. Exposed Skin Care is not just a single product. It is, in fact, a line of skin care products that guarantee to clear your acne-prone skin within 30 days. Exposed Skin Care’s revolutionary collection claims that you get clear skin in 30 days. If not, you get your money back. So, you really have nothing to lose.
Exposed Skin Care is dedicated to providing updated and comprehensive information about acne treatment. The amazing team behind Exposed Skin Care strongly believes that no single product is going to solve your acne problems.
Exposed Skin Care combines the power of advanced science with the soothing properties of pure natural extracts. Exposed will bring you a skin that is not only clear but healthy and balanced as well.
Exposed Skin Care targets all four causes of acne by unclogging your pores, killing acne-causing bacteria, regulating the oil, and calming the redness of your skin. In the latter part of this article, you will learn more about the Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit.
How Does Exposed Acne Treatment Work?
At Exposed Skin Care, their team believes that it is necessary for one person to understand their products. They want you to know why they are effective acne treatments and how they relate to the most recent research on acne causes.
Acne is the most common skin problem around the world and so the field of acne treatment is growing all the time. What makes life more baffling is that there is no scientific consensus on what really causes acne.
Acne occurs in adolescents and adults. Why do we get acne? Acne happens when there is a buildup of sebum oil and our dead skin cells clog the pores of our skin. The acne-causing bacteria feeds on sebum oil. Therefore, when a pore is clogged and the sebum oil cannot escape, the bacteria will thrive. The levels of sebum oil are directly affected by our hormonal levels.
Exposed products are designed to work together to clean your skin, treat and prevent more blemishes, and help restore your radiance. Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne treatment is an easy-to-use system. It has been proven to give one a clear and beautiful skin in 30 days or less.
The Exposed Acne Treatment is the first full spectrum system that treats acne. It prevents the formation of acne in ways that were previously thought impossible. Most of the products that you have purchased only offer limited methods of treating your acne. Exposed Skin Care is designed to clear your acne with advanced medicine.
By unclogging blocked pores, killing acne-causing bacteria, Exposed Acne Treatment helps your skin normalize the levels of sebum production, aids in the healing of skin lesions and reduces skin redness.
Exposed Acne Treatment removes the oils and impurities with gentle skin cleansers. The Salicylic and Glycolic Acid helps unclog your pores. And acne-causing bacteria are killed with the Micronized Benzoyl Peroxide present in Exposed products.
What’s Inside Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit?
There is no quick-fix acne treatment to counter that pesky, unattractive acne and embarrassing scars. You really cannot eliminate bacteria with the snap of a finger. There are many ways to treat redness and cleanse your hair follicles.
Exposed offers a wholesome approach to acne treatment that provides visible results within several weeks. Other companies may offer acne products that wash away skin cells but cause inflammation, irritation, and dry skin. Exposed Skin Care 4-Step Acne Treatment Kit goes above and beyond, providing oral and topical acne treatment solutions that remove dead skin cells, cleanse pores, and soothe the skin. This Acne Treatment will leave your face feeling smooth and hydrated.
When you purchase the Exposed 60-Day Basic Kit, you will receive a complete acne solution. The basic kit works to rid your skin of acne, pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, and inflammation. You will get a Facial Cleanser, Clearing Tonic, Acne Treatment Serum, Clear Pore Serum plus a Free Derm-X Cloth.
What Sets Exposed Acne Treatment Apart?
Exposed found that there are problems with some alternatives. Not all acne treatment products are built alike. To get rid of clogged oils, anti-acne products often use harsh chemicals that strip your skin of its smoothness. This can cause pain and inflammation.
Even a visit to the dermatologist can leave you with a prescription for drugs that are too strong and harsh. Some might be even dangerous. That is why you need an acne treatment that provides you with a full solution to acne and redness. Exposed guarantees you that wholesome acne treatment. At Exposed they take into consideration everything your skin needs.
You can try their line of Exposed acne treatment products today. In addition to the Derm-X Cloth, their facial cleanser, clearing tonic, acne treatment serum, open pore serum and other acne treatment therapy solutions use doctor approved ingredients such as benzoyl peroxide to help you get back your healthy, glowing skin.
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I work free-associatively, without plans, to create paintings and sculptures. My ceramic work fulfills a curiosity about my characters outside the spatially dense environments in my paintings. In paintings, the figures exist to affect the composition of the ground and the ground exists to affect the composition of the figures. Through alternating color modulation and flatness in disjointed layers and repeating ambiguous imagery, I create game-like situations in which characters are in a state of becoming, causing paintings to seem self-aware.
A shot of Bridget's studio at The Sharpe-Walentas Studio Program in Dumbo.
Hi Bridget! Can you tell us a little bit about your background and what drew you to both painting and ceramics?
I didn’t major in art in undergrad but I did take some art classes. I was more interested in going my own way than painting a still life. Outside of class, I’d cut up brown paper bags, tape them together and use the irregular surface to draw on. After undergrad I moved to Athens, Georgia and made music, ceramics, sculptures from found wood and metal, and I continued to work on large wall drawings on collaged brown paper bags. After 4 years in Georgia I went to grad school. It was then that I developed a consistent studio practice. After grad school in Boston I moved to New York and worked free-lance doing art installation at museums for 8 years with some breaks for residencies. Last fall I returned to New York after a string of residencies lasting 3 years.
What draws me to make art is the possibility of revealing my unconscious through a visual manifestation. Painting seems more mysterious to me than ceramics. With ceramics it’s either object or air, the form is a fact. Sculpture is a bit unsettling to me, the obviousness of it, but that’s also why I’m drawn to it. The insertion of gravity into a vision is an interesting construct, the way the perimeter of a painting is an interesting construct.
Have you noticed that Minnesota has had any active effect on your work?
I’m sure it does but I have no idea how! I currently have a studio that looks out at the Manhattan Bridge. When I moved in many people asked how I thought that view would affect my work. I couldn’t imagine it would affect my work in any conscious way. Now I see triangular shapes in my paintings and wonder if they were inspired by the structure. Perhaps even the characters I paint could be read as the commuters inside the train traveling over the bridge? Recently I had a studio visit with a friend, also a painter from the midwest, and she was wondering if artists from the midwest were more modest and whether they tended to make smaller paintings because of their modesty. I had been making smaller paintings because I’ve been moving around so much, so it seemed like more of a practical decision for me, but I thought it was an interesting question. Basically, I can’t ever be sure why I’m really making my decisions, especially whilst in the midst of choosing. Perhaps that question will be better answered in 20 years, when I have a greater body of work and and more of an objective perspective on how I’ve related to all the different places I’ve lived and have had studios.
In what ways have you noticed your work evolve over time, or perhaps how has your relationship to it changed?
I made collage work on tar paper and brown paper bags for 14 years. I worked from a giant pile of cut-off negative shapes and other paper scraps to make free-form collages that hung on the wall. I think my imagery is still similar—I’ve always made cartoonish figurative works—but now my imagery is within the confines of a rectangle made with layers of paint rather than layering physical material. Introducing the construct of a rectangle has provided a much needed psychological confine and has also made me more considerate of scale and space. Because of my history with collage, I tend to think of paintings as sculptural objects and my imagery is always conscious of that. Characters bend to fit into the frame, drooping flowers hit the bottom canvas edge as if it’s the ground.
How is your relationship to your ceramic work different from your relationship to your paintings?
In my ceramic work, there is no environment, the entire thing is the character. That makes the physical space around the ceramic work, the wall or wherever it rests, seem contingent. I have a hard time with this context—this feeling of a character inserted into our physical world. It often makes sense that my ceramic works have some sort of found object insertion—some kind of gateway into the otherworldliness of the ceramic work from our human space. In the past that gateway object has been a rock, a pane of glass, napkins, a paintbrush, a flower, a kiwi. In paintings, there is more ambiguity between characters and their environments, things are more mutable. The abstract environments absorb the ambiguous forms. I appreciate the clarity of my sculptures and the particular challenges that they bring, but my paintings have a way of possessing me— in the process of making them and then after they are completed. I think the possession has to do with sustaining uncertainty, and refraining from narrative in the midst of a figure in an environment.
You’ve said that you work free-associatively, but can you take us through your creative process, or perhaps the mental movements that precede beginning a new work?
I decide the size of the canvas and build it, or find a canvas I was working on some months or years back and re-engage with it. I don’t make a sketch or have an idea of what I’ll paint when I start out. Starting a painting usually means laying down abstract marks that relate to the proportion of the canvas and using colors that relate to the raw linen or the images already painted. I work formally, without naming the things I’m painting, and letting surrounding colors dictate new colors and surrounding shapes dictate new shapes. At some point I start to see how figures, which lately are inevitable insertions, come to fit with the composition. Figures are built in response to formal elements; they are conscious of their surroundings and often get hedged into positions by the abstractions or the confines of the canvas. In this way narrative is almost a by-product of the painting, a consequence of abstraction, and something I’m only partially, consciously aware of. The entire process is off-the-cuff, and I don’t always accept each mark as fitting. Sometimes things need to be painted over or altered— often the past “failed” attempts at figures or compositional elements become part of the composition. The whole process is one of freedom from pushing a known content, a way of glimpsing intention out of my peripheral or perhaps unconscious vision. Working this way allows me to step back after the painting is finished and, like a spectator, discover the possibilities of narrative. There is an inherent relationship between what I do with the painting in the process of making it and what you do with the painting in the process of seeing it.
Are there any reoccurring themes that you keep coming back to? Any color palettes or moods? Are there any concepts that you’re excited to explore and haven’t yet?
Repetition is a big part of my work. There’s something about the infinite that makes me both panicky and giddy. In solving the problem of what to paint, the choice to paint what you just painted might be obvious or even dumb but it’s hardly ever the same way twice even when that’s your intention. Through repeating a figure I can sketch out the full nuance of a character in the sum of many, I can show one character moving through time, and/or I can create an army. If a character’s body has a slight difference in position than the one next to him/her, a suggestion of movement akin to stop motion is implied. If characters seem to possess no difference, their shapes unaffected by the canvas’s perimeter, they may read as infinite, like wallpaper. How the figure occupies the space and if and how they connect to one another are considerations that change the content.
Your paintings work with space in a really specific and interesting way, almost working in tandem with the figures (I’m thinking in particular of Forgettable Sunsets) to create a dynamic relationship between the two that makes one dependent on the other. Can you talk a bit about the way you work with space in your work, and how it relates to the figures that also exist in your paintings?
It’s important for me to make not only the relationship between figure and ground contingent but the relationship between the ground and the canvas contingent as well. I made collage work on paper for 14 years, with the shape of the character or environment determining the shape of the paper, which usually meant no hard edges. This sensibility has transferred to my works on canvas, linen, and panel. The rectangle never feels arbitrary; it’s always a choice. 4 years ago I consciously decided to work within the rectangle to see how the introduction of a construct might free up my process even more. I’ve lately been introducing the construct of a void, or an unpainted realm to a few of my paintings. I see this idea as another necessary corner I’ve painted myself into, of which I must paint myself out.
You have said that you “create game-like situations in which characters are in a state of becoming, causing paintings to seem self-aware.” Could you expand a bit on that?
The repetition, ambiguity of forms, and ambiguity of the sentiments of the characters, create a puzzle. The shallow space that the forms and characters inhabit is a mutable, flexible space akin to the screen-like spaces we often interact with. When I look at a completed painting I’ve made, I like to be made to feel that the scene is provisional, that I can suppose a character is in an imagined field that I am capable of visually rearranging. Perhaps this is a field of ideas that hinges on naming the more obvious elements so that the parts of the painting that are ambiguous can be many things at once. I like to think of my characters as being the pivotal moments in the paintings from which to depart. Because my paintings are built from a series of contingent decisions, it feels as if in the process of making, the painting is pushing me away and starting to stand on its own. There reaches a point when it starts to become mysterious to me and seems full of possibility and I no longer want to paint it, I want to look at it! That’s how it becomes self-aware, when it no longer needs my assistance to become something; it possess enough. It’s not so much about finishing the painting, it’s about bringing it to a point that is still full of becoming. Since much of the content of the painting is revealed to me slowly over my experience of seeing the completed painting, it feels as if it is perpetually becoming.
It seems as though there’s a conversation happening between the abstract elements in your work, so much so that they are no longer abstract, but a part of one syntax—one seemingly distinct element actually in a relationship with the rest of the work. Would you say that’s accurate?
I like thinking that is a possibility, yes! Elements in the painting can go in and out of abstraction once surrounding elements get defined. I don’t want to always define the elements in paintings in terms of either figure or ground, it’s more flexible than that. The idea that the abstraction might absorb the figure if seen in a certain light, or that the viewer could build the figure with the abstract elements really interests me.
I would love to talk about your use of material, particularly in how it relates to texture, and ask what your intentions are when it comes to using specific materials (layers of acrylic paint, for example) over other materials, since it seems so highly relevant to your work.
My current paintings on linen I see as evolving from my collage and sculptural work. When I used to make collage I relied on the juxtaposition of abutting papers to create content. Now, in my paintings, I do the same with layers. Often I mask out sections of the painting with opaque tape and paint or spray paint over the surface, making marks in a half-blind sort of way, not sure how the marks will interact with the masked out painting underneath. I find this way of letting go of driving the content actually builds content in much more interesting way.
It has always been important that the material I work on have a history. When I started making art I was using brown paper bags, tar paper, and found materials as the starting point. And now I’m very interested in linen for similar reasons. It already has so much presence; the visibility of the weave and the diversity of color in the weave remind me that the materials I choose to work with are collaborators in my process. My practice of painting open layers atop open layers is another way of working with an already established ground, a history.
I recently finished painting on panel that I had been working on-and-off for about three years. I just kept working hoping the accumulation would add up to something. Eventually I did the opposite of what I usually do, I painted over the whole underpainting with new imagery. The history of the painting underneath was still present in the thick paint build-up/ridges of paint. I took a palm sander to the surface with intention to sand it and repaint the surface, but once the sanding was done, those ridges revealed the history of colors underneath. Instead of those ridges reading like reductions, they read like additives, like painted marks. They ended up working compositionally and with the content. The weathered, sanded surface countered the floating hearts above happy-eyed characters.
On the subject of materials, can you talk about the presence of the flower in your piece Loop?
I was at a residency I had been at for six months and was leaving soon so each day I felt as if I was slowly fading from the place. While at the residency, I had made many different ceramic heads, all similar to the one in “Loop,” and linked them together to form a chain, with one hanging off the tongue of the one above it. At one point, I took a single ceramic head and rested a paintbrush in the curl of the tongue (so it became a brush holder,) and then weeks later I hung from the tongue a clear grocery bag with Valerian and a kiwi in it (so it became a hook.) About a week before I left, I found a flower in a garbage pit. It was on its way out too and had this comical arch as if gravity had become too much for it and it was heading back to the ground. I liked the way when paired with the ceramic work’s cookie-cutter smile, the dying flower would read as a frown. It was also a formal decision, a counter move— a downward arch to the upward arch of the smile. For the past 6 months at the residency, the drooping flower in place of a mouth had been a prevalent symbol in my paintings. Pairing the ceramic sculpture and the physical flower weren’t a plan from the onset. I think they came together as a gesture of farewell and sweetness to the other artists at the residency that had become friends.
You refer to the figures in your paintings as ‘my characters.’ Are the same figures that are a continual presence in your work? What is your personal relationship to them, as in, do you feel as though they are representative of you personally or are they strangers? What are the benefits of painting the same characters repeatedly?
Good question! I usually don’t go at things head on. Meaning: I’m not really sure what I’m going to do with each painting until I’m doing it. The same is true for my characters. They emerge from formal elements. Yes, I decide how to interpret those elements and there is a likeness from one character to the next; I suppose that is my style. I’ve always worked in a cartoonish way. There’s something about cartoonish figuration that seems more capable of being both sinister and playful, exuberant and melancholic, flippant and potentially meaningful. I enjoy this oscillation between polarities.
My characters are, to some extent, myself. I paint what I feel and what my hands are capable of doing. They come out the way they do largely because of the formal elements I am considering as I’m working. I’m not naming what I'm doing as I'm doing it.
The benefits of painting characters repeatedly? It’s interesting to see how changing small nuances from one character to the next can change the whole vibe of the character. Does a longer face make someone seem more pensive? Does someone missing one eye make them seem more aloof or cooler?
I know that you’ve done a few residencies such as at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture and at the Fine Arts Work Center in Massachusetts. What are some of the things that draw you to residencies, and what do you feel are some of the advantages, personally and professionally?
Moving to new places to focus on my art is a way to face the very common, daily occurrences of confusion and fear. I think it’s thrilling to be unknown in a place and have to work to re-establish my identity through getting to know other people. Every time I’ve moved to a new place, my work seems to change too. In these new situations, I find home in the space of painting. The feeling of being unsure in a place or timid with new people is starkly contrasted to the isolation of the studio and the comfort of no outside judgements. That isolation is something I’ve always been able to sink into easily. It can make me feel wild in the studio.
Skowhegan is where I started painting in silence. I think the intensity of being there, particularly the highly social aspect of the residency, amplified the need to go inward. I needed to have a space without an outside source directing my thoughts. It was calming to be aware as each thought came into my consciousness and how it could turn an emotion on. I worked in silence to feel closer to myself but also to be more aware of the moments of choice in painting.
What’s a normal day like for you? Are you a person of routine?
I don’t like routines because then it feels as if I’m doing something out of habit rather than intention. Even brushing my teeth is done at a different time every morning. I try to do things when I want to do them instead of doing them out of routine because I think that makes those practices more meaningful and beneficial. I’ll do a better job brushing my teeth if I want to do it. Because I try to want to do everything, even routine tasks, I have to minimize the things I do in the morning so I don’t overwhelm myself with choices before I get to the studio. A normal day is going to the studio from 10-7 then going to an opening or dinner with friends. I also work at a gallery a few days a week, but I don’t think of that as a normal day.
Do you look to other artists for inspiration? Or do you find that your creative process is renewed by looking outside of the art world? Or both?
Sure! Both! I am part of a crit group that is really inspiring. The people in the group are generous with their time and about sharing their insights into each others work. My creative process is also renewed by traveling to places I’ve never been and talking with people who seem to be searching for something.
Who are some artists that have influenced your work, or even inspired you to turn in a new direction?
I love the way Charline von Heyl makes choices. Alan Watts helps me clarify my thoughts. Dana Lok and Roger Brown are masters of repetition. Ahavani Mullen inspired me years ago to start painting again.
What are you reading? What are you listening to? What are you watching?
Reading Freedom is a Constant Struggle, listening to Paul McCartney, watching Baskets.
What do you do when you need a break and have to let off steam?
Go to Fishers Island and harvest clay.
Can you tell us a little bit about your studio space, and how you like to get work done? What are some of the things that are important to you in your day-to-day process of being in the studio—for example, can you work among chaos or do you need to have everything in its place?
The space of studio feels like an extension of myself. When I’m working on something that space of extension gets even smaller—it’s between me and the painting or clay and everything else disappears. It’s a space of intention / attention / focus. I like to have the spaces I inhabit feel and smell a certain way. I like have plants around and I like that my spaces smell like I do, which is to say they smell neutral and not noticeable to me. I love when my friends come to my house or studio and they say it smells like me and I like going to their places and knowing them through their smell. What fascinates me is the fact of that experience, though non-verbal. It’s like a vibration in some nearly intangible register.
Is there anything that really sets the mood in your studio?
My family and friends and people soon to become family and friends.
What is your personal relationship to social media? Do you find that it supports your work, and your growth, or that it’s dangerous to your creative process? Do you use it for solely personal reasons or for professional reasons as well?
I look at Instagram to see what my friends are experiencing and to introduce me to new artists. Instagram has exposed my work to people who might not have already been aware of what I’m making. Of course then that first contact via Instagram is followed up by a studio visit because the only way to see work is in person.
Generally speaking, in your opinion, what are some of the benefits and detriments of social media in relation to the art world? How has technology changed things, even in the last few years?
The benefits are that I can see tiny, flat, illuminated images of what other people are doing and making. It’s imperfect, but still interesting and it gets me intrigued to go out and find the real thing. The determents are that social media can be addictive and you can forget that the image is just a representation and not the actual work of art.
Are there any accounts that you follow that you love?
My sister’s account, my brother’s account, and babyanimalsco.
I was invited for a month-long residency in Madrid for next winter, I have a solo show at the Lighthouse Works on Fishers Island in the fall, and this summer I’m in a group show at DC Moore Gallery called ZIG, ZAG, ZIG.
To find out more about Bridget and her work, check out her website. | 2019-04-18T13:21:39Z | http://www.maakemagazine.com/bridget-mullen |
Part I. Do I Have Cataracts?
Part II. What Is Cataract Surgery?
Part III. Should I Get Cataract Surgery?
Or maybe none of the above have happened yet, but you know it’s coming.
If that’s you, then you might be considering cataract surgery. Like any surgical procedure, there’s a lot to consider. And reading resource after resource might leave you feeling overwhelmed and confused about what advice to follow.
Today, you can rest easy, because all that’s about to change. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about cataract surgery, and whether it’s right for you.
Part 1: Do I Have Cataracts?
A cataract is a clouding of the eye’s natural lens which causes reduced vision.
As we age, protein in our eye lenses can degrade and “clump” together, reducing the clarity of the image reaching the retina. Over time, the cataract may grow larger and cloud the lens further, affecting your vision.
According to AllAboutVision, cataracts affects more than 22 million Americans age 40 and older, and that number is expected to exceed 50 million by 2050: Source: National Eye Institute.
Clouded or blurry vision. Your vision may become hazy and blurry like you’re viewing the world through frosted glass.
Fading or yellowing of colors. If you notice colors fading and lacking the brightness they once did, you might need to have your eye examined.
The need for brighter light for reading and other activities. If your vision at night becomes affected, you might be experiencing the beginning of a cataract.
Frequent prescription changes in your eyeglasses or contact lenses. If you wear glasses or contact lens, you may find the prescription weakens over time.
An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) will determine whether you have early signs of cataract development using what’s called a “dilated eye exam.” This is when a special magnifying lens is used to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems.
It’s important to mention here that a cataract should NOT be removed just because it’s present.
In fact, minor changes in your vision can often be improved with prescription glasses.
If, though, your vision deteriorates to the point where you’re no longer able to do everyday activities, then it’s advised you book an appointment with an ophthalmologist.
Cataract surgery involves removing the cloudy lens from the eye and replacing it with an artificial, intraocular lens implant (IOL) lens.
The procedure, generally performed by an ophthalmologist, uses local anesthesia in an outpatient setting (which means you can often go home the same day) and causes little to no harm to the patient (in fact, most patients are often surprised with how quick the procedure is).
There are several types of cataract surgery (intracapsular, extracapsular, etc.) but the most common surgical technique is called phacoemulsification cataract surgery (otherwise known as small-incision surgery).
How Does Phaco Surgery Work?
Before surgery, the length of your eye and the curve of your cornea will be measured using an “A-Scan” and a technique called “keratometry.” This will help the ophthalmologist determine the correct replacement lens for your surgery.
During the procedure, itself, your ophthalmologist will make one or more incisions in the front of your eye. Then, using a phaco probe—which transmits ultrasound waves—he or she will break up (emulsify) the cataract and remove the remaining fragments before placing the intraocular lens implant (IOL) lens into the remaining lens capsule.
Not all cataracts are created equally. We have learned over time that certain cataract types are not optimal for manual cataract surgery. Cataracts that are very dense, cataracts that are associated with a weakened cornea and cataracts that are unstable are some of the instances where manual cataract surgery is not ideal.
This is where laser cataract surgery shines. Femtosecond laser cataract surgery enables the surgeon to break up a rock-hard cataract before entering the eye, enables the creation of perfect circular openings in unstable and misaligned cataracts and minimizes the creation of by-product energy that can harm surrounding tissue. In short, it is a much needed and precise tool for these complex cases.
A secondary function of the femtosecond laser is astigmatism correction via astigmatic keratotomies. These are precisely placed incisions in the cornea, the clear, dome-shaped tissue covering the eye.
Milan Eye Center has available an ultra-mobile, precise femtosecond laser (it’s Swiss!) for use in cataract and LASIK patients. The Ziemer Z8 has been a tremendous tool for our surgeons in tackling the most complex as well as routine cases – all our surgeons have their own philosophy regarding its utility. The role of this technology in your surgical care, therefore, has to be based on a discussion regarding its efficacy and utility for your eye.
While most of the cost of cataract surgery will typically be covered by Medicare or private medical insurance (if, that is, you’re over the age of 65 and are a United States citizen), the amount insurance companies will provide for the procedure will vary on a number of factors (including the type of intraocular lens used for the procedure).
If you don’t have Medicare or private medical insurance, you’ll be responsible for the entire cost of cataract surgery. The cost, itself, will vary depending on market conditions and the surgeon’s fee.
Aside from the more obvious benefits of improved vision (e.g. seeing things in focus, being able to tell the difference between colors, etc.), cataract surgery has benefits that extend beyond eyesight, too.
While cataract surgery is extremely safe, as with any surgical procedure, there are risks (though most are rare and can be quickly and easily treated).
If, for example, you have another eye condition (e.g. glaucoma or macular degeneration) your risk of complicating the procedure becomes higher.
This is why it’s important to discuss any concerns you might have with your ophthalmologist before deciding whether to go ahead with cataract surgery.
The following are the most common risks you need to be aware of.
Posterior capsular opacification (PCO). One of the most common cataract surgery complications is a posterior capsule opacity (or PCO). This occurs when the thin clear membrane that surrounds the natural lens (called the lens capsule) becomes clouded, causing hazy vision. Treating PCO is fairly straightforward and normally requires creating an opening in the back the back of the lens capsule so that the light can once again pass directly to the retina.
Retinal detachment. This is when the retina (the neurosensory lining the back of our eye) becomes detached from the inner back wall of the eye, often months or even years after a successful cataract procedure. If you experience floaters (spots within your vision that move or “float” when you look around), flashes of light or curtain-like vision loss after surgery, make an appointment with your ophthalmologist, immediately. Failing to get retinal detachment treated can result in permanent loss of vision.
Other cataract surgery complications include infection (endophthalmitis), bleeding and swelling of the retina (cystoid macular edema), though these are less common.
As always, if you have any concerns about any of the risks of cataract surgery, ask your ophthalmologist.
What Happens If You Don’t Get Cataract Surgery?
As we learned before, a cataract is caused by clouding in the eye’s natural lens. When the cataract hardens, it becomes “ripe” or “mature”, affecting your vision. And as the cataract grows larger, the entire lens may eventually become white.
In the past, you would have been advised to wait until your cataract was “ripe” before having surgery.
Today, though, it’s a different story.
With modern advances in cataract technology, it’s advised you have it removed sooner rather than later (when, exactly, we’ll discuss in the following section).
If a cataract is left untreated, it will gradually get worse and affect your eyesight to the point where you may no longer be able to perform daily activities such as driving or reading.
While outcomes like blindness are rare, it is possible (though legal blindness often comes a long way before total blindness).
You’re probably already aware that the only way to remove cataracts is cataract surgery. But what you might not be aware of is when you need to have it done.
As a final point, it’s important you understand that moving forward with cataract surgery is always your choice.
While a doctor can advise you based on your circumstances, the decision MUST always come from you.
The procedure may vary depending on your surgery center. At Milan Eye Center, our surgeons and staff prepare patients for cataract lens replacement surgery by providing them with all pertinent information about their procedure.
You and your eye doctor will discuss Traditional vs Bladeless cataract surgery options, as well as the different types of Intraocular Lens (IOL) implants available during a pre-surgery appointment.
Medication. Before surgery, patients are given a prescription for eye drops and should use the medicated eye drops exactly as written in the pre-op plan.
While aspirin may continue to be taken prior to surgery, patients who take anticoagulants such as Coumadin or Plavix should talk to their primary care physician or cardiologist to determine whether the anticoagulants should be stopped prior to surgery. Patients should never stop taking anticoagulant medication on their own!
And for diabetic patients, no insulin or other diabetic medication should be taken before the cataract surgery.
Heart or blood pressure medication can be taken that morning with a small sip of water.
Transportation. Patients should plan ahead for a family member or friend to drive them home following the procedure.
Diet. Beginning the night before the cataract procedure patients should not eat or drink anything after midnight, including water.
Contacts. On the morning of cataract surgery, patients should not wear any contact lenses.
Bathing/Makeup. Patients should shower the evening before surgery. Patients should not apply any makeup including blush, mascara, lipstick, eyeliner, or eye shadow. Patients should also avoid using any lotion on the face or chest.
Clothing. Patients should dress comfortably with a button or zipper top and leave all jewelry and other valuables at home.
Any other questions about medication or before surgery plans, should be asked well before the day before surgery. Milan Eye Center physicians can answer any questions about a specific pre procedure plan. And following the pre-op plan is the first step towards ensuring a cataract surgery procedure is successful and smooth.
Once patients arrive at the Milan Eye Center surgery center for their cataract surgery, they must check in at the front desk.
Patients will then be directed to a surgical waiting room.
A nurse will bring the patient back to our Pre-Op area where blood pressure will be taken and an IV will be started.
Then an anesthetist will visit with the patient in order to go over the anesthesia plan in depth.
Typically, cataract patients will have IV sedation along with a local anesthetic so the operation is not painful. But because patients will be conscious during the procedure, it is important that they always look toward the bright operating room lights.
Doctors will make a tiny incision to remove your lens and replace it with a new Intraocular Lens Implant (IOL). The type of IOL will be determined with your doctor beforehand.
Additionally, patients should not talk during the procedure in order to keep their head from shaking unnecessarily unless you have a pressing question or concern. For example, if you have to move, cough, or sneeze during the procedure alert the doctor before doing so.
Once the short procedure has been completed, the patient will be taken to a post-operative area where they will be able to rest, relax, and watch television.
Due to the after-effects of local anesthesia, you’ll probably feel slightly groggy after the procedure, and for that reason, might need to rest in the recovery area for approximately 10 minutes before it wears off.
A nurse will bring the patient’s family back to the room in order to go over the post-operative plans for care.
After leaving the surgical center, you’ll want to continue to use the antibiotic, steroid and anti-inflammatory eye drops for four weeks to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
Instructions for administering the eye drops will be explained at both your preoperative appointment as well as your follow-up appointments at your doctor’s office.
You’ll also be given a protective eye shield or a pair of sunglasses. This is to prevent you from accidentally rubbing your eye at night and to reduce any discomfort you may experience from bright light on your journey home.
What Recovery Process Should I Expect?
Patients can expect blurry vision over the next few days following their cataract surgery.
Minor discomfort should be expected and the treated eye may feel scratchy and watery once the numbness dissipates.
Therefore, Tylenol or Advil should be adequate for treating any pain and any discomfort should improve within a few days. Patients can obtain new glasses when their vision has stabilized after 4-6 weeks.
Cataract surgery recovery time varies from person to person (or perhaps more fittingly, from eye to eye).
While many patients report noticeable improvements in their vision within a few hours or days (particularly with brightness in color), you may need as long as a week before your vision becomes very clear.
This is because the eye needs time to adjust to the removal of the cataract and adapt to the intraocular lens that has replaced it.
Don’t be alarmed if your eye is itchy or feels gritty for a couple of days after surgery—this is part of the healing process and will disappear after a few days.
Avoid rubbing or pushing on your eye and the discomfort will subside as your eye heals.
What Happens in Appointments That Follow?
After having cataract surgery, you will typically have three follow-up appointments with your optometrist. It’s important you attend all your appointments, even if you’re feeling well.
This will occur the day after your surgery. The purpose of this appointment is to check your vision and your eye pressure and to make sure there are no post-op complications.
At this appointment, your vision and eye pressure will be checked and your doctor will give you detailed instructions about your eye drops.
It is not uncommon to experience elevated eye pressure for the first few days after surgery, but if it is elevated, you may need to use additional eye drops to help lower the pressure.
As with any antibiotic, your eye drops are a crucial part of your recovery so make sure you use these eye drops exactly as prescribed.
If you don’t notice any improvement in your vision or you’re experiencing itchiness or discomfort in the days following this visit, report this to your doctor.
This usually takes place about one week after surgery. At this appointment, your eye may be dilated again (to allow a thorough retinal examination) and checked for any symptoms of infection. Furthermore, the schedule for your eye drops will be reviewed with you.
This happens around four weeks after the cataract surgery. At this appointment, you will be checked for a prescription for eyeglasses. Most patients at this appointment will be instructed to stop using all of the surgery-related eye drops as your eye will be completely healed.
Beyond These Appointments, When Should I Contact My Doctor?
One day after surgery, you might find yourself returning to everyday activities such as bathing, showering, washing your face and hair, etc. While this is perfectly acceptable, it’s important not to partake in any activities that could potentially cause infection or derail the healing process.
As always, if you have any concerns or questions, discuss them with your ophthalmologist or optometrist at your follow-up appointment.
Cataract surgery is one of the most common and effective surgical procedures performed in the United States.
And because of it, millions of people are enjoying greater vision—and the many perks that come with such gift.
If you have a cataract and are looking to have surgery, but don’t know where to start, we would love to hear from you.
To learn more about how the Milan Eye Center can help you with cataracts, call and speak to an expert at (678) 681-9834 or Contact Us for more information. | 2019-04-24T07:47:01Z | https://www.milaneyecenter.com/resources/definitive-guide-cataract-surgery/ |
Jorge Diaz-Lanchas & Carlos Llano & Jose Luis Zofio, 2019. "A trade hierarchy of cities based on transport cost thresholds," JRC Working Papers on Territorial Modelling and Analysis 2019-02, Joint Research Centre (Seville site).
Balk, B.M. & Barbero, J. & Zofío, J.L., 2018. "A Total Factor Productivity Toolbox for MATLAB," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2018-004-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Balk, B.M. & Zofío, J.L., 2018. "The Many Decompositions of Total Factor Productivity Change," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2018-003-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Aparicio, Juan & Zofío, José L., 2017. "Revisiting the Decomposition of Cost Efficiency for Non-homothetic Technologies: A Directional Distance Function Approach," Efficiency Series Papers 2017/01, University of Oviedo, Department of Economics, Oviedo Efficiency Group (OEG).
Juan Aparicio & José L. Zofío, 2017. "Revisiting the decomposition of cost efficiency for non-homothetic technologies: a directional distance function approach," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 48(2), pages 133-146, December.
Orea, Luis & Zofío, José L., 2017. "A primer on the theory and practice of efficiency and productivity analysis," Efficiency Series Papers 2017/05, University of Oviedo, Department of Economics, Oviedo Efficiency Group (OEG).
Balk, B.M. & de Koster, M.B.M. & Kaps, C. & Zofío, J.L., 2017. "An Evaluation of Cross-Efficiency Methods, Applied to Measuring Warehouse Performance," ERIM Report Series Research in Management ERS-2017-015-LIS, Erasmus Research Institute of Management (ERIM), ERIM is the joint research institute of the Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University and the Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) at Erasmus University Rotterdam.
Álvarez, Inmaculada C. & Barbero, Javier & Zofío, José L., 2016. "A spatial autoregressive panel model to analyze road network spillovers on production," Efficiency Series Papers 2016/02, University of Oviedo, Department of Economics, Oviedo Efficiency Group (OEG).
Álvarez, Inmaculada C. & Barbero, Javier & Zofío, José L., 2016. "A spatial autoregressive panel model to analyze road network spillovers on production," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 83-92.
Juan Aparicio & Javier Barbero & Magdalena Kapelko & Jesus T. Pastor & Jose L. Zofio, 2016. "Environmental Productivity Change in World Air Emissions: A new Malmquist-Luenberger Index Approach," JRC Working Papers JRC104083, Joint Research Centre (Seville site).
Álvarez, Inmaculada & Barbero, Javier & Zofío, Jose Luis, 2016. "A Data Envelopment Analysis Toolbox for MATLAB," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2016/03, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Barbero, Javier & Behrens, Kristian & Zofio, Jose L., 2015. "Industry location and wages: The role of market size and accessibility in trading networks," CEPR Discussion Papers 10411, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
Barbero, Javier & Behrens, Kristian & Zofío, José L., 2018. "Industry location and wages: The role of market size and accessibility in trading networks," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 1-24.
Aparicio, Juan & Borras, Fernando & Pastor, Jesús T. & Zofio, Jose Luis, 2015. "Loss Distance Functions and Profit Function: General Duality Results," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2015/06, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Álvarez, Inmaculada C. & Barbero, Javier & Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Zofio, Jose L., 2015. "Does institutional quality matter for trade? Institutional conditions in a sectoral trade framework," CEPR Discussion Papers 10876, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
Álvarez, Inmaculada C. & Barbero, Javier & Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Zofío, José L., 2018. "Does Institutional Quality Matter for Trade? Institutional Conditions in a Sectoral Trade Framework," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 72-87.
Inmaculada C. Alvarez & Javier Barbero & Andres Rodriguez-Pose & Jose L. Zofio, 2017. "Does institutional quality matter for trade? Institutional conditions in a sectoral trade framework," Papers in Evolutionary Economic Geography (PEEG) 1729, Utrecht University, Department of Human Geography and Spatial Planning, Group Economic Geography, revised Nov 2017.
Álvarez, Inmaculada C. & Barbero, Javier & Rodríguez-Pose, Andrés & Zofío, José L., 2018. "Does institutional quality matter for trade? Institutional conditions in a sectoral trade framework," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 85637, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.
Aparicio, Juan & Pastor, Jesús & Zofío, José Luis, 2014. "Is the directional distance function a complete generalization of the Farrell approach?," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2014/05, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Aparicio, Juan & Pastor, Jesús & Zofío, José Luis, 2013. "On the inconsistency of the Malmquist-Luenberger index," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2013/01, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Aparicio, Juan & Pastor, Jesus T. & Zofio, Jose L., 2013. "On the inconsistency of the Malmquist–Luenberger index," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 229(3), pages 738-742.
Álvarez, Inmaculada & Barbero, Javier & Zofío, José Luis, 2013. "A Panel Data Toolbox for MATLAB," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2013/05, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Álvarez, Inmaculada C. & Barbero, Javier & Zofío, José L., 2017. "A Panel Data Toolbox for MATLAB," Journal of Statistical Software, Foundation for Open Access Statistics, vol. 76(i06).
Aparicio, Juan & Pastor, Jesús & Zofío, José Luis, 2013. "How to properly decompose economic efficiency using technical and allocative criteria with non-homothetic DEA technologies," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2013/11, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Aparicio, Juan & Pastor, Jesus T. & Zofio, Jose L., 2015. "How to properly decompose economic efficiency using technical and allocative criteria with non-homothetic DEA technologies," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 240(3), pages 882-891.
Diaz-Lanchas, Jorge & Llano, Carlos & Zofío, José Luis, 2013. "Trade margins, transport cost thresholds and market areas: Municipal freight flows and urban hierarchy," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2013/10, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Barbero, Javier & Zofío, José Luis, 2012. "The multiregional core-periphery model: The role of the spatial topology," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2012/12, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Zofío, José Luis & Condeço-Melhorado, Ana M. & Maroto-Sánchez, Andrés & Gutiérrez, Javier, 2011. "Decomposing generalized transport costs using index numbers: A geographical analysis of economic and infrastructure fundamentals," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2011/06, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Zofío, José Luis & Pastor, Jesús & Aparicio, Juan, 2010. "The Directional Profit Efficiency Measure: On Why Profit Inefficiency is either Technical or Allocative," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2010/09, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Jose Zofio & Jesus Pastor & Juan Aparicio, 2013. "The directional profit efficiency measure: on why profit inefficiency is either technical or allocative," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 40(3), pages 257-266, December.
Prieto, Ángel & Zofío, José Luis & Álvarez, Inmaculada, 2010. "Urban patterns, population density and optimal city dimension: The case of public infrastructure," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2010/08, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Jiménez, Fernando & Zabala Iturriagagoitia, Jon Mikel & Zofío, José Luis, 2010. "Who leads research productivity change? Guidelines for R&D policy-makers," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2010/07, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Jiménez-Sáez, Fernando & Zabala, Jon Mikel & Zofío, José L., 2010. "Who leads Research Productivity Change? Guidelines for R&D policy makers," Papers in Innovation Studies 2010/10, Lund University, CIRCLE - Center for Innovation, Research and Competences in the Learning Economy.
Arguedas, Carmen & Camacho, Eva & Zofío, José Luis, 2009. "Environmental Policy Instruments: Technology Adoption Incentives with Imperfect Compliance," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2009/03, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Carmen Arguedas & Eva Camacho & José Zofío, 2010. "Environmental Policy Instruments: Technology Adoption Incentives with Imperfect Compliance," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 47(2), pages 261-274, October.
Álvarez, Inmaculada & Prieto, Angel & Zofío, José Luis, 2008. "Economías de aglomeración y cooperación económica a las inversiones en infraestructura básica de las entidades locales," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2008/04, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Paramio, Juan Luis & Zofío, José Luis, 2008. "The Evolution of the Labor Market and Leisure Industries in Spain: Quality of Life versus Standard of Living," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2008/06, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Juan L. Paramio & José L. Zofío, 2008. "Labor Market Duality and Leisure Industries in Spain," American Journal of Economics and Sociology, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 67(4), pages 683-717, October.
Cuesta, Rafael A. & Knox, C.A. & Zofío, José Luis, 2007. "Environmental Efficiency Measurement with Translog Distance Functions: A Parametric Approach," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2007/02, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Cuesta, Rafael A. & Lovell, C.A. Knox & Zofío, José L., 2009. "Environmental efficiency measurement with translog distance functions: A parametric approach," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(8-9), pages 2232-2242, June.
Jiménez, Fernando & Zabala Iturriagagoitia, Jon Mikel & Zofío, José Luis, 2007. "Efficiency in Public Research Centers: Evaluating the Spanish Food Technology Program," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2007/04, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Zofío, José Luis, 2006. "Malmquist Productivity Index Decompositions: A Unifying Framework," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2006/12, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
Jose Zofio, 2007. "Malmquist productivity index decompositions: a unifying framework," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(18), pages 2371-2387.
Zofío, José Luis & Prieto, Angel, 2005. "Return to Dollar, Generalized Distance Function and the Fisher Productivity Index," Working Papers in Economic Theory 2005/01, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Department of Economic Analysis (Economic Theory and Economic History).
José Zofío & Angel Prieto, 2006. "Return to Dollar, Generalized Distance Function and the Fisher Productivity Index," Spanish Economic Review, Springer;Spanish Economic Association, vol. 8(2), pages 113-138, June.
Cuesta, Rafael A. & Zofío, Jose L., 2003. "Graph Efficiency and Parametric Distance Function with an Application to Spanish Savings Banks," Efficiency Series Papers 2003/01, University of Oviedo, Department of Economics, Oviedo Efficiency Group (OEG).
Nuria Gallego & José L. Zofío, 2018. "Trade Openness, Transport Networks and the Spatial Location of Economic Activity," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 18(1), pages 205-236, March.
Charles Edquist & Jon Mikel Zabala-Iturriagagoitia & Javier Barbero & Jose Luis Zofío, 2018. "On the meaning of innovation performance: Is the synthetic indicator of the Innovation Union Scoreboard flawed?," Research Evaluation, Oxford University Press, vol. 27(3), pages 196-211.
Aparicio, Juan & Pastor, Jesús T. & Vidal, Fernando & Zofío, José L., 2017. "Evaluating productive performance: A new approach based on the product-mix problem consistent with Data Envelopment Analysis," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 134-144.
Pastor, Jesus T. & Zofio, Jose L., 2017. "Can Farrell's allocative efficiency be generalized by the directional distance function approach?Author-Name: Aparicio, Juan," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 257(1), pages 345-351.
Inmaculada C. Álvarez-Ayuso & Ana M. Condeço-Melhorado & Javier Gutiérrez & Jose L. Zofío, 2016. "Integrating Network Analysis with the Production Function Approach to Study the Spillover Effects of Transport Infrastructure," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 50(6), pages 996-1015, June.
Javier Barbero & José L. Zofío, 2016. "The Multiregional Core-periphery Model: The Role of the Spatial Topology," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 16(2), pages 469-496, June.
Maroto, Andrés & Zofío, José Luis, 2016. "Accessibility gains and road transport infrastructure in Spain: A productivity approach based on the Malmquist index," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 52(C), pages 143-152.
Ángel M. Prieto & José L. Zofío & Inmaculada Álvarez, 2015. "Cost economies, urban patterns and population density: The case of public infrastructure for basic utilities," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 94(4), pages 795-816, November.
Maroto, Andrés & Zofío , José Luis, 2015. "Nueva metodología para la descomposición de los costes generalizados del transporte de mercancías por carretera usando la teoría económica de los números índice," INVESTIGACIONES REGIONALES - Journal of REGIONAL RESEARCH, Asociación Española de Ciencia Regional, issue 33, pages 123-134.
Zofío, Jose L. & Condeço-Melhorado, Ana M. & Maroto-Sánchez, Andrés & Gutiérrez, Javier, 2014. "Generalized transport costs and index numbers: A geographical analysis of economic and infrastructure fundamentals," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 141-157.
Inmaculada C. à lvarez & à ngel M. Prieto & José L. ZofÃo, 2014. "Cost Efficiency, Urban Patterns and Population Density When Providing Public Infrastructure: A Stochastic Frontier Approach," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 22(6), pages 1235-1258, June.
Fernando Jiménez-Sáez & Jon Mikel Zabala-Iturriagagoitia & Jose Luis Zofío, 2013. "Who leads research productivity growth? Guidelines for R&D policy-makers," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 94(1), pages 273-303, January.
Juan Antonio Vicente Vírseda & Francisco Javier Parra Rodríguez & José Luis Zofío Prieto, 2012. "Efectos macroeconómicos de un aumento de la demanda de bienes y servicios de Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicación en España: la cuenta satélite de las Tecnologías de la Información y Comunicac," Cuadernos de Economía - Spanish Journal of Economics and Finance, Asociación Cuadernos de Economía, vol. 35(99), pages 182-197, Diciembre.
Jiménez-Sáez, Fernando & Zabala-Iturriagagoitia, Jon Mikel & Zofío, José L. & Castro-Martínez, Elena, 2011. "Evaluating research efficiency within National R&D Programmes," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 40(2), pages 230-241, March.
Angel Prieto & José L. Zofio & Inmaculada Alvarez, 2009. "Economías de escala, densidad y alcance en la provisión pública de infraestructura básica municipal," Hacienda Pública Española, IEF, vol. 190(3), pages 59-94, September.
Jose L. Zofio & Angel M. Prieto, 2007. "Measuring Productive Efficiency in Input-Output Models by Means of Data Envelopment Analysis," International Review of Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 21(4), pages 519-537.
Prieto, Angel M. & Zofio, Jose L., 2007. "Network DEA efficiency in input-output models: With an application to OECD countries," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 178(1), pages 292-304, April.
Rafael Cuesta & José Zofío, 2005. "Hyperbolic Efficiency and Parametric Distance Functions: With Application to Spanish Savings Banks," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 31-48, September.
Ángel M. Prieto & José L. Zofío, 2004. "Stock splits: Modelización de la gestión ambiental preventiva mediante estándares," Investigaciones Economicas, Fundación SEPI, vol. 28(1), pages 43-66, January.
María García & Yolanda Fernández & José Zofío, 2003. "The Economic Dimension of the Culture and Leisure Industry in Spain: National, Sectoral and Regional Analysis," Journal of Cultural Economics, Springer;The Association for Cultural Economics International, vol. 27(1), pages 9-30, February.
Jose Zofio & C. A. Knox Lovell, 2001. "Graph efficiency and productivity measures: an application to US agriculture," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 33(11), pages 1433-1442.
Zofio, Jose L. & Prieto, Angel M., 2001. "Environmental efficiency and regulatory standards: the case of CO2 emissions from OECD industries," Resource and Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 63-83, January.
Angel Prieto & José ZofIo, 2001. "Evaluating Effectiveness in Public Provision of Infrastructure and Equipment: The Case of Spanish Municipalities," Journal of Productivity Analysis, Springer, vol. 15(1), pages 41-58, January.
Revista de Economia Aplicada, Universidad de Zaragoza, Departamento de Estructura Economica y Economia Publica.
Cuadernos de Economía - Spanish Journal of Economics and Finance, Asociación Cuadernos de Economía.
NEP is an announcement service for new working papers, with a weekly report in each of many fields. This author has had 31 papers announced in NEP. These are the fields, ordered by number of announcements, along with their dates. If the author is listed in the directory of specialists for this field, a link is also provided.
(Jose Luis Zofio) should log into the RePEc Author Service. | 2019-04-18T21:54:14Z | https://ideas.repec.org/e/pzo21.html |
An image processing method of making luminance correction on the basis of a luminance histogram showing luminance level distribution of image data expressing an image by a numerical value. A luminance average value, a luminance standard deviation, and a peak distance in the luminance histogram are obtained. A distribution discrimination value which can discriminate whether the luminance level distribution is deviated on the low/high luminance side in the histogram is compared with the peak distance. A halftone presence/absence discrimination value which can discriminate whether the luminance distribution is not deviated in the halftone in the luminance histogram is compared with the standard deviation. A backlight image is discriminated by the comparison results. An exposing state of an image other than a backlight image is discriminated by using an exposing state discrimination value. The proper luminance correction is made in accordance with the exposing state.
The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 27 is a luminance histogram having a plurality of peaks on the high luminance side.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a construction of an image processing apparatus 10 for executing the foregoing image correcting process.
The image processing apparatus 10 comprises: an RGB bitmap holding unit 11 which copies and holds an RGB bitmap image of an address indicated by a pointer on the basis of the pointer included in the draw command which is outputted from the OS; an XYZ color space converting unit 12 which converts RGB values held in the RGB bitmap holding unit 11 into values of an XYZ calorimetric system of CIE (International Commission on Illumination); an XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 which holds the XYZ values of CIE converted by the XYZ color space converting unit 12; an arithmetic operation processing unit 14 which forms a histogram of a luminance value Y on the basis of the XYZ bitmap held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 and calculates a luminance average value, a luminance standard deviation, luminance peaks, and a distance between the luminance peaks as a luminance peak distance on the basis of the histogram; a luminance information holding unit 15 which holds the various values calculated by the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 as luminance information; an exposure discriminating unit 16 which discriminates an exposing state of the image by comparing the luminance information held in the luminance information holding unit 15 by using a predetermined value and stores a result of the discrimination into the luminance information holding unit 15; a correction processing unit 17 which makes luminance correction in accordance with the exposing state discriminated by the exposure discriminating unit 16; an RGB color space converting unit 18 which converts the XYZ values of CIE corrected by the correction processing unit 17 into RGB values; and a correction RGB bitmap holding unit 19 which holds the RGB values converted by the RGB color space converting unit 18.
The arithmetic operation processing unit 14 comprises: a luminance average value obtaining unit 31 which obtains a luminance average value in the histogram; a luminance standard deviation obtaining unit 32 which obtains a luminance standard deviation indicative of a degree of dispersion of luminance distribution in the histogram from the luminance average value; and a peak distance obtaining unit 33 which obtains a peak distance showing the distance between the peaks in the histogram.
The operation of the image processing apparatus 10 will now be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 3. A pointer included in the draw command which is outputted from the OS indicates an address of the image data comprising a plurality of pixels such as graphic data, image data, or the like. A bitmap image of the RGB colorimetric system of the address is copied and held in the RGB bitmap holding unit 11 (step S1).
With respect to each pixel of the image data held in the RGB bitmap holding unit 11, the RGB values are converted into values of the XYZ colorimetric system of CIE by a conventionally well-known method (step S2). By color-space converting the RGB values into the XYZ values, the luminance of the image data is shown by the Y value.
The converted XYZ values of CIE are held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13. By a luminance correcting process, which will be explained hereinafter, correction regarding the luminance is executed to the image data of the XYZ colorimetric system held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13.
After that, the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 forms a luminance histogram based on the Y value of the image data converted into the XYZ values of CIE held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 (step S3). The luminance histogram is degree distribution in which the luminance signal level is shown by 256 gradations in a range from 0 to 255 and each pixel is made to correspond to those gradations.
The peak distance obtaining unit 33 of the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 calculates a distance between the peaks of the histogram on the basis of the formed luminance histogram (step S4).
Further, the luminance average value obtaining unit 31 of the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 calculates a luminance average value showing an average value in the formed luminance histogram on the basis of this histogram. The luminance standard deviation obtaining unit 32 calculates the luminance standard deviation indicative of the degree of dispersion of the luminance distribution in the luminance average value by the conventionally well-known method (step S5). Unlike the conventional average value in the peak area, the luminance average value which is calculated in the invention is the average value of the luminance in the histogram, that is, the average value of the luminance values in all pixels.
Various values calculated by the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 are held as luminance information into the luminance information holding unit 15. After that, the exposure discriminating unit 16 discriminates the exposing state of the image data on the basis of the luminance information held in the luminance information holding unit 15 and luminance correction is made in accordance with a result of the discrimination (step S6).
The operation of the exposure discriminating unit 16 will now be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 1.
With reference to the luminance standard deviation and the peak distance held in the luminance information holding unit 15, the exposure discriminating unit 16 compares a distribution discrimination value which can discriminate whether a distribution deviation of the luminance levels exists on the low luminance side and the high luminance side in the luminance histogram or not with the obtained peak distance and compares a halftone presence/absence discrimination value which can discriminate whether the distribution deviation of the luminance levels does not exist in the halftone in the luminance histogram or not with the obtained standard deviation. In the embodiment, as an example of the distribution discrimination value and the halftone presence/absence discrimination value which are used for the comparison, (the luminance standard deviation>80) and (the peak distance>192) are used (step S101).
In this discrimination, if it is discriminated that (the luminance standard deviation>80) and (the 3-large-peak maximum distance>192), as shown in FIG. 24, it is determined that the photographed image is an image obtained by photographing an object in what is called a backlight situation or a strobo-photographed image at night in which although the luminance signal level is distributed in the whole luminance histogram, there is a deviation in the distribution of the luminance histogram and there is no halftone in the luminance histogram (hereinafter, the backlight image and the strobo-photographed image at night are simply referred to as backlight images) (step S 115).
The luminance correcting process subsequent to step S 115 is referred to as a backlight process.
In step S 101 of the flowchart of FIG. 1 again, if the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance standard deviation>80) and (the 3-large-peak maximum distance>192) are not satisfied, that is, the image data is not the backlight image nor the strobo-image photographed at night, the luminance average value held in the luminance information holding unit 15 is referred to and compared with the discrimination value of the exposing state. In the embodiment, the value showing (the luminance average value<96) is used as an exposing state discrimination value (step S102).
If the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines in step S102 that (the luminance average value<96), whether (the luminance standard deviation<80) or not is subsequently discriminated (step S103). By this discrimination, whether the luminance distribution is not dispersed but converged to a region near the luminance average value on the low luminance side or not is discriminated.
When the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance standard deviation<80), as shown in FIG. 20, in the luminance histogram, there is a deviation in dispersion of the luminance distribution and the dispersion is largely deviated to the low luminance side (step S108).
That is, the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that the image data is image data of the strong under-exposure. The luminance correcting process subsequent to step S108 is referred to as a process of the large under-exposure.
On the contrary, if the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance standard deviation<80) is not satisfied, as shown in FIG. 21, it is determined that in the luminance histogram, there is a deviation in the luminance distribution and the distribution is medium-deviated to the low luminance side (step S109).
That is, the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that the image data is image data of the under-exposure. The luminance correcting process subsequent to step S109 is referred to as a process of the medium under-exposure. Returning to step S102, if the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance average value<96) is not satisfied, whether (the luminance average value>160) or not is subsequently discriminated (step S104).
In step S 104, if the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance average value>160), whether (the luminance standard deviation<80) or not is subsequently discriminated (step S105). By this discrimination, whether the luminance distribution is not dispersed but converged to a region near the luminance average value on the high luminance side or not is discriminated.
When the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance standard deviation<80), as shown in FIG. 22, in the luminance histogram, there is a deviation in luminance distribution and the distribution is largely deviated to the high luminance side (step S114).
That is, the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that the image data is image data of the strong over-exposure.
The luminance correcting process subsequent to step S 114 is referred to as a process of the large over-exposure.
On the contrary, if the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the standard deviation<80) is not satisfied, as shown in FIG. 23, it is determined that in the luminance histogram, there is a deviation in the luminance distribution and the distribution is medium-deviated to the high luminance side (step S113).
That is, the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that the image data is image data of the over-exposure.
The luminance correcting process subsequent to step S 113 is referred to as a process of the medium over-exposure.
Returning to step S 104, if the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance average value>160) is not satisfied, whether (the luminance average value<128) or not is subsequently discriminated (step S106).
If the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance average value<128), it is determined that in the luminance histogram, there is a deviation in the luminance distribution and the distribution is slightly deviated to the low luminance side (step S110).
That is, the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that the image data is image data of the slight under-exposure.
The luminance correcting process subsequent to step S 110 is referred to as a process of the small under-exposure.
On the other hand, if the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance average value<128) is not satisfied, whether (the luminance average value>132) or not is subsequently discriminated (step S107).
In this discrimination as well, in a manner similar to the discrimination of the under-exposure in step S 106 mentioned above, whether the average value in the luminance histogram is equal to or slightly larger than the intermediate value or not is discriminated with respect to the image data which is supposed to be the image in the standard exposure. That is, whether the luminance histogram in the image data is slightly deviated to the over-exposure side or not is discriminated.
If the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance average value>132), it is determined that in the luminance histogram, there is a deviation in the luminance distribution and the distribution is slightly deviated to the high luminance side (step S112).
That is, the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that the image data is image data of the slight over-exposure.
The luminance correcting process subsequent to step S 112 is referred to as a process of the small over-exposure.
If the exposure discriminating unit 16 determines that (the luminance average value>132) is not satisfied, it is determined that the image data is image data which does not correspond to any of the backlight, the under-exposure of three gradations, and the over-exposure of three gradations and in which there is no deviation in the luminance histogram, that is, the image data of the standard exposure (step S111).
The luminance correcting process subsequent to step S 111 is referred to as a process of the standard exposure.
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 3, the operation of the image processing apparatus will be subsequently explained. After the various discriminating processes were executed in the exposure discriminating unit 16, various luminance correcting processes corresponding to discrimination results are executed in the correction processing unit 17. The luminance correcting process is a process for correcting the luminance of the image data in accordance with the exposing state. Prior to the correcting process, parameters such as a correction coefficient and the like are held in the luminance information holding unit 15 in accordance with the correction contents and the luminance of the image data is corrected by using the parameters (step S7).
The image data corrected in the correction processing unit 17 is held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13.
Subsequently, the RGB color space converting unit 18 converts a bitmap image of the XYZ calorimetric system of CIE held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 into RGB values by the conventionally well-known method (step S8).
The bitmap data converted into the RGB values is held as corrected bitmap data in the correction RGB bitmap holding unit 19.
To form a raster image into the RGB 24-bit page memory, the printer driver develops (rasterizes) the corrected bitmap data held in the correction RGB bitmap holding unit 19 of the image processing apparatus 10 into the RGB 24-bit page memory.
A branching process based on the discrimination result about the exposing state of the image data by the exposure discriminating unit 16, that is, the correcting process which is executed to the image data by the correction processing unit 17 will now be described.
The correcting process in the large under-exposure in step S 108 and the correcting process in the medium under-exposure in step S109 will now be described with reference to FIG. 8.
The process in the large over-exposure in step S 114 and the process in the medium over-exposure in step S113 will now be described with reference to FIG. 9.
A luminance correcting process (backlight process) to the image data which has been determined to be the image in the backlight in step S 115 in FIG. 1 will now be described.
When the input Y=0, the inclination (linear differentiation of the equation (5)) satisfies the inclination (linear differentiation of the equation (3)) a 0 of the linear equation of the dark range.
When the input Y=255, the inclination (linear differentiation of the equation (5)) satisfies the inclination (linear differentiation of the equation (4)) a 1 of the linear equation of the bright range.
The correcting process to the image data which has been determined to be the image of the small under-exposure in step S 110, the image of the standard exposure in step S110, and the image of the small over-exposure in step S112 in FIG. 1 are shown in FIG. 11 and will now be described with reference to FIG. 11.
As mentioned above, according to the image processing apparatus 10 of the invention, in the histogram showing the luminance of the image data, whether the image data is image data obtained by the photographing in the backlight, the strobo-photographing, or the like is discriminated on the basis of the peak distance which can discriminate that the peak areas are away from each other and the luminance standard deviation which can discriminate the presence or absence of the peak area in the halftone. After the discrimination about the backlight, the strobo-photographing, or the like was made, the discrimination about the image data of the under-exposure, the over-exposure, and the standard exposure is made on the basis of the luminance average value and the luminance standard deviation. Therefore, the exposing state can be properly discriminated also with respect to the image data shown by the luminance histogram in which a plurality of peak areas are deviated.
Further, according to the image processing apparatus 10 of the invention, the proper luminance correction can be made to the image data on the basis of the result which has properly been discriminated.
It has been known that if correction is made to an image which was artificially formed, picture quality deteriorates contrarily. An image processing apparatus 100 having an artificial image discriminating unit which discriminates whether the image is an artificially formed image or not in order to prevent the correction to the artificially formed image will now be described.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the image processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment 2.
The image processing apparatus 100 comprises: the RGB bitmap holding unit 11; the XYZ color space converting unit 12 which converts the RGB values into the values of the XYZ colorimetric system of CIE; the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 which holds the values of the XYZ calorimetric system of CIE; the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 which forms the histogram of the luminance value Y on the basis of the XYZ bitmap held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 and calculates the luminance average value, the luminance standard deviation, the luminance peaks, and the luminance peak distance on the basis of the histogram; the luminance information holding unit 15 which holds the various values calculated by the arithmetic operation processing unit 14; the exposure discriminating unit 16 which discriminates the exposing state on the basis of the information held in the luminance information holding unit 15; the correction processing unit 17 which makes the correction according to the exposing state discriminated by the exposure discriminating unit 16; the RGB color space converting unit 18 which converts the values of the XYZ colorimetric system of CIE corrected by the correction processing unit 17 into the RGB values; and the correction RGB bitmap holding unit 19 which holds the converted RGB values.
Further, the image processing apparatus 100 comprises an artificial image discriminating unit 20 which discriminates whether the image is an artificially formed image or not on the basis of the bitmap shown by the values of the XYZ calorimetric system of CIE held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13.
A discrimination result of the artificial image discriminating unit 20 is held as artificial image discrimination information into the luminance information holding unit 15.
The exposure discriminating unit 16 does not execute the discriminating process of the exposing state to the artificially formed image with reference to the artificial image discrimination information. The correction processing unit 17 does not execute the luminance correction to the artificially formed image data.
The operation of the image processing apparatus 100 in the embodiment 2 will now be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 14.
A pointer included in a command which is outputted from the OS indicates an address of the image data comprising a plurality of pixels such as graphic data, image data, or the like. The bitmap image of the RGB colorimetric system existing in the address is copied and held in the RGB bitmap holding unit 11 (step S11).
The XYZ color space converting unit 12 converts each pixel of the image data held in the RGB bitmap holding unit 11 into the values of the XYZ color space of CIE by the conventional well-known method (step S12).
The converted XYZ values of CIE are held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13. Correction is made to the Y values regarding the luminance of the image data of the XYZ calorimetric system held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 by a process, which will be explained hereinafter.
The arithmetic operation processing unit 14 forms a histogram, as a luminance histogram, based on the Y value of the image data converted into the XYZ values of CIE held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 (step S13).
The arithmetic operation processing unit 14 calculates the distance between the peaks of the histogram on the basis of the formed luminance histogram in a manner similar to the foregoing embodiment 1 (step S14).
Further, the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 calculates a luminance average value showing the average value in the formed luminance histogram and a luminance standard deviation showing a degree of dispersion of the luminance distribution from the luminance average value on the basis of such a histogram by the conventionally well-known method (step S15). The various values calculated in the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 are held as luminance information into the luminance information holding unit 15.
At this time, the artificial image discriminating unit 20 discriminates whether the target image data is the artificially formed data or not on the basis of the XYZ values of CIE held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13. A discrimination result is held in the luminance information holding unit 15.
The operation of the artificial image discriminating unit 20 will now be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 15 which is used for explanation of the artificial image discriminating unit 20 shows an array of luminance values of each pixel in image data of a natural image such as scenery, portrait, still life, or the like. FIG. 16 shows an array of luminance values of each pixel in artificially formed image data such as graphics or the like.
The artificial image discriminating unit 20 calculates a difference between luminance values of a predetermined pixel (hereinafter, referred to as a target pixel) of the image data as a discrimination target and the pixel just before such a pixel.
Thus, in the artificially formed image data such as graphics or the like, since the change in luminance value is generally smaller than that of the image data of the natural image such as scenery, portrait, still life, or the like, for example, 0.6 is used as a threshold value. The image data in which the threshold value is less than 0.6 is determined to be the artificially formed image data such as graphics or the like. On the other hand, the image data in which the threshold value is equal to or larger than 0.6 is determined to be the image data such as a natural image or the like. The discrimination result is sent as artificial image discrimination information from the artificial image discriminating unit 20 to the luminance information holding unit 15 and held therein.
Returning to the flowchart of FIG. 14, subsequently, the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 will be described. On the basis of the information held in the luminance information holding unit 15, the exposure discriminating unit 16 discriminates whether the target image data has artificially been formed or not (step S16).
If it is determined to be the artificially formed image data, the image data is not corrected but the bitmap image of the XYZ colorimetric system held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 is converted into the RGB values by the RGB color space converting unit 18 by the conventionally well-known method.
On the contrary, if it is determined that the image data is not the artificially formed image data, that is, it is the image data of the natural image, the exposure discriminating unit 16 discriminates the exposing state in a manner similar to the foregoing embodiment 1 (step S17).
After that, the luminance correction based on the discrimination result is made by the correction processing unit 17 and the luminance of the image data is corrected in accordance with the exposing state (step S18).
The image data corrected by the correction processing unit 17 is held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13.
Subsequently, the RGB color space converting unit 18 converts the bitmap image of the XYZ calorimetric system held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 into the RGB values by the conventionally well-known method (step S19).
The bitmap data converted into the RGB values is held as correction bitmap data into the correction RGB bitmap holding unit 19. The data held in the holding unit 19 is outputted in response to a request of the printer driver.
As mentioned above, according to the image processing apparatus 100 of the invention, in addition to such an effect that the exposing state of the image data is properly discriminated and the luminance can be properly corrected on the basis of the discrimination result, by providing the artificial image discriminating unit which discriminates the artificially formed image data, the artificial image and the natural image are identified. Therefore, the luminance correction to the image data identified to be the artificial image can be prevented. Thus, the risk that the picture quality of the artificially formed image data is deteriorated due to the luminance correction can be prevented.
Since each of the banded bitmap image data is inherently the same image, there is a risk that if the correction of the luminance value is made to each of the divided image data, a connecting portion of each image data called a band becomes conspicuous due to the luminance correction. A same image discriminating unit 24 which discriminates whether the bitmap image data as image data that is sequentially inputted is the same image or not is provided for an image processing apparatus 200 according to the embodiment 3 in order to prevent the foregoing inconvenience.
FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a construction of the image processing apparatus 200 in the embodiment 3.
The image processing apparatus 200 comprises: the RGB bitmap holding unit 11; the XYZ color space converting unit 12 which converts the RGB values into the values of the XYZ calorimetric system of CIE; the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 which holds the XYZ values of CIE; the artificial image discriminating unit 20 which discriminates whether the image data is the artificially formed image data or not on the basis of the Y value showing the luminance of the XYZ values of CIE; the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 which forms the histogram of the luminance value Y on the basis of the XYZ values of CIE and calculates the luminance average value, the luminance standard deviation, and the luminance peak distance on the basis of the histogram; the luminance information holding unit 15 which holds the values calculated by the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 as luminance information; the exposure discriminating unit 16 which discriminates the exposing state on the basis of the luminance information; the correction processing unit 17 which makes the correction according to the exposing state; the RGB color space converting unit 18 which converts the corrected XYZ values of CIE into the RGB values; and the correction RGB bitmap holding unit 19 which holds the converted RGB values.
Further, the image processing apparatus 200 comprises: an image input control unit 21 which controls image data that is inputted; an image data storing unit 22 which stores the image data that is inputted; a management table holding unit 23 which holds a management table that is formed by control of the image input control unit 21; the same image discriminating unit 24 which discriminates whether the image data inputted and the image data inputted just before the data are the same image data or not; an image data synthesizing unit 25 which synthesizes the image data which was determined to be the same image data; and an image output control unit 26 which controls the image data to be outputted.
The image management table held in the management table holding unit 23 will now be described.
Values of the vertical dimension and the lateral dimension of the image data in the image management table are set by the image input control unit 21.
1 or 0 is set into the same image discrimination flag on the basis of the discrimination result of the same image discriminating unit 24. The same image discriminating unit 24 discriminates whether the image data shown by the pointer inputted at present and the image data shown by the pointer inputted previously are what is called the same banded image or not. If they are the same image, 1 is set into the same image discrimination flag. If they are not the same image, 0 is set into the same image discrimination flag. Further, when the same image discriminating unit 24 determines that they are not the same image, 1 is set into the process start flag of the data inputted before this discrimination.
1 or 0 is set into the process start flag on the basis of the discrimination result in the image input control unit 21. When no value is shown in the pointer indicative of the image data inputted to the image input control unit 21, that is, the image input control unit 21 determines that the data just before is the end of the banded image data, and 1 is set into all process start flag before the data just before it is determined to be the end of the banded image data. Each data corresponding to indices in which 1 has been set into the process start flag is synthesized by the image data synthesizing unit 25 by processes, which will be explained hereinlater.
The image management table is cleared by the image output control unit 26. In the clearing process, the image data in which the process start flag is equal to 1 is erased, a new index is added again to the residual image data, and 1 is set into the same image discrimination flag.
The operation of the image processing apparatus 200 in the embodiment 3 will now be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 18.
A pointer showing the image data to be processed is inputted to the image input control unit 21 (step S21).
The image input control unit 21 confirms the presence or absence of the contents of the pointer (step S22).
If the contents shown by the pointer do not exist (when NULL as a terminal symbol is shown), the image input control unit 21 determines that the image just before it is the final image of the image data to be processed. 1 is set into all process start flags in the image management table. After that, a process for synthesizing the image data is executed in step S24, which will be explained hereinafter.
On the other hand, if the address of the image data to be processed is shown by the pointer, the bitmap image of the RGB colorimetric system of the address shown by the pointer is copied and held in the image data storing unit 22.
After that, the same image discriminating unit 24 discriminates whether an absolute value of a difference between the first line of the image data inputted at present and the final line of the image data inputted previously lies within a predetermined threshold value or not. This discrimination is made on the basis of such a principle that the series of image data which is banded by the first line of the image inputted at present and the final line of the image inputted previously does not extremely change in the banding position. When the difference absolute value in the banding position lies within a range of the predetermined threshold value, the same image discriminating unit 24 determines that the data is the series of image data and, if it is out of the range of the predetermined threshold value, the same image discriminating unit 24 determines that the data is the data having no association (step S23).
If the same image discriminating unit 24 determines that the data is the series of image data, it sets 1 into the same image discrimination flag. The processing routine is again returned to step S21 and the input of the pointer is continuously received until the terminal symbol NULL is detected.
If the same image discriminating unit 24 determines that the data is the image data having no association, it sets 0 into the same image discrimination flag of the image which was inputted this time and sets 1 into the process start flag of the image inputted before then.
After that, the image data synthesizing unit 25 reads out the images corresponding to the indices in which the process start discrimination flag in the image management table is equal to 1 and the same image discrimination flag inputted until the previous time is equal to 1 from the image data storing unit 22 and sequentially synthesizes them (step S24).
The synthesized bitmap image of the RGB calorimetric system is held in the RGB bitmap holding unit 11. With respect to each pixel of the image data held in the RGB bitmap holding unit 11, the RGB values are converted into values of the XYZ color space of CIE by a conventionally well-known method (step S25).
The converted XYZ values of CIE are held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13. By a process, which will be explained hereinafter, correction is made to the Y value regarding the luminance of the image data of the XYZ calorimetric system held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13.
After that, the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 forms a histogram, as a luminance histogram, based on the Y value of the image data converted into the XYZ values of CIE held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 (step S26).
The arithmetic operation processing unit 14 calculates a distance between the peaks of the histogram on the basis of the formed luminance histogram (step S27).
Further, on the basis of the formed luminance histogram, the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 calculates a luminance average value showing an average value in such a histogram and a luminance standard deviation showing a degree of dispersion of the luminance distribution from the luminance average value by the conventionally well-known method (step S28). The various values calculated in the arithmetic operation processing unit 14 are held as luminance information into the luminance information holding unit 15.
The luminance information holding unit 15 holds the result of the discrimination made by the artificial image discriminating unit 20 regarding whether the image data to be processed is the artificially formed data or not on the basis of the XYZ values of CIE held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13.
On the basis of the information held in the luminance information holding unit 15, the exposure discriminating unit 16 discriminates whether the target image data has artificially been formed or not (step S29).
If it is determined that the target image data is the artificially formed image data, the image data is not corrected but the bitmap image of the XYZ colorimetric system held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 is converted into the RGB values by the RGB color space converting unit 18 by the conventionally well-known method.
On the contrary, if it is determined that the image data is not the artificially formed image data, the exposure discriminating unit 16 discriminates the exposing state (step S30).
After that, the luminance correction based on the discrimination result is made by the correction processing unit 17 and the luminance of the image data is corrected in accordance with the exposing state (step S31).
Subsequently, the RGB color space converting unit 18 converts the bitmap image of the XYZ colorimetric system held in the XYZ bitmap holding unit 13 into the RGB values by the conventionally well-known method (step S32). The converted RGB values are held in the correction RGB bitmap holding unit 19. The data held in the holding unit 19 is outputted on the basis of the control of the image output control unit in response to the request of the printer driver.
At this time, to clear the image management table, the image output control unit erases the image data in which the process start flag is equal to 1, adds a new index again to the residual image data, and sets 1 into the same image discrimination flag (step S 33).
After that, whether the image to be processed remains in the image management table or not is discriminated (step S 34). By this discrimination, when there is an image which is not processed yet, the processing routine is returned to the process of step S21 and processes similar to those mentioned above are executed until the image which is not processed yet is extinguished.
As mentioned above, according to the image processing apparatus 200 of the invention, by adding the process for the banded image data, the series of divided image data is processed in a lump. Therefore, a plurality of image data in the same image are individually processed and the risk that the picture quality deteriorates can be prevented.
comparing said luminance average value with an exposing state discrimination value which can discriminate the exposing state, thereby discriminating whether said image data is data of an image other than the backlight image or not.
comparing each of said luminance average value and said luminance standard deviation by using an exposing state discrimination value which can discriminate the exposing state, thereby discriminating an exposing state of an image other than the backlight image.
3. The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein in said image process, luminance correction according to a backlight process to the backlight image, an under-exposure process to an under-exposure image, an over-exposure process to an over-exposure image, and a standard exposure process to a standard exposure image is made in accordance with the exposing state of said image.
4. The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein in said under-exposure process, in a histogram of said under-exposure image, said histogram is stretched in accordance with the histogram of said under-exposure image so as to shift the luminance average value existing on the low luminance side toward a predetermined value of said histogram.
5. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein in said over-exposure process, in a histogram of said over-exposure image, said histogram is stretched in accordance with the histogram of said over-exposure image so as to shift the luminance average value existing on the high luminance side toward a predetermined value of said histogram.
6. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein in said standard exposure process, in a histogram of said standard exposure image, the luminance average value is shifted toward a predetermined value in accordance with said histogram.
7. The image processing method according to claim 3, wherein in said backlight process, a histogram of said backlight image is divided into halves, the histogram on said low luminance side is stretched in accordance with the histogram of said backlight image so as to shift the luminance average value existing on the low luminance side toward a predetermined value, and the histogram on said high luminance side is stretched in accordance with the histogram of said backlight image so as to shift the luminance average value existing on the high luminance side toward said predetermined value.
8. The image processing method according to claim 6, wherein in said backlight process, contacts where the histogram on said low luminance side and the histogram on said high luminance side have been respectively stretched are smoothly shown by using a three-dimensional function.
9. The image processing method according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein said predetermined value is an intermediate value in the histogram.
10. The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein prior to discriminating said exposing state, whether said image data is artificially formed image data or not is discriminated, and if it is determined that said image data is the artificially formed image data, the luminance correction is not made to said image data.
11. The image processing method according to claim 2, wherein if it is determined that said image data is a part of a series of image data constructed by a plurality of data, said image process is executed to the image data obtained by collecting a series of image data.
a correction processing unit which makes the luminance correction on the basis of a result of the discrimination of said exposure discriminating unit.
and wherein when it is determined by said artificial image discriminating unit that said image data is the artificially formed image data, said correction processing unit does not make the luminance correction to said image data.
and wherein if said same image discriminating unit determines that said image data is same banded image data, said image process is executed to the image data obtained by collecting a series of image data. | 2019-04-25T02:16:48Z | https://patents.google.com/patent/US20040184673A1/en |
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Have you ever been asked these questions? "What is your vision for our student ministry? What do you want to see happen? What do you want to do with our students?"
I have. In an interview. An interview! I wasn't even the hired yet. In fact, it was asked in the first face to face interview?
A vision? For your student ministry? I know very little to nothing about your church, much less your student ministry, and you want me to lay out a vision for you? Not happening.
What's wrong with the question, you ask? Nothing. And yet, everything.
Questions like these are fine when you have spent some time in a church as the youth worker, and have come through a season of vision planning and and prayer. But in the interview? How can I present a vision for your student ministry without first know what God is doing in your student ministry?
Mark tackles this issue in chapter 3 of his book, Sustainable Youth Ministry. He calls it the Superstar Search; the quest for the youth worker who will solve all the problems of the youth ministry and bring about fruit, growth, and a thriving ministry.
Mark describes the process as a church looking towards the new hire as the answer to whatever problems or issue the current youth ministry is dealing with or needs to overcome. The assumption being that, since we're hiring the new youth worker, clearly, he will know what to do! And that's not always true.
It's a dangerous place for both parties, assuming that the youth worker answer the solution to all the problems. Sure, with experience and learned wisdom, a seasoned veteran might be able to help navigate through difficulties . But to lay the weight of the youth ministry on the shoulders of a new hire is unfair and unrealistic.
When I started at my current ministry, I wanted to stay away from the Superstar label, so I came in with a couple guidelines. I set these guidelines because I sensed that there were some issues that needed to be overcome. Nothing bad, just some stuff that needed to be dealt with. The ministry had an already a well established program. I guy I was replacing had just completed 10 years with the church. The church was happy with what he had done. More important, the students like what he had done. But I sensed that there might be that desire by the church to see something more happen with the youth ministry. there was a new lead pastor, a new director of worship and music, and an unspoken feeling that change was in the air. So by setting a few guidelines for myself. Honestly, I was really protecting myself.
1. No Major Changes in the First Year.
I knew I had a lot to learn; the program, the culture, the students, the congregation, etc. This was a fruitful ministry that people respected. I was the new guy. My job that first year was to observe and learn. We kept everything the way it was. We did what the ministry always did. And we evaluated as we went.
so I came in with a couple guidelines.
This one was hard. By nature, I am a guy who likes to serve and get involved. But in the past I made the mistake of biting off a little too much too early. This time I wanted to easy in and really focus on the students; developing relationships and evaluating the ministry health and long-range possibilities. So I said "NO" to a lot of invitations to get involved with different aspects of the larger church and community. This proved to be a very good guideline.
3. Focus on People not Programs.
When hiring the Superstar, the church sees the youth worker as the program person. Good or bad, the youth worker will know what to do with the programs. And that might be true, especially if you are really gifted in the program department. But I wanted to make sure I focused on the people and not just the programs. I spent the year focusing attention on getting to know the students, parents, key leaders and influencers within the church. I need to know who was who and how things and people were related. So that's what I did.
I am a dreamer, a builder. I am pretty creative and I like looking at a program to see how it can be improved. I like structure and organization. I like to work with a team, surrounding myself with gifted men and women with a shared desire to see students grow in their faith. I am big on discipleship and small groups. I like systems and strategic planning. I like to plan a year in advance. I like to brainstorm with creative thinkers. I like to ask the questions, "What's broken?" then work to resolve it as quickly as possible. All of these are great qualities and in many case can be powerful influences, but coming in I wanted to take things slow. To much change to soon can turn around and bite you in the face. I've been there. It hurts. By taking it slow, you have the time to see the bigger picture of ministry and what God is doing.
is where everyone places there hopes.
Would I do all the same things next time? I don't know. I think that each church offers its own unique situations that require a unique approach. I think the bigger thing to consider is what the church is looking for in a youth worker and what they hope for in the youth ministry. If they are wanting the next hire to be the answer to all their problems, and you find yourself on their shortlist, it might be worth taking a minute to seriously consider the steps you take in the coming months.
The big problem with the Superstar mentality is where everyone places there hopes. The quick fix solutions may bandaid a problem for a little while. But eventually the bandaid has to come off leaving the question, the bleeding has stopped, but is the cut really healed?
I think the long-term approach is the healthier direction. That involves hiring the guy who has the experience to carefully navigate the waters of the youth ministry with wisdom and patience, while the church sees the solutions coming as carefully implemented moments of growth. That's why I love the emphasis of the Sustainable Youth Ministry. No quick fixes. No bandaids. No Superstars.
Instead, strategic, prayerful, thoughtful adaptions of the ministry that lead to ongoing sustainability and growth. Hire the youth worker who sees the church and its leadership as partners in ministry. As a church support the youth ministry in allowing the youth worker to grow a team that desires long-term success. And foster on a program that focuses on discipleship, leading to students to live more and more like Jesus.
To learn more about my year-long experiment, visit my The Sustainable Experiment page!
the organization the author represents.
As we continue working our way through chapter two of, Sustainable Youth Ministry, by Mark DeVries, I wanted to take a few minutes to talk about volunteers in our youth ministries. Listed as number three of Mark's five NORMALS (read my comments on numbers one and two by clicking here) we read that the recommended ratio of volunteers is 5;1. That's one adult for every five students.
This isn't, nor should it, be a surprise. I think that most organization hold to a similar ratio of 5:1. Most youth ministries I am acquainted with stick to a 5 to 1 standard. When I worked as a summer camp director, our cabins slept 12; 10 students and 2 counselors. That's five students to every one counselor. Just recently, our Presbytery held it's annual winter retreat, we required participating groups hold to a 5:1 ratio and they did.
But I guess what strikes me with this NORM, is that there are still youth workers shouldering the weight and responsibility of their ministry by themselves, serving as lone rangers. Even more disappointing is that there are church's who still think that one paid staff position is sufficient for growing a healthy and dynamic youth ministry. This is both unhealthy and dangerous.
I know we will talk later with more detail about the need and benefits of volunteers serving in your ministry, so we'll safe that aspect of this discuss to then. However, i want to begin the conversation with the question, " Why do you think it's okay to carry the ministry on your own back?"
I don't remember when it first occurred to me to have volunteers working with students. I guess that always having volunteers helping in various ways implanted on me that volunteers were just a part of leading a student ministry. That being said, there have been seasons when having volunteers have been 1. absent, or 2. few and far between.
In 1999, as I started my very first full-time position, and quickly discovered that it was up to me to figure out our staffing solution. I had a great pool of parents who were willing to help, and help they did, in many wonderful ways. But when looking for help on a weekly basis, I often heard comments like, "That's my kid's space, I don't want to cramp his style." So, much of that first year the ministry leadership fell on me and my wife. Fortunately for me, my wife was an amazing volunteer and support, and an awesome youth worker!
That first year proved to be a challenge as we had to over come a number of issues that I count as "on-the-job-training." But one of the bigger things I learned was that if I had any hope for growth, I would need help. Thankfully, that first year our numbers were low enough that my wife and I were able to manage and care for the students who were participating on a weekly basis. But year two brought a different situation.
I had any hope for growth, I would need help.
At one of my first youth worker conventions, it was impressed upon me that having volunteers was more than simply filling empty chairs with warm bodies. If I was going to have a team of volunteer leaders serving and caring for our students, they needed to be volunteers that understood the purpose, strategy, and significance of the youth ministry. It had to be a calling.
At that moment, my search for volunteer leaders began. But it was a search to fill empty slots. My search began on my knees, asking God to send me the leaders he wanted to serve and care for his students. And God be praised, he did. Those leaders changed everything. Like I said, we'll talk more about volunteers later.
The point I think Mark is trying to make in this section goes beyond the simple need for volunteers but a strategy to care for, equipment, and manage the volunteer team. Remember, we're talking about capacity in our ministry. If you, as the lone youth worker, are struggling to care for 50 students on a weekly, adding 10 leaders to the mix also adds 10 more people for you to care for. You know have 60 persons vying for your attention. Growth comes with it's complications.
But building a sustainable ministry includes looking and planning ahead. It also requires a strategy, sometimes even additional staff positions, to properly welcome and manage ministry growth. When bringing adult volunteers into the youth ministry, you should have a plan of how these volunteers will serve and how they will be cared for. We'll talk about this later.
For now, let's at least consider the need for volunteers. A 5:1 ratio provides reasonable care expectations, healthier manageability, and safer conditions for the group as a whole. Leaders can be a tremendous help with planning and executing of events and activities. Volunteers become cheerleaders for your ministry. Volunteers grow in their own faith and discipleship as they come alongside students. And volunteers make ministry fun.
If you are a youth worker, currently leading your group, or a church leader who is watch your youth director struggle along, please take some time to talk about how volunteers and how they might play and important part in growing your sustainable youth ministry.
As we look at chapter two of our year long study of Mark DeVries book, Sustainable Youth Ministry, I have to confess that there was a time when I looked for what I thought was the easy button. Fortunately, it wasn't a very long season of misdirection. Instead, I learned early on that easy isn't always easier.
As I read through this chapter, I immediate felt myself wishing our elders and financial people could be reading this as well. I thought to myself, "If only they could see..."
But I need to remind myself why I am doing this experiment. I want to learn what it takes from ME to consider and build a sustainable youth ministry. So while my knee-jerk reaction is to point blame to the leadership, I must first consider my role in the equation. How am I thinking about ministry investment? What are my goals and expectations? And how am I communicating the vision, growth, and health of my youth ministry?
I was burning out and I was only one year into my career.
Mark talks about the easy way out, or the "easy button." When churches see their ministries failing, their first reaction is to find the quick fix. They hit the easy button. Whether it's replacing the youth worker, building impressive buildings, or launch new, exciting programs, church too often jump to the, "if we build it, they will come" perspective. The problem is, these approaches are all to short lived.
Early in my career, each week we worked to host events that would impress and draw teenagers. The bigger the event, the more potential students. The problem was, it was exhausting. I was burning out and I was only one year into my career. But, flashy activities, quick fixes, and easy ministry don't make for healthy, sustainable youth ministries.
It's time, proper investment and hard work, all bathed in prayer, that lead to the kind of ministries we want to see.
The Normals. Mark presents what he calls the NORMALS. In his experience, as we try to understand how to manage the expectations of youth ministry, we must consider our ministry capacity. These NORMALS come from his experience working with various churches in different situations.
As I thought about these NORMALS, I want to consider my response, before pointing the finger at our leadership? So let me share my thoughts.
Sounds like a lot, right. But I crunched the numbers. Using Mark's parameters (my salary, my budget, and benefits, and our current student population) I was shocked to learn that we are not that far off the mark. With our current number of students averaging 50 (35 middle school, 15 high school), the churches financial investment is approximately $1,120. Not bad.
However, as I apply my growth goals, the numbers dramatically dip. I have set a school-year goal of 25 high schoolers and 40 middle schoolers. That means that by the end of this school year, we want to see 25 high schoolers and 40 middle schoolers participating in our weekly ministry gatherings. Using Mark's parameters, our per student investment falls to $862.
By the end of the year (2018) our ministry goal is to see 50 students in our high school ministry and 50 students in our middle school ministry. That's 100 students total. This number calculated using our current financial situation leaves us at $560 per student. Clearly, if we see the growth we are praying for, we will have to revisit the financial component of our youth minsitry.
Danger, Will Robinson! Here's a problem that I cannot fix on my own, thus I have to figure out how to best handle this one. Currently our weekly programs welcomes about 35 middle school students and between 12 to 15 high school students. Combined that leaves me with 50 students on a good week. If that was only the true number, I would concede to the argument that we are providing what is needed for our youth ministry.
However, if we were to look at the number of students in our database at frequent our ministry at random times, our total student ministry counts would jump significantly. For example, on our high school ministry rolls, there are 15 students that show up every once and a while. They participate just enough to say they come to our ministry, but not enough for anyone to develop a relationship, muchness disciple their heart. But if they were to begin attending on a regular basis, it would increase our high school numbers to 30 almost immediately!
The same would be true of our middle school ministry. We have an additional group of middle schoolers who only show up at random weeks throughout the year. But if we could capture them and work to involve them every week, our numbers would jump to 50 or more! Realizing this is why we set our goals the way we did! Looking realistically at our numbers suggests that we have space to grow.
The trouble in this is our capacity. If what Mark suggests is true, and a church that hopes to sustain the involvement of fifty youth on a weekly basis needs to hire the full-time equivalent of one staff person, then we need to serious consider how we want to invest in our youth ministry for the future! Sure, NOW we are okay, but what do we do when we hit a consistent weekly number of 50 in our middle school and 50 in our high school? After all, that is our goal for 2018!
The sad thing is, I have the perfect person in mind, but risk losing him every time another church comes calling. By being this person on board, we double our capacity for students and increase our potential of building a sustainable youth ministry.
If what Mark suggests is true, and a church that hopes to sustain the involvement of fifty youth on a weekly basis needs to hire the full-time equivalent of one staff person, then we need to serious consider how we want to invest in our youth ministry for the future!
Now, we're not done yet. Mark list's five NORMALS. This is only the first two. Let's come back to discuss the other three in our next posts. For now, let's just consider these two.
What are the NORMALS in your context? Have you looked at your dollar to student ratio for your group? Is it better or worse than you thought? What can you learn from looking at the financial numbers? Is your church investing well? Are you using your budget to the best of your abilities?
What about your staffing? What are your current numbers? Are you at a healthy capacity? If your group is smaller, and you still feel overworked, are you extending yourself too far? Perhaps you have time to spare? What can you do differently to use that time in healthy ways?
I'd love to hear from you! As you read through chapter two, what initial responses are you having? Are you feeling like the expectations from the leadership are overwhelming? Or is Mark helping you to see that maybe you need to reconsider how you think and feel about your place of ministry.
Remember, our goal is to build sustainable ministries; healthy, fruitful, and thriving. I know we might want to jump to things like, how do we disciple better, or what program ideas offer faster results. But easy isn't always easier. We have to make sure our foundations are set so we can grow the kind of life-changing ministries that God has is calling us to! And that requires that we do the hardworking first.
Thanks for joining us today. Watch for my thoughts on the final 3 NORMALS coming later this week! | 2019-04-20T02:29:58Z | http://www.jayhigham.com/smt-blog/archives/02-2018 |
A recent survey from Pew Research Center (NW, Washington & Inquiries 2018) found that over 44 million people receive science-related information from social media channels to which they subscribe. These include a variety of topics such as new discoveries in health sciences as well as “news you can use” information with practical tips (p. 3). Social and news media attention to scientific publications has been tracked for almost a decade by several platforms which aggregate all public mentions of and interactions with scientific publications. Since the amount of comments, shares, and discussions of scientific publications can reach an audience of thousands, understanding the overall “sentiment” towards the published research is a mammoth task and typically involves merely reading as many posts, shares, and comments as possible. This paper describes an initiative to track and provide sentiment analysis to large social and news media mentions and label them as “positive”, “negative” or “neutral”. Such labels will enable an overall understanding of the content that lies within these social and news media mentions of scientific publications.
Traditionally, the impact of research has been measured through citations (Cronin 1984; Garfield 1964; Halevi & Moed 2015; Moed 2006, 2015; Seglen 1997). The number of citations a paper receives over time has been directly correlated to the perceived impact of the article. The more citations a paper receives, the higher the impact of the research. However, there are a few fundamental issues with this assumption and approach. First, citations only capture a fragment of the overall usefulness or the impact of a paper overall. They are selective in nature and ignore many different aspects of impact, particularly readership rates (Bazrafshan, Haghdoost & Zare 2015; Davis 2011; Davis et al. 2008; Garfield 1979; Maflahi & Thelwall 2016). This is especially true for canonized works that are no longer cited despite the fact that they are continuously studied and form the foundations of current research. Citations are also limited to the scientific community and therefore only capture the scholarly impact of research papers. Laypeople do not cite papers in traditional way; therefore, the societal impact of a research paper is completely ignored when it comes to where lay engagement with scientific content is concerned. A recent study shows that even the scientific community has varying perceptions of impact that is not necessarily citations-driven (Borchardt et al. 2018).
In the past decade, a new set of metrics aiming to measure the impact of research in diverse, typically non-traditional settings has been developed. These metrics are labelled “altmetrics” which stands for “alternative metrics” (Priem et al. 2010). The assumption with altmetrics is that research can demonstrate impact well beyond the narrow lens of citations as well as include measures of overall usage and social impact. Such metrics were designed to capture the reach of scholarly and research output beyond the scientific community. The ability to do so was mostly driven by the ability to track individual articles via identifiers such as DOIs, PubMed IDs and others by using advanced crawlers to identify these articles on publishers’ platforms once they are downloaded or clicked on or once they appear anywhere on the web and social media platforms. Over a decade later, we now see that these metrics can indivertibly capture both public perception and overall understanding of scientific reporting.
In the medical and biomedical arenas, the ability of these metrics to capture the public opinion, understanding, and perception of scientific findings becomes even more important. As can be seen and heard on the news daily, medical and biomedical research is now quickly translated into public health recommendations and is disseminated to a vast audience of non-specialists (Campion 2004; George, Rovniak & Kraschnewski 2013; Woloshin & Schwartz 2002). In addition, with the advent of open access research and availability of scientific articles over the internet, a wider audience is now able to share, comment on, and learn from articles found obtained on the web at no cost. These phenomena have their merits but also present some serious challenges. The obvious merit of open research is the ability of laypeople to inform themselves about the latest findings and breakthroughs in medical research, even and especially concerning their own health. However, the same availability and access might result in misinterpretations, incorrect conclusions, and oversimplification of results can lead to dangerous actions regarding health and treatment (George et al. 2013; Sumner et al. 2016; Taylor et al. 2015).
Sentiment analysis and opinion mining on social media are methods used to gauge public opinion captured via the posts shared on social media platforms in order to track positive, negative, or neutral sentiments towards a given concept. The literature shows that sentiment analysis and opinion mining on social media channels have been used in several arenas including brand management, politics, and finance and stock market predications (Abacı 2017; Oliveira, Bermejo & dos Santos 2017; Nguyen & Shirai 2015; Anjali Devi, Sapkota & Obulesh 2018; Ali et al. 2017).
Sentiment analysis and opinion mining have also been used in library and information science. These methods have been applied to study the context of citations and determine their overall sentiments (Athar & Teufel 2012; Small 2011; Xu et al. 2015; Yousif et al. 2017; Yu 2013). The main purpose of these bibliometric methods is to gauge the nature of citations in scientific papers and to be able to determine whether they are positive or negative. While the overall number of citations is an important measure of a paper’s impact, there also needs to be a way to understand whether citations are positive or negative. If most citations cite a paper in a negative way, for example as a misleading or inaccurate example of research, sentiment analysis could in theory discover the trend and alert the scientific community, the journal, and the publishing institution that the paper and its author/s are potentially having a negative impact on science. A content analysis to discover sentiments towards scientific articles on Twitter was conducted by Thelwall et al. (2013). In this study, the researchers analyzed a random sample of 270 tweets of scientific articles from various publishers. Sentiment analysis was conducted manually by three investigators. The results showed that the majority of tweets relating to scientific articles were objective, typically mentioning the title of the article or some major findings. This study was relatively small, manually analyzed, and focused on twitter feeds that were limited in length and scope. In 2015, Shema, Bar-Ilan and Thelwall conducted similar content analysis on blog mentions of scientific articles. This research analyzed 391 blog posts relating to scientific articles. Using a methodology similar to the previously mentioned article, this study found that the most prevalent sentiment was objective and posts mainly focused on discussion or explanation of the findings.
In the medical and health arenas, sentiment analysis and opinion mining methods are not used as often and are mostly applied to track public opinions on issues such as drug addiction (Raja et al. 2016) or very general public health issues (Palomino et al. 2016; Yang, Lee & Kuo 2016), all using keywords as trackers.
Sentiment analysis of social and news media of medical and biomedical research does not exist yet. Platforms that offer altmetric indicators tracking for articles do not yet offer sentiment analysis or opinion mining of the content posted by people when they discuss research articles. Misuse and misinterpretation of medical research can be potentially dangerous to the public and lead to misdiagnosis, misuse of medications, and overall confusion about the results of medical studies. Therefore, there is a need to create a systematic process to track public and news media’s understanding, use, and sharing of medical research to ensure accuracy and proper use of such studies. Such a platform will also enable scientists to communicate their findings effectively by understanding how the public conceives their research. Finally, such a platform will enable community health workers and institutions to be aware of any misconceptions of the public regarding medical scientific research and enable them to address such misconceptions with the communities with which they work.
In the past three years, the Levy Library at The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai has been working closely with the scientists and faculty members of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and the Mount Sinai health system to build a comprehensive platform to track the research produced by the institution, which collects a wide variety of metrics related to it. The system was customized to the institution and implemented by the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) librarians with high attention to accuracy.
The PlumX platform allowed the librarians to implement individual profiles for 5,200 researchers and clinicians at Mount Sinai by using individual Scopus and ORCID IDs as well as ensure complete coverage of their output by adding DOIs, PubMed IDs and PMCIDs to any additional research output that was missing from either Scopus or ORCID. Each article and artifact is individually tracked for citations but is also measured by metrics related to the social impact of research. These include overall usage (downloads, for example) as well as mentions by social media, news media, blogs, etc.
At present, the MSHS PlumX platform hosts a comprehensive dataset that includes articles, book chapters, conference proceedings, and other forms of scholarly output produced by the faculty. The platform also aggregates various metrics including citations, usage, and altmetric indicators such as public mentions on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., as well as discussions, blogs, Wikipedia, news media coverage, and more. However, the system does not include the ability to analyze the content on a textual level to examine sentiments and opinions. Unless each individual article is examined for their metrics and the actual text that appears in each mention or discussion, there is no way to discover who is participating in a specific discussion or to determine what exactly is being discussed. There are “analytics” embedded into the current system that are limited to the overall number of citations, usage, mentions, etc., and at this stage these analytics do not offer the means to make any topical or textual analysis.
So that we might demonstrate the benefits of developing sentiment analysis of altmetric data, we manually collected the textual content of social media and news media articles selected from PlumX. The following example used freely available tools for automatic sentiment analysis that demonstrate the potential of such systems. That said, these freely available solutions cannot support articles’ analytics beyond the identification of simple keywords.
In our example we selected a recent article co-written by Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai researcher Alison M. Groate, which reported the results of a meta-analysis that proved that there is no genetic influence on stress and depression. This meta-analysis disproved a decade-long assumption that some people are prone to depression and stress because of their genetic makeup. The article was widely discussed by the news and social media since it disputed decades of research (see Figure 1).
Article dashboard tracking social and news media metrics for an article. https://plu.mx/mtsinai/a/0VVKxOFYIG_FTKzHV43FQJ-W_fzhZh2QnQiUpoTYY0Q/?display-tab=summary-content.
According to PlumX, this article received over 1200 social media mentions. These include 900 tweets and retweets, 338 shares on Facebook and coverage from 10 news media articles (see Figure 2). The sheer number of social media mentions is too high to be read individually, and there is no obvious way to understand whether the comments are positive, negative, or neutral. The only manner by which one can understand the overall sentiments of the participants. whether positive, negative, or otherwise, is to read the actual tweets, news articles, etc. Since the article disputes decades of research that tied depression and stress to genetic makeup, it would have been useful and enlightening to understand the overall sentiments expressed in the social and news media coverage.
Examples of social media and news media mentions on article dashboard.
In order to demonstrate the potential of our proposed sentiment analysis, we manually copied and pasted the Twitter comments into a free sentiment analysis platform (“Python NLTK Sentiment Analysis with Text Classification Demo” n.d.) (see Figure 3).
Sentiment analysis of the Twitter comments (manually copied and pasted).
As can be seen from the above label, the system coded the comments as a negative sentiment.
We found the same negative sentiment when we copied and pasted the news media articles into this system (see Figure 4).
Sentiment analysis of news media (manually copied and pasted).
However, when we plugged some keywords related to the topic, i.e. “5-HTLPR genotype depression” in a sentiment analysis web-based tool “SocialMention” (“Real Time Search – Social Mention” n.d.) it became clear that the negative sentiment was actually directed towards the previously held scientific stance that genetics are a major cause of stress and depression, while the sentiment towards the article itself was positive (see Figure 5).
Sentiment analysis of the topic.
As can be seen, there is a discrepancy between the sentiments expressed in comments related to the article itself and the overall perception of the topic. It is difficult to know precisely the issues and concerns raised by the participants and journalists unless we build a system that can analyze these sentiments in an accurate manner and also distinguish between scientific and laypeople’s comments on the topic. We feel that developing this system will enable scientists, laypeople, and public health workers to understand the public sentiments towards a topic and address any misconceptions or misinterpretations.
Sentiment analysis could be a promising new way to gain insight into the societal impact of scientific output. Altmetric indicators, with their ability to include social and news media mentions of scientific output, have enabled us to see the nature of comments and discussions of scientific articles. However, since there are many articles that gain massive attention from both social and news media, reading all the news articles or the entire comments section, let alone organizing that information in an insightful way, is an unrealistic methodology. Therefore, a sentiment analysis tool that can track the overall “mood” of the conversation could be beneficial for anyone looking for information regarding a new study or research findings.
Sentiment analysis tools for publications does not exist today. Such a system will have to be developed specifically for such a purpose. To do this requires both financial and scientific investments.
Scientific investment in such development will have to examine the validity of these indicators. For example, sentiment analysis for publications might prove to be more complicated than analysis of brands or individual people. The process relies on recurring words that capture positive or negative sentiments. However, the social and news media discussion of an article might include negative or positive sentiments that are directed more at the topic rather than the article itself. In our example, the negative sentiment tracked for the article targets the topic rather than the article. In the various discussions around the article, participants criticize the fact that for decades, genetics was directly linked to depression and stress. When reading the comments and articles, it becomes clear that the negativity is directed towards past practices and not the current discovery. This presents a significant challenge for future sentiment analysis, mainly the challenge of enabling a machine to decide whether the negative or positive sentiment is directly related to the content or findings of the article.
An additional challenge lies in language processing. While English might be the prevalent language of scientific publications, it is not necessarily the language used in social and news media around the world. Conversations on scientific findings take place on a global scale. Therefore, any sentiment analysis of such data will have to tackle data processing of various languages, and while technical solutions might exist to accomplish this, there is also the issue of interpretation. Especially with shares and comments on social media, people might use local dialects, specific words that express sentiments in a region or country that might be interpreted differently even by someone who speaks that same language.
We must also consider distinguishing between professionals and laypeople as they share their opinions on social media. While analyzing sentiments towards scientific articles, there is merit in understanding who is participating in the conversation. Scientists might have different opinions than laypeople towards the same content. It will be important to demonstrate similarities and differences between professional and lay opinions in order for sentiment indicators to be useful for the public. Such a capability will also be able to provide an indication of a gap, if it exists, in understanding or interpreting scientific papers.
Despite the challenges listed above, we believe that sentiment and opinion mining of scientific articles has potential to benefit the public. These methods have been used commercially and politically for several years with the purpose of increasing sales and predicting voters’ actions. However, these methods were never used to analyze research-related content. We believe that providing the public with the open system we describe can enable people to see the overall opinions of others regarding scientific developments, and this would result in a better-informed public. We also believe that sentiment analysis would assist in educating readers as well as cautioning them when necessary. If, for example, pervasive negative sentiment was found in social and news media towards a new drug or medical device, it would be beneficial for the public to be aware of it. In the same way, public health workers could use the system to better understand the impact of research findings or recommendations on the public and to gain insight into how the public perceives certain research discoveries. In turn, these professionals respond accordingly, perhaps with new educational initiatives. Finally, this proposed dashboard could also be available in public libraries, where librarians can facilitate scientific discussion among patrons.
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Campion, E. W. (2004). Medical research and the news media. Mass Medical Soc.
Cronin, B. (1984). The citation process: The role and significance of citations in scientific communication. T. Graham London.
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Python NLTK Sentiment Analysis with Text Classification Demo. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2018, from: https://text-processing.com/demo/sentiment/.
Real Time Search – Social Mention. (n.d.). Retrieved August 27, 2018, from: http://www.socialmention.com/.
Thelwall, M., Tsou, A., Weingart, S., Holmberg, K., & Haustein, S. (2013). Tweeting links to academic articles. Cybermetrics, 17(1), 1–8.
Xu, J., Zhang, Y., Wu, Y., Wang, J., Dong, X., & Xu, H. (2015). Citation sentiment analysis in clinical trial papers. AMIA … Annual Symposium Proceedings. AMIA Symposium, 2015, 1334–1341. | 2019-04-20T10:29:02Z | https://www.journalofaltmetrics.org/articles/10.29024/joa.1/ |
Did the Fed Cause the Shale Bubble?
What If We Just Need Fewer Jobs?
Lacy Hunt and I were talking yesterday about Texas and the oil industry. We have both lived through five periods of boom and bust, although I can only really remember three. This is a movie we’ve seen before, and we know how it ends. Texas Gov. Rick Perry has remarkable timing, slipping out the door to let new governor Greg Abbott to take over just in time to oversee rising unemployment in Texas. The good news for the rest of the country is that in prior Texas recessions the rest of the country has not been dragged down. But energy is not just a Texas and Louisiana story anymore. I will be looking for research as to how much energy development has contributed to growth and employment in the US.
Then the research began to trickle in, and over the last few days there has been a flood. As we will see, energy production has been the main driver of growth in the US economy for the last five years. But changing demographics suggest that we might not need the job-creation machine of energy production as much in the future to ensure overall employment growth.
But first, a quick recommendation. I regularly interact with all the editors of our Mauldin Economics publications, but the subscription service I am most personally involved with is Over My Shoulder.
It is actually very popular (judging from the really high renewal rates), and I probably should mention it more often. Basically, I generally post somewhere between five and ten articles, reports, research pieces, essays, etc., each week to Over My Shoulder. They are sent directly to subscribers in PDF form, along with my comments on the pieces; and of course they’re posted to a subscribers-only section of our website. These articles are gleaned from the hundreds of items I read each week – they’re the ones I feel are most important for those of us who are trying to understand the economy. Often they are from private or subscription sources that I have permission to share occasionally with my readers.
This is not the typical linkfest where some blogger throws up 10 or 20 links every day from Bloomberg, the Wall Street Journal, newspapers, and a few research houses without really curating the material, hoping you will click to the webpage and make them a few pennies for their ads. I post only what I think is worth your time. Sometimes I go several days without any posts, and then there will be four or five in a few days. I don’t feel the need to post something every day if I’m not reading anything worth your time.
Over My Shoulder is like having me as your personal information assistant, finding you the articles that you should be reading – but I’m an assistant with access to hundreds of thousands of dollars of research and 30 years of training in sorting it all out. It’s like having an expert filter for the overwhelming flow of information that’s out there, helping you focus on what is most important.
Frankly, I think the quality of my research has improved over the last couple years precisely because I now have Worth Wray performing the same service for me as I do for Over My Shoulder subscribers. Having Worth on your team is many multiples more expensive than an Over My Shoulder subscription, but it is one of the best investments I’ve ever made. And our combined efforts and insights make Over My Shoulder a great bargain for you.
For the next three weeks, I’m going to change our Over My Shoulder process a bit. Both Worth and I are going to post the most relevant pieces we read as we put together our 2015 forecasts. This time of year there is an onslaught of forecasts and research, and we go through a ton of it. You will literally get to look “over my shoulder” at the research Worth and I will be thinking through as we develop our forecasts, and you will have a better basis for your own analysis of your portfolios and businesses for 2015.
And the best part of it is that Over My Shoulder is relatively cheap. My partners are wanting me to raise the price, and we may do that at some time, but for right now it will stay at $39 a quarter or $149 a year. If you are already a subscriber or if you subscribe in the next few days, I will hold that price for you for at least another three years. I just noticed on the order form (I should check these things more often) that my partners have included a 90-day, 100% money-back guarantee. I don’t remember making that offer when I launched the service, so this is my own version of Internet Monday.
You can learn more and sign up for Over My Shoulder right here.
And now to our regularly scheduled program.
I had the pleasure recently of having lunch with longtime Maine fishing buddy Harvey Rosenblum, the long-serving but recently retired chief economist of the Dallas Federal Reserve. Like me, he has lived through multiple oil cycles here in Texas. He really understands the impact of oil on the Texas and US economies. He pointed me to two important sources of data.
1. In recent years, America’s oil & gas boom has added $300–$400 billion annually to the economy – without this contribution, GDP growth would have been negative and the nation would have continued to be in recession.
3. The shale oil & gas revolution has been the nation’s biggest single creator of solid, middle-class jobs – throughout the economy, from construction to services to information technology.
4. Overall, nearly 1 million Americans work directly in the oil & gas industry, and a total of 10 million jobs are associated with that industry.
Oil & gas jobs are widely geographically dispersed and have already had a significant impact in more than a dozen states: 16 states have more than 150,000 jobs directly in the oil & gas sector and hundreds of thousands more jobs due to growth in that sector.
The important takeaway is that, without new energy production, post-recession US growth would have looked more like Europe’s – tepid, to say the least. Job growth would have barely budged over the last five years.
To get the total picture, let’s go to the St. Louis Federal Reserve FRED database and look at the same employment numbers – but for the whole country. Notice that we’re up fewer than two million jobs since the beginning of the Great Recession. That’s a growth of fewer than two million jobs in eight years when the population was growing at multiples of that amount.
Houston, we have a problem. With a third of S&P 500 capital expenditure due from the imploding energy sector (and with over 20% of the high-yield market dominated by these names), paying attention to any inflection point in the US oil-producers is critical as they have been gung-ho “unequivocally good” expanders even as oil prices began to fall. So, when Reuters reports a drop of almost 40 percent in new well permits issued across the United States in November, even the Fed's Stan Fischer might start to question [whether] his [belief that] lower oil prices are "a phenomenon that’s making everybody better off" may warrant a rethink.
Consider: lower oil prices unequivocally “make everyone better off.” Right? Wrong. First: new oil well permits collapse 40% in November; why is this an issue? Because since December 2007, or roughly the start of the global depression, shale oil states have added 1.36 million jobs while non-shale states have lost 424,000 jobs.
So, is [Fed Vice-Chairman] Stan Fischer's “not very worried” remark about to become the new Ben “subprime contained” Bernanke of the last crisis?
Next let’s turn to David Stockman (who I think writes even more than I do). He took aim at the Federal Reserve, which he accuses of creating the recent “shale bubble” just as it did the housing bubble, by keeping interest rates too low and forcing investors to reach for yield. There may be a little truth to that. The reality is that the recent energy boom was financed by $500 billion of credit extended to mostly “subprime” oil companies, who issued what are politely termed high-yield bonds – to the point that 20% of the high-yield market is now energy-production-related.
Sidebar: this is not quite the same problem as subprime loans were, for two reasons: first, the subprime loans were many times larger in total, and many of them were fraudulently misrepresented. Second, many of those loans were what one could characterize as “covenant light,” which means the borrowers can extend the loan, pay back in kind, or change the terms if they run into financial difficulty. So this energy-related high-yield problem is going to take a lot more time than the subprime crisis did to actually manifest, and there will not be immediate foreclosures. But it already clear that the problem is going to continue to negatively (and perhaps severely) impact the high-yield bond market. Once the problems in energy loans to many small companies become evident, prospective borrowers might start looking at the terms that the rest of the junk-bond market gets, which are just as egregious, so they might not like what they see. We clearly did not learn any lessons in 2005 to 2007 and have repeated the same mistakes in the junk-bond market today. If you lose your money this time, you probably deserve to lose it.
The high-yield shake-out, by the way, is going to make it far more difficult to raise money for energy production in the future, when the price of oil will inevitably rise again. The Saudis know exactly what they’re doing. But the current contretemps in the energy world is going to have implications for the rest of the leveraged markets. “Our biggest worry is the end of the liquidity cycle. The Fed is done. The reach for yield that we have seen since 2009 is going into reverse,” says Bank of America (source: The Telegraph).
Contained within Stockman’s analysis is some very interesting work on the nature of employment in the post-recession US economy. First, in the nonfarm business sector, the total hours of all persons working is still below that of 2007, even though we nominally have almost two million more jobs. Then David gives us two charts that illustrate the nature of the jobs we are creating (a topic I’ve discussed more than once in this letter). It’s nice to have somebody do the actual work for you.
The first chart shows what he calls “breadwinner jobs,” which are those in manufacturing, information technology, and other white-collar work that have an average pay rate of about $45,000 a year. Note that this chart encompasses two economic cycles covering both the Greenspan and Bernanke eras.
So where did the increase in jobs come from? From what Stockman calls the “part-time economy.” If I read this chart right and compare it to our earlier chart from the Federal Reserve, it basically demonstrates (and this conclusion is also borne out by the research I’ve presented in the past) that the increase in the number of jobs is almost entirely due to the creation of part-time and low-wage positions – bartenders, waiters, bellhops, maids, cobblers, retail clerks, fast food workers, and temp help. Although there are some professional bartenders and waiters who do in fact make good money, they are the exception rather than the rule.
It’s no wonder we are working fewer hours even as we have more jobs.
With all that as a backdrop, let us return to our original task, which was to think about what will impact the US and global economies in 2015. I’ve been talking to friends and contacts who are serious players in the energy-production sector. This is my takeaway.
The oil-rig count is already dropping, and it will continue to drop as long as oil stays below $60. That said, however, there is the real possibility that oil production in the United States will actually rise in 2015 because of projects already in the works. If you have already spent (or committed to spend) 30 or 40% of the cost of a well, you’re probably going to go ahead and finish that well. There’s enough work in the pipeline (pardon the pun) that drilling and production are not going to fall off a cliff next quarter. But by the close of 2015 we will see a significant reduction in drilling.
We must balance this problematic analysis against research that Harvey Rosenblum (whom we met at the top of the letter) and my good friend (and likewise Maine fishing buddy) John Silvia, the chief economist at Wells Fargo, have just produced. John is a very solid economist who has his head on straight (in addition to being a really nice guy).
Job growth is a function of both the supply of and demand for labor. With labor force participation having fallen sharply since the Great Recession and growth in the working-age population slowing, growth in the supply of labor, measured by labor force growth, looks to have downshifted in recent years. As a result, the number of new jobs needed each month to keep the unemployment rate steady has also declined. We estimate that from 2015 to 2020, payroll growth of around 65,000 jobs per month should be sufficient to absorb new entrants into the labor force and to exert neutral pressure on the unemployment rate. This marks a notable downshift from a trend of around 150,000 in the 1980s and 1990s, and even the early 2000s when trend employment growth slowed to around 120,000.
Harvey and I talked about this research, and while we are probably going to ask John for the spreadsheets and more details as to his basic assumptions, anyone who studies demography knows that a serious falloff in the number of new babies began some 23 years ago. And while I don’t think that Baby Boomers are going to retire following the same patterns that we saw in previous generations, there will certainly be an increase in those who think of themselves as retired, reducing the participation rate.
An immediate takeaway from this analysis is that if job growth continues to bump along in the 200,000 range, it will not be too long before there is wage pressure, especially in skilled jobs. That would be good news for workers. If we couple that pressure with a change in the silly rule that says that anyone working more than 30 hours is considered to be full-time and move the number of hours considered to be full-time work to 40 (I think that has a good possibility of passing next year), it will mean that workers (especially those who are younger) get more hours, more income, and better jobs. It will also mean that the unemployment rate will trend down, even if employment growth is not up to historical standards. And let’s make no mistake, it has not been.
The euphoria occasioned by the economy adding 321,000 jobs in November indicates that we have defined success down. In the 1960s, there were nine months in which more than 300,000 jobs were added, the last being June 1969, when there were about 117 million fewer Americans than there are now. In the 1980s, job growth exceeded 300,000 in 23 months, the last being November 1988, when there were about 75 million fewer Americans than today.
We’re going to stop here before the letter runs too long. Next week we really will get to the global economy and especially the dollar story. We will have to address the very sad question, “Are we really going to have to focus on Greece again?” And while I tend to vigorously disagree with Paul Krugman’s policy analysis and prescriptions, he pretty much gets it right in talking about the problems of Greece in his latest New York Times column “Mad as Hellas.” It is all so very sad.
But there’s a reason they’re [protest movements] on the rise. This is what happens when an elite claims the right to rule based on its supposed expertise, its understanding of what must be done – then demonstrates both that it does not, in fact, know what it is doing, and that it is too ideologically rigid to learn from its mistakes.
And I totally agree with that statement. I think that’s precisely the lesson we should learn from the 2014 US elections, as well. The irony is that many of us would consider Paul Krugman to be part of that elite. Just saying.
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I am home for the rest of the month (with perhaps a quick trip to DC being the one outing), but the calendar for next year is beginning to fill up. I see Cincinnati, Grand Cayman, and Florida on my schedule. It has been a while since I’ve been in the Cayman Islands, and this time I will take a short hop over to Little Cayman to visit my friend Raoul Pal for a few days. A brilliant macroeconomist and trader, Raoul has now based himself in Little Cayman, although he frequently flies to visit clients. He is also a partner with Grant Williams in Real Vision Television, a fascinating new take on internet investment TV. I’ll be writing more about it in the future.
On a very personal note, everyone is aware of the “We Can’t Breathe” protests that are taking place in response to a very tragic incident in New York. Reasonable people can disagree on what the response should be or on how to interpret the facts of that particular incident, but it is not difficult for me to understand the frustrations of the African-American community.
I have two adopted black sons (now adults) along with my five other children (two of them Asian-American). I can tell you that my experience has been that as teenagers they were far more likely to be pulled over and harassed or arrested for things my white children would have been simply told to stop doing and then sent on their way. For the police it seemed to be a problem for my black sons to drive my car around my (admittedly mostly white) neighborhood. There were clearly double standards, both in some of the public and private schools my children attended. I had to be careful not to put them in certain situations that would cause them frustrations. To pretend there is still not a double standard in our society is to whistle past the graveyard. That said, I don’t want to seem like I’m giving a pass to what is clearly all too often a broken family structure and cultural acceptance of certain inappropriate behaviors among young black men. The frustrations of all parties stem from very real problems. There are no simple answers, and much of the really hard work needs to be done in local communities.
The whole racial issue has vastly improved since I was young. Projections are that by 2020 around 10% of people in the US will be biracial. That is expected to grow to 20% by 2050 and is clearly going to change the way that we (and especially our children) interact with each other. I will have my fifth biracial grandchild sometime later this month. I hope the world they grow up in is considerably different from the world I grew up in or even today’s world. But recent events demonstrate that we still have some miles left on the journey to a truly colorblind system. Rather than defending a system that clearly still has issues that need to be dealt with, we need to face the problems and figure out how to make a world we want all of our children to grow up in.
And on that note, it’s time to hit the send button. Have a great week.
Dec. 17, 2014, 6:32 p.m.
Why all the fuss over dropping oil prices? While our high paying jobs were outsourced to third world countries, no one except workers seem to care. Now the press is making every effort to make the American middle class feel guilty about the temporary drop in gas prices. Why? Because the rich have money invested in oil companies.
Notice that the fear is not for the oil-workers who will lose the last high-paying job in their lives. They will simply go the way of all the other Americans who went from high paying fulltime jobs to low paying part-time jobs.
Funds have about 12% invested in energy. So what? Even if the energy companies are cut in half, their diversified portfolio will still retain 94% of its value. That’s a lot better than most individual investors did during the last two crashes. Additionally, these could be bargain buying days in oil companies pumping cheap OPEC oil.
There is some hypocritical lip service given to the closure of our “alternative” oil energy technology. Where was the red flag warning when “Big Carbon” (oil, gas, and coal) managed to get the national alternative energy budgets reduced as low as 15 million dollars?
Please stop the guilt trip. Trying to make Americans feel bad about the last sliver of economic relief is not endearing. Many in the press may feel immune to outsourcing. But please consider that you might be replaced with low wage part-time employees who understand more about your subject matter than you do.
This is just a back of the napkin with a leaky pen observation, but, viewing the graph titled “FRED” I wonder if the current slope of job increase is steeper than the pre-2007 job increase slope, enough steeper to bring the jobs totals back to where they might have been without the financial collapse within a year or three?
Hurting coutries like Russia and Iran is not a ‘side benefit’ to anybody.
Fox News may have convinced you that these countries are our enemies - and current US actions seem designed to make them our enemies. But in the real world neither country is a threat to US interests.
Dec. 16, 2014, 9:33 p.m.
As a vice president of marketing in a California based company I witnessed a decline in business effectiveness as good quality jobs were being sent to Texas because a) California regulations were stringent/expensive, and b) Texas paid mighty levels of corporate welfare. To qualify for the Texas state incentives 400 jobs had to be relocated within 24 months. They were not net new to the US economy but they were new to Texas. Unfortunately to meet the deadline many dumb decision were made to relocate roles to Texas including the centralization of advanced analytics to San Antonio (advanced analytics is a strategically valuable function dominated by folks with PhDs in statistics). No one in California was willing to move to Texas and the whole department had to be rebuilt… did I mention that not many people with these skills want to live in Texas (Austin may be the only exception for knowledge workers who are not Texas /mid-south state natives).
I would appreciate it you would clarify how many of these “new Jobs” are net new jobs to the US economy and consider the impact on overall productivity of transitioning to jobs to Texas and corporate welfare states.
Dec. 16, 2014, 7:35 p.m.
Commentators from the right like John are often quick to snipe at Paul Krugman, but do not typically interact meaningfully with him. John takes his shot at Krugman being part of the problematic “elite.” Meanwhile Krugman historically argues that the ongoing crisis in Greece has been perpetuated by German-centric austerity policy, policy which is not only far from what Krugman proposed, but policy to which, it seems, John himself essentially subscribes! If John’s prescription is to get rid of “elites” like Krugman, in order to further perpetuate austerity policies that have demonstrably assisted in the ruin of countries like Greece, no thanks.
Dec. 16, 2014, 1:36 p.m.
You write, “then demonstrates both that it does not, in fact, know what it is doing, and that it is too ideologically rigid to learn from its mistakes.
Do you mean to imply that the Republican party is NOT ideologically rigid? Really? Seriously?
I frequently enjoy John’s articles. However, I can’t le tthis one pass without comment on two related items. First, John contends that 40% of job creation since June 2009 was energy related. While we can argue about the jobs multiplier, the statstics that we know with certainty from the BLS tell us that TX job growth from 2007 to mid-2009 did not dip the way the rest of the country did. From 2009 to the present, it increased roughly in line with the rest of the country (+9.4% versus +8%). OK increased +5.6% since the trough. So as a direct effect, TX job creation was in line with the rest of the nation since 2009. Second, an excerpt contends that O&G added $3-400B to the economy, and without that GDP growth would be negative. That’s two very different statements, one of which is wrong. O&G didn’t add $3-400B of incremental new money per year. If it had, the sector’s cash flow would be in excess of $2Tr today and employment near 20 MM. It is likely true that the sector’s total contribution to GDP is around $400B today, but that means a 10% growth rate represents about about $40B of nominal GDP growth of some $600B. Its absence wouldn’t turn GDP growth negative. | 2019-04-24T03:16:08Z | https://www.mauldineconomics.com/frontlinethoughts/oil-employment-and-growth |
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When I was younger I’d sit down in front of the TV for entire days sometimes, watching TV or playing Nintendo. I noticed if I did it for around six hours or more I’d feel particularly bad.
Despite knowing this from experience, I have to say that I’m still a bit shocked at the data that’s come out about just how bad sitting down is for you.
You could say that the obesity epidemic in Western countries (Australia is the 6th fattest country, America is first, you can see the obesity ranking statistics here) is caused not just by the amount of processed, fatty, salty, sugary foods available in extra large portions, but also because we sit down all day.
That’s a dangerous combination. Why? Because you put all this junk into your body, then by sitting down for long periods you switch your body off from doing anything with it.
The two pictures above are from an infographic that contains confronting data about how sitting down for long periods is one of the most dangerous changes brought about by modern human life. Check out the full infographic from medicalbillingandcoding.org for more scary data and some suggestions on how to reduce your risk.
I can’t recall where I first saw the idea of using a desk that you stand up at, it was probably a blogger who made the switch and wrote about it, but I do remember who finally swayed me to make the change myself.
I was studying Eben Pagan’s “Wake Up Productive” productivity course. During one of the modules Eben talked about stand up desks and why they are more effective. Shortly after this I went down to Ikea and bought myself my first stand up table.
I have used it ever since.
Don’t You Get Tired Standing Up All Day?
People who have not used a stand up desk before often wonder how someone can stand at a desk for eight hours a day to do work.
Of course if I was standing up for eight hours straight, then yes I would get tired. These people are coming from the frame of reference of the full time employee, where it’s natural and expected that you stay at your desk for the majority of your time at work.
As an independent entrepreneur, I have the wonderful freedom of structuring my work day how I like. This is actually a very important point when it comes to a stand up desk, because spending more than two hours in a row at my desk will tire your out.
A quick aside – one of the other concepts I picked up from Eben, who I believe learned it from Tony Schwartz, is the concept of the Ultradian Rhythm.
The descriptive term ultradian is used in sleep research in reference to the 90–120 minute cycling of the sleep stages during human sleep.
The body has two hour rhythms of energy flow, so it makes sense to work in harmony with these cycles.
Even before I heard of the Ultradian Rhythm I have always worked in roughly two hour blocks. Actually, it’s more accurate to say I “live” in two-hour blocks.
I generally get hungry two hours after last eating. I tend to get bored after two hours of doing the same thing. I can exercise for two hours before I completely tire out. I like to socialise for two hours before I want to do something else.
I like living life in short blocks, with rapid change of format. This is what I call balance. The Ultradian Rhythm just happens to back this up from a physiological standpoint.
As an entrepreneur who has the freedom to work in harmony with my two-hour cycles, I never have to work for eight hours at my stand up desk.
I work for one or two hours at a time, take breaks, walk off to cook food, sit on the couch, listen to music, have a nap – I mix it up every day.
Most people can’t do this at their work place, but since you’re likely an entrepreneur if you read this blog, you have more freedom in your life, or are at least working towards it.
It’s because of this that you are the perfect candidate for a stand up desk.
Even if you have a full time job, given the data on the risks with sitting down, now is a good time to think about convincing whomever you need to about having stand up desks available at work, or at the very least, changing how you work so you don’t sit down for long uninterrupted periods.
I used to have a sore back and shoulders on a regular basis, especially during the late 90s and early 2000s, when I was just starting online. I’m pretty confident it was because I’d spend 10+ hours in a chair, staring at a screen, hunched over. I pushed my body because my mind wanted to keep working. It loves the feeling of being productive, even to the detriment of the body.
The only time I sit down for long periods is when I head to cafes to write or when watching a movie or tv show. I like the environment of a cafe when focused only on writing, but of course I won’t spend longer than two hours doing it, so it fits the usual rhythm.
Back when I used to work in a chair at a desk, I often found myself “trapped”. I’d get so lazy that I could spend hours staring at the screen, often doing no productive work. The world wide web is a great procrastination tool after all.
These are some of the health benefits from a stand up desk, which in turn will make you more productive when it comes to work output. If your body is kept in better condition, then naturally you can produce more without tiring out. It’s win-win for your health and your business.
The image to the right is my home office stand up desk.
It’s nothing fancy, just an Ikea table top (VIKA AMON) and legs (mine are similar to VIKA KAJ), and some shoeboxes to prop up my monitor (30in Apple Cinema Display).
My Macbook pro 13in retina plugs into the monitor and I have Altec Lansing speakers and a sub-woofer for music.
The microphone you can see in the picture is a Snowball by Blue, which I use for podcast interviews and voice-only audio recordings.
Oh, and let’s not forget the trusty yoga mat to stand on. This is really important, make sure you have something cushioning your feet.
Make sure you watch my youtube video about my stand up desk for more footage of my desk at home.
The video also includes further details about why I made the change to a stand up desk, what table top and legs you can purchase from Ikea to set up your own stand up desk for under $100, and some shots of my current stand up desk set up.
Watch to the end of the video and you will find two funny outtakes from making the video.
I hope that’s more than enough information to get you started.
I’d like to thank my french friend, Alexis from Nouvelomme.fr (New Man), who had a great post on stand up desks, otherwise known as “travailler-debout”. I may have stolen a few of his pictures for this blog post.
Would You Like To Triple Your Productivity?
I hope this blog post has inspired you to consider a stand-up desk for your office, or at least keeps you from sitting down for too long.
Only sitting is really not an option.
Awesome, informative post! A co-worker and I just started this at work, and so far I love it. It isn’t 100% setup the way that I want it, because currently the desk is about 6 inches too far down, but that will be corrected next week, and I’m excited for that.
And here is a picture of it!
Great idea-think i am ok now-but nice to know for the future!. Sitting does my back no good. Have a great day!
I actually work at a job where I stand all day. That includes any work on the computer as well. It was a bit to get used to, but once I did, I didn’t have the same problems as people who sat all day.
We just switched to iPads so I’m curious how that will change things.
This is awesome, I think I’m gonna design my own stand up desk too.. good info and nice video too..
A great post, Yaro! I’ve been wanting to set up a stand desk for a long time but not yet.
Although I still don’t use it as much as I hoped to and still plan to (my hope was/is to use it for several hours a day :)), I do use it whenever I watch movies, which is several times a week (I don’t have TV, so watch movies on my MacBook Pro instead, so I just place my laptop on the FitDesk).
What a great idea, thank you for sharing Olga.
Yaro, a very helpful post, thanks.
Excellent in depth and well-thought-out article! The dangers of chronic sitting and the poor postural habits that accompany it are becoming well-documented by this point. I think the idea of standing while working with computers is the single best step towards healthy living these days. Just the low-level activity of standing, shifting your weight, walking about, and other subtle movements are so important for the intrinsic muscles of the spine, the proper function of the lymph system, the venous return to the heart, and other body systems. Great article. Thanks for sharing. Check out http://www.johnson-family-chiropractic.com/1/post/2012/12/standing-while-you-work.html for some of my other thoughts on the subject.
This blog couldn’t have happened at a more opportune time. My blog is about a lot of things for the woman over 50 and health is a huge part of my message. So, in my research, I have run into so many blogs about the dangers of sitting for long periods of time. It has become a large concern for me because there have been times when I’ve been involved in researching and writing an article and haven’t moved from my chair in 8-9 hours. Am getting started on the stand-up desk immediately. Thanks, so many time you seem to be reading my mind about what to write on your blog. Thanks for all the help.
I’m shocked by some of those stats, you’ve left me seriously considering getting a stand up too!
I have been thinking of adding a stand up desk for years. Maybe to dip my toe in the water, I can just get a stand up table, and use it when I work on the laptop. I switch back and forth from the desktop to the laptop every day. So I can start by doing sort of a half and half.
Thank you very much for the article. I’m writting you this comment from my… home made stand-up desk !
Nice work Ling-en, looks really good!
I have a bar height table from Ikea that would work perfectly for a stand-up desk. Good suggestion about yoga mat for your feet too.
I’m lucky. I had an ergonomic assessment of my work station about 10 years ago and my company has provided me with a wonderful, fully adjustable standing desk since then. It’s interesting…they were once an oddity (I used to get LOTS of questions) and now they are more common and highly prized. I have a standard desk for those tasks that need that kind of attention…like I said, I’m lucky to work for a company that cares!
Nice post. I have actually worked at a research center of one Oil and Gas company here in Germany, which had these stand-up desks. Actually one could switch , to make it a sit-down or stand-p desk with some electro-mechanical system. you just hit that button on the side. It was really cool. I wasn’t aware of dangers of sitting that you did mention in this blog. But I found that more productive, you would stand up and never loose the focus. Focus on work is important in presence of World Wide Web.
I agree. When you’re sitting down, you’re more likely to do brainless activities such as browsing the web, emails and wasting time unconsciously.
When you’re standing up, you’re constantly thinking about what you’re doing – you’re much less likely to let your mind wander.
This is what I’ve found the biggest benefit of a stand up desk. In my work office I use this one: http://bit.ly/122L1EP it lets me switch between standing and sitting, and I like to have both options.
If one has a bad back to start with, is a standing posture better or worse for the back?
Haha wow Yaro, you hardly ever laugh when you do mistakes on video man!
Anyway, I think the stand up desk has a really strong foundation and I have seen more and more people who are all about lifestyle and marketing going for these home made setups.
I actually like working near my kitchen and I happen to have a place (it’s like a table but it’s not a table per se, I just don’t know the English word for it -a kitchen counter maybe?-) that is designed for having breakfast there and it happens to be at the perfect height so I think I’m going to take the laptop there and see how it feels for me.
Thanks for the health improvement and reminder man, all the best!
Yaro, I’m glad to see standing desks are starting to catch on and more and more people are concerned about the health effects of sedentary lifestyles. Even better, you provided an alternative to the all too common $500 standing desks or $2,000 treadmill desks, which are outrageous.
I am debuting a product at CES next week in Las Vegas that is in line with standing desks and can be used with any laptop or tablet device and allows you to switch from sitting and standing, using the same device. I work from home too and my productivity was killed by always being uncomfortable, eye strain or just not wanting to sit anymore, so I’m setting out to change that.
Hopefully more people take this advice and if they don’t invest in a standing desk, hopefully they will realize how much of a difference getting up and walking 5 minutes each hour can make. We shouldn’t sacrifice our health to work and our work shouldn’t suffer because of our productivity.
A stand up desk is a good idea, given the recent data on how sitting all day affects health and life span. But I do something instead.
Every hour my watch chimes, and like a Pavlovian dog, I push away from the desk and do a prescribed set of things, such as squats, push ups and specific stretches to counteract the slumping forward mode that sitting involves.
I’ve been considering this for a while too. But since I have limited space, and am at my desk all day, there’s no room for a sit down desk plus a stand up desk.
I was wondering if you knew of a solution similar to what Imran mentioned, for want of a better term: a converter that allows you to work sitting down and then boost the monitor and keyboard to allow work standing up. Then when you are tired, to revert to a sitting position.
the Vika Kaj legs are not long enough for us taller guys. And I am not that tall. Only 183 cm (about 6 foot). However, the VIKA BYSKE legs go up to 42-1/8 inches and when combined with a 1-3/8 desk gives a max height of 43-1/2 inches. Much better as my b.b. is 42-1/2 from floor.
I am really considering switching to a stand up desk. Mainly, it is my back that suffers from sitting down all day. I still keep of a period of exercise or sport during the day. Although I train a lot, I have to admit that I feel uncomfortable sitting down for long periods of time.
I have some doubts if standing up during many hours will be the best. It seems better and more natural standing up than sitting down. What is even more natural is walking (like the treadmill setup). Sometimes, I like to sit down and relax when working on my computer. Furthermore, in my work, I perform better sometimes sitting down when I need more concentration. However, it is never many hours in a row.
I believe the real solution comes from varying our position. I am going to try different setups and adopt a new lifestyle. I wish I could have a desktop with both positions: stand up and the chair.
Sebastian, my set-up with a “coffee table” on top of my regular desk allows me to slide the computer back so that I can sit at the regular desk if I wish. I would be easier to have a high chair to sit on for those times I do not wish to stand. My chiropractor also suggested something to put one of my feet on to adjust the alignment of my back. I have to try that. A padded mat to stand on certainly helps. I also take little walks around my room when I have sent an email, etc, so that I get some variation in back position.
I am a woodcarver. My kind of work requires me to be standing most of the time. A couple of years ago I experienced some kind of pain on my foot. I learned it was called plantar fasciitis which is an inflammation of the arch tendon on the foot.
My point is working 8 hours a day on a standing position is not conducive to health. I would rather use a kneeling chair on my office instead of the regular office chair.
I have a kitchen island that I often use as a desk, but now I will do it even more!
The thing I like about your posts is that a always so well researched and full of practical advice.
Fascinating stuff, and you’ve just given me an idea Yaro. Years ago when I first started my offline consulting business I used to do a lot of manual design and drafting and would stand at my drafting table. This would be for most of the day (but not every day of the week!) and it was what I preferred to do. It just felt more comfortable, but I didn’t know why.
Well, guess what? I still have that same drafting table, hasn’t been used in years because I moved to CAD. This table has adjustable legs to suit a person’s height, and it also has a large table area to place a lot of stuff on.
I’m going down to the shed right now to dust it off. Hint for readers – look around for cast-off drafting/drawing tables. You could pick one up for a song!
What we really need, and now that Large LCD touch screens and 3D tracking cameras (like the Xbox kinect) are getting cheaper in may be possible soon, Is a large screen NO MORE mouse NO MORE Key boards and computer interaction from anywhere in the room. and free you from the desk completely. If a cheap game console can track your movements into computer input and Siri on a iPhone can take voice commands and eye movement recognition devices it is time we merge all these technologies into truly modern workstations that throw away the old writing desk once and for all. Sorry everyone that learned to touch type but I want to make that skill obsolete how about transferring words and design to screen as fast as you can think not just tap keys no need for a ergonomic mouse (believe me I have tried them all from tables to track balls to track pads) ANY repetitive motion causes stress on you no matter HOW ergonomic the device used. Sitting is bad yes but so is standing in fact the reason we invented chairs is because standing all day is tiring also. AND YES at the moment anyway there are still people that have to spend hours doing one thing all day so standing or sitting they will still have Repetitive stress related injuries and just standing up vs sitting is NOT going to solve obesity problems I know of people that have never had a desk job in their life that are obesely overweight they held what would normally be called very active jobs construction workers even with huge beer guts it is NOT just what you do at work that is making you unhealthy.
A wonderful post. I know your blog for the past 4 years and I believe that this is one of the most useful posts ever.
I didn’t expect it was that dangerous to work sitted down for a long time, damn! Thanks for these explanations, statistics and videos! I will think about it very seriously in this month and see what I can do in my home. BTW I will share it on my Twitter.
I was curious what would be the content of the article when I clicked in the email link – but I am glad I did. Just elevated my laptop position by putting two old desktop computers flat on the desk and am standing as I write this. I’ve been doing my marathon training for last 3 months and this is just right in time.
Hopefully this is something I can have all my 20 team mates practising in near future.
Wow! Yaro, talk about making revolutionary changes to productivity and health! Intuitively, it makes perfect sense as your body would be more fully “awake” and engaged in the tasks at hand. I guess, this is taking the phrase “think on your feet/toes” to a whole new level. Great informative post as usual!
How tall is the table you are using?
Happy New Year’s and thank you for this informative and relevant post.
I’m an incomplete paraplegic from a motorcycle accident, and while I was in a wheelchair and a complete paraplegic, I’m only partially paralyzed now, and I can walk and stand (not run :).
But I cannot stand while working due to endurance strength and balance. So I’ve been doing something which may also work for other people who cannot use a standing desk for any reason.
I use a timer in my browser that I set for 20 minutes. Each time the timer goes off I stand up and I do 20 partial squats and some simple stretches and then get back to work.
I originally did this 20 minute timer thing because it keeps me on target with three 20 minute blocks every hour and it reminds me that time is going by! Get more work done!
Then near the end of last year I realized, ” Aha, my circulation is bad–so I’ll do ’20 at 20′,” and so I pop up (sometimes not happy about it because I like to work and don’t want to stop), and I do the light exercises.
From your news above I can see this will help me–and it’s better than sitting all day!
BTW In the past I owned a Herman Miller Aeron chair, and while I now know it’s not good to sitt for extended periods of time–if you have to sit for many hours each day–the Herman Miller Aeron IS THE CHAIR. being in IT and web dev since 1996–I’ve done TOO many hours in desk chairs. With the Aeron you do not feel like you’ve been sitting.
I’ve been thinking about this for a while but now you’ve pointed out the health risks in detail I think I really need to make the change. And, lucky me, I already have a suitable Ikea desk so I just need to get new legs!
Another point worth considering might be the shoes you wear at a stand up desk. I choose comfort and support over fashion these days but many women still wear ridiculous heels at work. I don’t imagine it would be a god idea to work at a stand up desk in those!
Long-time reader of your ezine here. This stand up deak is a GREAT idea – might work with the old architect/draftsman tables as well.
Warmest regards and rock your day!
Or, try the treadmill desk!
It makes me feel a little better about my own bloopers knowing that someone as seasoned as you still makes mistakes!
The company I work for is slowly introducing the standing work stations to the office, which is great, but I didn’t even think about how much time I spend in the home office after work. I’m looking forward to applying something like the solution you’ve suggested for my home setup.
easier for blood to clot in certain parts of the body.
Here’s a great story you may enjoy about standing.
and stood for 8 hrs. a day.
Enjoy the new year Yaro!
Excellent info, thanks so much. Your videos are great, do you shoot it with iphone?
I use my old VADO HD handheld camera at the moment, sometimes the webcam on my mac too.
I must say the idea of a stand-up desk is rather scary at first since it’s completely different from the sedentary lifestyle that most of us are having, not only at work, but also at the cinema, cafe talks, etc.
But come to think about it, it’s just something we’re used to. So it can definitely be chagned. And improving our health is definitely a great reason to kickstart the new habit.
Thanks Yaro. This info and suggestion is really great. A nice gift to start 2013.
This is a great info and I will send the direct url to my subscribers too.
I noticed of recent that I do have sore back often due to so much sitting down. After reading this blog post, I have decided to start standing up to do other things after 2hrs intervals.
I’ve been standing for about 3 months now, but always looking for more ways to improve posture, energy levels and productivity. The Ultradian Rhythm stuff looks really interesting, I hadn’t heard of that before.
I’ve been using the Pomodoro technique and switching position after every 4 pomodoros.
– Wear MBT shoes. I get less aching in my feet now.
– I mounted a TRX suspension trainer on the office, so I exercise on it in some of my breaks. It has made a big difference to my core stability.
– I invested in a motorised desk frame and fitted it to my existing Ikea Galant top. I can now fine tune the height to whatever task i’m doing or what i’m sitting on.
Great photos Matt, it’s amazing how many different ways people have set up home offices with stand up desks.
I recently had a therapist who specializes in ergonomics come to my home office because I was suffering from some neck issues. One of the things she recommended right of the bat was that I get a standing desk. Well, I didn’t do it at the time, but I did do everything else she recommended and it made an amazing difference in how I feel at the end of every day.
I guess it’s time to re look at the standing desk thing. I like your simple design.
I’ve always been a big believer in not sitting still for too long but had never considered standing. Will look into it pronto.
Thanks Yaro for this health saving and helping post!
Over 90% of internet users especially mavericks are guilty of this long standing baby sitting on computer.
Sorry Yaro, you lost all credibility when you said you use a Mac.
Joking aside, this is an excellent idea. In our house though the space below the desk would be completely filled with something. Absolutely stupid in terms of Feng Shui I know but when your partner is a teacher it sort of takes over.
Did you know Jason Fladelin has gone one further than this? Two further actually. First he’s got a dual screen set up. More than that though he’s put a treadmill below the desk. He runs it very slowly but it’s enough to keep the circulation going and also generate the endorphins that are required for creativity. No wonder Jason is one creative guy.
We will be doing quite a bit of remodelling around the house this year (I’m told) so I wonder if I can get her to incorporate this idea into our home office.
I purchased a “stand up desk” which is a platform that you can attach a monitor to with a small deck for writing. It collapses to the desk level or extends to accommodate work while standing. I paid nearly $500.00 for it and that was a complete waste of money. I wanted the advantage of sitting and standing, depending on my mood. It hadn’t occurred to me to purchase a tall chair that would allow me to sit at a standing desk when I did need a few minutes off my feet.
Your solution is much more practical. Anyone want to buy a collapsible monitor mount-standing desk . . . cheap?
I’m pleased to report that thanks to your post, I’ve made an incredible change right at the beginning of 2013: a stand-up desk.
I bought it at IKEA: a no-frills table top and 4 legs (a bit expensive for me but ok). I’m still sitting while at work but when I’m back home, I’m standing these days.
I feel a bit sore after a few days but overall it’s been okay. And I like it.
And this standing position definitely encouraged me to walk around and take breaks more often.
Well hello Yaro, I switched to a standing desk about 6 months ago and would never go back to a traditional sitting desk.
As you highlight the ability to take an instant walk to compose your thoughts and then instantly return to work without having to re-position the chair and resettle yourself for work has been the best productivity bonus for me.
I know Chris Kesser has done the same – stand-up desk complete with treadmill. It makes such a lot of sense. Our bodies were never designed to sit – squat yes, as that actually aligns the back, but sitting put a lot of pressure on our spines.
Thanks Yaro. I spend more than 70 percentage of my day sitting either in a bus, watching tv, creating content for my blog or at work. I must say I am constantly having backaches. I really need to follow this approach.
Thanks Yaro. There was a TV program on this last night and they echoed everything you’ve mentioned about blood fat levels rising and insulin processing being reduced. One of their tips was to move about at least once an hour, and to try and keep constant motion in your day. Walk up stairs instead of the lift or escalator, stand on the train/bar instead of sitting. And keep moving at home. Great advice, thanks.
How does this work with a laptop?
Place the laptop on a pile of books and plug in an external keyboard.
That’s what I have done while traveling to still get the height, but the keyboard needs to be down at your elbows so you will have to use an external one.
Thanks for this information. I have a follow up question about the table height. The Vika Kaj legs from IKEA say they are height adjustable 23 5/8-35 3/8″. The max height might be a little short for someone like me at 6’2″. How tall are you?
I’m 182cm, so just on six foot IM. The legs could go higher still too, I guess it also depends how your body is proportioned, if you have short arms and long legs you might need a taller table.
Having a desk the right height makes a big difference. I sometimes work on the kitchen counter which is about the same height as Vika Kaj legs will go and I can feel it in my neck and arms after a while.
Standing desks ARE awesome, but what I’ve found to be even more awesome are adjustable height desks. Have you looked into one of these?
I know the point is standing for more of the day, but the thing I really like about my adjustable height desk is that I can just push a button and it will move from standing to sitting– or any height really. Don’t get me wrong, I do stand for 90% of my day, but for those times when I do want a little sitting break, it’s really convenient.
What do you do if you want to take a sit for a moment?
Anyway, you can check out the desk I use here: http://www.NextDesks.com. There are tons of options out there though, this is just the one I’ve been using and really like so far.
What a brilliant concept. I was a bit skeptical at first, but decided to give the idea a try.
I build a 2.4 M by 600mm stand up desk and it is great. I realy live the way it has improved my attitude and and effectiveness to productivity. I sent Yaro a photo of my setup as I can’t see how to attach it to this comment.
I just couldn’t put my finger on it, and as I was scrolling through your blog I thought, “hmmm”.
a las’ I found a solution.
I have a dresser at my perfect height level I put my laptop on and voila!
I just started doing this by the time I wrote this post to tell you that this is some of THE best advice I’ve received to make myself more productive and easily move around without feeling ‘lazy’ to get up out of a sitting position for hours at a time.
Plus, this will force me to get more done in less time before I grow weary standing and NEED to sit down or move for breaks.
I really, really appreciate you sharing this.
By the way, has any one else had their legs borderline fall asleep on them on a regular basis from sitting down all the time?
I have had my stand up desk for over a year and I love it. But I disagree that you would get tired after standing for more than two hours. I work an 8 hour office job and I never sit unless I’m meeting in a colleague’s office. And I am nowhere near skinny. If I can do it, almost anyone can do it. You’d be amazed how fast your body gets used to the change. And beneath the padded wall, I have some amazing muscles in my thighs and calves. Anyway, thanks for the ergonomic schematic and awesome observations!
I think that’s an interesting alternative, which offers several benefits. However, in the case of computer gaming, it’s a bit … undoable, because of the long time spent on the screen IMO. It’s great that someone explained so precisely the concept and its consequences. Thanks a lot.
Standup desk is a great idea but job is a job you can’t ask your boss to arrange standup desk for 9 hours job in office. Agree sitting is killing.
I’m way too short for most DIY options, plus they’re kind of a pain to set up and take down multiple times a day. If you want to try standing desks, my vote is for StorkStand. It’s collapsable and weighs four pounds, so you can take it back and forth with you pretty easily. Also it costs less than $200, which is awesome. The Kickstarter for it is at https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/889675794/storkstand-the-most-affordable-mobile-standing-des.
Great post about your journey towards getting out of your chair; i hate sitting for very long, just as I hate standing in place for very long. I like to move around, and i find a standing setup encourages me to take more action and do less googling.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Yaro. I am using the TaskMate Executive from Health Postures and it really helped me become more productive at work. It has helped me become more energized all throughout the duration of my shift. I am now more cautious of this ergonomics after I had a cervical injury couple of months ago. If I had known of this earlier, I would have suffered from a severe pain in my spine. But still thankful though that I am now healed because of the therapy and not because of the surgery.
I would love to see standing desks become much more popular. The health statistics regarding sitting for long periods of time are very frightening. Since most of us work at jobs that are very stationary in nature, a standing desk could be a great compromise for improving health.
Three Days ago, the idea came to me to find a Desk to stand up and work on the Computer. Then I remembered I could use my Keyboard(for Music) Stand and something to lay across it like a Briefcase. This Morning, I started doing it, and I noticed that I move around more, but more importantly, I believe this will make me focus and work a little faster, because I can see it will hard to stand for unnecessary Hours!!! I also plan to exercise while I’m standing from time to time.
I have a first hand experience or effects of sitting for longer hours, you body just gets messed up, I’d suggest in investing in a high quality, ergonomic solution for your office.
Awesome piece Yaro. Great information as well. Will be Getting one as soon as I can.
I started doing this today. By accident actually. I moved my laptop to a tall set of draws in our bedroom whilst my partner mopped the floor. I was using the laptop like this for 15 minutes and couldn’t help but notice how nice it felt. So I continued.
I Googled it to see if others stand up at the computer and came across this.
I’m a programmer. I sit on my bed 10+ hours a day because it’s comfortable either programming, or reading. I’ve done this for a while and I know how bad it is. My leg muscles have decreased in size, I get tiered quickly, and I got very lazy. I stopped my personal projects because I just got lazy.
It’s been a good 6 hours standing up. I love it. I’ve taken breaks … you physically can’t work that long standing up. I can’t anyway. I am keeping the laptop here.
I find I’m now only using the computer to actually code, and I spend the rest of the time away from the computer actually planning whatever it is I’m building.
I can’t afford to spend the rest of my life sitting at a computer, and I certainly don’t want to stop programming. This is perfect.
Only problem I’ve found is sore feet. But my slippers fixed that. I might invest in some seriously comfortable foot ware. Or a thick yoga mat.
I have always wanted one of these! Thanks for writing about it!
With increasing stress in work life I think working while standing gives a little bit of relaxation .
We have around 10 standing work bays at our office.
Thanks for sharing this guide! I think I sit too for long time and I’ll have to work on it!
I am definitely going to try one of those stand up desk. Thanks for this great post.
Great article Yaro, After I read this post, immediately I stand up.. haha!
Thank you for this information. It really helped me a lot!
Keep doing this greate wrting!
While I appreciate your innovative ideas, I still don’t comprehend how someone can work standing for eight hours. Thank you for sharing all these details to make people aware of the risks of sitting. Keep sharing such posts and shedding light on the unknown facts. I liked the images you have shared here.
I hear you Jiya – I don’t think standing up for 8 hours makes sense either. I get a sore back from about 2-3 hours, so you do have to rest.
If you work in an office, being able to standup then sit down is good. In my case, working at home, I work standing up like doing a podcast interview, or talking on zoom conferences, then I might sit down on my couch for lunch, then head to a coffee shop and sit down work. The key is movement, the body needs to be used. | 2019-04-24T05:54:49Z | https://yaro.blog/11687/stand-up-desk/ |
With profit rates steadily declining, more and more capital is abandoning the “real” economy – the one that produces goods and services and which creates new value through the exploitation of labour power – in order to chase the mirage of easy profits offered by speculation. An attempt, in other words, to somehow replace the profits capitalism lost in the productive sector with speculative gains. This capital flight has only helped to depress “real” production and magnify a parasitic mechanism that began with the financialisation of the crisis itself. This process involved the growth of fictitious capital, or easy credit, given the low cost of borrowing. As a result the US economy was flooded by an ocean of debt – from the State, to companies and even families. When the Federal Reserve increased interest rates the bubble burst with the global consequences we have all seen. The explosion not only hit the financial apparatus – the banks which had to be saved at any cost (too big to fail) – it also impacted heavily on the fragile productive fabric which had originally generated it, bringing lower wage rates and worse conditions of exploitation for the international proletariat.
On the other hand, the use of Quantitative Easing to staunch the financial haemorrhage means that a gift of over $12tn was given to the banks alone (beyond Stiglitz’ $20tn mentioned above). The millions of jobs that Trump waves like a flag, as evidence of the alleged economic recovery, have actually materialised in the shape of some hundreds of thousands of jobs, but with ultra-precarious contracts, sometimes even for one week, underpaid without any health or trade union coverage. Meanwhile, “the debt economy” progressively expands to a worrying degree. In one year, from 2016 to 2017, the debt of non-financial corporations (companies) grew by 11.1%, the public debt increased by 6.7%, household debt grew 12.5% and the financial sector debt grew by 11.3%.
The great recession of 2007-8 and the subsequent long depression which still continues, have weakened the overall economic framework. The global capitalist economy remains stagnant, with a low rate of productivity growth. Trade flows are slowing down and, above all, the profitability of productive capital has not improved. Meanwhile cooperation has been replaced by increasingly cruel competition (see Trump’s tariff policy). According to World Bank economists’ projections, world economic growth is expected to fall to 2.9% by 2020 and, therefore, the long depression that began in 2008 not only has not ended but will continue with its dangerous toll of trade wars, economic wars and increasingly violent and widespread wars of plunder.
In the USA, the public debt that in 2007 was about $9tn (75% of GDP) had reached $19.2tn by 2016, 105% of GDP.3 In recent years, under Trump, this has only increased and in future it will be even worse. With the acceleration of Trump’s policies, it may already have reached 130%. According to the Treasury, the budget deficit for 2018 has risen by 17% and is the highest since 2012. Revenue increased by 0.4% while expenses exceeded 3.2%. The Congressional Budget Office projection for 2019 is that the budget deficit will reach a trillion dollars ($1tn, or one thousand billion). Trump’s policies anticipate extraordinary outlays, including $700bn for defence, 31% tax cuts for businesses (against, it must be said, an increase in private taxation of 6.1%). In all the Federal deficit will increase by an additional $214bn “thanks” to these tax cuts and increased military spending which will also increase the interest that has to be paid on the debt.
In the meantime, the federal debt has skyrocketed to $22tn compared with about $18tn in revenue. The budgets of more than half of the states in the United States have to be supported by the deficit policy of the US federal government. In addition, student debt has reached $1.5tn; credit card debt equals $1.6tn; $1.22tn for cars and $11.8tn of corporate debts. On top of these there is a huge, but unspecified, amount of debt incurred through the purchase of real estate, as well as another unspecified amount for the total debt of the individual states. The most worrying figure, however, is company debt.
If it is true that in the first quarter of 2018, the top 500 US companies achieved a 26% increase in earnings per share, it is also true that this was exclusively due to the enormous tax reduction proposed and implemented by the Trump administration (30%). If the profits of the entire corporate sector had been calculated without the tax cuts, then in the first quarter of 2018 there would have been not a gain but a fall of -0.6%, immediately preceded by an initial decline in the fourth quarter of 2017 of -0.1%. With the tax reductions, profits have increased by 6%. Meanwhile, however, profitability is low. The average profitability of plants in America and the G7 economies remains well below pre-crisis levels, even after ten years of alleged recovery and despite the powerful capital injections of the Federal Reserve as well as the other central banks of the major industrialised countries. The real obstacle to overcoming the crisis is the low rate of valorisation of capital. The fear now is that the next crisis, widely predicted by the same American analysts, will occur from the explosive combination of manufacturing companies’ debt in the US as well as in all G7 economies, and the overall mass of debts.
This is especially true for large companies, while small and medium ones do not even have this option, unless they are ready to run the big risk of going bust. So they remain at the mercy of a market which is likely to eliminate them. This is the same pattern of financialisation of the crisis which preceded the bursting of the “sub-prime” bubble. Much of the debt is rated BBB, bonds with the lowest investment grade. This means they are just a hair above junk. Their fate is linked to even a minimum increase in interest rates which increases the cost of servicing the debt and therefore increases the costs of production. The number of BBB-rated companies has increased by 50% since 2009 and does not seem to stop. The real situation of the American economy that has “exited” the crisis is to be found in Government debt, the federal deficit, the balance of payments deficit, and the debts of half of all the American states. On top of all this public debt there is the pile of private and business debt. This mountain of debt and deficits would make the US economy the most precarious in the world were it not for the hegemonic role of the dollar and the strength of its army, ready to intervene in the four corners of the world whenever there is the slightest risk of interference with its strategic aims and financial interests.
But as Roberts says in The Long Depression, “the big risk is the combination of declining profitability and increasingly high debt in the corporate sector, not just the American, but across the G7. If profits continue to slide, while the cost of servicing debt increases with the rise in interest rates, then this would be a dangerous recipe for a chain of corporate bankruptcies and a new, devastating debt crisis. Global debt, in particular corporate debt, is at historic highs”. We would add that the fuse is lit, so when is it going to explode?
Even at the periphery of capitalism, in the so-called emerging countries, the situation is replicated. Most manufacturing and financial companies in the “emerging” countries have heavily borrowed in dollars, since interest rates on the dollar, then (before the crisis), and now are relatively low. The Federal Reserve Bank has deliberately kept the interest rate on the “greenback” at almost nil. Much of the enormous flow of capital that has moved into emerging economies was not intended for productive investment but has been directed towards loans and bonds for speculative activities. Meanwhile, long-term capital flows towards emerging economies for productive investments (FDIs) have been in rapid decline for at least a decade, or since the beginning of the “sub-prime” crisis. The consequences are apparent: every country affected by the financial crisis has raised interest rates on their government bonds.
In Turkey, the interest rate that the State must pay to public sector underwriters has gone up from 12% to 20%, in Argentina from 6% to 26.2%, in Russia from 4% to 8%, in Indonesia from 3% to 9%, in Brazil from 10% to 267% in Lebanon from 20% to 281%, in South Africa from 12% to 112% (i.e. three out of five BRICS).
It’s like a movie we’ve seen before, a horror movie full of economic and social devastation. When the god Profit loses its supreme role in the production of surplus value, it makes capital run away from productive investment towards speculation, towards the creation of a massive amount of fictitious capital. Debt now “governs” the US economy. All the fundamental data of the American economic system are in the red. Debt is suffocating productive activity, including enterprises themselves, threatening their survival on the domestic market, and obliging them to mimic the large concentrations of speculative capital in the hope of surviving the decline in profit rates.
It is to protect companies such as these – the ones overwhelmed by debt and devoid of profitable investment opportunities (half of which have a BBB rating, just above junk) – that Trump’s short-term thinking brought him to raise tariffs against half the world, in particular China. He didn’t stop to consider how China, with its very low cost goods, has so far allowed the over 80 million Americans living below the poverty line to feed themselves. Nor did he take on board the inevitable reaction from those parts of the world which are now facing a wall of customs duties against their more competitive goods.
1) In the wake of Russia’s rescue of Assad’s regime in Syria, to prevent it having a permanent base in the Mediterranean.
2) Detach Europe from its energy dependence on Moscow by building a series of pipelines to replace existing and planned Russian ones.
3) Obstruct every opportunity for Moscow to commercialise its Siberian “energy treasures” by stepping up its trade in roubles, given the threat of replacing the dollar that is coming from China and Maduro’s Venezuela.
On top of these scenarios, which are already so tense that they are on the edge of “direct confrontation”, the US has imposed duties against Iran and North Korea, against Venezuela and Canada, and now threatens increased taxes on trade with Germany and Italy. In the case of Venezuela, Trump’s trade policy has two objectives: the first is to destabilise the Maduro government which is already badly hit by the devastating economic crisis throughout the country, at the same time as politically favouring and funding the right-wing opposition. The second, as already mentioned, consists in preventing Maduro from selling oil with a new crypto-currency (the petro) that would replace the dollar, at least in the Latin American region.
The US policy of imposing import duties dates back to August 1971 when America first experienced a trade deficit of $2.5m (today it is $556bn). The USA, which had literally flooded the world with its goods after the Second World War, less than thirty years later found itself a net importer of goods and services. The deficit itself was not high, but it revealed the reduced competitiveness of American goods and signalled a dangerous turn-round in relations with Europe (Germany) and Japan.
The announcement on de-linking the dollar from gold had a twofold impact. On the one hand, the declining gold reserves in American coffers were unable to match the enormous mass of dollars circulating on the international market, a mass that is constantly expanding. On the other hand, with the dollar devalued and released from the gold standard, those who lost money were the speculators, the savers and all the international banks which previously had invested in the dollar as a safe asset. Nevertheless, successive US administrations have made sure they continue to make the dollar – even if unhooked from gold – the universal currency of world trade, the refuge of last resort par excellence, a commodity whose wholesale cost is close to zero, a monetary instrument for all speculations, and the means by which enormous flows of capital are channelled to the US economy. But a strong dollar inevitably penalises the competitiveness of American goods by opening up a trade deficit chasm as the years go by. Still, the various Administrations have done everything to strengthen the dollar, even while trying to offset the commercial damage. The priority has been to keep the dollar’s dominant position in the international money markets so that rivers of financial capital could be drawn into the American economy to finance the various deficits, while what remained could be exported as capital to invest in countries where the cost of labour power was far below that of the American proletariat. This key role for the dollar is so important that ever since the oil crises of the early Seventies successive US administrations have not hesitated to engineer wars, both to get their hands on energy raw materials, and to ensure that oil and gas producers do not dare to deal with anything other than the dollar. Today, so-called oil (or pipeline) wars, and the “perennial” issue of the supremacy of the dollar, are still as significant as in the Seventies, only their geographical framework has changed and widened in intensity and ferocity.
The Trump administration seems to be trying to square the circle, i.e. to continue to have a strong dollar and a balance of payments which, if not in positive territory, at least is an acceptable deficit. The policy of tariffs, in addition to its political value of imperialist opposition with sworn enemies and commercial opponents, is precisely a reflection of this “have your cake and eat it” policy – i.e. a strong dollar and balance of payments which does not reflect the constant undercutting of what is produced in the States.
In short, specific national tariffs and occasionally wars generated by economic crises – beyond the fact that they destroy capital values which need to be rebuilt – are capitalism’s daily bread.
Coupled with armed force, they achieve the economic and strategic objectives which diplomacy and “normal” competition are unable to accomplish.
This is how wars, which have never stopped since 1945, reflect the growing tension between the US and the other imperialist powers. Today competition is increasing on all fronts – manufacturing and industrial, commercial, monetary, and strategic – and is turning into open military confrontation. The motor force is still the economic/financial crisis. The crisis of profitability, which brings lower returns on manufacturing investment, generates more and more speculation. This in its turn has generated an immense mound of financial liabilities which bring the additional danger that an increase in US interest rates will spark an irreparable debt crisis and provoke another, much worse, world crisis than the one which the optimists define as already a thing of the past.
A nominal and real rise in 10 year yields on US Treasury Securities (3.25% and 1%, respectively over the highs of 2011) was enough to create ructions on New York financial markets on October 10, 2018. The combined fears of a further increase in Treasury yields and the risk of a trade war with China caused the Dow Jones to drop 832 points and the S&P500 to lose 95 points (-3.29%) by the close of the day. This was the worst fall since February 8th when the Dow dropped over 1000 points. This contraction of the markets and the sell-off that hit securities in the technology sector (Nasdaq) were also connected to the import duties imposed on China. But the most powerful detonator was the fear that higher interest rates will magnify the indebtedness of entire productive sectors, including technology ones. Securities of Facebook, Twitter and Netflix lost 20% of their value in an instant. Even Trump has blamed what he called the “mad” Fed policy of a third consecutive interest rate rise so far in 2018. All this is an undeniable sign of a permanent crisis for capital which appears on the surface in the shape of financial collapses and, more fundamentally, in the now endemic lack of returns in the world of the real economy. It is the latter which is driving capital to flee investment in favour of the ‘useless’, albeit riskier, road of speculation.
Here then is the only way capital can try to get out of the economic and financial crisis in the short term: competitive devaluations, speculation, import duties, more intense exploitation of the workforce, dismantling of the welfare state. In the long run, however, only a substantial destruction of capital values can resolve the crisis in the profitability of capital. It is no accident that in the Second World War it was the productive sectors which were most devastated. Afterwards this allowed US imperialism to invest productively in renewed infrastructures and reconstruction of European industrial plants located mainly in Italy, France, Germany and even Japan. Moreover, the US was able to export its surplus financial capital to key economic sectors of the defeated countries. Thus, a huge opening was created for both the victors and defeated to begin a new cycle of accumulation. But the end of the Second World War did not bring an end to the fury of imperialism, either American or Russian. In their different strategic ways, they continued to confront each other. Not because the second world tragedy had not caused enough destruction, but because, in addition to destroying in order to rebuild, imperialism needs to export capital, to invest abroad, to control and exploit territories with important raw materials and, last but not least, to exploit energy resources and manage their trade routes and get a share, possibly in monopolistic terms, of the revenues.
In the aftermath of the Second World War, a long series of proxy “cold” wars was to begin between the two victorious power houses of imperialism. Amongst them was the conflict in China in the period 1937-48 where a Chinese Communist Party siding with the Russians faced a pro-American Kuomintang. The outcome after 1949 was that China was divided into two parts, the continental one, which fell under the influence of Russia, and the island of Taiwan which came into the US orbit. Only a year later the conflict moved to Korea (1950-53). The Vietnam war followed (1962-75) and the bellicose events that bloodied Central America, in Honduras and in Nicaragua, for and against the Sandinistas. As usual, on one side was Russian imperialism defending its “new colonies”, on the other the US which used the services of the Panamanian narco-trafficker Noriega to defeat the Sandinistas. (The latter character, who took tons of drugs from Colombian Cartels into the United States, even returned loaded with arms supplied by the CIA to be distributed to the Contras in Central America.) We could continue showing how the clash between the USSR and the USA defined the nationalist quarrel between Israel and the Palestinians, the missile crisis in Cuba, the Panama affair and US marines landing etc. Suffice it to say, all of these represented conflicts in an endless war interrupted, not by peaceful solutions, but only when one of the contenders was obliged to abandon it.
Then the USSR imploded. An implosion which was the outcome of decreasing competitiveness, of a disproportionate increase in investment in capital goods whilst labour productivity either declined or remained stagnant, thus bringing a change in the organic composition of capital and an inexorable fall in profit rates. Despite their low productivity and profitability, the huge investments in constant capital that were made largely benefited the powerful State oligarchy, which derived its “five-year” bribe from the financial allocations to industry and agriculture. The more the state invested in constant capital, even if it was not very productive, the more the Russian oligarchy had the chance to divert a portion of capital into their own pockets. Once again, the US played its part in promoting the economic crisis of the Soviet system by focussing on the competition between the two for military technological innovations and the arms race. The USSR was forced to borrow heavily to pay for armaments. USSR defence spending accounted for 23% of GDP, against the 7-8% of its GDP that the US was spending. This enormous disparity led to a disproportionate deficit in the coffers of the Russian state which opened up the first breaches in the Soviet state capitalist economic system – a system already undermined by the scourge of a steadily falling rate of profit, and growing weakness at the periphery of its empire.
It was the experience of Solidarność in Poland – thanks in part to the CIA and Vatican – that would annul the “fleeting” experience of a fake socialism that had come out of the defeat of the October Revolution (the first and only historical example of proletarian revolution to have occurred as yet).
The collapse of the USSR was effectively followed by 10 years of US mono-imperialism which gave successive Administrations free rein on the international scene. It was the era of the “first” oil wars, where the US extended its control over associated aspects of the industry, such as the construction of pipe lines, storage centres and refineries. These obviously had to get into the hands of the American oil companies and other specialised companies linked to oil, including engineering and logistic issues, all of them participating in the exploitation of the oil revenue itself. This was the period when American imperialism came out in the open: in the 1990-91 war in Iraq, in Afghanistan and then the second war in Iraq in 2003. A whole decade was interspersed with “minor” but strategically important wars, like those in the Sahel in Africa and the one that destroyed Yugoslavia, the last European bulwark of fake socialism in Titoist guise. Meanwhile, post-Soviet Russia, thanks to Siberian oil and gas fields, regained a position in the ranks of international imperialism and repositioned itself, with China, as a counterpart to the American superpower, giving rise to a de facto second cold war. At this point (2011) after the explosion of the “Arab Spring” the conflict moved to Syria and Libya.
In Syria, Russia is supporting Bashar el’Assad in order to defends its interests in the Mediterranean, with the maintenance of the military and commercial ports of Tartus and Latakia . The alliance with Assad’s Syrian Armed Forces, provides Russia a bulwark in the Middle East against Saudi Arabia, Israel and their US imperialist mentor. Here there is already a generalised war taking place before our eyes, a war orchestrated by all the most powerful imperialist centres in the area. On the field we find Russia and the US with their corresponding allies. Alongside Russia is Iran, Iraq, and the Lebanese Hezbollah. This is the Shiite axis of the Middle East. Lining up alongside the US are Saudi Arabia, the Emirates, Qatar9, which constitute the Sunni axis – loyal but not so much – to Trump’s ambitions.
Machinations are taking place inside Libya where France, Italy, the UK and the USA are all manoeuvring. France and the UK, backed by omnipresent US imperialism, were behind the military expedition against Gaddafi. Here the double aim was to take away ENI’s (Italian state oil company) control of 40% of Libyan oil (France’s goal) and prevent Gaddafi from selling its oil in euros, roubles or yuan.
In Syria we have seen the massive presence of all the major culprits for the carnage. With their diverse, often conflicting interests, new alliances have been formed and old ones dissolved, in a series of episodes that have brought the ruin of an entire country with two million dead and over four million refugees. Turkey, Russia, Iran and the Shiite axis on one side. The US, Israel and the Sunni axis on the other. Each has its own interests to defend, whilst in the middle the various Kurdish nationalisms have become the military instrument of one imperialism and thus the target of attack for others, even though they are part of the same coalition. Given the number of powers involved, their areas of influence, their active engagement in the war, we can only conclude that we are already in the midst of a “bizarre” world war where, apart from a few exceptions, notably China, the major imperialist antagonists are already colliding in one of the world’s most important strategic zones. It is no figment of the imagination to think that the next financial crash, driven by increased interest rates, will lead to an even worse economic situation worldwide and bring with it the danger of more generalised war through an intensification of current wars or the outbreak of new ones.
From a political perspective, beyond the need to analyse what is going on in the world, it must be firmly stated that the crisis is not an accident, an inevitable natural disaster or some sort of divine curse. It is the product of the existing mode of production, of a global capitalism which is in a deep economic crisis from which it cannot escape; which is generating a mountain of financial ‘paper wealth’ 12-14 times the world gross domestic product10; which is fleeing from production to devote itself to the palliative of speculation because profit margins in the real economy are no longer sufficient for productive investments. In short, it is the fall in the rate of profit which accelerates capitalist competition and the clash between imperialisms.
In this context the tendency to war is not a warning, but the concrete reality of all international relations and a state of affairs which involves all the main imperialist powers of the planet in various places in the world.
It is a situation that can only be resolved by going to the heart of the contradiction that underlies the entire capitalist edifice, that is, the relationship between capital and labour. In no way can the problem be solved in terms of redistribution, as the more or less radical reformists always suppose, but only by building a position of strength in the struggle between classes and therefore of political leadership in the form of the class political party. Such a party will call for a break in the contradiction of capitalism itself in order to lay the political and economic foundations for the construction of a new society, a society that is no longer based on the labour capital ratio, not aimed at maximising profit, without the wars that create destruction in order to rebuild, without the existence of classes which presuppose the economic and political dominance of one over the other. In other words, a society of associated producers who work and build for collective needs, where everyone contributes according to their particular skills and abilities. Otherwise it will still be barbarism, destruction and death for millions of proletarians; victims, first of exploitation, then of the war that must recreate the conditions for the production of profit itself. There is no other solution. Either the world proletariat will succeed in escaping from the cages of nationalism, from the thousand triggers for war that imperialism sets every day, or a bursting of one of the many speculative bubbles – possibly stemming from the Federal Reserve putting up interest rates – will be enough to intensify and generalise the tragedy of existing wars and turn the world into a gigantic cemetery.
Either war, with its heavy burden of death, destruction and barbarism, or the revolution where the proletariat takes on the task of giving life to a new equitable, communal and human social frame. But for this to happen a strong international party is required to remove wage workers from the dominant thought of the ruling class, stuffed as it is with provincialism, nationalism, racism: as if these trappings of bourgeois ideology were, in any case, the pole star for the whole humanity. It is vital to undermine and demolish the dominant ideology of the ruling class, to begin to pose the question of a class-to-class frontal clash, to present an alternative to this system which can only exploit, produce crises, devastate the eco-system, bring disastrous wars which only herald worse imperialist conflicts that will allow for the destruction of enough capital value to rebuild, to create the conditions for a new cycle of accumulation. This in turn would inevitably have the same problems as before, but with an even greater capacity to destroy the world along with a proletariat unable to find the strength to prevent yet another barbarism. For our part, we are doing everything we can to stop this from ever happening.
The “dualism” of war or revolution is not an invention of the god Mars or the rebellious Prometheus in chains. There is no historical course that necessarily leads to war or revolution. The world will go towards war or revolution, not because history is already written in the Great Book, but only as the result of the balance of power between the ruling class and the subordinate class. And this is not written anywhere except in the consciousness of those who work in one direction or another. There are no historical courses leading to one side or the other. The only valid yardstick is to evaluate the balance of power between the classes, the economic underpinning that conditions their existence, the ideologies which dominate them, and the signals that come from one class or the other. If we were to venture a hypothesis today, on the basis of current elements, we should say that the war “solution” is the most probable. This is because in the current state of affairs the balance of power is on the side of the various imperialist bourgeoisies. Each of them attacks their proletariat by means of greater exploitation, by punishing job contracts, by increasing relative and absolute poverty. They make and break the most absurd governments by supporting them or letting them fall according to their own contingent interests. Abroad, that is, outside of their economic market, under the pressure of the crisis, they set up theatres of war, mostly fought by proletarians in the area under contention. It does not matter whether the proletarians are Kurds or Arabs, Shiites or Sunnis. The important thing is that they are being dragged into the ideological mechanisms of this or that imperialism and that they act as cannon fodder for the sole benefit of the interests of the imperialism that has ideologically subjugated them.
As regards the proletariat, the opposite is true. They rarely oppose the economic attacks and the increasingly humiliating conditions of life that their respective bourgeoisies force upon them. We live in a period when the crisis is so deep that the margins for successful demands which once characterised the daily struggle are narrowed. Today workers struggle not so much for a wage increase, but for the most elementary social rights, such as housing and better conditions of life and improved services. When workers take to demonstrating in the streets, they do so to defend themselves from the attacks of the bourgeoisie. They do so to keep their jobs, to stop their factory being displaced by some other service or from being moved abroad, where another army of desperate people is ready to be exploited under worse conditions. This is the picture, the snapshot that makes us say that the current balance of power between the classes inclines us to consider the possibility of an even worse war in terms of intensity of destruction and the involvement of the international proletarian masses. But things do not always go as the snapshot of the moment suggests. Over a longer time frame, it is not the instant picture but an ongoing movie that could change the story. In other words, the balance of power between the classes can change during the course of events.
Let us not forget the October revolution which had the strength to express itself in the middle of the First World War. Then too there was a world economic crisis, the various European proletariats were under the banners of their respective imperialisms, nationalism was raging worldwide, yet the Russian proletariat raised its head, opposed the carnage of war, fought for the revolution against the barbarism of imperialism behind and with its party, its tactics and its communist strategy.
Then came isolation from other revolutionary experiences in Europe and the enormous economic retreat encouraged the forces of the counter-revolution, even within the Bolshevik party itself.
So the revolutionaries do not simply have the task of analysing how things are going, whether by a pre-determined destiny or by a whim of the gods, but of studying the economic and social situation as the capitalist crisis unfurled. Revolutionary communists have the task of creating the subjective conditions for the revolution, not in opposition to the balance of power between the classes, but in harmony with any sudden, unexpected changes in those same power relations which could signal a change of direction. Amongst the subjective goals that revolutionaries must aim for is the building of the international communist party without which any change of course in the relationship between classes, any resumption of the class struggle would end up with no day-to-day tactic or strategy for achieving an alternative to capitalism. The proletariat would still be stuck ploughing the same tragic capitalist furrow, that generator of all crises and wars. Here too the October revolution taught us a great lesson. Without the Bolshevik party, tens of millions of peasants and millions of workers would have turned away from any revolutionary solution and would have been re-absorbed into the mystical nationalistic climate. What followed is part of another aspect of history that we could call “revolution and counter-revolution”. Today we are faced with “war or revolution”, learning the lessons from the past which led to the victory of the Russian proletariat and identifying the adverse conditions and consequent errors that accelerated its defeat.
6. For more on the increasingly intense rivalry between the US and China, see ‘US Power and the New Course Towards War’ in Revolutionary Perspectives 12 [ 2018].
8. And just to increase that advantage by a further 10% the price of an ounce of gold was decreed equivalent to $44.2 in February 1973.
9. Qatar, in pursuit of its own imperialist interests in Egypt and elsewhere, fell foul of the Saudi Sunni godfathers who organised sanctions against it in 2017 and it has since also exited OPEC. Turkish troops are now stationed there against possible Saudi aggression – a threat which seems to have diminished with the latest invitation of the Qataris to attend a summit in Riyadh.
10. According to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS), in 2013 global financial activity generated $993tn, compared to the estimated $75tn value of global GDP. “… of this $993tn only $283tn can be classified as ‘primary’ finance such as shares, bank credit, etc. The remaining $710tn are derivative products, exchanged outside of the regular markets with only a very small fraction of these transactions having any link to the real economy.” Report by Marco Panara, ‘Finanza, un trilione di dollari che soffoca l’economia reale’ in La Repubblica, 27 October, 2014. | 2019-04-23T12:47:27Z | http://libcom.org/blog/decade-financial-crash-25012019 |
Particular large appliances such as the ovens and ranges are a must-have for the home which helps make meals for the single person to large families. Ovens, ranges, and cooktops are available in an array of styles. The most popular styles range from the electric coil, gas and induction. The gas cooking appliances are favored by the expert and amateur chefs due to the ability to offer more precise and steady heat.
Many people may think that dishwashers aren’t actually an absolute necessity and don’t really help that much. Based on the studies, dishwashers will help you conserve time, energy and water as when compared with doing the work manually which makes it really worth of an investment. It is recommended to those who have hectic lifestyle and environment conscious people.
Once the summer happens, it almost becomes hard for each of us to bear the heat of the season. On such instances, having a portable ac unit is the perfect solution. Nowadays, you could buy an energy-efficient Air conditioners so that you will not be burdened with increasing bills. The same solution comes for winter time. You can easily obtain a portable heater if your heater could no longer serve your need.
Microwaves are often one of the largest appliances in the lives of many. People both old and young around the world use microwaves to reheat food, or to simply cook food rapidly. Microwaving is one of the most widely used approaches to cook food, which would explain why nearly everyone has one. Furthermore, it is available in different sizes and extra features.
A washing machine with dryer can help you save lots of money as compared to visiting Laundromat. It comes in many sizes which can accommodate loads of laundries depending on the size of your household. There are already a lot of reliable brands that you could choose from on the market. You will be amazed of the features presented now to the consumers. The load sensor feature is just one of its many advancements. The automatic load sensing feature comes with suggested laundry soap dosage and automatic load realignment. Modern laundry machines run on either electrical power or natural gas.
Kitchen countertops are essential in a kitchen. These act as worktops to make food, areas to set hot cookware from your stove or oven, and also often, practically in most modern kitchens, part of them is used for family meals, and snacks. That’s why it’s a must to thoroughly choose the kitchen countertop you’ll install for construction or remodeling. It has to be made from material which is both aesthetically pleasing and durable.
Perhaps the cheapest are laminate countertops. Laminates are extremely thin boards that happen to be set on existing countertops or prefabricated countertops and glued on. They cost a fraction of the price of the other countertop materials and tend to be simple to clean. It’s offered within numerous structure and shades. It’s resistant against stains and water, yet non-resistant to high temperature and may scuff or break. This countertop will probably be one of the less expensive choices.
An even more costly alternative for countertops is the natural stones. Stones like quartz, granite, marble add class and magnificence to any kitchen plus there is an numerous color range offered to satisfy your kitchen style. They withstand heat, and as long as they are properly set up, they could last a lifetime.
Wood is an excellent material for putting warmth to a kitchen. It’s available in several patterns and colors and is flexible enough to complement a contemporary kitchen or a country-themed one. A few examples of hardwood utilized for kitchen countertops are oak, walnut, cherry, teak, mahogany, pecan, hard maple, and a lot more.
Yet, wood oxidizes as time passes and a few wood countertop changes their color a bit. Wood countertops in addition absorb or lose moisture depending on which environment they’re in.
Stainless countertops are a good choice for any kitchen countertop. It is popular to restaurants and business establishment because they find stainless very easy to clean with a modern appearance. Many householders who desired to have a modern and low maintenance countertops invested on such. Even though quite resistant, the stainless steel countertop can be damaged.
Kitchen tiles are wonderful old reliable countertop resources. They take some time to set up, but can express warmth to a kitchen and have a huge selection of designs and colors to pick from.
Various sorts of kitchen tiles utilized for the countertops are ceramic, stones, concrete and porcelain. Each one has diverse appeal and features which can go well with your own home design.
Indeed, there are a lot of kitchen countertops available now in the market. You just need to remember that each material has various features. Be aware of your requirement and budget to get the ideal determination.
The title can be somehow a little tricky right? How could even possibly do gardening when you do not have a space to do it? Well, gardening isn’t just about planting flowers and any other plants in your own backyard as you can still do it in your balcony or any places. You only need a little creativity and some containers and pots to progress on it.
1. Linsey of LLH Designs planted herbs in wine boxes.
2. Increase growing space on a tiny balcony with this DIY pallet garden.
3. Canning jars mounted to the wall are cute and practical.
4. Possibly the cheapest and easiest gardening idea I’ve seen yet…re-purpose an old shoe organizer.
5. Here’s another vertical solution. You could grow an entire salad.
For many years, chandeliers have been utilized as an accessory to bring beauty and sophistication in some parts of the house. To light the home in the next level, having a chandelier is the best solution. Before, most chandeliers are only used by royalty or aristocrats so some get the notion that it’s too costly and it won’t go well with their regular homes. Yet nowadays, chandeliers can now be seen in any style of home since there are a lot of styles to select from, ranging from timeless antiques to sleek ultra-modern pieces.
It is usually presumed that chandeliers could only be utilized in just elegant decorations however this is a total misconception. They may be utilized in any area, from the dining room or cooking area, foyer, family room or home office. Perhaps even outdoor living spaces are changed with chandeliers. Upturned shades and candle lights provide a warm wash of ambient lights whilst center placed down lights or shades give direct or task lighting for any table top or surface area.
A chandelier’s illumination could also enhance a bedroom. For both the aesthetic appearance of an elegant furniture piece — indeed a light fixture, a fantastic light fixture is like a furniture piece — and also for useful lighting, the chandelier cannot be beaten. That depends to the size of your bedroom, obviously, as to what size chandelier you select. The size is just one factor, however, when it comes to determining what type meets your needs. More important is the appearance. Chandelier light can be done in many different ways. Some chandeliers catch the feel and appearance of old fashioned candle chandeliers by using synthetic candles with little power bulbs on the flame. Others avoid any connection with the past and look much more a modern day artwork. A number of the modern black chandeliers and red chandeliers absolutely go for that style.
Even though it is not vital that you fully grasp chandelier terms before you purchase a chandelier, it might be beneficial to inform yourself about what the different parts of the chandelier are called. This enables you to in describing to a salesperson a chandelier you want that you can’t see on the store. Obviously, with such a traditional lighting design, chandeliers use a lot of terminology. Most of it has got to do with the materials used in the chandelier, the crystal or wrought iron or various other products utilized in making it. A number of the terminology is related to the type of illumination, talking with the way the candles are placed or the mechanism would use to lower the chandelier to both cleanse it and replace candles. Simply because most advanced chandeliers do not have candles anymore doesn’t suggest that those functions haven’t been given new life in modern fixture making.
At the end of the day, what truly matters when you pick out the chandelier is you really like it. Look for the size which is appropriate for the space, and also the style, shape and finish will certainly accent your personal designing style. When you get these things right, you’ll have a chandelier that would improve the appeal of your home for a long time.
What’s The Right Mattress For You?
Buying a mattress is definitely an important furniture piece you need to make as you spend a third of your time on a mattress, unless you tend to slumber almost all of the nights in the living room’s sofa. When you are thinking of getting a replacement, you have to properly select the best one that matches your demand so that you can be comfy as you sleep. You need to recognize that there is number of mattresses available in the market. You’ll find many different brands, different models and naturally different prices. Therefore, below are a few ideas that might help you find the mattress that fit your very own needs bests.
The first thing you should do is to establish you budget and then try to stay with it as you go along. Getting into any major purchase with a budget in mind will let you avoid paying out a lot. You can guarantee that you will buy the right mattress that you could afford, while eliminating all the extraneous costs.
There are many mattress outlet stores over the country that carries all the top name brand mattresses at just a fraction of the cost of typical “big box” mattress stores. These stores are experts in closeout and discontinued mattresses to offer customers with good quality mattresses and largely great deals. Professional and experienced staff can supply you with individualized services to ensure that customers obtain the perfect mattress for their requirements and expectations.
Home décor trends are continually changing as our lifestyles change. Lots of people these days are only choosing furniture and home décor items which are the easiest to clean and also attractive. In terms of home décor, the main focus is and has always been on implementing life to the place. Yet, in regards to mattresses, what’s necessary is the quality since most of it is going to be covered. You can easily then match you mattress with your entire home theme by experimenting and testing out several sheets and linens.
The mattress ought to be comfortable enough and could give you the right support to be able to relax the mind and body in sleeping. There are various sorts of mattresses that’s ideal for different physical conditions. Say for example those who go through back pains; they might choose a latex foam mattress. Or for those with Osteoarthritis and Spinal stenosis, it is best to buy the adjustable one. It is significant so that you will have a great sleep!
You need to find a mattress depending on your sleeping requirements and needs. List down the best brands from each kind and check experts and consumers recommendations on mattress reviews and searching through trusted internet sites. Bear in mind, we always want to have an excellent rest so it’s vital that you buy quality ones that’s within your means.
Mobile Apps can be the most convenient nowadays to do errands these days. Such as hiring a cab, all you need is to grab your phone and book a cab. However, the authorities have seen some risk of using such so they have now regulated these 3rd party taxi booking apps. It’s a good thing that the LTA acknowledges and makes an effort to give commuters a safe and reliable transportation.
Singapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) will be regulating third-party taxi booking apps such as Uber and GrabTaxi with a “basic regulatory framework.” According to its announcement, the framework is the result of consultation with commuters, the National Taxi Association, third-party taxi booking services, and taxi companies over the past year, and will likely take effect in the second quarter of next year.
Rocks can be one of the very least important component that you will look into when landscaping. Rocks though very common and unappealing sometimes, could become a great accent to your landscape if your just know where and how to place them. You will also be surprised that there are so many unique shapes and colors to choose in the market these days!
In each and every property, whether a house, a company establishment, university and etc. , things within it are beneficial. Everyone wants everything to be secure as possible and thus we resort to having locks in each area to prevent criminals from stealing them. These days, locks are indeed common. With the creation of the modern lock as well as new and more complex locks like electronic and digital locks imply how much we cherish our security and also the things we love to keep private.
If plumbing contractors are for plumbing, locksmiths however are for locks. Locksmiths are needed as they can guarantee that the locking systems are installed correctly. Additionally, they carry out repairs and offer services when you experience issues in your locks. The usual services of locksmiths are key duplicating and unlocking keys whenever the keys are misplaced or left inside the home.
Some locks which they give consists of high security, screen door locks, deadbolts, locks for windows, sliding door and also gate locks. Most can recommend what types would work finest in various locations and conditions.
Automobile locksmiths are one of the rarest type, even though they do have a special advantage. This is due to as an automobile locksmith is quite tricky because various car models and brands have their own intricate lock mechanisms which a locksmith then has to master. The most typical services offered by vehicle locksmiths are the unlocking of cars and the replacement of lost ignition keys.
An additional field these experts are venturing out into is the security and surveillance industry. It is just sensible that they’re able to support people secure their houses by means of installing security systems and alarm systems. Within the protection and security may be the supply of safes and vaults. The equipment involves high tech lock systems.
Locksmith isn’t just limited to home security system as they are also involved in bigger projects. Many locksmith companies are now offering security system installations to small workplaces, universities, stores, and also large firms. For these commercial services, professional locksmiths usually deliver complicated security systems, which contain video security cameras and other cutting-edge tools and equipment that will help the operation of the commercial establishment.
You can find instances that culprits are disguising themselves as locksmiths to take advantage of you in times of desperation. In order to avoid that, it’s always best to get the best locksmith even when you don’t require services immediately. If you find a very good locksmith before an emergency happens, this will make the process a lot easier.
Are you familiar with the arborists? What does it refers to and what do they do? An arborist is a highly trained professional dedicated to every facet of your tree service needs. Arborists in fact hold skill and understanding the management and repair, along with shaping, maintaining and taking good care of the trees.
Now the question for you is, do you really require an arborist? Arborist can promise you that you their professional services are worthy of every penny it will cost. There’ll be no guessing games involved and a treatment solution is going to be outlined and simplified to you. An Arborist holds their ground in terms of a decision you might make that won’t benefit your trees health.
Here are the top five good reasons you must employ an Arborist instead of somebody who might think they may handle your trees.
a) The primary benefit or reason why you’ll need an arborist is that they possess the proper skills and knowledge on handling trees. They could offer useful advice when you plan your whole landscape since they’re especially trained to work with individual trees. Taking care of the trees in your yard could be a very big job and you might find that employing an Arborist could help you save time and money. They are managed by International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) allowing you to ensure that they function with international standards.
b) It’s never a good idea and under no circumstances will be a wise decision to do tree cutting, removal and several other duties on your own. One key reason is that you don’t have the proper equipment. In case you have plans for developing the land, you may as well make sure that the stump will never cause you a difficulty. You need the appropriate equipment for flawless tree removal.
c) You are able to certainly save cash. You might think that hiring an arborist cost you much but in fact, it is the best way to avoid any additional costs and economize. By paying for the correct treatment, you’re sure to fix the problem. You have the freedom to engage just anybody you wish but you have to be prepare of the risks and costs of a project not done well. Therefore, you have to be clever and invest on professionals.
d) You are able to ensure that professional arborists have proper certifications. Certified arborist is a person who has passed an extensive examination covering all aspects of tree care. You can refer to their past clients concerning how good or the quality of the services they provide.
e) A Certified Arborist would have all proper insurances in order to develop your house. It is a danger you cannot afford to take because you can be held responsible for any mishap that might happen on your property such as injuries or death.
If you think that there is risk in your tree’s health or perhaps it has problems, it is advisable that you call a local arborist. You can check on The International Society of Arboriculture to see a certified arborist locally. Thru this, you may avoid further expenditures in employing unreliable people.
Replacing your automobile is crucial when it has frequent break downs. Replacement of your garments comes each time when they are aged or frayed or discolored. And also you realize in the first sight of the cool mobile phone that it is time to obtain the old one replaced. The same goes with replacing your home’s roof whenever it’s stained or frayed.
With regards to roof replacement, it’s only natural that homeowners would not care that much. Since it is the part of the house that you can seldom see the condition, you wouldn’t have sufficient knowledge to know if it’s already ineffective. We hardly have an idea of the signs when to have a specialist to have it checked or request for its replacement.
i. Look at the age of the roofing and the warranty. Various types of roof have distinctive life span. For instance, metal roofs are expected to last more than asphalt. For metal roofing, the estimated lifespan is 50 to 70 years whilst the latter is 8 to 10 years. If they are already overdue, then think about replacement.
ii. In the event the roof already impacts the curb appeal of the home, you very well may require a replacement. Small vents and worn areas may be tolerable however when it’s becoming more and more obvious, it’s gets to be a distraction. Check the house from afar or from the street to view it.
iii. The roof shingles look bad. A close-up assessment can be required to the shingles of the roof. If you find them to look wet, stained, curled, bent, busted, or darker than normal and in case you discover them to be missing completely, while you are making a note of them from the street, replacing should be considered at the same time.
iv. Granules continue to be all over the area. As shingles begin getting worse; they break off in smaller pieces which usually tend to seem like coarse, dark sand. And in case you begin finding granules in the gutters, landscaping and yard, they all are from the roof.
v. The deck looks bad. The roof covering decks are normally the support systems that keep the roof and shingles up. Should the beams display indications of sagging or damage, both shingles and the roof deck should be replaced.
vii. Take note of the dark spots or blisters in the inside of the home. Discoloration to the interior ceiling signifies damage to the outside. Remember to check the attic ceiling as well. In the attic interior, inspections are for mildew and mold, as well as discoloration.
The decision to be taken when getting a roof replacement should be a planned one. It’s going to include a cautious choice with many factors. They shall consist of finances, time available and the weather. | 2019-04-19T14:52:51Z | http://elvalledetandil.com/2014/11/ |
Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison is open to Australia’s recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and moving its embassy to the capital, the Australian media reported on Monday.
The Australian said Morrison will announce this on Tuesday when he makes a foreign policy statement explaining why Australia will vote “no” in the UN on Tuesday to a vote to recognize the Palestinian Authority as the chair of a important block of nations there called the G77.
Morrison is also expected to move to a much tougher position against Iran, and announce a review whether Australia should follow the US and abandon the Iranian nuclear deal.
Morrison credited former Australian ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma for influencing his thinking on the embassy move.
“The previous discussion was premised on the point that you couldn’t pursue this issue without risking or without prejudicing the final status. Now Dave is arguing the opposite to that and he’s saying that is possible,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Morrison as saying.
Sharma, a Liberal Party candidate in a crucial Australian by-election next week, said Monday that Australia should be open to considering moving its embassy.
Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Teodor Melescanu said on Friday that the Ministry has completed the analytical report on the potential relocation of Romania’s Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and referred the document the Premier.
The Romanian Government will next send it to the Presidency and the Speakers of the two Chambers of Parliament, Melescanu said.
“The assessment of the Embassy’s move to Jerusalem was sent to the Prime Minister and after the relevant observations are made – we’ll see if there are any – the Government will send it to the Presidency and to the heads of the two Chambers. How long it will take to make the decision does not depend on me, as far as we are concerned, we have finished our job, the Ministry has practically completed the analysis,” Melescanu said.
He said there are no bottlenecks, that “this is a process in which everyone is involved,” but the issue is indeed very complicated. “As far as we are concerned, we have listed in our report both the elements of interest and the things that can have a negative effect, but the decision does not lie with us. The purpose of this analysis was to present to the political decision makers all the pros and cons for everybody to know and for Romania to have a current, coordinated position,” the Foreign Minister said.
Israel will open an embassy in the central African state of Rwanda in 2019, Israel Hayom learned on Sunday. The new embassy will be located in the capital, Kigali.
Although the two countries have maintained diplomatic relations for years, contacts have been held via the Israeli Embassy in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Foreign Ministry officials support the move, which is now pending final approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is also the acting foreign minister.
Rwanda maintains an embassy in Israel, located in Tel Aviv.
Diplomatic relations between the countries are close and include, among other exchanges, security cooperation and Israeli weapons exports to Rwanda. Additionally, Israel has sought to send a portion of the illegal African migrants in the country to Rwanda, although efforts have thus far failed due to internal pressure on the Rwandan government to oppose the measure.
The issue of opening an embassy in Rwanda was first raised in 2016, when Netanyahu visited the country and promised that Israel would open a mission there. The prime minister has repeated that promise several times, but now, with the closing of the Israeli Embassy in Paraguay, a quota for a new embassy was made available.
Much has been written about the growing ties between Israel and Arab states, such as Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but there is also great potential for stronger relations between Israel and Central Asian countries.
The friendly relations between Israel and Central Asian countries go back to their foundation during WWII when the then-Soviet republics hosted an estimated two million refugees from the Nazi German invasion of the USSR – most of them Soviet Jewish refugees during WWII (it is estimated that there were some five million Jews in the Soviet Union in 1941).
The quietly improving cooperation between Israel and some Arab Sunni states is due to realpolitik – or national interest – with the Sunnis afraid of the interference of revolutionary Shia Islamic Iran in their affairs. Relations between Israel and Turkey have become increasingly strained due to the Islamist policies of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.
Relations with Central Asian countries also involve mutual interests; however, they are not beholden to radical religious and cultural factors, as in the Arab world.
Israel’s 1950s strategy, known as the “periphery doctrine,” was meant to seek allies beyond the hostile Arab world, such as with Iran and Turkey, but now the situation has reversed itself.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed Sunday that Israel has foiled at least 40 would-be Islamic State terrorist attacks in Western countries over the last three years.
Netanyahu spoke Sunday at a meeting in Jerusalem of visiting journalists from Christian media, where he was warmly received by reporters.
The prime minister said he favors appointing an Israeli envoy to the Christian world, a sign of the country’s efforts to foster close ties with its Christian allies.
The summit reflects the deepening ties between Israel and the evangelical Christian world. Israel has come to rely on widespread evangelical support in recent years, a move that has raised concerns among some Jews in Israel and abroad.
No Palestinian — or anyone else for that matter — has been made privy to US President Donald J. Trump’s long-awaited plan for peace in the Middle East, which has also been referred to as the “deal of the century.” This minor detail however, has not prevented the Palestinians from rejecting the rumored plan, on the pretext that it is aimed at “liquidating” the Palestinian cause and national rights.
Hardly a day passes without Palestinian leaders and officials across the political spectrum behaving as if they know every detail of the “deal of the century.” The Palestinians are not even prepared to wait until the US administration actually presents a plan.
The Palestinian rejection of a yet-to-be-announced peace plan should not surprise anyone. The Palestinians will never accept any plan from a US administration they consider extremely “hostile” to the Palestinians and “biased” in favor of Israel.
Even before Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in December 2017, the Palestinians had made up their minds: As Trump administration is on the side of Israel, and its policies seem mainly designed to appease and strengthen Israel, the Palestinians apparently decided that they should boycott the US administration. This boycott is unlikely to end in the foreseeable future, especially in light of continued Palestinian denunciations of the US administration and its policies towards the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Palestinians, it appears, have become hostage to their own vitriolic rhetoric. It is hard to see how after nearly a year of attacks on the Trump administration, any Palestinian leader would be able to accept the proposed “deal of the century,” no matter what is in it, or to have any dealings with US officials. The massive anti-US campaign that the Palestinian leaders have been waging for the past few months in the media and every available platform has made it impossible, if not dangerous, for any Palestinian leader to do business with the Trump administration.
While Palestinian hatred for Trump and his administration does not come as a surprise, what is strange is that the two Palestinians factions — Fatah in the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip — are now using the President Trump’s awaited plan to throw mud at one another.
Jordan is indeed a close ally of the US and one can assume that its leaders are fully aware of the benefits of this to their country. Mr. Jahshan’s argument goes something like this: if UNRWA stops supporting the refugees in Jordan, this will create a serious economic burden for the country and potentially unhinge it politically. However, that argument can surely be discounted by the fact he himself mentioned – that the US would almost certainly compensate Jordan directly for any additional costs it would incur as a result of UNRWA being out of the picture.
Jahshan and I have one thing in common: neither of us has actually seen the Trump peace plan or its details. His solicitude for Jordan is commendable, although a bit undercut by his not very positive views about the country’s ability to manage its own affairs – and in addition to more than a few inaccuracies about the origins of the Palestinian refugee problem as well as cavalierly forgetting that Trans-Jordan at the time created part of the problem by annexing most of the parts of Palestine which the UN had intended for a future Arab state. He tries to shift the emphasis from the basic issue of the unresolved refugee problem, i.e. perpetuating it by assuring that three generations, often in inhuman conditions, are left in camps all over the Middle East without providing them with basic civil, political, economic or other rights.
We recently noted that the Indy was one of three British media outlets which failed to cover the two recent Palestinian terror attacks that claimed the lives of three Israelis – Kim Levengrond Yehezkel, Ziv Hajbi, and Ari Fuld – but did find time to report on other Israel related stories.
By contrast, the Indy on Saturday night was quick to publish a story about a rock-throwing attack in the West Bank that claimed the life of a Palestinian woman – an attack, relatives claim, was carried out by settlers. However, not only did the Indy jump on the story, but immediately pronounced the settlers guilty, despite the fact that the incident is still under investigation and there aren’t any suspects.
Here’s our tweet to the Indy journalist, Samuel Osborne.
It may end up being true, but right now the claim that a settler threw the rock that killed a Palestinian woman is merely that, a claim – one that police are investigating.
An Israeli military aircraft bombed a Hamas position in the southern Gaza Strip on Monday after two Palestinian men set off an explosive device near the security fence earlier in the day, the army said.
There were no immediate reports of Palestinian injuries in the airstrike.
“The strike was carried out after two terrorists approached the security fence in the southern Strip and placed an explosive device near the fence,” the army said.
“The device exploded inside Gaza and damaged the fence. No troops were injured,” the Israel Defense Forces added.
On Sunday, an Israeli aircraft carried out a strike on a group of Palestinians launching incendiary balloons toward Israel from the northern Gaza Strip, the army said.
Also Sunday, four fires sparked by the incendiary devices launched over the border raged in southern Israel, according to the Israel Fire and Rescue Services.
The European Union on Sunday gave its backing to under-fire United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Nikolay Mladenov, who has been sharply criticized in recent days by the Ramallah-based Palestinian leadership for his efforts broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
“The cycle of violence leads only to more violence and deprives entire generations from the legitimate aspiration to live in peace and free to build their own future. Only a political solution can put an end to the violence,” an EU statement said on continued violence in the Gaza Strip.
“In this context, the European Union strongly appreciates and fully supports the efforts of the United Nation’s Special Coordinator who has been working closely together with all parties and with the international community to get a political process going again in Gaza,” it said.
Amid the Palestinian leadership’s displeasure with Mladenov, a senior Palestine Liberation Organization official said on Sunday that Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah refused to welcome Mladenov to his office last week.
In recent weeks, Palestinian officials have criticized Mladenov over his role in efforts to facilitate a deal in Gaza.
A Palestinian man was shot dead by Israeli forces Monday during an attempt to stab a soldier at the Gitai Junction in the northern West Bank, the army said.
No Israeli troops were injured in the incident and the Israel Defense Forces said it has opened an investigation.
Several hours after the attempted stabbing, the Kan public broadcaster reported that the assailant was a resident of Biddya, the same hometown as a 47-year-old Palestinian mother of eight who was killed late Friday night when a rock was hurled at her car in the northern West Bank.
The woman, Aisha Muhammad Talal Rabi, was driving in the car with her husband near the Tapuah Junction when the rock struck her in the head.
A spokesman for the Shin Bet confirmed Saturday that the security agency opened a probe into the incident, indicating it was suspected of being an act of terror committed by local Jewish settlers.
Supreme Court judge David Mintz was the target of an attempted attack near the Dolev settlement in the West Bank on Monday morning, according to local media.
Police said they had received a report from a resident of the Binyamin area who was driving his car on Road 463 at HaParsa Junction near Dolev, when a Palestinian vehicle blocked him and three people got out of the car. They then allegedly approached him holding hammers at which point he fled.
Israeli media identified Mintz, who lives in Dolev, as the targeted resident and said he had been on his way to work when the incident occurred.
He related that last week in the middle of the night he encountered a barrier of burning tires on Route 465, an incident which ended in the theft of a a vehicle.
Expressing relief that Mintz extracted himself from the situation on Monday morning, he added, “I trust that he security establishment will learn the events and provide the appropriate security response in Judea and Samaria.” He also expressed hope also that the incident would move the justice system to give harsher punishments to terrorists.
The Israeli Defense Ministry recently completed the construction of a nine-meter high concrete wall — topped by steel fencing — along a 12-kilometer stretch of the Israel-Lebanon border, the Hebrew news site Walla reported on Sunday.
According to the Walla report, the new barrier will make it more difficult for Hezbollah fighters to conduct cross-border attacks.
Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah has threatened that in a future war with the Jewish state, members of his group will take over Israeli military posts and border communities.
The building of the wall has increased the sense of security felt by local residents, and will enable the construction of homes closer to the border, the report said.
The Israel-Lebanon border has remained largely quiet since the summer of 2006, when the IDF fought a 33-day-long war against Hezbollah — a Shi’a terror proxy of the Iranian regime.
Israeli authorities said Monday that a Palestinian man was arrested last week on suspicion of opening fire at forces and wounding an officer during the demolition of an alleged terrorist’s home in April.
The female Border Police officer had been lightly wounded in Jenin during the successful demolition of the home of Ahmed Kunba, who has been charged as an accomplice in the murder of Rabbi Raziel Shevach near the West Bank settlement of Havat Gilad in January.
Palestinians also hurled explosive devices and stones at the forces after they entered the northern part of the West Bank city with a bulldozer to carry out the demolition, the military said in a statement at the time.
The wounded officer was taken to a hospital for treatment with leg injuries, the statement said.
Border Police said in a statement Monday that Thaer Jaradat, said to be in his 30s, was arrested in an overnight raid on October 7 in the town of Ya’bad, overlooking Jenin in the northern West Bank.
He is the third suspect arrested in recent months over the incident, the statement added. The first two suspects were arrested on May 7 in Jenin, it said, and are still in custody. Jaradat was described as the “main suspect,” with police saying an M-16 rifle was found in his home.
Four activists were arrested Monday morning after blocking construction equipment from operating in Khan al-Ahmar ahead of the Palestinian hamlet’s demolition, police said.
The two Israelis and two Palestinians were obstructing a bulldozer that was being operated by a Defense Ministry worker to clear a swamp that had formed due to the bursting of a water pipe near the central West Bank village.
Activists reported that security forces had been violently pushing back dozens of protesters who had converged on the scene upon the arrival of Israeli troops, and that at least three had been injured.
Several other bulldozers were also on site to pave additional roads in preparation for the demolition.
A border crossing between enemy nations Syria and Israel reopened on Monday — four years after it closed as UN observers fled the area due to fierce fighting in the Syrian civil war. The move marked a de facto recognition by Israel that dictator President Bashar Assad has returned to govern in southern Syria, after he defeated rebel groups in the area earlier this summer.
The Syrian flag was raised at the Quneitra crossing, and as it reopened, the United Nations peacekeeping force UNDOF sent a number of white trucks from Syria to the Israeli side of the border.
“The opening of the crossing symbolizes the return of the enforcement of the 1974 disengagement agreement [between Israel and Syria],” Maj. Nehemia Berkey, the Israeli military liaison to UNDOF, told reporters.
The 1974 ceasefire accord marked the end of the previous year’s Yom Kippur War and established a buffer zone between the two countries. The area closest to the border became a full demilitarized zone, where only UNDOF and police could operate, while the rest of the buffer zone had strict limits on the number and types of military units and equipment allowed inside it.
A United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) job posting published last month offered a starting salary of over $100,000 for the position of director of external relations. The well-paid post comes despite the fact that the organization finds itself in serious financial trouble.
In the posting, UNWRA offered an attractive compensation package, including an annual salary starting at $108,189 tax free. The benefits also included dependency allowances, subsidized living, education grants for children, travel expenses, 6 full weeks of annual vacation and extensive insurance package.
The position that UNRWA is advertising pays over 14 times average annual income for a Palestinian in 2017, $6960.
UNRWA has been in financial trouble since the Trump administration announced that it would cut all funding to the organization, questioning its “fundamental business model” of servicing an “endlessly and exponentially expanding community” of declared Palestinian refugees.
In July, the organization decided to lay off hundreds of its employees, causing outrage among Palestinians.
Sources in the Gaza Strip said that some 1,000 employees were affected by UNRWA’s measures, which included the immediate dismissal of 125 workers from the agency’s emergency program. UNRWA employees in the West Bank were also affected.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he maintains “a direct connection with [Russian President] Vladimir Putin,” speaking at the opening of the Knesset’s winter session.
“But the most important connection is our alliance with the United States,” he added.
Netanyahu additionally spoke on Israel’s long-term goals, in particular that of defending the country from the risks an Iranian nuclear power may present.
There is “great interest” in an ambitious trade plan to give Middle Eastern nations including Saudi Arabia and Jordan access to the Mediterranean Sea through Israeli ports, the Transportation and Intelligence Minister Israel Katz said Monday.
Under the plan being advanced by Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Haifa to Beit She’an train would extend eastward to the border crossing with Jordan and southward to the Jenin area where Palestinians could access it.
Rail lines would be laid in Jordan to Irbid, and from there it would link with existing and planned lines extending north to south through Jordan, into Saudi Arabia and further east to the Persian Gulf.
An annual trade could be worth $250 billion by 2030.
It would not benefit anyone, least of all the United States, if Iran ends up gaining most from the Khashoggi affair. Because Iran, while not mentioned in relation to Khashoggi, is nonetheless a factor in this story. . . .
Saudi Arabia has been the linchpin of America’s Middle East strategy for close to a century. That relationship has not been without costs. What would the cost be if the alliance fractured? The Saudis would be imperiled in Yemen, potentially endangering the free flow of traffic in the Gulf of Aden. An Iranian victory there would extend a Shiite crescent in the south to accompany the one running through Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon.
Governments without democratic legitimacy are brittle and unpredictable—a fact highlighted not only by Khashoggi but also by recent Saudi actions against Canada and the crown prince’s delayed public offering of the oil giant Aramco. America has sustained and protected the Saudis for decades. Withdrawing such protection would open the regime to both domestic and international challenges. As President Trump put it recently, Saudi Arabia wouldn’t last two weeks without American support. The Middle East and Levant already are filled with examples of state failure. Is America prepared to risk another?
A Saudi meltdown would deprive the United States of a counterterrorist ally, roil energy markets, create pockets of instability in which jihadists and Iranian-backed militias thrive, and cause headaches for Israel. To forestall such a disaster, the Saudis, like others before them, might turn to either Russia or China for support. That would accelerate the waning of American influence in the Middle East. It would boost the very autocracies we condemn.
Following the September 22, 2018 shooting in Iran’s Ahwaz region, Muhammad Ahl Al-Sheikh, a columnist for the Saudi government daily Al-Jazirah, described the shooting as a “legitimate resistance operation” by the Arab minority that is oppressed by the Iranian regime, and expressed hope for further attacks of this kind. He also speculated that, if the opposition groups of the ethnic minorities in Iran unite and receive funding and support from other opponents of the Iranian regime, they will be able to secede from Iran and gain independence.
It should be noted that the Saudi and Gulf press has published similar articles in the past, calling to support the Ahwazi resistance against the Iranian regime.
“The latest fidai [i.e., sacrifice] attack in Ahwaz – or Arabistan, to use its historic name – had nothing to do with ISIS, because ISIS acts for Iran’s benefit, and would it be logical for one to shoot oneself? This operation, in which 29 Iranians died, was a resistance operation aimed at liberating [Ahwaz] from the vile Persian occupation. Logic therefore dictates that whoever justifies Iranian [acts of] revenge against the Ahwazis is just like someone who justifies Israel’s acts of revenge against the Palestinians, who are fighting to liberate their homeland from the Israeli occupation. Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Russia condemned the [Ahwaz] operation and called it terror, when it is in fact a legitimate resistance operation that should be supported by the Arabs before anyone else, for those who were martyred while carrying it out were pure Arabs.
“I believe that the time is ripe for the Arab opposition groups in Ahwaz to light the fuse, and I hope with all my heart that this brave fidai operation will be the first rain that heralds a future torrent. Iran is now beset with troubles on every front, and it will take a miracle to save it. There are also other ethnic minorities that dare to act and demand to secede [from Iran], such as the Kurds in the north of the country and the Balochis in the southeast. When the ethnic minorities feel that the Ayatollah regime has been exhausted by the economic sanctions that [the U.S.] is expected to impose on it this November, the movements demanding to secede and receive independence are likely to proliferate, just as happened in Yugoslavia. In the present era, states survive if they have a strong economy, but collapse if their economy falters and grows weak. It is economic [factors] that defeated the Soviet Union, for example, and caused it to collapse completely – and its nuclear arsenal and power did not avail it. Iran has neither the power, the abilities, the status nor the influence that the Soviet Union had. So how can it avoid this inevitable fate, especially when it consists of a variety of different ethnicities and sects, just like the Soviet Union? This lends the fidai operation in Ahwaz meanings and implications that analysts cannot overlook. | 2019-04-20T16:13:07Z | http://246mag.com/1015-links-pt1-australian-pm-to-announce-he-is-open-to-moving-embassy-to-jerusalem-bibi-israel-is-the-only-country-in-the-middle-east-where-the-christian-community-thrives |
From booster seats to IKEA crib mattresses to Graco strollers and Beech-Nut baby food, here are the recent major baby gear recalls. Are any of these items in your home?
Baby food, cribs, strollers, car seats, toys and more baby gear have been recalled recently. From IKEA MALM chests and drawers to Graco car seats and strollers, here are the latest products that have been recalled. Find out what you need to know to keep your baby safe.
The Danger: The Click & Go receiver mounts that attach the car seat carrier to the stroller frame could detach unexpectedly, and the baby and seat could fall.
Description: The recall involves about 676,000 strollers sold in the United States, and 41,100 strollers sold in Canada and Mexico. It's Britax B-Agile and BOB Motion single or double occupant strollers that have Click & Go receiver mounts. You can find the affected model numbers on Britax's recall site.
Sold At: Babies R Us, buy buy Baby, Target and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon.com, albeebaby.com, buybuybaby.com, diapers.com, ToysRUs.com and other websites from May 2011 through February 2017 for between $250 and $470 for the strollers and travel systems.
What to Do: Consumers should throw away the Click & Go Receiver and request a free repair kit at 1-844-227-0300 or [email protected]. The stroller can still be used safely with your baby fully reclined in the stroller seat, without the car seat attached.
For More Information: Contact Britax toll-free at 1-844-227-0300 or [email protected].
The Danger: The hinge used to fold the Dash v5 stroller can become damaged while opening and closing the stroller, posing a pinch hazard to the user.
Description: The recall involves about 870 Phil&teds Dash v5 buggy-style strollers with serial numbers ranging between PTRV 0715/0746 and PTRV 0815/2525. (The serial number is printed on the lower left rear cradle, next to the identification label.) For colors and models included in the recall, click here.
Sold At: Baby Street, Dainty Baby, Mega Babies and other baby product and specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon, Diapers.com and on the Phil&teds website from August 2015 through April 2016 for about $550.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately stop using the Dash v5 stroller and contact Phil&teds to have the stroller frame replaced free of charge.
For More Information: Contact Phil&teds toll-free at 855-652-9019 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday or online at www.philandteds.com and click on “Support,” then “Upgrades” and “Recalls."
The Danger: The fin of the whale and the head of the octopus can detach from the pacifier holder, posing a choking hazard.
Description: The recall involves about 12,900 Little Wishes Summer Plush Pacifier Holders, including the Blue Whale, item number 5202601, and the Pink Octopus, item number 5725213. The pacifier holders are made of a plush fabric, stuffed with fiber, measure approximately 4.5 inches by 2 inches and have a 10-inch ribbon attached to the body. The item number is printed on the top left corner of the product hang tag. “Hobby Lobby 9123069” is printed on the front and back of the sewn-in label.
Sold At: Hobby Lobby Stores nationwide from January 2016 through April 2016 for about $5.
What to Do: Stop using the recalled pacifier holders and return them to the nearest Hobby Lobby store for a full refund or store credit.
For More Information: Contact Hobby Lobby Stores at 800-326-7931 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.hobbylobby.com and click on the “Recall” tab at the bottom of the page.
The Danger: The rattle seams can separate, exposing the fiber stuffing and bell rattle, posing a choking hazard.
Description: The recall involves about 14,400 Little Wishes Chenille Stuffed Rattles, including the Pink & Green Fish rattles, item number 5141577, and the Blue & Yellow Fish rattles, item number 5127642. The rattles are made of a soft chenille fabric with a fiber stuffing. They are 8.5 inches by 7 inches and have a hole cut out in the middle. The item number is printed on the top left corner of the product hang tag. Rattles have a sewn-in label with “Reg. No. PA-15130(CN)” and “Hobby Lobby 9123069” printed on the front.
Sold At: Hobby Lobby Stores nationwide from January 2016 through April 2016 for about $7.
What to Do: Stop using the recalled rattles and return them to the nearest Hobby Lobby store for a full refund or store credit.
The Danger: The cover can detach from the pacifier’s clip, posing a choking hazard for young children.
Description: The recall involves around 180,000 Munchkin’s Latch lightweight pacifiers and clips sold as a set in five styles: designer, rattle and heartbeat clips with 0m+ natural shape pacifiers, and designer and rattle clips with 6m+ orthodontic pacifiers. The designer pacifiers and clips 0m+ and 6m+ are in three color patterns: blue and white strips, orange and with white polka dots and pink with white polka dots. The rattle pacifiers and clips 0m+ and 6m+ are green with beads in the pacifier cover to make a rattle sound and have a polka dot strap. The heartbeat pacifiers and clips have a red, heart-shaped pacifier cover and red and white polka dots on the strap.
Sold At: Babies R Us, Target, Wal-Mart and other mass merchandisers, juvenile product, baby boutique and discount stores nationwide and online at amazon.com, munchkin.com and other websites from March 2014 through March 2016 for between $11 and $15.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately take the clip away from young children and contact Munchkin toll-free at 877-242-3134 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or online at www.munchkin.com (click on "Help" at the bottom of the page and then "Recalls") for a free replacement Lightweight Pacifier pack with two pacifiers or a full refund.
The Danger: When a peg is not fully engaged the seat can fall unexpectedly, posing a risk of injury to the child. Fisher-Price has received two reports of this happening, though no injuries have been reported yet.
Description: The recall involves around 34,000 products, including three models of the Fisher-Price cradle swings: CHM84 Soothing Savanna Cradle 'n Swing, CMR40 Sweet Surroundings Cradle 'n Swing, and CMR43 Sweet Surroundings Butterfly Friends Cradle 'n Swing. The swings have two different swinging motions—rocking side-to-side, or swinging head-to-toe—and six different swing speeds from low to high.
Sold At: BuybuyBaby, Target and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and other websites from November 2015 through March 2016 for about $170.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cradle swing and contact Fisher-Price at 800-432-5437 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.service.mattel.com and click on Recalls & Safety Alerts for more information. for revised assembly instructions.
The Danger: Gerber Products Company is voluntarily recalling specific organic pouch food after identifying a packaging defect that may result in product spoilage during transport and handling. There have been three consumer reports of temporary gastrointestinal symptoms, but it is unclear whether these are related to eating the baby food.
Description: The recall involves Gerber Organic 2nd Foods Pouches in Pears, Carrots & Peas, 3.5 ounce pouch UPC 15000074319 with best by dates/batch codes 12JUL2016 51945335XX and 13JUL 2016 51955335XX and Carrots, Apples and Mangoes, 3.5 ounce pouch UPC 15000074395 with best by dates/batch codes 13JUL2016 51955335XX and 14JUL2016 51965335XX. Consumers may notice that, in some cases, the pouches are bloated and product inside may have an off taste or odor.
Sold At: U.S. retailers nationwide and through online stores.
What to Do: Consumers who purchased pouches with the above UPCs, batch codes and expiration dates should not use the product and are encouraged to contact the Gerber Parents Resource Center at 1-800-706-0556 anytime day or night for a replacement coupon.
Description: Evenflo is recalling 56,247 Transitions 3-in-1 Combination Booster Seats, model numbers 34411686, 34411695, and 34411029, produced from December 18, 2014, through January 29, 2016.
The Danger: The central front adjuster (CFA) button that is used to loosen the seat's internal harness may be within the child's reach, allowing the child to activate the CFA and loosen the internal harness, putting her at risk of injury in a crash. This safety issue only impacts the use of the seat in the forward-facing harnessed booster (22-65 lbs. and 28-50 in.) configuration.
What to Do: Evenflo will notify owners and provide a remedy kit that includes a newly-designed seat pad and CFA assembly, free of charge.
For More Information: Owners may contact Evenflo at www.transitions.evenflo.com or 1-800-233-5921. They may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
The Danger: The arm bar can bend or detach during use, posing a fall hazard to children. Nuna has received 50 reports of the arm bar detaching, including six reports of children falling from the high chair. Four incidents resulted in injuries, including bruising and a cut on the forehead.
Description: The recall involves approximately 5,950 Nuna Baby Essentials ZAAZ high chairs in eight models: HC-07-004 (pewter), HC-07-005 (carbon), HC-07-006 (plum), HC-07-009 (almond), HC-08-004 (pewter), HC-08-005 (carbon), HC-08-006 (plum) and HC-08-009 (almond). ZAAZ and the model number are printed under the high chair seat on a white sticker. These high chairs look like a regular kitchen table chair and have removable trays, arm bars footrests, seat pads and harnesses so that they can convert into toddler chairs. “Nuna” is printed above the footrest of the unit.
Sold At: Albee Baby, Giggle, Magic Bean, Nordstrom and other specialty stores nationwide and online at www.nuna.eu and www.wayfair.com and other online retailers from February 2013 through November 2015 for about between $250 and $300.
What to Do: Immediately stop using these recalled high chairs and contact the firm to receive a free new arm bar and instructions on how to replace it.
For More Information: Contact Nuna Baby Essentials toll-free at 855-686-2872 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at www.nuna.eu/usa/ and click on “Product Recall” under the “Support” section on the sidebar of the homepage.
The Danger: The car seats may have the recline label affixed to the wrong location, resulting in confusion about how to use the seat properly. If the instructions are followed as shown, a rear-facing infant could be placed in an upright position and/or a forward-facing toddler could be placed in a recline position. As such, the child seats fail to comply with the federal motor vehicle safety standards and puts the child at risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Description: The recall involves 15,064 Extend2Fit Convertible child seats and is expected to begin February 26, 2016.
Sold At: Baby stores nationwide.
What to Do: Graco will notify owners and provide a new corrected label with application instructions, free of charge.
For More Information: Contact Graco customer service at 1-800-345-4109, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
The Danger: The car seat carry handle can crack and break allowing the seat to fall unexpectedly, posing a risk of injury to the infant. Britax has received 74 reports of handles developing fractures, cracks and/or breaking while in use, including one report of an infant who received a bump on the head when the carrier fell to the ground.
Description: The recall involves about 75,890 Britax B-Safe 35 and B-Safe 35 Elite infant car seat and travel systems manufactured between October 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015. The product can be used as a rear-facing only car seat and as an infant carrier. The car seat/carriers have a canopy, black shell and base, and were sold in a variety of colors. The Britax logo is printed on both sides of the seat shell and on the carry handle grip. Model numbers and the date of manufacture (DOM) are printed on a label located at the back of the infant car seat/carrier shell. For models included in the recall, visit the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
Sold At: Babies R Us, buybuy BABY, Target and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Diapers.com and other online retailers from November 2014 to January 2016 for between $210 and $250.
What to Do: Immediately stop carrying the car seat by the handle until the repair is installed. All consumers who have previously registered their product with Britax will automatically receive a free repair kit. To register to receive a repair kit or verify registration, visit bsafe35recall.com. Consumers can continue to use the car seat when secured in a vehicle or on a stroller.
For More Information: Contact Britax at 800-683-2045 from 8:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET on Friday, or by email at [email protected]. Consumers can also visit the firm’s website at www.us.Britax.com and click on “Safety Notice” at the top right of the page.
The Danger: The foam padding on the stroller’s arm bar can come off in pieces if the child bites it, posing a choking hazard. Britax has received 117 reports of this happening, including five reports of children choking or gagging from the fragments.
Description: The recall involves about 60,000 Britax B-Ready strollers and B-Ready replacement top seats that were sold separately. The B-Ready strollers have a silver or black frame with a solid-colored top seat in a variety of colors. The Britax logo is on the stroller’s side hinges and foot rest. B-Ready is printed on the sides of the stroller frame. The stroller’s model number and date of manufacture are printed on a label on the stroller’s frame between the front wheels or on the inside frame that connects to the back right wheel. The replacement top seats were sold separately in a variety of colors and fit into the stroller’s frame. The replacement top seat’s model number and date of manufacture are printed on a black label on the right side tube above the adjuster button, under the fabric cover. For model numbers and dates of manufacture included in this recall, see the Consumer Product Safety Commission website.
Sold At: Babies R Us, buybuy Baby, Target and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, Diapers.com and other websites from April 2010 through January 2016 for about $500 for the stroller. The replacement top seats were sold by Britax from April 2010 through January 2016 for about $150.
What to Do: Immediately remove the arm bar from recalled strollers and replacement top seats and contact Britax for a free black, zippered arm bar cover and a warning label to apply to the strollers and replacement top seats. You can continue to use the strollers without the arm bar attached.
For More Information: Contact Britax at 800-683-2045 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. ET on Friday, by email at [email protected] or online at www.us.britax.com and click on “Safety Notice” at the top right, or B-ReadyRecall.com.
The Danger: The snaps on the bodysuits can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Sold At: Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, Disneyland® Resort in Anaheim, California, the Treasure Ketch Shop on the Disney Wonder and Mickey’s Mainsail located on the Disney Magic, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy cruise ships from February 2015 through November 2015 for about $20.
What to Do: Stop using the recalled infant bodysuits and contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts for instructions on returning the bodysuits for a full refund.
For More Information: Contact Walt Disney Parks and Resorts toll-free at 844-722-1444 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or online at www.disneyparks.com and click on “Recall Notice” for more information.
The Danger: The strap attaching the mobile to the crib rail can break, posing a risk of falling on the baby. Skip Hop has received 8 reports of this happening, though no injuries have been reported yet.
Description: The recall involves approximately 4,350 Skip Hop Moonlight & Melodies projection crib mobiles. The mobile has a white plastic arm that attaches to the side of a crib with four blinking, glowing leaves with stuffed animal attachments, including a yellow and gray giraffe, a green turtle with a gray and white polka-dot shell, a brown and tan monkey and a gray and white striped owl. The mobile also has a projector on the top of the mobile that projects stars on the ceiling and plays eight nursery lullabies. The mobiles measure 17.5 inches long by 14 inches wide by 22 inches tall. “Skip Hop” and the model number 185509 are printed on the back of the mobile’s base.
Sold At: Babies R Us, Buy Buy Baby and other independent baby stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com and skiphop.com from July 2015 to November 2015 for about $65.
What to Do: Stop using the recalled mobiles immediately and contact the firm for instructions on receiving a $75 coupon towards the purchase of a new Skip Hop product.
For More Information: Contact Skip Hop toll-free at 877-475-4746 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, by email at [email protected] or online at Skiphop.com and click on “Safety Notices” at the bottom of the page under “Customer Care”.
The Danger: A child can remove the highchair's tray, posing a fall hazard. Safety 1st has received 68 reports of children removing the trays, including 11 reports of injuries, such as lacerations, chipped teeth and bruises.
Description: The recall involves approximately 35,000 Safety 1st Wood Décor highchairs in three models: HC144BZF (Casablanca), HC229CZF (Gentle Lace) and HC229CYG (Black Lace). The model numbers are printed under the highchair seat. These A-frame black wood highchairs have a removable fabric, black and white print seat pad with a blue or pink border on the top and bottom of the seat pad. The highchairs have a white plastic, detachable tray with a cone-shaped center divider that fits between a child’s legs. “Safety 1st” is printed on the front center of the tray.
Sold At: Babies R US and Toys R Us retail stores nationwide and online, as well as Amazon and Walmart.com and other online retailers from May 2013 through May 2015 for about $120.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately stop using these recalled highchairs and contact the firm to receive instructions on receiving a new tray with labels.
For More Information: Contact Safety 1st toll-free at (877) 717-7823 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at [email protected] or online at www.safety1st.com and click on “Safety Notices” at the top of the page.
The Danger: A metal bracket that connects the mattress support to the crib can break, creating an uneven sleeping surface or a gap. If this occurs, a baby can become entrapped in the crib, fall or suffer lacerations from the broken metal bracket.
Description: The expanded recall involves approximately 17,613 DaVinci brand full-size cribs including the Reagan crib (model #M2801), the Emily crib, (model #M4791), the Jamie crib (model #M7301), and the Jenny Lind crib (model #M7391) manufactured from May 2012 through December 2012. The model number, serial number and manufacture date are printed on a label affixed to the bottom right hand side panel of the crib. Cribs included in the recall have serial numbers that begin with “N00,” followed by one of the following numbers. A previous recall included the same model numbers, but had different serial numbers.
Sold At: Target and children's stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from May 2012 to December 2013 for between $150 and $250.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled cribs and contact DaVinci for a free replacement mattress support which includes replacement brackets. In the meantime, parents are urged to find an alternate, safe sleeping environment for the child, such as a bassinet, play yard or toddler bed depending on the child’s age.
For More Information: Contact DaVinci toll-free at 888-673-6652 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also visit www.davincibaby.com/safetyrecall3 or www.davincibaby.com and click on “Safety Recall."
The Danger: The “D” ring on the pacifier clip can break, allowing beads to detach, posing a choking hazard.
Description: The recall involves approximately 46,900 Chewbeads Baby pacifier clip holders in five different styles. The "Where’s the Pacifier?” pacifier clips styles include shapes of a butterfly, dinosaur, heart, sheriff badge and a white baseball with red stitching and a major league baseball team logo. “Chewbeads baby” is imprinted in raised letters on the rubber shape attachment. The pacifier clips have eight multi-colored beads threaded through a narrow satin ribbon that attaches to a pacifier on one end and a plastic D-ring on the other. The clip and beads are about six inches long. The garment clip has the following number code on the back of the plastic clip: 3/31/14, 08/08/14, 12/01/14, 14/30/09, 15/02/09, 25/04/14.
Sold At: Buy Buy Baby and small boutique retail stores nationwide and in Canada from September 2014 through June 2015 for $16.50 for the baseball themed clips and $15 for the other style clips.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately take these recalled pacifier clips away from young children and contact Chewbeads for a free replacement pacifier clip or a refund of the purchase price.
For More Information: Contact Chewbeads Inc. toll-free at 888-786-7790 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at [email protected] or online at www.chewbeads.com and click on the "Product Recall" link at the bottom of the page.
The Danger: In the event of a crash, the top tether anchorage may detach from the child restraint, posing a risk of injury to the child or other vehicle occupants and failing to conform to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard.
Description: The recall involves 173,063 ProRIDE child restraints, model number 332.01 in all colors (AK21, KAEC, KAEG, KK91, MC11, MJ15, QA56, QA9N, QQ11, QQ14, and QQ95), manufactured from April 9, 2010 through June 9, 2015, and Performance RIDE child restraints, model number 333.01 in all colors (CHIL, HABB, HAZE, JEBB, JETT, KNGT, MABB, MARI, MNGT, PLUM, PLBB, REBB, SLBB, REDD, ROBB, ROSE, SABB, SAPH, SLTE, VIBB, VIBE), manufactured from January 15, 2013 through June 9, 2015.
What to Do: Recaro will notify and send all registered owners a length of webbing with loops on both ends and instructions to further secure the child restraints, free of charge.
For More Information: Contact Recaro customer service at 1-866-628-4750 or by email at [email protected]. Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
The Danger: The VYSSA and SULTAN crib mattresses could create a gap between the mattress and crib ends larger than allowed by federal regulations, posing an entrapment hazard to infants. There have been two reports of infants becoming entrapped between the mattress and one end of the crib; the children were removed without injury. Meanwhile, the VYSSA SPELEVINK are also being recalled for failing to meet the federal open flame standard for mattresses, posing a fire hazard.
Description: The recall involves approximately 340,000 IKEA VYSSA and SULTAN style crib mattresses across the U.S. and Canada with the following model names: SULTAN BLUNDA, SULTAN DRÖMMA, SULTAN SNARKA, SULTAN SUSSA, VYSSA VACKERT, VYSSA VINKA, VYSSA SPELEVINK, VYSSA SLÖA and VYSSA SLUMMER. The recalled mattresses are 52 inches long and 27 ½ inches wide and were manufactured on May 4, 2014 or earlier. An identification label attached to the mattress cover has the date of manufacture in Month-DD-YY format or YY-WW format and the SULTAN or VYSSA model name. In the YY-WW format, mattresses with a date code of 14-18 or earlier are being recalled. A gap between the mattress and crib ends larger than two finger width is an indication of the defective mattress.
Sold At: IKEA stores nationwide and online at www.ikea-usa.com from October 2000 to May 2014 for about $20 to $100.
What to Do: Consumers should inspect the recalled mattress by making sure there is no gap larger than the width of two fingers between the ends of the crib and the mattress. If there is, customers should immediately stop using the recalled mattress, call (888) 966-4532 and return it to any IKEA store for an exchange or a full refund. Consumers with VYSSA SPELEVINK mattresses, whether or not they had received them as part of an earlier recall exchange, should immediately stop using them and return them to any IKEA store for a full refund.
The Danger: The basket can slide off an inclined surface and its stand can tip, posing a fall hazard for babies.
Description: The recall involves approximately 5,500 baskets and 800 stands. The Moses basket is made from natural tan wild palm leaves and measures about 33 inches long by 14 inches tall and 10 inches wide. The stand has a pine wood frame, a fabric platform and polyester rope design. The stand measures 17 inches tall by 14 inches wide and 15 inches wide when extended. “Tadpoles” is printed on the clear plastic wrapping on the moses baskets and stands.
Sold At: Babies R Us and buybuy Baby and online at Amazon.com, Bellacor.com, Kohls.com, Quidsi.com, Wayfair.com and Zulily.com from April 2014 through July 2015 for between $50 and $90 for the moses basket and from June 2014 through July 2015 for between $25 and $35 for the stand.
What to Do: Immediately stop using the moses basket and stand and contact Sleeping Partners for instructions on returning the basket and stand to receive a store credit.
For More Information: Contact Sleeping Partners toll-free at (844) 489-9498 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or online at sleepingpartners.com and click on "USA" then "Support" to access the moses basket recall information.
The Danger: A wooden ring that hangs from the toy can break into small pieces, posing a choking hazard to young children.
Description: The recall involves approximately 2,800 My Snuggly Ellie Activity Toys. The toy is a plush brown elephant with white crinkle ears, a green hanging loop on top of its head, which can attach to a stroller or crib, a mini mirror on its stomach, and a teether and wooden ring hanging below its body. The item number is 212520 and can be found on the small white tag sewn into the bottom of the toy.
Sold At: Specialty toy and baby stores nationwide, and online at www.manhattantoy.com from February 2014 through May 2015 for about $10.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately take the toy away from young children and return it to where it was purchased for a full refund.
For More Information: Contact Manhattan Group toll-free at (800) 541-1345 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit www.manhattantoy.com and click on “RECALLS”.
The Danger: The crib mattresses fail to meet the mandatory federal mattress flammability standard for open flames, posing a fire hazard.
Description: The recall involves approximately 18,500 Stork Craft foam crib and crib/toddler mattresses with model numbers 06710-100 and 06710-200 and a date of manufacture between August 2014 and January 2015. The mattresses have a zippered white fabric cover and measure about 28 inches wide and 52 inches long with a 5-inch-thick foam core. The model number, date of manufacture and “Stork Craft Manufacturing (USA) Inc.” are printed on a federal label attached to the white mattress cover. The mattresses’ boxes have a Graco logo on them.
Sold At: Walmart stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com, EChannel.com, ToysRUs.com, Walmart.com and Wayfair.com from August 2014 through April 2015 for between $38 and $50.
What to Do: If you have a recalled crib mattress, immediately stop using it and contact Stork Craft for a free, zippered mattress barrier cover to be placed over the mattress foam core and under the white mattress cover provided with the mattress.
For more information: Contact Stork Craft at (800) 274-0277 Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. PT, by email at [email protected], or online at http://storkcraftdirect.com and click on "Product Recall" near the bottom of the page.
The Danger: The strollers' and RumbleSeats' bumper bar poses a choking hazard when a child bites into the foam covering. UPPAbaby has received 22 reports of children biting off a piece of the foam. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves approximately 79,000 2015 CRUZ and 2015 VISTA strollers and 2015 RumbleSeats. The strollers have an aluminum alloy grey or black frame with a black fabric toddler seat, a colored fabric sunshade canopy, and a black basket under the seat. The UPPAbaby name and logo are printed on the side of the canopy and “CRUZ” is printed in white lettering on the handlebars of the stroller. The VISTA strollers have grey or black aluminum frames, a colored sunshade canopy and are made to hold up to three children. "VISTA" is printed in white lettering on the handlebars and "UPPAbaby" is printed across the bottom diagonal rail of the frame next to a black fabric basket. The RumbleSeat is a separate seat attachment that can be attached to the stroller frame, they have manufacture dates stamped on the bottom of the seat from September 2014 through May 2015. The RumbleSeat comes in various colors and allows the child to ride rear facing, forward facing or reclined. All of the strollers and RumbleSeats have a foam bumper bar across the middle of the product for the child to hold. Visit the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's website for a list of serial numbers included in the recall.
Sold At: BuyBuy Baby and other baby stores nationwide and online at Amazon from December 2014 through July 2015 at about $500 for the CRUZ stroller, $860 for the VISTA stroller and $170 for the RumbleSeat.
What to Do: If you have a recalled stroller or RumbleSeat, immediately remove and stop using the bumper bar and contact UPPAbaby on the number below to receive a free cover and warning label.
For more information: Call (844) 540-8694, email [email protected] or visit www.UPPAbaby.com and click on "Safety Notice" on the lower right hand corner.
The Danger: IKEA is rolling out a national repair program for MALM chests and dressers after two two-year-old children died when the chests, which were not anchored to the wall, fell on top of them. IKEA and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission have also received 14 reports of tip-over incidents involving MALM chests, resulting in four injuries.
Description: The alert involves approximately 27 million MALM 3- and 4-drawer chests and two styles of MALM 6- drawer chests, and other chests and dressers. IKEA is offering a free anchoring kit for the MALM chests and dressers to ensure they are safe.
Sold At: IKEA stores all over the U.S. and Canada. Prices of the chests range from about $80 to $200.
What to Do: Immediately remove all unanchored IKEA children's chests and dressers that are 23.5 inches and over, and adult chests and drawers that are 29.5 inches and over, and store them in a child-free zone in your home while you obtain an IKEA wall anchoring kit.
For More Information: To receive a free wall anchoring kit, visit an IKEA retail store, go to www.IKEA-USA.com/saferhomestogether, or call (888) 966-4532.
The Danger: The wheels' hub caps can break or come off, posing a choking hazard for young children, though no incidents have been reported.
Description: The recall involves approximately 800 Bud and Skipit Wheely Cute Pull Toys from Bunnies by the Bay. Bud, an 8-inch high soft brown puppy toy with a blue and white pull cord, stands on red wooden wheels with blue hub caps. There is a red, blue and white soft ball at the end of the pull cord. Skipit, an 8-inch high cream-colored bunny toy with an orange and white pull cord, stands on blue wheels with orange hub caps. There is a soft cloth carrot at the end of the pull cord. A label with lot code YM5/14 is sewn on the back leg of each toy. The item number for Bud Wheely Cute Toy, found on the lower right-hand corner of the original packing, is #401101. The item number for Skipit Wheely Cute Toy is #401103.
What to Do: Consumers should take the toys away from young children immediately and return the item to where it was purchased for a full refund.
For More Information: Call Bunnies by the Bay toll-free at (866) 763-8869 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email [email protected] or visit www.kidspreferred.com and click on “Contact Us” at the bottom of the homepage.
The Danger: The stitching on the restraint straps can loosen, which allows the straps to separate from the seat, posing a fall hazard to children. OXO has received five reports of this happening following a child pulling on the straps or an adult tightening the straps. No injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves approximately 25,000 OXO Nest Booster Seats sold in green (model 6367200), pink (model 6367300), taupe (model 6367500) and orange (model 6367400) with a white base. A sticker affixed to the underside of the seat reads “Nest Booster Seat” with the model number and manufacture date. The manufacture date code represents the month and year in MMYY format and recalled units have the code: 0714, 0814, 0914, 1014, 1114 or 1214. The formed plastic seats are about 13 inches wide by 14 inches tall by 12 inches deep and have a grey three-point child restraint strap system. The OXO logo is embossed on the restraint system’s buckle.
Sold At: Buybuy Baby, Toys“R”Us/Babies“R”Us and independent specialty stores nationwide and online at Amazon.com from September 2014 through April 2015 for about $55.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately stop using the Nest Booster Seats and contact OXO at (800) 545-4411 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET Monday through Friday for a free repair kit with redesigned safety straps and installation instructions.
For More Information: Email [email protected] or visit them online at www.oxo.com.
The Danger: The friction between the wall and the pressure-mounted safety gate is insufficient to hold the gate in position, posing a fall hazard. The lower metal bar can also be a trip hazard. There have been 18 incidents worldwide, including three incidents in which children have been injured as a result of falling down stairs.
Description: The recall involves approximately 58,000 PATRULL KLÄMMA and PATRULL SMIDIG safety gates in the U.S. and 17,000 in Canada. The safety gates are white, made of steel and plastic, and measure about 29 inches high with an adjustable width from about 29 inches to 34 inches. The gate has a spring mechanism that fits between the two sides of the door frame to hold the gate in place. A permanent label is attached to the metal bar at the bottom of the safety gate containing an article number. Gates with the following article numbers are recalled: 302-265-21, 500-375-67, 501-919-50, 655-517-10, 700-989-65 and 901-136-01.
Sold At: IKEA stores nationwide and online at www.ikea-usa.com from August 1995 through February 2015 for about $35.
What to Do: Consumers should stop using the safety gate and return it to any IKEA store for a full refund. Any PATRULL KLÄMMA/SMIDIG safety gate extensions may also be returned for a full refund. Consumers who want to keep their PATRULL KLÄMMA or SMIDIG safety gate for limited use in a doorway between rooms or at the bottom of a staircase can contact IKEA to receive free updated user instructions and new adhesive warning labels to put on their safety gate.
For More Information: Contact IKEA toll-free at (888) 966-4532 anytime or visit the recall page on the Ikea website.
The Danger: The "Vintage Grey" color paint on cribs, furniture and accessories has been found to exceed federal limits of lead and can cause adverse health effects if ingested.
Description: The recall involves approximately 4,600 Baby’s Dream full-size cribs, furniture and accessories sold in a vintage grey paint finish under the Brie, Braxton, Heritage, Everything Nice and Legendary collections. Cribs and furniture included in this recall were manufactured between March 2014 and March 2015 in Chile. A label affixed to the bottom of the crib’s back frame and the back panel of the furniture lists the product name, date and location of manufacture, model number and purchase order number (PO#). Click here for a list of model numbers included in the recall.
Sold At: Specialty furniture stores nationwide and online at BabysDream.com from March 2014 through March 2015 for between $350 and $900 for the cribs, and between $450 and $1,000 for the dressers, hutches, nightstands, bookcases and chests. Additional accessories were sold for between $100 and $300.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately contact Baby’s Dream Furniture at (800) 835-2742 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday to arrange for an exchange.
For More Information: Visit the firm’s website at www.babysdream.com and click on the recall image.
The Danger: Wire-edged ribbon used in the blanket's tags can become exposed, posing a laceration hazard to children. Goochie Goo Garbs received one report of a child getting scratched.
Description: The recall involves about 125 blankets. The affected product is a 6-inch square of soft fabric with crinkle paper inside and ribbon tags in the middle of each of the four sides. One side of the blanket contains a white satin ribbon tag with the words "Goochie Goo Garbs" on it. The tags are black, blue, green, pink or red with white polka-dots. The blankets come in a variety of patterns including shapes, animals and superheroes and sold for about $10.
Sold At: Various children's speciality stores in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Pennsylvania from July 2014 through March 2015.
What to Do: Consumers should stop using the blanket immediately and return it to the store it was purchased from for a full refund or replacement.
For More Information: Call Goochie Goo Garbs collect at (480) 773-1808 from 10a.m. to 4p.m. MT, Monday through Friday, email [email protected] or visit www.goochiegoo.com and click on the "Recall Notice" link.
The Danger: The baby food may be contaminated with small pieces of glass. Beech-Nut says it initiated the "voluntary recall" after receiving a single complaint from a consumer who found a small piece of glass in the product. Beech-Nut, of Amsterdam, N.Y., also received a report of an oral injury associated with the consumption of the product, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Description: The recall involves approximately 1,920 pounds of the baby food produced on December 12, 2014. The affected product bears the establishment number "P-68A" inside the U.S. Department of Agriculture's mark of inspection, expires in "DEC 2016" and includes product numbers 12395750815 through 12395750821.
Sold At: Retail locations nationwide. When available, the retail distribution list will be posted on the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service website.
What to Do: Beech-Nut is encouraging customers to return the recalled product to the store they purchased it from for a full refund or exchange. You can also call them at (866) 674-4446 for a full refund.
For More Information: Call the Beech-Nut Consumer Hotline at (866) 674-4446 or visit the Beech-Nut website.
The Danger: The sharp edges of the die-cast metal cars can pose a laceration hazard, though injuries were reported.
Description: The recall involves approximately 254,000 Tough Treadz Auto Carrier sets, which include a plastic toy truck in black, blue or red, and six die-cast metal cars in various colors.
Sold At: Family Dollar Stores nationwide from September-December 2014 for about $5.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately take the toy sets away from children and return them to any Family Dollar Stores location for a full refund.
The Danger: The robes and footed pajamas don't meet the federal flammability standard and pose a burn hazard, though no injuries have been reported.
Description: The recall involves approximately 8,400 Lazy One robes and footed pajamas. The one-piece zip-up pajamas are beige with the words "I'm OWL yours" printed on it; it was sold in children's small through extra-large. The recalled robes are pink with moose graphics and “Don’t Moose With Me” printed on it and red with printed moose graphics and solid black trim. Both were sold in sizes 4T through 14.
Sold At: Department stores and children’s boutiques nationwide and online at www.lazyone.com from October 2013 through June 2014 for about $22 for the pajamas and about $15 for the robes.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately take the pajamas and robes away from children and return them to Lazy One. For a free replacement, including shipping, consumers should contact Lazy One toll-free at (866) 340-5278 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. MT Monday through Friday, or online at www.lazyone.com and click on the "Product Recall" link on the bottom of the page.
The Danger: The play yard's rails can collapse, posing a strangulation hazard.
Description: This recall involves approximately 10,000 Dream On Me Incredible two-level deluxe adjustable height play yards with model number starting with 436A, 436B, 436G, 436O, 436P and 436R. The play yards, made with a steel, powder-coated frame base with rolling, hooded casters, have a fabric and mesh covering that comes in a variety of colors. The play yard includes a changing top, a toy bar with soft toys for entertainment, a side pocket for storage and a carrying case. It can be folded for storage. “Dream On Me” is printed on the bottom left-hand side outside of the product, and the model number is printed on a label attached to the play yard’s mattress.
Sold At: Online retailers including Amazon.com, Kohls.com, ToysRUs.com, WalMart.com and Wayfair.com from March 2010 through January 2014 for about $60.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled play yards. To receive a free repair kit, contact Dream On Me at 877/201-4317 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.
The Danger: The folding hinge on the sides of the stroller can pinch a child’s finger, posing a laceration or amputation hazard. Graco has received 11 reports of finger injuries, including six reports of fingertip amputation, four reports of partial-fingertip amputation and one finger laceration.
Description: The recall involves approximately 4.7 million strollers and 11 different models: Aspen, Breeze, Capri, Cirrus, Glider, Kite, LiteRider, Sierra, Solara, Sterling, and TravelMate. All manufactured between August 1, 2000 and September 25, 2014, they are single-occupant strollers with an external sliding fold-lock hinge on each side and a one-hand fold release mechanism on the handle.
Sold At: Target, Toys R Us, Walmart and other retail stores, as well as online retailers including Amazon.com and Walmart.com for about $40-$70.
What to Do: To order a free repair kit, consumers should contact Graco immediately at 800/345-4109 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or at gracobaby.com. (Click on the “Help Center” at the top and Recall and Safety Notifications for more information.) While waiting for a repair kit, consumers should be careful when unfolding the stroller to make sure the hinges are firmly locked before placing a child in the stroller.
The Danger: Components inside of the whistle can detach, posing choking and aspiration hazards. McDonald’s has received two reports of children who coughed out pieces of the whistle that they had sucked into their mouths, including one child who received medical attention.
Description: This recall involves approximately 2.3 million whistles in the U.S. and 200,000 in Canada. The recalled whistles are red, with pictures of Hello Kitty on both sides, and were included in a plastic Hello Kitty figurine holding a pink heart-shaped lollipop. When closed, the figurine measures about 3 inches in height and width and 1 3/4 inches in depth. The whistle measures about 1 3/4 inches in height and width and 3/4 inches in depth. The text “©1976, 2014 SANRIO CO., LTD.” appears above Hello Kitty’s face on the whistle, and “Made for McDonald’s China CCW Chine” appears below Hello Kitty’s face on the whistle. The bag containing the toy includes the text “Hello Kitty® Birthday Lollipop” and the number “6” in the upper right corner.
Available At: McDonald’s restaurants nationwide from October 2014 through the first week of November 2014 with Happy Meals and Mighty Kids Meals.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately take the whistle away from children and return it to any McDonald’s for a free replacement toy and either a yogurt tube or a bag of apple slices.
The Danger: The wipes contain the bacteria Burkholderia cepacia (B. cepacia), and people with weakened immune systems or chronic lung conditions like cystic fibrosis may be more susceptible to infection. The company, Nutek Disposables, Inc., has received one report of irritation and numerous complaints ranging from rash, infections, fever and respiratory issues. These reports have not been confirmed to be related to the wipes.
Description: The recall involves wipes distributed by Nutek prior to October 21, 2014, and manufactured under any of the following names: Cuties, Diapers.com, Femtex, Fred's, Kidgets, Members Mark, Simply Right, Sunny Smiles, Tender Touch and Well Beginnings.
What to Do: If you purchased any of the wipes affected, stop using them immediately and return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
The Danger: When under pressure, the plastic toast can crack and break into small pieces, creating sharp edges and posing a choking hazard.
Description: The recall involves approximately 30,000 Just Like Home brand toy toaster sets.
Sold At: Toys R Us stores nationwide and online at toysrus.com from July 2013 through August 2014 for about $10.
What to Do: Consumers should immediately take this product away from children and return it to any Toys R Us to receive a full refund. | 2019-04-23T06:26:09Z | https://www.fitpregnancy.com/baby/baby-care/biggest-baby-gear-recalls |
US & CUBA TO RESUME COMMERCIAL FLIGHTS!
- There will a substantial number of daily commercial flights to Cuba (up to 100!), and will include other cities besides Havana. This could help with getting anglers to their fishing destinations more easily.
- And, most interestingly, this quote which was already obvious to those of us dealing with travel to Cuba currently: "U.S. visitors to Cuba will still have to qualify under one of the travel categories legally authorized by the U.S. government. Tourism is still barred by law, but the number of legal reasons to go to Cuba — from organizing professional meetings to distributing information to Cubans — has grown so large and loosely enforced that the distinction from tourism has blurred significantly."
The United States and Cuba signed a deal Tuesday restoring commercial air traffic for the first time in five decades, allowing dozens of new daily flights to bring hundreds of thousands more American travelers a year to the island as early as this fall.
"Today is a historic day in the relationship between Cuba and the U.S.," U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said after he and Transportation Minister Adel Yzquierdo Rodriguez signed the deal in a ceremony at Havana's Hotel Nacional. "It represents a critically important milestone in the U.S. effort to engage with Cuba."
Yzquierdo declined an interview request but Foxx said after meeting with the Cuban minister that he believed Cuba was eager to restore commercial air service as quickly as possible.
"Every indication I have in the conversations we've had today is that the Cubans want to move as fast as we're able to move," Foxx said. "People will actually be able to go buy a ticket and fly to Cuba on a commercial airline. That's a pretty big step. We haven't been able to do that in 50 years."
"The adoption of this memorandum is an important step that will soon permit the establishment of regular flights between the United States and Cuba," Yzquierdo Rodriguez at the signing ceremony.
The deal does not contemplate flights by Cuba's national airline to the United States, where lawyers for families and businesses that have sued Havana over decades-old property confiscations are eager to freeze any of its assets that they can get their hands on.
American Airlines spokesman Matt Miller said the company plans to bid on routes from Miami and other unspecified "American hubs."
"We applaud the Administration for making commercial air service a priority," American chairman Doug Parker said in a written statement. "American looks forward to submitting a Cuba service proposal to the Department of Transportation in the coming weeks."
United Airlines is also looking to serve Havana from some of its hubs, spokesman Luke Punzenberger said. The carrier's major hubs include Chicago, Houston, Washington and Newark, New Jersey. It currently does not fly charters to Cuba.
"Assuming service is approved, United customers will benefit from United's expanded global route network and new opportunities for leisure and business travel to Cuba," the airline said.
JetBlue Airways said it was eager to offer service between "multiple" cities in the United States and the island, with spokesman Doug McGraw saying that "interest in Cuba has reached levels not seen for a generation."
Thought I would send a more concise list of the trips we have on the books for Cuba. The first trip is late this Fall, and they go all the way through early Summer 2017.
With our experience in fishing Cuba, and in helping our clients book their own trips, it has become very obvious to us that we need to plan ahead. Cuba is on the world’s radar, and finding space in any of the fishing destinations can be challenging, and expensive.
Keeping this in mind, we have secured what we think are great destinations, at great times of the year, all at great values. Space is limited, and in some cases the price will be better if you book early. One of the outfitters has offered us a new location, and will honor the 2016 price if we have our deposits in early. Also, rest assured that we will be booking, and helping promote, hosted trips through many of our fine fishing dealers, as well as helping to book your individual travel.
Each of these trips will be hosted by one of Fly Water’s angling experts. Now is the time! Come to Cuba with Fly Water!
The Zapata Peninsula is the newest destination offered to anglers wanting to experience Cuba. With endless habitat available only to the people in your group, in a highly protected marine environment at an affordable price, these trips will fill fast. Bonefish are very plentiful here, and Permit, Tarpon, Snapper and Jacks also available.
Located on the north shore of Cuba, Gardens of the King is touted as one of the best Tarpon fisheries in the entire Caribbean. Our timing should have us there while larger, migratory Tarpon have arrived. Bonefish are also plentiful, and Permit possible. Guests will stay in a luxurious, all-inclusive resort.
Jardines de la Reina is known as having one of the most pristine habitats on the entire planet, with well preserved reefs, mangrove forests, and myriad shallow water fish species. May and June is prime time in Jardines for migratory Tarpon. We will be after the big boys.....30-100 pounds is the norm. In between the best times for Tarpon, we will also pursue Bonefish, Permit, Jacks and Snapper. So much in demand, we feel lucky to have secured the yacht Halcon as our live-aboard during this week. On other boats, this trip can exceed $10,000 per person.
Many of you know Dylan Rose. Dylan is the saltwater travel specialist for FLYWATER TRAVEL, and was at one time my office partner in the repping of fishing equipment. In short, a great guy, and an expert when it comes to just about anything related to fly fishing. Dylan and I hosted a group together in Cayo Cruz Cuba this last Summer. Based on that trip, and some wanderings around Havana, Dylan put together a great article recently published in the 2016 Fly Water Catalogue. It is a very worthwhile read.
I received an e-mail a few days from Rob Born who was referred to me by a local fishing dealer. Rob told me he was on his way to Cuba next month to play baseball, and wanted to get a day or two of fishing in. After we talked about his fishing options, I wanted to know more about the baseball, because as of yet I have not seen a game in Cuba. That lead to the response from Rob below, and a link to his Flicker account full of fantastic images. Check it out.
"This is the third trip I've done to Cuba to play with a traveling squad against local Cuban teams through a State Department athletics travel exemption. Many of our players are former collegiate players in their 30s and 40s and even 50s. Our opponents are often former Cuban pro players in the same age range, some with Pan American team experience and a few with Olympic experience. I don't need to tell you that baseball fever is strong there and they are excellent players. In the two prior trips, I think our combined record was 2-12. We play in a variety of places - Pinar Del Rio, Havana. Cienfuegos, and Matanzas (but never Ive never played on the the east end of the island). About half the time we get to play in the pro stadiums. We did a side trip to watch the Industrials one year. Man, you have got to do it. Incredible passion. People throwing chickens in the air when runs are scored, crazy antics during the warm ups, passionate arguing, etc. "
SO YOU THINK BASEBALL PLAYERS ARE SUPERSTITIOUS?
I have an old fishing buddy that claimed to have a lucky cap and sweater. And he was serious. The cap came with him when he moved from the East Coast, and was advertising his favorite baseball team.....the Red Sox. And then there was the sweater. Now, you needed a sweater for most of the steelhead fishing we were doing mind you, but it was old and ratty, and ill-fitting. Nevertheless, Nate landed more steelhead than anyone I knew, and since he was always wearing the Red Sox cap and old sweater, it was hard to say whether they had an effect or not.
But, I have to say that I am coming around to Nate's way of thinking. I have been unbelievably lucky this year in Cuba, when it comes to landing Permit. After I landed a really big fish on Cayo Cruz this summer, I got to thinking about the fact that I was wearing my favorite Fishpond Sun Shirt, and Fishpond Board Shorts. Was there something to it? And I thought, what the hell, how is it going to hurt if I wear that shirt and shorts every day?
TRINIDAD, CUBA: ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN THE CARIBBEAN, TRINIDAD IS A JEWEL NESTLED IN THE HILLS NEAR THE COAST.
The small city of Trinidad was founded in 1514 by the Spaniard, Diego Valezquez. Since 1988, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is very popular with tourists. Like Vinales, I knew this was one of the places in Cuba I had to see, and to that end spent 3 days in this charming town. Again I opted for a private Casa rather than a hotel. This is the way to go if you are really wanting to interact with the Cuban people, and to learn more about their way of life. My casa had several rooms, at different levels, available for travelers to rent. As is usual in Cuba, 3 generations of the family lived in the house and were always willing to help and be of service. I came away from Cuba on this trip, certain that the Cuban people are the nicest and most accommodating you will find anywhere.
The city of Trinidad, nestled in the hills with the southern coast of Cuba only a few miles in the distance.
As with Havana and Vinales, my goal in Trinidad was to see and photograph as much of Cuban life as I could. Walking the backstreets, and getting out to the edges of town allows you to experience so much more than the average tourist.
t first glance, just a typical apartment building in Cuba. Look more closely at the men under the tree. They have a freshly butchered goat hanging, while they skin it, right outside the apartment!
Gardens of the King (unlike Gardens of the Queen) is located along Cuba's north shore, and is made up of a string of islands stretching 200 kilometers in length. These islands were named by Diego Velazquez in the sixteenth century, in honor of the king of Spain.
Located on Cayo Las Brujas, fishing guests of outfitter Fly Fishing the Run will stay at the Villas Las Brujas. This small resort is located right on the water, and has an absolutely beautiful beach adjoining that is pristine and lightly visited. Anglers only have a short 3-4 minute walk to the marina each morning, where new Dolphin skiffs await them for their adventure on the flats.
This area has long been known as a very dependable Tarpon destination. As a guest of Cristian, owner of Fly Fishing the Run, we fished some of the known areas, but explored many others. There was quite a bit of good news in regard to this fishery. First of all, it was great to know that Bonefish here are plentiful, and can be fished for when guests want a change, or when tides are not optimum for other fish. It was also great to discover that there is some very nice Permit habitat here......we in fact caught a beautiful Permit our first morning on our way to a Grand Slam.
One of the flats where we caught a Permit, and saw many others.
Now I knew that Gardens of the King was known for its Tarpon fishing, but not having been there I was wondering how dependable it would be in a time of year like late October. I was really happy with what we found. We jumped Tarpon every day, and saw them on both flats and interior lagoons. Many of the fish were 15-25 pounds, but we saw and hooked fish up to about 60. During the migratory season in Spring and early Summer, Tarpon should be even more abundant, and bigger fish available.
A very nice Tarpon,, jumping near the boat on one of the flats we found to be dependable for Tarpon each day.
I am just back from two weeks in Cuba, and had just a wonderful trip. The purpose of this adventure was multi-faceted this time. I was wanting to visit some of the newer fishing destinations that are just coming on line. But also, I wanted to see more of life in Cuba. I have been getting a lot of requests from people who want to fish, but who also want to spend a week traveling around Cuba. To that end, I did it myself.
One bit of news before I get started that pertains to all anglers. First of all, there is still no change in the requirements from the US government in regards to paperwork and licensing. Officially, you are required to obtain the Person to Person License. We are still using Bonefish/Tarpon Trust for this license. The good news is that the donation requirement has lowered from $500 to $250. On this trip, US Customs & Immigration had no interest in seeing my paperwork, but I still felt better having it.
I am going to make several Blog posts in order to cover this trip. There is so much information, and so many images, that I want to keep you interested! So, here is the first post. I began my time as usual with a few days in Havana. I stayed in a Casa Paricular again in the suburban neighborhood of Vedado. and did my best to explore some of bits of the city I had not seen. Here are some of the images of life on the streets in Havana.
This is the famous Malecon, stretching along the Havana waterfront. At night, this area is alive with hordes of young people.
From Havana, I took the Via Azul bus southwest to the town of Vinales. Via Azul caters to tourists, and the buses are inexpensive, pretty modern, and run frequently. Vinales is the most famous area in Cuba for the growing of Tobacco. With a very unique valley micro-climate, and just the right soil, it apparently has everything needed to grow the highest quality leaves.
I stayed in a wonderful little Casa in Vinales, and toured the farm land the next day. And, I did it by horseback! Yup, that is the popular means of transport, and many tourists were doing the same thing. It was fascinating to see how this land is still farmed. The only downside was my aching arse and thighs!
The farmland of Vinales is lush, as you can see from this photo.
Well, it's the time of the year when I get the most antsy to harvest things and put them in the freezer. My brother Rick has a place near the port of Sekiu on the Olympic Peninsula, and most years I join him for a little salmon fishing. This year, I only had time for a few days, but they did good by me.
How good is it to complete what I have recently coined the OP SLAM? In case you don't know what that is, it is catching Coho Salmon, finding a patch of Chanterelles, and landing Searun Cutthroat all in the same day. Check it out from the photos below, and try to ignore the fact that the first salmon is a wayward Chum, and that the Searun has a Roostertail hanging from its jaw!
I recently returned from four great days in California, doing presentations regarding travel and fishing in Cuba. I was joined by Filippo Invernizzi, co-owner of Avalon, and Matias Gimenez, sales manager for Avalon. This was a great trip. I learned a lot, we saw some great specialty fishing shops, and was able to present this exciting destination to many people.
We started in Southern California, with an evening presentation at Fishermen's Spot. This was special for me, because I was able to reunite with my old friend Ken, who is co-owner of this fine shop. They had a great turn out of people genuinely interested in making this trip, and it was a fantastic evening.
After Los Angeles, we made our way to the Bay Area. We were hosted by two other great dealers, Fish First! and Lost Coast Outfitters. I wanted to say thanks to Leo and Don at Fish First!, as well as George at Lost Coast Outfitters for getting the word out about our presentations, and in treating us so well.
If your shop, club, or group of fishing friends is interested in having a presentation on Cuba, just let me know. We will find a way to work it out!
I wanted to keep all of you in the loop regarding some breaking news from the world of Jon Covich. All of you know that I have pretty involved with travel these past 5 years or so, working closely with the great folks at FlyWater Travel. You also know, from all my recent posts, that I am really smitten by Cuba, and the great flats fishing it has to offer. To that end, I have been working hard on adding another offering to the list of things that I already sell. With the relationship obviously under great change between the US and Cuba, and with such great interest among American anglers wanting to finally get there, I saw the opportunity to cater directly to these people. I have just recently launched CUBA FISHING OUTFITTERS. This business will deal only in selling travel and fishing in Cuba, and I will be booking all the fishing destinations available on the island. I think I have some pretty unique experience regarding Cuba, having fished almost the entire island, and having a long relationship with Avalon, the longest and most important outfitter in Cuba.
For all of you wondering how this might change my relationship with FlyWater, it should only make it stronger. I have been in constant contact with them regarding this idea, and we will still be working together on all aspects of shop travel to all fishing destinations around the world, including Cuba. Please take a look at what I have so far put together. Recognize that the website, although well on its way, is still a work in progress. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated. And please, do click SUBSCRIBE on the landing page so that I can keep you updated on any news regarding Cuba. Also, feel free to pass it along to your customers, friends, and business partners.. I do not think there is another website with as much information specific to the fishing and the related travel as I have put together.
I think it is year 6 of the "No Mom, No Rules" all boys fishing adventure. This year, Teddy, Greger, Ruby the dog and I headed east to Idaho. We camped among the Lodgepole Pines on both the North Fork of the Clearwater and St Joe Rivers. The water was low, the weather was warm, and the fish were still pretty willing. Have to love those Cutthroat.
The trip ended with the boys enjoying a full day at Silverwood just north of Couer d'Alene. They had a blast with the water park, and Teddy couldn't get enough of the After Shock. Just glad that he is now old enough to go on that ride himself.....I had to do it with him 2 or 3 times when he still needed a parent along, and it scared the hell out of me!
DIOS MIO - ESA ES UNA GRAN PALOMETA!
OK.....every once in a while hard work should be rewarded. Although I am not sure where the hard work was? But anyway, have to tell the story of this Permit. Several days in to our recent trip to Cayo Cruz, I was in a skiff with Jaco, a cool Canadian by way of South Africa. Jaco had been up on the bow for a few hours in the morning, and wanted to sit for a bit. Not a problem Jaco.....I am glad to be on the bow!
Only a few minutes later, I saw this Permit from nearly 100 yards. It was over white sand, and visible as could be. Once we got close, I put the fly in front of him.....in fact I figure I put it in front of him 20 or 30 times! And in between, we changed flies 3 or 4 times, and had a line tangle cluster (thanks for the help Jaco), and all the while this Permit just hung out. Talk about a happy fish.
And guess what....he finally ate the fly. It was a solid 40 minutes before our guide was able to tail the fish, and all during the fight I was sure we were going to lose it. He fought like a bruiser buck steelhead......no crazy burning runs, but no give at all. Yonghar, our guide, said it was the second biggest Permit he had seen landed in 18 years of guiding in Cuba. He thought the fish weighed somewhere between 30-35 pounds.
I think, without a doubt, that is the fish of my lifetime. I think back to all the fish I have caught, and a few really stick out. I once hooked 2 steelhead over 20 pounds in back to back days fishing the Stillaguamish. And I will always remember the 11 pound Brown I caught in a lake in Argentina. But I am not sure I am going to top this fish.
After my 3 days in Havana, I met up with the rest of our fishing group including Dylan from Flywater, and 8 other intrepid anglers from the US and Canada. After the better part of a day moving from airports to the plane to the bus and to the boat, we finally arrived on Avalon Fleet 1.
Below is a montage of photos from our week on the boat and fishing the bays, oceanside flats, and channels around these islands. In short, the fishing itself was off. Normally, this time of year is the rainy season in Cuba, with afternoon thundershowers refreshing and cooling the flats. Cuba had seen almost no rain in two months, and the weather had been warm and windy. As a result, the water on and around the flats was very warm. The Tarpon were offshore instead of in the channels, and even Bonefish were scarce. When we did find Bones they were big.....many between 5-7 pounds. Some days the best action we had was for Permit, and this is truly a world class Permit destination. I think Dylan wants to go back just for that.
Although the fishing might not have been up to par, the accommodations and service were way beyond. I just san't say enough about our fishing guides and hosts on the boat...... how hard they worked, how great the food was, and how accommodating they were to all of us. And, we did have a great group of guests who went with the flow, and were a pleasure to be around.
Early in the year, I was at the Pleasanton California Fly Fishing Show. Dylan and I from Flywater were talking with the guys from Avalon about Cuba. Eventually, they invited us to lead a group to their newest fishing area on the North Coast-Cayo Cruz.
I had a few other things in mind when visiting Cuba this time, outside of the fishing. When I was there last, in January of this year, I got a small taste of life in Cuba, and it really got me intrigued. I wanted to see more. So, I laid plans to spend an extra 4 or 5 days doing just that.
I had read all about the fact that Cubans can now rent out their homes, and rooms in their homes. In fact, they are now available on Airbnb. Rather than $300 a night in a hotel full of tourists, travelers can stay with a Cuban family and spend $30 a night. This was the balcony outside my room where I would relax in the evening, and have breakfast in the morning.
There are 3 distinct parts of Havana. Old Havana (old but touristy) Central Havana (authentic but hectic), and Vedado (authentic and very residential). I opted to stay in Vedado, and I am really glad I did. It was hot and muggy as you can imagine, and most homes did not have A/C. As a result, the people were outside in the evening. On my streets, groups of men would play dominoes (tiles) in the shade of the trees.
I loved walking around this neighborhood in the evenings, and discovering things. As you know, old American cars are everywhere in Havana, but I loved the alleyway this one was parked in. Look at that beautiful arch at the end and the buildings themselves.
By the way, I also learned during this time in Havana how to properly stand in line in Cuba, how to flag down and ride in a group taxi, and how to use the local currency to save a lot of money.
Some of you know that my wife, Fran, is a flight attendant for United Airlines. In the past few months, she has started flying international trips, including Sydney, Shanghai, and Paris. My birthday was coming up this past weekend, and Fran made the suggestion that I should come on her work trip to Paris so that we could celebrate my birthday in France. Not a bad idea, even if it was a lot of travel for just two days in Paris. Anyway, we went. We did a lot of walking around town the first day, and had a great dinner together near the Bastille. We also talked about trying to get tickets to the French Open, which was taking place during our time there. Sure enough, I was able to get one ticket for Sunday, and watched 3 different matches. It was super cool.
I have been back home for a few days now, and am just about caught up with old e-mails and phone calls, not to mention the 4 hour time change. In my last post, I mentioned flying over the Andes from Santiago Chile to visit Mendoza. Only a short flight of 30 minutes or so, and before I knew it I was meeting Filippo from Avalon in the airport.
I know this might seem a bit confusing, but Avalon, the company which owns most of the fishing destinations in Cuba, whose ownership is Italian, has its offices in Mendoza Argentina! What's up with that? Filippo explained that about 10 years or so ago, he was looking for a home office that would make sense for them. He got a call out of the blue from an old friend who said "hey, I just bought you a vineyard in Mendoza!" And his response was "where the hell is Mendoza?" To make a long story short, he made a visit to this burgeoning wine country, and fell in love with it.
After a short stay in town, Filippo and I drove to the wine country, where he has a beautiful development called La Dolce Vita. He bought this parcel of land, did lots of work to make it usable, planted grape vines, at the same time partitioning home sites in the vineyard. Owners then can make their own wines, and have their own label if they want. It was really beautiful. If you have the chance, visit Mendoza.
It wasn't that long ago that I was in Southern Chile, and here I am again. Gonzalo Cortes, my friend and owner of Chile's Chucao Lodge, invited me on a photo adventure. He is in the midst of compiling the second edition of his previous book "Fly Fishing Chilean Patagonia." We were the guests of Gaston and Claudio of Coyhaique River Lodge, while we fished and photographed some of the famous rivers and lakes in this part of Chile. A sampling of those photos is below.
This afternoon I am making a little side trip, since I was all the way down here anyway! I am flying across the Andes to Mendoza, Argentina. This is Argentina's most famous wine region, and also happens to be the headquarters of Avalon. I will be seeing their operation, and meeting with co-owner Filippo regarding future opportunities for travel and fishing in Cuba. | 2019-04-18T18:34:11Z | http://www.joncovich.com/?offset=1459186805482 |
Think about what you know about weather patterns and weather reports. What do you think causes weather?
I think weather is maybe caused by how the Earth revolves around the sun in a way because since it moves around it, since the sun shines in different places on Earth at different times it could cause it to change.
I claim weather is caused by many ways, for example like condensation, precipitation, evaporation, ect. With condensation it is when water vapor turns into liquid. When there is precipitation it is rain, snow, sleet, hail, ect. With evaporation its when liquid turns into water vapor and goes into the atmosphere.
I think that air masses, cold fronts, warm fronts, and varying amounts of pressure in the atmosphere causes weather to change. I claim this because when two air masses collide it causes bad weather. When a cold front comes it brings cold and stormy weather. When a warm front comes it brings warm and fair weather. Low pressure produces condensation which creates clouds and high pressure does not produce clouds so there is fair weather and no precipitation.
I claim that the water cycle is a huge factor in what causes weather. My evidence is when there is warm weather, the water is going to evaporate. Then the water will condensate and form clouds. When the temperature is colder and there are clouds, there will most likely be precipitation.
I think weather depends on the atmosphere and the sun because weather is in the atmosphere and the sun can make it hot and dry. The weather will likely be hot and dry if the air is less dense and has a low humidity. Different air masses in the atmosphere can affect the weather. If there is a cold front coming in, the temperature will probably decrease, as the temperature would increase with an incoming warm front. Weather also depends on the geographic location. There probably wouldn’t be much snow in the tropics because they have a hot climate there.
I claim weather is caused by fronts, the sun and/or the way Earth interacts with the sun, and the water cycle. I think weather is caused by fronts because if a cold or warm front is coming in the temperature will most likely drop or go up a few degrees. The way Earth revolves around the sun is also one of the main factors because the sun gives off heat and depending on which way Earth is tilted, there could be a cold or hot season that typically has the same weather. The water cycle affects the weather because it causes humidity, and precipitation.
I claim that the movement of air causes weather. My evidence is that when air sits for a while down at the Equator a tropical air mass is created. Also, clouds are formed when air is pushed upward. Finally, a front is where one air mass overtakes another air mass.
I claim that the water cycle and the movement of air causes weather. My evidence is when water evaporates wind moves it around to a new section of the Earth. Also, low and high pressure zones and caused by air. The pressure zones can create less or more rain fall depending upon if it is a low or high pressure zone. An air mass can bring different weather depending upon the amount of water that is stored within its boundaries, for example continental air masses bring less water as they form on continents where there is less water.
I claim that what causes weather is depended on where you are located at, or if you are having a cold or warm front. The two fronts can go on top of one another and cause bad weather. Low fronts create condensation for clouds.
I claim that weather is caused by what season we’re in, the water cycle, as well as fronts. The way that seasons tie in with weather is for example say it is winter, where ever you are located on earth like Minnesota you’re going to get snow, on the other hand in Texas most the time there isn’t any snow. The water cycle has the biggest role in weather. Depending on what stage it is in such as in a cloud, you could get rain or snow. Fronts explain themselves in a way. Cold fronts have cooler weather, warm fronts have more drier warmer weather.
I claim that the weather is based off of how the earth rotates around the sun. My evidence is how the seasons and weather changes as the year goes by. In a year we revolve around the sun once and in that year the seasons change as the weather changes. For example; when it gets colder outside we have the season winter and when its warmer outside we have the season spring.
I claim that weather is caused by how the earth rotates, fronts, and the water cycle. My evidence is that when the earth rotates we get different amounts of sun. This causes the temperature to change and is why we have different seasons in a year as we rotate around the sun. Cold and warm fronts can also cause the weather because when we have a cold front colder weather is heading our way when we have a warm front we have warmer and more humid weather. And lastly the water cycle takes a big place in weather. During the water cycle water can go through many different states (ex: gas and liquid) when this happens we can experience different types of weather. If there is a lot of water vapor in the air the weather will probably be humid. Also when water condenses cloud and is a liquid if there is enough clouds we can have rainfall.
I think that many factors such as our atmosphere, geosphere, and hydrosphere can affect our weather and cause certain events. We as humans can also affect our weather because of dangerous ways to get resources, which could cause events like earthquakes. My evidence is the various events like oil rigging causing earthquakes, and how certain things in the atmosphere can affect our weather. Our hydrosphere can greatly affect our weather because precipitation needs water, and if we don’t have any (we couldn’t live ), it couldn’t rain, snow, or hail.
I think that landscapes and previous weather patterns cause weather. for example, around lakes it is very windy and cool whereas in field areas the air is still and if it has been cloudy and humid it wouldn’t been a surprise if it started raining.
Weather is caused by a variety of different factors. Some of these factors include the type of air mass or front occurring and what has been happening in places close by. For example, warm fronts will cause warmer temperatures and light weather or if it has been raining in a place close by you can expect it to rain soon.
I believe that the evaporation of water forms clouds, and when too much water evaporates it causes rainfall, as well as potentially thunder. I also know that pressure effects weather as well as warm and cold fronts.
My initial blog post was not entirely wrong, however I have learned more details on the subject. For instance, temperature affects air pressure which in turn affects weather. Heat allows air to expand, and cold makes air dense. In addition, cool air rises as it expands, thus it forms clouds. My original statement on clouds and rain was mostly accurate, evaporated air does condense into clouds, and saturation causes rain.
I claim that weather can be caused by other weather in a different area. Other factors such as air pressure, air masses, wind speed, cold fronts and warm fronts can throw off the predicted forecast.
I claim that the water cycle, the sun and fronts determine the weather. The sun is what in some stages of the water cycle determines what state the water is gonna be in and where it travels. Warm or cold fronts in an area can also determine what state the water is in for example either a liquid, gas or solid. Also warm and cold fronts can determine how humid it is or how dry the air is in an area.
In my opinion the wind causes the weather to change, because when you see a storm coming it could change direction because of the wind or the storm would vanish. The weather can also be changed when clouds are formed, the clouds could get big enough to cause friction to create thunder and lightning, the water in clouds could be condensed to create water droplets, or when the temperature is really low it could cause the condensed rain to freeze which can cause freezing rain and snow.
I believe that weather has to be made by fronts or air masses, like how cold fronts and warm fronts come together either way it’ll make some type or weather, that’s what I believe though I’m not sure if it’s true.
I claim that evaporation makes rain because the water droplets condense into the cloud, then a large droplet would fall fast and collect other smaller droplets which will cause rain. Other weather is caused by warm or cold fronts. The type of weather warm fronts cause are: gentle rain, or light snow. Cold fronts cause: heavy rain, sometimes hail, thunder, and lightening.
I claim that weather is caused by the rotation of the Earth and certain cycles, my evidence is that the Earth spins while orbiting the Earth. When the Earth orbits each side of the globe will get a different type of weather, as the Earth orbits farther away then the part of the earth facing away from the sun will experience Winter while the side facing the sun will go through summer. Evaporation of water that eventually rises helps form rain clouds.
I claim that weather is caused by cloud precipitation and what kind of front it is caused by. Say a cold front hits then the weather will have more rain and more cloud cover which produces rain. My evidence is this is what I think about weather and how weather happens.
I claim that weather patterns are measured from space by satellites showing clouds moving and and what type of clouds. Weather reports come from meteorologists looking at the sky and above the sky to be able to predict what type of weather is going to happen. I think the cause of weather is the clouds moving and the temperature that it currently is in that region will depend on if it rains,snows, or a natural disaster occurs.
I claim that weather comes from precipitation and the type of front that is occurring. a cold front will cause rain and humidity. a warm front will cause freezing and more moisture to happen.
I claim that when L pressure comes in they make clouds that let snow, rain, and thunder come. Fronts also play apart in this because when a warm front go’s over the cold front that makes the cold front close to the ground then its colder close to the ground.
I claim that weather is caused by warm fronts and cold fronts colliding together but that’s mostly for weather like crazy storms. Different areas on a map could have areas that are called Maritime polar and continental polar maritime polar is mostly wet and cold and then for continental polar is dry and cold. If you are looking at a weather map it would help a lot if you know how to read a weather map because there is many things that could give you a lot of information like what people use to measure temperature and what a cold front and also what a warm front is.
I claim that the water cycle has a big effect on what causes weather. In the water cycle, there is a thing called evaporation. Evaporation is when the little water drops from the ground or plants float up into the air then turns into condensation then the condensation turns into clouds and that’s how clouds are formed. Things like rain, hail, and snow are formed by when the cloud that’s holding it cant hold any more water. Another thing that affects the water cycle is maritime polar and these things that are called air masses. If there is a big storm that happened that is caused by when a cold air mass and a warm air mass collides together. I feel like that when people hear about air masses colliding they just think that they turn into one big air mass but that is not true.
I claim that high and low pressure causes weather. When low and high pressure it causes snow, rain, or wind. Warm front makes it sunny and cold front makes it rain, snow.
I claim that low pressure makes it rain or snow high pressure might make it sunny or cloudy. I think cold or warm fronts make weather happen even if it is a light rain or a heavy thunderstorm.
I think weather is caused by when cold and warm fronts collide and it depends on what fronts collide either one will have a storm. And it is differed by ho much pressure there is in that area.
I claim that weather is the outcome of the earths rotation, for example Bolivia is in the tropic zone by the equator. This means that it will always get more sun than Antarctica that is in the polar zone. This means that it will be much hotter and dryer in Bolivia while Antarctica due to the lack of sun is cold, snowy, and wet.
America is found in a temperate zone which means that it is in-between the tropic zone and the polar zone, this means that large Hi pressure air bodies (or warm air bodies) can carry over from the tropic causing the south to be warmer. And meanwhile Lo pressure (cold) winds come from the north. When these two types of different pressure air bodies collide it can cause a warm/cold front.
What I think causes the weather is all the warm and cold fronts that come over places and hit each other and causes storms. Because when the fronts clash they create a type of cloud that can become a storm.
What causes the weather is all the warm and cold fronts that come over places and hit each other and causes storms. Because when the fronts clash they create a type of cloud that can become a storm.
I claim that weather and fronts are related. Cold fronts are areas of cold air that collides with a warm front that typically causes precipitation, either snow or rain. Warm fronts usually cause mild precipitation, sunny weather and clouds. When the two fronts collide that creates weather. Low pressure produces condensation condensation creates clouds which makes fair weather.
I think that evaporation causes weather pattern because there are more severe weather events near the ocean or by large bodies of water. But on land, their are not as severe storms. If you look at the hurricanes that have happened they don’t come on the land very far they stay where they can collect evaporation and other moisture in the air so they can live longer.
as severe because there is less water in the air.
Weather is caused by conflicting air masses and high/low air pressure and different humidity levels. For example, different humidity levels along with rising air causes clouds to form. Another example is that wind blows from a high pressure air mass, to low pressure air masses.
I claim that weather is caused by the water cycle, cold fronts, and warm fronts, my evidence is that in the water cycle there is precipitation and humid air. When cold and warm fronts crash into each other they explode with maybe rain or snow. Stratus clouds form light rain or snow as well. Also temperature can effect the weather too when heat gets larger and cold air get smaller or dense.
I claim that rain is made when you see clouds in the sky, and if a cold front and a warm front is colliding together after the cold front goes over the warm front. When you find a low pressure located somewhere, that means there will be a thunderstorm, strong winds, or snow storms.
I claim that the water cycle is related to weather. Water evaporates into water vapor and forms clouds, clouds especially cold fronts cause snow and warm fronts cause rain and sometimes thunderstorms . Rain flows into rivers, lakes and oceans to then evaporate and the cycle begins again. My evidence is meteorologists have proved it by observations of weather patterns.
I claim that when cold fronts and warm fronts collide either bad weather like thunderstorms, hail or normal weather like rain. Also, the water cycle is a cause of weather because it’s a infinite circle of when water vapor falls as precipitation into a lake or an ocean and then evaporates up to clouds the vapor condenses and then the cycle repeats.
I claim that the fronts and changes in air pressure cause weather. My evidence is because when warm and cold fronts collide they cause weather to happen like snow, rain, thunder, and lightning. This happens because the warm front goes over the cold front causing different kind of stratus clouds to form like normal stratus clouds nimbostratus clouds and cumulonimbus clouds. The water cycle is also a cause of weather because it falls as rain and it flows into river and it also soaks into the ground and then it evaporates back up into the clouds and the cycle starts again.
I think the oceans might have to do with climate change because they heat up and cool off slowly causing milder temperatures. People that are landlocked are further from the ocean so they have warmer summer weather and have colder winter weather. Ocean water evaporates and goes to a cloud ready to form into precipitation as it comes back down to earth. | 2019-04-18T17:32:48Z | http://jaakre.edublogs.org/2018/02/21/the-causes-of-weather-2/ |
the group in front of me is in the present, and the readers are in the future. Later in your linear time-line, the readers will be both [since they don't all read at the same time], and this group will be the past. Yet we see all of you at the same time. This message speaks to all of the layers of the DNA. May they resound with the message magnetically, that humanity has changed the planet to such a degree that they've allowed for the lifting of the veil and what we've called an Apocalypse - a grand dimensional shift, even a new dispensation on the planet.
It's the last time that we'll pour into this place when the grid is under construction. It's the last time that the entities whom you call "grid-workers" will be working with the magnetics. It's the last time! Yet there's no sorrow here. There's no good-bye...only celebration. We're going to give you the reasons for that in just a moment and expose things we've never ever talked about. We're going to talk esoteric. Sometimes we talk scientific, and other times we speak of practical things. But on a higher level, we wish to explain what is taking place in this completion of a 12-year cycle on your planet. Oh, dear Human, do you know how safe you are here? Were you looking for a place where you could give your affirmations - where there would only be purity and love? This is it! We're arriving for a celebration and a ceremony. We're lining the walls - above you, below you.
We're next to you. Those who wish to have ceremony a little later as you thank the grid-workers may feel them thank you back. You know, this process started way before the Kryon publications - a process you gave permission for - one that would change the very reality of the planet. During the teachings today, some of you chuckled at the Armageddon you expected but that did not happen. Some find it amusing that it didn't happen and that few even noticed! Others are amused that the ones who counted on it simply keep moving the dates! They're so sure the old reality will eventually visit. Many are so used to the old reality that they'll deny that they're in the new one until the very end, even if the old prophecies never take place.
pleased with that, too! [Kryon laughs] It's always been this way. The feeling of unconditional love - the feeling of mother - it seems like a dichotomy, does it not, that the strong male presence would emanate the mother? That, dear ones, is the meld we wanted to present to you all along. It was so you could see that there can be balance. But the magnetic grid of the planet is feminine, and so is Kryon. Now, many of you have known that, haven't you?
some stability in what has been a moving target of spiritual energy, but there's more to it than that. The new settled grid brings a new dispensation to this planet.
We're going to talk about a lot of things in groups of three tonight. There have been those who believe that there have been two spiritual dispensations already on the planet. Indeed, this is the third. We've spoken over and over about "moving from the two to the three," and this, then, is still another example of that. The first dispensation was the dispensation of law. The second, the dispensation of love. Now, here comes a new one. When I give you the word associated with this new dispensation, many of you aren't going to like it. For the word means something to many of you that's not pleasant. To others, it's totally understandable. It comes with a number, too (of course), an actual number in numerology as well as a name. This magnetic grid finishing is a piece of a giant Earth puzzle. The magnetic grid, as it finishes moving, is only the finishing of one of three events. This is the first time we've ever been able to give you this spiritual lineage, and we now can because the grid is almost finished. But let's give you the name and numerical value of this new dispensation. For those of you who follow numerology, you'll understand. And it's not a number that has been Kryonesque in the past. It's not a number we've ever spoken about in the past that belonged to Kryon or the grid group or the entourage that accompanies Kryon.
We wish to introduce to you the dispensation of responsibility, and we wish to introduce you to the number eight. On its side, this number represents infinity. Standing up end to end, it can be turned any way, yet it means the same thing. There's no up and there's no down to the number symbol. It's in the now, and it's balanced. It's an eight. If there was going to be a numerological energy assigned to the dispensation of responsibility, this is it. The eight speaks of stability and structure, and it's about time, isn't it? This magnetic grid has postured itself in anticipation of invitations from those who wish to broach the veil. If you sit here as one who doesn't believe any of these things, nothing will happen to you or for you or against you. You have complete and total free choice - there's nothing beyond honoring what you desire, and then intent will take place. This is the way of it. But the instructions from the Human Being are paramount and powerful. What is it you wish? Have you gone far enough with your searching? Perhaps you wish to go no further? Than that's what you'll have. If you wish to ignore the new tools, they won't activate. Perhaps you're afraid of them? Perhaps you're tired and are saying, "Not now." So be it. It's as you wish. All of the guides around you will honor this decision together, and that's what you'll receive. Then there are those who say, "Show me the tools! I'm ready to go forward." For those, we say this: You enter the year of the three and that represents change [a 5 total]. How can you have stability and change together? Welcome to the Kryon energy [the grid-work] For 5 and 8 together are 13, or 4. This is the foundation number. Oh, there's so much here to tell you, but let's start with some information we've never spoken of before. About the grid group: Some have asked, "How many are there, Kryon?" The answer is yes. [Laughter] There's no counting them! When it comes to these entities, some of them are part of you, and you are part of them. There's no counting these. How do you count air on your planet? It's all around you, isn't it? It's real and it's physical and there's a lot of it. Did you ever ask, "How many air is there?" This group energy has been part of the work of the earth since it began. It's an energy that moves between two of the three grid structures on this planet and deals with them as they need adjusting. Here's some news: They're not actually the magnetic grid group at all! That's only the name they've had for the past 12 years. When you gave permission to change reality on this planet, did you think for a moment that all that was going to happen was a magnetic grid shift? What about the other grids? When would they get their turn? The magnetics had to come first. It postures the planet for what is to come. This magnetic grid group now moves and shifts to the next place where they will then alter something else - another grid - a grid we've never spoken about, and one that is not in the purview of the Kryon work. Therefore, this grid group doesn't actually, leave. It simply changes jobs. The only thing that changes is that this grid group leaves its post as magnetic changers, and moves to the next profound work. All of these who have been working for 12 years to produce a lessening of the veil have done so for the next step to take place. It's to move or alter the energy of a grid that we've never spoken about, and may not again. It's not our specialty, and there are others who will take it from here and speak of this next grid. We'll continue to teach about the new magnetic grid and what it will mean to you and what you can do in conjunction with the next one that's being changed.
more. So the triangle, named for its three sides, has more than three elements. The difference? It changes with the dimension in which it's viewed. We tell you this so you can grasp that although we speak of three things, there are more than three, depending on the dimension you're part of. This is difficult. So when we give you three energies for the grids of the earth, we tell you that there are actually more. That's why, when there are those who will speak and teach about other kinds of grids, the identities may not sound like the ones I have given...but they are. Then you'll remember that there are attributes within the three...even a multitude depending on the dimension. In this teaching, I'll talk about three in your dimension, and it may surprise you. Where is the grid group going when they're finished? They're going to the next grid, and they begin their work in 2003. Let me tell you about this grid that they're going to. This grid is called many things, and I'll give you some of the various names. But for now, let's call it the Crystalline Grid.
The Crystalline Grid has always been here. It's not new, any more than the magnetic grid is. In fact, it was set on the planet at the same time the magnetics were. It has always worked hand-in-hand in conjunction with the magnetics. There are those who would have said that Kryon only dealt with the magnetics, so this was the only grid that was important. We never said that, did we? Our specialty was the magnetic grid, and that's the one we spoke of. The Crystalline Grid is next. Workers move from one to the other, seemingly from above to below, yet out of your 4D, that's not the case. This Crystalline Grid has been called many things. Let's first examine who created it. There are specific places on this planet where the Crystalline Grid is manifested physically in the form of a crystalline structure. These will always remain in the same physical place no matter what the magnetics do and no matter how the crystalline grid energy is altered. The Crystalline Grid won't be moved like the magnetic grid was, where you could actually measure a shift in physical location. Instead, the alteration is an energy attribute that will be an alteration of the crystalline structure. The structure itself remains where it is . . .and, dear ones, parts of the crystalline structures of this planet are in the most sacred places that you can imagine. And they'll remain sacred. There are many who understand the spiritual creatures of the ground [dirt of the earth]. There are also many who misunderstand the creatures of the ground. Some have said they're evil. They're not. They never were. They love Humanity, those who set the crystalline grids.They not only had interdimensionality, they also had physical attributes. I'm going to make a statement, and I hope that no one listening or reading misunderstands the meaning. In an interdimensional, metaphoric way, we'll give you a name associated with those who physically set the Crystalline Grid, and I'm going to use a word - do not misunderstand this. For some, the word will create all manner of visions within your mythology. The word is dragon.
Dragon energy...not evil. Don't misunderstand this. Metaphorically, what did the dragon mean to the planet in your mythology? Living underground and powerful, it was the mythology that made it a monster. It went from village to village, killing. That is not the dragon energy we speak of. It's hard to describe why we would identify this to you in this fashion, but again, it's totally metaphoric and not explainable within your 4D. It means strength. It's stability. It's the Crystalline Grid creator energy! Another name for the crystalline grid as given by those who are in charge of it is The Grid of Light. Others have called it The Grid of Stability...the foundation of the planet, spiritually. It has many names. It's the next scheduled to change, and it will "shake hands" in its alteration with the age of responsibility. That's what's next.
Part of the Crystalline Grid's energy is responsible for the storehouse of the knowledge of the planet. All that ever was - all that exists - all the potentials of what can be, are located in the Crystalline Grid. There's another section of this Crystalline Grid that's a safeguard. There's a section of this Crystalline Grid that's alive. It's a mammal. It contains the storehouse of the planet - the knowledge of everything - within its DNA. We've spoken of this before, and now, perhaps, you'll understand. The age of the whale has begun. As the Crystalline Grid is moved, the knowledge centers of the storehouse of energy will also be altered within the mammals of the planet. This information is esoteric, unprovable, and true.
What do you think the alteration of the energy of this Crystalline Grid is going to be? This is complex, my partner, so get it right [Kryon speaking to Lee, asking him to go slowly]. I'm going to give you a statement that only the physicists will understand. The group that you've come to celebrate as the grid group moves from the magnetic grid to the crystalline structure and changes form. They'll spend the next ten years rewriting the past, until 2012. Right now on Earth, there are two tribes going at it. They have much in common, and even have the same father. They're brothers, sisters, and they're locked in a battle that seems unsolvable - a battle that's odd in that it's fought in terms of the past. In Palestine, there isn't a lot of joy. In Israel, there isn't a lot of joy. They are brothers and sisters at war, one with the other, angry because of what's taken place. And there are very few of them who actually remember being there when any of these things happened. They're fighting over concepts of linearity..."the past." Who owns what? Who came first? What did who do to whom? It's a reality that has its entire basis in a concept - the past - something that's no longer happening. What would happen to a planet if the past suddenly didn't hold the energy that it does now? This grid group, which has shifted the magnetics of this planet, now moves into the crystalline energy and begins to rewrite the past! How can you do such a thing? "The past is the past," you might say.
"You can't change what happened, right?" Perhaps that's so if you think you're on the same Earth, but you're not! You changed your own reality, remember? This past you cling to belonged to a whole other reality! This is the real test. Do you actually believe that you're in new reality or not? Why didn't the Armageddon happen on schedule? Why didn't the prophecies take place? Maybe they did! But in another reality...not yours. You're on a virgin track called The New Jerusalem...the new earth. In the "now," that virginity expands to past, present, and future...all unwritten.
The age of responsibility. There are many who don't even like that word. They don't want to be responsible. Yet it's a word dripping with truth and joy. The Human Being who is responsible is the one who knows their God! Let's give you some of these responsibilities. They exist in a circle, with one not taking precedence over the other.
What is your responsibility to God? Whatever that word means to you -Spirit, Source, Family? What is your responsibility to God? It's easy, yet so difficult. It's easy for the feminine Kryon to invite you to see the wings, yet so hard for you to believe that such a thing could be. What's your responsibility to God? I'll tell you what it is: It's to understand that you're it. It's the responsibility to seek out that part of you that will finally acknowledge that you're divine. Do you think that it's some kind of mysterious error that most of humanity believes in eternal life after death? Do you think that's it's just mass wishful thinking? It isn't. It's intuition! It's knowing! Let me give you another "accident." What do you think about one mammal on the planet, only one - the whale - that has treaties around it signed by hundreds of countries - even ones that have no water - to protect it? Do you think that's an accident? When all humanity is gathered together, despite all the differences and the fights and the religious ideas, they vote to protect one mammal. You want to know why? Because the whales carry the storehouse of knowledge on how to change the past! Humanity at the cellular level knows it. These mammals also know how to work with the Indigos. Did you ever think about that? And who are the whale's first cousins? The dolphins. Let me tell you about the dolphins and the Indigos. These new children are going to bring you the potential of peace on Earth, and it may not be fast enough for some of you, but believe me, it's in the works. Someday Indigos will stand up in that troubled area called the Middle East and cause a real stir. Palestinians and Israelis will look at each other and say, "It's about time to drop the past. Let's talk about now. Let's talk about what can happen now, away from anything that was on the old track that your parents traveled." We made the statement long ago: "As go the Jews, so goes Earth." Let's be very clear that we include the Palestinians in the Jewish attribute. Same father. We see them as one family. We also don't see Earth's destruction. Perhaps there a re those who would say, "Well, you know you're on the other side of the veil, Kryon. You don't have to walk in Human's shoes." Oh, are we aware of that! That's why we love you so much. Blessed is the angel pretending to be Human. He gets out of bed in the morning and stumbles to the mirror and doesn't see the whales...doesn't think about them. Instead, he wonders how his day is going to go. He worries about the processes within his body. He worries about his society, his lack of abundance, and about the things that are in the dark that he can't see. He seldom sees the angel in the mirror. Well, we have some advice for you: Perhaps it's time to turn on the light! And when you do, all of those things you've been stumbling over will be your treasures. Some of you have done that. We know who's hearing and reading. Some can look backwards and say, "I've changed my past. I've changed my past." Blessed are those who are moving into that dimension!
What is your responsibility to family - biological family? I mean the brothers and the sisters and the cousins - the moms - the dads? Oh, Human, this responsibility has never changed. This is the pillar of what Kryon has told you, and she has gone over this and over this. The first parable ever given to you is The Parable of the Tar Pit. So let me give you the meaning of that parable: If everyone around you is wallowing in mud, somebody's eventually going to notice the clean diamond you've become! They're going to want to know how that diamond got to be the diamond, and why the diamond is untouched by the mud! They're going to notice you. So what is it you can do for your family? Turn on the light! Let the treasures show. And those around you? They'll notice. They might not see the treasures that only you can see, but they'll see you! There will be those who will suddenly say, "I really want to be like you!" There may even be those in your family on whom you've given up. They'll never understand what you believe, you've decided. Dear one, they don't have to! Perhaps the closest they'll ever get to God is to love you! Some, very close to you, may say, "I've fallen in love with you again because you've changed." Believe it. And what do you think you've really changed? You turned on the light and just changed the past. Yes, some will shrink from the light and leave your life. Believe me, it's appropriate that this is so.
according to their way of thinking. Here is our advice toward the outsider: Don't try to change them. Honor free choice, but also don't let them change you unless, of course, it's your choice. Hold the integrity of what you believe and have found to be your truth. Let go of them, and send them on their way. Even the ones who are your friends. Break the attachments, for you'll be better off for it. Remember this, dear Human Being, to them you're the outsider. It goes both ways, and may I remind you, it's brother against brother.. The family is still one, no matter what each brother believes.
What's your responsibility to Earth? It's important that you hear this. The indigenous knew it. The indigenous all over this planet knew it. It was intuitive information, no matter if it was North or South American or Polynesian or European or Australian or African. They all knew it! They knew the earth is alive! It has consciousness. They knew you can speak to it, and it to you. They knew that if you honor it, it will honor you back...and that you should never take more than you give. The earth is an entity that is vibrant and living. What can you do for the earth? I'll tell you: Acknowledge it daily! Why don't you take a hint and a cue from those who used to walk the land in this very place? In the morning they would greet the west and the north and the east and the south. Those are magnetic grid lines! And they knew it. Say hello to the earth. You'll have a better day because of it. You'll be in harmony. It's trite to say that you would be "in harmony with nature." But that's the goal. That's what you can do for the planet...your responsibility is to love it.
We've come to the last one.. or is it the first? What is your responsibility to self? What can you do for yourself? This is where the circle is complete. The circle of responsibilities ends where it started. Know you are God! What is your responsibility to self? Know you are God.
We've given you many messages right in this space, but never one so profound as this. It's the end of one thing and the beginning of another. 2012 will be the end of the Crystalline Grid realignment of energies. (See *** below) "So, Kryon," you might say at this point, "what is that elusive third grid" It's the one that's also invisible like the other two. It's also living. It's the one that's influenced by the first two. This third one responds to dimensional shift. It has free choice. The third grid of the earth is Human consciousness. Instead of it shifting last, it shifts simultaneously with the other two...making the puzzle all that more intriguing.
Let me tell you about portals [not vortices]. Portals are created based upon the magnetics, the crystalline energy and the consciousness of the earth [as modified by humanity]. It takes all three together to create a portal. They come and they go. Time is also involved. Sometimes they're very brief, and sometimes they're very small. Sometimes they're large and they remain. The largest portals on the planet that remain portals for a very long time have large crystalline structures under them. We won't dwell upon those things that are not our specialty, but we'd like to identify the parts. What is the polarity of gender in the crystalline grid? Is it masculine? Is it feminine? Neither. It's balanced male and female, and there's the stability of it. Fundamentally stable it is, it's the dirt of the earth.
Something has been happening in this room. This grid group changes jobs, and it wishes to participate in ceremony with you. It wants to thank humanity for tolerating the shifts that have been so difficult. These who have moved the grid, and who are among you now, move from their place next to you into a ceremony of honor. Those who wish to are invited to say "Thank you." In your own way, silently, give love back for what has been accomplished. This is not about you for now. This is a moment that's about them. Collectively in this room, and outside of it - collectively to those who are reading - send love to those who have done so much for so many. Their job is now finished. [pause] So, it's that time. The entourage of Kryon is not the grid group. Did you know that? Instead, it's the entourage of Kryon. This entourage comes with Kryon every time she shows up, and that's what you're used to feeling, coming and going. Perhaps this evening before you retire, you might shut your eyes and whisper "Thank you." And if you do, it will be heard all over the earth. That's our promise to you. The entourage of Kryon joins you in this thanks to the grid group. It's difficult to leave this place. Much has been spoken and much has been taught. Just so you know, we'll be back. And when we return, let the teaching begin! Let the "plain talk" brought from a lessening of the veil begin! Blessed is the Human Being who has seen the shapes this day - who has participated in the colors that have been presented this day - who has seen the interdimensionality glow in this place. Blessed is the Human Being who's taken time out of their day to be with this family. Blessed is the Human who sits here and who reads this, for indeed, they're richly blessed; for indeed, they're the ones who have the potential to make the difference on this planet Earth, a glorious place to be!
*** - Per Dr. Fred Bell, who is a contactee of the Pleiadians, in his book, "The Promise", on page 159 states: "Before we can even hope to receive assistance on a planetary level from the Pleiadians, all territorial and boundarial disputes will have to end. Earth will have to unite and recognize its disease of Soul."
Fred knew that Bronson was fascinated by the study of cycles, so he decided to tell him that the Pleiadians were very much aware of the 25,827.5 (25920) year cycle that is known as the "Precession of the Equinox."
During the 12,000 years of darkness, the human body's endocrine system cannot respond to consciousness that actually is available at all times. However, during the 12,000 years of light, the endocrine system begins to respond to super-physical beingness and awareness.
Continuing: '"These major cycles which are divided into 2000-plus year cycles, constitute the various zodiacal signs. During the end of an age - which is the period of time which we have now entered - the mass consciousness is supposedly more receptive to the Christ consciousness." | 2019-04-19T22:14:45Z | http://www.greatdreams.com/kryon-grid-shift.htm |
I’m busy in Leeds this weekend so unfortunately I won’t be taking a close look at Sunday bettingwise, abnormal service will be resumed tomorrow. There is a small recommended bet at the bottom of the post.
Here is the match schedule.
Recommended Bets: 2 x 2 point singles and a 2 point double on Chris Wakelin (5/4 Stan James) and Stuart Carrington (4/6 generally). The double pays just on 11/4 at Hills.
You can view Apollobet’s outright prices here, match betting here and Daily Enhanced Specials here.
From the semi-finals onwards today there will be Live Scoring online, the link to this will be posted later today.
The four table set up inside the arena, two big, too small?
While we are over in Leeds with the SB Classic at the weekend the UK Championship continues as the BBC coverage starts up in the afternoon, the morning sessions seemingly and unfortunately not covered anywhere anymore, which is a shame and in my view a bit of a shambles.
The schedule is also now more condensed and there is no guarantees for any of the afternoon or for that matter evening matches that they will start on time. But that is how this tournament is going to run so the players will just have to put up with possible delays.
I’m not going to ramble on ahead of previewing tomorrow’s matches as time is short, but I have to say a huge congratulations to Mitchell Travis, the amateur who knocked out Marco Fu against all odds. I hope nobody did one of those mad-accas on the short priced favourites as they will I’m sure have included that match, I didn’t see it coming that’s for sure. I don’t know Mitchell as he has never entered the SB Classic but by all accounts he played tremendously well to win.
The betting is going well now that I’ve actually knuckled down and given it some time so let’s see if the decent run can continue.
If you go over to Cue Tracker here you can enter both players names and see their head to head statistics.
As I understand it we won’t be able to watch any of these which is frustrating as the session seems two world champions and further three world finalists in action in four second round matches. Graeme Dott seemed to be scoring well in his first match with two centuries and comes into this in form, he could be a dark horse in this event could Dotty and I think he’ll come through his match against Nigel Bond with a bit in hand. Ali expressed dissatisfaction with the whole format and venue after winning the other day and he now faces Jimmy Robertson for a place in the Last 32, I get the feeling that despite his feelings he’s bang up for this week and again I’d expect a win for the higher ranked player there. I’d also side with the favourite in the Barry Hawkins/Zhang Anda match and to be honest all three are backable as a treble so to me that’s your Saturday starter, Hawkins has admitted to taking his eye off the ball since the World Championship and usually that means he’s got his motivation back up and running, no doubt with the help of Terry Griffiths. I expect Peter Ebdon and Davy Morris to be a little closer, both scored consistently in their first matches without doing anything outstanding, but the bookies seem to have priced this one up bang on so there’s not really any value backing either in what I think will be a close one.
Predictions: Dott, Carter, Hawkins, Ebdon.
Recommended Bet: 2 point treble on Dott, Carter and Hawkins pays over 5/4 with Apollobet.
Ant Parsons: In action against Ding.
SB Classic Grand Finalist Ant Parsons has his time in the spotlight as he faces Ding, presumably getting some BBC coverage to boot. This and the second match on the list involving Ronnie O’Sullivan is a held over Last 128 match while the other 6 in this afternoon session are all second rounders. To see Ding or Ronnie lose would be a shock of epic proportions but I hope Ant gives a good account of himself as he’s a genuinely top bloke who works really hard at the game. Shaun Murphy had a bye in the first round so it’s also his first match and he faces local man Davison who landed us a nice touch in the last round. Paul is a tough match player and is more than capable of springing a surprise on his day and Shaun is a little out of sorts of late, maybe all these late night replicating kicks are taking their toll on him, Shaun is usually however a strong starter to the main events and I expect him to come through that one. The tightest match up may be Holt against Angles, Holt proclaimed himself satisfied and ‘like a box of chocolates’ after his first match and Alan came through a dramatic re-spotted black encounter against Joel Walker in Round 1, winning by virtue of his opponent going in-off the deciding ball. But this is another day and if any player can frustrate the sometime volatile Nottingham man it’s McManus, so I think I’ll side with him here.
Gary Wilson is making giant strides on the tour this season already and is becoming one of the most reliable players to back in early rounds, his 6-0 demolition of Jamie Jones in Round 1 is enough to convince me he’s backable again here against arguably a less capable opponent in Vinnie Calabrese, Wilson remains a decent price and I’d advise a decent bet on that one. Sean O’Sullivan came from 4-0 down in Round One to shoot down the Sheriff of Pottingham but starts an outsider against Thai Noppon to progress again. I’ll admit that I don’t know a lot about old Noppy but his scoring in Round 1 indicates to me that if Sean can keep the momentum up he is very beatable. Xiao Guodong is playing very well lately and his opponent in the last round Andrew Pagett described his performance as awesome, you’d think he’ll have the firepower to fend off Jamie O’Neill and finally a real battle of the bruisers as The Ferginator takes on legendary grappler Mark King, impossible to call so I am happy to report that my old adage of not betting with a match with Mark King in it will hold, gun to head, King.
Predictions: Ding, Ronnie, Murphy, McManus, Wilson, O’Sullivan, Guodong, King.
Recommended Bets: Add Gary Wilson to the morning treble for a 3 pointer that pays almost 5/2 at Paddy Power.
Two more first round matches pitching amateurs against professionals in the final session and again it would be a major shock if either Selby or Robertson were to lose, you can’t really see that happening. Michael Leslie is doing a lot better this season and is finding his feet at this level, he faces probably his stiffest ever test in a main ranker against Liang Wenbo, who missed out on a chance of the 147 in his first match breaking down on the yellow for the £58k bonus, I expect the Chinese player to come through that one. Finally, one of the hot prospects of the baize Michael white finds himself starting favourite against Marcus Campbell, while I think White will probably win, the odds on Campbell are quite surprising and it wouldn’t be a shock if he overturned the book. No bet in the evening session for me though.
Predictions: Selby, Robbo, Wenbo, White.
Thanks as ever to Monique for use of the original photo.
The draws for the Leeds Snookerbacker Classic qualifying heats at the weekend have now been completed.
Dress code is polo shirt, trousers and shoes and optional fancy hat (one of those is a joke, take your pick).
Stand by for news of further qualifying events in the new year, the venues will be announced shortly.
To read all about the SB Classic and why it’s the best amateur event in the UK click here.
The current SB Classic Highest Break as well as the Crucial SB Order of Merit List is here – only half way through the qualifiers and we have Callum Lloyd remaining in poll position with Joe Steele in 2nd place.
*Troy Brett will take the place of Saturday’s winner should they be entered into Sunday’s event.
UK Championship Day 4: To Beeb or not To Beeb?
He’s got the hump: Ali’s been giving it both barrels.
Another day of qualifiers or first round matches if you prefer in York, with only the morning and afternoon sessions needed before the cameras and V-Neck jumpers from the Beeb are shipped in for the beginning of the TV coverage on Saturday.
The reverberations surrounding the format change to this once great event on the calendar have been escalated today by the comments of The Captain Ali Carter, who is never short of a word or three and says amongst other things that the event feels like a PTC, which at this stage is probably true and something that surely has to be avoided.
Maybe it will be when the schedule thins out a bit of course but by then we may have lost the interest of the BBC three times a year audience, which whether you or I like it or not, are still the vast majority of people who watch snooker on TV in the UK.
All to me are very fair and valid points and the second one in particular is totally unacceptable for a professional snooker tournament of this magnitude and heritage.
Another point of note that is worth mentioning is that when it starts on Saturday the vast majority of the live BBC coverage, almost all of it in fact, is in the afternoon. This means they are totally relying on morning matches finishing in three and a half hours to get the main event on live (I believe they are not even turning the cameras on until the live show starts). This is a big ask and I can almost see the scenario now where they are going off air before the conclusion of the match they are concentrating on, which they would have wanted to start a lot earlier and in line with the schedule. This also adds the risk that at least 66% of their commentary team don’t know anyone outside the top 16 and might have to commentate on them from the start of the broadcast. Expect lots of Hazel and discussion fillers is my prediction, it’s no wonder Ken lost, at least he knows what he’s doing.
I really hope this has been thought through, I suspect/hope that it has and that this great Championship may well get a new lease of life away from the BBC, who are clearly now way behind Eurosport and ITV in terms of their commitment to snooker. Perhaps, they want to just keep the Masters and the World Championship, hence the deal to allow Bazza to try this for a tournament they clearly want to and will eventually ditch anyway.
Predictions: Walden, Mavis, Fu, Milkins, Pengfei, Donaldson, Lawler, Maflin.
In the main arena this morning it would be quite a shock if all four higher ranked players didn’t make it through. The Chinese player Xinlong is potentially a threat to an out of form Ricky Walden who seems to be in the middle of a bad run at the moment but you would expect him to get out of that one unscathed in a venue he has proved he likes in the past. Robin Hull from Finland is another that might pose a threat to Dark Mavis, but Mavis is another who has performed at his best in York and realistically should come through that one. Marco Fu faces amateur player Mitchell Travis and again should not really struggle while Rob Milkins faces Germany’s Patrick Einsle who I feel continues to struggle to compete at this level.
The more competitive matches are in the Sports Hall, a cracker awaits between Tian Pengfei and Pankaj Advani, two players who are capable of upsetting anyone on their day, it’s too close to call for me that one but at the odds I’d chance a few quid on Pengfei. Another close call is Matt Selt and Scott Donaldson, Scott has started posting some decent results lately and it would be no surprise to see him prevail at backable odds, he has won their only previous meeting. Rod Lawler continues to play the game in his own unique way and I think will outwit Thanawat and justify favouritism in that one and finally the dangerous and heavy scoring but inconsistent Kurt Maflin takes on Liam Highfield who is struggling at the moment to hang on to his tour place, it has to be Maflin on form in that one.
Recommended Bets: 3 x 1 point doubles and a 1 point treble on Pengfei, Donaldson and Maflin. The treble pays over 11/2 at Sportingbet.
Predictions: Higgins, Maguire, Stevens, Perry, Burden, Brecel, Burns, Williams.
Perhaps another session in the main arena which will see the four higher ranked players come through their first match unscathed. I’d argue that Bjorn Borg probably has more chance than Malta’s Alex of beating John Higgins, even if John is some way off his A, B or even C game. SB Classic regular and all round diamond geezer Sandi Lam gets his chance in the big arena against Maguire and what an experience that will be for him, I really hope he gives a good account of himself but realistically you’d have to say a win is heavily against the odds. Ryan Clark is capable enough but rarely wins and I reckon this point in the season will see Matthew Stevens start making strides, he’s been quiet so far but does tend to get his act together later than most. Joe Perry faces Stephen Hendry’s cousin James Cahill and is the higher ranked player with the stiffest task out there, Cahill is not without a chance there and despite Joe being in decent form a surprise is not beyond the realms of possibility in that one with the outsider at a very attractive price and for me he’s a very attractive handicap proposition to win at least 3 frames.
You would have to wonder how prepared Alfie Burden is for this, he was last seen in the boxing ring knocking seven types of shite out of another bloke and taking a few blows himself which is hardly ideal preparation for the more gentlemanly pursuit of snooker, he faces Daniel Wells in what could be a close one, Wells pushed him close in the International Championship over the same distance and if The AB is a little underprepared the Welshman has a good chance in that one. Mike Dunn hasn’t been feeling well this week and faces Luca ‘Lovely Smile’ Brecel who did so well here last year but has struggled so far this season to get any type of winning run going, if Mike is to be believed he’s not a well man so Luca is probably worth a punt. Ian Burns has struggled a little with his Rookie of the Season status last time but is now beginning to post some wins, if he’s getting back to the form he showed last season I would expect him to beat the experienced James Wattana, who while still a great player is a little limited in the scoring department. Finally, Robbie Williams takes on Aditya Mehta, a battle between two players who might be fighting it out for the Rookie tag this time along with the likes of Gary and Kyren Wilson and Chris Wakelin. Robbie’s form of late has been very very impressive and Adi is a really solid player so that makes this very difficult to call, but the value is with the Scouser.
Recommended Bets: 2 points on Cahill (+3.5 frames) at Evens with Paddy Power. 3 x 1 point doubles and a 1 point treble on Brecel, Burns and Williams. Treble pays over 11/2 at Hills.
UK Championship Day Three – Has it Started Yet?
I think it’s Day Three of the UK Championship but correct me if I’m wrong. It feels more like qualifiers for the main event rather than part of a global masterplan to me.
I trust that this feeling I increasingly have of an administration intent on dumbing down professional snooker doesn’t detract from what should be a great snooker spectacle when it starts on the BBC on Saturday.
However, it is with my head hung very low that I report disappointing coverage from the former broadcasting home of snooker.
In terms of betting, I have that feeling I get when I am in a restaurant studying a menu so vast that you just don’t know which way to turn and inevitably end up ordering something that you don’t really want and leaving disappointed, feeling short changed.
For me and my tiny and ever-shrinking brain there are simply too many matches happening at the same time to make this a tournament I can get excited about from a betting point of view at this stage, unlike the Champion of Champions, Masters or World Championship that force you to make a choice and hone in on a decent bet, they are increasingly the tournaments I’m having the most success in. Sometimes you just need to be given a smaller choice so you can drill down to the bets you really like.
This flat field all at the venue thing is going to take a bit of getting used to for someone like me I reckon. I’d prefer them to just play it all somewhere else and leave us with the 32, whoever they may be for the venue, but Bazza seems to be steering the ship in a certain direction, let’s just hope it doesn’t end up shipwrecked while others say I told you so.
There are a mere 24 matches on Thursday, can’t someone just give us a set meal deal?
If you go over to Cue Tracker here you can enter both players names and see their head to head statistics. There are far too many matches for me to live link those I’m afraid, sorry Ron.
Predictions: Astley,Dott, Carter, Holt, Woollaston, Bond, Robertson, Morris.
John Astley, like Kyren Wilson, Gary Wilson and Chris Wakelin is a player I am keeping on the right side of at the moment while the bookies are giving us a fighting chance and I reckon he’s got a decent chance against Kendo, but it has to be said the bookies are not giving much away considering the gulf in experience between the two. It’s either playing when the Beeb go on air or filling the vacant Nugget spot which will define the UK Championship this year for Ken you feel. Graeme Dott is in decent form and does not struggle against lower ranked opponents when that’s the case, his recent record is played 14, lost 3, the three to beat him have been Mark Allen, Ding and Bingham all three being very close, he should progress against his very handy fellow Scot Fraser Patrick and he’ll probably have been thoroughly pissed off having watched the Champion of Champions too. Ratchayothin Yotharuck is no pushover, but Ali Carter’s form is enough to suggest he can get primed up for a decent run in this with a mildly testing starter (menu’s on the brain again) whilst I would also expect Michael Holt to coast past his first round opponent Lee Page in the main arena.
In the Sports Hall is where the ‘shocks’ might be tomorrow I reckon. Stuart Carrington has shown enough to suggest that his price to beat Ben Woollaston might be long enough to have a punt on, if it was in the main arena I’d back Ben but from what I’ve heard the conditions in the Sports Hall are a little different so that may be a leveller, but Ben is the better player so I’ll leave it. Nigel Bond is ridiculously tricky to read these days and any bet for or against him should really carry a government health warning, no bet. Li Yan isn’t really beating a lot of players lately, particularly outside China so Jimmy Robertson should beat him, but Jimmy is another who is a little unpredictable so he’ll either win easily or struggle, never anything in between. The bookies aren’t daft when it comes to Morris v Cope, Cope you would think should be favourite for this match, but he isn’t, there’s a reason for that.
Recommended Bets: 2 x 2 point accas with bankers Dott, Carter and Holt. Add Robertson pays over 5/4 at Apollobet. Add Morris pays 2/1 at Betfred. A 2 point 5 fold on all 5 pays over 3/1 at Apollobet. 2 points on John Astley to beat Ken Doherty at 6/4 with Stan James.
An appointment with The Dentist.
Predictions: Hawkins, Murphy, Bingham, Wasley, Yupeng, Davison, O’Donnell, Harold.
I’ve been accused many times, sometimes even by myself to be fair of continually underrating Barry Hawkins, guilty as charged I reckon and I won’t be making the same mistake again as he takes on the young Swiss potter who rhymes with snookerbacker, I think the main arena setting will ensure that Barry progresses and the same can be said for Shaun Murphy and Stuart Bingham who both face opponents that they would be very disappointed to lose to, only a very bad day at the office for any of those three big names would see them fail to progress, but none of them are a backable price even in a treble. The most competitive match of this foursome is obviously Jimmy against Wazza. Michael is picking up a good winning habit lately and it’s fair to say that Jimmy hasn’t been firing on all cylinders since his foot operation. He’s fighting for tour survival so has a massive incentive to win but this is a tough match for him against an up and coming and very capable player, I’d marginally favour the Gloucester man who I don’t think will be phased by the main arena.
UPDATE: Lee Spick has withdrawn and Shaun Murphy gets a bye. Paul Davison v Gerard Greene now in the main arena.
The more competitive matches are again in the Sports Hall part of the venue. A golden rule of this blog is to avoid wherever possible betting on matches involving two Chinese players. Cao Yupeng for me along with Xiao Guodong is the next in line after Ding on the Chinese order of merit, but he’s still some way behind, he should beat Zhang Anda on form, he’ll probably win 6-5 as it’s amazing how many of these clashes go all the way. Local man and solid battler Paul Davison will fancy his chances of progressing against Gerard Greene, who I tend to bet against quite a lot. I still don’t know where his PTC burst of form came from to get the final against Ronnie in Germany and since then he seems to be losing again so I’ll take Snowy to progress, quite amazingly given their long professional careers they haven’t played each other for 12 years. Next up The MO’D faces The Dentist in what could be a long one if Rory gets his way. I think the bookies have priced this one about right and I’ll just cheer Martin on without a bet, he’s beginning to come good and let’s hope he can keep up the momentum with a timely win here. Finally, sleepy Chen Zhe takes on Bananaman Dave Harold, Big Dave for me still has the ability to grind down opponents and recent results suggest enough to me that he can progress in this one.
Recommended Bets: 3 x 1 point doubles and a 1 point treble: Wasley, Davison and Harold (treble pays almost bang on 6/1 at Hills). 3 points on Davison at 13/10 with Hills.
Predictions: Trump. Allen, Williams, Ebdon, Wheelbarrow Gang, Pinches, Baird, Chuang.
Tonight sees two live title contenders in action in Judd Trump and Mark Allen. Judd’s form however has recently somewhat deserted him, barring a decent showing in Antwerp and a 147 to boot he’s not really firing at the moment. He faces Gareth Green who coincidentally is booked to play in the SB Classic on Saturday, needless to say he starts a very long outsider for this. Jak Jones played very well against Ronnie on TV in Antwerp and looks to have modelled his whole game on the Rocket, he could feasibly give Mark Allen a scare and is no pushover, Mark will have to be on his game to ensure a comfortable victory, anything less and there is a possibility that may go close. Scouser Allan Taylor takes on MJW and those who are familiar with the blog know of the special bond I have with The Assassin, I’d love to see him win and look forward to watching it, he is more than capable and you never know. Peter Ebdon is seemingly coming back to something like form after an absolutely awful run of results has seen him plummet down the rankings, he faces one of the nicest people in snooker Gloucester’s Andrew Norman who seems to simply play for pleasure these days, but players like that can be dangerous and I fancy that one to be quite close, marginally favouring the tough as teeth former world champion.
The all Thai match is one to leave alone, I’m very disappointed that World Snooker have decided to take the PTC Grand Finals there rather than Ireland this year. There have been too many instances of hooky matches involving players from this part of the world and in my view, as well as a bit of brushing been done under the carpet, people in the game know what’s been happening but on the face of it are not really trying too hard to stamp it out. Barry Pinches has recently enlisted the help of SightRight’s Steve Feeney to help his bid to stay on the tour and the results seem to be paying off, I quite fancy him to use his experience to beat Sheffield’s Adam Duffy, who has only won 2 of his last 10 matches. Peter Lines continues to impress in qualifiers and is a really tough player to beat, he faces Gloucester’s Sam Baird, who still owes Mrs SB a gin and tonic. That’s a really tough call as Baird can be ruthless when he’s in form, as Sam has won their only two encounters to date I’ll side with him, but this could be down to the wire. I’ve no strong feelings about the other match between Drago and Chuang, though as Chuang is 2-0 up on the head to heads I would probably give him the nod, though he is a player that seems to have already peaked in his career.
Recommended Bets: 2 x 2 point singles and a 2 point double Barry Pinches (17/20 Apollobet) and Lines v Baird over 9.5 frames (11/10 Paddy Power). Double pays almost 11/4 at Paddy Power.
Recommended Bets for Wednesday: 4 point acca on Gilbert, White, Lisowski and Gould pays just on 5/2 at Ladbrokes. 2 points on Kyren Wilson at Evens with Hills and a 2 point double on Wilson and Joel Walker pays almost 7/2 at the same firm.
Here are the opening day’s matches from the Sports Hall at the Barbican. Those marked (LS) are available on Live Stream at the World Snooker TV channel or the usual bookmaker sites.
Recommended Evening Bet: With Dale losing in a decider, I think the treble on the other three in the original acca can get us out on top for the day so it’s 2 points on the other three at just on 11/8 with Apollobet. Add O’Brien for a 1 point acca which pays over 9/4 at Sportingbet.
Monique’s shot of the Barbican, taken yesterday.
Today sees the rather understated start of the UK Snooker Championship, heralded as one of the games blue riband events which this year reverts to a whole new format, with Bazza’s dream 128 player format with all players playing at the venue from the start being tested on one of the really big ones for the first time.
I might as well get this out of the way before going any further but I was against this move when it was first announced. I think there is a place for a flat draw structure, in fact once the rankings are money based if anything isn’t a flat draw structure (which will be the case) then this whole list becomes a farce in my opinion, but I don’t like the money list concept either really.
To me, what the Champion of Champions event proved was how much better snooker is as a spectacle when you are watching the best players playing each other. That whole premise is risked by adopting this structure, how will the BBC and more importantly the three times a year BBC snooker fans feel in the (albeit unlikely) event that the final four are all outside of the top 8 players? To get around this slight problem, the draw has been structured rigidly on rankings which minimises the risk of the big boys not being there at the end, so as things stand Mark Selby, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Neil Robertson and Ding Junhui, who I believe are currently the four best players in the sport by a little distance can form the final four.
I was really interested last week in Ronnie and Robbo’s comments about staging more prestige events for the top players. Aussie Robertson even going so far as to say that these should be in the UK, pointing out that the crowds are more consistent and the tables always run better. Ronnie (half-joking) said he didn’t think Bazza would be presiding over a sport where players are falling asleep at venues waiting to play in poor conditions in the middle of the night and would instead be looking to increase the profile using the games top players, which to some extent I agree with. Ronnie also said that there was no longer any incentive to be a top 16 player, on that point he is wrong of course, unless Bazza decides to tamper with the World Championship format, which I sincerely hope that he never does.
So what of the UK Championship? Once a huge highlight of the snooker calendar, but in the last few years for me not quite flicking the switch to the Christmas lights that it used to. York as a city to host a major snooker tournament is superb, there is plenty to do within a stone’s throw of the Barbican whatever your interests so this ensures healthy crowds, but I can’t help but miss the format of old if I am honest and I’m not sure every move that Bazza has made on this once great championship is right. I think these days the Masters is infinitely more enjoyable.
But it’s still a great tournament to have on your CV and Mark Selby is back to defend his crown this year, this time with Ronnie in attendance and seemingly in superb form and I would not be at all surprised to see them fight out the final this year as seeded players number 1 and 2, what a spectacle that would be.
Is there a player that can produce a shock and break into the elite top four semi-final line up of Ronnie, Selby, Robbo and Ding? Well, shock probably isn’t the right term to use but I’m sure what I regard as the current next tier down in John Higgins, Stephen Maguire, Judd Trump, Mark Allen, Ali Carter, Mark Williams and Stuart Bingham will fancy a good run in this.
For all the players on view, I have a feeling we’re going to be seeing some familiar faces in this at the business end of things. I can’t see any outsiders (i.e. a player that I haven’t mentioned above) making an impact any further than the quarter finals but I’m sure we’ll see some shocks in the matches given there are a total of 127 of them in all. It would be a shock if there wasn’t a shock in fairness.
I’ll be giving the matches a closer look as the days go on but for now I will leave you with three outright and fairly predictable selections and one who I think may be a little overpriced at longer odds.
Recommended Outright Bets: 4 points on Mark Selby at 9/1 with Apollobet. 3 points on Ronnie O’Sullivan at 4/1 with Paddy Power. 2 points on Ding Junhui at 8/1 with William Hills. 1 point each way on Stephen Maguire at 28/1 with William Hills.
Ant Parsons: A Grand Finalist again.
Sunday saw heat five of this season’s qualifiers for the Snookerbacker Classic and after the last successful event at a new venue in Liverpool, this time we took the tournament to the Cueball in Derby for the very first time.
It’s always a risk going to a new venue, I hadn’t had the opportunity to visit Derby before the weekend but had heard good reports of the venue from several trusted sources and the exchanges I had been having with Danny and Paul who run the place in advance of the tournament made it clear to me that this is a club with ambition, run by snooker people after the corporate fat-cats at Rileys had almost run the place into the ground with their pool, darts and ale focus and total lack of knowledge of how to run a successful snooker club.
On arrival we were greeted by Marc, who showed us around the place and explained the lay out. It was smaller than I had imagined but that added to the feel of it, the snooker tables are nicely separated from the bar which is accompanied by a small area with pool tables (an unfortunate necessity of modern times, hopefully soon to be rid of for the next generation). The viewing area however is fantastic with a glass wall offering views of all the main tables in the snooker hall which remains the beating heart of the building.
Also greeting us was Mark Jones, who was waiting for his daughter Hannah to finish her practice session for the day. Mark took no time in totally rubbishing Paul Beech’s hotel recommendation which we had followed to the letter and talking to us about all manner of things while telling Hannah to get back to the table until he said she could stop, in the nicest possible way of course. Mrs SB left proclaiming that the club had a nice ‘feel’ to it, I agreed and almost at once our minds were at rest and we were ready for a day which we were promised would involve much local rivalry and banter.
I heard early the next morning from Syd Wilson, who would have been one of the favourites to progress, to say he was unable to make it and had to withdraw which left the path clear for another of the fancied runners, Middlesborough’s Ant Parsons, to the Quarter Finals whilst the other seven first round matches got underway.
The players had already been marvelling at the lemon cheesecake bites that Mrs SB had supplied on her now legendary antique silver cakestand and the SB Classic first timers seemed delighted with this addition to the tournament, they also lapped up the goodies provided free of charge by generous sponsors John Parrott Cuesports.
Highlights of Round 1 included what was (at that point) the highest break in this year’s Classic when former professional Jamie Bodle knocked in a classy 121 against Troy Brett. The two are local rivals and as Bodle went on to win 4-2 the rather unsympathetic local crowd, again with Jones as the ringleader of the tormentors, greeted Troy with the question of what it was like to be Derby’s number two player, clearly not adhering to snooker’s timeless etiquette of sympathy and pats on the back for the losing player, but I’m glad to say it was all in good humour, well at least I think it was anyway.
In the meantime, Hannah, who had arrived without her disgracefully hungover parents was on her way to beating Paul Beech 4-1 eventually under the watchful and ever-critical eye of her doting father who managed to make it out of bed to catch the last few frames, in body at least. Hannah is clearly improving in leaps and bounds since going full-time and it’s there for all to see, something that Mark puts down to a number of factors, not least her coaching regime which he believes is bringing out the best in her, not that he’d tell her that of course. Mrs Mark eventually arrived wearing dark glasses fresh from some podium dancing under the influence of alcopops at a circus the previous evening. Yes, you did just read that last sentence correctly.
There were also wins for Sean Hopkin, Bash Maqsood, Joe Steele, Andy Marriott and Stefan Mazrocis. Mrs SB took an instant liking to Stefan I have to say, his penchant and compliments for her cheesecake and general cheerful demeanour is always going to be a winner with her and she asked if he had entered any more, which is a sure sign that she likes someone. Meanwhile I chatted away with Andy Marriott about our mutual manlove of all things Morrissey, we’re having a race to the end of his poetic autobiography and I’m sure we’ll catch up on that again soon, we also both discovered a David Bowie / Wizard of Oz link that had seemingly passed us by for years, all courtesy of Mozza.
Parsons took to the table to face Marriott in the Quarter Finals and after losing the first frame (one of only two he was to lose all day, both to this opponent) the North East man really got into his stride and even managed to better Bodle’s earlier break by a single point, setting the new highest break of the tournament which carries a £300 prize at 122. Obviously still with Mozza on his mind, Andy simply proclaimed afterwards ‘I know it’s over’.
Roycey doing his Ref School thang.
Local rivalry was meanwhile reaching fever pitch on table 10 as Bash Maqsood fist pumped his way to a deciding frame victory over Sean Hopkin. It’s fair to say that the two had a real battle out there, I would hope that if they faced each other again their behaviour at the business end of the match would be a little more in keeping with the spirit of the tournament. But it clearly meant a lot to Bash to win and Sean was obviously very disappointed to lose. It’s big stakes out there for the players and sometimes that can take over a little.
Mazrocis rolled back the years in beating Hannah 4-0 which almost signalled the Jones family exit, but not quite yet as Mark was again holding court in the bar area. This was no disgrace for Hannah as the Crucible veteran obviously still has a really solid game and I think may be planning a comeback of sorts on the Seniors tour. Meanwhile Joe Steele’s dad was polishing off the lemon cheesecakes at a rate of knots as the Stoke Potter put paid to Jamie Bodle’s hopes, Joe coming through that one 4-2.
The semi-finals saw a very one-sided affair between last year’s Grand Finalist Parsons and Maqsood, Ant rolling out a comfortable 4-0 winner under the watchful eye of Martyn Royce, who had spent all morning going through the motions with three Ref School hopefuls; David, Steven and Marc, who had travelled to Derby to learn some of the basics of snooker refereeing from the Roycemeister himself. Joe played solidly to end Stefan’s run and book a place in the final against Ant while his dad reached for more lemon cheesecake, it must have been nerves.
It’s fair to say that Ant took control of the final from an early stage, Joe didn’t really do an awful lot wrong and Ant was clinical in his scoring to again score a whitewash and progress for the second year in succession to the Grand Finals. He was delighted at the end and as ever was very complimentary about the tournament, as were all the players we spoke to in fact. It seems a great day was had by all.
Ant’s next stop last night was to go and film a feature with the BBC in York ahead of his match against Ding Junhui in the UK Championship which will be shown live on Saturday, be sure to tune in and cheer him on.
A huge thanks goes to all at the Cueball that made the day go so well. The club is going from strength to strength and the enthusiasm of Danny, Paul, Marc and all the staff as well as the obvious gratitude of the local players at having a great club to play in shines through. We can’t wait to return there again. You can view and like their Facebook page by clicking here. If you’re in the area, pop in and see how it’s improved since they got hold of it.
Ant’s win sees him join Ben Harrison, Kishan Hirani, Adam Wicheard, Jamie Clarke, Anthony Jeffers and Mitchell Mann in the Grand Finals and next weekend we’re in Leeds to find two more to join them.
Currently Callum Lloyd and Joe Steele sit in pole position on the Order of Merit List with five more qualifying events to go. The top two from this list will also qualify for Grand Finals Day.
You can view all the results from the Derby SB Classic qualifier here.
The latest standings in the Order of Merit list are here. | 2019-04-20T01:13:44Z | http://www.snookerbacker.com/2013/11/ |
Officer Jordan Coble was named the 2018 Police Officer of the Year. The award is voted on by members of the Police Department and was presented by Chief Grant Gillespie at the department's Christmas party. Officer Coble joined WPD in 2017 and has been very active patrol officer, making solid criminal cases and is great at interacting with the community. The award was sponsored by Porch, Stribling and Webb Insurance. Taylor Porch is shown congratulating Officer Coble.
The Waverly Department of Public Safety (Police and Fire) is accepting applications for the position of Part Time (Paid Per Call) Firefighter. Part-time Firefighters respond to all fire related calls for service within the City of Waverly and would be available on an on-call basis as needed. Training and equipment are provided.
Have good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
Work and/or reside in or near the City of Waverly and have availability for on-call status.
Questions concerning the application process may be directed to Chief Grant Gillespie at 931-296-4300.
The City of Waverly is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is a drug-free workplace.
On Friday evening, a victim had her car forcibly taken from her after stopping at the railroad crossing on Clydeton Rd near Hwy 70. The suspect, David Tyler Lowery, of Trinity, AL, jumped into the passenger side of her car while she was waiting on the train to cross. He told her he had just walked away from the nearby Hope Center Drug Recovery Facility and was trying to go to Decaturville. When she turned onto Hwy 70, Lowery grabbed the wheel and pushed her out of the car as it came to a stop on Hwy 70.
The victim immediately called 911 and a description of the vehicle was broadcast. The car was stopped by New Johnsonville Police Officer Joe Yates and Lowery was taken into custody.
Lowery is being held in the Humphreys County Jail and is charged with Carjacking, Reckless Endangerment, Reckless Driving, and Assault. His bond is set at $73,000.
The Waverly Department of Public Safety-Police and Fire is accepting applications for the position of Public Safety Officer (Police Officer). The Department of Public Safety is a 24 hour full service Police and Fire Department. Because of the unique mission of the department, Public Safety Officers are required to perform both law enforcement and firefighting duties. All Public Safety Officers are required to complete the Basic Police Academy and Basic Fire Academy. Public Safety Officers are required to work shift work and are on call 24/7.
The application process includes a physical ability test, written police entry exam, oral interview panel and extensive background check. Successful candidates will undergo drug screening, physical and psychological exams and polygraph. Details of the process will be provided to applicants.
Application packets can be picked up at the Waverly Police Department or downloaded at www.waverlypublicsafety.com.
Applications will be accepted through Noon on Friday, January 5, 2018.
Questions concerning the application process or the compensation and benefits package may be addressed to either Captain Devin Elliott or Chief Grant Gillespie at 931-296-4300.
The City of Waverly is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is a drug-free workplace.
The Waverly Police Department K9 Unit received a grant providing health insurance coverage for its Police K9, Crockett. The insurance will reimburse the department’s special drug fund for veterinary expenses.
“This represents considerable savings to the department and allows us to use funds we would normally spend on our K9 in other drug enforcement programs,” said Police Chief Grant Gillespie.
K9 Crockett is handled by Officer David Ross, a 30 year veteran of the Police Department. Crockett is trained in drug detection, tracking and apprehension. “Vested Interest in K9’s has provided Crockett a bullet resistant vest in the past and they show their concern for police dogs nationwide through their grant programs,” said Officer Ross.
Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. is a 501c (3) nationwide charity located in East Taunton, MA, whose mission is to provide bullet and stab protective vests and other assistance to dogs of law enforcement and related agencies throughout the United States. The non-profit is pleased continue their “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” program which launched in 2016. The charity will supplement their initial donation of $10,000 in 2016 by donating an additional $10,000 in 2017 toward a medical reimbursement programs for a number of self-funded K9 units.
The “Healthcare for K9 Heroes” grant will be awarded to departments who have the financial burden of raising funds to support their K9 unit, who have no more than three K9s, and who have previously been awarded a vest through Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. Law enforcement dogs ages two through seven will be eligible. The medical reimbursement insurance policy will cover illnesses, injuries—including those sustained in the line of duty—diagnostic testing and therapies. In 2016, the pilot program for the charity awarded twenty-four K9 recipients with an annual policy at a cost of just over $10,000.00.
Selected as 2017 recipients to date are: Waverly, TN Police Department, K9 Crockett, Tom Green County Sheriff’s Office, TX, K9 Pusinka, Camp Point, IL Police Department, K9 Poseidon, Palmer, MA Police Department, K9 Buddy, Hadley, MA Police Department, K9 Nomar, Madison, FL Police Department, K9 Bolt, Attica, IN Police Department K9 Dirk , Grant County Sheriff’s Office, WA K9s Grizzly and Chicka , University Hospital of OH, K9 General, Cass County, IA Sheriff’s Office, K9 Vader, Dalton MA Police Department, K9 Max, Cass County, IA Sheriff’s Department, K9 Vader, and Ballard County KY Detention Center, K9 Abby.
The Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. grant will allow for the provision of a Trupanion prepaid annual policy. The plan allows the freedom to use any licensed veterinarian, specialty center, or emergency hospital in the United States, and Puerto Rico.
The program will be administered by Trupanion.
In addition to the healthcare reimbursement program, the non-profit has provided over 2600 law enforcement dogs with bullet and stab protective vests in 50 states, at a cost of 2.1 million dollars. For more information, please call 508-824-6978. Tax deductible donations accepted via mail to: Vested Interest in K9s, Inc. P.O. Box 9 East Taunton, MA 02718 or via the website: www.vik9s.org.
Trupanion is a leader in medical insurance for cats and dogs throughout the United States and Canada. Trupanion is committed to providing pet owners with the highest value in pet medical insurance. Trupanion is listed on NASDAQ under the symbol "TRUP". The company was founded in 2000 and is headquartered in Seattle, WA. Trupanion policies are issued, in the United States, by its wholly-owned insurance entity American Pet Insurance Company and, in Canada, by Omega General Insurance Company. For more information please visit Trupanion.com.
Waverly Police Department Detectives arrested Charles Shear, 22, of Waverly, last night on a charge of Second Degree Murder in the death of his wife, Brandi Shear, 22, of Waverly. Officers were called to a residence at 105 Curtis Dr. on a report of gunshots being fired. When the Officers arrived they discovered Brandi Shear deceased in her vehicle in the driveway.
Waverly PD Detectives Mike Hubbs and Jonathan Fortner are investigating the incident with the assistance of the TN Bureau of Investigation. The investigation revealed that shots had been fired by both the husband and the wife during the exchange. No one else was injured in the shooting. Charles Shear is currently in the Humphreys County Jail under a $300,000 bond.
The Waverly Police Department is partnering with the Tennessee Highway Safety Office (THSO) for its annual Seatbelts Are For Everyone (SAFE) campaign. This statewide initiative is designed to increase seatbelt usage and child passenger safety restraint usage through the implementation of occupant-protection programs, public events, and checkpoints throughout local communities across Tennessee. The SAFE campaign begins February 1, 2017, and concludes on August 1, 2017.
A website has been created to help maintain information about the 1978 propane explosion that occurred in Waverly. During discussions between Mayor Buddy Frazier and Public Safety Chief Grant Gillespie, the idea to have a central website dedicated to the event and administered by the City of Waverly was born. The website is located at www.waverlypropaneexplosion.com and is maintained as part of the Department of Public Safety's Website at www.waverlypublicsafety.com.
The new site will combine information such as articles, pictures and videos concerning the disaster. "We wanted a place that brought all the information into one place and to help memorialize the event for future generations", said Chief Gillespie, "Anyone who would like to contribute to the website should get in touch with us and we will incorporate any information relevant to what happened that day."
The 1978 event claimed the lives of 16 people including the Police Chief and Fire Chief and hospitalized 43 others. The event served as a turning point in emergency management across the country.
Sgt. Shaun Wilson has been named the 2016 Waverly Police Department Officer of the Year. The officer of the year is selected by members of the police department and goes to the member who best represents the values of the department. This is the second year in a row that Sgt. Wilson has been selected and he is the only officer who has won the award three times.
"Shaun is a professional officer who consistently demonstrates the high values and expectations this community expects from its officers," said Chief Grant Gillespie.
This year's award is sponsored by Porch, Stribling and Webb Insurance Agency. Below is Taylor Porch presenting Sgt. Wilson with the award.
Applications will be accepted through Noon on Thursday, September 15, 2016.
The Waverly Police Department responded to a call of gunshots being fired on Parkwood Drive in Waverly on August 31, 2016, at approximately 8 p.m. Responding officers found two female victims who had been violently assaulted by suspect Stephen Jerese Turner, 28, of Waverly. They were treated for their injuries at Three Rivers Hospital and released. Turner is the ex-boyfriend of one of the victims and the victim had an active order of protection against Turner. He also had an outstanding arrest warrant for violating the order of protection.
The girlfriend and her friend had returned to the apartment to retrieve personal items under the belief that Turner was not there. Turner was concealed in the apartment and attacked the victims when they entered. They ran out of the apartment and were assaulted in the front yard. During the assault, Turner fired several shots from a handgun at the victims as they attempted to get away. Neither victim was struck by the gunfire. He fled back into the apartment when neighbors dialed 911.
Initial reports was that he may still be in the apartment when officers arrived. The area was secured and neighboring apartments were evacuated. The Waverly Police Department Special Operations Team was called to the scene and were able to determine that Turner had fled out the back door before officers arrived. The Waverly Police K9 Team followed a track to the Waverly Country Club golf course nearby.
Waverly Police Officers took Turner into custody shortly after midnight after he broke into a vacant house approximately a mile away on Hwy 13 in Waverly. The house was owned by members of Turner’s family and no one else was present in the home. He was taken into custody without incident and the gun believed to have been involved in the assault was recovered. Turner was charged with two counts of Aggravated Assault and Violation of an Order of Protection. Outstanding warrants for Violation of an Order of Protection and Violation of Probation were also served. He is housed in the Humphreys County Jail on a $160,500.00 bond. Officers from the TN Highway Patrol and Humphreys County Sheriff’s Office also responded to the initial incident.
Chief of Police Grant Gillespie said, “This was a violent domestic assault by a suspect who twice ignored an order of protection. We are fortunate that the victims were not critically injured.” Detectives are continuing to investigate and additional charges may be filed.
Chief Grant Gillespie has announced the promotion of Officer Chris Taylor to the rank of Sergeant. Sgt. Taylor is a 4 year veteran of the Department and was a supervisor with UPS prior to joining the Waverly Dept. of Public Safety. He has also been a Field Training Officer, responsible for training newly hired Police Officers and Firefighters. He will assume his role as the night shift supervisor beginning June 12.
The Waverly Police Department is requesting any information regarding the burglary of Waverly Lumber Company located on Highway 70 East. Between the dates of January 19th and February 1st, someone entered Waverly Lumber Company and took several items. Items include miscellaneous power tools, plumbing supplies, paint, stains and electrical supplies. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Fortner or Sergeant Hubbs at the Waverly Police Department (931-296-4300) or Humphreys County CrimeStoppers at 931-296-2414.
Calls to Humphreys County CrimeStoppers remain anonymous and a cash reward may be available for information leading to an arrest for this crime or any other major crime or drug activity.
The Waverly Police Department has received several reports of check scams in the area. The scams come in several forms, but usually involve the victim receiving an unsolicited check informing them they have won a lottery, sweepstakes or other prize. The victim is often asked to cash or deposit the check and then send the scammers some or all of the cash. The check will not clear the bank and the victim is left responsible for the insufficient funds, including what was sent to the scammers.
The Police Department encourages anyone who receives one of these check to ignore it and report it to their local police department. These scammers will often follow-up with phone calls or emails to the victim and can be aggressive in their attempts to get money or account information from them.
The Waverly Police Department will be partnering with the Tennessee Governor’s Highway Safety Office for the 2016 Seatbelts Are For Everyone (SAFE) campaign. The SAFE campaign is designed to increase seat belt and child passenger safety restraint usage in Tennessee. Law enforcement agencies participate in the campaign by planning and implementing occupant protection initiatives in their communities.
This year, participating agencies will pay special attention to nighttime seat belt enforcement. Tennessee has seen a disproportionate percentage of unrestrained fatalities between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 5:59 a.m. Historically, approximately fifty percent of Tennessee’s traffic fatalities are unbelted. That percentage increases to nearly sixty when nighttime crashes are examined.
The SAFE campaign will take place February 1 – August 1, 2016.
NASHVILLE – As cold weather sweeps across Tennessee, home and business owners may rely on portable generators during occasional power outages to operate their electrical equipment such as heating units, computers, water pumps and lighting.
While portable generators can provide a quick fix, they can also pose unseen hazards that can have long-lasting effects. The State Fire Marshal’s Office reminds residents that following some basic tips can ensure safe generator use every time.
Because carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas, it is often referred to as the invisible killer. Since 2013, 12 people have died in Tennessee as a result of non-fire related carbon monoxide poisoning. This past September, Tennessee commemorated its first Carbon Monoxide Awareness Day in an effort to stop this preventable loss of life.
Always read, follow, and save the manufacturer's operating instructions for your generator.
Never use a generator inside your home, garage, crawl space, or other enclosed areas. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can quickly build up in these areas and can linger for hours, even after the generator has shut off. Only use your generator outdoors, away from open windows, vents, or doors that could allow carbon monoxide fumes inside.
Install and maintain carbon monoxide alarms in your home. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for correct placement and mounting height.
Ensure everyone in the home knows to immediately get to a fresh air location should the carbon monoxide alarm sound. Have someone call 911 from outside the home.
Know the initial symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning: headache, fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness (flulike symptoms, but without the fever). If you experience these symptoms during or after generator use, get to a fresh air location immediately and have someone call 911. | 2019-04-21T18:25:46Z | https://www.waverlypublicsafety.com/news/latest-news/categories/wdps |
Between 1990 and 1996, a company named Game Freak worked on a game dubbed Pocket Monsters. The company began its life as a fanzine written by Satoshi Tajiri and illustrated by Ken Sugimori. It became a developer when Mr. Tajiri, unsatisfied with the poor quality of the games he discussed, decided to throw his hat in the ring. The project hit many snags along the way, with five employees quitting and Mr. Tajiri taking no salary, instead having live off his father’s income. They received help from members of Ape, Inc., the company that famously produced Mother and its sequel – passion projects of copywriter Shigesato Itoi.
The long development cycle had profound implications for everyone involved. By 1996, Nintendo’s inaugural portable console, the Game Boy, had begun showing its age. While a collection of highly regarded games debuted on the platform, they were eventually seen as watered-down versions of console experiences. This didn’t matter to enthusiasts at the time, for they felt it to be an acceptable tradeoff for being able to bring a game with them at all. It was when gaming entered its fifth console generation that this proposition became less defensible. The experimental 3D titles of the PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Nintendo 64 made the monochromatic Game Boy seem less impressive by the day. Nintendo executives were ready to declare a loss after Pocket Monsters saw its release in 1996 – even after splitting it into two versions. The critical reception seemed to confirm their apprehension, as the few reviews written about it were lukewarm with Famitsu giving it a score of twenty-nine points out of a possible forty. In light of these circumstances, no one could’ve predicted that this relative newcomer would singlehandedly revitalize the Game Boy when Pocket Monsters began selling by the millions.
Despite this success, Game Freak was hesitant to localize Pocket Monsters. Indeed, the idea of releasing it internationally didn’t cross the minds of the development teams. It wasn’t until the then-president of Nintendo, Hiroshi Yamauchi, told them “Release this in America!” that localization was unavoidable. However, there was one slight problem: Game Freak didn’t have people to spare to create a port. As such, they found themselves in a precarious position between having to choose between focusing their attention on the sequel or develop an English version. Not wishing to stop the momentum Pocket Monsters had gained, they elected to begin developing the sequel immediately, believing “overseas development is just a dream within a dream”.
Fortunately, one man was willing to step up to the plate: Satoru Iwata, the president of HAL Laboratories. Joined by Teruki Murakawa, the Assistant Department Manager of the plan production headquarters, he began working on a version of Pocket Monsters tailor-made for Western languages upon obtaining the source code. It is highly unusual for a company president to perform extensive analyses of the source code, yet it was through Mr. Iwata’s efforts that Pocket Monsters saw an official release abroad under the name Pokémon. Because there was little faith in the games to find an audience in the United States, it came as a complete shock when they proceeded to become bestsellers there as well. Pokémon was to the late nineties what Transformers and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were to mid and late-eighties respectively – a truly inescapable phenomenon that united kids from all walks of life.
With Pokémon having fared well both domestically and abroad, Mr. Tajiri and the rest of Game Freak faced an enormous amount of pressure to succeed. Within a few short years, the games inspired an anime series, multiple manga stories, and a treasure trove of spinoffs. Even so, fans across the world were waiting with baited breath for an official follow-up to the titles that started it all. Nintendo first announced the existence of a sequel in 1997, calling it Pocket Monsters 2: Gold & Silver. However, 1997 passed without a release for these games. It wasn’t until March of 1998 when the company announced a delay, though the games were now called Pocket Monsters: Gold & Silver, having dropped the number from the title.
After a year passed with no official word, Nintendo of Japan’s website updated with new information with a revised release date in June of 1999. Even better, these games would be compatible with the Game Boy Color.
It is largely due to the overnight success of Pokémon that this machine was created. As its name suggests, the Game Boy Color was an upgrade to the original Game Boy, rendering compatible titles in color. It stood out from other handheld consoles in that it was backwards compatible. This allowed the Game Boy Color to launch with a sizable library from the onset.
The release date for Pocket Monsters: Gold & Silver was ultimately delayed again to November 21, 1999. Six months later, the game had sold 6.5 million copies domestically. With the franchise’s popularity transcending cultures, it was a question of when the localized games would make their international debut – not if. The games debuted in Australia and North America in October of 2000 before being released in April of 2001 in Europe. Keeping in line with their predecessors’ naming conventions, they were dubbed Pokémon Gold and Silver in foreign markets. As a contrast to their predecessors’ reception, Pokémon Gold and Silver were critically acclaimed upon release in addition to faring well commercially. Pokémon fever had well and truly set in with Pokémon Stadium being the bestselling console game in North America and Pokémon Gold and Silver dominating the handheld market. Most of the people who played both sets of games insist that they are major improvements over their predecessors. Were these games able to iron out the flaws holding back the original, thus allowing the series to fully grasp its potential?
Growing up in the 1970s, a boy from Machida, Tokyo named Satoshi Tajiri enjoyed collecting insects. Such was the zeal for his hobby that other children called him “Doctor Bug”, and he initially wanted to become an entomologist. As he grew up, he became fascinated with an entirely new pastime: arcade games. He was enthralled with Taito’s 1979 arcade hit Space Invaders, though he played many others as well. Throughout his teenage years, his parents thought their son a delinquent, a perception exacerbated by him frequently cutting classes. He nearly failed to graduate from high school, prompting his parents, who were convinced he was throwing his future away, to take action. His father attempted to get him a job at The Tokyo Electric Power Company, but the boy declined. He eventually took make-up classes and earned his diploma. He didn’t attend university, instead opting to complete a two-year technical degree program at the Tokyo National College of Technology, majoring in electronics and computer science.
In 1981, Mr. Tajiri had begun writing a fanzine he named Game Freak. It was handwritten and stapled together. The content focused on the arcade scene, offering tips on how to win or achieve high scores. Certain editions even listed any Easter Eggs contained within the games. The fanzine proved to be fairly popular in his area; the edition in which he wrote about a game named Zabius sold 10,000 copies. It caught the attention of one Ken Sugimori, who found it being sold at a dōjinshi shop. As someone who had an affinity for art, he asked Mr. Tajiri if he could help make the fanzine even more of a success. Suddenly, Game Freak now had an official illustrator. As more people contributed to the fanzine, Mr. Tajiri decided that most of the games he discussed were of a poor quality. Therefore, he and Mr. Sugimori drummed up a simple solution: make their own games.
Mr. Tajiri had been interested in making his own game ever since he discovered the medium. After receiving a Famicom, Nintendo’s first true home console to use interchangeable ROM cartridges, he dismantled it to see the inner workings. He later submitted a video game idea in a contest sponsored by Sega and won. From there, he studied the Family BASIC programming package, which allowed him to grasp how Famicom games were designed. With the desire to head in a new direction, Game Freak the fanzine ended in 1986. Three years later, Game Freak the video game development company arose in its place. The duo wasted no time pitching their first game to Namco: Quinty.
Known as Mendel Palace when it was exported to North America, Quinty combined action and puzzle game elements. The player character is placed on a 5 by 7 grid of floor tiles. The player must flip tiles to defeat the enemies that seek to collide into their character.
Though satisfied with their first product, Mr. Tajiri wanted to create something a little more personal. As he grew up, the areas around him became progressively more urbanized. As a result, many incent habitats were lost. Moreover, with the rise of home consoles, children began playing in their homes rather than outside. Not wanting to let the joy he felt catching and collecting creatures die, he sought to make a game capable of encapsulating that wonder so he may pass it on to others. His idea for this game began forming in 1990. The previous year saw the release of Nintendo’s Game Boy console. In an era when portable games traditionally consisted of static images on a LCD screen, the Game Boy took the world by storm. The idea of a portable albeit monochromatic Famicom was unheard of, yet the reality couldn’t be denied.
As soon as he observed the Game Boy’s ability to communicate between consoles, Mr. Tajiri knew that this game was destined to debut on the handheld platform. When he thought of people using the link cable required for multiplayer sessions, he imagined bugs crawling back and forth between them.
The original name of this game was to be Capsule Monsters. Mr. Tajiri had taken inspiration from the gashapon, a variety of vending machines popular with children that dispense toys encased in a plastic capsule. The characters in his game would carry capsules containing monsters that were released upon throwing them. Because Mr. Tajiri had difficulties trademarking the name “Capsule Monsters”, he tried to make it into a portmanteau, “CapuMon”, before changing it to Pocket Monsters.
Mr. Tajiri was a bit nervous upon presenting his idea to Nintendo, believing they would reject his idea. Indeed, when he pitched the idea, they didn’t fully understand the concept. Nonetheless, they were impressed with the promise he had displayed in his first games and decided to explore it. Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of two of Nintendo’s successful franchises, Mario and The Legend of Zelda, began to mentor the up-and-coming developer, teaching him as the game was being created. Pocket Monsters ended up taking six years to produce. For most of the development process, there wasn’t enough salary with which to pay Game Freak’s employees. Over these six years, five employees quit, and the company faced an impending bankruptcy numerous times. Mr. Tajiri himself didn’t take a salary, living off his father’s income. Fortunately, he and his team received help from an unexpected source.
In 1989, a company named Ape, Inc. was founded. Their first product, released in the same year, was Mother – a passion project of famed copywriter Shigesato Itoi. Though it would be some time before it saw an official release abroad, Mother remains to this day a beloved classic in its native homeland, possessing an intergenerational appeal few other games had. The team stuck with Mr. Itoi when creating its sequel, Mother 2. When the programmers began running into problems, Satoru Iwata of HAL Laboratory stepped in to salvage the project. The game was released to a warm reception in 1994. Unlike its predecessor, Mother 2 would receive an official Western localization, under the name Earthbound. Though initially a sales disappointment, Earthbound would receive a fair bit of retroactive vindication, and is now considered one of the best games ever made.
The Ape team was dismantled in 1995, and one of its former members, Tsunekazu Ishihara, with Satoru Iwata’s assistance, founded a new company in its stead: Creatures. Many of the same people who helped develop Mr. Itoi’s were about to take cues from Mr. Iwata by saving another struggling project. They invested in Mr. Tajiri’s idea, allowing his team to complete the games. In exchange, they received one-third of the franchise rights. Pocket Monsters took such a long time to develop that Mr. Tajiri had assisted in the creation of two Nintendo games in the interim: Yoshi and Mario & Wario. He even directed a game for the Sega Genesis named Pulseman alongside Mr. Sugimori.
After a long, arduous development process, Pocket Monsters was at last released domestically in October 1996. Upon completion, few media outlets paid it attention. This was reflected in how Famitsu, the most widely read video game publication in Japan, awarded it twenty-nine points out of a possible forty. In the six years between Mr. Tajiri conceiving the idea for Pocket Monsters and its release, the industry evolved to a point beyond recognition. Nintendo had a fierce, new competitor in the form of Sony’s PlayStation console, and they themselves had launched the Nintendo 64. Both consoles began experimenting with three-dimensional gameplay and every franchise attempted to make the leap. In the face of the medium’s experimental direction, any game retaining a 2D or side-scrolling presentation was doomed to fall by the wayside regardless of its quality.
As a result of these factors, the Game Boy itself had rapidly declined in popularity. Despite having sold more than 100-million units worldwide, the platform was but forgotten by 1996. The only person interested in releasing anything for the portable system was Mr. Tajiri himself. Nintendo, on the other hand, was prepared to declare Pocket Monsters a loss long before the project saw completion. Therefore, nobody could have predicted the game to not only sell rapidly, but singlehandedly save the Game Boy as a platform. One of the reasons Pocket Monsters sold as well as it did was due to Nintendo’s idea to produce two versions of the game: Red and Green.
In the face of this success, it was only logical for Nintendo to export Pocket Monsters to the West. In order to make this release successful, Nintendo is said to have spent over 50-million dollars to promote the games. Before their release, the Western localization team was highly skeptical about the concept. Believing the “cutesy” art style of Pocket Monsters wouldn’t appeal to Americans, they wanted them to be redesigned and “beefed up”. This was overruled by Hiroshi Yamauchi, the president of Nintendo at the time, who regarded the games’ possible reception in the United States as a challenge to face. On the eve of the games’ launch, an anime series premiered, bearing what was to be their localized name: Pokémon – a romanized portmanteau of its domestic title. In September of 1998, two versions of the game, Pokémon Red and Pokémon Blue debuted in North America before receiving an official release the following October in Australia. The European gaming community wouldn’t receive a port until October of 1999.
Whatever reservations the localization team may have had about the series’ overseas success were fully assuaged when these games began selling by the millions. It is nearly impossible to overstate how much of a phenomenon Pokémon was in the late nineties. It could be thought of as the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or Transformers for a new generation of children – a truly inescapable work beloved by children from all walks of life. As a sign of the renewed interest in portable gaming, Nintendo released the successor to the Game Boy, the Game Boy Color, the very same year Pokémon debuted abroad. Having not only defied all odds and resonated with enthusiasts of varying backgrounds, but also breathed new life into Nintendo’s line of handheld consoles, how well do Pokémon Red and Blue stand the test of time?
When Super Mario Land debuted as one of the Game Boy’s many launch titles in 1989, it became one of the handheld console’s first big hits. Notably, it would go on to sell over eighteen million copies, surpassing figures of its direct predecessor, Super Mario Bros. 3. Three years later in 1992, its sequel, Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins was released. While Super Mario Land impressed many enthusiasts by giving them what amounted to a handheld version of Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Land 2 managed to improve upon the original. Featuring graphics and level design that wouldn’t seem out of place in the highly regarded, 16-bit Super Mario World, Super Mario Land 2 is considered even to this day to be one of the Game Boy’s strongest offerings.
After the success of two Super Mario Land installments, fans eagerly waited for a sequel. Super Mario Bros. formed the basis for a solid trilogy on the NES. It therefore stood to reason that Nintendo would make a trilogy out of Super Mario Land as well. Such a development came to pass, but in a way nobody could’ve predicted. Part of why Super Mario Land 2 remains a popular game is its significant contribution to Mario canon. Specifically, it introduced Wario, a character who stood for everything Mario opposed. His name is derived from the Japanese world for bad, “warui”, but other cultures could identify his diametric opposition to Mario simply because of the letter emblazoned upon his cap resembling an upside-down “M”. In other words, a nuance that could’ve been lost in translation found itself jumping between cultures seamlessly. He was the perfect rival for Mario. He was driven by greed and self-interest. He proved what an effective villain he could be in Super Mario Land 2. He was to be the protagonist of its sequel.
Nintendo was known for its unambiguously heroic protagonists; the idea of playing as Wario seemed inconceivable. Any chance of the ensuing marketing campaign being an elaborate joke on Nintendo’s part was dashed when promotional materials made the game’s name known: Wario Land: Super Mario Land 3. Despite, or perhaps as a direct result of, having gone completely off the rails, Wario Land was a commercial success upon its 1994 release, moving over five million copies worldwide. In some circles, this game is considered the strongest entry in the Super Mario Land trilogy. With its unlikely protagonist, did Wario Land truly surpass its highly regarded predecessors?
The Game Boy was a success when it launched in 1989 with demand often exceeding supply. Among its launch titles was Super Mario Land, a 2D platforming game starring Nintendo’s mascot. Though Nintendo considered bundling a copy of Super Mario Land with every console, they instead chose Tetris, a puzzle game from the Soviet Union that was quickly becoming a phenomenon in its own right. This minor setback didn’t stop Super Mario Land from becoming a hit, as sales figures managed to surpass those of its direct predecessor, Super Mario Bros. 3. With thousands upon thousands of Game Boys sold and the console boasting a number of highly popular titles from the outset, the only thing left to do was continue experimenting with the platform.
In November of 1991, development for a sequel to Super Mario Land began. Production of the game went smoothly, only taking ten months to complete. It was released domestically in October of 1992 under the name Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins. The game received a North American release the following November, and it saw the light of day in Europe in January of 1993. Like Super Mario Land, the game was a commercial and critical success. Since then, it has been considered one of the hallmarks of the original Game Boy. Official Nintendo Magazine ranked Super Mario Land 2 forty-fourth on their list of the Greatest Nintendo Games in 2012, implying an enduring appeal. The takeaway is that most people who compile a list of the best Game Boy titles will include Super Mario Land 2. Does it indeed manage to surpass its predecessor – the game that marked the debut of Nintendo’s flagship franchise in the handheld market?
The golden age of arcade games helped solidify the medium, and it didn’t take long for the creators to begin experimenting. During that time, the only way to play a video game was to visit an arcade and insert coins into a cabinet. Because of this, the idea of being able to easily port one around on one’s person was particularly enticing. One of the earliest attempts at creating a handheld experience came in the form of Nintendo’s Game & Watch product line. This idea resulted from its creator, Gunpei Yokoi, observing a bored businessman on the Shinkansen playing around with his LCD calculator in 1977. The first few models sold under the Game & Watch trademark sold millions of units, effectively inventing a secondary market within the industry.
Though the subsequent success of their Famicom console cemented their status as one of the big players in the home gaming market, Nintendo wasn’t done experimenting with handhelds. As the eighties drew to a close, Research & Development 1, the team led by Mr. Yokoi, worked on a product to succeed their Game & Watch line: the Game Boy. However, this product had one important distinction from what came before. Still images were printed onto the LCD screen of a Game & Watch unit akin to how numbers are displayed on a basic calculator. This allowed the creators to get around strict memory limitations by not having to animate sprites. This wasn’t going to be the case with the Game Boy. It was to be a true 8-bit console, making full use of interchangeable cartridges – just like the Famicom. The only drawback is that it would lack color.
Part of what allowed the Famicom, or the Nintendo Entertainment System as it would be dubbed overseas, to enjoy the success it had was thanks to a little game called Super Mario Bros. It became a phenomenon upon release in 1985, not only pushing the sales of more units, but also revitalizing the American gaming market after its debilitating crash in 1983. Partially because it often came bundled with the console itself in package deals, the game went on to sell over forty-million copies. Overnight, Mario became one of the most recognizable video game characters of all time, so it was only natural that he should star in one of the Game Boy’s launch titles as well.
Shigeru Miyamoto, the man who created Super Mario Bros., left development of this new Mario title in the hands of Gunpei Yokoi’s team. Appropriately, the one who invented the Game Boy, Satoru Okada, would serve as its director. It was planned as the console’s premier title until Dutch gaming publisher Henk Rogers brought the highly popular Tetris to Nintendo of America’s attention. From there, he convinced branch founder Minoru Arakawa that the game would help Nintendo reach the largest audience. The company then agreed to bundle Tetris with every Game Boy purchase.
April 24, 1989 marked the domestic release of the Game Boy. The entire stock, which consisted of 300,000 units sold out within two weeks. It then proceeded to sell 40,000 units on its very first day when it launched in North America a few months later. Despite Nintendo electing to make Tetris the showcase title, the finished Mario installment, Super Mario Land, was among the handheld console’s launch titles. That it wasn’t bundled with the Game Boy did nothing to deter fans, for it managed to sell over eighteen-million copies, eclipsing figures of the series’ previous installment, Super Mario Bros. 3. Does it hold up to the same degree as its generation-defining predecessors?
A few years after the Game Boy’s release in 1989, a programmer from Nintendo by the name of Kazuaki Morita began working on an unsanctioned side project. Using one of the console’s first development kits, the game he created bore many similarities to The Legend of Zelda. His endeavors caught the attention of his peers, who were members of the Nintendo Entertainment Analysis & Development staff, and they joined him after hours, forming what they themselves described as something akin to an afterschool club. They saw potential in the experiments, and the 1991 release of the series’ third installment, The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past, prompted its director, Takashi Tezuka, to ask the executives for permission to develop a new entry for the handheld console. It was originally intended to be a port of A Link to the Past, but before too long, it evolved into an original game.
The game used the engine of The Frog for Whom the Bell Tolls, a 1992 title co-developed by Nintendo and Intelligent Systems, and a majority of the staff who worked on A Link to the Past returned for this installment. Entitled The Legend of Zelda: Dreaming Island, it took one and a half years to develop, debuting in June of 1993. The downgrade in visuals and hardware wound up not hampering the game’s reception in any way, as it received positive reviews from critics across the board, and millions of copies were sold. It saw its Western release later in the year under the name The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening. The dual success of this game both domestically and overseas were such that it bolstered Game Boy sales by nearly thirteen percent. It also notably remained on bestseller lists for more than ninety months after its release – a feat very few games in the medium’s history have accomplished. From this, it could be extrapolated that Link’s Awakening had an enduring legacy which made people want to play it for themselves years after its debut. To this day, it’s considered one of the greatest games ever made, with some people citing it as a superior effort to even the beloved A Link to the Past. Working with far more restrictive hardware limitations, was Mr. Tezuka and his team truly translate a then-peerless experience to the Game Boy?
Gunpei Yokoi’s Game Boy sold millions of units on its launch day in 1989. So great was the popularity of the first handheld console to truly come into its own that the one million units shipped overseas sold out within a few weeks. Three years prior to the Game Boy’s release, a London-based developer named Argonaut Games created Starglider for the Commodore Amiga and Atari ST. This game, heavily inspired by the vector-based graphics of Atari’s coin-operated Star Wars adaptation was one of the earliest first-person combat flight simulators available for home computers. It wound up being one of the bestselling titles for the platform, and won Crash magazine’s “Game of the Year” award in 1986.
After observing the then-unique mechanics of Starglider, Nintendo sought to create a similar game for their handheld console. This project was slated to be published by Mindscape, a company established in Novato, California under the names Eclipse or Lunar Chase before Nintendo themselves took over the project after becoming interested in the idea of having three-dimensional graphics in a Game Boy title. Helming this project was Yoshio Sakamoto, a Nara Prefecture college graduate who worked under Gunpei Yokoi’s supervision, contributing pixel art for the NES classic, Metroid. Shortly before the game’s release, then-president Hiroshi Yamauchi shortened the title to a single English letter: X. When it was released in 1992, it proved to be a moderate success, providing the Japanese audience with a completely new experience while pushing the technical capabilities of the Game Boy to its absolute limits. Famitsu magazine would go on to list X as one of the Game Boy’s most influential titles, being the first 3D game released for a handheld console in Japan.
In 1980, Nintendo helped popularize the concept of portable games with the release of their first Game & Watch console. The man behind this invention was Gunpei Yokoi, the head of Nintendo’s first R&D team. Perhaps the most significant development to result from these consoles was the cross-shaped control system commonly known as a directional pad (D-pad). This proved an effective alternative to the bulky arcade joysticks most people were used to at the time. Indeed, the controller of Nintendo’s first home console to feature interchangeable cartridges, the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) was developed by Mr. Yokoi as well, which is why it bears a D-pad similar to one that originally appeared on his Game & Watch units.
Shortly after the NES’s debut, Mr. Yokoi received a request from the management to create games for it. One of the most notable titles produced by him during this time was Metroid. Though it may seem like a simple platforming game on the surface, Metroid broke the mold by allowing players to explore what was essentially a single large level in search of power-ups and secret passageways. In an era when the goal of platforming games were rarely more complex than “go right,” many of which completely forbade players from backtracking at all, Metroid accomplished something that was largely unprecedented in the console market, earning its rightful place in history for pioneering a new subgenre.
Nearing the end of the decade, Mr. Yokoi and his team began developing a new console, hoping to improve on their Game & Watch concept by applying everything they had learned from developing console games to the handheld market. The project was completed in 1989 and went on to become a brand synonymous with portable gaming in the nineties. The name of this invention was the Game Boy. Because hobbyists were enthralled with the idea of having what amounted to a portable NES system (albeit without any colors), Mr. Yokoi found that he was behind yet another success; a shipment of one million units to the United States lasted for but a few short weeks before they completely sold out. Shortly after the Game Boy’s debut, Mr. Yokoi, along with the staff of his R&D division, decided to create a sequel to Metroid, aiming to showcase the capabilities of their newest console. This newest chapter in the Metroid saga, titled “Metroid II: Return of Samus,” was released in North America in 1991 and the following year in Japan and Europe. | 2019-04-20T18:16:15Z | https://extralifereviews.com/tag/game-boy/ |
On Jan. 31st there was 11 inches of ice near the boat ramp.
An update will be posted on the DNR website when a reschedule date for the trout stocking is set.
The winter aeration system in Town Bay will start operation on Monday, Feb; 4th; beware of open water and thin ice in Town Bay. On Jan. 31st there was 16 inches of ice off the boat ramp of Ice House Point. Be aware of thin ice or open water near Ice House Point, Denison Beach area, and in the east basin near the outlet. Conditions are improving, but they are still extremely variable throughout the lake. Check ice thickness often. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills have been picked up through the ice in between the boat ramp of Ice House Point and Gunshot Hill with a small jig tipped with waxworm. Black Crappie – Fair: Use a small jig tipped with waxworm near the Ice House Point boat ramp. . Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch are being picked up in between the Ice House Point boat ramp and Gunshot Hill with jigs tipped with waxworm.
On Jan. 31st there was 12 inches of ice near the boat ramp. Ice is variable; check thickness often when venturing out. Bluegill – Fair: Use waxworms fished near the bottom.
Anglers are fishing mostly near the north boat ramp and in the northeast arm of the lake. All other ice is variable. Look out for thin ice near the beach and in the main lake. Be cautious of thin areas that recently froze over. Ice conditions are improving; check ice thickness often. Bluegill – Fair: Try waxworms fished on a small jig in the northeast arm of the lake. Black Crappie – Fair.
Anglers have been out, but ice thickness is variable. Look out for thin ice in areas that have recently frozen over. Be aware of thin ice along the southeast shore and mid-lake by Featherstone Park. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers have picked up some crappie in the southwest part of the lake.
Ice conditions on Storm Lake are improving, but are still variable. Most areas of the lake have up to 15-18 inches of ice and have seen lots of fishing activity. Avoid ice along pressure seams, in the middle of the lake near the big island, and any other off colored ice in areas that were recently open water. Use caution and check ice thickness often. Walleye – Fair: Use minnows and jigging spoons during low light conditions. Yellow Perch – Fair: Try waxworms in 4-6 feet of water in mornings or evenings.
Ice conditions have improved in the Black Hawk district, ice thickness is still variable across lakes and ponds. Use caution and check ice thickness often. For more information, contact the Black Hawk District office at 712-657-2638.
Ice depths are 10 to 18 inches. The lake aeration systems are currently not being operated. Yellow Bass – Fair: Use small spoons with insect larvae. You have to keep moving to stay on fish. Walleye – Fair: Anglers are picking up a few walleye around sunset. Jigging spoons tipped with minnows work best. The minimum size limit on Clear Lake is 14 inches.
Ice conditions in north-central Iowa are good. Most lakes have between 10 and 18 inches of ice. For information on the lakes and rivers in the north central area, contact the Clear Lake Fish and Wildlife office at 641-357-3517.
Yellow Bass – Good: Anglers are catching large yellow bass from the basin. Move often to stay on the school of active fish.
Yellow Bass – Good: Some activity reported on the lake; you need to search to find active fish.
The trout stocking and family fishing event is this Saturday, Feb. 2 at noon.
Walleye – Good: Angler acceptable size fish are being caught; best action is half hour before sunset to half hour after sunset. Yellow Perch – Good: Good numbers of angler acceptable size fish continue to be caught from the basin in 18 – 20 feet of water; sorting is needed as numbers of small fish will also be in the catch.
Fish backwaters and off channel areas with little to no current. Use caution as ice conditions vary and can change fast. Few anglers are out. Black Crappie – Slow: Use a small jig tipped with a minnow or spike jigging aggressively.
Parking lots in wildlife management areas will not be plowed. Use care when parking along a roadside. A good quality trout stream will not freeze in the winter. Brown Trout – Fair: Use larger flies or lures mimicking minnows. Spin fishers using a small jig tipped with a minnow should find nice fish. Rainbow Trout – Fair: Rainbow Trout spawning is at its peak. Larger fish will move to headwaters to lay eggs. Use a weighted caddis stonefly or mayfly nymph. Brook Trout – Fair: Trout are actively attacking emerging midges on warm sunny afternoons.
No motorized vehicles allowed on the ice. Ice depths are 8-10 inches with about 14 inches of snow. Open water zone around the aerator; keep away from this area. Few anglers are out. Bluegill – Fair: Early bite is best. Use small jigs tipped with waxworm or spike near deeper water drop offs. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies 10-11 inches have been caught. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Anglers are catching a few small bass.
The bite is slow with storm fronts moving in. Ice depth is 10 inches under 14 inches of snow. Few anglers have been out. Bluegill – Slow: Early morning bite is best. Use small teardrop shaped jigs tipped with waxworm in brush piles in 12-15 feet of water. Black Crappie – Slow. Largemouth Bass – Slow: A few bass have been caught while fishing for panfish.
Ice depths are about 10 inches with 12 inches of drifted snow. Few anglers have been out with the recent cold snap. Bluegill – Slow: Fish the brush piles. Black Crappie – Slow: Find Crappie in 1-12 feet water. Use waxworms with bright colored jigheads in the brush piles and drop off around the jetty on west side of lake.
A warm up is forecast for the weekend. Southerly winds will bring temperatures into the 30’s Saturday with some precipitation likely. For current fishing information, please call the Decorah Fish Hatchery at 563-382-8324.
River level at Lansing remains steady at 8.1 feet this week. Colder weather is starting to build ice again, but it may take time until edges and areas of current are safe. Try fishing in Shore Slough and Blackhawk Park area. Northern Pike – Fair: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill – Slow: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Largemouth Bass – Slow: Several reports of bass being caught on pole or tip-ups in backwater lake areas. Black Crappie – Slow: The crappie bite picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon.
River level at Lynxville is steady near 16 feet. The ramp is now frozen over at the dam. Anglers have been crossing at Sny Magill with about 6 inches ice on Johnson Slough. Stay on the path as ice is weaker closer to the ramp. Northern Pike – Fair: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill – Slow: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Black Crappie – Slow: The crappie bite picked up this week. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon.
River level at Guttenberg is expected to remain steady near 7 feet. Ramps are frozen over at the dam. Ice is building this week. Panfishing has slowed, but some nice perch are still biting. Northern Pike – Fair: Some northerns are being caught on tip-ups using shiners in backwater lakes and marina areas. Bluegill – Slow: Mid-winter bluegill fishing can be variable, but providing good action with decent sized fish being caught. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few perch are being caught through the ice in deeper cuts in backwater lakes. Black Crappie – Fair: The bite has been variable. Try glow jigs tipped with minnows toward early afternoon.
Subzero temperatures continue to build ice on the Upper Mississippi River. Most areas have 10 inches plus of ice; use caution in areas of current and heavy snow cover. The bite has slowed. Anglers are moving around a lot to find fish.
Water levels are stable this week at 7.2 feet at the Dubuque Lock and Dam and 9.6 feet at the RR bridge. This is up from last week. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. The tailwater will be locked in with ice. Bluegill – Good: Some ice fishing is occurring in Pool 12; stay alert about ice conditions. Bluegill fishing has been good at times. Black Crappie – Fair: Few reports of nice crappies mixed in with bluegills. Yellow Perch – Fair: A few yellow perch are being seen mixed in with bluegills and crappies.
Water levels have bounced around this week and are 8.6 feet at the Bellevue Lock and Dam. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. Tailwater is frozen in.The north ramp and parking area at Sabula is open after bridge construction. Sauger – No Report: Ice flows are occurring again and the tailwaters are expected to freeze later this week. Three way rigs with minnows or a jig and minnow is the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger this winter. White Bass – Fair: Small white bass are reported at Sabula Lakes, but ice conditions have been marginal. Yellow Perch – Fair.
Water levels are rising and are 7.4 feet at Fulton Lock and Dam, 10.9 feet at Camanche and 6.1 feet at LeClaire. This is up from last week. The tailwater is now frozen in. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. Sauger – No Report: When anglers can successfully dodge ice flows, the walleye and sauger bite has been good. Jig and minnow or three way rigs with minnows are the most popular ways to catch walleye and sauger.
The water level is rising at Rock Island to 10.3 feet. Water clarity is good. The water temperature is around 33 degrees. No fishing has been reported to us in Pool 15.
The tailwater has frozen in the recent cold snap. Ice fishing conditions have improved; remain cautious about conditions. Snow is covering the ice in most locations and insulating the ice. Even with the extreme cold temperatures, some thin ice is still reported. Water levels are now stable to rising throughout the district. If you have any angling questions, please contact the Bellevue Fisheries Station 563-872-4976.
Tailwater stage at Lock and Dam 15 in Davenport is 9.86 feet and has been fairly steady the past few days. The Marquette Street boat ramp is frozen in as well as the main channel. We have not received any ice fishing or ice condition reports for this pool. Use caution if venturing out on the ice and check ice conditions often as you move.
Tailwater stage is 7.23 feet at Lock and Dam 16 in Muscatine and has risen some this past week. The boat ramps in Muscatine are frozen in as well as the main channel. We have not received any ice fishing or ice condition reports for this pool this week. Use caution if venturing out on the ice and check ice thickness often as you move.
Tailwater stage is 9.03 feet at Lock and Dam 17 and has been fairly steady the past few days. We have not received any ice fishing or ice condition reports for this pool. Use caution if venturing out on the ice and check ice conditions often as you move.
Tailwater stage is 4.98 feet at Lock and Dam 18 above Burlington and has risen slightly the past few days. We have not received any ice fishing or ice condition reports for this pool this week.
Tailwater stages have been steady to rising slightly. The main channel is frozen in with the recent cold temperatures. We have not received any ice fishing or ice conditions reports for these pools. Use caution if venturing out on the ice and check ice thickness often as you move. There is a lot of snow on the ice that could slow ice growth. Avoid areas with current. If you have questions on fishing Pools 16-19, contact the Fairport Fish Hatchery at 563-263-5062.
A couple of anglers made it out Sunday and said that there was about 5 inches of ice where they went. They did not go to the area by the dam. Black Crappie – Slow: Anglers out Sunday picked up a few crappies in the flooded timber out from the boat ramp bay and beach.
Ice should be thick enough now. Little to no activity the last few days because of the weather.
Around half a dozen anglers were out on the ice Sunday afternoon. All were still avoiding the middle of the lake and the thin ice there; this area should be thick by now. Monday a couple of anglers made it out, but the wind sent them home fairly fast.
Good numbers of anglers on the area above the causeway and by the west ramp and a few down by the middle ramp. Black Crappie – Fair: Anglers were picking up a few crappies along the old creek channel and in the deeper water in the trees.
Before the cold snap, anglers in Benton/Linn County were having luck in the backwaters. Ice is reported as 6-8 inches. Bluegill – Good. Black Crappie – Good.
The lake level is at winter pool of 683.4 feet. The ice is variable; use caution if venturing out.
Most of the lake has 5-7 inches of ice. Before the cold snap, crappies were being caught in the deeper basin and bluegills were being caught around sunken trees. The pond in the campground was also producing bluegills.
Last weekend there was about 6 inches of ice. There was a good bluegill and crappie bite before the cold snap; no reports since then.
Most of the lake has 6-8 inches of ice, but it can be variable over the deep water. There has not been much fishing activity over the past week; no reports are available.
Ice anglers were out last weekend; exact ice conditions are not known.
The west end of the lake has 6-9 inches of ice, while the main lake may only have 3-6 inches. Use caution over areas of deep water.
There are very few reports this week as ice anglers are just starting to get out with better ice conditions. Anglers are catching some bluegills and crappies. Check ice thickness often.
The lake has recently froze over; use caution. There are not many angler reports as ice conditions just started to improve with the cold weather.
The current lake level is 904.33 msl. Normal operating elevation is 904.0 msl. The lake recently froze over; variable ice thickness. Use caution and check ice thickness often. Lake Rathbun has zebra mussels, so make sure to properly drain, clean, and dry equipment before transporting to another water body.
Anglers report about 4 inches of clear ice under about 4 inches of questionable ice. Anglers are catching some bluegills over submerged habitat. Use caution and check thickness often.
Rainbow Trout – Good: A trout stocking and family fishing event will be held this Saturday, Feb. 2nd. The trout will be stocked around noon. Several trout will be tagged for prizes donated by Jax Outdoors and local businesses. Use jigging spoons tipped with waxworms.
Black Crappie – Fair: Use live minnows or waxies on glow jigs in the afternoons and evenings. Fish brush piles deeper than 15 feet and the edges of the roadbeds and creek channel mid-lake.
Bluegill – Good: Conditions are ready for anglers. Good catches of bluegills with crappies mixed in are coming off the lake.
Rainbow Trout – Good: Trout are scheduled to be stocked tomorrow, Feb. 1 pending weather conditions at the Decorah Hatchery. Backup date is Feb. 4. Text or call 515-204-5885 after 12 p.m. Friday, Feb. 1 to verify stocking.
Good ice conditions have returned to Central Iowa. There is generally 6- to 10-inches of ice. For more information on Central Iowa lakes and rivers, call Ben Dodd at 641-891-3795 or Andy Otting at 515-204-5885.
Caution is still needed on ponds, especially in the southern part of the district. Never fish alone and drill holes often when venturing out. Bluegill – Good. Black Crappie – Fair.
All angling activity is taking place in the north arm of the lake. Bluegill – Fair: Anglers report catching bluegill in 6 feet of water in the upper end of the pontoon arm. Black Crappie – Fair: Crappies are being caught close to the creek channel. Early morning and late afternoon is the best bite.
Ice conditions have improved at Littlefield. Find fish around cedar tree piles placed in the lake. Bluegill – Good: Fishing is good for bluegill if you can get to a cedar tree pile. Sorting is needed for larger fish. Black Crappie – Slow: A few large black crappie are being caught in the afternoon around cedar tree piles.
Anglers report 7 inches of ice on a small portion of the lake. Use caution when moving around. Bluegill – Fair: Bluegills up to 10 inches are being reported east of the beach on the north side of the lake. Find a brush pile to fish around. Black Crappie – Slow: A few 10 inch crappie are being caught around the tree piles.
Ice reports of 6 inches with the top two being bad ice. There is some angling activity taking place. Waterfowl have a large area of open water by the beach. Black Crappie – Slow: Target brush piles. Early morning and late afternoon bite is best.
Ice conditions have improved in the southwest district. Most reports are 5 to 7 inches of ice. Geese are still keeping areas open on some lakes. Trout will be stocked into Big Lake on Feb. 9th. For more information, contact the Cold Springs office at 712-769-2587. | 2019-04-25T06:32:02Z | https://kiow.com/2019/02/02/saturday-morning-fishing-report-ice-remains-variable-on-area-lakes/ |
It was a fantastic week for the peer-to-peer lending industry as the Chancellor confirmed that peer-to-peer lending will be allowed within tax-free individual savings accounts (ISAs) for the first time. In addition to this, we saw over 100 new loans come onto the marketplace and the majority were allocated to the B risk band.
There were 102 new business loans listed last week and there are currently 91 auctions on the marketplace.
The total value of the new listed loans was £5,169,560; that’s an average of £50,682 per loan. The largest loan value was £150,000 and the smallest loan value was £8,000.
These graphs show the most recent activity on the marketplace. The average gross yield graph is reported weekly and shows a rolling two week average. Number of loans, value of loans and secondary market are reported weekly. The dates on the graph should be read as ‘week beginning’, for example: 17-Mar represents the week of 17th – 23rd March.
In last week’s Budget it was revealed that peer-to-peer lending will be included in Isas and there will be a consultation into the referral of small business leads from banks to alternative funders.
If you recommend a friend to Funding Circle and they lend at least £1,000 to Funding Circle businesses, you could each have £40 cashback* paid into your Funding Circle accounts!
This week we’re talking about loan parts and how the buyer’s price is calculated. You can join the discussion on our community forum.
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This London tour operator has been trading since 2007 and has fallen into arrears with repayments. The original loan amount was £15,000 and £30,000, and all 234 investors have been notified.
This Grantham business has been trading since 2003 and we’ve received notice of a change in financial circumstances. The original loan amount was £50,000 and all 647 investors have been notified.
Our insolvency team are working to recover the outstanding amounts for all of these loan.
Included in the small print of today’s Budget were two big announcements for the peer-to-peer lending industry; ISA inclusion and a consultation into the referral of small business leads from banks to alternative funders.
In section 1.169 of the full document, the Chancellor confirmed that peer-to-peer lending will be allowed within tax-free individual savings accounts (ISAs) for the first time. The move follows a consultation over the last few months and will further increase the choice that ISA savers have in terms of how they invest.
Our data shows 41% of investors will invest more in peer-to-peer lending now that it has been included within ISAs. This is a huge win for British investors up and down the country, and represents a seminal moment for the industry. The news comes ahead of formal regulation of the peer-to-peer lending industry from 1 April, and you can read more about it in the Financial Times.
We’re in discussions at the moment with the Government about how this will work and a formal timetable for when it will be introduced. We’ll update you with more information when we have it.
Also included in today’s Budget (section 2.234) was confirmation that the Treasury will launch a new consultation into the mandatory referral of small business leads from banks to alternative funders, where the former are not able to lend.
We want to help thousands of British businesses access the finance they need to grow, and we have already been talking to a number of banks about the possibility of referring small businesses to Funding Circle.
Today’s news is a welcomed step and another example that peer-to-peer lending and banks can be complementary sources. A core part of a bank’s business is having a positive banking relationship with their customer; partnering with a non-bank provider, like Funding Circle that does not offer the range of products, (business current accounts etc.), that a bank does, makes a lot of sense to us.
Last week, 97 new loans were listed on the marketplace, most of which were allocated to the A risk band. The majority of businesses looking for funding were located in the South East of England and the most popular business sectors were manufacturing and property & construction.
There were 97 new business loans listed last week and there are currently 90 auctions on the marketplace.
The total value of the new listed loans was £5,285,700; that’s an average of £54,492 per loan. The largest loan value was £150,000 and the smallest loan value was £6,000.
These graphs show the most recent activity on the marketplace. The average gross yield graph is reported weekly and shows a rolling two week average. Number of loans, value of loans and secondary market are reported weekly. The dates on the graph should be read as ‘week beginning’, for example: 3-Mar represents the week of 3rd – 9th March.
Last week, the Financial Conduct Authority published the final rules for peer-to-peer lending which will take effect on 1st April.
Including the Daily Telegraph kicking off a campaign which called for peer-to-peer lending to be included within a stocks and shares Isa.
If you recommend a friend to Funding Circle and they lend at least £1,000 to our great British businesses, you could each have £40 cashback* paid into your Funding Circle accounts!
This week we’re talking about display suggestions for the loan request page. You can join the discussion on our community forum.
This Swansea business has been trading since 2003 and has failed to keep up with repayments. The original loan amount was £51,500 and all 568 investors have been notified.
This Newark business has been trading for 6 years and went into liquidation in December. The original loan amount was £25,000 and all 238 investors have been notified.
This Wiltshire business has been trading for 20 years and has failed to keep up with repayments. The original loan amount was £30,000 and all 253 investors have been notified.
This St Albans legal firm has been trading for 6 years. The original loan amount was £100,000 and all 1,076 investors have been notified.
Yesterday the Financial Conduct Authority published the final rules for peer-to-peer lending. This will formally kick in on 1st April and follows a consultation over the last four months to ensure proportionate regulation to protect both investors and borrowers, whilst also enabling the industry to continue to flourish.
Funding Circle has been lobbying for regulation alongside other members of the Peer-to-Peer Finance Association for a couple of years now, as we felt it was very important for our customers to be properly protected.
The introduction of proportionate regulation is a step-change for the peer-to-peer lending industry and we believe it will cement our position within the wider financial landscape.
Take a look at James responding to the news on BBC Breakfast here. If you have any questions about the new rules, you can always get in touch with us and other community members on our forum.
This month saw the first Peer-to-Peer Finance Association annual industry conference, as well as continued speculation about Isa inclusion. The Government-backed British Business Bank also announced they would be investing a further £40 million in small businesses through Funding Circle. Here’s a selection of the month’s peer-to-peer lending industry news.
At the beginning of the month the Peer-to-Peer Finance Association released figures from 2013 which showed the industry – including both business and consumer lending – had more than doubled in 2013. The data found last year that there were over 3,700 business borrowers, 70,000 consumer borrowers and more than 86,000 active lenders in Britain. Finextra and Financial Reporter also covered the news.
The Economist covers the discussion had at the industry’s first official annual gathering last week. The Peer-to-Peer Finance Association conference heard from industry experts, borrowers and investors, the platforms themselves, and the regulator ahead of formal regulation in April.
The Daily Telegraph kicked off a campaign to update our Isa system. The newspaper calls for peer-to-peer lending to be included within a stocks and shares Isa as part of this. We’ve been in conversation with the Treasury and other industry players over the last month or so to discuss what this might look like and how it might work. This is Money covers the consultation in a bit more detail.
This month our business development team are on the road to meet brokers across five locations, and talk to them about how we can work better together to help thousands more businesses access the finance they need to grow. We will be running sessions for new and existing introducers, so get in touch if you’d like to come along.
A year after committing £100,000 to small business lending, the University of Huddersfield has increased its Funding Circle investment to £1 million. It’s currently the only university to lend through the platform and puts all interest earned towards a student scholarship scheme.
And finally, we end with the news that the British Business Bank has decided to invest £40 million in small businesses via the Funding Circle platform. This follows an initial investment made in March last year via the Business Finance Partnership, which has now all been lent out to approximately 2,500 businesses helping to create an estimated 6,500 jobs. The Times, Growth Business and Bridging & Commercial also covered the news.
Following on from our interview with the Credit Assessment Team, we’re now with Rahul, James and Hossein, who make up our credit analytics team. These guys are our data experts and build statistical models for every part of our business, including that ‘in house credit model’ I referenced in the last interview.
Although there are only 3 of them, what they lack in numbers, they make up for in experience. Rahul started at Funding Circle in 2012, and James and Hossein came on board in 2013. Between them they share an impressive 3 undergraduate degrees, 3 MBAs, 1.5 PHDs and 17 years working in risk and consulting. Pretty good eh?
In a nutshell, this team builds models.
The credit analytics team builds statistical models to predict the future, which we base a good portion of our business decisions on. The main area they focus on is credit risk, or in other words, the probability of a business not being able to pay back their loan. Statistical models are involved in all parts of Funding Circle so as a result, they work closely with teams across the company. And, especially close with those on the credit team, and together they form our Credit Committee.
Welcome to the interview. I have to say, this is going to be as much of a learning experience as it is running an interview! Can you take me through your day-to-day activities?
Rahul: Yes of course. A lot of our time goes into collecting data. We’re responsible for the credit infrastructure so we can build and refine our models. So to do that, we interact with data collection bureaus like Experian and Creditsafe to obtain the information we need. The other half of our time then goes into analysing the information that we’ve collected. We build excel-based models for a wide variety of needs; assessing and quantifying the risk of a loan for example. Every statistical model related to any part of the business comes through us.
OK, so what does that mean in the context of risk?
Rahul: Every borrower will have an expectation of loss. Our credit assessment team will use the expectation which the model provides, to approve or reject the loan application. If we expect the loan to default then a loan is rejected. But, models have errors in them inherently. This means that of the businesses we have approved, we still have an expected and estimated target loss rate.
Our intent is not to have zero losses, our intent is to have a precise estimate of what the loss rate is. eg. in the A+ risk band, we expect 0.6% of loans to default, net of recoveries.
The goal of our team is to not only make sure our loss rates and assessments are accurate, but also to ensure that our portfolio experiences the loss rates that we publish. We utilise the data from our loan book which has over 3 years of information to allow us to rebuild our models regularly to incorporate new information.
How did you come into building models, do you all have financial or statistical backgrounds?
James: I joined about 5 months ago, and prior to Funding Circle I was actually in academia. I studied theoretical physics at university and I have a Masters in financial maths.
Hossein: I did my PHD at Stanford and then I attended the Business School. I’ve also worked with a quantitative hedge fund and I’ve advised a number of startups in Silicon Valley.
Rahul: I studied engineering and then completed my MBA in India. I’ve worked as a consultant, and in risk management areas in a number of banks. I completed my second MBA in the States and then moved to London to work as a consultant, before starting at Funding Circle.
Quite a range of backgrounds then! So why did you decide to work at Funding Circle?
Hossein: Innovation in the financial industry is very rare, and I think that was the most exciting part for me. Peer-to-peer lending is disrupting one of the oldest professions in the world, and I wanted to be part of it!
Rahul: I was initially approached by a headhunter and then spoke to one of the co-founders Andrew [Mullinger]. He talked so excitedly about the business that I was sold in 10 minutes flat. The role itself also appealed to me; it was more of a startup when I joined so a lot of the processes had to be built from the ground up. The challenge the role presented was exciting, and after working in banks for 10 years I really wanted a change.
James: I was halfway through my PHD and the opportunity of Funding Circle came to me through my professor. I thought my PHD needed a new direction, saw Funding Circle and what it was all about and thought it would be a perfect route to follow.
How do we differ to other places you’ve worked at or had experience in?
Rahul: This is my first experience of working in a company with less than 100 employees, so there definitely are differences. We don’t have the legacy drag that banks have, so I feel our process is much more agile and lean. Changes and improvements take less time to implement which is really refreshing.
Hossein: I’ve worked in startups for the majority of my career. But I’ve worked with larger financial organisations in the past, and I think the key difference is, as Rahul mentioned, the time it takes to make decisions. We get things done quickly, and we have more freedom to research and implement ideas.
James: Well this is my first experience in a workplace environment. Although the research projects I undertook whilst in academics may have had different applications, the underlying theory and methodology can be transferred to a lot of different fields, including credit risk. So there’s a lot of overlap which has made it a smooth transition. In academia, nothing is applied first hand to the real world so you perhaps lose sight of what the goal is. Now I know what we’re aiming to achieve. Not only can you use the stuff you’ve learned, but you actually get to see what happens at the end.
With so many different projects going on, this must be pretty tricky to manage. What would you consider to be the most challenging part of your job?
James: Yeah as we’re always working on a number of different projects, you’re constantly dipping in and out of different areas and teams which can be a challenge, but I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Rahul: There are pros and cons to working in a young company. You can get involved in so many different things, but it may be challenging as there is a limited amount of resource. We have had to build everything from the ground up and when I joined, there was a lot less structure. The hard part is really to get things up and running quickly, when we have limited resources as we’re growing at a rapid rate. This I’d say is a good problem to have.
Hossein: Sometimes you think, “is there an accepted or obvious way of doing something that I’m missing?” That’s what makes it exciting, there isn’t a manual that you just read. You always have to think for yourself.
Exactly, and by thinking all the time, new solutions will be more forthcoming. What do you enjoy most about working here?
James: The culture is really cool, there’s a relaxed atmosphere but there is always direction. I’ve had the opportunity to work with lots of different teams, like the insolvency and marketing teams, which is great because I learn what’s going on in the company. I always know why I’m doing something, which I like.
Hossein: The culture is definitely a huge plus and I enjoy the work itself. It’s so exciting to be a part of the innovation and disruption of one part of the financial industry.
Rahul: Yes I agree, the culture is great. It’s so refreshing working here, we’re young and energetic.
The culture and people have been the most popular answers in this series so far. So let’s finish with this one, do you have any interesting facts or hobbies you’d like to share us?
James: I produce music in my free time, and I’m releasing an EP on a Berlin music label which I’m excited, if not nervous, about.
Hossein: Photography is the thing I like most. I recently bought an iMac which is exciting, there is so much you can do with them!
Rahul: I always wanted to join the army, but I got rejected because I wore thick glasses. So I decided on models instead! And, I really enjoy playing table tennis in the office.
Rahul: Yes, and don’t forget about Ping-Pong Fight Club last year! It was an all Funding Circle final in the competition for London tech startups. Helene (our Technical Project Manager) played very well, but I managed to beat her!
Helene played competitively at an international level, so that was very good going. And how could we forget, the trophies that Rahul & Helene won for Funding Circle are the largest we’ve won, and have pride of place by our reception area.
So far we’ve met people in the credit, insolvency and customer relations team. Who would you like to meet next?
In February, a record £19 million was lent to 332 businesses across the UK, thanks to investors like you.
Last week, we saw nearly 90 new loan requests available for you to lend to. The majority of businesses looking for funding were located in the North West of England and the most popular reason for needing a business loan was for expansion.
There were 88 new business loans listed last week and there are currently 79 auctions on the marketplace.
The total value of the new listed loans was £5,275,700; that’s an average of £59,951 per loan. The largest loan value was £250,000 and the smallest loan value was £9,500.
These graphs show the most recent activity on the marketplace. The average gross yield graph is reported weekly and shows a rolling two week average. Number of loans, value of loans and secondary market are reported weekly. The dates on the graph should be read as ‘week beginning’, for example: 24-Feb represents the week of 24th February – 2nd March.
You can now download the Funding Circle app for free for use on your iPad. You won’t miss out on the end of auctions again as you can turn on alerts which will notify you of auctions closing.
What did 2013 look like for Funding Circle?
We’ve put a short video together highlighting some of the best moments from 2013: ranging from visiting businesses across the country, to launching Funding Circle in the States, to having the Government, Huddersfield University and local councils all lend alongside the British public.
We’re pleased to confirm that the Government-backed British Business Bank Investment Programme is lending £40 million** through Funding Circle from its £300 million Investment Programme.
This week we’re talking about adding premiums to loan parts when you sell them. You can join the discussion on our community forum.
This London business runs an Italian restaurant in the West End and has been trading since 1994. The original loan amount was £100,000 and all 949 investors have been notified.
This West Midlands business had been trading for over 40 years and went into liquidation in August. The original loan amount was £50,000 and all 417 investors have been notified.
This Warwickshire business has been trading since 1999 and has failed to make full monthly repayments. The original loan amount was £25,000 and all 250 investors have been notified.
This business is based in Stratford-upon-Avon and designs and assembles circuit boards. The original loan amount was £55,000 and all 581 investors have been notified.
** The British Business Bank programme is currently run directly by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority or the Prudential Regulation Authority. British Business Bank plc will operate as a Government-owned financial institution once HM Government has received European Commission State aid clearance, which is expected in 2014.
Although 2014 is fully underway, we’ve taken a moment to stop and reflect at what 2013 meant for the whole of the Funding Circle community.
We also look towards the rest of 2014 and what it will mean for our community. There’s no better way to get you excited for the new products that are launching this year, including property finance which will be landing on the marketplace over the coming month.
Here’s to an even more exciting 2014, where we look forward to helping many more thousands of businesses access finance, whilst helping different types of investors earn a better return on their money. | 2019-04-26T00:02:42Z | https://www.fundingcircle.com/blog/2014/03/ |
The word altruism describes an act of devotion to humanity (Harbaugh et al 2007). It is used to refer to acts that go beyond an individual, to serving the rest of the community without due compensation for it. There is also a lot of sacrifice and devotion required in the process. Philosophy tends to question whether all acts performed while helping others is a true reflection of altruism (Brunier et al, 2002). While one may relate most self-sacrificing acts to it, some of the motives are found selfish. There is a tendency to want to reach a gainful end, and the means to the end result is through helping others. For example, one may want to gain a certain reputation in the society. The way to it sometimes is through coming out as a person who is ready to help the society. In this way, they are able to gain a good reputation and consequently gain their expected end.
The other question raised is whether by helping others, a person is able to gain some sort of joy and satisfaction (Brunier et al., 2002). It is evident that some people love the act of helping others. Indeed, they enjoy reaching out to people and helping them. Several other motives may be the drive for altruism. For example, one may not be ready to engage in such activities unless they are assured of economic gain from the activity. The drive for them is that in the long run, their economic well-being should improve (Schwartz and Sendor, 1999). It may in the early stages appear to be altruism but in the end turns out to be a selfish motivation.
The idea of altruism may be hard to separate from gain (Harbaugh et al., 2007). The drive sometimes, as indicated earlier, may not be noted from the beginning. As a matter of fact, most of these motives may never be established. Selfish motivation and altruism also tend to be intertwined. If for example, one is motivated to receive help and at the end of the day get stress levels lowered, the two elements are evident. The person did not only do this act to benefit, but also to help others. To this end, it is hard to cut a definite line between selfish motivation and altruism.
Many heroic acts are related to altruism (Koenig et al., 2007). The heroes of the world are known to have gone beyond their personal needs to fulfill the needs of others. The legendaries recognized areas that they could help at and went beyond their means to give them what the community failed to. As a result, the community crowned them to be heroes in the years that followed. Altruism therefore is beneficial to the community at large. People find it hard to say, “This and that is my hero”, unless they see signs of altruism in an individual.
Regardless of the motives behind helping others, it has been known that one reaps benefits out of it (Harbaugh et al., 2007). Many people may be concerned that the other people’s burdens are overwhelming, even to the points of raising stress levels. Valid as it may seem, research has shown that many people have benefited from the acts of altruism. Actually, change of mindset is called for, and motivation checked to achieve full benefits of altruism. The lives of people may improve greatly, if everybody would be ready to offer a helping hand to the people around them. In this regard studies have been done to come up with the positive effects of altruism. Many surveys are collected to come up with the benefits of altruism, both to an individual and to the society as a whole.
Research has shown that altruism is beneficial for the well being of our emotions (Schwartz and Sendor, 1999). The studies have shown that most patients going through dialysis and transplants are likely to have more emotional stability as they engage in activities of altruism. The studies report that most of them experience peace of mind and personal growth as they help others in similar situations (Leventhal, 2009). The patients who have been found to offer a helping hand to their peers are seen to be confident and to have high self esteem. They are sure that they will heal amidst of their troubling times. The end result is that they heal more quickly, not only physically but also emotionally. Their lives are able to take a different turn for the better. In this case, altruism is directly related to emotional well being and stability.
The people who have been found to experience chronic diseases are known to reduce the chances of recognition of serious pain while they involve in altruism. The surveys have indicated that less focus is likely to be given to pain as people concentrate more on others. Examples have been given of patients, who are known to focus less on their pain through consideration of other patients facing more painful diseases. This eventually quickens their healing process. Many people are concerned about how well they can release their stress levels (Schwartz and Sendor, 1999). Our bodies release several hormones in response to long periods of stress in their lives. These hormones include cortisol, which increases the chances for heart problems and related ailments. The hormones consequently lead to a fight- fight situation as the body responds to the unrest. Still, the body defense mechanism is largely affected, increasing the chances of early death of an individual.
Management of stress calls for one to focus on something totally different from what they are going through (Brunier et al., 2002). Sometimes exercises are recommended, or maybe watching an interesting film. But, better still, one must consider helping others. The researches done indicate that stress levels are likely to go down following altruism. The best thing with such an act is that a person is able to gain help while at the same time help another person. The proposed ways of relieving stress may not be as directly related to improving other people’s lives as altruism is.
The very act of altruism, as watched by an observer is likely to reduce the stress levels in an individual, even in case they are not directly involved in performing it. In a certain study, several children were asked to watch a film involving mother Teresa, as she performed her altruism acts in Calcutta (Harbaugh et al 2007). The children were then examined to indicate how their stress levels had changed. The findings were amazing. The antibodies known to offer protective mechanisms for their bodies were seen to increase. Their immunity was also boosted. Compared to other children who never watched the film, their stress levels were lowered. Those who did not watch it had no changes in their antibodies levels. Altruism therefore, is of great relief as far as stress levels are concerned.
Helping others brings about good feelings to an individuals life (Brunier et al., 2002). Studies have shown that as people listen to others and help them, several good feelings are experienced. They feel warm and have high levels of increased energy. The best thing is that the feelings are measurable. The people used in the surveys all agree to the fact that the intense moments of such like feelings would recur as they remembered the very act. In New Zealand, a study was carried out to indicate how altruist activities were related to the good feelings (Schwartz and Sendor, 1999). Around 115 adults, earning a meager income were asked to give the mood they experienced as they helped. The prediction was that they felt good at the end of the activities.
In our modern day society, many people are perceived to be selfish. They are busy in their own lives and are not willing to help. As a result, they express feelings of anger and frustration. The easier way out is to act in altruistic manner. The society has been found to lack the feel good notions and they need that as a matter of priority. It is very possible that when people receive help, they end up taking back the favor to the person who helped them in the first place (Andrews et al., 2003). One common saying has been found true; that you will always reap what you have planted. Sometimes the favor may not necessarily come from the people that helped them, but rather form other individuals in the society. The acts of altruism will always give a good reputation to the people who offer a helping hand to the society. This kind of reputation goes a long way in enabling them attract favor form the community. Altruism is therefore beneficial as far as social support is concerned.
Friendships develop and grow as a result of altruism (Andrews et al., 2003). The society greatly needs good and long lasting friendships. They indicate that people have been healed from the inside, and that they are ready to give more to the society as a result of this feeling. Strong friendships go along the way in helping the society to connect at all social levels. On the other hand, isolation only makes the society unbearable. In a situation where everybody is doing what they please without having to create friendships, it is likely that this society is chaotic. The isolated individuals may actually experience low immune system and increased chances of early death. Therefore, altruism heals any given society.
The act of gratitude is an emotion that will always bring in a similar act in the future (Schwartz and Sendor, 1999). When people say, “thank you”, it is likely that some kind of act was performed. The person who receives such words will always feel appreciated. They are more likely to do this act repeatedly. Therefore, altruism is something that enables the society to achieve goals and objectives. We want to be appreciated while at the same time give others help. The feelings of insignificance are likely to be gone away when we are grateful. Some people grew up in a particular environment and may never receive kind words. They may struggle with lack of social recognition unless they are appreciated. In this regard, most people will engage in altruism to achieve social recognition and appreciation.
To ensure that we survive, people must be ready to care for and help others (Leventhal, 2009). The social support we receive from others creates such a strong bond. This eliminates chances of conflict and strife, which would otherwise evolve if there was no altruism at all. The conflict may mean lack of the life’s basics, sometimes death in the extreme end. Even the very evolutionary science agrees to the fact that human beings have evolved to desire to care and help others. The prior findings, suggesting “survival for the fittest” for the human beings left chance for evolution. Today, we experience better lives as a result of altruism. This is the only chance left for the survival of the human beings.
A research involving 423 couples, elderly, stretching for a period of five years indicated that those who were not ready to offer help were likely to die earlier compared to the couples involved in altruistic activities (Schwartz and Sendor, 1999). Unbelievable as it may sound, those who received help did not have longevity in their lives. The receivers would actually die earlier than their altruistic friends. In Michigan, similar studies also agreed on the findings in New Zealand. Out of the 2700 residents surveyed, those who were directly involved in altruism were found to live longer than the residents who did not engage in such activities. To help and care for others meant longer lives than they would have otherwise experienced.
Altruism makes people get to achieve the correct perspective of what life really is about (Leventhal, 2009). We tend to overly complain about our situations. Yet, our life situations are different and we live in the different world. Comparing our situations with others makes us understand that our situations are better off, and we have reasons to be thankful. For example, visiting the third world countries will enable any person from the developed world to see life in a different light. Lack of the basics of live that characterize some parts of the world would change the way we view life in its totality (Leventhal, 2009). Focus does change at the end of the day and one is able to take seriously the kind of occupation that one is involved in. it is also likely that the individual is likely to view some of the situations causing stress more positively.
Some of the wrong attitudes may be dealt away through altruism (Baumeister and Bushman, 2008). Some people have been known to be overly hostile. Their life is full of such a chronic and hostile attitude to the extent that they have their very lives endangered. By advising them to help others, despite their circumstances, they have been found to change their attitude. This improves their overall well being. Altruism supports the saying by Ghandhi that one should be ready to be the change they want to see in the world (Bartlett and DeSteno, 2006). The community is likely to emulate good deeds that have once been done to them. For example, young children observe what the adults do and emulate the same. This means that if they will see a person engaging in altruism, they will also emulate this. It is therefore possible that the community will change for the better. The goals of the community that may have had to involve more than one individual are likely to be achieved with ease through altruism. More so, many people are likely to imitate good deeds than the wrong. In the end, the community grows in every life perspective (Dunn and Schweitzer, 2005).
Growing up in an environment where children are cared for is known to enable them develop characteristics of altruism (Bartlett and DeSteno, 2006). A study done recently shows tendencies of children growing in a caring environment of altruism to become as good as their environments were. A group of orphans were studied. One group was brought up in a stable home, provided with all the care that they needed. The other group was neglected for the first several months of their life before they were finally adopted into caring homes. The level of oxytocin, the brain chemical involved in bonding capacity of a human being, in their urine was then examined. This was meant to establish the capacity to bond by the children. The group that had been neglected prior to adoption was known to have lowered levels of oxytocin in their urine. The children from homes that nurtured them with care since their day of birth had higher levels of the hormone (McLennan, 2008). This clearly indicated that the altruistic environment enables people to reach out and care for other people in their lives (Dunn and Schweitzer, 2005). The kind of person that we are, whether we are kind, empathic or not may be a result of the kind of environment we were exposed to as we grew up. The values in the society today indicate how well we were able to pass on the altruistic acts. The chances of bringing forth healthy and cohesive society are directly linked to our ability to pass the values to the children as they grow up. In this regard, it is vital that altruism prevails and that we should make deliberate choices to nurture it.
Spiritual health is of great benefit to any individual (Leventhal, 2009). It is a clear indicator that one is healthy in their entire life in every aspect. Spiritual health enables people to achieve many goals and objectives, while at the same time helping the society. Altruism and spiritual health are directly related. While altruism can do without spiritual health, it is impossible for spiritualism to do without altruism. It is important that one is able to shift their focus from oneself and reach out to others. The findings indicate that doing this enables a person to lead an open life and also to be closely knit with the members of the society.
Religion gives way for dialogue, growth and achievements in the society (Dunn and Schweitzer, 2005). To assume that we can achieve such goals without altruism is wrong. The way out is to reach out and love others. By saying that we are spiritually healthy, we give others a certain expectation. We only tell them that we are ready to help them, and that the society will be different from then on. Issues of inequalities are therefore solved and we see freedom set within the society (Brunier et al., 2002).
All the same, studies agree to the fact that altruism must be not pushed to the extremes so that we are able to reap all the benefits we wish to (McLennan, 2008). For example, if one helps beyond their financial capabilities, they are likely to face negative outcomes. They may for example face mental breakdown and have their stress levels raised. In this case, altruism does not bring in anything beneficial to the individual. Another aspect is when someone dos not seem to have power to make their personal decisions. They will do whatever other people wish for them to do. They may not be happy after the act, and may have well considered not engaging in at the first place.
We therefore must consider ourselves first, asking ourselves where the act leaves us. The acts of altruism must also be sure to benefit the society (Koenig et al., 2007). Several acts may not be beneficial as we ought, but rather destructive and oppressive to the society. Whereas our motives may be right, the society may not benefit in the way we assumed that it would.
Therefore, it is very important to check our motives and to avoid the chances of taking these acts to the extremes (Andrews et al., 2003). The benefits of altruism are many and only achieved after careful evaluations of the circumstances that we hope to engage in. We must be ready to move with caution and ensure that we receive the full reward of altruism.
Altruism is of great benefit to the individuals that perform it and the society as a whole. Many studies indicate an overall health of the individual and cohesion within the society. The findings indicate that biologically, the well being of an individual is reflected by the hormones that are released from time to time. When we act in a certain way, some hormones are released; ensuring that we are left at a certain level as far as health is concerned.
Some of the ailments have been seen to heal with ease as people reach out and help others. The stress levels also reduce, while at the same evading the chances of ever occurring in an individual’s life. The society is also seen to benefit, as the chances of bonding and friendships within it increase. While we may not be ready to go beyond ourselves and help, the findings indicate innumerable benefits to individuals. They agree that the people who dare to improve other people’s lives end up improving their own in every aspect. According to the findings, there is an aspect of the need to ensure that we are cautious while engaging in such acts. Good as it may sound; altruism may bring in negative consequences. We must ensure that both the individual performing it and the receiver are left at a better place than they were before they performed the act.
The change we need actually lies in our hands. The society today cries out for change. The world is in desperate need of equality and elimination of social ills. The remedy is in our hands. It is in helping that many families are healed and the society grows as it ought to. We must make deliberate decisions to help. Altruism is what we actually need to obtain healing in ourselves and the society at large. The mourning society may never receive their help unless we are ready to act and help them. We agree that we want a better society. Cohesion is achievable if only we go beyond ourselves. Sometimes, the very small deeds will go a long way in improving our own lives and the society as a whole. There is therefore much communication that is needed for the culture of altruism to be engraved in our hearts and minds so that it may be possible to make a better society. | 2019-04-24T10:42:56Z | https://bestwritingservice.com/essays/Psychology/altruism.html |
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What do you think of Kevin Feige’s official name for the first run of Marvel Studios film? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
These movies aren’t really that connected, even though they like to say that they are.
LOL! OK… The most successful film franchise in history is not that good according to Mr. Perfect Producer. Maybe you’d like to point out what other franchises have done it better?
Where did i ever say anything about their individual qualities?
I never said you did; you said “These movies aren’t really that connected”; I challenged you to point out who has done it better and how… and you never could.
Finacially yeah. If that’s your go to. That’s how it works. Buy a ticket and you get to have your full opinion after. There’s plenty of audiences who are not fans. I’d say even with under 9 films star wars does it better.
Financially AND critically… Only a small minority of the general audience dislikes it, sometimes purely because of some stupid rivalry issue between DC and Marvel.
You couldn’t even point out how the Star Wars universe is better connected than the MCU; the only Star Wars films that have ever worked are the ones centered around one of the characters; not exactly the model of a “connected universe”. The MCU has interwoven several different stories that can stand on their own, from several kinds of unrelated characters and built it into a truly universal saga.
From every film?. No. This is false. Starwars did do it better 30 years ago. The phantom menace sequels were better connected, there is no need for an example here, you can literally watch these and it’s in plain sight. Nothing makes sense with the jedi portrayal in the new ‘saga’.
So like I said, you can’t even prove Star Wars has done a better shared universe than Marvel.
You can’t with marvel either. Just because something does well at the box office doesn’t mean it’s amazing, much like star wars. I’m not trying to take away the fact that marvel have achieved 22 films which they have tried to interconnect and make an absolute packet from it. My opinion is that they are not perfectly done, again quality not quantity. There’s things I don’t like how they’ve developed for their characters – and their sequels to origin stories aren’t always necesscary and to me feel like another number to add to the profile rather than a great movie, relying on great actors to portray amazing villains (in the comics) which are completely disregarded on screen. I don’t know why conflicting opinions annoy you so much. Star wars can do direct sequels/ origin stories and not manage to over saturate the movie with over the top character development and maintain absolute balance with its main story-telling.
Nobody ever said they were perfect; in fact, the OP subject wasn’t about the quality at all. We were talking strictly about creating a shared, connected universe, and the undisputed truth is that Marvel has set the benchmark for a mega franchise of interconnected storytelling. The OP said “These movies aren’t really that connected”; unless you have evidence backing up that claim, you have to agree Marvel has done a shared universe better than anyone, ever.
Okay, these movies are connected although not every single one. But could be done alot better. As for stating they are a benchmark, again in terms of quantity, you are absolutely right. Imo of quality, there are better which have been done already/previously with fewer movie sagas/series.
I can agree that they haven’t been perfect; Michael Jordan didn’t hit every shot, and even Tom Brady has lost some big games. Marvel hasn’t been perfect either, but like Jordan and Brady, they’re still the best to ever do it.
Star Wars has always followed a single plot line. The MCU has several different plotlines running contiguously through their movies from the beginning; the definition of a shared universe.
Therefore, by virtue of actually being a shared universe from the ground up, (unlike Star Wars), the MCU has done it better.
I agree, there’s some unnecessary MCU movies which don’t play much of a part. Civil War. Iron Man 3, Iron Man 2, Winter Soldier, Thor Ragnarok, Guardians 2. Haven’t seen captain Marvel yet.
Age of Ultron, Thor2, Guardians1, Dr.Strange, Hulk, Black Panther and both Ant-Man movies but on the other hand, i think Winter Soldier and Civil War have plenty of connections to the bigger universe.
So in your opinion, if every movie doesn’t have a direct impact on one specific plot line, it’s not “connected”?
Obviously not as much as you think they are. Each to their own.
Who’s done it better? Please give specific examples/details of how other shared universes have been more “connected” than the MCU.
Star wars, planet of the apes, back to future. Are all direct sequels which follow on exactly from where they left off, or otherwise stated a few more years later. The direct sequels of individual characters or groups in marvel are not all necesscary, as they do not all do this – even though they attempt to make it feel like they do. That is clearly an opinion which yours conflicts with yours. You could watch all the avengers movies and only need a select few of the rest of the movies (mostly origin) and you can understand everything still. (Examples of movies not needed are Ant Man, iron man 2, iron man 3, guardians of the galaxy 2, age of Ultron, black panther, homecoming, Thor Ragnarok, and it pains me to say it as its in my top 3 is winter soldier) – there are elements which contribute but the it’s all about quality not quantity.
Are all direct sequels which follow on exactly from where they left off, or otherwise stated a few more years later.
LOL! Like every sequel ever… Nothing of the scope and magnitude of the MCU and it’s multiple character storylines intersecting and weaving into each other. Planet of the Apes and Back to the Future are NOT a “shared universe”; and even in the case of the former’s recent prequels, any similarity between it and the MCU is a result of Marvel Studios changing the game and making a mega franchise more appealing. HeII, PotA even had to reboot several times until they got their act together… AFTER the MCU. So if you were hoping to use that franchise (or Back to the Future, which only ever revolved around a single character) as an example of a better shared universe, it clearly demonstrates you’re grasping. Try again.
That’s another point you make, it’s hardly shared if it’s all part of the same thing??. The TV/Netflix series were the only thing that I’d say is shared… But yet again. You’re telling me that the primary focus on these movies I’m speaking of is a singular character – you are completely undermining the other characters in these movies. I’m hardly grasping, you’re just annoyed that I’m pointing out similar facts which conflict with your undying love for marvel. I’m not even undermining what they’ve achieved. I’m repeating myself but it feels necesscary that regards to accomplishing and publishing all this content, it is not unique. It’s been done before, but marvel are simply mass producing it. X men was the first to have a shared universe by the way, it was awful none the less. But you are far too biased anyway for me to explain myself.
First you started arguing that the MCU wasn’t “connected” enough… Then you started arguing that it wasn’t “good enough”… Now you’re arguing that it’s not “unique”… When I ask you to back up your claims, but instead you change the subject into different charges, you’re pretty much grasping for an argument.
I’ve argued already, it’s not thoroughly connected within some of its movies – not every single one!!!. It’s like saying all the Disney movies are connected or a Reddit thread assuming a connection of all of trrantino movies, of course that’s a major exaggeration, but theres unnecesscary movies within the marvel universe which as a 2half hour film have minimal impact. Which to me equates to my opinion as a whole, as a preference – I like alot more universes, I don’t think it’s as good as it’s hyped, it’s unique in its sheer scale, not in its ability to create constant high stakes content which have an impact and constant connection. Nothings changed here. You are just not liking the answers I’m giving you.
C) You can’t even provide a single instance of a shared universe doing what you say the MCU should be doing, which in itself is proof of how ridiculous your demands are.
Ah man, you’re really hurt I’m not a fan. Plot holes and distinction of story-telling trough crweateing a connection of movies through a post credits scene, from watching a previous sequence of wvents fr two hours which haven’t had a direct connection from one film to the other is not my idea of a through connection. Maybe you think I’m justaying they’re not connected, still???. I said before and above, the majority are!!!, What is wrong with you?. I just have no appreation for noticible flawing and story plot holes, within a movie universe that claims connection throughout its entirety.
All MCU films, by definition, are connected… You don’t get to redefine the meaning of words to whatever your “idea of a through connection” is. Language is not a matter of opinion; that’s why there’s a dictionary.
I probably have no more experience than you do. These are merely my opinions. Bottom line I prefer so I’m marvel movies rather than as a collective, because through what I’ve explained, have unnesscary content. Lol!, I’m not taking away what marvel have achieved. I’ve said above, they are the first to do it with the amount of movies/scale they’ve done. In terms of story depiction I am on the fence as I just prefer others and I have stated there ones I prefer. What is your deal lol.
So you don’t really have a reason to say Marvel movies aren’t connected, or that any of them are unnecessary; it’s just an empty phrase that means nothing to you except for making your objections seem more sensible. If you don’t like Marvel movies, that’s fine. Just don’t pretend like they have a significant cinematic flaw that doesn’t allow you to enjoy them.
They’re hardly dismissable. And yes, not as much as I could be.
You’re basically taking the solo movies and saying they’re not important because they don’t directly impact the Infinity War arc, which is laughably wrong. Ever heard of character development?
That’s literally the worst excuse for lazy writing and stroy-telling but for your own plausibility of your own opinion for saying they are ‘great’. There’s character development and then there’s stringing everything out as much as you can unnecesscarily. I’ve said before if you don’t know your characters already from watching two and a half hours of screen time, then stick to postman pat.
Your validation of your point lies only with iron man 3. Explain how much Tony stark changed in iron man 2 or ant Man and the Wasp, guardians of the galaxy. We know who they all are. You need to know what character development actually is before you continue further. Your last part of your comment is extremely ironic at this point… Feel free to continue raging at conflicting opinions over fictional characters.
Ah… so now you’re preparing to dismiss my argument because it’s all about “fictional characters”, so therefore storytelling standards based on real life, known anthropological behavior don’t apply, right?
Lol, you’re twisting alot here, I’m hardly dismissing your argument, where have I done that?. I realise what we are discussing here. I’m not the one saying human experiences equates to your own validation fort opposing opinions. You ultimately switched the argument. So now you want to discuss human behaviour to fictional characters. Sure, it’s good to have that relatability, but having none works as well. My comment was more aimed at your inability to argue points and leaning towards insulting assumptions. Your lack of explanation/response for the body of my main points above regarding characters in their sequels says it all.
You’re the one who made the sarcastic remark at the end of your previous comment preempting the counterargument as a trivial matter. That’s a common way to dismiss the deeper, more weighted arguments when you can’t rebut them.
All of those movies either pushed the character they’re centered on forward, or affect another story somewhere down the line. Iron Man 2 developed Tony Stark’s character, Iron Man 3 further developed Tony and impacted Winter Soldier, which developed Captain America and impacted Civil War, which impacted Infinity War. Ragnarok also impacted Infinity War by way of advancing Thor’s character. I could keep going in detail about how the entire MCU is connected, but I hardly have time to talk about all of them. Suffice it to say there’s plenty of evidence out there to confidently say you’re wrong.
And in terms of story telling those miniscule connections do not amount to 2 and a half hours of rubbish. Ragnarok: Thor’s sister all of a sudden turning up, they are killing hulks character, he looks like a childish joke, nothing is set up until the end. As for iron mans and caps they are literally irrelevant to the story of how infinity war played out. Because they would have ended up in different places regardless. There is logic to your points but there are too many flaws and things put in the sequels to outweigh everything, thus being just dragged out, creating less significance than actually portraying to be significant.
As for Iron Man and Captain America being irrelevant to how Infinity War played out… That’s like saying any character driving the plot in a movie who loses, whether it’s the good guy or bad guy, somehow it means they’re irrelevant to the story… Again, just bad logic. Please come back only when you’re ready to talk about how each movie impacts the other, not the characters you don’t like.
No no, feel free to go into detail. Your impact you speak of is about 2 minutes of actual storytelling per movie. To say it’s connected for minimal development because something like, Tony made a new triangular reactor or the fact that you rely on ‘character development’ as an excuse of ‘advancing’ is bad writing. If you don’t know you’re characters already from 2 hours of screen time, then saying that is just an excuse for why you think it’s good as an opinion, this does not mean it’s great – because in hignsight, it is a massive waste of time and completely stringing out movies for the sake of it, to then add a pinch of something to state it’s then ‘connected to everything’ is bad quality of story telling. Note: also an opinion.
You clearly love marvel. I love alot of their movies, but I’m not blind to see flaws for the sake of stating a connection and everything means something, because not everything in these movies do, this is why some are relevant some are not that necesscary.
Your problem is that you believe all character development should be done in 2 hours, and any further changes as a result of additional conflict is “unnecessary”. Which is absolutely nonsensical and belies an incomprehensible lack of understanding about human nature, both of the audience and of the films’ subjects.
It’s very achievable, character development is where we see changes and growth. Thor is a good example of this because he actually does. Iron Man experiences a little anxiety and insomnia but he is still the same really, cap is the same, gotg same, black panther same, Spiderman same, vision actually changes and so does s. Witch a little. Ant Man hardly, Hulk.. dont even go there. Im excited for endgame because we will see different versions of these chatracters, I hope. But there’s fleshing out a story with its character having to accomodate to its stakes and then theirs stories accomodating to their characters – marvel does the latter, with some acceptions – which is boring. I think you need to learn how to accept people’s points of how films and stories are made/developed, and prepare yourself going forward into the future knowing that not everyone’s going to agree with you. You are very articulate though.
Tony Stark is not the same person he was from the first Iron Man film. Neither is Captain America the same character from his intro movie. Same for every character you mentioned. That’s just demonstrable fact. And it’s not a matter of opinion because the Tony Stark of the first movie, even by the film’s end, didn’t care about anything but his own fame and ego; you may superficially see Stark making witty banter and think he’s the same person, but what you’re looking at is personality. That has nothing to do with the kind of person he is, because the weapon builder Stark of old would’ve never cared to help the government catch Captain America in Civil War, or fund the Avengers instead of pushing his own celebrity because he knows it’s necessary. That’s real growth. And that’s just one example of what’s common in the MCU, not as an opinion.
You see minimal, you have to assume the majority of this. You treatise this right??.
Then it should be extremely easy for you to find any single quote where I suggested this. Of course, I know you couldn’t do it (and won’t be able to) because it doesn’t exist. | 2019-04-20T15:19:53Z | https://heroichollywood.com/kevin-feige-marvel-studios-infinity-saga/ |
As you know, the SPGs provide guidance on the implementation of London Plan policy 7.14 – Improving Air Quality, as well as a range of policies that deal with environmental sustainability, health and quality of life. Please consider this response also as a supplementary response to your consultation on proposals for ‘Air quality neutral’ (AQN) which closed recently. In respect of AQN, CAL reiterates its request to the Mayor not to use the National Atmospheric Emissions Inventory for benchmarking in London. Amongst other things – it can be wildly inaccurate.
While the Draft SPG would not have formal development plan status, after its consultation period and if it were formally adopted by you as supplementary planning guidance under your powers under the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (as amended) it would be a material consideration in drawing up local and neighbourhood plans and in taking planning decisions.
CAL is concerned separately that the Draft SPG is proposing a much weaker package of measures, particularly in relation to NRMM for PM, than was expected by the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy (MAQS) published on 14 December 2010. The only exception is the introduction of requirements for emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) (which should anyway refer instead to nitrogen dioxide (NO2)). See below for details.
The GLA and London Council’s Best Practice Guidance on ‘The Control of Dust and Emissions from Construction and Demolition’ provides one mechanism by which planning can address such issues. It is proposed that this guidance will be reviewed with a view to it being consulted on and published as supplementary guidance to the London Plan.
4.4.1. The BPG is an important tool to reduce emissions from building demolition and construction sites, which are often located in areas of dense population. For that reason, the Mayor is committed to full implementation of the Guidance by all developers across London.
4.4.2. There are some very good examples of best practice implementation throughout London. Box 17 below highlights examples of initiatives that are being implemented in London boroughs. Through the LAQM process and the updated BPG, the Mayor will encourage the spread of such best practice. The Mayor will work with the Considerate Constructors Scheme to help promote best practice.
4.4.3. The GLA is looking for opportunities to work with Crossrail to undertake a demonstration project that examines the operation of retrofit equipment on NRMM on a London construction site. The knowledge gained from this demonstration, as well as other relevant experiences, studies and reports, both from the UK and abroad, will be used to inform a wider review and update of the BPG, to be completed in 2011 in cooperation with London Councils, boroughs and the construction industry.
4.4.4. This review is expected to be minor, allowing new techniques and best practice that have been developed since 2006 to be included. The review would also create the opportunity for the BPG to become a more streamlined document contained within Supplementary Planning Guidance, which would be easier for boroughs to enforce. In particular, it will provide clear advice on which elements should be regarded as mandatory and should therefore be actively enforced by boroughs, and which elements are advisory. The Mayor, through the GLA, will encourage boroughs and other developers to include the BPG in their agreements and CoCPs. The GLA Group will also include the BPG within procurement policies for all construction projects. Finally the GLA will promote awareness of the BPG through workshops and information on its website.
CAL is very concerned that the Draft SPG is sharply inconsistent with expectations set by the MAQS.
Most obviously, the Draft SPG is proposing much weaker NRMM standards than would be implemented under the current arrangements from Autumn 2014 i.e. BPG 2006 automatically updates requirements for PM when new NRMM standards are implemented. Worse, the many loopholes and exceptions in the Draft SPG means: the new guidance is little or no stronger than the voluntary code of BPG 2006 already in place; and would allow developers and construction companies to claim they are adopting a new and presumably better standard given the ever increasing concerns about air pollution in London and elsewhere when this would not be the case.
Frankly, the Mayor’s approach seems nonsensical unless he wishes to support developers and construction companies over public health and green industries.
Having produced a (largely) good ‘Air quality’ Policy 7.14 in the London Plan and deleted the wrong definition of AQN, CAL is gravely concerned you are proposing to take backward steps in the proposed guidance on construction and demolition in the new Sustainable Design and Construction SPG.
Mayor Livingstone’s guidance estimated (page 27) that UK emissions in 1999 of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) from diesel NRMM were 71 kilo tonnes (approximately 8% of all road transport emissions) and 7 kilo tonnes of total PM emissions (16% of road transport emissions).
A study for the EU estimated that off-road machinery accounted for approximately one-third of PM2.5 emissions from mobile sources in 2000; proportionally equivalent to that from passenger cars. The report forecasts this proportion to rise to 40% by 2020. As you know, PM2.5 is considered to have the greatest health impact on the population as a whole.
Your Draft SPG says “The latest version of the London Atmospheric Emissions Inventory estimates that in 2010 the NRMM used on construction sites was responsible for 12% of NOx emissions and 15% of PM10 emissions in Greater London”.
This construction (and demolition) sector has long been regarded, like shipping, as ‘low hanging fruit’ in offering one of the cheapest ways for society to reduce harmful pollutants. The ‘Polluter pays’ principle also points to the need to tackle this industry as a major source of deadly air pollution.
meanwhile, while laws continue to be breached, public health suffers. Why is the Mayor favouring therefore some of the worst legacy polluters in London when jobs need to be created in modern sectors if London is to lead the world again?
BPG 2006 estimated that the use of ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) would ‘automatically reduce particulate emissions by 30%. In addition to this, fitting suitable after treatment devices can reduce the remaining particles by at least 85%. As fine particles, are of great concern to health this is, therefore, a very effective way of reducing any health impacts to workers and sensitive receptors’ i.e. people.
The use of ULSD in road transport has been linked to dramatic reductions in particle number concentrations (e.g. in Marylebone Road) and it is an important pre-requisite for the use of abatement equipment.
The Draft SPG is confusing in relation to the use of ULSD. For example, there is no mention of it until a reference in an example given on page 82 in relations to the Thames Gateway Bridge.
CLA understands that the use of 10 ppm ULSD is compulsory for all NRMM. Please make it a requirement in your guidance irrespective of whether or not it is an EU or UK legal requirement.
It seems the Mayor is deliberately timing the Draft SPG to have the greatest likelihood of achieving the worst possible outcome relative to the current BPG 2006 guidance.
Under BPG 2006, the standard for all NRMM, with variable speed engines in the Power Band 56 to 560 kW, at High risk sites across Greater London would tighten to Stage IV for PM from as soon as October 2014 (or Stage IIIB at worst).
The Mayor is proposing to endorse new standards a month earlier on 1 September 2015 that would remain in place until 1 September 2020. If correct, this is nothing short of astonishing. For more detail, see below.
Excluding constant speed engines. Major developments only.
Actual 130<kW<560 Stage IIIB Stage IV Stage IV Stage V?
Ken – Whole GLA Stage IIIA or IIIB Stage IIIB or IV Stage IIB or IV Stage IV or V5?
Actual 56<kW<130 Stage IIIB Stage IIIB Stage IV Stage V?
Ken – Whole GLA Stage IIIA or IIIB Stage IIIA or IIIB Stage IIB or IV Stage IV or V?
Actual 37<kW< 56 Stage IIIB Stage IIIB Stages IIIB ?
Ken – Whole GLA Stage IIIA or IIIB Stage IIIA or IIIB Stage IIIA or IIIB Stage IV or V?
Actual 19<kW< 37 Stage IIIA Stage IIIA Stage IIIA Stage IIIB?
Boris – GLA No standard No standard Kept under review ?
CAZ/CW No standard No standard Kept under review ?
Ken Stage II or IIIA Stage II or IIIA Stage II or IIIA Stage IIIA or IIIB?
It is very surprising that the Draft SPG appears to define no standards for the next two years i.e. for the period to 1 September 2015.
Potential for emissions and dust to have a significant impact on sensitive receptors.
It seems Mayor Johnson is proposing to implement Stage IIIA for the vast majority of Greater London – including in some of the most polluted areas and near some of the most vulnerable people – weeks before the current BPG 2006 would require Stage IIIB or Stage IV for PM (at least) at many ‘High risk’ sites.
Further, please rephrase the guidance so it is ‘half full’ not ‘half empty’. In other words, please say the ‘latest standard should be used with a minimum of [looser] standard’ instead of ‘required to meet a minimum [looser] standard’. The strict requirement(s) would be the same but the guidance would be most likely to achieve a better outcome by setting its sights higher.
Delaying Stage IIIA across Greater London from 1 July 2014 to 1 July 2015 would more than halve the expected reduction in PM2.5 emissions from 2.0 tonnes to 0.9 tonnes.
The combined option from 1 September 2015 reduces the PM2.5 reduction from 34.7 tonnes (compared to Stage IIIB across Greater London) to 21.7 tonnes.
Please be more much ambitious.
The Draft SPG is sloppy or worse in its use of the word ‘dust’.
‘Dust’ creates an impression for the general public and others of inert, household dust. However, this could not be further from the truth. Carcinogenic outdoor (and indoor) air pollution largely comprises particulate matter which is also carcinogenic.
CAL urges the Mayor to stop hiding carcinogenic dangerous airborne particles as ‘dust’.
As you know, CAL is concerned that regulatory standards for ‘dust’ are lagging significantly the scientific evidence on health effects. Further, Workplace Exposure Limits are wrongly applied by the Mayor as the standard in places where the public has regular access e.g. London Underground.
Please make clear in your guidance the need to apply the precautionary principle for exposure to ‘dust’.
CAL confirms its general support for the new guidance to require an Air Quality Statement.
However, please make clear – as you do for Air Quality (Dust) Risk Assessments – that you include all particulate matter including PM2.5 and PM10. Please amend the reference to ‘dust and NOx control measures’ which again create confusion by suggesting PM2.5 or PM10 are ‘dust’ (page 24). Please also make clear that the statement must assess against impact against EU limit values for PM10 and NO2 to support ‘Air quality neutral’. The Mayor’s reference to NOx instead of NO2 is sloppy as NO is not considered harmful for health and is not subject to legal requirements or health guidelines. Last but not least, please encourage the use of Air Quality Statements as best practice across London for all developments.
CAL confirms its general support for the new guidance to require an ‘Air Quality (Dust) Risk Assessments’ subject to the same comments made above about Air Quality Statements.
CAL confirms its general support for the new guidance ‘Dust and emissions control measures’ subject to the same comments made above about Air Quality Statements.
CAL is pleased to see the Draft SPG including Site monitoring. However, it must include NO2 and PM2.5 as well as PM10 and focus on protecting public health and ensuring full compliance with limit values instead of avoiding ‘complaints’. CAL considers the 250 ug/m3 and 200 ug/m3 trigger levels hopelessly out of date.
CAL confirms its support for the setting of higher standards in the most polluted areas to reduce inequalities and air pollution more widely. In particular, CAL considers that the Central Activity Zone is a better focus than Central London.
Please respond to the questions below about the application of the ‘Public sector equality duty’.
The attached analysis shows that Stage IIIB is about 10 times tighter than Stage IIIA for PM. There can be no doubt therefore about the consequences of the Mayor’s decision to delay the Stage IIIB requirement for wider Greater London.
New construction machine engines should be sold with particle filter systems originally equipped by the manufacturers (OEM). This is cheaper, technically easier and more efficient than retrofitting new construction machines.
Existing construction machines should be retrofitted with particle filter systems. An immediate reduction of carcinogenic soot particles is only possible by retrofitting existing machines.
The Swiss authorities are pushing for the adoption of Stage V at the same time the Mayor is seeking to enshrine Stage IIIA for most of Greater London until 1 September 2020.
The Draft SPG does not seem to refer to the certification of ‘best practices’. Please use the Energy Saving Trust and/or VERT certifications as they are already used for various other schemes in London and elsewhere. Using proven certification schemes would create a stable planning framework for contractors, planners and technology suppliers.
CAL urges the Mayor to specify the use of diesel particulate filters, whether OEM or retrofitted, as the minimum requirement for all NRMM throughout Greater London. There is no excuse for not requiring PM abatement: the equipment is cheap, readily available, reliable and effective.
Please use the Mayor’s Clean Air Fund to provide ‘Financial and non-financial incentives’ for the use of PM and NOx abatement technologies in those areas where PM10 and NO2 limit values are exceeded. Note that developers and contractors may prefer non-financial incentives.
CAL is deeply concerned that the wide range of exemptions and exceptions being proposed by the Mayor. In our view, the extent of these means the current Draft SPG is little or no stronger than the BPG 2006 voluntary guidance already in place. Please remove or make stringent any exemptions.
Directive 2008/50/EC on ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe imposes strict limits for the protection of public health and the environment. Please ensure that the AQN guidance is consistent with that Directive and explicitly mentions it, not least with respect to PM2.5.
Please support Commissioner Potočnik by including a mechanism to introduce tighter standards in the Draft SPG as soon as they are implemented.
The Mayor does not seem to have considered his obligations under the Public Sector Equality Act when proposing new standards for NRMM. Please therefore explain what, if any, consideration the Mayor has given to advancing the equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic (e.g. those living in or near one of the Air Quality Focus areas) and persons who do not share it (e.g. those living in or near the Central Activity Zone or Canary Wharf). In particular section 149 (2)(b) states: take steps to meet the needs of persons who do not share it.
CAL seeks a formal written response from the Mayor on this matter.
You have already taken backwards steps in your second term e.g. scrapping the new standard for NOx for the low emission zone in 2015 that were promised in the Mayor’s Air Quality Strategy and London Plan (in Policy 7.14).
You are now proposing to take more backward steps on perhaps the biggest environmental and public health achievement in your first term i.e. the air quality policy in the London Plan.
Please therefore address fully the above concerns. If you do not, you will only be able to reduce carcinogenic air pollution and comply with limit values by introducing draconian transport and other measures. | 2019-04-23T16:29:12Z | https://cleanair.london/sources/mayor-takes-more-backward-steps-from-his-air-quality-strategy-and-london-plan/ |
Jennifer Paphatsalang is responsible for guiding new Leadpages customers through their first 30 days. She helps them get up to speed with email onboarding sequences, e-courses for self-paced training, and live training webinars every Wednesday. In this episode, she’ll share her advice for getting customers using your products successfully and feeling good about the investment they’ve made.
Tim: Previously on the all new ConversionCast.
Jennifer: Separate what is best for the business which sounds a little odd. But listen what you want to narrow it down to is what is best for the customer. At what point does the customer feel successful versus at what point is LeadPages feel like we officially won over a customer.
Tim: This is the conversion journey in 13 parts as told by the LeadPages team. In this all new series, you’ll hear what we do each day at LeadPages to find, convert, and keep our customers.
So we’ve been spending time on this customer journey. The steps to find and acquire customers and we’re moving now as we approach the end of season 1 into once you get a customer, how do you keep them? How do you keep them happy? How do you keep them engaged, turn them into evangelist and further just reinforce the reason why you do what you do in the first place. And I thought that this was the perfect opportunity to bring on Jennifer who’s going to be talking about customer onboarding. Once somebody gives you their money, how do you say okay thank you so much now here’s you can have success. So I think the first thing to do Jennifer would be can you tell us a little bit about what you’re role is here at LeadPages?
Jennifer: Absolutely. So here at LeadPages I focus on the initial first 30 days of when a customer comes on board and specifically that can mean a lot of different things in regards to onboarding. So I work with the email sequence that we send out to customers just to get them familiar with the platform. I also have created online e-courses where it’s pretty much is a self-paced training for those who need a little more step by step manuals but then I also do live training webinars every Wednesday as well. And so I guess onboarding at LeadPages here what I focus on are providing as many different training opportunities for our customers so that they are familiar with their tool and they can feel like they’ve reached that point of okay this was worth the money as early as possible.
Tim: I love it. And I think what will be really beneficial first is can you just talk about some of the general things that we do and we’ll get into the details. But some of the general things that you put in place for when somebody click that buy button, they become a customer and then what happens?
Jennifer: Absolutely. So there’s so many moving parts to the onboarding. As soon as somebody clicks purchase they’ll get an email right away and that kicks off essentially 12 day email sequence that we use with drip which is our email service provider and they get emails across the next 2 weeks on different strategies for using LeadPages. Now once they actually enter into the LeadPages platform we don’t stop there. So the first time that they log in to the app they receive some in app walkthroughs that we create using walk me. and then they’ll also see and in app message and that message is pretty much from me and it’s saying welcome to LeadPages and by the way we have the LeadPages Launchpad course which is our e-learning that I just mentioned. So we send people to an e-learning which takes about 10 minutes to actually walkthrough. It’s very quick and easy and it at least establishes what the basics are for using LeadPages. And once they actually complete the training then I send them an invite in app again to attend a live training webinar where they can actually ask their questions out loud with me and I actually walkthrough step by step on how to build different pages and boxes in the application.
Tim: So this is a pretty robust onboarding sequence and not even just a sequence but really just an entire I guess initiative that you’ve put together. Why is this something that we put so much focus into?
Jennifer: That’s a great question. I think one thing that stresses that onboarding doesn’t always mean strictly training like webinar training. Onboarding is providing that first experience with your paying customer. So this is setting the tone of what they’re going to experience throughout their lifetime of using LeadPages and that’s why we put so much effort into the different tools that we use to onboard customers and the different types of communication and courses as well as the analytics in place to make sure that when they get to the first point of value and for us at LeadPages it’s getting them their first opt-in showing them that they can be successful this quickly and it provides the stepping stones to what is– how they can expect to use the tools to help grow their own business.
Tim: So a lot of it is focused on getting them a quick win and then of course providing the education that keeps that going.
Jennifer: Absolutely. So I like to focus on just outlining at what point when a user is using LeadPages do they get that “aha!” moment or they feel like you know what this was worth the money. And that’s what we call the time of their first value. And so what we did here at LeadPages is they worked with my manager and we just walked through at what point does the customer, say yes this is worth my money. And of course there’s little steps that are quick wins but what is that big moment where they feel like they’ve done something correctly that business now going to in turn bring revenue in for them and that’s that opt-in. and so what we’ve done there is outline the different steps to get to that final first value and put in place the different tools to get them there.
Tim: Interesting. so how do you– I know you said you worked with your manager. But how did you determine what is that first point. I mean let’s just say for example you are being Jennifer the consultant and somebody came in and said I want to get an onboarding process in place. How do I know what that first point of value is? How do they figure that out?
Jennifer: Sure. So there’s a few different methods that you can do and I recommend doing a combination just so you have a good general idea. The first thing is to separate what is best for the business which sounds a little odd. But listen what you want to narrow it down to is what is best for the customer. At what point is the customer feels successful versus at what point is LeadPages feel like we’ve officially won over a customer. So what we did was to determine what our main goal here at LeadPages is and that’s to help people grow their businesses. Well having a nice looking lead page is great but that’s not going to mean anything unless it generates revenue for our customers. and so that’s how we came to determine that having at least one opt-in was going to be that value achievement for our onboarded customers.
Now another thing that I’ve seen other customers do or companies do is flat out ask what are you hoping to accomplish with us? Why did you purchase this in the first place and I mean that is probably the easiest way to figure out at what point do you need to build up your onboarding platform to have an official and successful onboarded customer. So using your internal team and kind of outlining that process but also getting customer feedback and kind of serving your successful customers and asking them at what point did you feel really good about us? Or at what point did you know this was it for you and that you made the right decision in choosing us?
Tim: Awesome. Now before we go any further I have to mention that all throughout this episode and in the all new season of ConversionCast, you’re hearing what we do at LeadPages to automatically grow our email list and boost our sales every single day. Well in my next webinar, I’ll show exactly how do to this for your business. In this free training, I’ll give you a live step by step walkthrough of the top 3 tactics we use at LeadPages to automatically grow our own list week after week. This is going to be everything you need to know to implement this in your business. So make sure you check it out. To reserve your spot on the webinar, text LEADPAGESLIVE to 33444. That’s all one word, LEADPAGESLIVE to 33444 or head to leadpageswebinar.com. All right let’s get back to it.
That’s really good. And so once you figure that out you’re going to want to say okay great I’ve determined that and now I want to lead them down the steps to getting that first value in the case of LeadPages it’s that first lead or whatever it is. As you’re figuring that out and you’re thinking about next steps, somebody listening to this right now maybe they are solopreneur. They don’t have a lot of resources. They don’t have a team and they have to get something in place that can get the job done but also they don’t have a million hours to get it done. So I guess part 1 of this question is how do you determine how much is enough? And I guess part 2 is if your circumstance such that maybe you do have the time but you want to provide the best experience, how do you decide how to do that? So I guess let’s start with the first part which is how do you decide what’s enough?
Jennifer: Sure. So honestly the biggest thing that you need to focus on is that first communication with a brand new customer and so crafting that first in app message or if you’re even a consultant, what is that email look like when you are going to set up an appointment with your customer or client? What is that email look like when you are– or your thank you page when you’re thanking them for your business now that they purchased? And as long as you can set the right tone to that email, you can set the expectation of what that customer is going to receive now that they have purchased your product and you’ve explained value in that email at the same time. that’s the foundation of what your onboarding is going to consist of and so as I mentioned earlier, your onboarding is a chance for you to make that first impression and as simple as having an email or even a connection on Facebook on LinkedIn or having them be a part of a private community. You want to stress that that is enough value that they want to even learn and explore more about your services because they’re already a customer but there’s always a chance for you to build that relationship and that first communication whether it comes from an email or even a phone call is going to be where you need to start with the onboarding and that should be enough as the first touch.
Now depending on what your business does and what your goals our for your customer, it’s really going to depend on what do you feel like is going to be enough for your customers to stay. No two companies have the same onboarding process and that’s because we all have different goals and we all have different things that we want our customers to accomplish by using our platform. And so onboarding could mean 1 day and a customer is officially onboarded let’s say. But onboarding I’ve seen last years depending on what the product is or it can be a few months. And so I think it’s really important just to take a step back and have a general outline and have some tips and tricks on what onboarding consist of but then tie it back to your own business and outline those steps for yourself and don’t try to compare your steps to other business because they might be trying to accomplish something completely different from what you are.
Tim: Right. And it’s something that can evolve as well. I mean as the business evolves as your team evolves, your customers evolve, your products evolve, your onboarding can evolve as well. You can start with something that gets them there in a pretty simple way and then as your customers gets more sophisticated, your market gets more sophisticated so can your onboarding and just as a quick example. I was last year on a cruise for podcaster’s paradise and a bunch of folk that did podcasting and the people I was with are really incredible entrepreneurs with huge 7 figure businesses and doing all these amazing things and the number 1 talk when we were all sitting around a table or whatever, it was always onboarding. It was always providing that experience so that people stuck around that they wanted to be customers and these are folks who have already big businesses that already have great onboarding processes in place but they’re constantly trying to evolve that. and think the reason why I thought this was so important to talk about now is that it’s way too easy to focus everything you can on getting the sale and from then on it’s just kind of like well we got the sale. But there’s so much more that goes on once the sale is made to not only keep the sale but also to make sure your business is doing what the intent of that business is. And it seems like that’s been a big focus for you.
So based on what we’ve talked about so far is there anything that we’ve left out that’s just hypercritical for somebody if they are trying to study the way that we do onboarding, anything that you would tell them that we haven’t gotten the chance to do yet?
Jennifer: I think just to sum it up, it’s so much easier to start out with a happy customer and train and provide the stepping stones for them to be successful than it is to stop somebody from leaving. And so there is a stat here and this is going to apply to software which is obviously what LeadPages is but you can use this across any organization and it’s that 40% to 60% of customers who sign up for free trial of software will use once and never come back. So if you don’t have a successful onboarding, if you don’t get them using the app, if you don’t get them meeting that first time of value within however your onboarding process is going to be then you’ve almost already lost them.
And so it’s so important to establish that relationship right out of the gate, set the expectation for what your customers are going to expect from you and then to follow through. Another thing to mention is that onboarding doesn’t stop once the customer has reached that point of the first value. You want to continue to nurture your customers just as you do with your leads. And so here at LeadPages once you go through the training webinar and the e-courses that doesn’t mean we stop talking to you. We actually have marketing mastery sessions where now that you’ve learned how to use the tool, let’s build on the strategies that you can use to build your business and then use our tools to almost help you grow your business and Jeff, my colleague, leads those sessions. We also host other webinars and other e-books and guides for customers outside of this onboarding session because not only do we want them to be successful with our service, we want them to be successful with their business whether it’s teaching them on the tool or teaching them on strategies that’s where I think we here at LeadPages provide value and I think it’s important for you as a business owner, as a consultant to determine what is that first win that you’re going to reach for and then how do you continue to nurture them so that they are a lifetime customer of yours.
Tim: Yeah. I think the biggest takeaway that I’ve gotten is focusing on getting them that first win relative to whatever it is that your promise was, whatever you were trying to get them to understand that your product would do for them, get them to that first win as quickly as possible and it leads perfectly to the next episode of the all new ConversionCast with Jeff Lindberg who you mentioned. He’s talking about post sale marketing so how to continue marketing to your customers to provide as much value as possible from onboarding to the next step and continuing support.
Jennifer, thank you so much for coming on the show and sharing some of the work that you’re doing at LeadPages. We really appreciate it.
Jennifer: Not a problem. Thank you so much for having me, Tim. And I hope some of these onboarding tips were helpful to our listeners. | 2019-04-23T00:09:44Z | https://www.leadpages.net/blog/jenniferpaphatsalang/ |
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I thought I would be out on my ear. What they did for me was take a old biker new hope of a better future. I can now afford to live. I will not lose my home. I am able to pay my taxes now. Was a long haul, but Rick and his team got me a fair deal.. That's all a person can ask for. I would like to say thank you. You fight a good fight and dam your good at what you do. Good people are hard to find and they are that. These are the people you want in your corner. And more so as friends. After all is said an done. I will be able to move ahead with my life now and that's because of them.
We were in a head on collision on hwy 2 Dec 23, 2017. After leaving messages with 2 other law firms (who never did call us back) we called James H Brown who took our very first call and started to help us immediately. We would like to thank Michael Hoosein and his assistant Melissa who were both very helpful during our stressful time and helped to guide and resolve our case in a very professional and positive manner. We highly recommend James H Brown and we will definitely use them again if needed.
I would like to thank David Sowemimo and his assistant Summer Abbassi for all their best effort in resolving my case. They are great in updating and following up on status of my case and they are very helpful answering my questions. I highly recommend them.
I would like to thank David Sowemimo and his assistant Summer for their dedication and hard work on my case. I had a complex case and I could tell they spent countless hours working away to get me a fair compensation for my injuries. They were very personable and professional the whole time. The entire firm was very courteous and I could tell they truly cared and went out of their way to get me a fair compensation. I would recommend David Sowemimo and his assistant Summer to anyone who has a case they need resolved. David was caring and compassionate to my situation and payment was extremely prompt. They matter was resolved very quickly. I am very happy to have been paired with this team.
I would like to thank David Sowemimo and his assistant Summer for everything they did for me.They were professional and courteous every time I spoke with them.I would recommend James H. Brown and Associates.
For my vehicle injury claim at not fault (first time in my over 12 years driving history in Canada) I searched on internet the various injury claim lawyers and talked to them but at the end I opted for James H Brown, based on their reputation, less than five weeks before the limitation date on my file and I was transferred to Mr. David Sowemimo. My case was recently finalised to my satisfaction. Throughout my case (during last 12 months), Mr. Sowemimo, and his assistant, Ms. Summer Abbasi, provided a great professional service by guiding me through the process and keeping me updated on my file. I am highly impressed from them for promptly responding to my numerous phone calls and emails and scheduling multiple appointments with medical specialists and psychiatrists well in avance. At the end, Mr. Sowemimo checked with me to make sure that everything went well. I am really thankful to Mr. Sowemimo and Ms. Abbasi to make the whole process very smooth and comfortable to me. I am glad that I decided to go with James H. Brown and thanks to them to assign Mr. Sowemimo to my case. Also, many thanks to Ms. Abbasi for her contribution. Wishing them the very best. I hope, I will not need to go through an injury claim in the future but if that will be the case then Mr. Sowemimo will be my first choice as an injury lawyer. So, I strongly recommend to others to hire services of Mr. Sowemimo if you are looking for an injury claim as you will not be disappointed at all.
I am Sharon Haines, nee Steele. In 1997, I was in a motor vehicle accident and was injured quite badly. So much so, that I was immobile for 2 months, and it took 6 months to get back to work part-time, and 1 full year to get back to full-time. The vehicle that hit me was at fault, but the driver was not forthright to the police as to what actually happened, claiming that I was the cause of the accident, and ultimately my own injuries. Through forensic investigation arranged by my injury lawyer, Alan Brackett, it was proven that I was not at fault for the accident, and that I was truly the victim. The case took some time to resolve, but with great guidance, support and service, I ultimately received a healthy and fair settlement for my specific injuries from that accident. Recently, 17 years post-accident, I was requiring documentation regarding this accident for personal reasons, and I contacted Alan Brackett, and after a brief conversation with him, he remembered me and my file, and although my original file had been rightfully shredded as per provincial regulations, he was still able to provide me with supporting documentation with details of my case within the same business day. I was truly amazed, and thankful for this timely service. I never believed that after so many years post-accident that this information on my case would still be available. I will always recommend Alan Brackett, and James H Brown and Associates to all my family, friends and business associates needing these injury services. Regards, Sharon Haines, Edmonton, AB.
For the past 9 years Rick Mallett has worked diligently and with the utmost respect and understanding of our case that no one else would take on. Because of his perseverance and dedication, we are finally able to close this chapter. Rick’s understanding, patience and ability to truly listen to our concerns is what got us the best positive outcome. Thank you again!
Car accident will change your life forever, so does the post traumatic stress that haunts you down,But God is so good not only that I am still alive but chance upon a very good and professional lawyer David Sowemimo and his asst. Summer Abassi.I will be forever grateful for the hardwork and dedication they put on my case, so I can received a fair & true settlement.It was remarkable.I would highly recommend them to anybody who needs help in times of pain and depression after a horrific car accident. God Bless.
From the minute we walked in it was a positive experience, our Lawyer David Sowemimo and his assistant Kim where honest and understanding. The work they put in to our file and dedication to make sure we received a fair and true settlement was unbelievable. I would recommend them to any one that need help. thank you so much for everything what a great team.
I would like to thank Rick Mallett for his service and dedication in the handling of my accident claim. For me and my family, the settlement brought closure to a difficult period in our lives. I would highly recommend Rick to anyone in need of an injury lawyer.
"it was well worth It"
It was a long process of treatments after the accident but when it was over it was well worth It. David Sowemimo is super easy to work with the same as his assistant Kim. You do not really feel you are dealing with lawyers. I would recommend David to anyone going through a bad car accident experience. Thank you so much guys.
"completely dazzled by his communication skills"
I want to thank David Sowemimo for helping to resolve my case quickly. I was completely dazzled by his communication skills and experience. I cannot thank him enough for the services that he rendered on my husbands and my behalf. It was a pleasure having him as the role of my lead counsel. Having an experienced attorney like him on our side was a good signal that we were walking into the case in very good hands. I'm grateful for your understanding and cooperation in this matter. I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for working tirelessly to ensure that the law worked in our favor. If it weren’t for your analytical skills and knowledge, the matter wouldn’t have been settled by now. David was able to prove the case beyond any reasonable doubt and we were more than pleased with the outcome. I feel so indebted to him for his hard work. Thanks to David for always informing me of the best option to take in resolving my problem. I really appreciate his negotiating skills and advice on the matter.
"I was speechless when he settled my last claim!"
Jim O'neil is easy to work with and professional I highly recommend him! He has helped me with 2 accident claims, I felt well taken care of and my cases were settled in a timely manner. Jim is exceptional at what he does I was speechless when he settled my last claim! Truly his work speaks for itself.
With the complexity of my case and the help of David Sowemimo and his assistant Summer I understood the process and with the advice and help from both these individuals I am satisfied with the outcome. It was a big learning curve for me being hesitant and being able to put in trust to David and his assistant, but i'm glad I did. As I said to David in the beginning that what I wanted was what's right and fair and that's exactly what I got. This wasn't an easy thing to deal with, but David t took the pressure by reassuring that the case was in good hands.
"exceptional job in dealing with my case"
Thank you David Huculak and Keresha. You did an exceptional job in dealing with my case. Not only were you caring and sympathetic but you lead this case with determination and skill. At some points very sensitive issues were discussed but David handled it with compassion. I would not hesitate to recommend David or attain his legal services again.
"super easy to work with"
David Sowemimo and his assistant Kim handled my case, from the day my husband and I went in to meet with David initially to the day we finalized my case he was super easy to work with. I had never worked with lawyers like this before so I was nervous but there was no reason to be, I was kept up to date by both him and Kim on a regular basis and I never felt like they weren't working for me. Thanks so much !
Thank you to Michael Hoosein & his team for handling my case swiftly and making me feel at ease in the process..I would definitely recommend him to any family & friends.
I had an amazing experience! When I got into my accident I was in a lot of pain and depressed. I was turned away by 3 lawyers before I found David Sowemimo. He and his assistant Summer worked hard on my case. They sent me to wherever I had to go for treatments and death with my insurance company directly. The psychology sessions were a blessing. I even got a settlement I wasnt expecting. David is a different kind of lawyer... Unlike the 3 that bluntly turned me away because I wasn't "injured enough", David didn't care about the money he cared about me as a person. 'knock on wood' I never have to go through this again but if it happened I would call David in a heartbeat and recommend him to everyone!
"His compassion, knowledge and depth of experience is extraordinary"
When dealing with a whiplash injury perhaps one of the most challenging things is that your injuries are not visible. As my health continued to deteriorate regardless of the numerous treatment modalities, Rick Mallett brought his expertise in setttling this matter to ensure that I will be able to continue to receive such maintanance treatments for many years to come. His compassion, knowledge and depth of experience is extraordinary and I am truly grateful for all of his efforts along with those of his assistant Cheryl in bringing my claim to a close. I would not hesitate to recommend Rick Mallett to anyone who is seeking legal assistance for an injury.
Michael was very easy to deal with it. He went above and beyond to make sure my health and well being came first. He was always easy to get ahold of and wasnt pushy in any means. He listened to everything you said with no judgement. Micheal explained everything step by step and didn’t leave any details out. He explained all the legal terminology- which is good because I didn’t know anything. Michael and his team were very professional, outgoing, non-judgemental with a very positive attitude. I would highly recommend Michael Hoosein and his team! We were very pleased with the outcomes!
I contacted James H Brown less than two weeks before the limitation date on my husband's file and I was transferred to Mr. David Sowemimo who took on the file. Our case was recently finalised and I must commend Mr. Sowemimo and his assistant Summer Abbasi on a job well done. You are such great professionals and my husband I appreciate the great attention to detail on our file. You communicated with us on a regular basis and responded promptly to all our emails. Thank you for scheduling the multiple appointments and checking in to make sure that everything went well. We really appreciate your time and effort and advice. Thank you and wishing you the very best in all you do.
Great job in handling my case.
I was so stress after someone rear ended me. James look after me really well. Especially I am from Out of province. He got me a very reasonable settlement. I am so happy that I had choosers this law firm. I will recommend to my friend any time when needed.
Big thanks to sir Michael Hoosein for helping us out in our case with my wife. Very professional and very approachable person.
Would like to thank Mr. Alan Brackett for his excellent service and professionalism. We appreciate all the time and effort helping us and would highly recommend James H Brown.
Very appreciative for your time and expertise!
Thank you David Sowemimo for the excellent experience. I would highly recommend James H Brown and associates to my friends and family. My settlement exceeded my expectations.
Would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Alan Brackett and his assistant Ms. Romina Fillice for their excellent service and professionalism. I appreciate all the time and effort they put in for me.
About three years ago my wife and I were in a motor vehicle accident that left both of us injured. The insurance company seemed to be dismissive of our injuries. We had heard of James H. Brown and decided to give them a call. We were scheduled for an appointment with Alan Brackett who took a meticulous review of our accident details and our specific injuries. Alan was especially kind and empathetic to our situation. We were never left uninformed and were instructed in the legal issues regarding our case. We felt listened to and always felt we had a competent and capable advocate for us. We were more than satisfied with his professionalism and the outcome of our case. We are and continue to be very thankful for this firm and the legal help we received from Alan Brackett. We highly endorse and recommend him and this firm.
2001 I was searching for a lawyer to help in trying to bring truth to my 25 year old son who was hit and injured in a gravel truck crossing and died enroute to the Inuvik hospital. When I searched for a lawyer, three tries almost made me fail to search for a lawyer any further due to fees required and I could not afford. While in prayer I came across James H. Brown and Associates firm that have their office in Edmonton, Alberta. I contact their office and said I was searching for a lawyer because of the death of my son's vehicle being hit and died. They did not ask for any fees as they said they will represent me in a law suit and they will take care of all costs in the case and will do the work using their own pocket finances. Subject to the case the settlement that gave me the satisfaction the the death of my son was not at fault in his death. Six years later my wife of 32 years entered into a hospital and they admitted her for a day operation for a fractured wrist. During the operation she died and left me with no answers. I then contacted James H. Brown & Associates in Edmonton and immediately they put their lawyer, Rick Mallett in contact with me and a law suit case was launched. The case of my wife's death a settlment was successfully reached as well. Rick Mallett and his team worked on both cases and at the end of both cases I was 100% satisfied because the both my families deaths were not their fault. The James H Brown and Associates lawyer and his paralegals including the firm showed how loving and compassionate they meant so much to myself and family. They go out of their way and beyond as they demonstrated throughout both cases. I thank God in and through His Son Jesus Christ for revealing their Firm to me.
After My daughter was injured in an accident she was confused and nervous about how this whole process works. We met with David Sowemimo and his assistant LeAnne. David answered all our questions and explained everything completely. We left that office well informed and confident that he would do everything in his power to make sure she would be compensated for her injuries.
mr. lee rusinko worked on our lawsuit over several years. he worked hard to gather the information needed to win our lawsuit. his assistants were professional and understanding, i would recommend lee and james h. brown and associates to anyone injured in an accident.
"He worked hard on my case"
After being hit by a truck as a pedestrian on July 27 2014. My lawyer Richard Mallett was thorough with setting up all the test I would need to receive a far and just settlement. He worked hard on my case and I am very satisfied with the results.
Michael N. Hoosein is a great lawyer who treats you with respect and works very hard for you. He helped me after my car accident and went above and beyond to help me. Definitely would highly recommend him to anyone who needs a great lawyer.
I contacted James H. Brown after I had been injured in a rear end collision on the Henday. Michael was my lawyer and he was honest with us right from the start. I know that if I did not have a case, he would have told us right up front. We just settled the case and I would recommend Michael and James H. Brown and indeed already have. They will give you the truth and do what they say for you. Thank you for the work you did for me.
My husband was in an accident on the highway which was the other drivers fault. He was injured and off work but David Sowimemo was always available with answers and helped us alot with the process. We could not thank David enough for all his support. I would recommend these lawyers to anyone who asks.
I had a great experience working with Michael Hoosein. He handled the claim from start to finish and settled it for a very fair amount. He was very professional and made it easy every step of the way. I would recommend Michael to anyone looking to settle an injury claim.
Contact Michael N. Hoosein, he is FANTASTIC!!!! In my case, the insurance company was giving him the “run around/who will blink first game.” Micheal doesn’t put up with any of that nonsense. He pushed and pushed the insurance company to pay what he believed was fair. At the end of the day, we got what we wanted. Do you want justice? Do you want fairness? Do you want someone who actually gives a damn about his clients? If so, contact Michael!
I was recommend to this firm from a family member so thankful. I received much more then l thought l would after my accident. Would recommend them to anybody that needs help.
I can only state that I was amazed by the efforts put forth on my behalf David Sawemimo with James H Brown and Associates. I Hardly had to do anything after the initial visit with David. I was hands off after that and he was definitely hands on at all times. He kept me apprised at all times and the settlement I received was beyond expectations. Due to Davids' perseverance, and knowledge of personal injury law he successfully settled with awesome results. He was very professional and thorough in what he did and his attention to detail made certain that he utilized all the information from myself and the Medical proffessionals necessary to my treatments, to get the settlement we did. I also found the administrative staff to be very much on the ball and very professional with me. I would not hesitate to recommend David personally, and highly recommend him and James H. Brown to anyone I know that would require their assistance. I would also return to them if I needed assistance again.
Had a great experience at James H. Brown! Michael Hoosein did a great job and I will recommend him to anyone.
Great and fast settlement, Michael Hoosein did a great job! Thanks Michael!
I have had a great experience with this company. I am great full for the support that this company gave me. As an elder in my community I feel that James Brown Supported me through this process and educated me through the process. Their customer service was really great. It was very inspirational to find a company that offers this kind of support.
I was in a car accident, my car was a right off and i had some injuries that i am still dealing with..i contacted James. H.Brown and meet Michael for our first meeting. He got the job done, when it came to settle there was a unfair settlement on the table, Michael fought for me and I am very happy with what I am receiving. Thank you very much for ur hard work.
"Glad to have caring people to help in our time of need"
My young daughter and I were injured in 3 different motor vehicle accidents. Michael Hoosein was exceptional at taking care of our cases and went beyond to make sure my daughter and I were entitled to the settlement we needed to heal from the injuries.
Exceptional Lawyer! Fantastic and helpful. Wonderful person!
Glad to have caring people to help in our time of need.
"Alan went above and beyond..."
On their way in to the city to receive the results for my Mom's PET scan, my parents were rear ended at a red light, three blocks from my house. Their vehicle was a complete write off. My father to this day still has a hard time talking about it and still experiences difficulties with his shoulder. Alan went above and beyond to ensure that they received fair compensation. Thank you Alan for looking after my parents!
"Lee fought very hard...and we give him a 5 Star for all his hard work"
After my mother was struck at a cross walk in 2013 my family contacted James H. Brown & Associates to handle are case. Lee Rusinko was assigned our case. He always keep my family informed immediately of any new news reference case. When my mother passed away about 4 months after incident Lee informed me that the coroner put down cause of death, natural causes. At this time my family & I thought that there was no way that we would receive a claim but Lee fought very hard to find a way for our family to receive a claim for our hardship. Very well recommended and we give him a 5 Star for all his hard work. Thanks James H Brown & Associates.
I just want to take a moment to review what Rick achieved for me in my settlement was outstanding and greatly appreciated. He went beyond my expectation and I must say he is very good at what he does. Awesome Richard!
Highly Recommend Rick Mallett along with his professionalism and caring!
I was involved in a motor vehicle accident and I explained the details of my accident to Rick Mallett after which he determined that I had a valid case to pursue. From my very first encounter with Rick, I was confident that I was in very competent and capable hands. He was always kind, polite, caring and very empathetic and he always had my best interest at heart. Due to his perseverance, experience, and knowledge of personal injury law he was able to successfully settle with extremely good results. He was very thorough in what he did and his attention to detail made certain that he built the strongest case possible for me. My settlement was far above average and I truly appreciate Ricks hard work and time for leading me successfully through this process. I would not hesitate to recommend Rick Mallett and highly recommed his services to anyone that may ever be in need of them.
"The whole team was professional, kind and responsive"
Highly recommended to anyone seeking an injury lawyer!
Michael was great in ensuring that I received a fair settlement for my injuries. With only a few days left in my limitation period, Michael told me all my options (even the ones that didn't directly benefit him). I ended up making a decision thanks to his expertise and I was able to settle before the period was up! Despite my decision not directly affecting him, he checked up with me routinely and was very helpful. I'd recommend James H. Brown and Michael to anyone looking to settle an injury!
"I couldn't have wished for better representation"
I wish I could write two reviews for how awesome my experience was with Michael Hoosein. Michael is a no-nonsense attorney that will get the job done! He knows exactly what he is doing and will put you at ease knowing he is on your side! He is professional and effective and still very personable all at the same time! The process was completely smooth and pleasant, and I never once felt overwhelmed with legal jargon. I couldn't have wished for better representation. If you need an injury lawyer, make sure you get Michael!
I was skeptical about going into a settlement case. But after talking with Lee R. he had made me feel comfortable about what the plan of action was. All i had to do was focus on my treatment. I am very pleased with the outcome and cant thank Lee and his assitant Rebecca enough for support.
I had a slip and fall on a buildup of ice infront of our office door that had not been removed for some time, resulting in a Left Head Splitting 4-Part Proximal Humerus Fracture. .Approximaty 6 months later I called Mr. Rusinko and met him at my officefor a consulation.At that time after a lot of physio. my Dr. had informed me i would never have full use of my arm again.Mr Rusinko was very kind and understanding ,but also very frim on a cause of action. I was so very happy on the outcome .he is very professional,I was always kept well informed .I would highly recommand lee Rusinko to my friends.He is a superb lawyer . Thank you Lee.
"13 months later I had a nice large settlement"
I came to James H Brown and associates about 4 months after my accident, as I was feeling apprehensive about the legal representation I had at the time. As soon as I spoke with Michael Hoosein I was completely confident that I had found the right person to handle my settlement. Everyone I dealt with at the firm, took excellent care of me and my case. My accident was a head on collision and 13 months later I had a nice large settlement. I honestly didn't think I would receive the amount I was hoping for, but I did, and am so happy I decided to go with Michael.
I was in a no fault auto accident in 2014. Initially, I tried dealing with the insurance company but despite my injuries they would not even offer me pain and suffering compensation. My hours off work from the pain, physio and Doctor’s appointments started to add up and affect my family. In order to receive any compensation I would have to send the insurance company reports of time off and mileage every single time and then wait to hear back. When it came to extending my physio treatments it was even difficult to work with them for that. Eventually I had enough of dealing with them and being bumped from agent to agent and decided to find a lawyer. Not only was I dealing with the present effects the accident was having on my day to day life but my future as a Carpenter was at stake with the injuries I has sustained.My wife started chatting with a James H Brown associate online named Michael N. Hoosein and from there we simply set up an appointment to meet him. Michael was so helpful and explained the process so there was no confusion. We were no longer having to deal with the insurance company either as he handled all their requests from then on. James H Brown took ownership in some of my medical appointments as well, helping me get a private MRI instead of waiting a year on the waiting list it takes in Canada. He also helped me meet a surgeon at the University of Alberta whom was difficult to get into.I would highly recommend Michael at James H Brown. Without him I know we would not have gotten a settlement from the Insurance Company. He eased our families stress by managing our case and took on the burden of dealing with the difficult Insurance Company. We are also very happy with the compensation we received as a result of his hard work. Thank you James H Brown!
I was in a no fault auto accident in 2014. Initially, I tried dealing with the insurance company but despite my injuries they would not even offer me pain and suffering compensation. My hours off work from the pain, physio and Doctor’s appointments started to add up and affect my family. In order to receive any compensation I would have to send the insurance company reports of time off and mileage every single time and then wait to hear back. When it came to extending my physio treatments it was even difficult to work with them for that. Eventually I had enough of dealing with them and being bumped from agent to agent and decided to find a lawyer. Not only was I dealing with the present effects the accident was having on my day to day life but my future as a Carpenter was at stake with the injuries I has sustained.
My wife started chatting with a James H Brown associate online named Michael N. Hoosein and from there we simply set up an appointment to meet him. Michael was so helpful and explained the process so there was no confusion. We were no longer having to deal with the insurance company either as he handled all their requests from then on. James H Brown took ownership in some of my medical appointments as well, helping me get a private MRI instead of waiting a year on the waiting list it takes in Canada. He also helped me meet a surgeon at the University of Alberta whom was difficult to get into.
I would highly recommend Michael at James H Brown. Without him I know we would not have gotten a settlement from the Insurance Company. He eased our families stress by managing our case and took on the burden of dealing with the difficult Insurance Company. We are also very happy with the compensation we received as a result of his hard work. Thank you James H Brown!
I came upon Lee Rusinko on the recommendation from a friend that he was amazing. I had several questions about an MVA that I was inolved in and connected with him via telephone. Not only did Lee take the time to listen to my questions and clarify some things I didn't fully understand about the insurance claim process, but he provided me SEVERAL invaluable pieces of advice in a clear, succinct way. He followed up with me to see how things were going with my claim if he could offer more valuable advice (for free) and NEVER pressured me to retain him. An OUTSTANDING human being, he went the extra mile to help me out. HIGHLY RECOMMEND.
Michael Hoosein did a great job in explaining the process to us. He was very informative and answered all my questions. I could not have done this without his help and expertise. I would highly recommend him to any one involved in a vehicle accident, as Insurance companies are there to make sure that you don't get what you are entitled to. Thanks Michael.
"It's almost hard to believe such a nice person could be a lawyer"
Rick is the best! I have done a few things with him. He has a way of making you feel like you've been heard. He doesn't get emotional with you but he does let you know that he's on your side. Rick has helped me in matters where I had been told that there was no help available, or that there was no hope for a settlement. Rick has succeeded in getting a settlement that is usually far a away better than I could have hoped for. He really knows what he is doing. There are a lot of jokes about snakes and lawyers but you never get that feeling from Rick. He's a very nice person, it's almost hard to believe such a nice person could be a lawyer, but he is. You can trust him to do what's best for you and your case.
"Both my husnband and I walked away with 6 figures each!"
In 2013 my husband and I were hit by another vehicle and sustained some injuries. We had heard through other friends that Jim was the best around, and I have to say that we totally agree now speaking from experience. My case specifically was somewhat complicated, but he made sure that I got everything needed and more. Leaving our first meeting with Jim, I felt at ease and very reassured that our case was in good hands. He made sure that we were informed throughout the whole process, and his assistant Natasha was great to deal with. She returned calls quickly, answered questions and gave us a good idea of what was coming next. When it came down to negotiating, I would say that Jim excells in this area as he was able to get us much more then we ever expected, and both my husnband and I walked away with 6 figures each! Thanks to everyone we dealth with at the office and to Jim and Natasha. I would recommend Jim Oneil to everyone!
I am very satisfied with the work put into my claim with Lawyer Michael Hoosein. The claim was settled just under a year. Whenever i had questions or concerns Mr. Hoosein was there to answer them. I would highly recommend this company!
Thank you for helping us and taking the stress off.
We found Michael Hoosein to be very helpful, understanding and compassionate. He helped us reach a fair settlement with the other parties insurance company. Upon our initial conversation, he walked us through all the details and was straight forward with what was to be expected. Throughout the process he kept us informed and up to date on what was transpiring. Our settlement took a little over 2 years, but Michael took all the stress out of the ordeal. We can not thank him, and the staff, enough for all that he did for us.
"Their level of professionalism was extremely high..."
I found my experience with the James H. Brown & Associates Law Firm, and in particular David Huculak and Bonnie Kimball, to be a very positive one. I thought their level of professionalism was extremely high and I felt very comfortable in conversing and dealing with them. I found the interaction was good and I always received prompt replies to any questions or concerns I raised. Furthermore, I feel I received a fair and reasonable settlement as a result of their diligence and ongoing work. I would recommend this firm to anyone requiring injury litigation.
Please accept our many thanks to your firm with recommendation to Lee Rusinko. Lee was a pleasure to have as our representation and far exceeded the professionalism and devotion to my brother and family. My brother was in a serious accident at the age of 42 which left him a quadrapalegic. Our family was left devastated by this tragedy and Lee relieved much of our stress by being there and taking care of everything necessary going above and beyond the services that your firm provides. His compassion and geniune care for our family at this time was evident throughout this long and painful journy. I highly recommend Lee Ruskinko to anyone, they will be thankful they chose him.
"excellent job advocating for my best interests"
I recently settled an MVA lawsuit from a car accident in 2014. The MVA has caused chronic pain despite extensive physiotherapy and treatment from specialists. The insurance company of the driver at fault was not offering a settlement that I felt comfortable with at all. I decided to hire a lawyer and met with Michael Hoosein. Michael did an excellent job advocating for my best interests and ensuring my claim was settled appropriately. Michael is an extremely intelligent and respectful lawyer and he explained every step of the process very clearly. I would highly recommend Michael to anyone seeking representation.
"I did get what I think is a fair settlement"
I had Michael represent me in a motor vehicle accident, an accident which left me in limbo with my insurance company especially since the other driver, who had lost control of their vehicle causing the accident, had the same insurance company. Before seeing him and dealing with the insurance company directly after a short while there were "issues" covering certain needed expenses, paperwork etc, etc, etc... and it was obvious I was being given the run around and that I needed a lawyer. I met with Michael, who extended his work hours for my convenience so that I could see him. He had me see a pain specialist immediately, which finally got the ball rolling in terms of recovery and was excellent, taking my concerns seriously. As for Michael, when emailing him with questions, he got back to me right away and his assistant Janet was excellent and had a very uplifting personality.
As far as the settlement went although the final settlement fees were a bit confusing and did include utilizing the settlement amount put aside for expenses along with the actual settlement amount, which I am not entirely in agreement or was sure about, Michael did get back to me and address this immediately and we discussed. I do have to say what was additional was not completely outrageous, and in the end I did get what I think is a fair settlement for my injuries, that I would not have gotten otherwise if I went without representation. I have to say to anyone in an accident, wait to settle until you know what your rights are and have someone represent you as they do more understand the system which loves to take money but when you need them they are sometimes gone. From this experience the insurance company at first seemed good and fair but this did change as the claim progressed.
Big thank you to James H. Brown and associates for all your hard work on my son's accident case! Highly recommend these guys!!!
"Always going the extra mile..."
Both my husnband and I walked away with 6 figures each!
I had Michael represent me in a motor vehicle accident, an accident which left me in limbo with my insurance company especially since the other driver, who had lost control of their vehicle causing the accident, had the same insurance company. Before seeing him and dealing with the insurance company directly after a short while there were "issues" covering certain needed expenses, paperwork etc, etc, etc... and it was obvious I was being given the run around and that I needed a lawyer. I met with Michael, who extended his work hours for my convenience so that I could see him. He had me see a pain specialist immediately, which finally got the ball rolling in terms of recovery and was excellent, taking my concerns seriously. As for Michael, when emailing him with questions, he got back to me right away and his assistant Janet was excellent and had a very uplifting personality. As far as the settlement went although the final settlement fees were a bit confusing and did include utilizing the settlement amount put aside for expenses along with the actual settlement amount, which I am not entirely in agreement or was sure about, Michael did get back to me and address this immediately and we discussed. I do have to say what was additional was not completely outrageous, and in the end I did get what I think is a fair settlement for my injuries, that I would not have gotten otherwise if I went without representation. I have to say to anyone in an accident, wait to settle until you know what your rights are and have someone represent you as they do more understand the system which loves to take money but when you need them they are sometimes gone. From this experience the insurance company at first seemed good and fair but this did change as the claim progressed. | 2019-04-23T14:43:05Z | https://www.jameshbrown.com/reviews/ |
I will try in my own humble way to answer this most difficult question.
How can we ever reconcile the fact of evil, suffering and pain, existing side by side with a benevolent holy G-D of light?
Let us go back to the story of the Garden of Eden G-D says to Adam in Gen,Chap 2 Verse 17 that he may eat of any tree except the "TREE OF KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL"
However, G-D being all-knowing knows before hand that Adam is going to fail the test so why did he give it in the first place? I hear a loud reply from the forum, "because he wanted us to have a free will and not be robots".
I don't buy this, completely, as G-D could easily given Adam absolute free rain and said to him "Adam your can do anything you want without any reservations"
Surely, the above would still have been free will without the "necessity of any test".
Nevertheless, G-D in his infinite wisdom goes ahead and gives Adam (and Eve) a test he "knows they are going to fail, Why? Was this fair seeing the awful consequences for humanity down through the age?
Let us go back to the origin of evil, where did it come from.
Isaiah Capt. 45 Verse 7 G-D says "I form the light and create darkness: I make peace and create "evil" I G-D do all these things. G-D made everything so he must have made evil but why?
Let us go back to Adam and the pampered environment of the Garden of Eden. If Adam and Eve had remained and by obeying God ( as God knew the would not) they would have existed in forever a paradise setting of beauty warmth, comfort, never ever have to toil work just reach out and eat do any thing they want .
This would be wonderful for say a hundred years or a thousand years, but having never ever experienced cold they could not appreciate warmth, never being hungry never appreciate food never being thirsty they would not appreciate the taste and satisfaction of sparking water , never knowing hate the would not know what love was.
Therefore, after countless years what is paradise to us would become a boring hell to them. Therefore, G-D simply had to banish them into the world or toil sorrow and hardship.
So G-D being fair and just gave them the test, which they failed and drove them out into the present reality world of thorns, cold, dark, pain, evil etc, etc. This reality is based on a duality we know evil so we know the beauty of goodness; we know truth so we can hate the lie, and we experience the light so that we know dark.
I do not for one moment believe the nonsense that there is an eternal battle between G-D and the Satan and that this being is almost Almighty G-Ds equal. Satan can only do what God permits him to do as we read in the book of Job.
I like your thinking and approach, but I do have my disagreements. As a general notion, I think the idea that one needs the bad to better appreciate the good makes sense. However, as a philosophical argument against the problem of evil, it is insufficient. Why must we experience the negative to appreciate the positive? I don't need to lose nearly lose my brother to appreciate having him around.
Before mentioning a few somewhat off-topic comments, I must say that I never bought into the idea of God creating evil, or evil existing apart from humanity, yet if the tree of the knowledge of good and evil existed as you pointed out, then there was evil (or at least a conception of it) without humanity.
I think many people are far too quick to blame God for the evil in the world, which is a product of humanity. I understand the thinking that if God knew there would be evil, then he could have stopped it. However, this way of thinking tries to shift the culpability away from humans, where it rightly should be.
Similarly, in Petrik's book "Evil Beyond Belief" he points out in the end that rather than focusing on the negative aspects of humanity, we should focus on the positive as well. People are so quick to blame God with the problem of evil, overlooking all the positive aspects of the world. I know these are not immediately related to the Garden of Eden, but they were on my mind and it's late so I wanted to get them out there.
I agree with your take on the story, Alan. I don't see it so much as a test, but that doesn't matter. I think, getting right down to the basics of it, that God wanted Adam and Eve to understand him, God. So he wanted them to learn.
The Problem of Evil that Axis refers to doesn't even remotely bother me. Life is a story that we all must learn from. Well, without an antagonist of some sort, any story is boring as heck and will likely teach nothing worth learning. I wonder if those who get hung up on the Problem of Evil and thus despise or deny God have ever learned or gained something good from experiencing something bad... cause I know I have.
Sorry but these questions would be relevant if we had been asked in the first place..I ask why where we created? was it for gods benefit or ours..Does it mean a million children an more have to suffer terrible pains and death for me to enjoy existance.Much to easy to say its for our benefit but why should we exist atall.I can imagine a soul, an afterlife but never this benevolent god.
For my part, I think the existence of evil, and suffering, is the primary objection to a belief in a "personal" God, answering prayers, watching over us, etc., and indeed is inconsistent with such a belief, as Epicurus noted, long ago. I find the traditional explanations of evil by those who so believe--e.g. free will, an unknowable divine plan, everything ultimately for the good--very unsatisfying. I'm afraid I can't accept your explanation either, Alan McDougall.
We were created for God's benefit, or amusement even. How could we possibly have been created for our own benefit when before we were created we didn't even exist. Not even God can benefit someone who doesn't exist.
If I might comment a little here. I have learned in all deeper thoughts such as we are exhibiting here, in those thoughts are "divine" threads that are absolutely true. What is so exasperating is those thoughts are intermingled with those thoughts that are the result of our human frailty as we compare our existence to that of God. Common sense, as far as I am concerned at any rate, tells me that just cannot be done.
That is what life has been thus far, IMO, to come to the understanding that "can't" be done. We are divine, just not "that" divine. Yet. We have a way to go, and that is what life is all about; becoming more and more divine. Which is to say becoming the "humans" we were created to be.
As far as the Garden of Eden, one must understand it was written after the fact. How long after the fact will never be known. It was written based on man's very limited understanding to the very best of his ability and in such a way that would allow that understanding "to fit" in the world man was creating. Man has tests, man plays games, man desires to rule, man has wrath, man has jealousy and to assume God is of the like is divine hubris at it's worst as we equate what it is to be human at the same time. Not an easy task, but an essential one. We have an eternity to get it right.
As I have often said wisdom is to understand warmth of a sunny day, we must experience the ferocity of the storm. Some of that storm is to witness the ineptness of "our rule" as Xris indicated pointing out the poverty and hunger. There is no other way. It, IMO, had to be this way. On a side note here, is what we must be asking ourselves is how great a storm can we endure before we finally "see the light".
Here is where we get to the core of man's problem as it relates to God. As Alan mentioned in another post, "God is!", is pretty much on the mark. Where we get into trouble is adhering to the assumption that "God" created the heavens and the Earth. Now please, think about that statement. How could we possibly make such a claim? That one statement is the root of all our problems. It insinuates God to be "separate" from us. Yes, it could very well be, but we just don't know that, do we? If that were indeed true, no wonder why we would question God's motives as we experience evil.
To create something one must know the "alpha and omega" of it for it is a creation and all of it's scope is plainly visible. In that scenario, one would "blame" God for the misery in the world because He created it. IF, that were "a part" of God's plan, it would be understandable for any one to question God's motives. Myself included.
Now back to Eden for a second. Now to expound on what we "do" know, we are creations of the universe. No doubt about that. We are a part of that, whatever "that" is. In my opinion God is the heart or the core that drives that universe as it evolves, grows and expands of which has no end that we can possibly imagine. God, the universe, and us just "IS". It is all connected and we are a part of that connection. In Eden we were indeed "perfect" in our creation. Physical being was the "new thing". And what a new thing it was, too. Wow! IMO, it was not known what that entail. It was yet to be seen. We are that "core" in the "physical realm", just a very young, ignorant part "learning as we go". Wisdom, would guide our path as God, learned what it is to "be human" through us, "then" guiding our path in accordance with the laws of the universe.
Our problem is our refusal to apply any wisdom to our existence for our interpretations of God are wrong. We created God to fit our interpretations allowing us to maintain our autonomy over our fellow man instilling in God the same frailties we suffer. Not good. Not good at all.
That's what our divine being is capable of. We think we have all the answers, being divine and all. Yeah, right. Remember what I said in the beginning of this post, separating "divine thought from man's frailties". All of what we have experienced, we had no choice but to experience it. We weren't "kicked out"of the Garden of Eden, we walk of our own "free will". Life itself would be our "teacher", not only to us, but to God as well as we evolve TOGETHER acquiring "knowledge" that would guide our path as we had to learn for ourselves, being perfect and all, what was good for us and what was bad for us that would give us the wisdom to continue on, evil lessening as we go until we once again reunite with that core of which we are a part and begin to divinely work together. I promise you chaos, turmoil pain and suffering are not a part of that paradigm. We created evil, we can eliminate it.
Once we understand all are a part of the universe and begin to become "humane" as it relates to "all" other human beings will we be able to reunite with that universal "guide" that we call God, that from which we were created. Considering the arguably age of the universe as 14 billion years and we have only been around, as best we can determine about 5 thousand years, we have got a lot to learn as to what "being human" really means.
Thanks for the opportunity to share my thought. Value it as you will.
Very profound post and I agree with most of it.
Once again the faithful never see the question i ask but reply to the question i never posed because its easier to do so..This thoughtful god why did he create us ? was it for his benefit or ours ? do billions of children have to suffer for me to attain gods image ? Is god so insufficient to not endow us with understanding that he requires us to learn through thousands of years of suffering ? is he that crap at creation??
Xris, I am with you in your disgust as to the poverty stricken in the world. Now as far as I can see it there are two options open to me. Either I can hate God for allowing it to happen and just stew in my hate. Or I can reason that perhaps all we interpret God to be is just not accurate and we are wrong in our interpretations. I chose the latter route, simply because hate in any regard is not a part of my nature. I needed another answer. We have been here before and any other interpretation will be address by you as "changing the rules" and therefore preventing you from hearing alternative thought. In all due respect you want to think like you do and there is nothing I can say that will rest comfortably with you. In all due respect, the poverty stricken in the world are a creation of man. God had nothing to do with it and I have explained my thoughts on this many times as to what has led me to the conclusions I have come to. The interpretations man has issued as to who and what God is has never rested well with me and I sought "different" understanding. It has taken me my entire life to arrive at the conclusions I have. I am extremely comfortable with the results. Completely. I think the one difference between you and I is I never doubted the "existence" of God. I was just ill at ease with what every body else thought. I hope someone will be able to provide you with the answers you are looking for. It seems I can't. Good luck my friend.
Read my previous two posts in this thread and you will see that I addressed directly the questions you are asking. My answers may not satisfy you, you may not like or agree with it, but don't say that I didn't answer your questions.
I dont hate god, i dont believe in him .These questions i ask you dont answer them ,thats my problem.Do you believe in a benevolent GOD ?
Satisfy me? i thought you was an athiest trying to be sarcastic, sorry.So god made us for his amusement ? and that satifies you ? This god needs us for etertainment ,well my friend if this God of yours actually exists who created humanity for his pleasure do you think we should be grateful , admire him ,like him,believe he is benevolent?
For one thing, I think one of the great misconceptions is that death is "evil". It's not. In fact, it's essential in nature. We haven't gone through thousands of years of suffering. Sure, there are people starving right now, some getting ready to kill themselves, some being tortured, but this doesn't mean any of this is objectively 'wrong'. Once we apply a morality, we are then the judges. The universe does not judge, it just is.
Many notions of "God" predicate a flaw that philosophers centuries ago, such as Pyrrho, hinted at: Mortals suppose that "God" is born as themselves; they attach human foibles, and attempt to apply logical understanding. Additionally, many notions assume "God" constructs reality as we do, a culmination of sequential events, and then eventually judging (a human trait). To hate "God" is one of the silliest things I've ever heard: It's an application of the nature and then a judgment on the very nature that was constructed! It's delusional thinking, in my opinion (but believe what you will!). Same with thinking that "God" is benevolent or malevolent - these concepts do not exist outside of our morality.
Notionally, anything can exist. So, if you wish to conjure up a notion of "God" and believe in it, go right ahead. But that's all it is. Xris, why were we created? You have to define that.
Many notions of "God" predicate a flaw that philosophers centuries ago, such as Pyrrho, hinted at: Mortals suppose that "God" is born as themselves; they attach human foibles, and attempt to apply logical understanding. Additionally, many notions assume "God" constructs reality as we do, a culmination of sequential events, and then eventually judging (a human trait). To hate "God" is one of the silliest things I've ever heard: It's an application of the nature and then a judgment on the very nature that was constructed! It's delusional thinking. Same with thinking that "God" is benevolent or malevolent - these concepts do not exist outside of our morality.
Im not arguing against a wider notion of god im talking about Jehova ,Jesus, Allah the testament of the benevolent god...If you believe in a creator who is neither good nor bad..fine i have alternative questions for you..Prove him or show his worth..
Absolutely. That part of God that is not benovelent is our role in that oneness. As long as we deem our existence "separate" from God, then God is not benovelent. Thanks to us.
No one was arguing in the case of Jesus here. Alan's post was concerning the myth of the garden, and regardless what notion of "God" you believe, you can still try to make sense out of it. I don't know what made you bring this up.
I don't exactly see what you're getting at - you're going to go around and ask the worth of everyone's nature of "God"? Of course you're going to come back empty handed - they are not your constructs! If someone's "God" gave them sun everyday, and then 'proved' "God" exists because of that, you still wouldn't like it because it's not the logical proof you desire, but the worth is to them!
Personally, I choose not separate "God" from myself, so there's nothing to prove. To ask if God exists is silly in my opinion, as notionally anything can exist. I can apply any nature I choose to, but I choose not to even mutter the word. I'm content with the understanding that the universe just is.
How about you prove to me the worth of your belief to denounce a "God"? As I've mentioned before, theists and atheists are one of the same, both believe in a nature of "God", the only difference being, one has denounced and one has accepted. Clearly, you have a nature of "God" that you choose to denounce. Therefore, you're denouncing a nature that you've constructed. Otherwise, you wouldn't even be mentioning it in the first place!
Cant you see my frustration in your reply? everything is ,if you believe, a product of god.Dont exclude god them exhume for your purpose..
If God exists, whether or not you or I or anyone else is satisfied that he created us for his sake doesn't matter, because like I said, he couldn't have done anything for our sake before we even existed. So the only reasonable conclusion is that God created us for his benefit. Personally, I don't feel the need to question why. I'm content enough with my life to be grateful that he bothered. It's up to you whether you will be grateful, whether you will admire or like him. It doesn't bother me if you don't. And despite what some people say about him, I'm pretty darn sure it doesn't bother him either. Why should it? | 2019-04-21T17:18:53Z | https://groups.able2know.org/philforum/topic/3997-1 |
Discussion in 'Knee Replacement Pre-Op Area' started by Jeffntate, Nov 17, 2018.
I am hopefully a candidate for a partial knee replacement of the medial compartment. Before I lost 55 pounds, all the doctors were only suggesting a total knee, despite the fact that all my problems are in the medial only compartment (as far as I know based on a 2015 MRI). All my pain is in that compartment, so I have reason to hope this is a viable option.
My question - I was reading about President Bush getting a partial knee replacement by a top surgeon at Rush Memorial Hospital in Chicago, and one of the benefits they mention in this article or another one I read tonight (https://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/wa...Rush-University-Medical-Center-267020221.html) is that at least in the President's surgery, no muscle, ligament, or tendon was cut.
My question is simple - are all partial knee replacements like the President's, with no cutting of any muscle, ligament, or tendor, or does this Rush Memorial surgeon have such technical skill that he can do what no one else can do?
I'm trying also to decide whether to get my partial knee replacement done here locally or if I should travel to a major medical university like Rush, or closer ones to me like Vanderbilt in Nashville or Emory in Atlanta. What did most of you do for knee surgeon, partial or otherwise, did you go to a in town local doctor, or travel 2-4 or more hours to a top notch major medical university to get a top notch doctor and his staff to work your knee surgery?
Also, they have this local to me: Mako Robotic-Arm Assisted Technology for partial knee replacement. Anyone else had this partial knee by Mako Robotic arm? Are all partial knee replacements done with such robots now?
IMO the skill of the surgeon outweighs all other considerations for TKR or PKR. Find the best person you can. Personal recommendation is best. People here may be able to help. Again IMO you can't spend too much time or effort in finding the right person.
I don't believe muscles or tendons are cut in modern knee surgery; they are pretty much messed about simply by being shoved out of the way, which is what causes post-op pain. Talk of 'quad-sparing' surgery in particular is marketing hype, *all* modern surgery is quad-sparing!
Talk of 'quad-sparing' surgery in particular is marketing hype, *all* modern surgery is quad-sparing!
Partials don’t usually last as long as totals, so there’s a very good chance you will have to have it converted to a total some years down the road. The recoveries are very similar despite marketing saying it’s a quicker recovery and a more natural feel since only one of the 3 compartments are replaced.
I have a partial, a Patellofemoral. I’ve had a difficult recovery and at 20 months post op I am still very sorry I had it done. Nothing about my knee feels remotely natural. I actually have more limitations now than I did with the “partial arthritis” I had before the surgery. I was not bone on bone.
Second opinions are difficult and often disappointing.
There are some surgeons who won’t even do partials because they don’t believe in them.
On the other hand, some people are happy with theirs. @NavyGunns is happy with his. I think his came about because of an injury long ago, not just “general arthritis” that developed over time.
Going by my experience I will never recommend a partial to anyone.
Navy Guns has a good experience so he does recommend them.
I will also add I believed everything my surgeon told me because I didn’t know any better. I am now an unsuccessful patient and he offers me no help to find out why it hasn’t been successful.
are all partial knee replacements like the President's, with no cutting of any muscle, ligament, or tendon, or does this Rush Memorial surgeon have such technical skill that he can do what no one else can do?
Oh my goodness no! There never has been cases where any vital structures were cut. Perish the thought!
Anyone else had this partial knee by Mako Robotic arm? Are all partial knee replacements done with such robots now?
Not all no. Some surgeons like to use these tools but by far the majority still go free-handed. And generally speaking, even an expert would be hard pressed to tell the difference!
@Jeffntate, as @Jockette indicated, I had a PKR of the lateral compartment of my left knee back in April. The procedure was Mako robot assisted (Makoplasty). The incision is only about 4” or so long and hardly visible (surgeon used glue to seal rather than staples or stitches which I think makes a difference). Per my OS, I was a perfect candidate for PKR as the lateral compartment was the only damaged area of my knee from a track injury when I was 16. So far, I’m extremely happy with the results. My expectations are that I will not need any further surgery on this knee for at least 15-20 years based on my physical health and the opinion of my OS.
PKR is not for everyone. It was the perfect choice for me. I asked my OS why not just do a TKR and be done with it. He asked why replace what is not broken? He also stated if it were his knee, PKR is what he would do.
Feel free to read my recovery thread for more insight on what to expect.
My medical meniscus was torn as seen during scope job several years ago. My son job shadowed an Orthopedic surgeon who did a form of partial called an "Oxford". Is there any info on this particular unicompartmental being more successful than the lateral or the third compartment, or are all unicompartments about the same success rate? More important for me, since I already take a high dose of opioids, is the pain a good bit less postop from a unicompartment in the medial area?
If it's for your knee, here's some Good News. Just weeks or at most a couple of months post-op, you won't need any painkillers at all. Zippo. Zilch. How cool is that?
No, all PKRs are not like that and that surgeon does not have some super-skill.
Many PKRs last only a few years and some even have to be replaced within the first year. It doesn't matter whether you go to a big fancy hospital or not. What is important is the skill of your surgeon - he needs to be a specialist in knee replacements and do at least 200 a year.
In spite of what you seem to be thinking, the cutting of muscles and tendons is very infrequently done nowadays - it is old-fashioned and unnecessary.
Don't be misled into thinking that having a PKR will give you a faster and less painful recovery than having a total knee replacement. In almost every case, it won't. Recovery from a PKR takes just as long as recovery from a TKR.
In addition, the maximum life of a PKR is 10-15 years, while a TKR should last for 30+ years.
My medical meniscus was torn as seen during scope job in 2016. My son job shadowed an Orthopedic surgeon who did a form of partial called an "Oxford". Is there any info on this particular unicompartmental being more successful than the lateral or the third compartment, or are all unicompartments about the same success rate? More important for me, since I already take a high dose of opioids, is the pain a good bit less postop from a unicompartment in the medial area?
Don't base your decision on whether to have a PKR or a TKR on an arthroscopy done in 2016. Your knee could have changed a lot since then. You need to have up-to-date X-Rays and probably an MRI as well.
I had an Oxford unicompartmental (medial) mobile-bearing PKR for my first knee replacement. I had an excellent and meticulous surgeon and the PKR lasted for 11 years and then failed, and I had to have it revised to a TKR.
The success rate of PKRs is dependent much more on the skill of the surgeon than on the type of knee replacement. The skill of the surgeon is the most important factor in any knee replacement.
In spite of the publicity and advertising, there is really very little difference between one brand of knee replacement hardware and another. Don't waste your time looking for the perfect hardware - instead, look for the best surgeon.
Why are you taking a high dose of opioids now? You may need help to reduce that dose before surgery. Do you see a pain management doctor now? If so, he/she will be a help after your surgery as well and you should talk to him/her about it now.
No, a PKR is not less painful than TKR. I have had both, and, if anything, my PKR was the most painful and the hardest to recover from. The amount of pain and the recovery time are very similar between a PKR and a TKR.
You seem to think that you will be in terrible pain after your surgery. With modern methods, even though you are now habituated to opiates, your pain can be well controlled - but you do need to talk to your surgeon, anaesthetist and a Pain Management doctor about this before going into surgery.
Having had both a PKR and a TKR on my right knee, I chose to have a TKR when my left knee needed replacing, even though I was offered a PKR. I would not have another PKR.
I had a PKR in Oct 2007, still have it, still going strong. If I am out in the cold, damp weather, i.e. snow, and not able to sit down now and then it does ache. I had 8 surgeries on the PKR knee. My surgeon gave me my options, I asked him point blank if this was your knee, knowing my history, what would you do? He said PKR. Having to have the epidural prior to surgery scared me more than the surgery itself.
The recovery time felt like forever. I did all the exercises prior to surgery and after surgery. I went to PT 3 times a week and did all the exercises at home the other 4 days a week. I became frustrated with all the work I was putting in and it would only bend to 95 degrees. This went on for a few weeks. I told my PT about it, he kept saying one day it will just be where its supposed to be. A couple weeks later all my hard work paid off, I could bend it to 120 degrees. I was elated, and released from PT. This was in late Feb 2008.
The pain and frustration prior to surgery doesn't end at surgery. You have to work hard for your knee to be as normal as it can be.
I'm not sure if TKR patients are able to kneel. I am not as my initial injury took out part of my knee cap.
I am scheduled for TKR on the other knee in Dec. Excited and at the same time I know the hard work ahead of me.
I wish you all well, quick healing and great PT.
I'm glad that your PKR is doing so well, @Gimpy9 .
Actually, all that hard work at PT isn't really necessary. Your knee, whether you have a TKR or a PKR, will gradually start to bend more as it heals and its swelling goes down. All you need to do is keep your knee moving gently.
If you choose to go to PT, that's fine, but you can also rehab your knee by letting your normal activities of daily living be your exercise. Walking is the best exercise of all, so you can start off by just walking around the house, and gradually increase the length of your walks.
I have TKRs in both my knee and I can kneel. It feels strange, but I can do it. Some surgeons prefer their patients don't kneel, but that is up to the individual patient and surgeon.
Recommendations for a surgeon in North Alabama?
Added some stuff to my personal information. Posting to see if it shows.
Any other opinions on PKR vs TKR? Looking for any and all input, and for surgeon recommendation.
Not sure if both fix the medial compartment like my problem or not.
Can someone give me a link to buy one of the recommended elevation wedges in picture #1 or #2? Looks like a good idea to get used to sleeping with pre-op.
There's nothing special about quad sparing. In fact, most surgeons do it nowadays. Snipping the quads is considered rather old-fashioned.
If you want to know whether a particular surgeon refrains from snipping the quads, I suggest you select a surgeon and then ask him/her. It could be one of the questions you ask, once you have a short list of surgeons.
By the way, the thread you've been looking at is 5 years old. No one has posted on it since December 2013.
It may be that no one here at the moment has personal experience of a surgeon in your town.
Have you tried using the "Find a Clinic" facility in teh blue band at teh top of the page?
If you can't find anyone that way, you could try posting your zip code here and tagging Jamie, who might be able to suggest someone not too far away. You need a surgeon who specialises in knee and hop replacements and who does ab out 500 a year.
Instead of focussing on different implants and techniques, I think you'd be better advised to look for a good surgeon, because your surgeon's skill is the most important factor for success in a knee replacement.
Hello, I've been reading a lot of threads on here but this thread is specific to me.
I've been putting off knee replacement with SynVisc and cortisone injections, even bought an electric wheelchair and have multiple braces because of things I heard about knee replacement.
Functionally I can still get around on the knee. It doesn't lock or have true functional issues but the pain has gotten unmanageable and I am living a mostly sedentary lifestyle.
I'm doing the 120 leg lifts a day now but am so afraid of pushing any harder out of fear of making the knee pain skyrocket out of control (hit 9/10 yesterday). It hurts all the time, but gets worse at night, regardless of how much I baby myself. I don't know what to do.
I was told to lose weight and that knee replacement isn't a slam dunk like a hip replacement and some are not satisfied. Then I read that those who have a lot of pre-op pain tend to have more post-op pain even long term. But the knee pain is getting to the point that I can't stand it and I wonder if I should even undergo emergency knee replacement. My anxiety is high about all this.
I fear having the surgery and I fear not having it. One of my rheumatologists said he wears a brace because so many people have bad results, but my other rheumatologist said he had TKR and was back to work in 4 weeks as a doctor. I also read people with osteoarthritis tend to do worse with getting pain relief from knee replacement. Any advice or help is appreciated. I'm trying to take the minimum amount of narcotics but the less I take them the less I can do so not having much luck lowering my dose and usually I have to take more at night.
The purpose of this study was to compare the patient-reported outcomes regarding joint awareness, function, and satisfaction after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
We identified all patients who underwent a UKA or TKA at our institution between September 2011 and March 2014, with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Propensity score matching was performed for age, gender, body mass index, operation side, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score. One hundred UKAs to 100 TKAs were matched. Each knee was evaluated according to the WOMAC score, Forgotten Joint Score (FJS), High Flexion Knee Score (HFKS) and patient's satisfaction at postoperative 2 years.
There was no significant difference in WOMAC score at postoperative 2 years between UKA and TKA groups. However, the FJS of the UKA group was significantly higher than that of the TKA group (67.3 ± 19.8 and 60.6 ± 16.6, respectively; P = .011). The HFKS was also significantly higher in the UKA group compared with the TKA group (34.4 ± 6.4 and 31.3 ± 5.2, respectively; P < .001). Eighty-six percent of all patients who underwent UKA were satisfied compared with 71% of those who underwent TKA (P = .027).
Patients who underwent UKA had higher FJS, HFKS, and satisfaction rate when compared with patients who underwent TKA, indicating that UKA facilitated less knee awareness and better function and satisfaction than TKA.
The scores for each subscale are summed up, with a possible score range of 0-20for Pain, 0-8 for Stiffness, and 0-68 for Physical Function. Usually a sum of the scores for all three subscales gives a total WOMAC score, however there are other methods that have been used to combine scores.
Jeff, It's plain as day that you need a knee replacement.
In fact, you probably needed it years ago.
Stop frightening yourself with so much research and go ahead with that knee replacement.
You seem to have only read about the negative things associated with knee replacement.
Know this: Knee replacement is one of the most successful and the most frequent surgeries carried out nowadays.
As long as you continue to put off having a knee replacement, your knee will continue to get more and more painful and unreliable.
If you have a knee replacement, yes, you will have pain at first, but it can be controlled.
Yes, recovery from a knee replacement is not a walk in the park. It's long and frustrating.
But - and this is the great thing! - your knee will continue to get less painful and more reliable once you have had the surgery.
I've had three knee replacements. The first was a partial that lasted for 11 years before it needed to be revised. That's longer than most partials survive. That PKR saved me from a life of ever-decreasing mobility and increasing pain. It gave me back the life I wanted.
I now have a TKR in each of my knees and I love them. They are more healthy than the rest of my aging body! They fully restored my mobility and activity. At 77, instead of being a rocking-chair granny, I'm independently mobile, I drive everywhere I need to, I travel, I do my own housework and gardening, I play with my grandchildren, and I don't take any medications for my knees.
Jeff, you're overthinking all this.
Whether you have a partial or a total knee replacement should not be decided on a presumed pain level after surgery. It is the condition of your knee that should be the deciding factor and with your long-standing knee arthritis, it is unlikely that your knee will be a suitable candidate for a partial anyway.
All my pain is in the medial side, and the xrays the local surgeon took about 3 months ago led him to mention a partial knee replacement, but that was after I dropped from a BMI of 36.6 to 26.7. Before when I was at the higher number, 3 different surgeons only mentioned a total knee replacement, so I don't know if I am really now a candidate or if he just thinks he can sell me on a partial to get me past the shots and onto the surgery track or not.
Don't waste your time and money having a partial. With your knee history and your current pain level, why would you want to go through two surgeries and two recoveries, when one (a TKR) will do the trick?
Especially as partials do not have a good record of longevity. Some even need revising to a total within the first year.
In case you thought differently, and in spite of what you may have been told, recovery from a partial is usually just as long, and just as painful' as recovery from a total.
It takes a full year for complete recovery of all your soft tissues, whether you have a PKR or a TKR, although you will be feeling much better and more mobile long before that.
Both what? You never said.
You actually don't need to buy a wedge because pillows or big cushions will do just as well. However, you can get the Lounge Doctor from Amazon and if you buy via this thread - Recovery Aids: A comprehensive list for hospital and home - (hit "Click Amazon") the you will help for forum by getting us a donation.
Are all knee replacements "quad sparing" and what will tell you whether a surgeon can do that or not?
This was answered earlier and Celle just answered it again. Only old fashioned, out of date surgeons will cut the quads these days. Good surgeons know it's unnecessary.
so I don't know if I am really now a candidate or if he just thinks he can sell me on a partial to get me past the shots and onto the surgery track or not.
He's just a surgeon who is an 'enthusiast' about partials. Some surgeons are. Your key option is to make sure the surgeon also does totals and that he will be prepared to 'jump ship' and do a total if he thinks it necessary because not all knees are 100% suitable for a partial and very often they won't know that until they actually eyeball the inside of the knee. | 2019-04-21T18:05:47Z | https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/building-decision-for-knee-surgery.51446/ |
Blog notes on the Banner of Truth UK Ministers’ Conference, Leicester, 27-30 April 2009.
Our first speaker was Lindsay Brown. Lindsay was the travelling secretary for UCCF when I began as a student in Aberystwyth. He has gone on to work with IFES in various capacities. He spoke on the phrase ‘so great salvation’ from Hebrews 2:1-3. It was a great opening message, full of anecdotes. Well, it was like going back 25 years for me. In no time he was referencing Marx, Freud and particularly an Ingmar Bergman film.
Seeking to encourage us, he spoke of the temptation to lose our sense of wonder at the gospel. In order to counter this, he drew our attention first to various sources – the hymns (eg. Wesley ‘O for a thousand tongues’), church architecture, the history of science (see Richard Hookyas and Kepler’s idea of thinking God’s thoughts after him), Michelangelo’s diaries, Rembrandt’s putting himself at the foot of the cross in his paintings, Handel’s sense of the majesty of God, etc.
1. The Author. It is the message of the Creator, the God of the universe. He illustrated his point by referring to the importance of an author as seen in the pre-publication sales of J K Rowling and the recent discovery of a Caravaggio among the Queen’s collections.
2. What it saves from. The gospel provides eternal salvation. He illustrated this from the power of antibiotics, a story from Africa of a woman who had left her husband for another but went back to him and so found freedom, another from a Dutch pastor used in revival in Irian Jaya even though he had once been in the Hitler Youth and done terrible things.
3. What it saved us for. Illustrated from the fictional story of Ben Hur, including the doctrine of adoption. He quoted hearing humanist Marghanita Laski saying on the BBC World Service that she knew no-one who could forgive her. He also spoke of hope and added a whole load of quotations from Sartre, etc.
After an excellent supper, Sinclair Ferguson gave his first address on ‘Union with Christ’. The text was Colossians 3:1-17. Dr Ferguson explained that the idea for this theme grew out of a recognition that this was a great (though not the central) theme in Calvin’s writings. However, it is above all a key to living the Christian life in many places in Paul. See Romans 5, Philippians 2, etc, etc. The other apostles also make use of this great theme that Christ himself taught them (see eg. John 15). It is summed up in Paul’s expression that Christians believe into Christ.
He noted that this is a key part of Paul’s answer then to the Colossian heresy, whatever it was. Paul answers the talk of fullness of the heretics by pointing to the fullness that is in Christ. It is in this letter that he speaks most often of this subject of union.
1. A brief visit to the architect’s office – the basic pattern, the structure of Paul’s thinking, his theology of the gospel.
The order of the gospel is that faith is founded on grace. The divine indicative is the basis for all the divine imperatives. The imperatives are safe and secure only when founded on union with Christ. Otherwise we preach mere morality. Every imperative must be grounded in the indicative of union.
Everything about the present is guaranteed by the past as is everything for the future. No appearance in glory until the elect are all gathered in.
Here we are on earth but our lives are hidden in Christ, in heaven. We are aliens here. This is not our home. He illustrated this amusingly, by his devotion to Scotland, though living in America.
There is putting off and putting on. Mortifying sin is only part of sanctification.We need to see these patterns then. We need to understand these things fully. Preachers should understand the anatomy of salvation very clearly (as one would expect a good doctor to know human anatomy). This knowledge should inform our pastoral theology.
2. A brief visit to the building site – what does it mean practically to be united to Christ?
We live in two dimensions and so trials and tribulations are to be expected. Paul explains in Chapter 1 that they are united to Christ and explains who he is. It is too much to take in. Paul wants them nevertheless to see what a glorious one they are united to, the one who saved them and will bring them to glory. What a totally stunning thing.
He goes on to speak of the manner in which we are united to Christ. He speaks of how we are not only in Christ but we are also in him. He introduces it with great acclaim. By faith we embrace Christ but he also dwells by his Spirit in us. That is why Jesus had to go away. It seems to us that we would be better off with Christ but he says it is better to have the Spirit.
Everything that Christ ever did or will do was done for his people. He quoted from a book written by a man who lost his son and says there that the experience now defines him. So the believer is one who above everything is united to Christ. We only get glimpses of it here but it will be fully revealed one day. I am someone without whom the King of heaven will not go to glory. What a glorious thing that is. I never knew you loved me so much! We are dead men brought to life. We have been crucified with him and we rise with him. This is why we must set our hearts on things above. Jack Nicklaus would go to his first coach and take the first lesson again each year. Without the fundamentals we will get nowhere.
It was a delight and a blessing to hear this excellent treatment, so warm and so theological.
In recent years it has been the practice to have a short item before the main morning one. This time Jonathan Watson spoke briefly on the 1859 revival in Ulster. He focussed on the way various aspects of life were affected by the revival, quoting from original sources. He highlighted the dearth of drunkenness and of sectarianism, the refining and elevating of the people in home and family. There were also many social improvements – people learned to read, profanity became rare, the criminal courts had little to do, drunkenness and violence receded, prostitution became very rare and many were converted.
He urged us therefore to pray. Who knows what God may do? He mentioned in closing the coming reprinting of John Weir’s history of the revival1.
Our main morning message was by Welshman Professor Derek Thomas, on Calvin’s sermons on Jeremiah. He began by explaining how Calvin preached a large number of sermons week by week. From September 1549 the sermons were recorded in some 44 volumes that in the 19th Century were distributed across Europe for the cost of the paper. Some 2,300 appear to have been written down and about 1500 are extant. The opera contain 872 and a supplement of 618 also exists. Calvin only published some 4 sermons himself but was willing at times to see his sermons published. Not all versions were official. Calvin was not entirely happy with this process, fearing he could be quoted, the sermons being given without the usual care bestowed on other works. It was all done too hastily, he felt. Examples of sermon sets appearing include those on Job.
Only 27 sermons on Jeremiah exist today (2 are on Lamentations). The sermons were preached from October 1548 – September 1550 and so there must have been around 300 altogether. These few are in the supplement to the opera and are in French. Calvin deals with about 5 or 6 verses each time in the lectio continua style.
There was also a five volume commentary on Jeremiah (published posthumously just after 1564). This grew out of his lectures. Students would make notes and compare them. Calvin was much less reluctant about these as although they were still very much unprepared they were given in an academic context.
Two main points were made from the sermons.
Derek pointed for example to the way Calvin speaks against the lack of attention to preaching that was a problem in Geneva. He also speaks against false teaching and stresses the need of preachers to warn people.
1. For Calvin preaching is always in the context of tribulation.
The sermons show a great deal of sensitivity to a suffering congregation and often speak of the troubles of life. We should not be surprised at such things.
2. For Calvin one of the main themes in the prophets is idolatry.
Calvin often speaks against idolatry in its various manifestations. He is preaching to hearts idolatrous by nature. People often misconstrue – that is why Calvin strove for simplicity.
3. Calvin employs a redemptive-historical approach.
Calvin saw prophecy as having relevance to the contemporary situation, predictive of Christ’s coming and referring to the whole history of mankind until the end. His hermeneutic is amazing. He saw a line of continuity in the days of the prophets and of the apostles. He was very much aware of the pattern of dark days followed by restoration. His emphasis is on reformation rather than revival, reformation of worship in particular – this relates back to his opposition to idolatry.
4. Calvin employs a gospel hermeneutic.
His ability to find Christ in a passage is not wooden (indeed shortly after his death he was taken to task by a Lutheran writer who did not think he found Christ enough).
5. Calvin uses a homilectically experiential approach.
He anticipates the Westminster Directory in his awareness of different kinds of hearer.
This was a fine message on unknown material well suited to its audience.
(1) Death pressed in on every side.
(2) Being a refugee twice over at least.
(3) The work of preaching and the pastorate.
He was phenomenally busy. Even when he had assistants they proved unsatisfactory.
(4) The political situation and the conflicts it brought.
He was opposed by old Geneva libertines and refugees and asylum seekers. Geneva had a reputation for being a magnet to all sorts of evil people. There were many to contend with, who brought in all sorts of heresies. Meanwhile the old guard strongly opposed him. He tried his best to resign but was not able to. He often wished he were elsewhere. Things came to a head over the issue of who could be excommunicated. It was many years before such things were resolved.
There was the adultery of his brother and the death of his wife as well as 3 or 4 children. At Idelette’s death in 1549, Calvin wrote, ‘Truly mine is no common grief. I have been bereaved of the best friend of my life.’ He was often ill too and went through much suffering.
This is an implication of union with Christ.
(2) Calvin is encouraged by God’s providence.
Yet, when that light of divine providence has once shone upon a godly man, he is then relieved and set free not only from the extreme anxiety and fear that were pressing him before, but from every care. For as he justly dreads fortune, so he fearlessly dares commit himself to God. His solace, I say, is to know that his Heavenly Father so holds all things in his power, so rules by his authority and will, so governs by his wisdom, that nothing can befall except he determine it. Moreover, it comforts him to know that he has been received into God’s safekeeping and entrusted to the care of his angels, and that neither water, nor fire, nor iron can harm him, except in so far as it pleases God as governor to give them occasion.
Again, it was a blessing to be reminded of such things.
Gurnam Singh who is based here in multi-cultural Leicester and is co-pastor with Paul Bassett. (Gurnam, a former Sikh, lived with me many years ago as a single man).
Iain Murray himself mentioned the deaths in the last 12 months of Leslie Rawlinson, Alistair Johnston and Sir Marcus Loane.
Peter Beale. He highlighted the present lack of pastors, how few people read seriously, the lack of studiousness among ministers and the emphasis on holiness of the past.
Alun McNabb. He spoke of the number of small struggling churches there are and the joy of preaching. We must not be too distracted by the empty seats but encourage people.
Stuart Olyott. Greatest encouragement – young people. Hundreds and hundreds. Discouragement – old Lutheran idea very much alive – that salvation is mediate (by the Word) but it is immediate (by the Holy Spirit). This wrong mentality is ruining things all around. Lydia’s heart was opened directly by God.
Iain Murray also spoke about some of the books available at the Conference.
The final segment was taken up with a discussion of preaching. We began with a call from South African Martin Holdt to enthusiasm, hard work and saturation in Scripture. He was followed by Simo Ralevic from Serbia who also spoke of the need to work hard and to be filled with the Spirit. He also spoke of the literature ministry in Serbia.
Tuesday night we heard the second of Sinclair Ferguson’s addresses on union with Christ. He began by saying that we are not united to a mystical Christ but to the incarnate Christ. This is the only place we will find blessing.
He went on to speak of how the union is worked out in communion with Christ. We are united to him not only in his exaltation but also in his humiliation – especially in his death as well as his resurrection.
There is a two-fold mortification and vivification. The death and resurrection of Christ are to be seen inwardly in the believer. As well as this internal mortification and vivification there is an outward partaking too. Our growth and usefulness are not only connected to the internal mortification and vivification but also to the outward. Perhaps the pattern of building churches with the ground plan in the shape of a cross reflects the suffering that the people of God must expect.
Paul writes to the Colossians as those who are suffering outwardly and so he speaks (Col. 2) of his own filling up of the suffering of Christ – not in order to atone but as part of his own sanctification and the fruitfulness of the glory of the name of Christ. He often sees his imprisonments and other sufferings as part of his fruit bearing in Christ. It is important to understand this. These troubles are not just to be got through but they are the ongoing pattern for believers, cf. 2 Corinthians 1 and 13. He is not saying here that we are weak but Christ is strong, but that we are weak in him. Real apostleship is death in us that life may be seen in others. We are, as it were, miniature servants of the Lord. His pattern will be ours.
When we preach, the people are to learn not only from what we say but from our lives. That is why Paul is not only willing to suffer but glories in it. This is the normal mode into which ministers are to be squeezed.
By way of parentheses Dr Ferguson suggested that Stephen and Saul were in the same synagogue and that the reason Paul struggled with coveting was because in Stephen he had met his match. That is why Stephen had to die. Our lives often make their impact in just five minutes – Anna is an example.
In Colossians 3 he comes to the internal mortification and vivification. No doubt we could preach on the detail. Let’s concentrate on the how to. It would be easy to say read John Owen. However, that is to forget the Apostle Paul.
How important to recognise the spheres in which sin operates.
A dentist spoke of treating each tooth as an individual. We must do something similar with sin. Paul divides up between sins that are private and hidden, those that are public and those that even destroy the church.
We need to see sin for what it is. We need to say it and slay it. It can make a difference. We need to see sin as God sees it. These are things against which God’s wrath is coming – what caused the cross.
We need to see who we are.
We need to remember that Christ is in us.
We need to act decisively.
We must not separate the putting off of sin and the putting on of Christ. They go together.There is a story of Augustine going to hear Ambrose. What impressed Augustine was his kindness not his rhetoric. The importance of love must not be underestimated.
‘All Englishmen look the same’ a man once said. We see what unites quicker than we see what divides.
Letting the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Giving ourselves to worshipping Christ so idolatry is destroyed.
Delight in Christ in everything.
The first main session of Wednesday was Derek Thomas on Calvin’s preaching on the Pastoral Epistles. He told us that Calvin preached just over a hundred sermons on the pastoral epistles (55 on 1 Timothy, 31 on 2 Timothy and 17 on Titus). He preached these mainly in 1554 and 1555. These were Sunday sermons. In the week he was on Job and Deuteronomy. A commentary on the pastorals had appeared six years before. Two lone sermons appeared two years after. In 1579 an English version of the sermons was published. There is a collection of about 20 sermons in modern English (Forbes SDG) and another slightly different one by EP.
It is human and divine. There is asymmetry, however – the divine being predominate. He was aware of the charge of bibliolatry but denied it. He also taught the infallibility of Scripture and its self-authenticating character. He encourages us to develop a taste for Scripture. He masterfully teaches the profitability of reading Scripture.
He has a very high view of Scripture and so of preaching. He sticks very closely to the text and scarcely uses an illustration or topical reference.
Calvin complains in one place that people want music rather than preaching. We need to hear the gospel every day, however. We need to see that salvation is in Jesus Christ. He sees the OT and NT gospel as one. He preaches the gospel not only to sinners but saints too. When he talks about justification he often goes beyond what we think of as such. We need to continually hear the gospel. It occurs again and again in these writings.
He talks about the apparent double will in God in one place. He rebukes believers for their lack of evangelism. He raises the subject of why some are converted and others not. He particularly denies universalism and understands the all of ‘God wants all men ….’ as meaning all kinds and conditions of men. God’s desire does not imply ability in all. We must distinguish God’s desire and will. God accommodates our understanding in speaking of this. He is very positive about election, of course, and sees it as there for the comfort of believers.
He speaks of the unique unborrowed immortality of God. He talks of the incomprehensibility of God and the depths in him. Such considerations leave us in awe, our mouths closed. We know God only because he reveals himself. ‘He is not a draught half drawn’.
Good Christians are good soldiers. Calvin leads the charge that is followed by Bunyan and other Puritans later, who saw the Christian life in these terms. Calvin speaks often of union with Christ and sees it in terms of fighting the good fight he fought.
This was again a very competent and interesting look at Calvin the preacher.
Our second morning paper on Wednesday was by Lindsay Brown on Calvin and Mission. He began by noting available articles on the subject. These have come chiefly since the 1970s. Lindsay referred to Ralph Watson’s thesis that there have been great periods of mission – Carey, Hudson Taylor, Post-WW2, taking opportunity to refer to the great growth going on today in some places.Watson (Stephen Neil is the same) says nothing about Calvin and mission. Others too say that Calvin said little or nothing about mission. In all the Calvin celebrations going on there seems to be little reference to evangelism and mission.
However, Calvin certainly does have a coherent theology of mission and was involved in mission. It is true he was very busy with challenges from without and within and perhaps there was a lack of organisation in the early Reformed churches.
It is said that apart from the abortive mission to Rio, Calvin showed no interest outside Europe but the rest of the world was very much unknown and exploration was chiefly in the hand of Romanists.
His coherent theology centred on the sovereignty and providence of God. He was not embarrassed at all at the free offer of the gospel. He often wrote about the need to reach all sorts of people, without exception. He was convinced of God’s desire for the salvation of all sorts and urged going out.
Some misunderstand his exposition of the great commission, where he seeks to deny the continuing apostolic authority of Rome, not denying the importance of the church taking the gospel to all places.
Convinced of the sovereignty of God in election Calvin still taught that God uses the means of preaching.
The Reformation has been described as a great missionary movement, which it was. Geneva was very much a centre for missions. In a six year period some 2000 went out altogether, chiefly to France. It has been described as one of the greatest home missions ever. Calvin also had an impact on the Netherlands, the UK (Knox, etc), Hungary, etc.
Calvin was passionate about mission – so should we be. He wanted the gospel to go to all.
On Wednesday evening Garry Williams gave a second paper on Calvin. Geoff Thomas chaired saying that today was the fortieth anniversary of the death of one of his heroes, John Thomas of Port Talbot.
In the paper Garry Williams focused on two works by Calvin – his Reply to Sadoleto3 and his Antidote to Trent. He sought to show that Calvin in both works proved to be a courageous advocate and a careful analyst. We too need to do both.
Calvin (like Sadoleto) saw the doctrine of justification by faith as a heaven and hell matter. Because he saw this was such a central matter, he was able to be courageous. Though courageous Calvin is never harsh. Even heaven and hell matters demand gentleness from ministers.
We are justified by union with Christ.
We are justified by the imputed righteousness of Christ alone.
The first statement is found in Sadoleto (at this point Garry used a projected slide containing the quotation – a Banner first). The second statement also does not say enough. By the time of Turretin a Jesuit called Vazquez was even saying that there was imputation but again redefining it. Turretin defined it as mediate satisfaction and exposed its weakness. This is mere evasive talk.
This sort of evasion will not do on the day of judgement. That is why we must engage in careful analysis.
Courageous advocacy without careful analysis will lead to misdiagnosis and butchery of the sheep.
Derek Thomas’s final paper was different to the others in that it was dealing not with Calvin’s preaching but with his theology, Calvin as theologian. Again we sometimes had that rather staccato style that Dr Thomas uses but he seemed a little more at home with this topic.
Calvin was referred to as ‘The theologian’ by Melanchthon (Gregory Nazianzen’s title) and much later ‘The theologian of the Holy Spirit’ by B B Warfield. His chief work, of course, is the Institutes.
A Catholic work – an apologia for the Catholic church of his day.
An occasional work shaped by the writings of various contemporary opponents.
Despite efforts to show otherwise there is probably no one key theme in the work but there are several key concepts. The book is very much shaped by Romans, on which Calvin produced a commentary quite early on.
Knowledge and the knowledge of the God is more than propositions. It must lead to piety. The Institutes is a sum of piety.
The knowledge of God is twofold – Creator and Redeemer.
There is a fundamental difference between God as he is in himself and as he revealed himself to men. He famously speaks of God’s accommodation – his lisping, prattling to us as to babies.
God’s work is revealed to us not just in creation but also in Christ’s redemption. Calvin made a particular contribution in speaking, as he does, of Christ’s threefold office. He also spoke to the subject of the Trinity and what the ancient creeds really meant. There is a suspicion of ontological subordinationism in the Fathers, and Calvin undergirds and strengthens our understanding by making clear the full and absolute Godhead of Christ.
This knowledge of God can only be received through the work of the Holy Spirit. Without the inward witness of the Spirit the work of Christ can do us no good.
This knowledge of God is mediated through the Scriptures. Scripture is self-authenticating. It is the God-breathed Word. Perhaps more clearly than any before him he established a right hermeneutic.
This knowledge of God involves union with Christ. This is fundamentally important and denies the idea of legal fiction and of necessary antinomianism.
Election. Calvin famously moved what he had to say on election from Book 1 to Book 3 (this matches the way Romans 9 is where it is). It is when we understand what God has done that we see election (pastorally). Calvin was a pastor first.
The sacraments. Again a unique understanding.
Sadly, I had to leave before the final session at Banner, when Mark G. Johnston preached. I understand he was looking at trembling at God’s Word. I heard it was fine. I also missed the question session, but apart from those two appreciated very much the conference.
Gary Brady is Pastor of Childs Hill Baptist Church, London. The above appeared in several posts during the Conference on his Heavenly Worldliness blog. Notes added. | 2019-04-21T10:47:24Z | https://banneroftruth.org/us/resources/articles/2009/banner-of-truth-ministers-conference-leicester-2009/ |
I have been praying so much lately that when the enemy shows up around me, that he will find nothing within me to adhere to and that I will have nothing to feed into his desires to grow his assignment here on Earth as accuser of the brethren.
I keep asking myself – Who? What am I aligning with? Knowing at any weak moment I could and do fall prey to the enemy’s devices of discontent so that when he shows up in my weakness he feeds that discontentment and I come into agreement with him against the situation the Lord has me in or another person or thing that seems to be against the Lord’s will for my life.
I have been so busy lately with the Lord in purging even the deepest crevices of my heart, those things hidden way down and ignored, those things which if I just didn’t think about them they do not exist. But in truth just because someone or something has departed from our lives, does not mean the frustrations they brought departed at the same time. The truth is they leave fragments of shattered promises or hope within our hearts that can only be sealed by the Blood of Jesus and if we do not fully forgive, release and bless that one… Well, the pain within us becomes more obvious through our words and actions than we would like to admit.
This is how the enemy is working feverishly within the church today… This is what was written about so long ago – brother betraying brother, things like that are manifesting everywhere now as the love of many, way too many, is growing colder and colder.
I believe we can all agree… The enemy has come into the church and has found many things within that he can use to prompt us to agree with him to the point love is not covering us, one another or a multitude of sins. The past month I have needed so much clarity and direction that only the Lord could provide. I still cannot figure most of it out, but I have been diligently in prayer and study and wanted to take a little bit of time today to share with you what He has shown me.
Just like in all studies… This begins with my heart first and I share with you as my family in the Lord. The Word tells us to “Judge our own hearts” and in this study I have been constantly judging mine. As I share, remember I am not judging yours – only sharing what He gave me and instructed me to not agree with on any level, lest I too fall into temptation. That is the premise of why I want to share with you today what I am about to share regarding… BITING AND DEVOURING ONE ANOTHER.
A few weeks ago the Lord gave me a stern warning for those who are “leaders” of any kind proclaiming Jesus is Lord. It really gave me pause… Because I do not want to be weighed in the balance, found wanting. He showed me a measuring rod going out on the heads of those who lead others and warned me of a woe going out on their heads for going against Him in anyway, especially for provoking others to be a child of wrath and not walking in love. He showed me how they themselves were leading others to be just like themselves and if the enemy found placement in them, he would in turn find placement in those who follow and collectively they gathered of one heart and mind in either love or hate. He showed me whatever was within was the commonality that they shared and when either Jesus showed up or the enemy showed up, whatever was within was found inside. I still have the most severe warning for all leaders right now I shudder because this woe He gave me is eminent if they do not repent immediately. This is why I have been very isolated and quiet the past few weeks… I had to search my own heart and when He releases me I am going to share what He showed me as a stone of stumbling block within my own heart. Not today, but I surely will as I do not mind to be used by Him in such a way as an example of how not to be.
All this division in the Worldly Church today is heartbreaking to Jesus. I know this for two reasons. One being He showed me there is no division whatsoever in His Church Bride and two because people have given love a backseat for the sake of vanity and being right. Jesus is heartbroken over this, I pray you can hear me and most importantly that you can hear Him.
Like with most teachings a manifestation of what is being taught is granted by the Lord, the same is true, especially today. It all started with a word I got in my Spirit over a month ago and I really did not know what to do with it – so I wrote it down and set it aside and yet He kept bringing me back to it. He just gave me the Scripture two days ago and opened my eyes to what He was actually telling me. It is a sad story really… But if we share the heart of Jesus, we too are grieved when the Holy Spirit is grieved.
We want others who have hurt us to pay for their own sins, while we ourselves are exonerated fully for ours.
For a while I told everyone I could those captivating words, but it never really seemed to resonate with them like they did me. Oh the gravity of those words, the denial of mercy upon another while we ourselves with both hands opened fully receive the mercy offered at the cross.
In religious attire we selfishly declare…. YOU have the greater sin than me and therefore you must be exposed and put to an open shame from your drastic deed while I remain hidden under the blood for the minor atrocities I have committed.
I held onto this word for a very long time… But today I am released to share. It was only after He gave me the Scripture in Mathew 18:21-35 that He has allowed me to teach on this. I really needed my own heart purified and cleaned in order to not drag tainted flesh into what I am about to say today.
I already know those who are participating in biting and devouring will not hear me, they boldly declare they do not listen to me and haven’t for so long a time in their hurtful emails. The reason I am sharing with you today is twofold. One, you can cautiously examine your own heart to see if you too are provoking or if by any chance you are being tempted to come into agreement with the accuser of the brethren so that you can be purged in that he find nothing in you and as a result when Jesus comes all He finds within us is an image of Himself.
I am trying to decide whether to talk about the elephant in the room or just get into Mathew 18. I think I will do both and see where the Spirit leads. This is a conversation I have been avoiding to be honest, I do not like contention whatsoever, but the Lord has laid it on my heart as a vessel of love to bring light to the darkness without partiality.
As a demonstration of the Scripture I am going to use the recent contention with COT, another ministry and those who lay in the crosshairs crying out to the Lord with their heart shattered when self desires its way and satan enters in, using one against another.
I just need the Lord to give me boldness to address this whole situation as a parable for His word and glory.
If you have been a part of the recent division I ask you to please hear my heart today and reconsider what you believe to be the Lord directing you on what to say and do and if you are one caught in the crossfire of all that has gone on, I pray it will give you encouragement and wisdom to walk in love and mercy for a day that is surely coming in which it may be all that you potentially have to get you through.
As a reminder, we do not need to pick a side as long as we are on Jesus’s side.
Have you ever wondered how someone could sin again you that many times? I propose something to you – How about in your mind when you replay over and over in your thoughts what someone did to you? This could easily add up to that amount and more. Some of us at times have made it apart of our daily routine to rehash all the evil done to us by our “brothers, sisters, etc…” In this portion of Scripture Jesus said we must forgive all things, all the time, as many times as it happens when someone does something against us. Jesus said this because He paid the price for all sin – it is finished, He forgave all and therefore, we cannot hold anything against anyone.
Now the next part is where He gives an example.
If we are in the Kingdom of Heaven we abide by the rule of Jesus, he keeps record of His own and they follow His leading, doing as He did and saying what He says.
If Jesus desired He could require we repay everything owed to Him for what He has done for us.
Because Jesus is moved by compassion we are released from our prison and forgiven for every single sin and wrongdoing, paying nothing in return as we receive fully what Jesus has already done.
Some, once they are forgiven themselves tend to elevate themselves and forget how far they have fallen and how dirty they actually were. When this happens we feel empowered to require those in our midst to PAY FOR THEIR SINS, even though we did not have to pay for ours. They neglect to see they too are a work in process and totally ignore the fact others are as well. PLEASE NOTE: This is so interesting because it is directly speaking of “fellow servants” or rather those who you serve the Lord with. Very timely indeed given what has recently transpired.
So the one who was forgiven went to the one he was serving with demanding something of him because he thought he was guilty. When this happened the one accused fell down at his feet (just as he had himself to Jesus earlier) and asked for him to be patient with him and he will repay what was lost or stolen or rather what HE THOUGHT WAS OWED TO HIM. He needed the same PATIENCE that was given to him as he too was a work in progress.
But the servant refused to offer compassion and patience to his fellow servant and cast him into prison after he, himself, was forgiven of all debt.
There were other fellow servants sitting back observing all that was going on and were very sorry and heartbroken and because it grieved them so they went to Jesus in prayer in their heart and cried to Him.
Jesus called this servant wicked who was forgiven for all his sin. This servant did desire Jesus by the way.
33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?
Jesus told him you should have had compassion on your fellow servant because I had pity on you when it was time for you to pay for your own debt of sin.
Jesus was fiercely angry at this servant even to the point of calling him wicked. But look what happened… He was given over to demons to torment him until all his debt of sin was paid for. He basically was reaping no mercy because he had shown none. We can only imagine what he reaped due to his lack of sowing of compassion, love and patience.
35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.
This teaching in so important because this is what the Father will do to us, if we do not FORGIVE in action every time our fellow servants do something we do not agree with that hurts us… A trespass.
I am wondering if we know what it is we are even supposed to forgive? What it means to be merciful? What it means to be like Jesus since He did not come to condemn anyone of anything?
Do we actually think He should expose and put us to an open shame every single time we lead someone astray with our mouths? Or speak His word out of context? Or have secret sin if only in our thoughts?
The truth is many cannot know the truth of another because they do not love enough to cover them rather than uncover them.
I know many things about many people that I would never ever utter publically about them. Why would I do that anyway? They do not answer to me, they answer to One, Jesus.
I don’t care who you are… We all have sin still in our lives that Jesus is patient with, showing mercy at every turn, that we do not want put in open display before the day of reckoning and completion. Who are we to demand the day of reckoning of another when we ourselves claim our sins are covered by the Blood of Jesus? When we do this we are certainly on the most dangerous of ground….. we are that wicked servant spoken of in what we just read. We are very close to be fully given over to demonic torment for the way we have tormented another.
What I am about to say may sound a little harsh, but I must be obedient to the Lord on High, giving answer only to Him.
You see there are some of us who simply sit behind the scenes calling out to the Lord Jesus on High to intervene and remedy this situation. We are on no one person’s side, but rather just pray continually that love, mercy, grace, wisdom and forgiveness have its perfect way. We truly do not want to see anyone harmed or scarred in the process and desire everyone put aside their differences and operate out of a place of love. We are the ones who are stumbling because of the vendetta of your offense. We are the ones who have nothing to hide, because we hide nothing. Our hearts are breaking as the little ones who have loved you and followed you and now you cannot hear us anymore due to the desires of your minds that are overriding all mercy and forgiveness through your shouts of anger. And what saddens us most is how you are drawing away our brothers and sisters who we consider fellow servants in that because we will not take a side and you have, we too have become their targets of dissention. Our hearts are breaking because you cannot hear our “I love you’s” over the spirit of offense whispering in your ears. We beg of you, to please lay your weapons down towards one another, to lay down all pride which forges you to put to open shame one who we deeply love and just come together in unity to serve Jesus with us, not against us for we are not your enemy. There is a time coming in which we will need one another, because Jesus and one another is all we will have. We have severe fear and reverence before the Lord, knowing if we cannot submit to His ways now a greater tumult is inevitable in which we truly are forced to appreciate and love one another just as He has commanded us to do so. So please stop being angry and sinning, you are hurting not only us, but Jesus too and if He were here, He would say to lay your sword down or you will surely die by it.
So this is my constant prayer, as well as it is the cry of the heart of many I believe, considering the emails I am getting.
The Word tells us the Lord hates it when those sow discord among the brethren. In His Word He never gives reason to sow this discord.
We pray all the time for the Lord to forgive us when we trespass against Him and yet we attempt to hold one another accountable when they trespass against us. We pray for mercy and yet withhold it from others, Lord forgive us.
The Lord was showing me how we can have much knowledge about someone or something, but wisdom comes in only by understanding what we are to do with what we know and have been shown. Quite often the Lord will only reveal to us the truth of another to what capability we have within us to love them. On the other hand, the accuser will reveal knowledge about someone to provoke us through pain and hurt. We need to follow the constant leading of the Holy Spirit to know the difference because it is surely impossible that offenses not come. Amen. I for one, will not be used as a source of fuel to build a case against anyone ever. I stand with my Lord against such tactics and need to likely remind anyone who is planning to use me in such a way that you are not to touch God’s anointed or do His prophets no harm. In full submission I lay at His feet, knowing already that even if He slay me, I love Him and receive Him as my Beloved.
So today’s teaching would not be complete if we did not go over Mathew 18 on how to deal with differences, keeping them inside the Church. The brethren are told never to go to law with one another but reason together in all differences.
People have always had struggles amongst themselves even back to the time of the disciples when they would boldly declare they follow Peter, Paul, etc… The real issue here is that Peter and Paul and the others did not encourage that sort of behavior, but rather served as an example knowing Jesus was the Head of His Own Body, in that competition and strife was not welcome nor allowed to operate. As long as the disciples stayed in unity and love… So did those under them who followed suit.
Mathew 18 is basically a step by step guidance on how to address a situation when a brother trespasses against YOU – YOU PERSONALLY. This is not about preaching false doctrine, leading others astray and all that other nonsense. This directive in Mathew 18 is how to deal with one of the brethren who trespasses against you personally, which we will go over in a bit.
But first, so just what is a trespass?
It means to injure, annoy, inconvenience someone, a violation of any law – civil or moral, to offend someone or even God Himself, to go against the Biblical Word.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
So it seems, just as sure it is we shall be offended, we must not hold that offense against anyone or we will too remain in an unforgiven state.
And to be honest, I really don’t even know what to do with all that? I too struggle at times from all the heart pain inflicted upon me since birth, up until recently the cards seemed to be stacked against me, so to speak. I am sure some of you feel the same way.
We must keep our hearts and eyes focused continually on Jesus, trusting that in time He will wipe every tear and put our hearts back to pieces as He mends them complete in Him.
And in one moment… all the chaos and fretfulness of not knowing what to do vanished. In an instant I was settled and complete internally and at rest. I maybe one of the most misunderstood humans on the face of the Earth – but I rejoice in knowing my Jesus understands me because it is His love I love another with and not my own.
Some of you are very similar to me, please do not let anyone tell you who to be. Remember who you were before the World told you who you should be. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, a Heaven sent creature to spread love and light into a fallen World, you confound the wise and make grown men cry, as you wipe the tears of a baby’s desperation. You carry the fallen and lift up the weak, you are an overcomer with Him and a hot mess on your own. You may stumble and fall and yet your door is always open to the 1 set before you. You are wronged, unbraided and sometimes a little tangled in sin and yet you always have time for a heart that needs comforted. You are moved by mercy because you need it most and you forgive more as He has forgiven you for much. You realize you were truly bought with a price of the highest degree as it cost Him His life and just Who would do such a thing for a dirty rag like me? You know you are naked, broken and bare so there is no point in pointing the finger to another because you realize one simple truth… It isn’t the saved Who need a healer – it is YOU and it is me, all of us because none of us have yet been raised up incorruptible.
The Lord’s grace (patience) is sufficient for every single soul on Earth. We often are partial in who we show grace to, the Father isn’t.
You really cannot make this stuff up… But you will not believe this, yet I promise it is true. Just as I thought I was almost finished with my notes for today’s study I felt the Lord remind me of how He instructed his disciples to work out their struggles as well as for all those who followed after Him. I remembered it was in Mathew somewhere like Chapter 15 or something and as I began to search for it, lo and behold… Guess where it is? Mathew Chapter 18! Yes, it is before what I was studying earlier about the wicked servant… I am still in awe at our Lord’s majesty and His ways. Tatum can verify what I am saying is true because as I was talking to her on the phone I told her I am almost done with the teaching but the Holy Spirit laid upon my heart it would not be complete unless I have instruction by the Word on how to handle when someone hurts you. So here we go… Because now more than ever I am starting to grasp how important this is for us to understand.
Let’s start at the beginning of the Chapter, since we already covered the end of it, we will do this a little backwards today.
This is kind of cute how it all starts out because I often wonder exactly what conversation the disciples were having that prompted them to ask Jesus, “Who is greatest in the kingdom of Heaven?” Isn’t that just a riot – like us – they probably each secretly wanted to be the greatest among all of the Father’s children.
Children may be a lot of things, even full of folly and yet… They are humble, as Jesus said. The same should we be.
If we think of this in depth – I would receive you, you would receive me, we would receive one another for one reason only – each of us belong to Jesus. Isn’t that just amazing?
“But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.
Goodness gracious, that is a frightful thought and my concern is we have heard it so often we begin to take it lightly. Those who offend are in much more danger than those who are offended. One sure truth is that those who belong to Jesus for real, when offended they call out to Him in their time of need knowing He is the only answer to all our troubles.
The next verse I believe we are witnessing increasing today in the World we live in… Jesus said, “Woe unto the world because of offences! (seems like a tumult to me, just sayin) He said, “Offenses need to and must come BUT WOE to that man by whom the offence come.” Do you mind if I share why it is so bad if an offence comes through you? The Holy Spirit revealed to me a woe comes on you because you are being influenced by evil to offend someone.
Let’s picture this… The offended who belong to Jesus go to Him when hurt, those who offend others are being influenced by evil to harm a little one…. This reminds me of when the parents are late coming home the children get antsy and begin to fight or… If people believe Jesus has delayed His coming, they will start to smite (inflict pain upon) their fellow servants.
Next the Lord tells us whatever body part is being used to cause pain on another (feet, hands, eyes) because it is better to enter into the kingdom maimed than to keep that which offends you to the point of lashing out that you would end up into hell’s everlasting fire.
Side Note ~ I personally believe just like Israel becomes a trembling cup to those who have come against it, we too will be a cup of trembling to those who have come against us. We are grafted into the Branch being Jesus so there is no true separation between Jew and Gentile in the Body of Christ.
Jesus warns us to take heed that we do not DESPISE not one of these little ones, because their angels in Heaven do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. This is scary because we could simply just not like a child that belongs to Jesus and slip in our intentions towards them and perish. This is just very serious and I pray just because we have heard it so much that we not forget to receive the severity of the Word at hand.
Now verse 14 brought me so much peace, I pray it will you too… In verse 14 it says, “Even so IT IS NOT THE WILL of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.” Whew – Did you get that? It is NOT THE FATHER’S WILL that we perish – in other words, we won’t perish as long as we keep surrendered to Him.
Many of you are very familiar of these next instructions BUT please hear my heart on this, the Lord showed me distinctly without a doubt IF your primary goal is not RESTORATION then it is very dangerous to even take the next steps without a humble right heart, full of love. If we get outside of God’s will in this we become the ONE BRINGING OFFENSE upon another and are uncovered at that point and like we just read… influenced by evil.
We already talked about “trespasses” so when that happens to us, we are blessed to have instruction on how to handle such things in our daily lives.
Now if that does not work, you ask one or two more witnesses for Jesus to go with you (hopefully to encourage the one lost, not to gang up on them just like the Lord goes after us when we stray) These people who go with you are not to give witness to your offense but be a witness to Jesus for reconciliation. You see we have had this so backwards in the past.
Lastly, if he will not hear you, then it is appropriate to get the whole church involved to attempt to reconcile him BACK TO JESUS so he is your brother again. This is not about us – this is about the other person being lost, drifting and needed brought back to Jesus – then we will retain him as a brother. Sadly if he will not turn from his wicked ways it says to no longer consider him a part of the Body of Christ, he is lost.
Then I loved how Peter then asked… How often do I have to forgive my brother when he offends me? So now we have come full circle to right where we began.
Forgiving one another when it is easier to accuse, laying our desires down for one another, showing patience while we each grow, giving mercy instead of criticism, repaying evil with love and so forth; knowing fully all that we do to one another GOOD or BAD we are actually DOING IT UNTO JESUS.
Please, please before you proceed in any fashion be 100% sure YOU HAVE THE FULL TRUTH, not just facts that lead to the truth BUT THE FULL TRUTH or else it places us individually into a very dangerous situation. Consider this— If you are willing to gamble your own eternal position in the kingdom without a shadow of doubt what you are saying about a brother or sister in the Lord is truth then by all means do as you are being lead. But keep in mind, if you are accusing them with your measurement of truth rather than theirs and they are not guilty in the Lord’s sight, only yours… just like the 1 Jesus left the 99 for they will be saved while you perish.
1 John 4:20 tells us – If a man say I love God and hates his brother he is a liar.
We have barely scratched the surface on biting and devouring one another and will go deeper into this opportunity for repentance in our next study as He is teaching us to stop swallowing a camel of our own sin while straining the gnat of those who belong to Him as our brothers and sisters.
Wow… What an instruction that is… Jesus said – DO NOT STOP HIM, that those who perform a miracle in MY NAME will not speak evil of ME. Whoever is NOT AGAINST US, is FOR US.
Just because someone has a different method than us personally, if they too are speaking Jesus is Lord, they will not speak evil of Him – you see it is ALL ABOUT HIM, they may speak evil of us, but what is most important is that THEY NOT SPEAK EVIL OF HIM. He then sets all peace in place and settles all matters of contention and strife in just a few words like only Jesus can do — He said, WHOEVER IS NOT AGAINST US IS FOR US.
The same is true that who is AGAINST US IS NOT FOR US.
And that is all I am going to say about all that right now. I just pray the Lord purge our hearts from being AGAINST ANYONE, ever.
Heavenly and mighty merciful Father in Heaven. We thank You for this opportunity to gather together in Your Name for Your Glory today. Lord we just ask Your forgiveness for times when we have not shown others mercy and expected more out of them than what You require of us. We surrender all to You Lord, as the Great I am, full knowing and fully leading Your children Home. Please continue to open our eyes to the truth of how we fall short and blind our eyes to the shortcomings of our brothers and sisters. Do not let our love run cold Lord, save us from the snares of agreeing with others for the condemnation of the brethren. Deliver us and purge us Lord from all iniquity so that our heart reflect the Image of You and not ourselves. We petition You to make us whole in that when the enemy comes knocking on our doors that he may find nothing in us to carry our his will here on Earth. We pray Jesus that You continue to pull us back from the edge of death in times we wander away from You. Our souls are in Your hands Lord for the molding into Your image and we honor You for teaching us how to die to self so only You remain.
Lord we lift up those we love who are caught in the snare of offense. We humbly ask You to show them the height and depth of Your love, we thank You Lord for chasing after those who have gone astray just as You chase after us in our time of need. We trust You Lord to be the designer of our faith and the faith of others, that only You can save Jesus as Your mercies are new every morning.
In unity we submit to Your will, Your love and to walk in forgiveness to the best of our ability from this day forward. Bring Heaven to Earth Lord, change hearts, changes Nations as Your perfect will is done. Deliver us Lord in our time of trouble, healing us and making us whole.
What a blessing! Its been awhile since I came to ROF. It pressed upon my heart to come read. Words I am sure came from the holy spirit as this whole message is exactly what I’m in need of. Ill continue to pray and study. Thank you. | 2019-04-25T12:34:05Z | http://www.rofministries.com/biting-and-devouring-one-another-for-the-sake-of-correctness/ |
Here you can find all information needed for an exchange semester on master's level.
On the master’s level, WU offers an international network comprising about 130 partner universities worldwide. It is recommended to take your semester abroad in the third semester; in some exceptional cases, the fourth semester is also possible (Business Law and Business Education). Please note that applications must be submitted a year in advance. We therefore recommend that you apply for a semester abroad in your first semester in order to be able to study at the partner university of your choice during your third semester.
Is my degree program suitable for a semester abroad?
Which universities offer a portfolio of courses that fits the focus of my studies?
Financial aspects: Please don’t forget to consider financial aspects when choosing your partner universities, e.g. travel expenses and costs of living. Please also note that some partner universities require an additional, possibly expensive, health insurance. The exchange reports by former exchange students, as explained below, provide a good source of information on these issues.
Not all partner universities offer a course portfolio that is suitable for all students and every WU degree program. Our interactive map is a fast and convenient tool that helps you to find out which partner university has a suitable course portfolio for your specific WU degree program. Please use the appropriate filters for your WU degree program. To view detailed information on the respective universities, please click on the pins.
Info sheets are compiled by WU and provide you with information on our partner universities. They include, among other things, information on application requirements at the PU, semester dates etc.
Fact sheets are provided by the respective partner universities and contain general information for exchange students. Info sheets and fact sheets can both be found on our map of partner universities.
Info sheets and fact sheets can both be found on our map of partner universities.
On the websites of our partner universities potential incomings can familiarize themselves with the course catalog or housing possibilities. Corresponding links can be found in the info and fact sheets. Please note that the information provided is only meant as support during the initial process of choosing a university. Partner universities can still make changes until the start of the exchange semester.
The online credit transfer database provides you with a list of courses which were, in the past, completed abroad by WU students and transferred to their WU degree. This database is meant as a means for orientation, but does not guarantee that those courses are offered each semester by the partner university or that they are open to WU students (e.g. course is already full, academic requirements are not fulfilled).
All students who complete a semester abroad through the International Office fill in an exchange report, which can be accessed by future exchange students online. These reports are a useful source for answers to questions concerning arrival, accommodation, costs, course registration, local peculiarities, etc.
Each year in October, Go Global offers a platform for former outgoings and current incomings to present WU’s partner universities. This is a great way for future exchange students to receive first-hand information concerning student life abroad.
Here you can find detailed accounts written by students about their semester abroad at certain partner universities.
Many partner universities provide us with information material, which you can browse through anytime during our front office opening hours.
During our opening hours, the International Office staff is available to answer your questions personally.
The IO oalso offers comprehensive consultation on important issues regarding your study abroad.
WU’s master’s programs are very diverse. For most of the programs, it is possible to go abroad for an exchange semester without delaying one’s academic progress, but some programs have to be completed entirely at WU.
An exchange semester should be completed by all or at least a large percentage of all students. The flexible structure of the programs allows for easy credit transfer. The IO can provide recommendations for a large number of suitable partner universities.
An exchange semester is optional. Due to the different courses required in the various degree programs, some partner universities are better suited for an exchange semester than others. Recommendations are available for each master’s program.
Due to the specific structure of these programs, as a rule, students are required to complete the entire program at WU. Credit transfer for courses completed during a semester abroad is only possible to a limited extent.
To be able to apply for a stay abroad, you have to be admitted to a master’s program at WU.
Most partner universities have additional requirements you need to fulfill. This may include, for instance, professional experience or language certificates. Information on these requirements is provided on the info sheets for the individual partner universities, which you can find on our interactive map of WU partner universities. It is not necessary that you fulfill the additional criteria required by the partner universities within the IO application period. It is sufficient if you meet these requirements within 4 weeks after the announcement of your nomination.
Provided that you match the application requirements set by WU and the partner university, you can click here to apply for a semester abroad during the application periods.
Apart from exchange semesters, students enrolled in the master’s programs in Strategy, Innovation, and Management Control and Marketing can also complete a double degree program organized jointly by WU and selected partner universities.
Students enrolled in the Master’s Program in Business Law also have the opportunity to gain an additional qualification with the THEMIS program.
Please note that the numbers of available places may change from semester to semester.
Students are expected to take a full workload at the partner university during their semester abroad. In Europe the full workload equals courses worth 30 ECTS credits; overseas, students have to complete the appropriate workload requirement of the partner university. Upon their return, students are required to transfer the credits earned abroad toward their respective WU degree program.
The WU master’s programs have issued recommendations for partner universities which are especially well suited for an exchange semester. Courses which have been cleared for credit transfer in advance are indicated on the credit transfer course lists published by Study Regulations & Credit Transfer. Please use our interactive map to find information on which universities are recommended for your master’s program.
These recommendations are not just for orientation purposes but are also taken into account in the process of allocation for the respective exchange place at the partner university. This ensures a compatible course program, pending possible changes. Due to possible changes in the course portfolio at the partner university the recommendations are not a guarantee for credit transfer. Nevertheless we explicitly encourage students to apply for partner universities that are recommended by your master’s program. In case you are interested in a partner university that is not recommended by your master’s program, you will have to carefully study the course portfolio and inform yourself through the WU International Office on which courses are accessible for WU exchange students.
If the partner university of your choice is recommended for your program, you will be given priority during the selection process over students of programs for which the university in question is not explicitly recommended.
You can apply for an exchange semester during the official application periods. Please note that applications must be submitted a year in advance.
During winter semester there are three periods available (DD, Themis and Period 1 and 2). During Summer semester there is only one period.
The entire application process takes place online and is only accessible during the application periods. Students may apply for places at up to 7 universities, according to their personal preferences.
Motivational letter for all partner university preferences in English language (ca. 3200 characters, including spaces, max. 2 MB, pdf-file; addressed to the program director of your master’s program).
CV in English (for master’s programs in English language) or German language (for programs in German language). Should include information about: education, professional experience/internships, international experience, language skills and other skills (optional, max. 2 MB, PDF-document).
WU master’s & WU bachelor’s transcript (Sammelzeugnis, is automatically generated). Students with a bachelor’s degree from a different institution have to upload their transcript (Sammelzeugnis) as a pdf file (max. 2 MB, PDF-document).
Interviews may be held by the master’s program director with the applicant for an exchange semester.
During the application process, your personal data will be processed, which is why we would like to kindly ask you to read our disclaimer on data privacy.
In the first round, applicants in the first tertile from master’s programs which explicitly or optionally recommend a semester abroad are allocated. In this round, the relevant parameters are the ranking by the program, the tertile-points, and the potential recommendation of a partner university.
In the second round, applicants in the second and third tertile are allocated. In this round, all criteria from the table above are taken into account.
If two or more applicants are tied after the determination of the total scores, the student who will receive the exchange place is picked at random. After the determination of the total scores, the students’ preferences are reviewed one by one. As soon as a “match” occurs, the applicant will be allocated that exchange place.
The IO will send out the notifications about the final selection results via email approximately one month (for Double Degree/THEMIS application one week) after the application deadline. After you have received the nomination e-mail, you have four weeks to provide a language certificate, if this is requested by the partner university. Please contact your IO Regional Coordinator if necessary. If you cannot provide the necessary language certificate, you will lose your exchange place.
After completion of the application process, your data will be forwarded to the respective partner university (“nomination”). Subsequently, you will also have to register with the partner university. The partner university or the IO will provide you with further details and the documents required for this process. The process may differ from university to university. The application documents (including additional required documents such as language certificates) and an application form must be completed and submitted to the partner university in time.
Depending on the partner university, you will receive an email or postal mail just before or during the registration process with detailed information regarding visa, housing, orientation programs, and course registration. If you have not been contacted by your partner university six months before the start of your stay abroad, please consult your IO Regional Coordinator.
Semester dates: Please note that WU’s “summer semester” is often called something elsein other countries, e.g. “spring term” or just “second semester”. Likewise, the “wintersemester” is often called the “fall term” or “first semester”.
Transcript: Partner universities often request an English version of your WU transcript. You can print your WU transcript at one of the self-service terminals in front of the Study Service Center (Library and Learning Center building (LC), level 2), or view and print it online using WU’s web services.
Bank confirmation/financial statement: All US partner schools and some other overseas partners require proof of sufficient financial means to fund your exchange semester. The required amount varies depending on the university. Click here for a template for a financial statement/bank letter.
Medical report and vaccination pass: Many overseas universities require an English health certificate, issued by your physician. Often, vaccinations are required. Click here for a template of a medical report.
Language certificate: Some partner universities require a language test such as TOEFL or IELTS. To find out which universities require such tests and how many points are needed, please see the info sheets on our website.
Once you have been nominated for an exchange semester, cancellation is possible only in exceptional cases (illness, pregnancy, important family commitments, or unavoidable, unforeseen serious events). Appropriate proof will be required. Please contact your Regional Coordinator at the IO immediately in such cases. If a student cancels his or her exchange without good cause, he or she is excluded from further participation in WU exchange programs in his or her current study cycle.
When selecting your courses, please note that the credits will have to be transferred towards your WU program after your return to Vienna, so you will receive a mobility grant. Exchange students are expected to take a full workload at the host university. In Europe, the full workload equals courses worth 30 ECTS credits; overseas, please take into account the requirements of a full workload of the partner university in question.
Every exchange stay at a WU partner university is subsidized by a mobility grant – what mobility grant you are eligible for depends on which country you choose for your exchange semester. In the course of the mandatory Grants and Credit Transfer Session, which takes place before your exchange semester, you will receive all the necessary information and documents. If you are looking for more detailed information before the session, please click here.
You must fill out the online application for the legally binding pre-recognition (Feststellungsbescheid/Vorausbescheid) before you go abroad to clarify which courses taken at the partner university are eligible for credit transfer after you return to WU. Detailed information regarding the pre-recognition process and the Learning Agreement for the Erasmus+ grant, which also has to be requested online, can be found here. In the semester before your exchange, you will also be invited to the mandatory Grant & Recognition Session, where you will be given all the necessary information.
We recommend the completion of the seminar for intercultural competence to WU master’s students prior to their exchange stay, but it is not mandatory.
It is very important that you pay your Students’ Union (ÖH) dues during your exchange semester, otherwise you will be disenrolled from your academic program.
Participation in an in an exchange semester results in a waiver of tuition fees for one semester. Tuition fees are also waived at the partner university.
Many partner universities offer special services to help nominated WU students find appropriate accommodation. Information on housing opportunities and services is provided by the partner universities. We also recommend that you read the info sheets and the exchange reports by former WU outgoing students.
At the same time, it also helps you to sublet your room or apartment during a stay abroad. The services offered are free of charge for WU students, and the IO also recommends Housing Anywhere to incoming students.
If you complete your semester abroad in a non-EU country or if you are not an EU citizen, please familiarize yourself with your host country’s entry requirements in due time.
To travel to the US, Russia, Latin America, Australia, and Asia, Austrian students need a student visa. Non-Austrian students may need additional documents.
As soon as you have received the registration forms and the Letter of Acceptance from the partner university (US universities also require the DS-2019 form, and Russian universities an invitation letter), you can apply for a visa at the appropriate consular authority in Vienna. Be sure to contact the consulate in advance to find out what documents will be needed!
USA/Canada: The US consulate charges a so-called SEVIS fee when issuing a visa. In the plane, you will need to fill out the white immigration form. To travel to Canada for a stay of up to six months, students with Austrian citizenship do not need a student visa. However, upon your arrival, you have to present the Letter of Acceptance to the immigration authorities on your own initiative, and you have to state to the authorities that you enter the country as a student and not as a tourist.
Some countries require special travel and/or health insurance. Please inquire about the applicable insurance requirements with the appropriate consulate.
If you are not an EU citizen, please be sure to inform yourself of any visa or entry requirements made by the host country early enough to make the necessary arrangements.
If you are a citizen of an EU member state, the health insurance provided by your home country is usually sufficient. Don’t forget to take your European insurance card (e-card) with you when you go abroad! If you are not an EU citizen, be sure to arrange for the necessary insurance coverage well in advance.
Before your stay abroad, please ask your coordinator at the partner university whether your transcript will be issued automatically or whether you’ll have to specifically request it.
For recipients of an Erasmus+ grant: Please make sure to take the Learning Agreement and the Confirmation of Stay (both documents have to be signed by the partner university) home with you.
Many partner universities organize so-called “exchange fairs”, similar to WU’s Go Global, at which incoming and outgoing students introduce their host and home universities. If a fair like this takes place while you are studying abroad, we would like you to represent WU there to introduce the university to students who might be interested in spending their exchange semester in Vienna. Information material for this purpose will be sent to the International Office of your host university in advance, and you can find a PowerPoint presentation with general information on WU here.
WU graduates are found all over the world, also in cities with WU partner universities. For nominated Outgoings, the so-called Alumni Hubs offer a unique additional networking opportunity for exchange students. Find out if there is an Alumni Hub close to your partner university and attend Alumni events. The local WU graduates are looking forward to hearing from you.
Tag your Instagram posts during your semester abroad with #WUInternational or send us a photo directly. We will share the best pictures on our account @wuinternationaloffice.
The International Office offers special group meetings to students returning from their semester abroad. These meetings are intended to make your return easier and provide you with information on important things you need to get done once you’re back in Vienna. Please also note that psychological counseling services are available for students returning from their stay abroad.
Transcripts of Records are usually sent directly to the International Office, where the coordinators will confirm the authenticity of the documents. You will be informed by email once the document is ready to be picked up at the IO Front Office (usually 1-2 months after the end of the semester).
Some partner universities send their Transcripts of Records directly to the students via email or postal mail. In case you receive your transcript directly from your partner university, please forward it to your IO Regional Coordinator by email or bring the unopened envelope to the International Office to have its authenticity confirmed.
Please note that the ECTS credits you have received for the courses you attended abroad will not automatically be transferred to WU. You have to submit an application for credit transfer towards your WU program to the Study Regulations & Credit Transfer Office, located in the Study Service Center in the LC building, on level 2. The credit transfer process needs to be finished within three months after your return/the end of your semester at the partner university. To submit the application, you will also need to bring your transcript, verified by the IO Regional Coordinator. Click here for more information on recognition and credit transfer. As soon as the credit transfer process has been completed, a copy of your notification of credit transfer must be submitted to the International Office.
All WU students who have completed an exchange semester organized by the International Office are required to write a report on their experiences, including an evaluation of the courses taken. The reports are reviewed by the International Office and, if complete, made available online. Please fill out the report template and upload it here.
After your return to Vienna, you have to complete several formalities related to your grant. Please click this link for further information on grants.
We would love for you to share your experience with nominated students and give them a few tips in our small group advisory meetings. Please contact us for more information if you are interested.
Share your experiences from your stay abroad with prospective outgoing students at our annual Go Global exchange fair and represent your host university!
Please note: Make sure to specify exactly the "type of task" for which you want to authorize your person of trust. If the type of task is not specified accurately or missing completely your documents cannot be handed over. | 2019-04-24T01:02:08Z | https://www.wu.ac.at/en/students/study-abroad/master/ |
Maybe you do not understand this Spanish word but at least one person who will is the Rt.Hon.Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Glegg. This generally is used to refer to the actions taken, or to be taken, to fix a problem which is not a good solid everlasting solution but more of a "quick fix", a"half way house", a "temporary solution(which turns out to be permanent, or semi-permanent)". One thing that is implicit is that it is derogatory without doubt. No other word can express with such disdain work which is carried out in ways which are shoddy, badly thought out, and badly executed.
The infrastructures committed by the British governments over the last fifty years can, in many cases, be called "chapuzas". More specifically, those transport connections in and into Heathrow airport in search of solutions to problems have not solved the problems only in part but also badly. The ideas presently being floated for more solutions at Heathrow are being looked at piecemeal with the high likelihood of them being patches which do not give us good long lasting solutions. In other words we are being offered "chapuzas" yet again by these civil servants and politicians (these "chapuzeros").
Let us firstly look at the development of Heathrow.
This was the layout of the airport when it was taken over from the RAF in 1946. The three runway triangular plan was typical of RAF aerodromes of the time.
The report by the London Airport Advisory Layout Panel for development at Heathrow was presented in January 1947. As can be seen from the diagram up to 10 runways were envisaged using not only the existing area of the aerodrome but also an extended area to the north of the Bath Road (A4) which was to be diverted as shown.
This configuration provided three sets of parallel runways so minimise the effects of crosswinds.
After the extensions south of the A4 to be completed by 1949, the third stage north of the A4 was to be completed by 1953. The reason this stage was placed last was that it meant the knocking down of the village of Sipson. This was considered inappropriate in the immediate post war years due to the severe shortage of housing. Need it be said that Sipson is still there.
This was an opportunity lost since the development round the airport in 1953 was much less than at present. That third parallel east-west runway (Nº 8) would have approximately occupied the site of the 21st century proposed third Heathrow runway thus providing the airport(in 1953) with the expansion and flexibility it seeks now sixty years later. As a result of complying with that proposal other infrastructure planning would certainly have taken a different course. That blundering failure is an illustration of short-termism and political expediency - no vision.The idea was finally abandoned in December 1952.
As George Hayter says in his book, "...the recommendations of the Layout Panel contained few ideas which had not been well aired.
Nevertheless, the Panel chose the most bold and exciting of all the possibilities."
Suffice it to say that, apart from the above mentioned, they envisaged the central area, where the terminal(s) were to be situated, to be reached by a four lane tunnel under the north runway. This was built in 1950-53 and considered revolutionary at the time.
This was the layout of the airport when it came into use in April 1955. It was later opened officially by the Queen on 16th December 1955.
Take note of the extended maintenance area to the east. This is where BA maintenance facilities are now situated. The Pan Am maintenance facilities are now occupied by Terminal 4.
Also the development along the A4, just north of runway 1, is very marked in the nine years from 1946.
In the central area was the Europa building which handled domestic, European and North African flights.The overseas terminal was still on the A4 and not in the Central Area. Long-haul flights had to wait until November 1961(BOAC) and March 1962(other carriers) to move to the Oceanic building in the central area.
By the mid sixties traffic had grown so that a new terminal was deemed necessary. This was opened in 1968 for all British, Irish and Channel Isles flights of BEA and Aer Lingus. The Official opening by the Queen was in April 1969 and it was named Terminal 1. She also renamed the Europa Terminal 2 and the Oceanic Terminal 3. Heathrow at this stage was handling 14 million passengers annually.
It was at this time that better transport links to central London were considered essential.
"Since the 1940s, British Rail have had plans to link Heathrow to their national network. The favoured scheme always used to be one connecting the airport to the Feltham line, which passes to the south of the airport and runs into the central London termini of Waterloo and Victoria."
It just goes to show that the planners then did not have the materials (post-war rationing) nor the money (bankruptcy of the country because of the war) but they certainly had vision.
The idea of a rail link into Heathrow came up again at the end of the 1960s. The idea mooted was a connection from Feltham Station direct to the central area, as illustrated.
(i) Lack of train paths: From Feltham station trains could go through either Twickenham or through Hounslow to where the tracks met at Barnes then to Clapham Junction and on to Waterloo or Victoria. The Victoria solution was preferred but rejected as it implied major crossover works at Clapham Junction so Waterloo was accepted as the terminus. However, these trains ran along the Windsor and Reading lines which had heavy traffic and lack of platform availability in Waterloo. Also the service level would have to be reduced during the morning and evening rush periods into/out of Waterloo. This would occur just when the same rush periods demanded nor less but more service to/from Heathrow.
(ii)Level crossings:Including one at Feltham itself, there were six level crossings along the Twickenham route while five along the Hounslow route. This would have meant closing the level crossings to road traffic for longer periods still, increasing road congestion. The cost of building the necessary bridges or tunnels for the road traffic was seen as excessive and unacceptable. Thus an opportunity was lost to solve a problem which exists even today and will have to be confronted at some time in the future.
These two reasons were paramount in causing the cancellation of the Airtrack project in 2011.
Thus the door was opened for London Transport to extend the Piccadilly line from Hounslow West to the central area.
The Heathrow Central extension was finally opened 16th December 1977. That year 24 million passengers passed through the airport.
The solution was considered acceptable at the time but all the interested bodies realised that other solutions had to be looked at.
By the early 1980s passenger figures passed 30 million so a new terminal was built at the south east of the airport. This was opened officially 1st April 1986 by the Prince and Princess of Wales but came into operation, in fact, 12th April.
The single line loop from Hatton Cross to Terminal 4 round to Heathrow Central was opened with only one platform in T4 and is unidirectional.
This so far has proved adequate but leaves the loop with no flexibility in case of accidents and breakdowns.
The expansion to the south east of the airfield was BAA´s second choice.Firstly, they wanted to expand eastwards but this would have meant closing runway 2 which was "considered vital for crosswinds and emergencies."
The rebuilding of Terminal 2 now taking place (spring 2012) is occupying that same runway 2 together with the satellite Terminal 2B. This means that another runway is being taken out with no backup replacement.
"When London Transport extended the Piccadilly Line to serve Terminal 4, they built the loop line further west than it apparently needed to go. So far west, in fact, that it almost passes beneath the sewage works, making possible the later insertion of a tube station here to serve a fifth terminal."
(i) London Transport did not talk to the right people to know their long-term intentions and so ended up with a shorter loop than was subsequently needed.
(ii) BAA apparently did not take into consideration London Transport´s loop so built the terminal station (and T5) further west than could have been done.
(iii) No remedial construction work was considered feasible in place of a simple extension from Heathrow Central. The result means that London Transport ends up with an excess of unnecessary railtrack while T4 and T5 are unconnected directly - and such is the inconvenient situation today.
Even with the Underground extension to T4 plans were afoot for a connection from T4 to the Great Western Main Line(GWML) approved in 1988. This non-stop rail service from Paddington mainline station to Heathrow T4 was opened in its full extension 23rd June 1998. The capital cost of GBP190 million was covered 80% by BAA and 20% by British Rail. Thus Heathrow Express(HE) is both operated by BAA and owned by them from the GWML to the airport. However, it is (now) maintained by Network Rail for BAA.
As can be seen on the Google Earth map HE comes round in a sweeping curve from the central area to T4 ending up facing northeast. It does not give us the line of the track to T5, however.
This makes one think that nobody has thought nor considered it worthwhile leaving the options open by any extension from T4 which might be useful or beneficial, such as an extension to Feltham. Now any such connection would need another sweeping "S" double curve to connect the service to the Windsor/Reading main line.
Heathrow Connect (HC)(a joint venture between BAA and First Great Western) started 12th June 2005, running originally from Paddington to T4. This is a stopping service from Paddington along the GWML and then ran, originally, into Heathrow Central and T4. Now it runs only to Heathrow Central. From there anybody who wants to travel to (or from) T4 has to connect to an HE shuttle service.
The problem seems to reside in the connection at Airport Junction between the HE line and the GWML. The frequency of trains is restricted which is why HE has 4 trains per hour(tph) running into T5 while HC only offers 2tph. The original connection at Airport Junction, Stockley Flyover, has a complicated system of operation.The original flyover connected the HE line to the fast lines on the GWML. With the introduction of HC services these used the GWML slow lines. This meant a combination of reverse running over the flyover and crossing the fast lines in the other direction(this is a total line capacity reducing measure). Yet another example of lack of forward planning (and/or cost cutting).
It seems that this problem should be solved (at additional expense, of course) with the introduction of Crossrail services in 2019 which will take over the HC services. These will run from Heathrow, probably T4, to the central area, through to Paddington then central London and out east at 4tph(double the HC frequency).
The Underground Piccadilly line services stop at T4 and wait up to 8 minutes before returning through the central area to central London. The frequency is approximately every ten minutes (i.e.6tph).
A new terminal for its own use was pushed by BA. The site chosen was the sewage farm between the north and south runways to the west of the airport. From conception to opening 19 years were needed, including the longest public enquiry on record at 525 days. Construction began in September 2002 and that year 63.3 million passengers used the airport.
T5 was opened by the Queen on 14th March but officially came into operation 27th March 2008. Over 67 million passengers went through the airport that year. On the opening of T5 the HE trains started running into that station.
The original Piccadilly line loop round from T4 to the supposed T5 site and on to the central area was not sufficient, as has already been mentioned. As shown on the diagram the area was greater than that envisaged on the loop diagram.That meant that an extension of the original Underground connection from Hounslow West to Heathrow Central was now extended to T5. The service pattern set up was that some 6tph tube trains entered Heathrow at Hatton Cross and went south to rest at T4, then continued on the return journey through the central area back to central London. Another 6tph entered from Hatton Cross into the central area and on to T5. These then returned the way they had come.
system as it is today. LUT´s Piccadilly line runs to T4 and T5. HE is shown as running to T5 and HC is shown, erroneously, as running to T4, in both cases from Paddington. It should be emphasised that from Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 to T4 a free HE shuttle is now taken.
The station in the central area has been known as Heathrow Terminals 1,2,3 since April 1986. However, it still retains that name despite Terminal 2 being knocked down in 2009. When T2 is reopened in 2014 T1 will be knocked down. Therefore, there is some confusion about what the name of the station will be. It is speculated that it will be renamed Heathrow Central. Probably, it is just as well that the name is not changed until the new T2 is reopened to avoid confusion.
When T5 was constructed it was provided with platforms for the Piccadilly line trains, the HE trains and two more, unspecified use. For once somebody had thought ahead.
An idea called Airtrack was promoted by BAA using these two platforms in the new T5 building. Three services were to be offered; Reading, Guildford and Waterloo. Each was to have a frequency of 2tph offpeak and 1tph peak periods.
The problems involved have already been looked at in point 1 with the Feltham connection. Basically, these were (i) lack of train paths (thus the reduction in peak periods) and (ii) level crossings (extending the services to Reading and Guildford meant additional level crossing closures during the operation of the trains meaning additional traffic problems.
BAA also wanted to extend some HE trains from T5 to Staines (solely to increase traffic on its services). This would have complicated things more with an extra turnback platform to be built at Staines. As it turned out, a combination of the difficult problems encountered together with the government´s drastic cut in investments and spending, convinced BAA to drop the scheme in April 2011.
This blogger looked at the question 30th June 2010 in an article titled "Airtrack - is it worthwhile?"
The Transport Secretary, Philip Hammond came up with this idea in September 2011. It was floated as a shuttle between T5 and Reading to connect to the GWML and services to South Wales, Bristol and the west country. After the initial news nothing else has been heard.
This blogger looked at the proposal under the title "Reading - Heathrow Rail Connection" 6th October 2011, fairly soon after it came out.
Without repeating the arguments extensively, the idea of connecting the two free platforms at T5 with the GWML is a good one. However, if it stops at that then it is short thinking. The bigger picture should be looked at in which the Reading - T5 connection is only a part. If that is not done then we would fall into the trap, yet again, of thinking small and developing projects which are costly to rectify in the long run.
This particular project should be looked at with and linked to the Heathrow-Gatwick proposal.
This is a proposal to link(with the horrible name of "Heathwick") the two airports so that the two Gatwick terminals would function as extra terminals for Heathrow. Obviously, this had not been thought through. The idea of linking the two airports is welcome but not in the terms as mentioned.
The broader picture has to be looked at again which this blogger did on 11th October 2011, "Heathrow - Gatwick Rail Link".
Here the proponents of the connection are thinking of, yet again, using the two free platforms at T5 to provide this link. Maybe at present they have the capacity to satisfy both(8 & 9) connections but if the services are successful then they will be proven lacking. That would mean, yet again, having to rectify short-term thinking with new constructions.
The two projects joined together (Reading - LHR and LHR - Gatwick) offer greater possibilities. If then the line were extended to Ashford(Kent) we then have a connection to the Chunnel. That then would open up the possibilities of connections to Europe(Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne and even Frankfurt).
All this would provide traffic from the two airports (at least, and maybe even Luton), and from Reading (and all points north, west and south west from there). Direct trains are a possibility to mainland Europe bypassing the bottleneck that is London. It would mean that no spur from HS2 is necessary, alleviating the traffic through the capital. The possibilities of direct trains to mainland Europe from Wales, the South West and Birmingham are opened up while greater and better regional services are also a possibility.
These ideas have to thought through on a broader scale, and then planned and executed carefully.
On 16th may 2008 the infrastructure engineering group ARUP presented a plan to improve rail services between Heathrow and the rest of the country. It is also mentioned in a Wikipedia article, Heathrow Hub railway station.
This was to be situated north of the airport on the GWML connected by a shuttle service to T5. Here again they were thinking of using the free platforms at T5. However, this idea of a 12 platform station fell flat on its face because it yet again introduced a time wasting change for connections to the GWML and HS2.
Duplicity of effort, waste of resources, eating up of the Green Belt; there were many reasons to criticise this project. However, again the germ of the idea was not bad - if done at Heathrow. The basic objections were that it used the supposedly free platforms at T5, it did not take into consideration any other project proposed, and it was imprisoned in the concepts already put forward by the same engineering group to solve problems (HS2 etc.).
Maybe the present infrastructure in Heathrow is non-adaptable to greater ideas or concepts. That is a question of looking at the present infrastructure with the plans to see if it can be adapted; also the traffic predictions have to be realistic and reflect the experience gained over the last fifty years. then we can consider if the present infrastructure can be adapted and used or if a new "heavy" rail station should be built to connect Heathrow to Gatwick and mainline Europe, and other parts of the country as well.
This we will look at in the next blog.
What has to be looked at, firstly, is what the country wants to do with Heathrow. If it is closed then what substitutes it? Thus a strategic plan for aviation would have to be drawn up and implemented quickly. If the decision is taken to keep Heathrow for, at least, the next forty to fifty years then total plans have to be laid down and implemented as soon as possible.
Then the mistakes of the past have to be taken into consideration, learned from, and avoided. Complete solutions to plans for national, regional and local transport needs have to be tackled. This would mean that Heathrow, or any other airport for that matter, would not be looked at in isolation but as part of a whole. If plans prove to be reasonable and feasible then let them go ahead and not fall victim to narrowly interested parties or Treasury diktats. The greater good for the long-term should be paramount. That is the only way to avoid the mistakes of the past.
Note: Passenger figures reached a high of 68,068,304 in 2007. In the period 2008-2010 figures fell in the economic downturn. Now in 2011 the figures have recovered their upward climb and surpassed the previous high at 69,433,565. | 2019-04-21T20:30:44Z | http://trans-trax.blogspot.com/2012/04/heathrow-chapuzas.html |
Editor's Note: Victor A. ('17) conducted a statistical investigation of the boy's basketball team.
The 2015-16 Packer boys varsity basketball returned to former glory this year, a comeback that was two years in the making. With an in-league record of 8-4 (wins-losses), an out of league record of 11-0, and a 5-1 record throughout the playoffs, the team dominated through the whole season. They finished with three pieces of hardware: first place at the Dalton Invitational tournament, second place in the ACIS tournament, and first place in the NYSAIS C-Division tournament. In summation, the year was an absolute success for the team, a story of triumph and perseverance that will persist in the years to come.
But in some ways, this season was unprecedented. Although the team is no stranger to success, championship banners line the second floor gym, the two years preceding this one have left little to be positive about. Both years, the team finished the season losing more games than they won, without a shot in the state playoffs. In fact, they were barely a presence in the ACIS tournament. There was not a lot of turnover from those years either; most of the players returned and the JV players from the previous years filled out the rest of the slots. And to top it all off, the team lacked a height advantage most games. Many teams were not intimidated when they looked over to the other side during their warm ups. So, there was not much to expect this year.
So, that is precisely what this study is looking into. How does a mediocre team spring up to success in a year? George Boutis, head coach and father figure of the team, kept alluding to one key thing throughout the season: analytics. Over the past two decades, both in college basketball and the NBA, analytics has become a major part of the sport. And Boutis, too, looked to condense the fast-moving, high-paced, emotional high-school game into numbers (rebounds, assists, points, steals, blocks, free throws, three pointers) in the hopes that the game would become simpler. This makes sense: numbers are a reliable way to motivate your team and institute a game plan. In some ways, it is more effective to tell your team to “force contested twos” than to say “play hard on defense”. The numbers allow your team to set their eyes on a particular task. So, this study will analyze how key basketball statistics underlie the performance of the team and led to a successful season.
Over the past two decades, basketball analysts have been lamenting over the disappearance of the mid-range game. Long gone are the days of the dribble pullup jump shot or the iconic Michael Jordan back to the basket game. Instead, basketball has moved towards fast-paced offense with a preference for threes and layups, which makes sense; three is better than two unless it’s a sure thing. But let’s see how the team used the mid range this year.
During the regular season, at home the boys made 126 two pointers in the first half. The number of two pointers made fluctuated throughout the season, as expected. Wear and tear and fatigue would definitely come into play throughout the season and weaken the players’ legs, which means less lift on midrange shots and slower cuts. But then, players can always hit their second or third wind in the middle of the season to motivate them to perform better for longer. In the beginning of the year, the boys did not make as much two pointers probably due to nervousness; as games went on, the number steadily rises.
The second half two pointer data shows similar fluctuation numbers patterns to the first half data. However, the peak is higher in the middle, which interesting. This means that at the beginning of the year, the team was prone to start better, but as the season went on, they were finishing games more efficiently. Perhaps this is due to the initial success the team had. Because they started hot at the beginning of the year, they slacked off at the start of games in the middle of the season, which forced them to play harder and better in the second half. Such a premise would make it extremely difficult to look at both data sets individually, but nonetheless, it is still significant. It is also interesting how much the shooting fluctuates in the second half data. It seems that one game the team is shooting very well in the second half, inside the arc, and then the next game, the team is shooting worse.
This trend could coincide with the first half data as well. Games where the team got off to a quick start, there was a less need to play the starters the whole game, so the number of two pointers made dwindled because the production of the players coming off the bench was not as high, which makes sense. Furthermore, games where the team shot badly inside the arc during both halves were most likely losses. Another interesting trend is that both graphs show increases at the end of the year, which was probably due to the new found energy for the playoffs as it was alluded to previously.
Analysts make a huge fuss about home court advantage: teams usually shoot better in their own building because they are used to the balls, rims and lighting. Let’s see if this is true for the Packer team and if similar trends ensue. The first half numbers for two point shooting is interesting to say the least. Although the peak is very similar to the peak at home in the same category, it seems that the team’s two shooting on the road took a huge dip in the middle of the season. For several games, the team shot significantly worse than they shot in the beginning of the year, a product which is indeed probably due to unfamiliar balls and rims, but probably also the crowd as well. Also, in the first half, the team was probably shocked and timid; uncertain of what to expect in foreign domain.
The second half data for away games shows similar trends; the team started hot on the road and then fell to abysmal levels of shooting. It got worse in the second half for the team. While, in the first half, they stopped the bleeding, in the second half the downward trend continued for longer. Another interesting trend is the end of the season. Previously it was shown the boys got hot at the end of the season at home, but it is the opposite for the road. They finished the season making their least amount of two pointers all year in both halves. This could have been due to mental and physical fatigue at the end of the year. It is hard to gear up for games when you are on the road. But it was also due to the scheduling. The last few games of the season were at home. So, it is understandable that the excitement of finishing the year at home elevated the numbers as well.
But what about shot attempts? Was the team even taking a significant number of shots inside the arc or were they leaning more towards the rest of thebasketball world with a greater attention to threes? Let’s see what the numbers say. At home, in the first half, the team took a relatively high amount of shots inside the arc. However, in the second quarter of the season this number took a steady dip. Perhaps, they were giving up these shots for threes, or maybe even turnovers. Whatever happened the number went back up to normal level, until around the end of the season, when their two point attempts in the first half at home plummeted. This is an interesting drop that can be due to several components.
One, perhaps at the start of the game, Packer was less likely to drive to the hoop. A lot of teams are less aggressive in the beginning of games because of nervousness and regular jitters; it is natural. But, this should not be happening at the end of the year; teams, especially Packer, are usually hitting their stride around this point. Let’s continue to look for trends in the two point shot attempts in the second half; does Packer settle down and become more aggressive at this point in the game?
In the second half, though the numbers fluctuated, it was a lot more steady. It seems that for whatever reason, halftime speech, getting accustomed to the court, ball and light, or just settling down, the boys were more aggressive.
And it is a good thing that it did because at home, when the boys shot a relatively lesser amount of shots inside the arc, they lost. The only time this did not happen was at the end of the year, during the huge dip of shot attempts that we see in the first half. But this was probably offset by another category; perhaps Packer was playing phenomenal defense, or hitting a lot of threes instead. Nonetheless, the two point shot attempts at home indicate an intensity in the team’s gameplan in the second half: get to the rack and don’t settle. Let’s see how the numbers look on the road, where the team was habitually worse.
Away from home, in the first half, the shot attempts inside the arc is stable but much lower than the amount taken at home. This makes sense for many reasons. The boys are in an unfamiliar environment and the crowd is doing their most to shake their mental state; it is only natural that they are a bit antsy. But it is interesting that we see the same drop in the middle of the season in the road that we see at home. Perhaps this is indicative of the fatigue factor that was mentioned earlier. The boys must be tired after so many practices and games. Or perhaps this was an example of the boys settling. After a hot start, like Packer had, it is not unusual to settle for easier shots outside the arc. It would be interesting to see if this drop in two pointers coincides with a raise in three pointers.
The boys two point attempts away from home in the second follows the same trend in the beginning of the year; it is lower than home attempts, though steady, and there is a drop in the middle of the year. But that drop is much more consistent in the second half of the season. For some reason, the boys continue to shoot less and less two pointers away from home, which is strange since this is an usually a proficient team inside the arc (based on the number of two pointers made during both home and away games). Perhaps, again it was due to fatigue; it is significantly harder to get into the lanes with weaker, tired legs. Or maybe something else is working for the boys. The three point shot has been alluded to more than once already, so let’s analyze that next.
As basketball evolves, the three point shot evolves with it. Teams throughout the country incorporate plays and offensive sets that are designated to spread the court and allow more three point shots to be taken. Several teams that Packer played against this year, not only used their three point shot to their advantage, but depended fully upon it to start and maintain their offense. Packer, however, was different. Packer shot almost four times as many two pointers than three pointers. They played a three-two (three wing players with two post players) lineup for the vast majority of the season. And they were successful. But the three point shot was definitely an integral part to the season and their success.
In the first half, at home, an interesting trend in the data surfaces. As the season goes on, the boys are making significantly more three pointers. By the last third of the season, they are making a good amount of threes, while still shooting thirty percent, which is a decent percentage from behind the arc. Why the increase in three percentage?
Perhaps, this is due to numerous shooting drills, and an improvement in technique. The year before, the team were horrid from behind the arc, so it was a point of emphasis to improve the form and the results. Perhaps towards the end of the season, the efforts were paying off. In the second half, the made shots follow a similar trend. As time goes on, the team is consistently making more threes. However, there is more fluctuation in this data set. Perhaps this is due to different strategies that are implored from game to game. This means that Packer is not simply chucking up threes against every team. Rather, they are assessing the situation and determining the amount of threes they should take depending on which team they are facing or whether or not shots are falling. It could also mean that the team was full of streaky shooters, hot one night, but not shooting the ball quite well on the next. Away from home, the boys start slow and then as the season goes on, they seem to catch their stride. Especially, in the middle third of the season. Perhaps this is supportive of the claim that they picked and chose who to shoot against depending on the lineup of the other team and the way the game was going. This effective use of strategy is one of the key components in the number of wins for the team. This intriguing strategy is also indicative of the team’s ability to go inside and out on a regular basis, a mantra that is integral to the team’s success on the court.
The second half follows a similar trend to the first half three point shooting on the road. The boys shot poorly in the beginning of the year, but then started shooting well around the middle of the season. However, the end of the season at home shows very erratic shooting. They boys shoot very well and then finish shooting very poorly. Perhaps, this is due to the nature of the three point shot; it comes and goes. This is why so many analysts are still skeptical of the three pointer; unless you have a good group of sharp-shooters, it is not very good to depend on. Or perhaps the three pointer is following the general trend of the team’s production: as the season goes on, they become less productive due to fatigue. Or maybe the drop is due to a simultaneous drop in three point attempts. Perhaps, the team found a lot of success inside the arc and thought it better to be more aggressive. Let’s look at the three point shot attempts both at home and away during the regular season to gain more insights.
At home, in the first half of basketball games, the team seemed to vary in the number of shots taken from outside the arc; their attempts fluctuated significantly. This is very interesting because it strengthens the argument that the team focused on different points of attack in different games. Perhaps against bigger teams the team shot more, whereas against smaller teams, the team looked to get the ball inside more. However, the trend from other data sets continues in this one as well; the team started shooting less and then built up as the season continued.
In the second half of home games, the data looks very different. Again, the team starts slow, and then picks it up as the season continues. But then the attempts drop suddenly. Perhaps this was due to being aggressive in the second half, taking less outside shots in order to get to the rim for easier shots near the basket. This is very likely because in the second half, teams are a lot more urgent; they are much more willing to make aggressive plays to win basketball games. However, this trend does not continue. In other games, the team shoots a steady amount of three pointers. So maybe during that first drop in three pointers is attributed to the uncertain nature of the three point shot in general. Maybe the team could not depend on them to fall that day, so they decided to go inside more.
The three point shot attempts on the road in the first half resembles the three point shot attempts at home in the second half. The team started slow and then started shooting more frequently and steadily in the middle of the season, which persisted until the end.
This makes sense; it is common for teams to want to settle on the road for a lot of reasons that were all mentioned in the preceding paragraphs: nervousness, uncertainty, foreign crowd noise, balls and lighting. It is no surprise that this resulted in less aggressive play and more shots from outside the arc.The data set for away games in the second half breaks the trend. The team saw the same rise in three point shooting, but afterwards, instead of the amount of shots continuing, they dropped significantly around the end of the season. Although unprecedented, perhaps this relates to similar reasoning as before: as games were ending, close to playoff time, the boys were more urgent, looking for better shots closer to the basket. And because of this newfound aggressiveness, the number of shots from outside the arc diminished.
Some coaches attest that the team that gets to the line more wins more games. This may be true. Shooting free throws may fundamentally increase your chances of winning basketball games because it slows the game down, allows you to get easy points, and allows you to set up your defense on the other side of the court, mitigating the other team’s fast break attack. Not to mention, getting to the line gets the other team in foul trouble as well. So let’s see how team fared from the line this year, and what the data may elude to.
In the first half of home games, the team was very erratic from the line from game to game. Some games they would shoot free throws at a high clip, but other games not so much. The reason for this may be more cryptic. Maybe there is no outright reason, other than the ball just was not falling. However, at the end of the season, the made free throw number becomes steadier. Perhaps, this is when the team hit its stride at the charity stripe.
The trend from the line is the same in the second half as well. The team is very erratic from game to game, though there is one key difference. After the halftime break, in the beginning of the year, the team made less free throws. Perhaps, this was due to halftime rustiness, or again, just the ball not going in. It is also interesting that the made free throws became steady at the end of the season.
Away from home, in the first half, the free throw rates are very interesting. Instead, of getting better as the year goes on, like in other data sets, the team actually gets significantly worse. Perhaps, it was due to a lack of calls on the road. Perhaps, they were not used to the rims and the balls in the opponent's gyms. Perhaps, once again, shots were not falling. But for a decline like this, one that persists throughout the whole season in the first half, there is probably more to it than that. Does the trend continue on into the second half? In the second half, the team makes a consistently small amount of free throws. Unlike the first half, the team starts bad and stays bad. Maybe the same reasons are involved: a lack of calls on the road, weird environments and crowd noise. However, it is interesting that a team that shot free throws so poorly on the road was able to win so many games. One would think, and several coaches would agree, that the team that shot the best from the line would have the greater chance of winning, but in Packer’s case, this may not always be true.
Free throw attempts can be just as telling as free throw makes. But the data from home games in the first half seems to coincide with the overall trend: erratic free throw shooting. The attempts from game to game varied immensely. It seems that at home the boys would get more calls to go their way, but that does not seem to be the case in all games. Perhaps, they were less aggressive in the first half, which is prone to happen.
In the second half of home games, although the shot attempts still varied from game to game, they shot significantly more often. Perhaps this was due to the fact that they were more aggressive in the second half due to their urgency. However, the data set ends on an downward trend. Could this also be a result of fatigue?
The free throw attempts in the first half of away games are a lot more steady. The team starts well, takes a big dip and then stays consistent throughout the year. This is interesting because as the attempts were consistent, the shooting was not. If you remember, the team shot poorly from the line during away games. So, this data suggests that the team was a rather poor free throw shooting team on the road. Again, this is strange because most people believe that free throw shooting is essential to winning basketball games, but apparently in Packer’s case, it is not. In the second half, the team, this even better in the first half at getting to the line. This suggests that the poor shooting was not due to shotty officials, because the free throw shooting rates remained the same throughout the season. However, this confirms the team’s poor shooting on the road. Perhaps this trend of the team shooting poorly on the road is consistent throughout the season, but for the team to be so successful, they must have done something else to perform so well.
rebounding and inside play is so pivotal and focused upon, let’s see what the numbers say.
At home in the first half, the team rebounded at a very steady rate. It seems that even through their erratic shooting, their rebounds were consistent.
In the second half of home games, the trend regresses. They no longer rebound at such a high and consistent clip. Instead they are more erratic, rebounding less. Although, they pull a lot of boards around the middle of the season, they cannot keep the effort going. The disparity between the first half and second half rebounding is perplexing. Perhaps it is a direct result of the shooting; in the first half the team shoots relatively poorly, so they have more opportunities to rebound. But after they have settled in the second half and their shots start to fall, they rebound less.
On the road, in the first half, the rebounding numbers look similar to the numbers at home in the second half. They are consistently low, except for a jump around the end of the season.
However, in the second half, the numbers are much more consistent. Not only, does the team rebound more but there is barely a drop off throughout the whole season. Perhaps the reason for the consistent rebounding on the road is because of the poor shooting again. They experienced bad results shooting the ball on the road, so they must have had more opportunities to crash the glass.
But along with rebounding, assists are also indicative of a team’s success. Assists can show ball movement, offensive efficacy and even team chemistry. Throughout the season, the team was numerously applauded on their chemistry and good-natured teamwork. Perhaps, their assists numbers can do these claims justice.
In the first half during home games, the numbers are good but fall near the beginning and end of the season.
However, during the second half, the numbers are much lower. Perhaps, one on one play dominated late game situations. It is much harder to have ball movement in the later stages of the game, because it is much more important for to get the ball in the basket.
Away from home, in the first half, the numbers reflect that of the first half. The guys pass the ball very well, though shy away from it at times.
In the second half of these games, the team shows signs of similar play. This was definitely a team that passed the ball well and often. It seems the praise from numerous sources was well earned. However, the steep drop at the end of games is concerning. Perhaps this reflected a drop in the performance of the team at the end of games as well.
A good defense defines many successful team especially when the old and familiar adage is mentioned: defense wins championships. And even in an age when high-powered shooting and spread offenses dominant many gameplans, a stout defense is still the backbone of good basketball. Now, we have already seen how rebounding and assists have impacted the Packer team that shot the ball below average this year. But, how did defense, especially blocks steals and deflections, affect the team’s play as well.At home, in the first half, the team turned the other team over often. Steals are very important to the game of basketball. The art of turning the other team over while also keeping the ball in bounds in order to get a fast break opportunity on other end. These high steal numbers in the first half of home games are indicative of active, locked-in defense to set the tone for the rest of the game.
In the second half of home games, the rate of steals is significantly lower, but that makes sense. After intense first half defense, teams would probably more tentative and careful with the ball, which leads to a lower amount of play making and less points. So, even though the numbers are lower, the results are still fantastic.
And in the first half of away games, the boys came out the same way. Intense defense led to a high amount of steals which set the tone for the rest of the game. This probably led to a lack in aggressive play from the other team and an increase in fast break points for Packer. For a team that does not shoot particularly well, defense is essential, and seeing these steals numbers definitely explains Packer’s success.
In the second half of these away games, the trend continues. Because the boys played great defense in the first half, the other team did their work for them in the second half. Staunch defense led to scared play by their opponent’s offense. But it is interesting to see, that the numbers did not decline that much; the team was still working hard on defense.
In 7th grade, my middle school coach, Thomas Stokes, told me that blocking shots out of bounds was the most worthless play in basketball. The other team keeps the ball and they get an opportunity to regroup and run an efficient out of bounds play. And the morale boost for the shot blocker actually acts as a distraction to the overall defense and hampers the success of the team. However, coach Boutis has emphasized “Bill Russell post defense.” Instead of blocking the ball in the stands, post players are persuaded to tip the ball to themselves in the air and then make the quick outlet pass, thus keeping the ball in bounds and giving the team an opportunity for a fast break. So let’s see how blocks contributed to the team’s success.
At home, in the first half, the team blocked a relatively high number of shots. It seems that their first half intensity on the defensive end was two-fold, blocks and steals.
In the second half, the team may have been even better at blocking shots. Perhaps, as the opponent’s offense became more tentative worrying about ball pressure and steals, their offense became more predictable, which led to more blocked shots and rebounds. This means that the team’s defensive pressure at home games persisted through the whole game. Perhaps this is the reason for their poor shooting at home in the second half.
On the road, in the first half, the block numbers were also relatively high. It seems the team’s defense did not change on the road in the same way that their shooting did.
In the second half, the defense persisted. The team continued playing fierce defense from start to finish.
So, what did the team do that made them the most successful on the road and at home throughout the game. Although, these point totals were high, it seems that they could not reliably depend on their shooting; it was much too erratic. On the road, they shot poorly in their first half, inside and outside the arc. And throughout the season, at home, though they started the year shooting well, they could not continue to perform at such a level, probably due to fatigue. The team probably couldn’t depend on free throws either. Throughout the year, their free throw shooting was rather poor, despite the fact that they got to the line a lot. So, if the team couldn’t rely on their offense, which is ironic seeing that three people averaged double digits this year, then they had to rely on their defense. And the numbers support this; the team’s blocks and steals numbers persisted throughout the year. They consistent on the road and at home, for the entire game. And this directly correlated to their rebounding as well. The more steals and blocks the team had, the more they rebounded as well, which suggests that fierce defense was stifling the other team’s offense, forcing them into bad shots and ending their positions quickly. And this probably facilitated their offense; since they were mediocre shooting the basketball, they needed defense and fast breaks to jump start their offensive attack. So, it seems that defense really does wins championships. Will the Packer basketball team continue to pursue and emphasize staunch defense to win, or will other teams catch up and force them to shoot more? Next season will definitely be a very interesting one. | 2019-04-21T20:05:11Z | https://www.packerintersections.com/a-statistical-analysis-of-the-packer-boys-varsity-basketball-team-2015-16.html |
Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) with apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in differentiating endometrial cancer from benign endometrial lesions in postmenopausal patients with vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickening and to predict the depth of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer.
Materials and Methods: Postmenopausal patients with vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickening were enrolled in this prospective study. T2-weighted, pre- and postcontrast T1-weighted and diffusion-weighted images were obtained. The ADC values of all the patients with endometrial pathologies were recorded. The staging accuracies of DWI and postcontrast T1-weighted images in the assessment of myometrial invasion were evaluated in histopathologically proven endometrial cancer patients.
Results: Fifty-two patients (mean age: 57 ± 10, range: 41–79) were enrolled in the study. Thirty-eight of the lesions were benign (27 as hyperplasia and endometritis; 11 as polyps). Fourteen of the 52 endometrial lesions were pathologically proven as cancers and underwent hysterectomy, and all the specimens were reported as endometrioid adenocarcinomas. The mean ADC value (10–3 mm2/second) of cancer (0.88 ± 0.10) was significantly lower than that of benign lesions (1.78 ± 0.27, p = 0,001). There was no significant difference between ADC values of endometrial tissue in patients with FIGO stage 1A (0.87 ± 0.11, n = 9) and FIGO stage 1B (0.91 ± 0.07, n = 5). The staging accuracy was 92.9 per cent (13/14) for DWI and 85.7 per cent (12/14) for postcontrast T1-weighted images.
Conclusion: ADC values allow benign endometrial lesions to be differentiated from endometrial cancer in postmenopausal patients but do not correlate with the depth of myometrial invasion and histological tumor grading.
Endometrial carcinoma is the most common gynecologic malignancy . It predominantly affects postmenopausal women. Clinically, patients present with abnormal uterine bleeding . Endometrial carcinoma is usually characterized by endometrial thickening or an endometrial mass. Some benign endometrial lesions such as endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial polyps may also cause uterine bleeding and endometrial thickening or a focal mass . Therefore, those pathologies should be discriminated to navigate the treatment process. Transvaginal ultrasonography (TVS) is the most efficient first-step technique for diagnosis of postmenopausal bleeding [4, 5]. The sensitivity of TVS to detect endometrial pathologies is high, but its specificity is low . Therefore, biopsy is recommended as a second-step diagnostic method when endometrial thickness exceeds 4 mm [5, 6, 7, 8, 9]. However, endometrial biopsy or dilatation and curettage (D&C) may not be possible in postmenopausal patients due to endometrial atrophy, endometrial adhesions, or the requirement of general anesthesia.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with its superior soft-tissue contrast and multiplanar imaging capability, plays a key role in the evaluation of suspected endometrial pathology [10, 11, 12]. Kinkel et al. performed a meta-analysis which demonstrated that contrast-enhanced T1-weighted MRI was better than ultrasonography, computerized tomography (CT), or noncontrast MRI. Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI has been reported to be more accurate in detecting the tumor and the evaluation of myometrial invasion compared to T2-weighted imaging, and this property of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI was attributed to its much clearer establishment of the border between the tumor and the myometrium [14, 15, 16]. However, since the risk of development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis and thus renal failure following contrast-enhanced MRI is known, the necessity of imaging methods without contrast enhancement is progressively increasing in the evaluation of endometrial pathologies and myometrial invasion in patients diagnosed with endometrial cancer. Nevertheless, conventional MRI sequences are not capable of differentiating cancer, endometrial hyperplasia, or benign polyps .
Diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) is a nonenhanced imaging technique that facilitates the display of tissue characteristics based on the difference in diffusion motion of water molecules. Several recent studies have reported DWI to be useful to detect and differentiate endometrial cancer from normal endometrium or a benign lesion [18, 19, 20]. As endometrial cancer occurs in postmenopausal women with co-morbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, it is important to effectively select patients at risk of relapse for more radical surgery and adjuvant treatment. In addition, tumor grade, depth of myometrial invasion, and lymph node status are important for a surgeon to determine the method of treatment, and DWI has also been reported to be beneficial in detecting the depth of myometrial invasion and tumor grade in some recently published studies [21, 22, 23]. DWI provides the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of the tissues, which is related to the translational movement of water molecules that is limited in an environment that contains structures such as cell membranes . Although an ADC map obtained from DWI has been reported to be useful to differentiate between normal and cancerous tissue of the endometrium, the diagnostic value of DWI with quantitative analysis of ADC has been controversial, particularly on the depth of myometrial invasion and tumor grade [24, 25].
In this study, we aimed to investigate the feasibility of DWI in differentiating endometrial cancer from benign endometrial lesions in postmenopausal patients with vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickening before using invasive diagnostic methods and also to evaluate the myometrial invasion in the endometrial cancer group.
This prospective study was approved by our Institutional Review Board. Endometrial thickness measurements of less than 4 mm have been reported as appropriate threshold values to exclude endometrial carcinoma in the postmenopausal patients. Any thickness greater than 5 mm in the postmenopausal patients with vaginal bleeding or any endometrial heterogeneity or focal thickening seen at TVS has been regarded as pathological. Informed consent was obtained from all subjects. All patients had undergone magnetic resonance (MR) examinations, including DWI. All lesions were pathologically diagnosed by surgical resection, dilatation, and curettage or transvaginal biopsy.
The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) patients with any MR contraindication (e.g., cardiac pacemaker, aneurysm clip, pelvic or hip metal prostheses); (2) patients who are claustrophobic or unable to cooperate; (3) patients with any contraindication for contrast material; and (4) patients who were treated at other hospitals. In total, six patients who had complaints of vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickening were not included in the study considering these criteria.
All examinations were performed using a 1.5 Tesla (Optima 450W, General Electrics, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA) system with 12-channel body-array torso coils. Both axial and sagittal fast spin-echo T2-weighted images (TR, 4500 ms; TE, 102 ms; matrix size, 384 × 256; FOV, 30 cm; slice thickness, 5.5 mm; gap, 1 mm; number of excitations, 4), both axial and sagittal spin-echo T1-weighted images and gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted images (TR, 550 ms; TE, 6.7 ms; matrix size, 384 × 256; FOV, 32 cm; slice thickness, 5 mm; gap, 1 mm; number of excitations, 2) after the administration of gadolinium dimeglumine (0.1 mmol/l per kg bodyweight) were obtained in all patients. The parameters of both axial and sagittal DWI were as follows: TR, 5500–6000 ms; TE, 76–80 ms; b factors 0 and 1000 s/mm2; matrix size, 160 × 192; FOV, 30 cm; slice thickness, 5 mm; number of excitations, 8. ADC maps were automatically generated with the manufacturer’s software.
The ADC values of benign (endometrial hyperplasia-endometritis and polyps) and malignant endometrial lesions were performed on the ADC maps on the workstation (hp workstation XW 8200). The ADC values were measured in a circular region of interest (ROI) in one representative region as large as possible. Care was taken to exclude necrotic and cystic areas for the ROI on the basis of findings on T2-weighted MR images. When the tumor was not clearly visible on the ADC maps, the ROI was set by referring to T2-weighted images. The measurements were performed by two radiologists with 13 and 12 years of experience in MR imaging. The radiologists were blinded to the histopathological diagnosis. For each case, the ADC values (10–3 mm2/second) were measured three times in different regions, and the mean measurement values were computed.
Endometrial cancer was diagnosed when the tumor demonstrated high signal intensity on DW images obtained with a b value of 1000 s/mm2 and low signal intensity on ADC maps.
DW images are intrinsically T2-weighted images. Therefore, T2 shine-through effect can cause false-positive findings of restricted diffusion if isolated DW images without correlation to ADC maps are used. Tumor was diagnosed when hyperintensity on DW images corresponded to a low ADC value. On the other hand, hyperintensity on DW images that corresponded to a high ADC value was not considered as a tumor tissue.
The staging accuracies of both DWI and postcontrast T1-weighted images in the assessment of myometrial invasion were evaluated in the patients with endometrial cancer. Both radiologists evaluated the lesions separately and then came to a common conclusion together. In order to detect the depth of myometrial invasion, the radiologists assessed the DW images with referring to only T2-weighted echo-planar images (b = 0 s/mm2) first. The radiologists assessed the gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted images without referring to other sequences as reported in the study by Takeuchi et al. . Subsequently, these results were compared with the degree of myometrial invasion that was confirmed pathologically. Separate diagnostic accuracy was defined for DWI and postcontrast T1-weighted images.
The depth of myometrial invasion was classified as International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage 1A (endometrial cancer is limited in the endometrium or invades up to 50% of the myometrium) and FIGO stage 1B (endometrial cancer invades more than 50% of the myometrium).
Statistical evaluation of the data was performed using SPSS for Windows 11.5 package program. In the evaluations and comparisons which were made according to the benign or malignant nature detected in the pathological examinations, analyses used for the defined variables were the t-test for independent samples and one-way ANOVA, and chi-square test in the evaluation of categorical variables. ROC analysis was used to define the best cut-off value to differentiate malignant and benign lesions for ADC values. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
From January 2013 to September 2014, 52 postmenopausal patients, aged 41–79 years (mean 57 ± 10 years), with complaints of vaginal bleeding and endometrial thickening (5–46 mm, mean: 16.7 ± 9.3) detected at TVS were enrolled in this study. Thirty-eight (73.1%) of the lesions were benign, and 27 of the 38 benign lesions were pathologically proven as hyperplasia and endometritis; 11 of the 38 benign lesions were pathologically proven as polyps. Fourteen of the 52 (26.9%) endometrial lesions were pathologically proven as cancers. Fourteen of the 52 patients with endometrial lesions underwent hysterectomy from endometrial cancer. All 14 malignant cases were endometrioid adenocarcinomas. The summary of characteristics of patients is given in Table 1.
Summary of Characteristics of Patients and Histopathology Data.
The mean ADC value of endometrial cancer was 0.88 ± 0.10 × 10–3 mm2/s, and the mean ADC value of benign endometrial lesions was 1.78 ± 0.27 × 10–3 mm2/s (Figure 1). The ADC values of endometrial carcinoma were significantly lower than those of benign endometrial lesions (P = 0.001) without any overlap with a cut-off value of 1.18 × 10–3 mm2/s (Figures 2, 3, and 4).
Scatter plots of the ADC values obtained in benign and malignant lesions. The ADC values are significantly different between benign and malignant lesions (P = 0.001).
A 54-year-old woman with a histopathologically proven endometrial polyp. Sagittal T2-weighted fast spin-echo image (a) shows a hyperintense mass in the endometrial cavity. Sagittal gadolinium enhanced fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted image (b) shows the mass as an enhanced lesion. Sagittal apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) map image constructed from diffusion-weighted image (b = 1000s/mm2) (c). On the ADC map, the tumor shows a high signal intensity, and the ADC value is 1.68x10–3 mm2/s.
A 47-year-old woman with benign endometrial hyperplasia. Sagittal T2-weighted fast spin-echo image (a) shows diffuse endometrial thickening, and hyperintense cysts are seen in the endometrial cavity. Sagittal ADC map image constructed from diffusion-weighted image (b = 1000s/mm2) (b). On the ADC map, the endometrial cavity shows a heterogeneously high signal intensity, and the ADC value is 1.74x10–3 (c).
A 48-year-old woman with endometrial cancer. Axial fast spin-echo T2-weighted image shows hyperintense endometrial mass (a). Sagittal diffusion-weighted image (b = 1000s/mm2) shows the hyperintense endometrial mass with myometrial invasion (b). Sagittal gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted image shows the tumor as a slightly enhanced lesion (c). Sagittal ADC map image constructed from diffusion-weighted image (b = 1000s/mm2). The ADC value is 0.86x10–3 (d).
Histological examination of the 14 surgically proven endometrial cancers revealed that 9 of the lesions were confined in the endometrium or invaded up to the inner half of the myometrium (FIGO stage 1A) and that 5 of the lesions invaded the outer half of the myometrium (FIGO stage 1B). The mean ADC value was 0.87 ± 0.11 × 10–3 mm2/s in patients with FIGO stage 1A and 0.91 ± 0.07 × 10–3 mm2/s in patients with FIGO stage 1B (Figures 5 and 6). The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.523).
A 56-year-old woman with endometrial cancer. Sagittal T2-weighted fast spin-echo image showing a hyperintense mass in the endometrial cavity (a). Sagittal gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted image shows the tumor as a slightly enhanced lesion (b). Axial diffusion weighted image (b = 1000s/mm2) (c) shows hyperintense FIGO stage 1A endometrial mass. The ADC value is 0.88x10–3 on the sagittal ADC map image (d).
A 42-year-old woman with endometrial cancer. Coronal fast spin-echo T2-weighted image shows the endometrial mass (a). Sagittal gadolinium-enhanced fat-saturated spin-echo T1-weighted image shows the tumor as a slightly enhanced lesion (b). Sagittal diffusion-weighted image (b = 1000s/mm2) (c) shows FIGO stage 1B endometrial mass. The ADC value is 0.71x10–3 on the sagittal ADC map image (d).
The staging accuracies of both DWI and postcontrast T1-weighted images in the assessment of myometrial invasion were evaluated in 14 patients with endometrial cancer. The depth of myometrial invasion was underestimated in one lesion on DWI and two lesions on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. Heterogeneous contrast enhancement of the myometrium made it difficult to detect the tumor margins, resulting in underestimation. The staging accuracy with MRI was 92.9 per cent (13/14) for DWI and 85.7 per cent (12/14) for gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images.
In the endometrial cancer group, the mean ADC value for grade 1 tumors (n: 10) was 0.90 ± 0.11 × 10–3 mm2/s, and the mean ADC value for grade 2 tumors (n: 4) was 0.85 ± 0.05 × 10–3 mm2/s. The difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.405).
We studied the diagnostic roles of DWI and ADC values in postmenopausal patients with endometrial pathologies and demonstrated that DWI and ADC values provide a diagnostic differentiation between benign and malignant endometrial lesions without any overlapping in these patients. DWI demonstrated the degree of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer more accurately compared to conventional MRI sequences. On the other hand, it has been established that detection of the degree of myometrial invasion is not possible with ADC values. DWI together with ADC measurement can be used for diagnostic purposes in conditions of difficult endometrial biopsy or curettage due to the presence of endometrial atrophy, adhesions, and the requirement of anesthesia in postmenopausal patients. As endometrial cancer occurs in postmenopausal women with co-morbidities such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes, DWI is a substantially effective method in detecting the depth of myometrial invasion without causing overtreatment in such patients. Finally, ADC values do not correlate with histological tumor grade.
In the current series, 52 lesions were evaluated at 1.5T with b factors 0 and 1000 s/mm2. The mean ADC value of endometrial cancer was 0.88 ± 0.10 × 10–3 mm2/s, and the mean ADC value of benign endometrial lesions (endometrial polyp and hyperplasia) was 1.78 ± 0.27 × 10–3 mm2/s. The ADC values of endometrial carcinoma were significantly lower than those of benign endometrial lesions without any overlap with a cut-off value of 1.18 × 10–3 mm2/s. Increased cellularity in endometrial cancer limits the diffusion of water in DWI and lowers the ADC value. On the other hand, benign lesions such as endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial polyps cause an increased ADC value by widening the extracellular area with edematous tissue and cystic components . In the current study, the ADC values in endometrial cancer and benign endometrial lesions were similar to those of Fuji et al. , Shen et al. , and Takeuchi et al. . Tamai et al. compared the ADC values of 18 women with endometrial carcinomas and 12 women with cervical cancer and pathologically confirmed normal endometrium. The ADC value of endometrial cancer was 0.88(0.16) × 10–3 mm2/s, which was significantly lower than that of normal endometrium (1.53(0.10) × 10–3 mm2/s).
The prognostic factors for endometrial cancer are the age of patient, stage, tumor grade and histology, depth of myometrial invasion, cervical involvement, and lymph node metastasis. The detection of preoperative myometrial depth of invasion in endometrial cancer is very important in planning the width of lymph node dissection and predicting the prognosis of the patient. In the latest FIGO classification, a stage IA tumor is limited to the endometrium or invades less than 50 per cent of myometrium, and a stage IB tumor invades equal or more than 50 per cent of myometrium. Pelvic or para-aortic lymph node metastasis increases six to seven fold in deep myometrial invasion . The current standard surgical procedure is total hysterectomy, bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, and peritoneal cytology. Lymph node dissection is planned in patients with more than 50 per cent myometrial invasion, cervical extension, or extra-uterine disease since the risk of nodal metastasis is high in those patients. However, since the incidence of systemic diseases such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes is high in postmenopausal patients, overtreatment should be avoided in low-risk patients. Therefore, detecting the degree of myometrial invasion is very important in planning the treatment.
Endometrial carcinoma typically demonstrates diffusion restriction in DWI, which is observed as hyperintense compared to surrounding myometrium and has a hypointense signal property in ADC mapping. When used together with T2-weighted imaging, DWI is a highly accurate technique for assessing the invasion of the deep myometrium. In this context, the diagnosis performance of the DWI technique was equal to or slightly higher than that of contrast-enhanced MRI [18, 20, 21, 27]. Recently, Bonatti et al. compared the diagnostic performance of T2-weighted images plus contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images with the one of T2-weighted images plus DWI in the assessment of myometrial infiltration by endometrial carcinoma, and they reported that T2-weighted images plus DWI showed a better diagnostic performance than T2-weighted images plus contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images in identifying deep myometrial invasion.
In our study, the staging accuracy with MRI was 92.9 per cent for DWI and 85.7 per cent for gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. The depth of myometrial invasion was underestimated in one lesion on DWI and two lesions on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. Heterogeneous contrast enhancement of the myometrium made it difficult to detect the tumor margins, resulting in underestimation in these patients. Gallego et al. compared the results of conventional MRI sequences, DWI-generated ADC maps, and intraoperative frozen-section in 51 patients with endometrial cancer to detect the degree of myometrial invasion. They reported that ADC maps were superior to conventional sequences in defining the depth of myometrial invasion.
Restricted diffusion in endometrial carcinoma has been reported to be due to the increased cellular density and thus decreased extracellular space and restricted movement of water molecules [24, 30]. Therefore, ADC values of high-grade adenocarcinomas with high cellular density are expected to be lower compared to the low-grade adenocarcinomas. Even Rechichi et al. have described that the tumor ADC value did not correlate with histological tumor grade, in agreement with recently published works by Shen et al. and Lin et al. . The current study also did not find any significant relationship between ADC values and tumor grade. On the other hand, Tamai et al. reported significantly lower ADC values in G3 tumors compared to G1 tumors, while Seo et al. found significantly higher ADC values in G1 tumors compared to G2 or G3 tumors. However, due to the significant overlap between different histological tumor grades, accurately estimating the histological grade by using ADC values is somewhat difficult.
In the current study, the difference between the mean ADC value in FIGO stage 1A and FIGO stage 1B lesions was not statistically significant. These findings confirm the results previously reported by Rechichi et al. and Lin et al. . On the other hand, Husby et al. have reported that mean tumor ADC value was significantly lower in tumors with deep myometrial invasion (ADC value of 0.75 × 10–3 mm2/s) compared with tumors with superficial myometrial invasion (ADC value of 0.85 × 10–3 mm2/s).
Our study has some limitations. First of all, it has a small sample size, particularly in the group with malignant patients. In the endometrial cancer group, there were only well-differentiated (G1) and moderately differentiated (G2) tumors, and we did not have a poorly differentiated (G3) group. Second, only 1.5T equipment was used in this study. Lastly, the diagnosis was made by D&C or endometrial biopsy in benign lesions rather than hysterectomy.
In conclusion, DWI with quantitative analysis of ADC allows benign endometrial lesions to be differentiated from endometrial cancer. However, no significant association between the ADC values and the depth of myometrial invasion and the histological tumor grade was found. Further study is needed to confirm our findings.
Goldstein, RB Bree, RL Benson, CB et al. (2001). Evaluation of the woman with postmenopausal bleeding: Society of radiologists in ultrasound-sponsored consensus conference statement. J Ultrasound Med 20: 1025–36. | 2019-04-21T12:06:54Z | https://www.jbsr.be/articles/10.5334/jbr-btr.1118/print/ |
"So that's a brief introduction about me, I'll talk more tomorrow about my multihull sailing and design experiences.
We have a waterfront summer house on Saturna Island, which is one of the Canadian Gulf Islands. So even when we are not cruising we spend a lot of time looking out over the Strait of Georgia.
I think everyone knows that winds are light here for most of the summer, so much so that for weeks at a time anything over even 10 knots is a rare event.
Unlike, say, San Francisco, where one really only sails in the Bay, here in the PNW there are many places to cruise to, even if you just daysail. For you can go hundreds of miles, anchoring each night, yet staying in sheltered water the whole time. After all, the most popular cruising boats round here are actually kayaks, with their paddlers camping on beaches at night.
A kayak is very limited to wind and seastate, over 15 knots and they go into survival mode. Which really proves how benign the local weather conditions are. You don't see kayaks in the UK, it's just too rough and windy.
To get to more distant cruising grounds even multihull sailors like ourselves spend a lot of the time motoring. We got frustrated drifting around until say 4pm when, 10 miles short of our anchorage, we'd start the engine and motor in for the night.
For unlike the UK and the east coast you cannot sensibly sail at night, there are just too many dead heads and logs. Having said that one of my most memorable sails was in the Swiftsure race, sailing Bad Kitty at 22 knots through Race Rocks at 1am on a pitch black night.
Again, if we were cruising in the UK, or on the east coast of the US, we could have a trailable boat and drive to our favorite cruising area. But up here, once you're north of Lund there are no coastal roads, period, so you have to get further north in your own boat.
Even if you are live aboard cruisers you still have limited time, because the summer season is short and few people want to leave their boat in Alaska for the winter. Unfortunately the Canadians have now made it difficult to leave your boat in Canada without paying an 8% sales tax. So you have to allow time to come home again.
So on a long trip, and with limited time, you need to make fast passages, so you can get to your destination quickly and then relax and enjoy yourself. And unfortunately round here you cannot do that under sail. After a lot of soul searching, for after all I've been a keen sailor for 50 years, we eventually decided the best thing to do was to have a fast daysailing boat for the days when there is wind and we wanted fun on the water, and at the same time to have a powerboat for cruising further afield.
OK I know you can motor a sailboat. And it is often fuel efficient to do so when compared to a powerboat. Even so I cannot see why someone would be motoring their sailboat downwind in 15 knots of wind, especially early in the day, as so many people seem to do. I mean if they don't sail in ideal conditions then when do they? Maybe it's simply that having a sailboat was a romantic dream and it's just too much effort to sail one efficiently. Or maybe they find they are more comfortable driving a boat like you do a car, rather than actually learn how to sail. I don't know, any ideas? but wouldn't they be better off with a powerboat in the first place?
Before I describe the boat we now have, and the reasons for choosing it, I want to digress for a moment and talk about yacht design in general.
Ocean going boats have always done two things. Carry lots of people or carry a heavy cargo. Much of boat's development happened in Europe where generally it is easier to move people by land, not sea. So most boats there were designed to carry cargo. Thus they were big and heavy and relatively slow. Yachts developed from these boats and so also tended to be heavy and slow as that was what people expected from a boat.
The place where it is impossible to move people by land is the Pacific ocean, and it was there that multihulls were developed, as they are ideal people movers with a big level deck space for living onboard and easy beaching anywhere.
People are a light cargo and want to get to their destination quickly, which is still as true today as it was 2000 years ago.
I went to the Kennedy space centre a few years ago and got talking to one of the Saturn rocket designers.
It is easy to design something static, like a bridge or a building. It doesn't have to move, or even float. So you can put a steeple in a corner of a church and not worry about it falling over.
Once in space a space ship has no loads, no gravity and only one atmosphere between the interior and outer space. Even a static houseboat is harder to design – it has to float level for a start.
Harder still to design are moving things, like a car or plane. They not only have to keep their shape and support a load, just like a static building does, but they also have to move efficiently.
Hardest of all are what I call “interface vehicles” like boats, that work in two mediums at the same time. Air and water in our case. Planes don't usually fall out of the sky, or break when taxiing on the ground. They have incidents when landing and taking off – just when they become an interface vehicle. Space craft have their problems on re-entry when they reach the interface of the atmosphere.
Everything in design is interconnected. It's what we call the design spiral.
At it's simplest - suppose we want a boat to go faster. We put in a bigger engine. But that's heavier, so the hull has to be bigger, so it has more drag, so goes slower, so we have to put in an even bigger engine. That is spiralling up and is the easy option.
It's best to design the whole boat in your head first, only later do you draw it. Even then you can expect several false starts.
The smaller the boat the more you have to compromise your ideas. That's mainly because people don't get shorter when they go on a smaller boat. So, for example, freeboard is always proportionately higher. Furthermore the essentials for living on board weigh pretty much the same for a small boat as a big one.
Clearly when sailing at sea you always need a minimum freeboard for safety and comfort on board. The bottom line is that the bigger the boat the better it looks. Not only that but bigger boats perform relatively better. So it is really hard to make a good looking, fast, small boat. Science and the human anatomy are against you.
Usually professionals draw the lines plan last. For you cannot finalise that until you know, for example, how big the engines must be to go at the required speed. And thus how much space they take up and where the centre of gravity will be.
A good hull shape isn't just a matter of having the right centre of gravity and displacement. It also has to allow the boat to move efficiently through the water. After all, and as an extreme example, a boat might float level and on its marks at rest, but may do 60 knots going forwards and 6 knots backwards. So knowing which end of a boat is which is important!
Before developing my Skoota range of power catamarans I studied the available data on pontoon boats.
I found that a typical 20ft pontoon boat weighs about 1500lbs, so is similar to a Skoota 20, yet it needs a 50hp outboard to motor at 16 knots. Whereas the Skoota goes that speed with a 25hp. Or put it another way, the Skoota hull has nearly half the resistance of a similar sized pontoon boat. Proving that proper hull design DOES matter.
And in some ways having an efficient hull is more important on a powerboat than even a racing sailboat. That is obviously because a powerboat hull with higher resistance uses more fuel, whereas the wind is free.
So who thinks fuel is expensive here? Well for comparison in the UK gas costs USD 9 a gal, in Canada it is USD 6.4 a gal. Even in the Philippines it is over USD4 a gal and that is in a country where the average wage is under USD300 a month. Right now gas is 3.20 a gal in Seattle. So you shouldn't be surprised that boats have smaller engines in other countries, and that huge sectors of the US boating market, like sports fishermen for example, just don't exist anywhere else and will die out here once US fuel prices match the rest of the world.
And while on the subject of fuel. To get to Alaska you only need a maximum range of 250 miles. Less than you need in the lower Mississippi if you are doing a Great Loop cruise. Mind you in many places round here you can buy fuel, but there's no water. Saturna and Galiano are two Gulf islands with no dockside water.
Monohull sailboats are very different to powerboats. They roll in both wind and waves, they heel over, have a deep draft, a small cockpit and limited accommodation, and generally have no view out when down below. So it is a big change to go from a sailing monohull to any powerboat, whereas a sailing catamaran is similar to a power boat in many ways. Both offer level sailing, good accommodation with all round visibility and no deep keel. So maybe that's why it has been easier for us to make a transition from a sailing catamaran to a powerboat.
So given that we wanted a powerboat what sort should it be? There are 4 basic choices: displacement, planing, semi displacement and multihull - and I think you know which I'm going to suggest.
But before I do I'll talk about the options.
Displacement boats are slow and heavy, but as a result generally have a seakindly motion. They are limited to their “hull speed” which roughly is proportional to 1.34 times the square root of the WL length. So it's difficult to go over 8 knots if the boat is under 40ft.
Planing hulls are typically at least twice the speed of a displacement hull of the same length, slower than that and they aren't fully planing.
when they are forced to slow down, they trim down by the bow and so the risk of nosediving is considerable. At best they are then wet and uncomfortable. Even in flat water the hull slams when planing, so it is uncomfortable and noisy on board underway. The engines have to be large and they use a lot of fuel, so much of the interior is taken up by machinery and tanks. That reduces living space and also means engine noise, smell and vibration increase.
might be a good compromise, or the worst of both worlds. In part it depends on the cruising speed you chose. One definite advantage is that one can go faster when needed - to outrun bad weather, catch a tidal gate or even cut across the bow of a ship, which a displacement hull can never do. However it is never as efficient as the other types, so fuel consumption is higher than for a displacement boat. It will have more room than a planing boat as the bow section will be fuller and probably has a smaller engine space. Another drawback of the semi-displacement is poor seakeeping in a following sea, while steering can also be tricky unless you can outrun the waves. But even so, it's way better than a planing boat that has slowed down.
offer many significant advantages over monohull power boats. In general they offer low wake and much improved fuel economy compared to other powerboats. They are comfortable under way with no slamming or broaching in waves and have excellent handling in a seaway, They use two small engines not one big one. That's clearly much safer and more manouverable. You can turn on the spot without using the rudders for example. You can run just on one engine when cruising at low speed, or run one for battery charging, which is better for the engine life. They do not roll when fishing or at anchor and are easy and safe to beach. If you don't roll at anchor and have a fuel efficient boat you visit marinas less often and can spend the money saved on more fuel so you can cruise further.
They can maintain high speeds in rough conditions, and have superb directional stability. They are safer, due to their high stability, fully buoyant hulls and self draining cockpit. They do not heel when cornering, nor trim excessively at speed, so you can always see what's ahead They have more deck and interior space for a given length, not just because of their wide beam, but also because they have an essentially rectangular living space. Thus they do not have to be as big as a monohull to give the same interior room, performance and safety. Furthermore, docking is easy on a catamaran as its sides are essentially parallel, while anchoring is also easier on it's big wide foredeck.
And that's one reason why I don't think a power trimaran is a good idea is, because it is so hard to dock or even to board when alongside.
However most power catamarans available today are planing boats, with all the disadvantages that the type implies.
Furthermore they tend to have a narrow, 8ft 6in, maybe up to 10ft beam, so they can be trailed, so that many of the advantages of the catamaran form are wasted. In part the choice of design boils down to how fast do you really want to go and why? You aren't on a cruise ship with deadlines, nor towing waterskiers. It seems that few boats cruise at more than 12 knots, however fast they potentially are – I know that, because we overtake most cruisers when going at our normal 11 knot cruising speed. So few cruisers really benefit from having a planing boat.
Now I want to talk briefly about stability There are three basic ways to lose stability, the first is by wind, which obviously mainly affects sailing boats, but also some high freeboard powerboats in very high winds. The second is by being rolled over in a big wave and the third is after being swamped, usually because your cockpit is too big and when full of water the stern goes underwater and the boat sinks.
All other boats throughout history can capsize. A typical fishing boat or even warship will capsize at about 40deg of heel, so a trawler yacht will obviously be much the same. We’ve been on a US warship in bad weather and were told - “we’re staying hove to, it’s too dangerous to continue into it, and yes even we stop fighting in a storm - but then so does the other side“. A high freeboard boat with a flybridge probably capsizes at an even lower angle.
One of the worlds leading yacht research centres is Southampton University's Wolfson unit. Some years ago they performed model tests of various boat in waves. I've seen the videos they made, which were more realistic than even the Perfect Storm movie. However they are not public domain.
In the Wolfson tests they found it very easy to capsize a monohull powerboat, but try as hard as they could they never capsized the power catamaran.
As I've just said, design is a spiral, but one has to start somewhere. Lets start with size.
So how big a boat should the ideal PNW cruiser be? I always say get the smallest boat you need, not the biggest you want. Smaller boats are more fun, and easier to handle. Obviously they are also cheaper to buy and maintain. For remember running costs are usually about 10% of the purchase price. I never go for styling for the sake of it, I chose the boat that best meets my needs regardless of looks or price. And please, don't think “we'd better buy a big boat, just in case the grandchildren want to come” Instead, get one you can handle easily with just your normal crew. You'll use it more and it won't be such a stressful experience.
Famous local designer Bill Garden has said that the ideal sized PNW coastal cruiser for a couple with occasional guests is 32 feet. Which is a good match for the “drinks for 6, meal for 4, sleeps 2” concept.
You live in a house, not a hotel, so when cruising for longer periods you’ll want a comfortable home, not a hotel room. That’s why buying a boat designed for chartering doesn't make much sense. Most cruisers don’t want lots of bunks and ensuite showers. Instead, one good double bunk is enough, although maybe a spare for friends or family is useful. More important are a big galley and a good heads compartment.
Absolutely essential is a comfortable saloon with an all round view. After all, when on land we don’t choose to live in a basement, the expensive apartments are always the penthouse suites. So cruisers, who spend much of their time at anchor, should be able to enjoy the view from inside, not just from the cockpit. Of course being able to stay inside, yet still be on watch, makes passage-making safer and that much more enjoyable. Especially round here with all the floating logs and weed to avoid.
My first power catamaran was the Skoota 20 which we built in Canada and used for a couple of seasons.
Our longest trip was to the Princess Louisa inlet, but since the cabin was only 5ft long it wasn't that comfortable for long cruises, for it was really built as a test bed for my ideas.
It worked well, so I later drew 24, 28 and 36ft versions. The two small boats fold and are trailable, the Skoota 28 is transportable, as it bolts together, and is the one I have on show here.
My Skootas use semi displacement, non-planing, asymmetric hulls.
Tank testing I've done has shown that there is significant extra drag caused by wave interactions between the hulls, it's up to 20% at certain speeds, if the hulls are close together. That's one very good reason why I don't like the narrow powercats you see around. My Skoota 20 and 24 are 12ft wide but fold for trailering.
The Skoota 28 has widely spaced hulls, yet will still fit in a standard 14ft slip. Put simply, the hull asymmetry helps fool the water into thinking the hull spacing is wider than it really is.
We had thought about building my Skoota 36ft powercat design, but after looking at similar sized monohull powerboats we realised that even that would be bigger than we needed, and certainly the running costs would be be higher. It might be different though, if we were living on board full time.
So we decided to have a Skoota 28 professionally built in wood. And that's something you should consider doing as well. Buying a one-off wood boat direct from the builder can actually work out cheaper than buying a production grp boat as you don't pay for the mould costs, nor for sales commissions.
But the big plus is you get the boat you want, not what the boatyard wants you to have. We were very lucky with our builder, Josh Turner. A bit of a gamble using an unknown boatbuilder, but we were very pleased with his quality and speed of work.
I don't like maintaining engines so I prefer outboards. They are lightweight, reliable, self contained and keep the engine noise and smell out of the accommodation. The new fuel injected ones are as efficient as diesels and you can take them to a mechanic for service or repair, not the other way round. You need fewer seacocks and hull fittings, so there is less chance of leaks. In fact on our boat we have no skin fittings at all, for not only do we have outboards but we also have a composting toilet made by C-head, and an excellent buy. We don't even have any bilges, so have no need for a bilgepump. Our insurers think we have a safe boat as they know the most common claims are for engine failure and hull leaks, or even sinking. | 2019-04-26T04:28:48Z | http://sailingcatamarans.com/index.php/articles/11-technical-articles/278-the-ideal-pnw-cruiser |
Two of the country’s premier developers, Amona Metro Development and Metro Kajang Holdings, joined forces to create the latest innovative modern structure to grace Bangsar. Named Saville @ The Park, the freehold mixed development is a sight to behold in Pantai Hillpark. Upon completion by 2015, said development is poised to welcoming discerning buyers into a paradise of lush greenery and modern comfort. Nestled amidst serene surroundings without leaving the city, the project makes an ideal abode for those looking for an escape from the frenzied city life.
Spanning 5.23 acres of freehold land, Saville @ The Park offers a mix of condo units and semi-d villas. A total of 408 condominiums are housed within the towering two 27-storey blocks boasting spacious built-ups from 1,019 to 2,528 sq.ft. If more space is what you want, the collection of 18 semi-d villas are perfect. Built-up for these units vary from 3,295 to 4,612 sq.ft., spacious enough to fit a growing family.
> Type A – 1,019 sq.ft.
> Type A2 – 1,390 sq.ft.
> Type B – 1,253 sq.ft.
> Type C – 1,646 sq.ft.
> Penthouse A – 2,415 sq.ft.
> Penthouse B – 2,528 sq.ft.
Following a mid-density setting, there are 8 units per level served with lifts and there’s a multi-level carpark for residents. Launch price for the condominiums has been tagged from RM500,000 while Semi-D villas will cost investors from RM2.3 million to RM3.7 million.
Want to confirm whether the price is fair and reasonable? If you do, you can use our free price valuation guide right here.
Designed to be an oasis, Saville @ The Park is primed to provide the best of comforts. Through its collection of condo facilities, residents enjoy a a lifestyle of luxury and leisure. Situated within the development are the well-equipped clubhouse, gymnasium, games room, outdoor spa and children’s play area. There are also three types of swimming pools – infinity, wading and Jacuzzi.
Keeping the development safe and sound is the multi-level 24-hour security complete with CCTV surveillance. There are also touch points at the guardhouse as well as in the lobby and lift.
With strategic location as its main selling point, the residential is surrounded with ready and useful amenities. Get your shopping done at Mid Valley Megamall which is a mere 5 minutes away from the property. Also within reach are schools (University Malaya), medical centres (Taman Desa Medical Centre & Pantai Hospital) and recreational centres including the nearby Central Park.
The rest of Klang Valley as well as key points such as KLCC, Subang, Petaling Jaya and Damansara are readily accessible via a network of highways. Serving the are are SPRINT, NPE and Federal Highway amongst others. With the proposed road linkage to NPE, easy access is further enhanced for residents.
Trendy and exquisitely modern, Saville @ The Park is hard to miss. It offers the comforts of a modern lifestyle yet it was also able to pull off a setting enriched with lush landscaping and greenery. In other words, it is an ideal setting where eco-friendly features meet contemporary luxuries. With its array of choices, potential investors and buyers are presented with diverse options to fit one’s preference and budget.
Talking about budget, Saville is surprisingly affordable compared to similar developments in neighbouring townships. It’s also complete with great facilities with quick access to important amenities making it a good prospect for young urbanites or couples who wish to upgrade their homes and lifestyles.
If you’re interested and want to know more about the modern residential, you can start by double checking on its fair market value. To help you along, below is a free ebook guide.
Sitting atop on Bangsar’s highest peak is Beneton Properties Bangsar’s posh development called the Rhombus, Bangsar. The luxurious boutique development is made up of a tower that boasts of a contemporary design, set within a lush, tropical environment. Being one of the handful of (newer) developments on top of Bukit Bandaraya on Jalan Penaga, expectations are high (pardon the pun). Jalan Penaga is also the home of various luxury properties such as The Loft and Cascadium.
Rhombus is exclusively for lease only.
The Rhombus offers a spectacular view of the city centre, as well as luxury facilities and amenities at par with any four or five star hotel in Kuala Lumpur. It consists of 12 storeys that houses two apartment units for each floor. Its single penthouse unit occupies one level.
Residents will be catered to a life of convenience and luxury when living at the Rhombus. All 25 apartment units all come with a private lobby. Units are sized at 4,000 square feet. Living and dining areas measure at a roomy nine metre-wide spaces. There is also a dry and wet kitchen, a master suite with a powder room, four bedrooms and bathrooms, and a maid’s room.
Each unit will have a million-dollar view of the Petronas Twin Towers and the KLCC enclave. For the apartment unit’s design, designers John Ding and Ken Wong of Unit One Design Malaysia made sure that it will exude elegance and class to keep up with the development’s high standards. Residents can expect three metre ceilings, modern-style balconies, and contemporary interiors for each of The Rhombus’ units.
For its facilities and amenities, Beneton has made sure that the need for convenience and the high standards of living should be addressed. The Rhombus offers a private car park, a shared courtyard, and a function centre. One level is converted into the ultimate lifestyle area—in here you will find a lounge for visitors, an infinity pool, the change rooms, a barbecue area, and a playground.
With a contemporary design that features mindblowing architecture, architects Ding and Wong created a tower that will definitely turn heads. The Rhombus lives up to its name, and its design features a sleek “twist” carefully created to allow the Rhombus to live up to its name. This “twist” is almost a feat in Malaysian architecture, because it allowed units to all have a panoramic view of the Twin Towers and KLCC.
The tower is covered in charcoal black aluminum cladding. Every detail is crucial; even its car park is carefully-designed with timber screens and green walls. Every effort by the designers to turn The Rhombus into the next big thing in modern condominium living has been acknowledged, as the condominium was recently recognised as the winner of this year’s PAM Gold Awards, beating the competition in the multiple residential highrise category.
Beneton strives to make The Rhombus as a premier development in the affluent neighbourhood of Bangsar, as well as make an effort to contribute in making the environment a safer place to live in. The Rhombus boasts of practically-designed balconies that also act as a sunshade, allowing natural light and for the tower’s interiors to be cool. The developers also used a rainwater harvesting system in order to save up on water costs. They use this for watering plants, and to clean the common areas. Furthermore, recycled timber planks are used in designing the balconies. A dual-flush system is used in toilets for units. In addition, LED lights are used to light up the tower. These features made the Rhombus receive a Green Building Index certification.
Beneton Properties has long been in the Malaysian real estate industry, developing world-class properties such as the Stonor Park, and the 2 Hampshire series of condominiums located in the Kuala Lumpur City Centre. The world-famous Waldron House, located in London, remains one of their most successful property developments. Adding to this stellar roster of developments is the Rhombus, situated in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur—which we predict will be the preferred address of the modern, the affluent, and the stylish.
But that is quite fair – at least from PropertyReviews.my editors’ point of view. Really. To the many real estate investors, local and expatriate homeowners, and the plain patrons of good and outstanding home designs, the properties here on Federal Hill are well worth it. For one, many of the properties and buildings here hold historical value. The earliest of developments here have started at the height of the British colonial rule in Malaysia. The grandest of bungalows in the area have also been used in the 50s to house state rulers and other important government personalities – including a Prime Minister.
And that is not even all the credit it holds.
Federal Hill (also known as Bukit Persekutuan) is one of those few areas that is surrounded by awesome natural greenery but is still within close proximity with the urban landscapes. So whilst the residents are enjoying the conveniences of their city lifestyle with KLCC being close by and the thriving Bangsar urban landscapes literally just within the vicinity, they are also enjoying some of the most beautiful views not to mention the freshest air in probably all of urban Malaysia.
The natural reserve park that engulfs the beautiful 18-acre grand estate of Federal Hill holds some of the best, rarest flora and fauna in the world; many of which are endemic only to the Malaysian rainforests. No wonder this is a favorite not only of real estate investors and buyers but of nature lovers as well. And of nature-loving real estate investors too.
And if it is any convenience to the conservatives, the area is not getting any further developments and they are likely to preserve the park for much, much longer.
The homes and condo units here could be as small and average-sized as 2,500 sq. ft. but the largest ones – the private bungalows – can be as huge as three-storey, 6-bedroom houses that can measure up to 12,000 sq. ft. Some may be even bigger. And these huge mansions could be well over RM 6-8 million in price tag. Definitely not something for the average real estate buyer, and may well not be within the budget of the so-called high-end.
If one wishes to live in Bangsar, enjoying the best of both nature and the urbane landscape it holds, but not quite there yet to afford living in the more upmarket-y Ken Bangsar or One Menerung, then an apartment in Bukit Bangsar might just be the perfect place. See, Bukit Bangsar is practically one of the most affordable places to live in Bangsar area. It has homes, it has some of the views, and it’s ideally just as close to the city centre as most of the other, more high-end areas in the township.
There are two main residential areas in Bukit Bansar at the moment: the low-cost, small flats and apartments of Sri Pahang and the condo units in the midrise condominium complex of Sri Bangsar. Both are popular for their relative inexpensiveness, making them a popular choice for regular income earners.
Sri Pahang is an old flat complex that is priced on the average with a size that is roughly under 80 sq.ft. with 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom at most. The residents are currently hoping and banking on a promise of improvement – including upgrading the size and facilities of the apartment complex that they say are sure to improve the quality of their home life.
Sri Bangsar, like Sri Pahang, is among the more mature real estate developments in Bangsar. It is in fact one of the first few ones of its caliber built in Bangsar – of amenities that come with full condo services. Currently, the list of amenities in this condo unit includes a swimming pool, barbecue area, playground, gym, and parking area. Residents are also assured of round the clock security within and around the area. Each unit has an approximate built up size of 1,254 sf housed in a single 12-storey building.
Its closest residential neighbors include Menara Bangsar and Gaya Bangsar, and the more luxurious Bangsar Park.
Amenities and accessibility-wise, the residents of Bukit Bangsar’s residential areas will definitely not have any problem being close to everything important. Apart from their in-house night market (scheduled regularly on Wednesday nights), several malls, shops, and schools are quite close. For one, the Plaza Sentral and the Gardens are quite close by. Several restaurants, food shops and food centres are also within the vicinity. This makes Bukit Bangsar quite a popular residential choice for renters, especially those who go to nearby schools like the Institute of Public Health, SJK Jalan Bangsar, and the SMK Bangsar.
Condominiums in Bukit Bangsar does not have the usual grandiosity of the affluent residential areas in the Bangsar township, but it sure holds the same, exact Bangsar charm. We are pretty bullish on Bangsar properties given the simple fact that new launches are going to be few (or none at all) in the coming years, and given the fact that demand will greatly outpace supply means that capital appreciation could be high. However, there are pockets of opportunities in Bangsar which seem to be undervalued – and as properties in Bangsar Hill may often be overlooked there may be some good investment opportunities to be had.
And as always, checking if a property is priced at fair market value is uber important, and may be the most significant factor on whether an investment would make sense if at all. Use the “How Much Is A Property Worth” guide which we will email you once you enter your name and email address below.
Bangsar seems to be increasingly off the radar with few new launches due to the lack of development land. As the city’s “centre of gravity” remains entrenched within the confines of KLCC, areas which are deemed to be a little “off the centre” are getting less attention.
Bangsar Indah happens to be one of the favorite spots for urban dwellers seeking escape from the usual bustles of high city life in KL but don’t really want to go too far from the conveniences of it. Fortunately for those living in Bangsar Indah, they also enjoy the beautiful, healthy lush greenery that (some areas in) Bangsar is naturally gifted with. True enough, this former rubber plantation has evolved into one great place to live in and raise a family, and a prime spot for real estate investors. And Bangsar Indah is a perfect proof for both.
The leasehold condominium property sits in the mature real estate section of town. In fact, Bangsar Indah is not exactly young and ‘new’, but that does not make it any less interesting despite the healthy choices of properties in the greater Bangsar area that could impale the popularity of Bangsar Indah in the real estate market. But the charm of the suburban-moderne designed condo complex just cannot be fully drowned. And what does it hold over everyone else? Simple: location.
Apart from the rolling lush, green hills around it for view, Bangsar Indah is right in the same neighborhood with Bangsar’s ‘Strip’ – an entire street of bars, clubs, pubs and restaurants – basically where all the happenings are at. Not to mention, shopping centers like the Plaza Damas and Midvalley Megamall are practically a stone’s throw away from here. That’s why it is a very attractive place for renters and of course, their investors.
A regular unit at the condo complex, measuring between 800 and 1500 sq. ft., would only cost an investor roughly about RM 950,000 and then rent it out for about RM 2000 a month to some yuppie who works in either KL or in Bangsar. Not to mention, Bangsar Indah is about within a kilometer or so from several universities including the Health Management Institute, the SMK LaSalle Brickfields, and the Public Health Institute among others, making it a perfect rental place for students.
There is a good several (and significant) hundreds or thousands of ringgits in between rental fees for similar places in Bangsar like, say, the venerable Menara Bangsar or the Cascadium. At that rate, and easy and constant demand for Bangsar Indah units for rent, any investor would probably get his or her return rather quickly. To check what’s the fair market value for a place here at Bangsar Indah, use this “How To Value A Property” e-booklet which you can download here.
Set to rise on a lush six acre land in Bangsar (possibly the last tract of premium land on Bukit Bandaraya) is Bandar Raya Development Berhad (BRDB)’s latest luxurious development, the Serai Bukit Bandaraya. The development is slated to be completed during the third quarter of 2016.
Bandar Raya Development has been mum about its luxurious development, however, we’ve been able to get a quick rundown on how Serai will fare against other luxurious condominiums. It will occupy the last available space on Bukit Bandaraya in Bangsar – specifically on Jalan Medang Serai.Its neighbours are Bangsar Villa and Tivoli Villas. The venerable Bangsar Shopping Centre is less than 1km away. Another top BDRB development, One Menerung, is also located within driving distance away from the Serai.
The posh condominium will have two towers, both of which will comprise of 21 storeys. There will be 121 private residences up for grabs, and recent reports have stated that almost 54% of these units have already been sold ever since BRDB launched the project at the tail end of 2012.
Luxurious condominiums also come with luxurious amenities and facilities. Serai Bukit Bandaraya is set to have a recreational podium that will house most of its facilities, such as a well-equipped gym. This podium will be located in an overhanging pavilion with excellent views of the condominium’s lush greenery and landscaping. Generous windows that allow natural light will be installed, as well as large balconies for its private residences. Depending on the units, residents will be able to avail of up to five parking bays. Each unit also comes with a private lift, ensuring privacy and convenience for its residents.
We all know how Bangsar has been racking up expats and locals to its comfortable and relaxed environment. This is the perfect setting for the Serai Bukit Bandaraya. Being at the centre of it all would be a huge advantage for its residents. Locationwise, Bangsar is the centre of Kuala Lumpur’s renowned destinations, such as Mont Kiara, Damansara Heights, Petaling Jaya, and KLCC. Bangsar offers activities from left to right. From shopping malls, convenience stores, banks, hospitals, to a busy nightlife and hip restaurants and pubs, Serai Bukit Bandaraya’s residents will always have places to go and things to do to keep them occupied.
During its launch late last year, units were sold at an estimated RM1,300 to RM1,600 square feet or about RM5.8 million. Its two penthouses were priced at a staggering RM22 million, estimated. However, there is still no word if these penthouses were already sold.
Most of Serai Bukit Bandaraya’s buyers when it was launched were mostly Malaysian families, with less than 5% of the total amount of buyers being expats or foreigners. However, BDRB is expecting for an influx of Singaporean investors to come in around this time of the year.
BDRB is confident that Serai will match the high capital appreciation of One Menerung—Serai Bukit Bandaraya’s neighbouring condominium. One Menerung’s launch sale prices were listed at about RM600 per square feet, and currently, sales prices for its units are hitting an estimated RM1,200 to RM1,500 per square feet. That’s pretty awesome capital appreciation by anyone’s standards.
Since Serai Bukit Bandaraya is located in Bangsar, we can only expect that the demand for its luxurious condominiums will only rise, especially when its completion date becomes near. As of the moment, Bangsar is already a well-developed area, complete with all the modern convenience and luxury every resident wants. The fact that this may be one of the few launches in the recent years also means that the capital appreciation may be rapid.
In addition, the credible reputation of BRDB will greatly affect the confidence of investors and residents towards the development (we are especially impressed with Troika in KLCC). With these in mind, plus the condominium’s facilities and Bangsar’s excellent location, it’s no surprise how the Serai Bukit Bandaraya will become one of Bangsar’s brightest in the future.
Right across Pantai Medical Center is the high-rise low-density condominium Pantai Tower. Perched atop the Bukit Pantai hill, it gives residents a superb view of the Kuala Lumpur city skyline, Mid Valley City and neighboring communities.
Recent listings for Pantai Tower indicate an average subsale price of RM460 psf. Rental rates are from RM1.25 to RM2.65 psf, depending on the condition of the units (unfurnished, semi-furnished or fully furnished). If we are to compare the asking price for sale with its neighbors Zehn Bukit Pantai and Bangsar Heights, Pantai Towers is the cheapest, as Zehn sells from RM680 to RM800 psf while Bangsar Heights ranges from RM550 to RM700 psf. To check if these are valued fairly, check out this free guide on valuing a property and determining its fair market price – click here to download.
As for rentals, Pantai Towers is in the middle while Zehn is the most expensive at RM2.90 to RM3.40 psf. Bangsar Heights is lowest in rental rates and are let from RM1.90 to RM2.20 psf.
Units at Pantai Tower start from 1,200 sqf with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Bigger sized units have a built-up size of 1,600 sqf and have four bedrooms and three bathrooms. There are only two units on each floor, providing residents privacy. Although the property is low-density, residents enjoy full condominium facilities such as a gym, swimming pool, tennis court, basketball court and squash court. Additionally, round-the-clock security is also provided.
Living in the Bangsar area in general is very convenient. Amenities are close by and the vicinity is easily accessible via public or private transportation. The Bukit Pantai area is a viable alternative to Bukit Bandaraya which does seem to be bursting at its seams with skyscraper condominiums and commercial buildings.
Pantai Tower has been coated with fresh paint, giving it an instant facelift. Its lifts were also replaced with new ones, as the old ones went bonkers for months, and residents complained about it. Its garden is also well-kept with regular maintenance. We do note that unlike in Singapore, condominiums here rarely go though refurbishment like this, and so the management of Pantai Tower should be credited for this. However, the property is undeniably old, which is obvious from its building design. Newer ones seem to be more angular with a good blend of steel and glass (taking notes from Zehn Bukit Pantai and Ken Bangsar).
A unit may be purchased at a reasonable price and yields a good rental rate. PropertyReviews.my reader and seasoned investor, Cliff ‘Burt’ Tan from Kajang, remarked, “It is also a good investment if intend to live in it, if you are not bothered by its age!” We tend to agree.
It’s low density factor is a winner.
Bangsar is running out of new development land.
Bukit Pantai is fast shaping up as a good alternative to the frequently congested Bukit Bandaraya.
All in all, Pantai Tower’s prices may seem to be low, but fair given that it’s going to get older and maintenance costs will only go up. Remember to factor these considerations into the price if you decide to invest in a unit here. For a guide on how to do this, use this downloadable e-booklet on “How To Value A Property” which we will email you once you filled in this handy little form below.
One of the lowest density condominiums in the affluent neighbourhood of Bangsar is Merak Kayangan (which consists of only ten (ten!) units). This freehold apartment is situated atop Bukit Bandaraya, the highest point in Bangsar. As you would expect from a condo on top of Bukit Bandaraya (specifically on Jalan Kapas), the place is rather quiet and boasts of breathtaking views of the city centre, the mountains and the neighbouring communities. Close by Merak Kayangan Court are Araville (just right next door), Casa Vista (the Bangsar version obviously, not Mont Kiara’s), Ken Bangsar, Sri Kasturina, Park Rose and Bayu Angkasa.
We like its location on top of the hill – the non-disrupted view and the lush greens surrounding it are perfect for busy families who want to spend quiet family time after work and school and during the weekends.
Given the low density of Merak Kayangan, units for sale are usually few (or none) at any one time. In fact, at the time of writing this review, no “for sale” listing was found for Merak Kayangan at all the major property portals – iProperty, Propwall and Property Guru.
As for rentals, rate for standard units is pegged at RM6,000 (or RM2.92) psf, while rates for penthouse units start from RM11,000 (or RM2.89) psf. These rates are relatively cheap compared to its neighbors such as Araville (which rents out from RM3.06 to RM5.20 psf) and Casa Vista (from RM3.50 psf).
There are only ten units in Merak Kayangan spread on a single block of eight-storey building, making it one of the lowest density condominiums on Bukit Bandaraya, nay Bangsar! Built-up size of a standard unit is 2,050 sqf. Each unit has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Penthouse units have a built-up size of 3,800 sqf and has 4 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.
Overall, Bangsar is a great place to live in despite the annoying traffic going to and from the enclave. Further, Bukit Bandaraya is one of the best spots in Bangsar. It gives its residents an air of exclusivity and luxury – something that is almost impossible when you live in the city centre.
Merak Kayangan’s location therefore is a top selling point – Bukit Bandaraya remains to be a sanctuary in the heart of the city, and since there’s no more land available for future development, we see demand far outstripping supply (which means escalating prices…). Additionally, if you’re into low density condominiums then Merak Kayangan is hard to beat.
If you do not mind having little facilities, and are more concerned about bigger spaces, then Merak Kayangan is perfect for you, especially if you are working with a budget. This doesn’t mean that the property is cheap, but given its age, it’s bound to be cheaper than, say, Ken Bangsar.
Bangsar has nailed it once again with its Balinese-inspired gated residential development called The Ara. Located next to The Loft, The Ara (also known as Bangsar Couture Homes) consists of 30 couture linked bungalow homes. It is a property developed by Mammoth Empire (the folks behind Empire Subang and Empire Damansara). This freehold property is situated on – you guessed it – Jalan Ara in Bangsar. Apart from The Loft, Contessa is also round the corner.
Detailed landscaping and a tropical vibe is what The Ara offers for its residents. Its bungalow units all offer a grand panoramic view of Petaling Jaya and KLCC, with Telekom “Menara Rebung” majestically gracing the skyline during night-time.
The Ara’s linked bungalows all have 3 ½ storeys that sit on a land area measuring 32 x 55. In total, this gated community is home to 30 units, with built-up areas ranging from 3,972 square feet to 7,760 square feet.
Residents of bungalow units will enjoy a Jacuzzi in the master bedroom, as well as private lifts, a garden, and a private swimming pool. The developers made sure that each unit will be furnished with elegance in mind, as well as a designer kitchen that is equipped with world-class appliances. Furthermore, The Ara also offers barbecue areas, a fitness centre, a sauna, and a common swimming pool for all its residents. It also boasts of a 24-hour security system.
Bangsar is famous as a popular destination for both locals and expatriates. With its bustling streets filled with shopping malls, restaurants, pubs, and cafes, it’s no wonder why living at The Ara would definitely be convenient.
Malls that line the area include Bangsar Village 1 and 2, Mid Valley Megamall, the Bangsar Shopping Centre, and The Gardens. All these malls are within walking and short driving distances from the gated community.
Another great thing about Bangsar is its location. It’s easy to go to KLCC, as well as Petaling Jaya via Jalan Maarof or Jalan Bangsar. The Mahameru Highway and the SPRINT Highway can also be used alternatively if one should travel to the city centre. Puchong and Kepong can also be accessed via the SPRINT Highway and Lebuhraya Damansara-Puchong Highway.
Bangsar properties have grown in number throughout the years (although at a rather slow rate due to the lack of development land), but that has hiked up prices at a rather rapid rate. The demand is strong even if the prices continue to rise.
In The Ara’s case, average sales prices have appreciated for the last couple of years. The launch price was at around RM650 PSF, and as it stands currently, the asking prices for a bungalow unit in The Ara is listed at a rather broad range from RM800 to RM1,200 PSF. These prices represent a 30% to 100% appreciation from its starting price back in 2010. For comparison purposes, The Loft is hovering just below RM900 PSF in terms of asking price, but do bear in mind that The Ara is a landed property and so this is not an “apple to apple” comparison. For a more robust method on valuing a property, use this guide (it’s free).
Bangsar property prices have been on the upside for the past three years. Condominiums, gated communities, and retail outlets register rather muted growth in supply, and will not be able to respond to the demand from its current and potential residents and investors.
Specifically, The Ara is making it big in Bangsar’s gated community properties. Its stylish design and elegant ambience is truly eye candy, and its location is golden. Investing or living at The Ara will be a great choice—its numbers stating appreciation in prices and capital yields don’t lie. Its couture homes, conveniently located in Bangsar, are definitely something to beat.
On the downside, there won’t be units for everyone — even the smallest bungalow units that supposedly targets singles and young professionals are probably too big at 4,000 sq ft. The super spacious units at more than 7,000 sq ft that can accommodate growing and large families comfortably however.
Additionally, if traffic jams aren’t your friend, it’s best we warn you about Bangsar’s roads during peak hours. Congestions normally take place in Jalan Maarof and Jalan Bangsar, as well as internal roads such as Jalan Bukit Pantai, Jalan Cenderai, and Jalan Ara.
Named after a famous region in Italy, Tuscany in Bangsar is a four-storey exclusive condominium on Jalan Ara, further down the road from The Nomad Residences. Further up Jalan Ara is The Loft, The Ara and Sri Wangsaria. It is also located some 850 meters from the famous shopping hub, Bangsar Village. Aside from that, a lot of other amenities are close by, as Bangsar itself is just a few kilometers away from the city centre and is well connected via major roads.
Living up to its name, Tuscany boasts of classical Roman architecture. The single block of this property is painted in white, designed with colonnades, arches and columns. Pretty classy!
There are only 21 units in Tuscany on one acre of land, making it a very low-density apartment. Typical units have built-up sizes of 992 sqf, 1,053 sqf and 2,088 sqf, while penthouse units have built-up size of 2,500 sqf. The standard units have 2+1 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, while penthouse units have 4+2 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. As for facilities, residents are provided a barbecue area, covered carpark, indoor swimming pool and round-the-clock security. Standard stuff you’d expect from a Bangsar condominium.
Based on current listings for Tuscany (correct the the time of publication of this review), the average asking price is seems to be pegged at RM550 per square feet. If we compare asking prices with its neighbor Sri Wangsaria, Tuscany’s asking price is relatively lower. Sri Wangsaria’s listings at around RM800 PSF. Landed properties in the nearby Lucky Garden prices range from RM560 to RM1,150 PSF.
The asking prices for the Tuscany seem to be quite erratic recently, and this could be driven by the recent uptick in Bangsar property prices. For a more accurate assessment of what the “fair market value” is for a unit here at Tuscany Bangsar, use this handy little guide which we have prepared with our partners at GoodPlace.my – download the “How To Value A Property” guide here.
Rental rates range from RM2.65 to RM3.20 psf. However, rental rates for both Sri Wangsaria and Lucky Garden are lower at RM1.70 to RM3.15 and RM1.30 to RM2.30 psf, respectively.
On a purely pricing level, there could be a good opportunity as the prices are still somewhat lower than its neighbours despite occupying a rather strategic location which is close to the commercial areas (accessible by foot). Besides its great location and moderate asking price, another selling point for Tuscany is its exclusivity. Both Sri Wangsaria and Lucky Garden are denser properties.
Additionally, the Tuscany is perched on elevated ground, giving its residents a great view of mountains and the city.
On the downside, its “romantic Roman” architecture may seem novel when it’s brand new, but it’s the type of design which doesn’t age well (case in point: the Corinthian in KLCC). The look and feel of this condominium may have “accelerated” the aging effect which is rather unfortunate. Additionally, the alleged lack of facilities could be a turnoff for some prospective investors. And although the property sits on an acre of land, only a small portion of the land was used as common grounds. That little portion could only accommodate some plants and trees, but do not really give much space for residents to walk leisurely. There are also resources that tell us Tuscany is rather run down. | 2019-04-20T00:28:39Z | http://propertyreviews.my/category/bangsar/ |
Urbanization is an important determinant of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. To determine location-based differences in CVD risk factors in India we performed studies among women in rural, urban-poor and urban middle-class locations.
Population-based cross-sectional studies in rural, urban-poor, and urban-middle class women (35–70y) were performed at multiple sites. We evaluated 6853 women (rural 2616, 5 sites; urban-poor 2008, 4 sites; urban middle-class 2229, 11 sites) for socioeconomic, lifestyle, anthropometric and biochemical risk factors. Descriptive statistics are reported.
Mean levels of body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio (WHR), systolic BP, fasting glucose and cholesterol in rural, urban-poor and urban-middle class women showed significantly increasing trends (ANOVAtrend, p <0.001). Age-adjusted prevalence of diabetes and risk factors among rural, urban-poor and urban-middle class women, respectively was, diabetes (2.2, 9.3, 17.7%), overweight BMI ≥25 kg/m2 (22.5, 45.6, 57.4%), waist >80 cm (28.3, 63.4, 61.9%), waist >90 cm (8.4, 31.4, 38.2%), waist hip ratio (WHR) >0.8 (60.4, 90.7, 88.5), WHR>0.9 (13.0, 44.3, 56.1%), hypertension (31.6, 48.2, 59.0%) and hypercholesterolemia (13.5, 27.7, 37.4%) (Mantel Haenszel X2 ptrend <0.01). Inverse trend was observed for tobacco use (41.6, 19.6, 9.4%). There was significant association of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes with overweight and obesity (adjusted R2 0.89–0.99).
There are significant location based differences in cardiometabolic risk factors in India. The urban-middle class women have the highest risk compared to urban-poor and rural.
Copyright: © 2016 Mohan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
Data Availability: All relevant data are available in the paper.
Funding: The studies were funded by Science and Society Division, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi, India; and South Asian Society for Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, Bangalore, India. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of morbidity and premature mortality worldwide . By the year 2025, more than 80% of the global diabetes and CVD burden shall be in low and middle income countries with the bulk being in countries that are undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization such as India and China . This increase is only partially explained by the increased proportion of older subjects and is mainly due to increasing population levels of risk factors as a result of societal and environmental change . Urban transition (urbanization) is one of the most dramatic shifts in environment that most populations have experienced in the last two centuries. The proportion of individuals living in urban settings has increased markedly worldwide . In the year 1970, the proportion of the world’s population living in urban areas was 37% and is projected to be 61% in 2025. Although urbanization has increased worldwide, the associated societal and health impact is heterogeneous . In high-income countries, urbanization is accompanied by stable economic growth and development of social infrastructure with increased spending on education and healthcare. In low and lower-middle income countries, on the other hand, rapid urbanization has occurred without adequate infrastructure creating urban slums and great socioeconomic disparities. This urban transition is also accompanied by transition in the environment that impacts on behaviors such as diet, physical activity and smoking and leads to an increased prevalence of CVD risk factors [3,5,6].
CVDs are the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in women in all regions of the world, especially high-income countries [1,7]. This is due to high prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors- hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes . In India it has been reported that CVDs are the most important cause of death in women, especially in urban regions . It was reported that 16.9% of all deaths in women resulted from cardiovascular disease. The INTERHEART study reported that standard CVD risk factors- smoking, lipid abnormalities, hypertension, diabetes, low physical activity, low fruit and vegetable intake and psychosocial stress–explained more than 90% of incident myocardial infarctions among women . These risk factors are equally important in South Asian patients as well as in women . Regional CVD risk factor epidemiological studies among women in India have reported lower prevalence of diabetes and CVD risk factors as compared to men [12,13]. However, no studies are available that evaluated transition in risk factors in women living in rural, urban slums and urban-middle class locations using similar methodology. Therefore, to study prevalence of multiple CVD risk factors in rural, urban-poor and urban-middle class women using standardized methodology and to evaluate associations of lifestyles with CVD risk factors we performed the present study. This study is secondary analyses of previously published data-sets wherein we evaluated multiple cardiovascular risk factors in rural and urban low socioeconomic status women in the first study and among urban middle-class men and women in the second .
Two studies were performed using similar methodology. The data regarding prevalence of CVD risk factors for men and women in these studies have been published earlier [14,15]. The present analysis is to determine differences in rural, urban poor and urban middle-class locations. The first study was performed in 5 rural and 4 poor-urban locations in India during the years 2004–2007 and the second a multisite study in urban middle-class locations in 11 cities during the years 2006–10. Details of methodologies of these two studies has been reported earlier [14,15] and important features highlighted below. Ethics committee at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India and ethics committees at all the study sites approved the first study. Ethics committee at Fortis Escorts Hospital, Jaipur, India, approved the second study. Written consent was obtained from each participant. Sites participating in the study included locations in northern, central, western, eastern and southern regions of India. A proforma was prepared which obtained information regarding social, demographic, diet, physical activity, anthropometric and biochemical variables. This questionnaire has been used in previous epidemiological studies in women in urban slums in Delhi and rural and urban areas of Jaipur [17,18] and has been validated for diet, physical activity, smoking and other assessments. Investigators from each site were centrally trained to ensure uniformity in sampling methodology, questionnaire administration, physical examination and measurements, and biochemical examinations. The study case report form was developed according to recommendations of the World Health Organization .
Sampling involved a systematic stratified strategy at each study site. In the first study each site was instructed to identify low and low-middle social status locations in rural and urban areas . The rural locations were in Haryana, Jaipur, Pune, Pondicherry and Gandhigram while urban locations were in Jaipur, Kolkata, Kochi and Pondicherry. For the second study urban middle-class locations were in Jammu, Chandigarh, Bikaner, Jaipur, Ahmadabad, Nagpur, Belgaum, Madurai, Dibrugarh and Lucknow . At the study site a central point was identified and the study investigators moved house-to-house in a clockwise direction from there till the sampling target (n = 500 at each location) was completed. We evaluated middle-aged women 35–70 years at all locations. This strategy has been used in previous studies and has also been recommended by the WHO . The response rate at each site varied from 50 to 70% and was similar in rural and urban locations. In urban area study sample collected by simple cluster sampling using similar methodology.
The questionnaire was designed to collect information on socio-demographic data, history of cardiovascular disease, risk factors and smoking or tobacco intake. Dietary history was inquired using 2-day 24 hour recalls in the first study and questions to inquire dietary fat and fruits and vegetable intake in the second study [14,15]. A set of standardised cups, glasses and spoons was used to assess the intake of each food item. Physical activity was inquired using a previously validated instrument that provides details of all day long activity . This protocol has since been validated for rural women and has been widely used in another large epidemiological study in India . Household chores and work-related physical activity was especially inquired as these can be high in Indian women . Physical examination was performed to assess height, weight, waist and hip size, and blood pressure using techniques recommended by the WHO . All the study investigators were centrally trained in measurement techniques for uniformity. Standardized tape-measures and weighing machines that were periodically calibrated were used. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as weight (kg) divided by squared height (m). Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) was calculated. Sitting blood pressure was measured using a calibrated digital sphygmomanometer. Fasting blood sample was obtained in all the study participants. Glucose was determined at the site-based central laboratory using glucose peroxides method and external quality control. Blood levels of and total cholesterol were measured using cholesterol oxidase-phenol 4-aminophenazone peroxidase methods respectively with quality control as reported earlier [14,15].
Smokers included subjects with present smoking and regular non-smoked tobacco use. Former tobacco users were also identified. Physical activity was classified as moderate or severe if the woman was involved in moderate intensity household work of walking >30 minutes/day . In women, overweight was defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2 and obesity defined as BMI ≥30 kg/m2. Abdominal obesity was defined using two definitions: waist: hip ratio (WHR) of >0.8 for mild and >0.9 was moderate or waist circumference >80 cm for mild or >90 cm for moderate . Hypertension was diagnosed when the systolic or diastolic BP was ≥ 140 and/or ≥90 mmHg on multiple single day measurements or the subject was known hypertensive on medications . Dyslipidemia was defined by the presence of high total cholesterol (≥200 mg/dl, 5.2 mmol/L) according to the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines . Diabetes was diagnosed in women with previously diagnosed diabetes or fasting blood glucose ≥ 126 mg/dl or >7.0 mmol/L .
All the case report form data were entered in a customized database using SPSS program (SPSS Inc. Chicago, USA). All the analyses have been performed using SPSS Version 10.0. Age adjusted mean levels of different demographic, lifestyle and physical variable were determined. Numerical variables are reported as mean ±SEM. Trends in numerical variables have been determined by ANOVA test for trend. Prevalence rates are reported as percent with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Age-adjustment in prevalence rates has been performed using the direct method and female population in 2001 Indian census used for adjustment. We used these age-data as it corresponds better with the study periods. Trends in prevalence of risk factors in rural, urban-poor and urban-middle class groups were determined with Mantel Haenszel X2 test for trend. Two-line regression analysis was performed to determine association of overweight/obesity in rural, urban poor and urban middle class women with various risk factors. P values <0.05 were considered significant.
We evaluated 6853 women (rural 2616, urban poor 2008 and urban middle class 2229) at the various study sites. Response rates and details of recruitment at different sites has been reported [14,15]. At rural, urban poor and urban middle-class locations, respectively, women in age groups 35–49 were 55.1, 58.8 and 43.4%, in age groups 50–59 were 23.3, 23.8 and 25.7% and in age group ≥60 were 15.7, 17.3 and 24.5%. Illiteracy and low educational status (<10 yr formal education) was significantly greater in rural women (96.9%) compared to urban poor (83.7%) and the urban middle class (47.6%) (p<0.05).
Table 1 shows the age adjusted mean±SEM values and 95% confidence intervals of various anthropometric and physical and biochemical variables in all the 3 groups. All the physical variables (weight, height, waist size, hip size, BMI and WHR are significantly greater in the urban middle-class women as compared to urban poor and the rural (p<0.01). There is evidence of significantly increasing trends in BMI and WHR from rural to urban poor and urban middle-class groups (ANOVA test for trend, p<0.001). Significantly increasing trends are also observed for mean levels of systolic BP, diastolic BP, fasting glucose and total cholesterol levels (ANOVA test for trend, p<0.001, Table 1).
Table 1. Age adjusted values (mean±SEM, 95% confidence intervals) of anthropometric and biochemical variables in rural, semi-urban and urban women.
Age-adjusted prevalence of various risk factors and diabetes in rural, urban poor and urban middle-class women is shown in Table 2. In rural, urban-poor and urban-middle class women, respectively, prevalence of various risk factors is overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2) in 22.5, 45.6 and 57.4%, waist circumference >80 cm in 28.3, 63.4 and 61.9%, waist circumference >90 cm in 8.4, 31.4 and 38.2%, WHR >0.8 in 60.4, 90.7 and 88.5%, WHR >0.9 in 13.0, 44.3 and 56.1%, hypertension in 31.6, 48.2 and 59.0%, hypercholesterolemia in 13.5, 27.7 and 37.4% and diabetes in 2.2, 9.3 and 17.7%. We also performed correlation of prevalence rates of various cardiovascular risk factors with degree or urbanization using Mantel Haenszel X2 for trend. Significant increasing trend in prevalence of these cardiometabolic risk factors with increasing urbanization is observed (X2 for trend p<0.01 for all). Any tobacco use (smoking or smokeless tobacco) shows a declining trend with urbanization- 41.6, 19.6 and 9.4% (p<0.01).
Table 2. Age adjusted prevalence (%, 95% confidence intervals) of risk factors in rural, poor-urban and urban women.
There is a significant correlation (two-line regression) of greater overweight and/or obesity in urban poor and urban middle class women with prevalence of hypertension (adjusted R2 = 0.99, p = 0.040), hypercholesterolemia (R2 = 0.98, p = 0.049) and diabetes (R2 = 0.89, p = 0.048). A weaker correlation is observed with greater prevalence of abdominal obesity (high waist circumference) with hypertension (R2 = 0.93, p = 0.116), hypercholesterolemia (R2 = 0.92, p = 0.125) and diabetes (R2 = 0.76, p = 0.124).
We also determined prevalence of physical inactivity and unhealthy diet in various groups (Table 2). Urban poor women had significantly greater prevalence of physical inactivity and unhealthy diet as compared to rural women (p<0.05). Similar data from the urban middle-class women were not available and among these women a high prevalence of physical inactivity as well as high fat and low fruit/vegetable diet was reported using different criteria . Among urban middle class women low to mild physical activity was in 36.4% and 47.0% while 16.6% were moderately active. Dietary intake of visible fat of 20–40g/day was in 34.7% and >40g/day in 13.5% . In a sub-sample at Jaipur site we evaluated intake of visible fats in rural, urban poor and urban middle-class women (Fig 1). The median visible fat intake in rural, urban-poor and urban middle-class women was 24.9, 33.3 and 22.1 g/day, while mean intake was 27.6±11.6, 35.1±14.9 and 26.4±14.4 g/day, respectively (p<0.01 for rural and urban women vs. urban-poor).
Fig 1. Dietary visible fat intake in the rural, poor urban and urban women at Jaipur study site (mean and median intake, g/day).
Worldwide, women are known to have high prevalence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and its metabolic risk factors . In India, although mortality data have reported importance of cardiovascular disease in women , it is only now being realized that these conditions are the commonest cause of premature mortality in women as reported in the latest iteration of Global Burden of Diseases Study . The present study shows high prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes, in urban middle-aged women in India. The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and impaired fasting glucose is significantly greater in urban middle-class and urban-poor women compared to the rural. There is a significantly increasing trend in all these metabolic factors with increasing urbanization. This corresponds with increasing levels of generalized and abdominal obesity, which are surrogates for greater dietary calorie and fat consumption and lower physical activity.
This is one of the first studies that systematically evaluated cardiovascular risk factors among women in all regions of India. The results show that urban women have the highest prevalence of risk factors and there is a clear rural to urban-poor to urban-middle class gradient in risk factors (Table 1). The urbanization gradient in risk factors that we have observed is a unique feature in South Asian men and women and reflects large socioeconomic disparities among these three groups [27–29]. This is also one of the first studies that has evaluated lifestyle determinants of urban-rural differences in India using similar methodologies and has identified that lifestyle factors are important. Only a few small studies have systematically studied urban-rural differences in India and most did not study comprehensive risk factor profile especially amongst women . This is also one of the first studies that evaluated middle aged women, a segment of the society that has been neglected in previous studies limited to younger or older age groups . In India, more than 90% of populations live in areas similar to the study subjects and therefore the data are representative of the majority of women in India.
Urbanization is one of the most dramatic demographic changes occurring in developing countries such as India . Greater prevalence of diabetes and other CVD risk factors with increasing urbanization is due to multiple factors [3,5]. Changes in diet have been attributed to economic growth leading to changes in food consumption, relative cost, availability and media and industry influences . Changes in physical activity have been attributed to mechanization at work and home . Change in transportation (e.g. increased motorised vehicle ownership), and changes in the built environment (e.g. increased urban sprawl and poor connectivity in residential areas) also lead to lower physical activity . Greater tobacco use in rural women is reflection of lower literacy and is also influenced by environmental factors such as tobacco policy and greater social acceptability of smoking . There are limited studies that have similarly evaluated role of urbanization and transition in risk factors in women. Increasing urbanicity within an urban population has been reported to be associated with greater prevalence of diabetes in South India and Sri Lanka [33,34]. Greater urban social development index as well as human development index has also been reported to be associated with greater cardiometabolic risk factors in India . On the other hand, although multiple studies have evaluated urban-rural differences in risk factors in men and women in India, they are smaller than the present study . Moreover, the present study has evaluated women at different sites of the country and is more representative.
In developed countries, the highest prevalence of CVD risk factors is observed amongst the less literate and low socioeconomic subjects living in downtown urban locations [5,6]. We observed that less literate and poorer rural women had lower prevalence of risk factors. This follows the observation that the transition from low cardiovascular risk to high-risk in low socioeconomic subjects tracks the gross national income and only when the gross national income of a country exceeds a certain amount (e.g., 10,000 international dollars per annum) does the inversion of risk factors take place . Increased incomes lead to unhealthy diet as well as decline in physical activity. In India, increased intake of fats, saturated fats and calories and decline in physical activity with greater urbanization has been reported . India has one of the highest social and income inequities in the world and it is likely that rural-urban differences in CVD risk factors are due to this reason. Marmot attributes the difference in chronic disease risk factors in different social classes to a variety of factors such as hierarchy, isolation, instability, low social support and poor cohesion . In India, the rural societies are still socialist, stable, supportive and cohesive and it is likely that lower prevalence of risk factors is their reflection . We did not study these risk factors and cannot comment on them. Other factors that explain urban-rural differences in low income countries are community and environmental influences (pollution policies, tobacco policies, food policies, social and cultural norms, built environment, safety, land use, food choices, unhealthy food supply, portion sizes, salt consumption, etc.), social factors (networks, access to healthcare, poverty, etc.) and individual behavior related to smoking, diet, psychological stress and healthcare seeking and compliance with therapies . We did not study these multiple determinants and cannot comment on their importance in the present study. Other limitations of the study are related to sampling bias, small sample sizes at individual location and variable response rates. These limitations have been discussed earlier [14,15]. External validity of our findings can be questioned as our study did not include poor Indian states such as Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh and this is a study limitation. On the other hand, these are the largest data-set on cardiovascular risk factors among women in India and includes many large Indian states.
In conclusion, this is one of the largest studies of prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors in Indian women and shows that there is an urbanization related transition of overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, impaired fasting glucose and diabetes. This transition is associated with greater fat consumption and lower physical activity. Control of unhealthy consequences of this transition shall require innovative strategies that promote healthy urbanization with focus on macrolevel as well as microlevel environments, that promote physical activity and improve availability and intake of healthy foods.
The studies are financially supported by Science and Society Division, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi; and South Asian Society for Atherosclerosis and Thrombosis, Bangalore, India.
Conceived and designed the experiments: RMP AM RG NKV VS. Performed the experiments: IM KKS AA US RG AM RMP. Analyzed the data: IM KKS AA RG AM RMP. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools: IM AA KKS NKV RMP. Wrote the paper: IM RG AM KKS NKV RMP.
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40. Cockerham WC (2007). Social Causes of Health and Disease. Cambridge. Polity Press. pp. 25–48, 102–124. | 2019-04-24T08:50:17Z | https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0149437 |
No trace has been found of any prehistoric settlement in the Birmingham region: (fn. 14) the marshy Rea valley would indeed have been an unsuitable site for such settlement. The Roman road, Rycknield Street, passed through Edgbaston and Handsworth parishes and a Roman camp was established at Metchley in Edgbaston. (fn. 15) As its name implies, Birmingham was first settled during the early stages of Teutonic colonization in the 6th and 7th centuries. (fn. 16) Since it is also one of the most westerly places known to have been founded at that period it represents a particularly deep, as well as early, penetration of the forest that clothed the Midland Plateau throughout the Dark Ages. (fn. 17) The southern half of the plateau was covered by the Forest of Arden which was a barrier to Saxon colonization from the south: the most northerly site so far discovered is at Bidfordon-Avon, though early Hwicca penetration of the plateau is suggested by the salient of Worcestershire that contains King's Norton and Northfield parishes. On the west and south-west the plateau presents a shrugged shoulder to the Severn valley. Thus the main drainage system is directed towards the east and north-east and there is every likelihood that the Birmingham region was first settled by people moving up the valleys of the Trent and Tame.
Structurally (fn. 18) Birmingham lies on the western edge of a syncline filled with Triassic sandstones and marls, mostly red in colour. These strata separate the two denuded and heavily forested domes of older rocks forming the South Staffordshire and East Warwickshire coalfields respectively. Earth movements have, however, disturbed the region since the Triassic rocks were laid down and have produced important orographical features which helped to condition the nature and direction of early colonization. (fn. 19) The site of the original village is a good example of this for it was established on the dry sunny slopes of the Keuper Sandstone ridge. The merits of the site are remarked by an 18th-century writer: 'Thus peculiarly favoured, this happy spot enjoys four of the greatest benefits that can attend human existence, water, air, the sun, and a situation free from damps'. (fn. 20) The sandstone ridge extends from Sutton Coldfield in the north-east to the Lickey Hills in the south-west, and is sharply defined on the side overlooking the Rea valley by a fault which has let down the Keuper Marl to the east and south-east and accounts for the steep drop from the Bull Ring to the bottom of Digbeth. The throw of the fault varies considerably: it is less than 150 ft. at Saltley and at least 600 ft. at Selly Oak. (fn. 21) The ridge is narrow, the total outcrop being only ¾ mile wide at Birmingham and seldom more than a mile elsewhere, but it has resisted erosion more successfully than has the softer Upper Mottled Sandstone of the Bunter series which outcrops immediately to the west of it. Thus, especially in the vicinity of Birmingham, the land falls away rather rapidly on both sides. The Triassic rocks of the region dip towards the south-east with the result that water falling on the porous sandstones and pebble beds tends to accumulate along the line of the fault and to issue in the form of springs into the valley of the Rea.
The springs have been a key factor throughout the history of the city. The abundant water supply (as opposed to the supply of water-power, which was no more than adequate) remained sufficient for domestic and industrial purposes until the 18th century. (fn. 22) Although the spread of the industrial population polluted many of the springs and exhausted the rest, the supply was not augmented until late in the 19th century. (fn. 23) The flow was regular and in marked contrast with the violent fluctuations in run-off which occurred in the impermeable clays of the Rea valley. Moreover, where no supply was available from springs, wells might easily be bored. The bands of marl within the Keuper Sandstone prevented deep seepage of rain water and except during unusually dry periods offered a copious supply from shallow wells. The supply provided qualitative variations: water from the deeper levels of the Keuper Sandstone is usually hard because it contains calcium sulphate; water from the higher levels tends to be soft. Thus the brewing industry owed much of its success to the supply of hard water, while smiths and metal workers favoured the region because of the soft. (fn. 24) The water supply could be used for other than merely domestic or industrial purposes. Hutton speaks of 'two excellent springs of soft water' one of which fed Lady Well where, he claimed, 'are the most complete baths in the whole island'. They included a swimming pool 18 by 36 yds. and 'accommodation . . . for hot or cold bathing; for immersion or amusement; with conveniency for sweating'. (fn. 25) No spa is mentioned in connexion with the city.
Keuper Sandstone therefore offered many natural advantages to early settlers in the midlands: its soil was lighter and warmer than that of the neighbouring clays; it carried a generally less dense vegetation which could be more easily cleared; an abundant water supply flowed from it; and it could be quarried for reasonably good building stone. Some of this stone may still be seen in the walls of old houses on the outskirts of the city. Locally it is red in colour but the corresponding formation outcropping along the eastern margins of the Arden country is grey. Red sandstone was used for the priory (fn. 26) (the Hospital of St. Thomas), for St. John's chapel, Deritend (probably quarried at Weoley) (fn. 27) and St. Martin's Church.
It is not until the 14th century that there is any measure of the town's size or of its comparative importance. Its first appearance on a map dates from this period (c. 1335) though it is represented by the smallest symbol used. (fn. 40) In 1327 and 1332 the town's contribution to taxation assessments was greater than that of the majority of neighbouring settlements. Moreover Aston, which in earlier centuries had appeared so much the larger village, was by that time named 'Aston juxta Birmingham'. (fn. 41) In 1340 Birmingham ranked third, along with Stratford, among the Warwickshire towns in the contributions of its merchants to the levy on goods. Some of these merchants, particularly those of the Clodeshale, Deyster, Holte, and Mercer families, are known to have been men of substance.
The fragmentary evidence for the existence of Birmingham's cloth and iron industries in the Middle Ages is discussed below. Apart from these and a mention of gold-working and tanning (fn. 42) no other industries have left any record. Much, indeed, of the town's labour and trade was still taken up with agriculture and marketing.
'I cam thoroughe a praty strete or evar I enteryd into Bremischam toune. This strete, as I remember, is caullyd Dyrtey, (fn. 44) in it dwelle smithes and cuttelers, and there is a brooke (fn. 45) that devydithe this strete from Bremisham. Dyrtey is but an hamlet or membre longynge to . . . (fn. 46) paroche therby and is clene seperated from Bremischam paroche . . .
Two factors, peculiar to 16th-century history, very largely dictated this pattern of urbanization. First, in 1536 the Hospital of St. Thomas was dissolved, (fn. 52) and its lands, principally north of the Welsh Market surrounding the hospital itself, were released for private development. After 1545 guild lands lying mostly on and east of the main street were similarly made available. (fn. 53) Secondly, the manorial family in the town lost its control of the estates after 1536 (fn. 54) and the succession of absentee landlords that followed opened the way for development of hitherto tied land.
The opportunities provided by the release of these lands were not immediately taken up. The rapid development of industry did not come until a halfcentury or more later. Throughout the 16th century and indeed until much later the greater part of the ancient parish remained rural in character. This fact is reflected both in the size of the population and in the occupations of the people. Although the various estimates of the size of the population at this period conflict, it is possible to gain an informative general impression. From an analysis of the survey of 1553, the first register of St. Martin's, and the subsidy rolls, the total population has been estimated at '1,400 or rather more'. (fn. 55) This is a lower figure than two contemporary estimates: in 1547 there were said to be 1,800, and in 1545, 2,000 houseling people in the parish. (fn. 56) On the other hand, in 1563 there were said to be 200 households in the parish of Birmingham, (fn. 57) which excluded Deritend. The 1,800 houseling people represent a total population of perhaps 2,200; to reconcile this figure with that of 200 households means an average of 11 persons to each household, which is unduly high. Two hundred households suggests a population smaller, even, than 1,400. Comparison of these figures with those for neighbouring settlements shows that Birmingham had not yet attained pre-eminence in size of population. In Aston parish there were 250 households, in Sutton Coldfield 114, Harborne 53, Lichfield 400, and St. Michael's, Coventry, 503.
The occupations of the people, for which evidence may be drawn from contemporary taxation records, emphasize the rural character of the parish. Something like 60 per cent. of the working population appear to have been labourers, journeymen, and apprentices; 25 per cent. were small craftsmen, and the remainder were men of some substance. (fn. 58) Evidence from contemporary wills shows that the craftsman class and the richer merchants and manufacturers were yeoman farmers and no doubt employed some part of the labouring population in agricultural work. (fn. 59) In spite of the increase of manufactures, links with the land were not readily broken: and the tendency towards dual occupation is still to be seen in the 17th and 18th centuries.
The built-up area of the town was not extended appreciably during the 17th century; the increasing population was accommodated within the old streets, some of which became badly congested with small property, especially in Digbeth and Deritend. The hearth tax returns for 1670, 1673, and 1683 record no new houses in Deritend in those years, which suggests that saturation point had been reached in that district. The creation of new roads within the town was in any case very difficult because the old burgage plots, which had been laid out when roads were few, were unusually long, and had only narrow frontages upon the street. Much of the new building was therefore on the 'backsides' of the houses facing the street. This involved the creation of numerous alleys or 'entries' giving access to secluded dwellings and workshops; a few examples survived in 1959 in parts of the old town. (fn. 62) Westley's plan of 1731 shows this feature of city topography very clearly and emphasizes the contrast between such areas as Deritend and the former priory lands where houses faced only upon the road.
Expansion in other directions was made possible by a series of private Acts, the first of which, for the Colmore estate, was secured in 1746. (fn. 93) The land thus made available lay mainly along the northern flank of the ridge between Easy Hill and Snow Hill. (fn. 94) It was well drained, yet a good supply of water was readily available from shallow wells. Two large residential houses, Colmore's New Hall and Baskerville's house on Easy Hill, had already been erected on the ridge. (fn. 95) The new developments after 1746 catered for the small craftsmen, especially those engaged in making buttons, buckles, jewellery, and steel toys. (fn. 96) The estate was divided into plots of various sizes, all of which were leasehold, and by 1750 buildings had been erected along Colmore Row and what is now Edmund Street. (fn. 97) Some plots were at first taken over by builders, bricklayers, and carpenters, but many were leased direct to manufacturers, who were required to 'erect . . . upon the piece . . . of land, one or more good and substantial dwelling houses with proper and necessary outbuildings'. (fn. 98) Many small manufacturers moved from the more congested parts of the town and left their 'irregular foul-smelling buildings': (fn. 99) later, however, the process of sub-letting and the erection of workshops led to some congestion even here.
a Based on Census Reports, 1801-41.
A private Act for St. Martin's glebe land was passed in 1773 (fn. 106) on the petition of the rector, John Parsons, for power to grant longer building leases. (fn. 107) The principal area affected was one of 23 acres at Five Ways, bounded by Broad Street, Islington Row, and Bath Row, through the centre of which was cut St. Martin's Street.
In this way, very little undeveloped space was left in the eastern half of the parish of Birmingham at the time of its incorporation as a borough. In 1838 this area comprised almost the whole town; changes that have taken place since then, resulting from the expansion of the town far beyond these limits, have transformed the area (with the exception of that part lying north of Snow Hill) into the nucleus of a city. The building of central railway stations, street improvements and slum clearance, and the specialization of central districts for administrative and commercial purposes have been the main agents of this change.
The railways came to Birmingham before the town had extended far beyond the limits of the ancient parish, and (as with the canals at Birmingham and most of the railways in London) the termini were built on the edge of the built-up area. The siting of the stations was determined partly by the configuration of the land, and the four earliest lines (Liverpool (and Manchester) and Birmingham, 1837; London and Birmingham, 1838; Birmingham and Gloucester, 1841; Birmingham and Derby, 1842) arrived at Birmingham by the Rea valley. (fn. 117) The Curzon Street and Lawley Street stations, in Duddeston, were found to be inconveniently far from the centre of the town, (fn. 118) especially as the amount of road traffic between them and the centre increased. The existence of the railway lines in itself limited the way in which the land on the eastern edge of the town might be developed, but more obvious changes were caused in the fifties when buildings were cleared to construct the two central stations at New Street and Snow Hill and to allow the lines to pass through the heart of the town. (fn. 119) These stations displaced a large part of the central population and at the same time made for easier daily travel from the suburbs to the centre.
After railway works and public buildings, it was shops and office buildings that began to replace the demolished houses. Along Colmore Row and Corporation Street, for example, office buildings took most of the valuable sites. (fn. 123) In close competition were the shops, which from the 1860s onwards began to appear with the full panoply of modern salesmanship - plate glass, bright lights, and shining metal - in response to the growing prosperity of the population. (fn. 124) Families which had moved to new suburbs to escape the crowded noise of the centre were lured to travel, by increasingly frequent trains and trams, to the new shops which had replaced their homes. It has been said that it was in the sixties and seventies that the centre of Birmingham began to take on something like its modern shape: (fn. 125) it was about that time that the office workers and the suburban shoppers came to outnumber the artisans and the local residents in the streets of central Birmingham.
1. Site of Christ Church. 2. Site of St. Bartholomew's Church. 3. St. Martin's Church. 4. Site of St. Mary's Church. 5. Site of St. Peter's Church. 6. Site of St. Martin's Rectory. 7. St. Michael's R.C. Church (formerly New Meeting). 8. Site of Cannon St. Baptist Chapel. 9. Site of Cherry St. Wesleyan Methodist Chapel. 10. Site of Old Meeting. 11. Site of Ebenezer Congregational Church. 12. Site of Birmingham Manor House. 13. Site of New Hall. 14. Site of Leather Hall. 15. Site of Public Office. 16. Town Hall. 17. Council House Extension, incl. part of City Mus. and Art Gallery. 17. Hall of Memory. 19. Birmingham Municipal Bank. 20. Site of Court of Requests. 21. Site of Old Workhouse. 22. Site of General Dispensary. 23. Site of Lench's Almshouses. 24. Site of Bluecoat School. 25. Site of King Edward VI School. 26. Queen's College Chambers. 27. Public Library. 28. Birmingham and Midland Institute. 29. Mus. of Science and Industry (formerly Elkington's Wks.). 30. College of Arts and Crafts (formerly Sch. of Art). 31. Theatre Royal. 32. Site of Royal Hotel. 33. Masonic Temple. 34. Site of Birmingham Canal Office. 35. Site of Carless's Steelhouse. 36. Site of Kettle's Steelhouses. 37. Site of Town Mill. 38. Anderton Square.
Deritend has already been mentioned as an early suburb of Birmingham. (fn. 144) In many ways Deritend was related to Birmingham in the same way as Southwark to London. Administratively separate from it, Deritend's closest links were with Birmingham, and the foundation of a chapel at Deritend at the end of the 14th century (fn. 145) weakened its connexion with the parent parish of Aston. Since Deritend lay at the focal point of Birmingham's system of external communications it was natural that the town should grow outwards in this direction. By 1810 buildings had reached along Bordesley High Street as far as the junction of the Coventry and Stratford roads, and along the Stratford road about as far as Highgate Park. (fn. 146) The population of Deritend and Bordesley had passed 18,000 by 1841 (see below, Table 2). Deritend was an area of piecemeal development on small sites, in courts and narrow streets, while the proximity of the Warwick and Birmingham Canal encouraged the building of workshops and warehouses. The main changes in the area have been brought about by the gradual diminution of the Rea as a natural barrier and the widening of the main road. The principal industrial feature at the middle of the 20th century was the gas works and electricity station near the canal, between Adderley Street and the Coventry road. From this area in the middle of the 19th century buildings spread south along the Moseley road to cross the borough boundary on Balsall Heath and west along the Coventry road over Small Heath (at the far end of which the Birmingham Small Arms factory, built 1861, acted as a magnet) and Bordesley Green, making two arms of closely built workingclass houses. A railway station was opened at Small Heath in 1863. (fn. 147) Between Balsall Heath and Small Heath was the small valley of the Spark Brook, and this area, known as Sparkbrook, had been filled up with cheap housing by 1890. By the end of the century buildings reached almost to the edge of the River Cole, the city's boundary. (fn. 148) The systematic character of development in this area can be seen in the existing pattern of the houses there, and is reflected in the rapid rise of population in the sixties and later (see below, Table 2).
Edgbaston is remarkable for having retained most of the characteristics intended for it when it was developed as a suburb. The parish comprised 2,598 acres of undulating land drained by the Chad Brook, which divides the main part of the parish from Harborne and from the southern tip of Edgbaston, bounded on the south by the Bourn Brook. There appears to have been no rural village at Edgbaston: the parish was originally a chapelry of Harborne, its church standing beside, and presumably owing its foundation to, the manor house, (fn. 149) and in 1703 (before the formation of Edgbaston Park) the houses of the parish lay scattered around, most thickly near the crossing of the Chad Brook by the Harborne road. (fn. 150) The population rose rapidly in the first half of the 19th century, from 1,155 in 1801 to 3,954 in 1831. (fn. 151) The part nearest Birmingham between Edgbaston Park and Lee Bank Road, was partitioned into plots and built over in this period. (fn. 152) Sir Henry Gough, lord of the manor of Edgbaston, had contrived to avoid the building of factories or warehouses along the Worcester and Birmingham Canal, (fn. 153) foregoing any immediate profits for the sake of maintaining the residential value and character of the area. Moreover, the building leases that were granted precluded the denser development of the sites. In this way Edgbaston avoided the decline of all the other late 18th and early 19th-century suburbs of Birmingham from polite middle-class spaciousness and dignity to the noise and dirt of manufacture or the crowded closeness of an industrial population. The building of substantial houses in fair-sized gardens was continued along either side of the Hagley road and the Harborne road, reaching as far as the eastern end of Portland Road by 1863. (fn. 154) In the next twenty years, with an added incentive provided by Hagley Road railway station on the Harborne Railway (opened 1874), nearly the whole of the tongue of Edgbaston projecting north-west was built over in the same way, and a triangular area between Edgbaston Park and Harborne, with its railway station at Somerset Road (opened 1876) on the Birmingham West Suburban Railway, was developed. (fn. 155) With some further development in the early years of the 20th century along the north-west side of the Bristol road and at the extreme north-west tip of the parish, and with the building of the new university buildings (opened 1909) and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (opened 1938), (fn. 156) Edgbaston achieved the appearance it presented in the middle of the 20th century, a leafy, low-density area close to the centre of Birmingham. In spite of the use of a few sites for tall commercial and residential buildings, it has retained much of its open space. Edgbaston has been called Birmingham's Belgravia, a description which indicates only its select residential character and its nearness to the centre.
a Based on Census Reports, 1841-1911.
b Wards subject to intercensal boundary changes.
c No separate figures published.
d No earlier figures published.
aBased on Census Reports, 1841-1911. The figures for Aston include, of the areas mentioned in the text, Deritend and Bordesley, Duddeston and Nechells, Aston Manor, Bordesley Green, Gravelly Hill, Erdington, Lozells, Small Heath, Sparkbrook, Saltley, Washwood Heath, and Ward End and Little Bromwich (see also Tables 2 and 4); those for King's Norton include Balsall Heath, Moseley, King's Heath, Stirchley, and part of Bournville; those for Yardley include Sparkhill, Hay Mills, and Hall Green; those for Northfield include Bournbrook, Selly Oak, and part of Bournville; those for Handsworth include Perry Barr (see also Table 5).
Two phenomena hastened the process of urban extension. One was the readiness of manufacturers to build or develop their factories beyond the edges of the developed area, (fn. 169) where land was cheaper and space more ample. The pattern of transport services encouraged this tendency, for it was more important for industry to be sited near a railway or canal than near the centre of the town. The other phenomenon was the desire of the workers in these factories to move away from the crowded, noisy, and often squalid areas of the centre of Birmingham - and some were forced to move by street improvements - into new houses built conveniently nearer to the out-of-town factories. (fn. 170) This double process is illustrated by the examples of Hay Mills, Bournville, and, in more recent times, Longbridge.
As the town expanded, earlier rural communities were swallowed up. The expansion of Birmingham has been a relatively simple growth outwards from the centre, for of the villages around Birmingham which are now included in the city none developed as a town or urban centre in its own right, but mainly as an offshoot or satellite. Thus in each case a rural pattern was overlaid, often quite rapidly, by an urban one. The process of change often displayed several phases, and the suburbs of Birmingham afford many examples of successive 'in-filling'. In the first phase merchants and manufacturers acquired substantial plots for their suburban houses on agricultural land or in the grounds of country houses; in their turn the large suburban houses were surrounded by, or were demolished to make room for, smaller villa-type houses; and in some instances these villas were themselves removed and replaced by rows of small modern suburban houses. One or more of these phases occurred in all Birmingham's suburbs, with a number of local variations, and the first suburban use of a particular area usually had a strong influence on the later and quite different type of development in the area. The change in suburban land-use often depended on such fortuitous factors as the fortunes and ambitions of the families who first inhabited the suburb, the proximity of a railway station, the enterprise of local builders and building societies, or the terms of a conveyance. In this Birmingham is like many other industrial towns, but the size of Birmingham and the great demand for building sites there make it a striking example. An account of the historical topography of those parts of Birmingham not already described, that is, of the areas joined administratively to Birmingham since 1838, can most conveniently be covered by describing each in turn, as is done in the following section.
The 80 square miles of the city's area comprise the central area (already described), the older suburbs in the immediate neighbourhood of the central area (large parts of which lay within the borough of 1838 and are therefore described above), and the newer suburbs and industrial localities nearer to the city's boundaries. These three divisions of the city have often been characterized as the Inner, Middle, and Outer Rings. (fn. 174) In the last there still remained in 1961 a few areas, notably in the south-west, not developed for industrial or residential purposes and still used for agriculture. In the seven ancient parishes of Aston, Sheldon, Yardley, King's Norton, Northfield, Harborne, and Handsworth, which together with the ancient parishes of Birmingham and Edgbaston make up nearly the whole of the area of the modern city, rural villages and hamlets have developed gradually into well populated suburbs. Other localities, with a much shorter residential history, have developed rapidly, and often with startling speed, or have been part of the steady, but seldom slow, expansion outwards from the central area.
ASTON, the largest of these ancient parishes in area (14,074 a.), also included the largest number of old rural hamlets and showed the most marked increase in population in the 19th and 20th centuries. It now forms the north-east quarter of the city, lying on the heathland north and south of the Tame below its confluence with the Rea. The southern boundary is formed by the Cole, and part of its western boundary by the Rea and the Tame before they join. The western boundary at about its middle makes a salient across the Tame between Perry Barr and Birmingham. (fn. 175) From 1821 to 1851 the population of Aston rose almost as sharply as that of Birmingham ancient parish, and from 1851 it rose even more sharply so that by 1891, when the population of central Birmingham was already falling, Aston had surpassed Birmingham in population. Between 1841 and 1911 over half the population of Aston ancient parish lived in the two townships included in the borough of Birmingham in 1838, Duddeston and Nechells, and Bordesley and Deritend (see above, Tables 2 and 3).
a Based on Census Reports, 1841-1921.
b No figure for this precise area was published in 1921.
South and east of the Tame and the Rea, Aston parish had for long been divided into a series of townships. Farthest upstream were Deritend and Bordesley which, included in the borough of Birmingham from 1838, are described above. (fn. 204) Then came Saltley (which included Washwood Heath) and the township of Ward End and Little Bromwich. Beyond Ward End was Castle Bromwich, of which only part has been included in Birmingham, and beyond that again Water Orton, which has remained wholly outside Birmingham. (fn. 205) Saltley centred on a small hamlet east of Saltley Bridge, which linked it with Duddeston on the other side of the Rea, and by 1760 there were a few larger houses on the western edge of Washwood Heath. Ward End and Little Bromwich on the other side of the Wash Brook, contained at that time only scattered houses. (fn. 206) During the 18th century a few of the wealthier Birmingham merchants had bought or built houses in these two areas, (fn. 207) but by the second half of the 19th century the railway works which had been built on the right bank of the Rea and the working-class houses in compact rows which extended increasingly further east over the fields of Saltley, and especially around Adderley Park station (opened 1860), were beginning to threaten the seclusion of these retreats. (fn. 208) By 1890 three streets of small houses had been built in the neighbourhood now called Little Bromwich, the southern tip of the township of Ward End and Little Bromwich. (fn. 209) Before the First World War about a dozen streets of working-class houses were built east and south-east of Ward End Park, in the north end of the township, eclipsing the small suburban village which had grown there in the early 19th century, and separated by only a narrow stretch of open ground from the houses which had been built south of Ward End Park right up to the boundary between Saltley and Ward End along the Wash Brook. (fn. 210) The building of railway works and the Wolseley motor-car factory north of Washwood Heath, the extension of the residential area north and east of Ward End Park, and the building of a housing estate (fn. 211) and an isolation hospital (fn. 212) in the angle between the London-Birmingham railway line and the River Cole completed the urban pattern which characterized Saltley and Ward End in 1950. Since that time corporation houses and blocks of flats have appeared on the Ward End Hall site near St. Margaret's Church.
The ancient parish of NORTHFIELD, (fn. 253) covering 6,011 acres, was also originally part of Worcestershire, its northern boundary with Harborne (formerly in Staffordshire) and Edgbaston (formerly in Warwickshire) being marked by the Bourn Brook, part of its eastern boundary with King's Norton by the Rea and Griffin's Brook. Except for under 200 acres of the north-west tip of the parish, which was added to Lapal civil parish, Northfield was included in Birmingham in 1911; from 1898 until then it had been part of the Urban District of King's Norton and Northfield. (fn. 254) The old parish church stands 5½ miles from the centre of Birmingham and half a mile from the southern boundary of the parish, with the old village grouped around it. A subsidiary settlement developed north and west of the village on the Bristol road, and by 1840 had grown larger than the original village. (fn. 255) The Worcester and Birmingham Canal, opened in 1815, cuts across the north-east corner of the parish, making a junction at Selly Oak with the Selly Oak branch of the Dudley Canal, opened in 1801. This branch runs along the northern edge of the parish, entering the Lapal tunnel (fn. 256) near the ruins of Weoley Castle at California, where a small colony of brickmakers was established after 1840. (fn. 257) Until 1876 the only railway in the parish was the Birmingham and Gloucester line, which cuts across its southern tip. In 1876 the Birmingham West Suburban Railway was built through Selly Oak and a station was opened there in the same year. (fn. 258) It was natural that the first part of the parish to undergo suburban development should be Selly Oak, where road, railway, and canal meet; it is also the part of the ancient parish closest to central Birmingham. By 1882 industrial buildings and working-class houses had been built along the Bristol road around the railway station and the canal junction, with a district of larger, middle-class houses at Selly Park between the Bristol and Pershore roads. In the next twenty years houses were built along the Pershore road for almost the whole of its length in Northfield, and from Selly Oak working-class houses extended east and south-east over the area called Bournbrook. (fn. 259) In this period, however, the Bournville estate began to rival Selly Oak as the main area of suburban development. A station had been opened at Bournville in 1876, (fn. 260) and in 1879 the Cadbury brothers built a new factory there. The building of houses followed the building of the factory, and by 1900, when the Bournville Village Trust was founded, the estate had grown to 330 acres containing 313 houses. From the start, the development of the estate, which by 1939 stretched to over 1,000 acres, was carefully planned, and it played an important part in the growth of the idea of the 'garden suburb'. (fn. 261) The result of building in Selly Oak and Bournville can be seen in the increase of the population of the whole parish from nearly 10,000 in 1891 to over 31,000 in 1911. (fn. 262) By the First World War almost the whole of the eastern part of Northfield parish had been built over. In the central and western part there had been very little building by that time. (fn. 263) Northfield village, where a station was opened in 1869, (fn. 264) had grown slightly and there had been some building along the Bristol road west of the village: by 1840 there was a small hamlet at Bartley Green, where in that year a chapel of ease was consecrated; (fn. 265) and north-west of Bartley Green there was a row of cottages by 1840 at Moor Street, just inside the parish boundary. (fn. 266) Between the wars there was steady development of the western part of the Bournville estate in the centre of the parish, and in the thirties large housing estates were built in the north at Weoley Castle and in the south-west beyond Northfield village. The undeveloped land between these two areas at Shenley Fields and in the north-west corner of the parish at Bartley Green began to undergo suburban development after the Second World War. (fn. 267) The chief corporation housing estates are at Ley Hill, Bangham Pit, Woodcock Hill, and Long Nuke Road in the west and at Wychall Farm, Bunbury Road, and near Staplehall Farm Recreation Ground in the east.
Before suburban development took place there, the population of Handsworth and Perry Barr lived in widely dispersed farms and cottages, without a village centre. (fn. 316) There was a number of groups of dwellings, hardly large enough or concentrated enough to rank as hamlets, on the Holyhead road, at Birchfield End, Perry, Old Oscott, Queslett, Hamstead, and (outside the modern city boundary) at Newton End; near the church, at the centre of the southern division of the parish, were the rectory and a few cottages. (fn. 317) From the 16th century the mills along the various water-courses of the parish afforded opportunity for minor industry. (fn. 318) The establishment of Matthew Boulton's factory at Soho in the years 1761-4 began a new phase in Handsworth's history, as in England's, (fn. 319) but it was rather the fact that he and James Watt made their homes there (fn. 320) that indicated the lines of Handsworth's modern development. At about this time some large houses were being built nearby on Handsworth Heath. The inclosure of most of the heath in 1793 encouraged further building there, and by 1840 the southern part of the parish, from Birchfield Road along Heathfield Road and the Holyhead road to Rookery Road, had become a suburb with the same sort of social standing as Edgbaston, (fn. 321) though without Edgbaston's safeguards against future degeneration. In the next twenty years the area of suburban development in Handsworth extended very little, though the houses within it became more numerous. (fn. 322) The opening of Perry Barr station (1837) (fn. 323) and Handsworth and Smethwick station (1854) (fn. 324) encouraged the northward and westward expansion of this area. By 1888 the area of suburban development covered about half of Handsworth Urban District, reaching north through Handsworth Wood and as far as Perry Bridge: in these districts the houses were mostly large and widely spaced, but along the Holyhead road and near Soho Park (by then built over) such houses had given place to meaner dwellings. In 1888 there remained a few gaps in the suburban belt of Handsworth: they lay between Birchfield Road and Aston Park, between the Holyhead road and the Great Western railway, and adjacent to Victoria Park (itself preserved as an open space when purchased by the local authority) on its south and west. These gaps were also filled in, mainly with working-class houses, in the next 25 years. (fn. 325) The movement of workingclass families into Handsworth and the results of the builders' efforts to meet their needs can be traced in the character of the houses in southern Handsworth and in the figures published in the census reports: the population of Handsworth (excluding Perry Barr) showed a steady but relatively unspectacular increase from 2,157 in 1801 to 14,359 in 1871 and then began to rise more strikingly, especially between 1891 and 1901, (fn. 326) although the built-up area did not expand much between 1888 and 1914. (fn. 327) Between 1914 and 1938 housing estates were built along the right bank of the Tame north of Handsworth Wood and north of the Holyhead road where it leaves the city. (fn. 328) Even so, the main increase in the population of the Handsworth division of the parish was over by 1911, the building of new houses there being roughly balanced by the decrease in population of the older streets, (fn. 329) and there was still some open land in the north-west in 1961. Sandwell ward, which includes this area, had in 1931 and in 1951 one of the lowest population densities in the city. (fn. 330) By 1961 a corporation housing estate at Birchfield which included three sixteen-story tower blocks of flats as well as lower houses and maisonettes, was nearing completion.
a Based on Census Reports, 1871-1951.
b Minor changes in the boundaries of wards mean that the combined areas to which the 1951 figures apply exclude 27 acres included in the corresponding 1931 areas. See opposite, p. 24, n. 95.
c i.e. Handsworth, Sandwell, and Soho wards.
d i.e. Perry Barr and Kingstanding wards.
1. This section was completed in 1961.
2. Census, 1961, Preliminary Rep. 32.
3. V.C.H. Warws. i. 299 et passim.
4. Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1835), 5.
7. Pearson and Rollason, Birm. Dir. (1777), p. xxvi.
8. Hist. Corp. i. 36; Hardware District, 211.
9. e.g. Gill, Mid. Hist. 90.
10. B. Walker, 'Notes on the Rea Valley', T.B.A.S. lii (2), 231-9.
12. G. C. Allen, Industrial Development of Birm. and the Black Country, 29.
13. For further discussion of these topics see pp. 75-76, 78, 81-84.
14. Gill, Hist. Birm. 2.
15. Ibid. 3, and see p. 26.
16. P.N. Warws. (E.P.N.S.), 34.
17. See map Xb in R. G. Collingwood and J. N. L. Myres, Roman Britain and the English Settlements.
18. There is a recent, comprehensive account of the physical background of the Birm. region in Birm. and its regional setting (Brit. Assoc. 1950).
19. C. Lapworth, Birm. Country, 50; Quart. Jnl. Geol. Soc. lxviii. 252-80; Memoirs of the Geol. Surv., Geology of the Country around Birmingham, 81.
20. Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1781), 6.
21. L. Richardson, Wells and Springs of Warws. 150.
22. Gill, Hist. Birm. 4, 20, 415, et passim; cf. pp. 253 sqq.
23. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 72-77.
24. Gill, Hist. Birm. 57.
25. Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1835), 7; cf. W. Bennett, John Baskerville, ii. 65; Langford, Birm. Life, i. 108.
26. R. K. Dent, The Making of Birm. 8.
28. Richardson, Wells and Springs of Warws. 164, 166, 173.
29. Geol. of Country around Birm. 106, 123.
30. Proc. Birm. Phil. Soc. vii. 85-112.
31. Geol. of Country around Birm. 122.
32. Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1835), 6.
33. See pp. 26-27, 31-32.
34. V.C.H. Warws. i. 299 sqq.
35. See pp. 251, 252.
36. Gill, Hist. Birm. 13; but see pp. 76-77, 78-79.
37. 1553 Survey, 56; see also pp. 74-75.
40. Gough's map of England, Warws. portion, printed T.B.A.S. (1870), 42.
43. Leland, Itin. ed. Toulmin Smith, ii. 96-97.
45. i.e. the River Rea.
47. The upper part was known as Well St., the lower end as Digbeth: 1553 Survey, map.
48. Camden, Brit. ed. Gough (1806), ii. 446.
49. B.R.L. 90377, 94314; 1553 Survey.
50. Gill, Hist. Birm. 32. See also p. 73.
51. W. Westley, Plan of Birm. . . . 1731.
52. Gill, Hist. Birm. 37.
53. Ibid.; Recs. of King Edward's Sch. ii (Dugd. Soc. vii), 72-78.
55. Gill, Mid. Hist. 143; cf. Gill, Hist. Birm. 42.
56. J. Toulmin Smith, Eng. Gilds (E.E.T.S. xl), 247-9; the larger figure may include Deritend.
57. B.M. Harl. MS. 594.
58. Gill, Hist. Birm. 42.
59. Trans. Mid. Rec. Soc. ii. 28; iv. 6; vi. 6.
60. Gill, Hist. Birm. 43.
62. Off Dale End and Digbeth. Rebuilding after 1945 removed many others; see also p. 53.
63. Cal. S.P. Dom. 1633-4, 222.
65. See Allen, Ind. Dev. 26-27.
66. See p. 89, and also pp. 413-14.
67. For a full discussion of this register see R. A. Pelham, 'Immigrant Population of Birm. 1686-1726', T.B.A.S. lxi. 45 sqq.
68. Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1835), 68.
70. Allen, Ind. Dev. 29.
71. Westley's figures for 1700 and 1731 are not perhaps reliable and have been omitted here.
72. Dr. Thomas gives the numbers of houses only, as follows: St. Martin's Parish, c. 986: Dugdale, Antiquities of Warws. ii. 908, St. Philip's Parish, 700-800: Dugd. Warws. ii. 908; Deritend, 158: Dugd. Warws. ii. 882. An average of 6 persons per house has been assumed. Coventry at the same date had 2,063 houses: Dugd. Warws. i. 200.
73. Printed on his Plan of Birm. 1750.
74. Printed on his Plan of Birm. (1778), see plate facing p. 7.
75. Printed on his Plan of Birm. (1785).
76. These figures give an average of 4.7 persons per house, which compares with 5.5. for 1785, 5.9 for 1778, 5.8 for 1750, and, if we include Westley's figures, 6.3 for 1731 and 6 for 1700. These averages appear high in comparison with Gregory King's figure of 4.5 persons per family, though the special circumstance of overcrowding might account for the discrepancy.
77. 1553 Survey, 50-56, 78-79.
78. J. Hill and D. K. Dent, Memorials of the Old Square, 14, 15. See pp. 377, 506, and plate facing p. 378.
80. Recs. of King Edward's Sch. i. (Dugd. Soc. iv), p. lxviii.
81. Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1835), 79.
85. Hill and Dent, Mems. of Old Square, 10; 1553 Survey, 32.
86. Hill and Dent, Mems. of Old Square, 17. John Pemberton himself lived at No. 1 the Square: ibid. 21.
87. Hill and Dent, Mems. of Old Square, 16.
88. Ibid. 17; see also p. 456.
90. B.R.L. 181709; see p. 47, and for the Old Square, plate facing p. 378.
91. 1553 Survey, map, and p. 78.
92. Westley, Plan of Birm. ... 1731.
93. 20 Geo. II, c. 16 (priv. act).
94. See Colmore Estate Map, (B.R.L. 411566).
95. 1553 Survey, 77, 78.
97. Cal. of Colmore Deeds (B.R.L.). Edmund St. in 1750 was known in sections as Harlow St., Charles St. and Hill St.: Bradford's Plan of Birm. (1750).
98. Cal. of Colmore Deeds (B.R.L.).
99. B.R.L. Contemporary rate books and directories.
100. See Hanson, Plan of Birm. (1778) (plate facing p. 7).
101. B. Walker, 'Some 18th-cent. Birm. houses', T.B.A.S. lvi. 31.
102. 6 Geo. III, c. 61 (priv. act).
104. Langford, Birm. Life, i. 107.
105. 26 Geo. II, c. 12; 26 Geo. III, c. 50; 6 Geo. IV, c. 34 (priv. acts).
106. 13 Geo. III, c. 6 (priv. act).
107. C. J. xxxiv. 90.
108. cf. Gill, Hist. Birm. 125.
109. J. Kempson, Map of Birm. in 1810.
110. Gill, Hist. Birm. 142.
111. See p. 8; Dent, Making of Birm. 335. Cf. Kempson, Map of Birm. in 1810 with later maps, e.g. Public Works Cttee. Birm. Plans (1884). See also plate facing p. 12.
112. Beilby, Knott & Beilby, Map of Birm. in 1824-5; J. Arrowsmith, New Plan of Birm. (1834).
113. Birm. and its regional setting, 217-18. See p. 325.
114. Gill, Hist. Birm. 451.
115. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 18, 277. See pp. 12, 334.
118. Langford, Birm. Life, ii. 579.
120. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 11-12, 19; see also pp. 44-45, 343.
121. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 86, 234-5; see also pp. 56-57.
122. Conurbation, A Planning Survey of Birm. and Black Country by West Midland Group (Architectural Press, 1948), 91n.
123. See, e.g., Kelly's Dir. Birm. (1908).
124. cf. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 13-14.
127. cf. Briggs, Hist. Birm. ii.
129. See pp. 46, 334.
130. See City of Birm. Official Handbk. (1958), 182, 184.
131. Ibid. 19-20, 22-24, 181-4; Birmingham (City of Birm. Information Dept. Publication No. 131), 1-3; ex inf. the City Engineer and Surveyor; see p. 46, and plate facing p. 26.
132. Birm. and its environs (1838) (B.R.L. Map 14020); cf. Tithe Map of Birm. 1845.
133. See pp. 62, 67.
134. e.g. West, Dir. Warws. (1830), 277.
135. Dugd. Warws. 881. The licence was for an oratory at Etchells (Ches.): Stretton's Reg. (Coll. Hist. Staffs. N.S. viii), 8; cf. J. P. Earwaker, East Cheshire, i. 322 (for Etchells).
136. Dugd. Warws. 881-2; cf. Public Works Cttee. Birm. Plans (1884), Duddeston and Nechells in 1758.
138. cf. Gill, Hist. Brm. 125.
139. See pp. 38, 40.
140. Post Office map of Birm. (1863); O.S. Map 1/2,500 Warws. XIV. 2, 6 (1st edn.).
141. Cornish, Map of Birm. (1860); cf. Arrowsmith, New Plan of Birm. (1834).
142. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. VIII. 13, 14; XIV. 1, 2 (1st and later edns.).
144. See pp. 6, 7.
146. J. Kempson, Map of Birm. in 1810.
148. See maps on pp. 2, 15.
150. T.B.A.S. xxxix, map facing p. 34; cf. Public Works Cttee. Birm. Plans (1884), Edgbaston in 1718.
151. Census, 1801, 1831. For the subsequent steady rise of the population see Table 2.
152. e.g. Kempson, Map of Birm. in 1810; Arrowsmith, New Plan of Birm. (1834).
153. Gill, Hist. Birm. 125.
154. P.O. map of Birm. (1863).
155. See map on p. 15; for stations see p. 40.
156. See pp. 45-46, 232, 349.
157. Hockley, Soho and Winson Green, and Monument Lane in 1854, Icknield Port Road and Rotton Park on the Harborne Railway in 1874, and Winson Green in 1876: see p. 40.
158. Census, 1841 and later years.
159. See map on p. 15.
160. The new towns will in fact accommodate only one half of the original residents in these areas. Arrangements have therefore been made by the city council with local authorities in Staffs. and Warws. for the 'overspill' population to be housed in 'reception areas' outside the city boundary: Birm. Official Handbk. (1958), 196.
161. Birm. Official Handbk. (1958), 124, 194-5; see also pp. 347-8.
162. See, e.g., P.O. map of Birm. (1863).
164. See map on p. 15. New building in the Aston Manor area was not sufficiently extensive to be shown on the map.
165. See map on p. 15.
166. Census, 1841-1901; see Table 2.
168. See Tables 2 and 3.
169. cf. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 135.
170. cf. ibid. 135, 138.
172. For a detailed account of the proposals and arguments put forward at the time see Briggs, Hist. Birm. 135-57.
174. e.g. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 302.
175. See map facing p. 1.
176. Local Govt. Bd. Ret. 1888, H.C. 333, p. 11 (1888), lxxxvi; Local Govt. Act, 1888, 51 & 52 Vic. c. 41, s. 100.
178. L.G.B. Order 31,859 (appointed day, 1894).
179. Census, 1911; Briggs, Hist. Birm. 145.
181. V.C.H. Warws. iv. 46, 262, and see pp. 364, 365.
182. Public Works Cttee. Birm. Plans (1884), Aston in 1758.
183. See pp. 34, 37.
185. P.O. map of Birm. (1863).
186. Ibid.; and see B.R.L. 259304.
187. O.S. Map 1/2,500 Warws. VIII (Staffs. LXIX), 13 (1st edn.).
188. Ex inf. Brit. Rlys. London Midland Region.
189. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 43.
191. The name Witton has been applied to localities outside the historical area of Witton: some maps mark the name on the W. bank of the Tame, and Upper Witton on the right bank of the Hawthorn Brook, and Witton Station is on the W. bank of the Tame.
194. Ex inf. Birm City Architect.
196. See list of tax assessments, 1327 and 1332, printed in Gill, Hist. Birm. 17.
197. Gill, Hist. Birm. 46; see p. 82.
198. M. Port, Six Hundred New Churches, 42, 51, 69; see p. 385.
199. P.O. map of Birm. (1863); cf. Sale particulars of building sites at Gravelly Hill and Erdington, 1854, at B.R.L.
201. For housing estates see pp. 56-57.
202. O.S. Maps 1/2, 500 Warws. VIII (Staffs. LXIX), 6-7, 10-12, 14-16 (1st-4th edns.).
205. See map facing p. 1. For the history of Water Orton see V.C.H. Warws. iv. 262-3.
206. Public Works Cttee. Birm. Plans (1884), Saltley in 1760; Little Bromwich in 1759.
207. Ibid.; and see e.g. Gill, Hist. Birm. 126.
208. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIV. 2, 6 (1st edn.); ex inf. B.R. (L.M.R.).
209. Little Bromwich appears to be the original name of the whole area, Ward End being its northern end named after a family that held land there. By the 17th cent. the two names were regarded as alternatives: see Dugdale, Warws. 885. In modern times the northern end has been known as Ward End and only the southern as Little Bromwich: O.S. Map 1/25,000 42/18 (prov. edn.).
210. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIV. 2, 3, 6, 7 (1st-3rd edns.).
213. Public Works Cttee. Birm. Plans (1884), Little Bromwich in 1759.
214. A history of Castle Bromwich is given in V.C.H. Warws. iv. 43-47, and the part of the area in Birm. is therefore covered here only briefly.
215. Kelly's Dir. Birm. (1908), 326.
216. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIV. 3, 4 (4th edn.); ex inf. Birm. City Architect.
217. For its history between the landing of an aeroplane in 1911 and its closure in 1958, see Birm. Mail, 21 Mar. 1958.
220. Census, 1931; O.S. Map 1/2,500 Warws. VIII. 16 (3rd and 4th edns.).
221. A history of Sheldon parish is given in V.C.H. Warws. iv. 200-5, and it is therefore covered here only briefly.
222. Census, 1931; O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIV. 12, 16; Warws. XV. 5, 9, 13 (3rd and 4th edns.).
224. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIV. 12, 16 (4th edn.).
225. Ex inf. B.R.(L.M.R.); Birm. and its regional setting, figures on pp. 324-7.
226. A history of Yardley parish is given in V.C.H. Worcs. iii. 238-45, and it is therefore covered here only briefly.
227. See map facing p. 1.
228. See pp. 40, 42.
230. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIV (Worcs. VI), 9, 10, 11, 14, 15 (1st edn.).
231. Ibid. (2nd-4th edns.); Worcs. XI (Warws. XIX), 2, 3, 6, 7, 10 (2nd-4th edns.).
232. A history of King's Norton parish is given in V.C.H. Worcs. iii. 179-91, and it is therefore covered here only briefly.
234. See map facing p. 1, and maps on pp. 36, 41.
235. Cornish, Map of Birm. (1860); cf. Arrowsmith, New Plan of Birm. (1834).
236. Ret. of [Local Government] Districts. . . 1867, H.C. 8, p. 3 (1867), lix.
237. P.O. map of Birm. (1863).
239. Local Govt. Bd.'s Prov. Order Conf. (No. 13) Act, 54 & 55 Vic. c. 161 (local act); Balsall Heath became a civil parish separate from King's Norton in 1894: Census, 1901.
240. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIV. 9, 13 (1st and 2nd edns.).
242. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws XIV. 13, Worcs. XI. 1 (1st-4th edns.).
243. See p. 45. The station was known as Moseley until 1867.
244. B.R.L. 299993 (map of King's Norton parish, 1840); Littlebury, Dir. Worcs. (1873), 412; O.S. Map 1/2,500 Worcs. XI. 1, 5 (1st edn.).
246. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Worcs. X (Warws. XIXa), 8, 12; Worcs. XI (Warws. XIX), 5, 6, 9, 10 (2nd-4th edns.).
247. Bournville is largely in Northfield ancient parish: see below.
249. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Worcs. X (Warws. XIXa), 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16 (1st-4th edns.).
250. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 45, 218, 300.
252. Census, 1901, 1911; see map facing p. 1, and map on p. 2.
253. A history of Northfield parish is given in V.C.H. Worcs. iii. 194-201, and it is therefore covered here only briefly.
254. Census, 1911; see map facing p. 1, and map on p. 2.
255. Northfield Tithe Map (B.R.L. 299991).
256. See pp. 34, 37.
257. Northfield Tithe Map; V.C.H. Worcs. iii. 194; for California's name, see T.B.A.S. lxx. 60.
259. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Worcs. X. 3, 4, 7, 8 (1st and 2nd edns.).
260. It was called Stirchley St. station until 1880 (ex inf. B.R.(L.M.R.)). Bournville station, together with a small part of the Bournville estate, is in fact not in Northfield ancient parish but King's Norton.
261. The Bournville Village Trust, 1900-1955, 9 sqq.; see p. 56.
262. See Table 3, above.
263. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIXa (Worcs. X), 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 (3rd edn.).
264. Ex inf. B.R. (L.M.R.).
266. Northfield Tithe Map (B.R.L. 299991).
267. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Warws. XIXa (Worcs. X), 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 (4th edn.); Bournville Village Trust, 23 sqq., 16 sqq.
268. Census, 1901; Kelly's Dir. Birm. (1908), 345.
269. Local Govt. Bd.'s Prov. Order Conf. (No. 13) Act, 54 & 55 Vic. c. 161 (local act).
270. Ret. of [Local Government] Districts. . . 1867, p. 11 (1867), lix.
272. O.S. Maps 6" Staffs. LXXII. NE, SE; Worcs. V. NW, SW (1st and 2nd edns.); and see map facing p. 1.
273. Sherriff, Map of Harborne, 1790 (B.R.L. 282533); T. Presterne, Harborne once upon a time (Birm. 1918), reproduction of map of 1834; mention of some of the older houses there is made in 9th Rep. Com. Char. H.C. 258, pp. 551, 553 (1823), ix.
275. cf. J. Kenward, Harborne and its Surroundings (Birm. 2nd edn. 1885), 50; Gill, Hist. Birm. 126; Presterne, Harborne, 40-42.
277. See above, Table 2.
279. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Staffs. LXII. 11, 15 (1st edn.).
281. Presterne, Harborne, 45; see p. 50.
282. Ibid. 129-30 et passim.
284. cf. Briggs, Hist. Birm. 161; Harborne Tenants Limited (1908) (B.R.L. 206840), 15; see p. 56.
286. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Staffs. LXXII (Warws. XIII), 11, 15 (3rd edn.); 1/25,000 42/08 (prov. edn.).
287. Census, 1911; Briggs, Hist. Birm. 144.
288. O.S. Map 1/2,500 Warws. XIII (Worcs. V), 10 (1st-3rd edns.); 1/25,000 42/08 and 32/98.
289. Census, 1891, 1901; O.S. Maps 6" Staffs. LXIV (Warws. IV), SW; Staffs. LXVIII NE and SE; Staffs. LXIX (Warws. VIII), NW and SW; Staffs. LXXII (Warws. XIII), NE (1st edn.); O.S. Maps 1/25,000 42/08 and 42/09 (prov. edn.).
290. 37 & 38 Vic. c. 89; Hackwood, Handsworth Old and New, 75, where the new authority is described as a local board.
291. Local Govt. Bd. Ret. H.C. 333, p. 10 (1888), lxxxvi; Local Govt. Act, 1888, 51 & 52 Vic. c. 41, s. 100.
293. The boundaries of the city wards have undergone frequent and radical changes, and no single ward retained unchanged boundaries between 1931 and 1951 (Census, 1951). Handsworth and Perry Barr, however, are unlike every other part of the city in that the boundaries of the ancient parish and its divisions survive almost intact as ward boundaries (see Bartholomew's Pocket Atlas of Birm. (1952), 4) except where parts of the ancient parish have remained outside the city. Apart from that and very minor changes in the boundaries between the 5 wards named above, the only change has been the subtraction from Perry Barr of the 27 a. between the Tame, Aldridge Rd., College Rd. and the old line of the Rycknield St.
294. 9th Rep. Com. Char. H.C. 258, p. 546 (1823), ix.
296. Local Govt. Bd. Order 31,988 (appointed day, 1894).
297. Birm. Extension Act, 17 & 18 Geo. V, c. 102 (local act).
298. Plea Roll (Coll. Hist. Staffs. iv (1)), 201.
299. Subs. Rolls (Coll. Hist. Staffs. vii), 228; x. 102.
300. See pp. 70, 71.
301. D.L. 30/111/1674. Later rolls in the series do not mention the name Little Barr: D.L. 30/111/1675, /1679.
302. e.g. C.P. 43/602 rot. 314; /625 rot. 290; /997 rot. 291.
303. e.g. Yates's map of Staffs. in S. Shaw, Hist. of Staffs.
304. Bartholomew's Pocket Atlas of Birm. (1952), 4, 7.
306. See, e.g., Bartholomew's Pocket Atlas of Birm. (1952), 14; O.S. Map 1/25,000 42/09 (prov. edn.).
307. O.S. Map 1/25,000 42/09 (prov. edn.).
308. See pp. 69, 71-72.
309. Gill, Mid. Hist. 166 sqq.
310. Tithe Maps of Handsworth and Perry Barr (Tithe Redemption Commrs.).
311. O.S. Map 1/2,500 Staffs. LXVIII. 12 (1st-3rd edns.).
312. Rot. Hund. (Rec. Com.), ii. 116.
313. Gill, Mid. Hist. 191.
314. Shaw, Staffs. ii. 112; see also p. 69.
315. O.S. Map 1/25,000 42/09 (prov. edn.).
316. cf. Gill, Mid. Hist. 165-6; A. E. Everitt, 'Handsworth Church and its surroundings', T.B.A.S. (1876), 65.
318. See pp. 81 sqq., 253 sqq.
319. See, e.g., W. E. H. Lecky, Hist. of Eng. in the 18th cent. vii. 277-8: W. Pitt, Topog. Hist. Staffs. (1817), 158; see also p. 258-9.
320. Shaw, Staffs. iii. 117.
321. B.R.L. 601704; Tithe Map of Handsworth; J. A. Chatwin, 'Handsworth about 1835-6', T.B.A.S. lvi. 102-3; see p. 51.
322. P.O. map of Birm. (1863); and see Plan for Soho Park (1845) (B.R.L. 369956).
324. Ex inf. B.R.(Western Region).
325. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Staffs. LXVIII. 12, 15, 16; Staffs. LXIX (Warws. VIII), 9, 13; Staffs. LXXII (Warws. XIII), 4 (1st-3rd edns.); and see map on p. 15.
326. Census, 1801-1901; and see Table 5.
327. O.S. Maps 1/2,500 Staffs. LXVIII. 12, 15, 16 (1st and 3rd edns.); and see map on p. 15.
328. O.S. Map 1/25,000 42/09 (prov. edn.).
332. O.S. Map 1/2,500 Staffs. LXIX (Warws. VIII), 5 (4th edn.); 1/25,000 42/09 (prov. edn.). | 2019-04-19T17:00:06Z | https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/warks/vol7/pp4-25 |
Standing 20 feet from a race track while dozens of the most expensive and powerful cars in the world screamed past you at almost 200 mph might be the best seat in the house except that you can’t sit down. Corner marshals or flaggers are the people stationed on the track and tasked with waving flags, removing debris and helping drivers whose cars have crashed. Formula One cars are at the pinnacle of auto racing. These are technically the most advanced automobiles ever created. They are constructed of space age materials, super lightweight, insanely powerful and require a special set of skills to drive. These land rockets on wheels are also hybrids, using (KERS) Kinetic Energy Recovery System that adds electric motors for an additional boost in power. Formula One racing is the largest spectator sport in the world and races are held around the world; China, Singapore, Abu Dhabi, England, Belgium, Spain, Germany and now Oceanside, California has been added to that global list. The race was expected to bring 100 million dollars to the local economy.
June 17, 2018 would be the date of the inaugural US Formula One Grand Prix in Oceanside, California. In the late 1940’s, an oval racetrack was located in the northern part of the city and a series of races were held every weekend, drivers and cars would come from all over the Southwest to participate. In a way, this would be the return of racing to this Southern California city and the excitement was electrifying. It took years of lobbying from city officials and famous driver, Dante ‘The Blade’ Ferraro, former six time world Formula One champion and hometown hero to bring the road race to Oceanside. Dante was also instrumental in the design of the course which would start at the Oceanside Pier, circle the harbor then come up to South Coast Highway. It would be 60 laps of a 3.2 mile course loop for a total of 192 miles.
Dante was born on Camp Pendleton, the son of a career Marine and began racing in his early teens. It didn’t matter whether it was motorcycles, stock cars or drag racing; he built an impressive resume of wins before enlisting in the Army in 1968. He became a Green Beret during the Vietnam War, and surprisingly his racing experience translated well in combat situations. Dante was extremely cool under pressure, could make split second decisions and was a natural born leader. He rose in rank from private to staff sergeant in less than 18 months.
While assigned to his elite unit, Dante and his men were often tasked with going into Cambodia and Laos on covert missions and since these were ‘black ops’ and often in violation of treaty agreements, records of their actions were classified and sealed. On one particular mission to identify communist sanctuaries near Phnom Penh, Dante and his team which included three CIA operatives were captured by a group of vicious Khmer Rouge rebels. These men were part of a group who were responsible for the death of millions of Cambodians during their reign of terror. They had an intense hatred of Americans and every insertion team knew that it was a death sentence if they were caught.
The CIA operatives were tortured to death in a variety of unspeakable ways and Dante knew that his men were next in line. He looked at the situation objectively, which in itself was a considerable challenge and calculated the odds against them and came to the inevitable conclusion that the chances of a successful escape were infinitesimal.
Like any other man, actually more like any other warrior who has accepted the fact that he’s already a dead man, Dante decided to go out on his terms and take as many of the enemy with him.
Eight rebels dragged him from his bamboo cage to an area that was used for their torture games. The ground was stained red and felt sticky under his boots and Dante saw chains dangling from a thick tree branch. He knew that once they had him restrained, whatever slim chance he had would be gone so he looked around the area and made his plan in a split second.
Dante went limp as the rebels tried to lift his hands up to the chains, then broke free, snapped one man’s neck and used him as a shield when a rebel fired two rounds at him. Dante pushed the dead rebel at the group and grabbed an AK-47 and emptied the magazine as he spun around in a 360. In the close quarters, it was hard for the rebels to get a clear shot at Dante and ended up shooting each other. On the other hand, all that Dante had to do was open fire in any direction and every time he shot a rebel, he’d pick up another weapon and empty that magazine. How he didn’t get hit was one of those unexplainable incidents that happen every so often in a combat situation. Dante didn’t have time to dwell on his good luck and grabbed an AK-47 and put the sling over his shoulder then grabbed another weapon, three bandoliers of ammunitions and a machete and went to rescue his men, firing as he went.
There was pandemonium around the camp and Dante knew that as long as there was confusion, it worked in his favor so he did his best to keep it going. When he got to the cages, he shot the guards then cut the ropes off the bamboo bars with the machete. He tossed one AK-47 to Sergeant Gary Ashby just as a rebel rounded the corner and Dante instinctively swung the machete and separated the man’s head from his body.
“That looks like it could hurt,” Sergeant Ashby commented.
Anybody else would have been happy to take some time off to recuperate and decompress, but not Dante. Once he debriefed his superiors on what happened, he took a hot shower then headed to Tan Son Nhut Air Force base which was located outside Saigon. Permission was given for another mission and Dante would be flying as an aerial observer.
If this had been a sanctioned operation, Dante would have probably received a medal for his heroic actions in rescuing his men and eliminating the enemy stronghold, but nobody was allowed to speak of the incident again. This was just fine with the man from Oceanside who was content to do his job and be left alone. When his time in Nam’ was over, Dante returned to California and resumed his racing career.
There are two flag people, who have slightly different tasks. The yellow flagger looks down the track. His or her job is to watch for accidents or problems and is responsible for everything from his station to the next one. If there is a problem, he comes out and waves the yellow flag.
The blue flagger looks up the track and his job is to warn a slower driver that a faster car is about to pass them and is mostly used for cars being lapped by the lead cars in the race. In F1 racing, failure to slow for a blue flag can result in a penalty, so the blue flag must be taken seriously. In practice it is quite difficult for the flagger to judge the relative speeds of the cars, so throwing the blue flag is an art. There are other flags as well. The dreaded red flag means that the race has been suspended, and all cars must return to the pits. A flag that has red and yellow stripes means that the track ahead is contaminated – usually by oil or debris. When the safety car is on the track, flaggers wave a special card with the words “SAFETY CAR” written on it, or just “SC”. A white flag means emergency vehicles are on the track.
In Formula One, all flags are waved, which is different from other racing series, where a stationary flag has a different meaning from a waving flag. The “Meatball” flag (black with a red circle) is waved at a car with a mechanical problem. A green flag indicates that the problem has passed and is waved to alert drivers that the track is clear ahead. Green flags are also waved for the entire first lap and Corner Marshals wave all their flags at once to salute the drivers at the completion of the race.
Dante Ferraro was approached by CIA leadership once he became an established driver on the F1 circuit. The fact that he could travel around the world without suspicion combined with his prior set of specialized skills made him a valuable asset. Gary Ashby, a fellow Green Beret was also recruited and took on the cover of Dante’s personal fitness trainer. Even when there wasn’t a race, their CIA handlers found plausible reasons for the two highly trained operatives to be in the foreign countries for publicity tours, testing new equipment or meeting sponsors. Dante soon became America’s most proficient covert operative and even after he retired from active racing, he still maintained his connections with Formula One.
Dante dropped his cellphone and bent down to pick it up as he held a syringe in his right hand with a lethal dose of Fentanyl. He stood up and stuck the needle into the bodyguard’s neck and in a few seconds he was dead. Dante took a mask out of his pocket, slipped it over his face and entered the room. Farad was asleep in his bed, Dante quickly injected him with a synthetic anesthesia that immediately put him in a drug induced coma, and then secured his ankles and wrists with plastic zip ties.
He picked up the Iranian and lowered him overboard where a team of Navy Seals were waiting beneath the surface. They slipped an oxygen mask over the Iranian’s face and submerged as Dante returned to the festivities on deck as if nothing had ever happened. He was that cool under pressure.
Present Day, A CIA black site is located in the dense Ardennes Forest of Luxembourg. Three times a day, morning, afternoon and evening, Farad Morad Mashouf is taken to a laboratory where a special virtual reality helmet is placed over his head. It is part of an elaborate mind altering program that extracts current memories and substitutes an alternate set of experiences into the person.
“Will we get any practice before the big race?” Don Pickett asked.
“We need to talk,” Nora Kemper stated.
They walked inside, “What do you recommend?” Gail Ingram asked.
“Can’t go wrong with the surf and turf burrito, I’ll order for us, find us a table,” Gary suggested.
The two women and Dante found a table in back and waited for Gary to return with four burritos, carne asada fries and four bottles of Corona beers.
“You said that you needed to talk to me,” Dante reminded his dinner companions.
Gail took a bite of her burrito and a long swallow of the cold beer, “We had a security breech,” then continued eating.
“I’d prefer to hear what you have to say in one installment instead of in-between bites and swallows,” Dante suggested.
“So where does that leave me?” Dante guessed.
We set up an elaborate ruse to let Farad escape with a new set of implanted memories for that night,” Nora continued.
“If you corrected the breech and caught the leaker, then why are you here?” Gary asked.
“Because they haven’t completely solved the problem,” Dante surmised.
“There is a minor glitch, once your name was given to the family, they immediately put out a contract on you, and as of right now it hasn’t been rescinded,” Gail said.
“Do you know who’s got it?” Gary asked.
“From monitoring the dark web, it looks like Lobo took it,” Nora sighed.
‘Lobo’ was the name given to an unidentified Basque National Liberation Movement terrorist responsible for numerous bombings, kidnappings and terrorist acts in Spain and Europe. He was also an elite assassin that Dante had crossed paths with over the years. Unfortunately he wasn’t able to terminate the cold blooded killer and his list of victims continued to increase.
“Once he takes a contract, there is no rescinding it,” Dante stated.
“How do you want to handle this?” You could go into hiding, but that’s not your style,” Gary smiled.
“I’m on it,” Gail agreed and finished her burrito and washed it down with the remainder of her beer.
Over the three days, every available CIA agent was called to Oceanside. Dante already knew Lobo’s methods of operation and while he couldn’t be exactly sure how the assassin would go about his plan this time, he knew one important fact or flaw about the man; Lobo preferred killing his targets up close whenever possible. Dante would give his adversary that opportunity, one that hopefully would be too good for him to pass up.
After the assassination Lobo would want to get out of the area as quickly as possible so Dante decided to man the hairpin corner at the far end of the course with military veterans Glenn Foss and Richard Myers. Everything would be in Lobo’s favor; the security gate would be unlocked and there would be a gap between the concrete barriers that would be large enough for a man to slip through. It would also be close enough to West Vista Way, allowing him a direct route to Interstate Five in a matter of minutes. The trap would be set, but would Lobo take the bait?
June, 17, 2018, 9AM. The countdown began and the drivers watched the lights intently, making sure they didn’t false start. When all lights turned green, the racers were off. Dante alternated his attention between the track and his surroundings. Gary was on a nearby rooftop with a set of binoculars and a sniper rifle and kept in communication with Dante. CIA operatives disguised as race fans moved inconspicuously among the massive crowd looking for suspicious activity.
The cars went around one more time and Sebastian Vettel in a Ferrari passed Lewis Hamilton from the Mercedes Team on the last turn and won by two lengths. The drivers then started another lap to salute the flaggers and volunteers.
Sebastian didn’t know what else to do except to comply. Dante contacted Gary, “I need to get off the track,” and climbed into the cockpit.
Gary jumped on a forklift and lifted the concrete barriers out of the way, but it still wasn’t wide enough to drive through. Dante spun around and came over the top of another race car, which put him on two wheels which allowed him to clear the opening by inches and smash through the fence. He accelerated down South Coast Highway, turned left on Vista Way, pulled into the Hunter Steakhouse parking lot and waited.
If Dante was right, Lobo would enter the freeway at this ramp. He didn’t have long to wait for less than a minute passed before a 911GT2RS jet black turbocharged Porsche came down a side street and turned on to Vista Way, then down the ramp. Dante was right behind it.
It was surreal to see a Formula 1 racer chasing the Turbo Porsche south on the freeway at speeds approaching 200 miles an hour while weaving in and out of much, much slower traffic and going from the shoulder to the fast lane in less than a spilt second. The two vehicles were only inches apart when they passed Tamarack Avenue, while each driver was shooting at each other.
A bullet hit Lobo in the chest, who grimaced and slumped over the steering wheel as Dante turned sharply to the right, slammed into the Porsche and launched it into the Carlsbad lagoon. It traveled 100 feet over two paddle boarders before it hit the water. Dante slammed on the brakes, skidded to a stop and watched the vehicle sink beneath the surface. Moments later, California Highway Patrol cruisers surrounded him with lights flashing and sirens blaring, when he suddenly remembered something that took priority over his current situation. Dante pulled out his cellphone, dialed a number, slipped the phone back into his pocket then stepped out of the race car with his hands held high and flashed a friendly smile.
Zoom Zoom! Loved the high speed chase and all the action on fathers day.
Another wild and crazy story Tom. I love the way you tie the local area to your stories.
Oh, you are slick with that Father’s Day ending. Thanks.
The hero was so cool under pressure that after a 200 mph car chase and gunfight that he still remembered to call his dad on Father’s Day What else is there to say.
Tom out did himself on this one. Had to hang onto my seat for this one.
Missing In Action, The Expendables, Gran Prix, I Spy, Fast and Furious all in a 8 page short story. What could be better.
I think Dante needs to disappear. No way the EPA is gong let him get away with polluting the lagoon.
Love this one, nice to see a story like this for Father’s day!
Another fun story…action packed from beginning to end.
Once again, you don’t mess around with Tom’s heroes…they always get the bad guys.
I’ve seen some fast drivers on Interstate Five, but I haven’t a Formula One race car yet. Don’t mess with Dante. | 2019-04-24T15:49:47Z | http://thevistapress.com/formula-one-flagger-thomas-calabrese/ |
Memphis Philanthropist and Chairman/CEO, Pat Kerr Inc.
We made up our games on the farm, and we loved being outdoors. I started dressing my Persian cats when I was four or five years old. I’d have fashion shows, and the cats would have to march around. Mother had bolts and bolts of fabric and Alencon lace. I’d run florist wire through the top and make a skirt, then I’d put the skirt around the cat. The cats I thought did the best got a little bowl of milk — or I’d put the milk in a baby bottle, lie them on their backs with all four paws up, and feed them out of the bottle.
And I loved paper dolls, designed paper dolls. In Savannah, there were no fashion stores, just general stores with fabrics. They had pattern books — primarily Simplicity and McCall’s. The McCall’s paper dolls were way too juvenile looking for me! I wanted the glamour, the Vogue patterns! When they were in Memphis or Nashville, Mother and Daddy would buy me the out-of-date Vogue books. I cut my paper dolls out of them and made 3-D clothing for the dolls.
My great-aunt was a fabulous seamstress. I stayed with her when Mom and Dad went out. She lived nearby — well, Savannah is so tiny that everyone lived nearby! We would always pull out of this bottom drawer of fabrics and make things while Mother was away. I would have a new outfit for school the next day.
I didn’t realize until later that Mother was buying all those fabrics — acres of fabrics — for my great-aunt to keep in that drawer for me to design with. We’d lay these fabrics out on the table and anchor them with big case knives. We did not pin anything, and we had no patterns! It was all freehand.
I don’t recall anyone I grew up around not having bolts and bolts of cloth, ribbons, and lace. I never thought it was unusual.
I had my own dressmaker from the time I was three years old. I never wanted to look like anyone else, never wanted to dress like anybody else. Mother said that if the skirts were being worn down to the ankles in style, I’d want mine up around my hips. I always wanted to be different.
I studied oil painting for an hour each afternoon with an elderly lady. I’d paint canvases, figurines, plates. The paintings were very much about family and love. Farm scenes. One is a mother duck with her wings spread out around her ducklings. Another is a mother cow kissing her newborn calf.
Mom started me in dancing school in Memphis, and I won some competitions. I loved tap dancing, baton twirling — I loved competition. But Mom wasn’t pushy. It was always, "Just do your best and have a great time!" And I carried that attitude with me later when I started the Little Miss Universe, Miss Teen Universe, and Junior Miss Universe pageants.
Anything that had to do with church, home, or school, you could count on our family being there and participating. I enjoyed being a cheerleader, majorette, and representing the school at various events. I was honored to receive the school’s "Most Likely to Succeed" designation, which, interestingly, my mother had won years before and my younger sister later won! We were never ones to sit on the sidelines.
So I grew up in that atmosphere, surrounded by the security of competing and creating. I don’t ever remember Mother saying no to me about any creative idea I ever had. That gave me the confidence and freedom to create and the freedom to be fearless of failure. I think a lot of people don’t do things they might like to because they are so afraid of failure. You have to fail in something to get where you’re going.
That’s the kind of home I grew up in.
So I’ve designed all my life. I grew up doing it, and I just evolved into it. I never thought about what I wanted to be when I grew up. I never aspired to a particular thing, never had any real goals. I was just always a very happy and happy-go-lucky child. My life just evolved in a very interesting manner. I just let life take me where it would.
I attended Memphis State and was a teen model at Lowenstein’s, Levy’s, Gerber’s, and Helen of Memphis. We had fashion shows three days a week. I was also teaching modeling at Patricia Stevens and doing the major conventions for Holiday Inn. I designed Holiday Inn’s first uniform. Kemmons Wilson wanted his guests to see a familiar look behind the check-in desk when they entered his Holiday Inns. I was a freshman or sophomore living with a Delta Air Lines stewardess, so I replicated that type of look, but in the Holiday Inn green.
I bought the Tennessee Miss Universe franchise when I was 20 or 21. I was younger than the other contestants, but I developed it into the third-largest competition in America. Ultimately, I ended up working with the Miss Universe pageant for 12 years.
That opened up an incredible world for me. As Miss Tennessee, I traveled with Miss USA and Miss Universe to the Orient for three months. We did enormous fashion and charity shows, and the extraordinary embroideries there fascinated me! I could appreciate the amount of time it took to produce those exquisite works of art on fabrics. Those were the early seeds that started my passion for collecting antique textiles and laces, not having any earthly idea then that I would have the museum-quality collection I have now.
In the late 1960s, I met Oleg Cassini. He was at the height of his career, designing for Jackie Kennedy. He asked me to come to New York to model, which I did. It was a wonderful experience, and he was such a talented gentleman. He then wanted me to go to Canada and launch a new line he was creating. I said, "But I’m still in college! I can’t do that!" So I returned to my college life, although I had fallen in love with New York the moment I saw it.
I graduated with a B.F.A. in drawing and painting from Memphis State, and I attended the Memphis Academy of Art. Because Tennessee didn’t offer a master’s degree program in the arts, I studied under Paul Penczner at his fine art studio for many years. I had a very full single life — modeling, designing, traveling, and handling pageant work.
John Burton Tigrett was from Jackson, Tennessee, so I knew him and we had met each other before. He was living in London. We met in May 1973, and he proposed three days after we met! I told him that I had an unusual hobby of collecting antique textiles. Later, he told me, "I thought that hobby would be rather harmless until you started walking into Christie’s and Sotheby’s in London and clearing the house out!"
We married six months after he proposed and were married almost 26 years until he died in 1999. We had the greatest journey together! He was the most fun guy — amusing, funny, kind, gentle. He gave me the world as a playground, and together, we collected the most interesting people from the most remarkable walks of life.
We lived in London for 20 years. It was a very "dressy," formal period — people dressed to go to dinner or dine at home. Inevitably, someone would look at my gown and ask me, "Whose is that?" And I’d say, "It’s mine."
I came back to Memphis for our son’s birth in 1977. I wanted Kerr to be born in Tennessee. He reminds me of John daily — always inquisitive, prepared, a kind heart, and creatively analytical. He has a voracious appetite for figuring things out. As a little boy, he loved puzzles. He and his wife, Melanie, have recently given me my first grandchild, Sloane Margaret, named after my mother. When I babysit, Sloane and I play — what else? — dress-up!
In 1980, John planned a business trip to Dallas, and Kerr and I were going with him. I thought, "Maybe I’ll just take some things to show Neiman Marcus." I called the merchandise manager and told him what I was bringing down. I took two or three trunks, and when we met, they bought every single thing I had. I didn’t even have a business; I was just going for a reaction! I was thinking, "Oh, my God!" but I was saying, "Yes!" to everything! So Neiman Marcus started my business and me 30 years ago this year.
Life has given me so many incredible experiences, and I feel so fortunate. Estee Lauder chose my gowns to launch their "Beautiful" perfume campaign, the first bridal perfume in the industry. I’m the only designer featured in a centerfold in the Tiffany Wedding Book. Jackie Kennedy, as an editor, chose four of my gowns and photographed them in Newport, Rhode Island.
Pat Kerr gowns have graced 11 covers of the main bridal books printed today. I’ve produced weddings around the world, from the Vatican to Monte Carlo, from Egypt to underwater! Pieces from my private collection have been shown at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and other museums. I was invited to Althorp, Princess Diana’s ancestral home in England, to commentate the Princess Diana collection in their family museum for English television. A book or two is in my future, as well as a serious collection that will travel. Like I said, I’ve been incredibly blessed.
But I never run out of ideas. It’s like I’ve found what I was supposed to become, and I’ve always just let life take me to whatever happens next — which keeps me happy, anticipating each day.
My company headquarters is wherever I am, really. My clients are all over the world, and I travel to them. They often come to me when I am showing at The Carlyle Hotel in New York.
My favorite type of clothing to design … ethereal, gossamer, and feminine, using antique laces and making my clients feel beautiful.
The most difficult thing in this business is deadlines.
Beauty pageants teach you an awful lot about life, because you are walking that runway in front of the most critical eyes, and you have to be able to accept it and not care, basically. I loved it! It also teaches you how to win and lose gracefully.
When we lit the Memphis "M" bridge I was the co-chairman of the bridge-lighting project, and I was facing the crowd to watch their reactions. We had given sparklers to everyone. Everybody was holding up their sparklers, and they’re watching the bridge lights come up behind me. I’m looking into their eyes and seeing the emotions, from tears to laughter. The bridge and the area had been so black. The only lights that had been on that bridge before we lit it were the headlights from Tennesseans returning from the West Memphis dog track!
The biggest misperception people have about designing clothes is maybe thinking you can put something together in two seconds.
My Pat Kerr Private Royal Collection included items from Princess Diana, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Queen Victoria, and King George III, among others.
When I first met Princess Diana I immediately thought, "How young! How young to be considering such an incredible, impossible responsibility as the future Queen of England." She was a lovely person with a keen sense of humor.
Spearheading so many big benefit parties makes me focus, focus, focus! I am a stickler for details, and I want to have everything finished before the party starts, because the moment the party starts, I am a guest. Always, I am a guest at my own parties.
Fashion bombs? I’m sure there have been, but I don’t recall them. Maybe they were so bad that I pushed them out of my mind!
The Blues Ball has been extraordinary! When we started it16 years ago, nobody wanted Memphis musicians to play at anything. They were just so ostracized. Having lived in London, I saw how the English revered Memphis because of our music. I was determined to start something that would become "the musicians’ ball," never allowing anybody but Memphis musicians to play on stage. We have such a plethora of legends here! And we’re such a hotbed for training new sounds and new talent. And now the ball has grown to the largest annual ball in the nation, as we celebrate our 17th year this fall.
I have never had a cup of coffee in my life, or a beer.
My mother grew up an orphan. Her mother died giving birth to her. Her father was an alcoholic and committed suicide. Her Victorian grandparents raised her and just instilled those extraordinary Victorian values in her, which I am so pleased she passed along to us children.
The lesson I learned from my father is that in life, there are really no mistakes; there are only lessons.
When the first plane flew into the World Trade Center I was in a cab traveling over the Triborough Bridge on the way to the LaGuardia. I said to the driver, "What is that?" I couldn’t process it. We arrived at LaGuardia, and I’m checking in. I still didn’t have a clue what was going on — no one did. I was on the phone with a friend in Memphis, and he saw the second plane go in. He screamed at me, "Get out of that airport!" I jumped in a cab before they’d even closed the airport. We’re back on the Triborough Bridge when they closed both ends of the bridge. The only contact we had was the car radio telling us the bridges and tunnels might be the next to go! We ended up sitting for seven hours on the bridge, waiting to be blown up. So I watched the first tower collapse from the bridge, and I watched the second one collapse. It was life-changing. Finally, we were able to inch off the bridge. I found a hotel and stayed there for three days. I finally took a limousine back to Memphis. The next week, I was hosting the Blues Ball! My office said, "You can’t cancel the Blues Ball, Pat. We all need to be together." So we turned it into something highly patriotic and raised $60,000 for New York firemen.
Most people don’t know that I dated Jack Kelly, Princess Grace’s brother!
I learned my social graces from Mother and my great-aunt. Totally, 100 percent. I learned by watching them and how they treated others. Mother had me setting the table properly as soon as I was big enough to reach it! The napkins had to be folded just right or, dear God, you’d have to re-iron them!
I will never again not follow my heart.
I’m always mistrustful of jealous hearts, liars, gossips, cheaters, and thieves!
My first paying job was teaching at Patricia Stevens, a modeling and charm school, when I was a freshman in college. I also worked at Casual Corner — I just love fashion! Any time I could be around anything that was fashion or modeling, I loved it. It’s like I never worked in my life!
The values my parents instilled in me are what I cherish more than just about anything. They gave me the security to travel all over the world, take care of myself, not be intimidated by anyone, and not take advantage of anyone.
A big turning point for me came when I married John. A different country, a European lifestyle, a little baby, and I started my business.
My father was one of four boys. Very much committed to loving God, family, and the land. I was raised in a home where they stressed the importance of faith in God and the power of prayer. Those will get anybody through anything.
When I’m not dressed to the nines, I like to wear I’m always in tights or jeans. Always. They’re comfortable. I’m on the floor, on top of things, looking at designs. I work on tables some, but I can’t get on top to see structure, direction, and patterns. It’s so much easier for me to see the direction of lace patterns when I’m overlooking them — and wearing comfortable clothes!
I never thought I would … I don’t know. If I "think it," I do it! John used to say to me, "You never see a barrier; you always see a way of working around it or through it." He’s right!
If I could meet one person … I’m fascinated with Queen Victoria and that she, at such an early age, took on such incredible global responsibilities.
The time I was most afraid was when I had a gun put to my head. I was giving a birthday dinner for Fred Smith at a new Memphis restaurant. I stepped out of my car to go in and heard somebody behind me say, "Give me that purse!" I thought it was Fred teasing me. So I whiz around, and there’s a great big guy with a gun pointed at my temple. I threw my purse down, and when he reached down to pick it up, I could have won the Olympics running.
I’ll never forget the great loves of my life: past, present, and future.
I pay a personal price when I don’t listen to my inner self and push myself too hard physically. But my joy is in doing for others, so it’s hard.
I believe we are part of a bigger plan, and we each need to listen to our hearts and try to find the real reason for our being here.
Before I die, I … Philanthropically, I want to properly chronicle the efforts of the amazing volunteers who have surrounded me through many years of creating events together and making remarkable memories for Memphians, because many of the projects we’ve done are truly historic. Professionally, I would like to develop some items I’ve been working on for a long time; write my books; and have my private collection chronicled and in a museum. Personally, I want to watch my little granddaughter develop into a happy, accomplished young lady. | 2019-04-21T12:39:55Z | http://www.memphisdowntowner.com/my2cents-pages/Pat-Tigrett.html |
Tomorrow, we have our final classes of the year in IdeaMath, a weekend contest math program run by former US International Math Olympiad team coach Zuming Feng that I’ve been teaching at for the last five years. It’s always tough to say goodbye, having spent over a dozen Saturday afternoons with these middle and high school students, helping to teach them problem solving skills and having some fun along the way.
I’m not yet sure whether I’ll be returning to the program in the fall during my last year of grad school here, so this could be my last regular teaching opportunity in grad school, or possibly ever. I joined IdeaMath in my first year partly as a way to give back to the math contest community that I grew up in, and partly as a way to keep up my involvement with teaching while in a graduate program with a light teaching load.
My teaching experiences at MIT were also very positive — in fact, between the teaching I’ve done online with the Art of Problem Solving, Caltech, and MIT, I’ve somehow managed to help teach five different calculus classes. Some were aimed at the strongest students, and some at the weakest (albeit the weakest Caltech and MIT students). Some attempted to be fully rigorous, while others simply provided an upgraded version of Calculus BC. All were very rewarding personally, as I got to see students grasp the material for their first time.
Given my experiences and passion for teaching, I’ve often been asked if teaching is a career I’d consider. The question makes sense; I like to teach. I enjoy being able to inspire another generation of students with neat tricks, clever ideas, and powerful results. Even more than inspiring, I enjoy bringing clarity, helping students better grasp important concepts and form appropriate intuitions around them.
That passion and experience has made me into quite a proficient teacher, if I do say so myself. The MIT Math department administrator was quite impressed with my teaching ratings from students at MIT and my senior year at Caltech, I received a teaching prize meant for graduate students for my TA work there. In a surreal turn of events, one day the Caltech math department head called me into his office, wondering if he could pay me to essentially rescue a statistics class that had gone awry from poor teaching by holding a bunch of recitations and office hours. (I turned him down since I was too busy at that point, and suggested that he make the same offer to a few of the TAs instead.) Given my false starts with various research projects in grad school, it seems pretty clear that I’m generally better at teaching than research.
And yet, despite this passion, experience and success, I actually don’t see myself continuing to teach full-time or long-term. Why not?
It’s not because teaching is less lucrative or prestigious than other career directions. There’s definitely a widespread sentiment at the schools I’ve been to (though Caltech more than MIT) that research is where the most important work is done, and teaching is either secondary or a distraction. I find that attitude selfish and short-sighted. Yet even out of that sort of environment, I’ve seen close friends who have chosen to teach, an honorable decision.
But I could never do it myself.
This realization began with my last official teaching experience at MIT. I was put in charge of a month-long remedial calculus class specifically for students who fell just short of passing in their first semester. There were only six students in the class, and it was up to me to decide everything: when and for how long we met, what material I would cover and focus on, how the tests would be structured, and how well they’d need to do to pass. The wide range of choices was daunting.
Fortunately, I had a bunch of help in the form of materials and schedules from previous years, as well as the lecture notes and tests for the calculus class that these students had just taken in the fall. I ended up mimicking much of the previous schedule, with practice problem packets and tests every week.
I did choose to rearrange the topics, since the class seemed to more neatly divide into three parts, which let me use the last week for review and a big final test rather than covering more material. As I did that, though, I realized that I would have to shorten the coverage of some topics over others. Did the students really need to learn how to calculate the surface area of a volume of revolution? How much time should I spend on integration techniques like partial fractions?
The other big question was the pass line: How well did the students need to do for me to sign off on them “knowing calculus?” I decided it would only be fair to announce a line at the beginning of the month, and let them land where they did. Fortunately, in the end, it was pretty clear to me based on effort which students “should” have passed, and the criterion I set gave me the correct result.
But the experience still raised major questions in my mind going forward. As I discussed this with my adviser, he explained that everyone who teaches starts to wonder those things, and being in full charge of that class gave me that experience a little bit earlier than most.
Why do they need to learn?
As I reflected more on this experience, my concerns about the pass line faded — tests might not be perfect measures of ability, but they’re probably the best we can work with, especially in a month’s time. By contrast, my concerns about how we choose what to teach only kept growing.
I realized that I still didn’t have answers to any of my previous questions. Are students ever going to need to calculate the surface area of volumes of revolution again? Even if they will, do they need to know how to derive the formula, or just get the intuition that it exists and they could look it up if they needed to?
Once that can of worms is opened, there’s no going back. Do students really need to be able to integrate by hand when they have Wolfram Alpha? Do they even need to know the limit definition of a derivative, or will they be just fine understanding it intuitively? Do these somewhat silly word problems we write about how the height of a cone changes if its volume is decreasing at a certain rate actually bear any significance to problems they’ll face in the future?
The heuristics of tradition and feedback are rather useless to answering this question in practice. Tradition only helps keep a curriculum the same; it doesn’t adapt to a world where Wolfram Alpha is now accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
Feedback and communication do sound more promising in theory. In an ideal world, professors would spend their copious hours of free time comparing curricula and asking these questions of each other. Alumni would give feedback about which classes ended up being most useful to their careers, and what they wish they’d learned but hadn’t. Prospective employers would tell departments what classes they’d like to see taught. Departments would conduct regular curriculum audits to make sure that class time was spent on the most valuable topics possible.
But in reality, very little of that ideal world exists. I actually got a better glimpse of this than most during my time at Caltech, where I served on the undergraduate-led Academics and Research Committee for a couple years. It was encouraging to be part of an organization that played a small role in improving academics at Caltech, primarily by voicing student frustration with notorious classes and pressuring professors and departments to improve them.
At the same time, although I didn’t realize it then, serving on the ARC showed me how little of that ideal world existed. One of the major initiatives of the Caltech administration comes to mind: They wanted to encourage us to write more, mainly (if I recall correctly) by adding an additional requirement to take a certain number of writing-intensive humanities classes. This was a big deal and occupied a bunch of their time as they had to get this approved by the faculty board.
The motivation behind this change, however, was rather flimsy at best. I saw multiple presentations on the subject, and it all came back to a single question on an alumni survey. On a scale, alumni were asked to rate how much they improved while at Caltech in various ways. Compared with understanding their field of science or how to do research, many fewer alumni said that Caltech improved their ability to write.
This would seem to be a clear-cut example of the ideal world I’ve described, but there were several problems. For one, the question hadn’t clearly distinguished between scientific writing (research papers) and humanities essay writing, and given this, it wasn’t clear that adding more humanities classes with essays would even solve this “problem.” More importantly, the question hadn’t asked whether this lack of writing advancement had actually been detrimental for the alumni in any respect — it could just have reflected the balance of classes that most Caltech students took and still take. Even as a regular blogger myself, I don’t expect that additional humanities essay writing would have significantly helped me.
It got worse. The much bigger shift that started while I was on the ARC was the gutting transition of Caltech’s core requirements down to one year of math and one year of physics (from five trimesters, i.e. 1 2/3 years). This motivation was similarly well-justified: Students in some of the newer (or newly popular) majors like biology and computer science didn’t need to know quantum physics, as nerdy-cool as that requirement was to be able to advertise. Yet as I saw this debate unfold, the main drivers seemed to be essentially emotional: What should it mean to get a degree from Caltech?
Those emotions are certainly valid, and it’s appropriate to weigh the cost to the brand. But tradition is only useful so long as it preserves something of value, and there seemed to be very little attempt to actually gauge the value of a biologist learning quantum mechanics. It’s not that measuring that value would be easy, but it didn’t even seem to occur to some of the smartest people in the world to even try.
Upon getting to graduate school, though, my thinking matured, especially when I found myself asking for funding to study my own curiosities. I realized that all along the links to applications that would have motivated and utilized my research in pure math were actually much more tenuous than I had expected. This motivated my journey down the chain of potential applications, a journey that very well might end up taking me straight out of academia.
My story and message about teaching are very similar. As I’ve matured and advanced in the teaching world as well, I’ve begun to see that the links and constraints holding curricula together and improving them are also much more tenuous than I had expected or hoped. My observations are obviously limited to my personal experience, but the bit I have seen is not exactly encouraging.
We use math to teach problem solving because it is the most fundamental logical discipline. Not only is it the foundation upon which sciences are built, it is the clearest way to learn and understand how to develop a rigorous logical argument. There are no loopholes, there are no half-truths. The language of mathematics is precise, as is ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ (or ‘proven’ and ‘unproven’). Success and failure are immediate and indisputable; there isn’t room for subjectivity. This is not to say that those who cannot do math cannot solve problems. There are many paths to strong problem solving skills. Mathematics is the shortest.
Problem solving is crucial in mathematics education because it transcends mathematics. By developing problem solving skills, we learn not only how to tackle math problems, but also how to logically work our way through any problems we may face. The memorizer can only solve problems he has encountered already, but the problem solver can solve problems she’s never seen before. The problem solver is flexible; she can diversify. Above all, she can create.
While inspirational, this message spoke to me as a fundamentally applied motivation for teaching math. And yet, just as I’ve reasoned through in my research, it’s struck me that Rusczyk’s beautiful language should be more like the beginning to the discussion than the end. How do we know that “problem solving skill” generalizes like he claims? Can we actually demonstrate that math is actually the shortest path to it? What’s second-shortest, and does this vary by student? It seems that we could attempt to test this sentiment with a lot more than Rusczyk’s single anecdote preceding this about how those with and without this problem solving skill approached organic chemistry at Princeton.
Again, this isn’t to say that these questions are easy to answer. My point is mainly to highlight how rare such questions even are.
I don’t mean to suggest that every teacher needs to understand the usefulness of everything they teach. If the system was functioning like it should, this would be the responsibility of department heads, administrators, and education researchers. I’d be happy to just be a teacher if I was confident in the system around me to make sure that what I’m teaching is ultimately useful. It’s precisely because the system has offered me such little confidence that I’d be hesitant to commit my life to it.
Actually, this is one reason why I’ve stuck with the IdeaMath program: Within the self-contained world of math competitions, the goal of improving student performance on that style of problem under time pressure is fairly clear. This isn’t to say that I focus exclusively on this goal, just that it helps to answer these sorts of questions and keep the proper focus of the class. But while it’s been a well-motivated side job, I want the bulk of my life to contribute to more than the arms race around high school math competitions these days.
In that world of math competitions, there’s already a broad understanding that all of the time we spend learning to solve olympiad-level plane geometry problems is basically useless after we leave the competition scene, no matter what we do. Imagine if we raised the same skepticism towards the whole of the typical high school math curriculum: Is trigonometry just a holdout from the days of navigation by compass rather than GPS? Is geometry really the best way to learn logical reasoning (applying a second level of Rusczyk’s argument above)? And why does no one learn statistics?!?
I’m reminded of a high school math teacher who vented to me and others about students who complained about having to learn the quadratic formula. “Why do we need to know how to solve these equations?” they asked, not seeing any practical applications in their lives. He ultimately justified it to them by saying that it would help them get a high-paying job, apparently not very convincingly.
If I became a teacher, those are the sorts of questions I’d ask myself every day. And it would bug me to teach, not knowing their answers. It would haunt me to think of all of the effort I put in just to cram some useless technique into a teenager’s brain. Even if I succeeded and he remembered the quadratic equation for the rest of his life, what difference would it make?
I don’t think I can overstate the significance of this realization. Education is a gigantic sector of the economy and world, affecting every single person for over a decade of their lives, and yet it still hasn’t even tried to answer some of the basic questions about why we do what we do. This feels similar to my realization a couple weeks ago that from a pro-life perspective, a third of all humans are dying before they’re born and, you know, maybe we should try to do something about it.
It’s also similar to the realization that Holden Karnofsky and Elie Hassenfield made a decade ago, when they realized what a mess charitable giving was in, leading them to found the charity evaluator GiveWell. Education is arguably even more long-term and complicated, and no, I’m not looking to start an effective education consulting company.
As I’ve concluded that teaching is not for me, I’ve always kept one small caveat: I’m still open to returning to teach some time later in life, after I’ve experienced enough (first- and second-hand) to be able to motivate substantial parts of the curriculum.
How cool would that be to be able to tell a student that I used precisely this technique to solve a problem in a real-world industry? This is related to another outlandish proposal of mine: that academia itself should be populated primarily by late career professionals and retirees rather than recent college graduates with minimal relevant experience. Without going that far, though, the first baby steps towards addressing this problem would be to simply increase the interaction between the professional world and schools, both at the high school and college levels.
Instead, in our current system, those who are responsible for deciding what should be taught typically haven’t spent much time outside academia or the classroom. Career academics and educators are naturally excellent at giving advice and picking curricula that will be relevant for others that follow that narrow career path, but the vast majority of students don’t.
What would this look like in practice? A good friend of mine working at a startup has told me that he’s used something from every engineering class he took in college on just his current project. Clearly some parts of our education system are working! After the project is done, he’s talked about giving a talk at schools which could serve both as motivation for the students and a recruiting pitch for his company.
Even those who do plan to go into academia or education full-time should consider spending some time on the outside. On a similar note, one of my pastors worked at Apple for a year; he’s told me how he values that experience in helping him empathize with those in the more typical working world.
Those are certainly natural questions to ask. But some clarification is in order. When I say that I’m good at teaching, this primarily means two things: that I’m able to find effective methods for transmitting material I’m given, and that I’m good at making students happy (to be honest, that’s all teaching scores measure). It doesn’t mean that I’d be remotely effective at curriculum review, the social science of education research, or building networks of working professionals, some of the ingredients I’ve identified that could potentially fix this mess.
The best I can do for teaching from my current position is to point to what seems like a major problem with education that no one is even trying to address, and hope that someone reading this can do something about it.
I entered teaching with many of the same questions and concerns. At Stanford and the University of Chicago, I found that I was good at getting pre-med students ready for the MCAT. Physics education research had begun to have an impact at the university level, and the new tools were extremely useful to me and my students. After graduating, I turned it into a nice tutoring business while my wife was in medical school.
After we moved to Fort Collins and my son entered elementary school, I started looking at career options. While physics education research was improving physics instruction at the university level, I couldn’t see much improvement in K-12 education. I got involved with the education and outreach programs for some big science projects, and quickly learned of the complete futility of that endeavor.
Poudre High School seemed like the right place to start looking for answers. I believed that I could only learn to identify and address the problems if I got into a classroom and faced them myself. After ten year of teaching high school (and working with some fantastic students) I am convinced that this was the right thing for me to do.
I’ve moved to Liberty Common High School, where all students are required to take physics. I’m learning how to connect physics with the other areas of their education: music, art, language and history. I’ve redesigned the sequence of topics to address the issues of what students need to know, and to explore the things that many students yearn to know. I’m sorry to hear that quantum mechanics is on the chopping block at Caltech. I teach it to high school kids, as you probably remember!
I have a plan now, which starts with writing a new textbook for algebra based physics. There is a lot to do after that, and I certainly need help. If you, or anyone else reading this post, wants to get involved, contact me (contact info at the Liberty Common High School web page). The challenge still looks big, but it no longer looks too big. Every day I am excited to be working on it.
I’m going to answer a few of the specific issues you raise as my time allows. The most discouraging issue is the one I want to address first. Assuming we figure out what should be taught and how it can be taught, how can we possibly get it out there to make a difference?
The solution to this has become completely clear to me: produce quality resources for a well structured course at a price that schools can afford. Schools are absolutely desperate for good materials and they are being fleeced by the textbook publishing industry. Book prices are ridiculous, the content is often questionable and always outdated, the writing is terrible, and the supplemental resources are mostly useless.
– An actual author who cares about the content, rather than a committee churring out frequent new editions.
– Less clutter, because they focused on the central content rather than distracting sidebars on careers and unconvincing applications.
– Lower cost, in part due to the reduced size and less dependance on glossy pictures.
In physics there is growing research showing that these sorts of books are actually much more effective, in addition to being cheaper. Two example of calculus-based physics books of this type are “Matter and Interactions” and “Six Ideas that Shaped Physics.” I have not found any books like this for an algebra-based physics course, which is why I am writing my own.
When I taught Calculus III at LCHS, I used a pair of books by Alan Macdonald that really hit these points: “Linear and Geometric Algebra” and “Vector and Geometric Calculus.” They are terrific, each is about 200 pages, and they cost about $30 each. No, I did not forget a zero. I have had many conversations with the author. He was able to keep costs down by self publishing. I am convinced that this is the way to go.
I intend to produce a physics book that is effective and inexpensive, along with good problem sets, assessments, instructor resources, and a lab manual. Then, I intend go to teacher conferences to sell it. If all of that works, it will have a huge impact on how people understand the physical world.
I never would have thought of this without getting into teaching. Aren’t there plenty of good books? Nope. They stink. Can’t teachers get what they need off of the internet? Nope. The deluge of content on the internet is totally incoherent. Teachers don’t have the time or the expertise to find the diamonds in the gravel pile.
At this point, I’ve moved from near despair to confidence. Lots of great teachers are asking for answers to the same questions, and they need those answers in the form of usable materials. In order to produce a good book and good materials I need to be in a classroom using them myself. I am very luck to have the patience of the LCHS community while I pull this together.
When I get a chance I will say something about what we should teach in a physics or math course.
I teach students the truth, to the extent that we understand it, about how the world works. I show them how to apply that truth to understand the world around them right now. I never teach something because it’s going to be practical in some career.
Of course, there are limits. The two great theories we have right now, General Relativity and Quantum Field Theory, are not very accessible using high-school algebra. However, I use these two theories as guides in everything I do, constantly asking myself if what I am teaching is moving my students in the right direction, or leading them astray. This has driven some big changes. For example, I do not teach F=ma. It’s not true for relativistic objects, and photons, which are part of are every-day experience, are always relativistic. I teach that force is the rate of change of momentum. This is correct, and it is also how Newton originally stated his second law.
Bruce Sherwood and Ruth Chabay, the authors of “Matter and Interactions,” gave me the confidence to ditch F=ma. They apply the how-to-teach lessons of physics education research, but they also made bold decisions about what to teach. They wanted a thoroughly modern approach. They teach the four fundamental forces from the beginning. Special relativity is introduced before acceleration. Statistics and quantum mechanics are used to derive the second law of thermodynamics. All of this is in a one semester, calculus-based mechanics course. Obviously, they had to make some choices. Waves, to give one example, are completely gone.
I’m making some different choices in my book, but nothing goes in unless there are multiple reasons for it. It must be part of the story about how we came to understand the universe. It must be current or absolutely necessary for getting to the current understanding. It must connect to things around them right now. For example, we hit music and color hard because they are doing music and art right now and because these reveal deep connections between frequency and energy.
Teachers in other disciplines have been very helpful in answering the what-to-teach question. I have asked them what physics they want students to know, and they have a lot to say. History teachers want them to understand the scientific revolution and the atomic bomb. The music teacher wants that to understand what sound is and how it is made. The Latin teacher is helped me with a lab that uses the Galileo’s original 1613 observations of the moons of Jupiter. The data tables are written in Latin! Kids love these connections, and they aren’t forced because I always connect them to the main ideas of my course.
Now that I’ve got my plan in place, we are doing some Quantum Field Theory. My students are learning the particles and interactions and drawing Feynman diagrams to understand the how weak interactions drive key reactions that power the sun. We do a little GR too, so we can understand the detection of gravitational waves from merging black holes.
The what-to-teach question is a hard one that I have to answer every day, but the goal of connecting current physics knowledge to my student’s experience is a good guide for answering that question.
I haven’t though about math as much, but I have thought about it quite a bit. We need a geometry course based on vectors. I can’t use Euclidian geometry in my class, and if I don’t use it, nobody will. As a string theorist, I’ve spent some time with mathematicians, and even they don’t use Euclidian geometry. Vectors are more practical. They can be manipulated graphically or algebraically. They easily generalize to more dimensions. They can be taught with the same devotion to axioms, theorems and proofs. They are the foundation for many great ideas, like Fourier decomposition. They have a great story with interesting characters and surprising twists. This is on my to-do-list, but it is several years away. If anyone wants it, go for it…and send me a copy when it’s done.
Thank you for this excellent article! I agree that identifying what to teach is probably the hardest problem in education. (In comparison, we know lots and lots about _how_ to teach; but even there, most education systems are slow to take the extant evidence into account.) It also seems widely neglected, at least if you expect something more of an improvement than just stacking additionall skills and requirements on top of existing curricula and syllabuses, more in reaction to pressure from special-interest groups than through any evidence-informed process.
I also think you correctly identified two of the most promising levers for improvement: establishing better feedback loops (either through institutional change or by providing the necessary incentives) and involving professionals from various walks of life in education.
How to achieve this in a short timeframe may be the second hardest question. A dedicated and rigorous educational consulting operation modeled after GiveWell might even work these days, when so much educational content is available globally and ripe for in-depth evaluation and curation. My own approach at the moment is creating a scalable open-source model for specialized micro-schools catering to specific age groups and needs that has short and long feedback loops and community/expert integration built into its basic structure. The idea there is to circumvent the inertia of public school systems by enabling as many people as possible to start their own locally-integrated schools, and at the same time to create incentives for curating and creating high-quality teaching materials that can be shared and evaluated collectively. So far we’re in the intermediate stages of implementing the pilot project (a school for 12-15-year-olds in Austria) and working on making the model accessible and flexible enough to serve different needs up to university level. Your article has been a valuable piece of input for that last part, so thanks again! | 2019-04-26T10:02:57Z | https://thechristianrationalist.com/2017/05/05/the-hard-problem-of-teaching/ |
At SoftNAS, we’ve configured over 1,000 Amazon VPCs for companies of all sizes: small businesses, Fortune 100 companies, and everything in between.
When you’ve worked on this many AWS VPC designs and configurations, you learn a lesson or two about getting optimal results.
From this experience, we’re sharing AWS VPC best practices to help you with your AWS VPC deployment.
The very first Amazon VPC best practice is to organize your AWS environment. We recommend that you use tags. As you continue to add instances, create route tables and subnets, it’s nice to know what’s connects with what. And the simple use of tags will make life so much easier when it comes to troubleshooting.
Make sure you plan your CIDR block very carefully. Go a little bit bigger than you think you need, not smaller.
Remember that for every VPC subnet that you create, AWS takes five of those IP addresses for subnet. So when you create a subnet know that off the top there’s a five IP overhead.
Avoid using overlapping CIDR blocks— at some point, if not today but maybe down the road, you may want to pair this VPC with another VPC, and if you have overlapping CIDR blocks, the pairing of VPCs will not function correctly, and you’re going to find yourself in a configuring nightmare in order to get those VPCs to pair.
Try to avoid using overlapping CIDRs, and always save a little bit of space for future expansion. There’s no cost associated here with using a bigger CIDR block, so don’t undersize what you think you may need from the IP’s perspective – just to try to make it clean and easy.
Design your subnets lead to success. What is your AWS VPC subnet design strategy going to be?
One of the best practices for AWS subnets is to align your VPC subnets to as many different tiers as possible, such as DMZ/Proxy layer, ELB layer if you’re going to be using load balancers, application or database layer. Remember, if your subnet is not associated to a specific route table, then by default it’s going to the main route table. I’ve seen so many cases where people create a route table, and they’ve got a subnet, but they haven’t associated the subnet to the route table when they thought they did, so the packets aren’t flowing where they think they’re flowing.
Put everything in a private subnet by default and use either ELB filtering and monitoring type services in your public subnet. You can use NAT to gain access to public networks. We highly recommend, and you’ll see this later, that you use a dual NAT configuration for redundancy. There are some great cloud formation templates that are available to set up highly available NAT instances and make sure that you size those instances properly for the amount of traffic you’re going to actually push into your network.
You can go ahead and set up VPC peering for access to other VPCs within your environment or maybe from a customer or a partner environment, and I highly suggest leveraging the endpoints for access to services like S3 instead of actually going out either over a NAT instance or over an internet gateway in order to gain access to services that may not live within the specific VPCs. They’re very easy to configure, and they’re actually much more efficient and have lower latency by leveraging an endpoint than actually going out over a NAT or over an internet gateway to gain access to something like S3 from your instance.
Control your access within the AWS VPC. Don’t cut corners and use a default route to the internet gateway. We see a lot of people that do this, and it comes back to cause them problems later on. We mentioned to use redundant NAT instances. There are some great cloud formation templates available from Amazon on creating a highly available redundant NAT instance.
The default NAT instance size is an m1.small, which may or may not suit your needs depending upon the amount of traffic you’re going to use, and I would highly recommend that you use IAM for access control, especially configuring IAM roles to instances, and remember that IAM roles cannot be assigned to running instances. It has to be set during instance creation time, and using those IAM roles will actually allow you to not have to continue to populate AWS keys within the specific products in order to gain access to some of those API services.
How does SoftNAS Cloud NAS fit into AWS VPCs?
We have a highly available architecture from a storage perspective, leveraging our SNAP HA capability, which allows us to provide high availability across multiple different availability zones. We leverage our underlying secure block replication with SnapReplicate, and we highly recommend using SNAP HA in a high-availability mode which would give you a no downtime guarantee, plus a five nine uptime, and also it’s important to remember that Amazon provides no SOA unless you run in a multi-zone deployment, right? So a single AZ deployment has no SLE within AWS.
We have two methods of actually deploying our cross-zone high availability at SoftNAS. The first is actually to leverage the use of elastic IPs, where you have two separate controllers, each in their own availability zones. They’re in the public subnet and we assign each node an elastic IP address. We use a third elastic IP address as our VIP or virtual interface.
You can configure SnapReplicate between the two instances which will provide you the underlying block replication, and then what happens is that the elastic IP address that’s considered to be the VIP IP address is assigned to whatever’s the primary controller, and whatever services you have from an NFS, CIFS or iSCSI perspective will actually mount or map drives to that elastic IP address, and then if there is a failover or failure of the storage instance.
It will move that elastic IP address over from the primary controller to the secondary controller should anything trigger our HA monitor, which looks at things like health of the file system, health of the network, at multiple different levels. This is applicable for doing things like backing EBS with SoftNAS, using S3 with SoftNAS.
The second mode is to use a private virtual IP address where both SoftNAS Cloud NAS instances actually live within a private subnet and don’t have any access out, and what you would actually do there is it’s the same underlying SnapReplicate technology and monitoring technology. However what happens here is you actually pick a virtual IP address that is outside of the CIDR block of your AWS VPC, your clients map to it, there’s an entry that’s automatically placed into the route table, and should a failover occur we’ll update the route table automatically in order to route the track properly to the proper controller that should be the primary at the time. This is probably the more common way of deploying SoftNAS in a highly available architecture.
The SoftNAS support team sheds some light on common mistakes they see when it comes to Amazon VPC configuration. Read on to understand what you should avoid.
Each of these deployments require two ENIs or two NIC interfaces, and both of those NICs need to be in the same subnet. Make sure that you check this when you’re creating your instances or adding the ENS, and make sure that both NICs are in the same subnet.
Another common error is that one of the health checks we actually perform is to do a ping between the two instances, and the security group isn’t always open to allow the ICMP health check to happen. This will cause an automatic failover because we can’t gain access to the other instance. We do actually leverage an S3 bucket here in our HA deployment as a third party witness, so if you deploy SoftNAS as your private subnet, we do need to gain access to the S3, either via NAT or the configuration of an S3 endpoint within the VPC.
And again, as I mentioned just a few moments ago, for private HA, a virtual IP address must not be in the same CIDR of the AWS VPC. So if your CIDR is 10.0.0.0/16, then you need to pick a virtual IP address that doesn’t fit within that subnet, so say 50.0.0.0.1 would work in that particular case or whatever works for you best, but it cannot fall within the CIDR block of the AWS VPC, or the route failover mechanism that we’re leveraging will not function properly.
SoftNAS Cloud NAS is a powerful enterprise-class, virtual storage appliance that works for both public, private and hybrid clouds. It’s easy to try, easy to buy, and easy to learn and use. You have freedom from platform lock-in, and it works with the most popular cloud computing platforms including Amazon EC2, VMware vSphere, CenturyLink, Microsoft Azure. Our mission is to be the data fabric for businesses across all types of cloud, whether private, public or hybrid.
We have a couple of different products that we can leverage. Our first is our SoftNAS Cloud NAS cloud product which runs on your public clouds, which is a NAS filer for public clouds. We have our cloud file gateway which is for on premise use to connect to cloud-based storage. We also have SoftNAS for service providers. Which is our multi-tenant NAS replacement for service providers that leverage iSCSI and object storage.
We’re sharing the questions that came from the attendees of our webinar on AWS VPC best practices, and our answers to them. You may just find your own questions answered here.
We use VLANs in our data centers for isolation purposes today. What VPC construct do you recommend to replace VLANs in AWS?
That would be subnets, so you could either leverage the use of subnets or if you really wanted to get a different isolation mechanism, create another VPC to isolate those resources further and then actually pair them together via the use of VPC pairing technology.
You said to use IAM for access control, so what do you see in terms of IAM best practices for AWS VPC security?
So the biggest thing is that you deal with either third party products or customized software that you made on your web server. Anything that requires use of AWS API resources need to use a secret key and an access key, so you can store that secret key and access key in some type of text file and have it reference it, or, b, the easier way is just to set the minimum level of permissions that you need in the IAM role, create this role and attach it to your instance and start time. Now, the role itself can’t be assigned, only during start time. However, the permissions of several can be modified on the fly. So you can add or subtract permissions should the need arise.
So when you’re troubleshooting the complex VPC networks, what approaching tools have you found to be the most effective?
We love to use traceroute. I love to use ICMP when it’s available, but I also like to use the AWS Flow Logs which will actually allow me to see what’s going on in a much more granular basis, and also leveraging some tools like CloudTrail to make sure that I know what API calls were made by what user in order to really understand what’s gone on.
What do you recommend for VPN intrusion detection?
There’s a lot of them that are available. We’ve got some experience with Cisco and Juniper for things like VPN and, Fortinet, whoever you have, and as far as IVS goes, like Alert Logic is a popular solution. I see a lot of customers that use that particular product. Some people like some of the open source tools like Snort and things like that as well.
Any recommendations around secure junk box configurations within AWS VPC?
If you’re going to deploy a lot of your resources within a private subnet and you’re not actually going to use a VPN, one of the ways that a lot of people do this is to just configure a quick junk box, and what I mean by that is just to take a server, whether it be a Windows or Linux, depending upon your preference, and put that in the public subnet and only allow access from a certain amount of IP addresses over to either SSH from a Linux perspective or RDP from a Windows perspective. It puts you inside of the network and actually allows to gain access to the resources within the private subnet.
Some people do that. Sometimes they’ll just put like a junk box inside of the VPN and your VPN into that. It’s just a matter of your organization security policies.
Any performance or further considerations when designing the VPC?
It’s important to understand that each instance has its own available amount of resources, from not only from a network IO but from a storage IO perspective, and also it’s important to understand that 10GB, a 10GB instance, like let’s say take the c3.8xl which is a 10GB instance. That’s not 10GB worth of network bandwidth or 10GB worth of storage bandwidth. That’s 10GB for the instance, right? So if you have a high amount of IO that you’re pushing there from both a network and a storage perspective, that 10GB is shared, not only from the network but also to access the underlying EBS storage network. This confuses a lot of people, so it’s 10GB for the instance not just a 10GB network pipe that you have.
Why would use an elastic IP instead of the virtual IP?
What if you had some people that wanted to access this from outside of AWS? We do have some customers that primarily their servers and things are within AWS, but they want access to files that are running, that they’re not inside of the AWS VPC. So you could leverage it that way, and this was the first way that we actually created HA to be honest because this was the only method at first that allowed us to share an IP address or work around some of the public cloud things like node layer to broadcast and things like that.
Looks like this next question’ is around AWS VPC tagging. Any best practices for example?
Yeah, so I see people that basically take different services, like web and database or application, and they tag everything within the security groups and everything with that particular tag. For people that are deploying SoftNAS, I would recommend just using the name SoftNAS as my tag. It’s really up to you, but I do suggest that you use them. It will make your life a lot easier.
Is storage level encryption a feature of SoftNAS Cloud NAS or does the customer need to implement that on their own?
So as of our version that’s available today which is 3.3.3, on AWS you can leverage the underlying EBS encryption. We provide encryption for Amazon S3 as well, and coming in our next release which is due out at the end of the month we actually do offer encryption, so you can actually create encrypted storage pools which encrypts the underlying disk devices.
Virtual VIP for HA: does the subnet this event would be part of add in to the AWS VPC routing table?
It’s automatic. When you select that VIP address in the private subnet, it will automatically add a host route into the routing table. Which allows clients to route that traffic.
Can you clarify the requirement on an HA pair with two next, that both have to be in the same subnet?
So each instance you need to move NIC ENIs, and each of those ENIs actually need to be in the same subnet.
Do you have HA capability across regions? What options are available if you need to replicate data across regions? Is the data encryption at-rest, in-flight, etc.?
We cannot do HA with automatic failover across regions. However, we can do SnapReplicate across regions. Then you can do a manual failover should the need arise. The data you transfer via SnapReplicate is sent over SSH and across regions. You could replicate across data centers. You could even replicate across different cloud markets.
Can AWS VPC pairings span across regions?
The answer is, no, that it cannot.
Can we create an HA endpoint to AWS for use with direct connect?
Absolutely. You could go ahead and create an HA pair of SoftNAS Cloud NAS, leverage direct connect from your data center and access that highly available storage.
When using S3 as a backend and a write cache, is it possible to read the file while it’s still in cache?
The answer is, yes, it is. I’m assuming that you’re speaking about the eventual consistency challenges of the AWS standard region; with the manner in which we deal with S3 where we treat each bucket as its own hard drive, we do not have to deal with the S3 consistency challenges.
Regarding subnets, the example where a host lives in two subnets, can you clarify both these subnets are in the same AZ?
In the examples that I’ve used, each of these subnets is actually within its own VPC, assuming its own availabilities. So, again, each subnet is in its own separate availability zone, and if you want to discuss more, please feel free to reach out and we can discuss that.
Is there a white paper on the website dealing with the proper engineering for SoftNAS Cloud NAS for our storage pools, EBS vs. S3, etc.?
Click here to access the white paper, which is our SoftNAS architectural paper which was co-written by SoftNAS and Amazon Web Services for proper configuration settings, options, etc. We also we have a pre-sales architectural team that can help you out with best practices, configurations, and those types of things from an AWS perspective. Please contact [email protected] and someone will be in touch.
How do you solve the HA and failover problem?
We actually do a couple of different things here. When we have an automatic failover, one of the things that we do when we set up HA is we create an S3 bucket that has to act as a third party witness. Before anything take overs as the master controller, it queries the S3 bucket and makes sure that it’s able to take over. The other thing that we do is after a take-over, the old source node is actually shut down. You don’t want to have a situation where the node is flapping up and down and it’s kind of up but kind of not and it keeps trying to take over, so if there’s a take-over that occurs, whether it’s manual or automatic, the old source node in that particular configuration is shut down. That information is logged, and we’re assuming that you’ll go out and investigate as to why the failover took place. If there’s questions about that in a production scenario, [email protected] is always available.
Can we monitor SoftNAS logs using SplunkSumo and see which log file we should monitor?
Absolutely, but we also provide some built-in log monitoring. They key logs here are going to be in the SnapReplicate.log which controls all of your SnapReplicate and HA functionality. The snserv.log, which is the SoftNAS server log. It controls all things done via StorageCenter, and because this is a Linux operating system, monitoring log messages is a good idea. That’s just a smattering of those.
Our goal here was to pass on some of the lessons that we’ve learned from configuring AWS VPC deployments for our customers. As you’re making that journey to deploying in the cloud or you’re already operational in the cloud, maybe you’ve saved some time tripping over some of the obtsacles that other customers have faced.
We’d like to invite you now to try SoftNAS Cloud NAS on AWS. We do have a 30 day trial. If you click blue button below, you can try SoftNAS Cloud NAS on the AWS platform with a $100 AWS credit. There are also some links there about how you can contact us further if you have any more questions and you’d like to get more information around it. | 2019-04-19T19:07:49Z | https://www.softnas.com/wp/blog-aws-vpc-best-practices/ |
The state of Colorado is considering reducing emissions of smog forming compounds from oil and gas developments across the entire state. Two rules are actually being considered. The first would reduce emissions of smog forming compounds from existing oil and gas developments in the Denver metro area. The second would reduce emissions of smog forming compounds from new oil and gas development in the rest of the state.
While the smog reductions in the Denver area are needed to reduce unhealthy levels of smog, the statewide reductions would help to prevent smog from becoming a serious problem in the first place. It just makes sense that the state should act now to control air pollution, instead of waiting for it to become a significant health threat.
You can express your support for these rules by sending a quick letter to the Air Quality Control Commission. A draft letter is pasted below for you to use (just cut, paste, print, sign, and mail), but please considering sending in a personalized note. Citizen input will be vital to securing these smog reductions and your voice can make a difference. If you have any questions contact Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action at (303) 454-3370 at [email protected].
I support the proposed revisions to Air Quality Control Commission Regulation 7, which would help reduce smog pollution in Denver and prevent smog pollution from becoming a serious problem in the rest of Colorado.
In light of booming oil and gas development, we need to have in place safeguards that ensure long-term protection of the air that we and our communities breathe. We need to be proactive, not reactive in this case.
The benefits of clean air are worth the investment from the oil and gas industry. The price of clean air and healthy communities is miniscule when compared to the potential costs of dirty skies and asthma to Coloradoans.
We owe it to our children to leave a legacy of clean air in Colorado and I urge the Air Quality Control Commission to adopt the proposed revisions to Regulation 7. Thank you.
Scientific evidence shows that stronger standards limiting particulate pollution are needed to prevent the premature deaths of thousands of people every year in the United States, a fact that even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has agreed upon.
Particulates come from smokestacks, tailpipes, and dust from roads and fields, and are classified as "coarse" (10-2.5 microns in diameter) or "fine" (less than 2.5 microns in diameter). The "fine" particles are 1/28 the diameter of a human hair. These particles are so small that if breathed in, fall to the very bottoms of our lungs and may even be absorbed by our bloodstream.
Unfortunately, beset by industry pressure, the EPA has indicated it will adopt particulate standards weaker than those recommended by scientists. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA is required to set nationwide standards for soot particulate pollution that are science-based and ensure full protection of human health. The agency, however, has indicated that it may acquiesce to industry pressure to ignore human health and base its particulate standards on politics, rather than science. Commentary today from Clean Air Watch pretty much sums up the concerns.
Particulate pollution is a threat to clean air in the Rocky Mountain Region. In the last six years, communities in the Salt Lake City, Utah area have exceeded the current fine particle standard, which is set at 15 micrograms/meters cubed annually. Monitors in Salt Lake also show that the city is dangerously close to exceeding these standards, with annual levels consistently at 14.
In the Denver metro area, fine particle trends have also come dangerously close to exceeding health standards. At one monitor located at National Jewish Hospital, annual levels climbed from 7.2 to 13.5 in just three years (see chart below, data from EPA). Additionally, several communities in Colorado continue to experience unhealthy levels of coarse particulate pollution. The town of Alamosa is on track to violate the coarse particle standard of 150 micrograms/meter cubed over a 24-hour period by the end this year.
With scientists recommending stronger particulate standards, particulate pollution is becoming a much greater threat in the Rocky Mountains. Hopefully, the EPA will stick to the science as it adopts new particulate pollution standards.
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action has filed suit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over its failure to overturn a state-issued air pollution permit for the Denver Regional Landfill, a significant source of smog forming compounds north of Denver.
According to the state of Colorado, the landfill, which is located in southern Weld County near the town of Erie, releases over 42,000 pounds of smog forming compounds a year. The landfill also releases over 20,000 pounds of hazardous air pollutants a year. Unfortunately, flaws in the permit would allow much more pollution to be released.
While the landfill uses a flare to control landfill gases, the permit fails to impose operation and maintenance requirements to ensure it works at all times. Given that proper operation and maintenance of the flare is needed to control landfill gases, the permit falls short of actually controlling pollution and protecting human health.
The permit was issued to the landfill under Title V of the Clean Air Act, which governs the issuance of “operating permits.” Operating permits are required to set forth measures that ensure pollution limits are met and human health is protected. They also impose strict monitoring requirements.
Permits under Title V are issued by states, but citizens can petition the EPA to veto them. In March of 2006, Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action petitioned the EPA to overturn the pollution permit for the Denver Regional Landfill. By law, the EPA was required to respond to the petition within 60 days, yet more than five months later, the EPA has yet to respond. The lawsuit will make the EPA respond to the petition and secure a strong permit.
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action and its outstanding volunteers were in Denver's Washington Park yesterday, drumming up support for smog reductions in the Denver metro area. The tabling is the beginning of a widespread effort to generate support for clean air in the Denver metro area from local citizens. The state is considering ratcheting down on emissions of smog forming compounds from oil and gas developments and citizen support will be vital to the success of this proposal. Look for us at other parks and events through November!
In an article today, the Associated Press captured yesterday's Air Quality Control Commission meeting and the decision to move forward with rulemaking to reduce smog statewide.
Ken Wonstolen with the Colorado Oil and Gas Association commented that "The statewide regulation is not being driven by any imperative."
On the contrary, Ken, there is an imperative. This is about getting ahead of pollution problems and proactively reducing emissions of smog forming compounds from oil and gas developments. With drilling ramping up to break more records, we need to act now, rather than later. As Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action commented, our health is on the line here. We can't afford to delay action to protect the health of our children and communities.
Clean air in Colorado is gaining momentum.
The Air Quality Control Commission today decided to move forward with rulemaking to reduce ozone pollution across the state of Colorado. The proposed rule would require the oil and gas industry to use pollution controls to reduce emissions of ozone-forming compounds by over 90% from oil and gas developments.
The proposal would help to protect community health across the state from unhealthy ozone pollution. Even at levels below federal health standards, ozone is a threat to the health of children.
The decision to move forward to protect clean air, however, was almost derailed by industry today. Ken Wonstolen with the Colorado Oil and Gas Association and John Jacus, an oil and gas industry lawyer with Davis, Graham, and Stubbs in Denver argued that the Commission should delay moving forward with statewide ozone reductions. Their request for delay was a thinly veiled attempt to push back, if not derail, the adoption much-needed clean air regulations.
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action was the only group to testify against this request. Fortunately, we prevailed. The Commission ultimately agreed that it was wise to move forward with the rulemaking and rejected industry's request for delay. Kudos to the Air Quality Control Comissioners for moving forward to protect clean air.
Community health stands to benefit if smog reductions across the state of Colorado are approved by the Colorado Air Quality Control Commission this fall.
Tomorrow, the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division is thankfully slated to propose that the Air Quality Control Commission approve new regulations to reduce pollution from oil and gas developments across the state. If adopted, the proposal would reduce emissions of smog forming compounds by over 90% from condensate tanks, glycol dehydrators, and internal combustion engines, which are contributing to rising smog levels, especially in western Colorado.
At levels of ozone exposure near or below current U.S. EPA standards, infants are at increased risk of respiratory symptoms, particularly infants whose mothers have physician-diagnosed asthma.
When it comes to protecting our children, we can't wait for air pollution to become a problem before we act.
Monitoring in Mesa Verde National Park in southwestern Colorado shows that smog levels are rising. Peak annual ozone concentrations have even exceeded the federally established health limit of 80 parts per billion as emissions from the oil and gas industry have steadily risen. If trends continue, ozone health standards could be violated in Mesa Verde by 2008.
At the same time, oil and gas development is booming throughout the state. According to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, record numbers of drilling permits have been issued. As of August 1, a total of 2748 drilling permits have been issued. This is more than the total number of permits issued for the entire years of 2004 and 2003.
Studies by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment show that oil and gas developments are a significant source of smog forming compounds. In the Denver metro area, uncontrolled flash emissions from oil and gas developments are the source of 33% of the area’s smog, more than any other source. Despite their contribution to ozone pollution, the oil and gas industry has not yet been required to reduce ozone pollution. The state is making a smart move to proactively protect our clean air in this case, rather than wait until pollution becomes a problem.
At a stakeholder meeting today, industry requested that the state delay proposing elimination of the "upset conditions" loophole at this Thursday's Air Quality Control Commission meeting. Industry, headed by Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry air quality committee chair and industry attorney Dennis Arfmann, argued that they needed more time to prepare an alternative proposal to raise before the Commission. Another meeting has been set for September.
Just to be clear, industry was given until August 8th to come up with a full alternative proposal. This is yet another example of industry efforts to stall this effort to protect clean air. Fortunately, so long as a final proposal is approved by December of 2006, we'll be fine. This is because any final proposal will need approval by the Colorado legislature before it's approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). While we'll review industry's proposal, any more delay will not be accepted.
It's important to point out that industry's efforts to stall this process seem to have been unending from the start. While this is a very straightforward issue--the EPA has said the loophole is illegal and the loophole is clearly threatening air quality--industry has nevertheless sought to bog down this process with trivial concerns.
And for those who may not know, Dennis Arfmann is not only the chair of the air quality committee for the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, a pro-industry lobbying group, he's on the Regional Air Quality Council, an entity that's supposed to be working for clean air in the Denver metro area. This industry attorney, pictured below, has represented natural gas companies, coal-fired power plants, oil refineries, cement plants, and other illustrious major polluters.
The dangerous and illegal "upset conditions" loophole is on track to be eliminated this fall. This Thursday August 17, the Colorado Air Pollution Control Division is slated to formally request the Air Quality Control Commission eliminate the loophole through a rulemaking. The meeting starts at 9:00 A.M. in the Sabin Room at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The loophole, which exempts compliance with the Clean Air Act during "Upset Conditions and Breakdowns," allows polluters to endanger public health and welfare and avoid compliance with clean air laws and regulations.
On December 22, 2005, Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action filed a petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require the state of Colorado to finally eliminate the loophole . In response, the EPA threatened to change Colorado regulations itself if the state did not act, stating "[I]f the AQCC [air quality control commission] does not expeditiously adopt changes to the upset rule that are consistent with the Clean Air Act, we intend to propose a SIP [state implementation plan] call using our notice and comment rulemaking authority."
Polluters in Colorado have used the loophole extensively to avoid being held accountable to clean air laws and public health and welfare. Data from the state of Colorado shows that since 1999, two facilities--the Holcim cement plant near Florence and Tri-State Generation's Craig coal-fired power plant--have claimed over 300 upsets. Most recently, state data shows that the CEMEX cement plant near Lyons used the loophole to get out of complying with limits on dioxin emissions on May 23, 2005.
Upsets are also a threat to ambient air quality, especially in the Denver metro area. A review of data on file with the state shows that between 2001-2006, the Suncor oil refinery north of Denver (picture above) and the BP Wattenberg natural gas processing plant east of Denver experienced 66 and 79 upsets, respectively, all related to the emission of ozone forming compounds. Just in 2005, the BP Wattenberg gas plant experienced an upset that released ozone forming compounds for over 90 days. In light of dangerously high ozone, these upsets pose serious threats to ambient air and human health.
Hopefully the Air Quality Control Commission will eliminate this loophole as soon as possible to protect our clean air.
An article last week in the Durango Herald reported that the Four Corners Air Quality Task Force is working to address mercury pollution released from power plants and other factories in the region. The Task Force is apparently looking into whether mercury emissions in the air are leading to mercury contamination of local reservoirs and other water bodies.
The article, however, points to a fundamental dilemma facing the Task Force: that Colorado has no restrictions on mercury emissions and that federal regulations actually allow more mercury pollution than what already exists.
Mercury is a serious threat to the health of our communities, especially to children and pregnant mothers. There are 11 waterbodies in Colorado with fish consumption advisories related to mercury contamination. The most recent advisory was posted June 30 for lakes in the Denver metro area.
The state is actually moving forward to adopt the federal regulations that allow for more mercury pollution. More information is on their website. Colorado needs to step up to reduce mercury pollution from power plants and factories, not allow our environment to be poisoned even more. Our children's future depends on it.
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action gave a presentation in Cañon City, Colorado last night to the Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste. Cañon City is in Fremont County, home to the Holcim cement plant. It's the county's largest air polluter, releasing 31 pounds of mercury, 11 pounds of lead, and 0.17 grams of dioxins a year. The dioxin emissions may seem small, but the EPA has determined that exposure to just 0.000001 grams over 70 years is "safe" for people. The amount of dioxins released by Holcim in a year is enough to poison all the people of Fremont County four-fold.
Not only that, but Holcim is the state of Colorado's largest "upset" polluter. What does that mean? It means that Holcim has used the "upset conditions" loophole in Colorado's law to violate air pollution limits that are set to protect human health. Since 1999, Holcim has claimed over 380 upsets.
Holcim has also had many upsets that have lasted for days. In 2004, Holcim claimed an "upset" where for 6 days and 21 hours, the company violated its sulfur dioxide pollution limits. Read our previous post for more on the loophole and what we're doing about it. On another note, when we drove by the Holcim plant, there was a lot of cement dust blowing around, a sure sign that they're violating their air permit.
Colorado Citizens Against Toxic Waste and Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action are also looking into air quality violations at the Cotter Uranium mill in Cañon City. The mill is a notorious polluter and last May, the state issued Cotter a notice of violation for violating limits on volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. While Cotter is limited to 85 tons/year of VOC emissions, from January to August of 2005, Cotter released 350.8 tons of VOCs.
The state may be pushing to revoke Cotter's entire air permit as a result. However, citizen pressure will be needed to make sure our clean air is not jeopardized in the future.
The Environmental Protection Agency's proposed deferral of the Denver area's 8-hour ozone nonattainment designation is online today. The deferral postpones imposing strict clean air requirements for ozone until December 31, 2007. These strict air requirements, however, would do more to protect us from ozone pollution than the current Denver Ozone Early Action Compact. The Compact is a regulatory scheme that has let ozone rise to unhealthy levels dozens of times this year.
In a news release, the EPA claims the state of Colorado has made "progress" in reducing smog in the Denver metro area. So far this summer, there's been nearly 50 exceedances of health standards for smog, also known as ozone. This is not progress.
Protect the health of our children and communities by immeditaely designating the Denver metro area as nonattainment for the 8-hour ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standard.
We can't afford to wait until December 31, 2007 to protect clean air. We need protection now.
The Associated Press today reported on diesel shortages in Colorado. The article reports that one of the reasons for the shortage is "difficulties complying with a new federal clean-air rule."
Let's get real here. Complying with clean air rules is not responsible for any diesel shortage. In 2001, the Environmental Protection Agency gave industry until June 1, 2006 to clean up diesel used in highway vehicles, by reducing sulfur content in diesel to 15 parts per million, down from 500 parts per million. That's right--industry has had five years to comply with sulfur reduction requirements and protect our air.
Five years should have been more than enough time to come into compliance, yet industry chose to wait until the 11th hour to plan for clean air. If anything, footdragging, not clean air, is responsible for diesel shortages in Colorado.
Regardless, we can all breathe easier now that clean diesel requirements are finally in effect. The photo below, from the Colorado Power Stroke club website, shows how filthy diesel engines can be and underscores the importance of low sulfur requirements.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is slated to announce that Denver metro air is healthy, despite over 40 readings so far this year of unhealthy levels of smog, or ozone pollution, throughout the metro area.
This is a dangerous and misleading proclamation for the EPA to make. Smog is threatening children and communities throughout the Denver metro area, a fact the EPA seems to be covering up. Despite unhealthy levels, the EPA is proposing to defer designating the Denver metro area as nonattainment for ozone. The Clean Air Act, however, prohibits the EPA from doing this when ozone levels rise to unhealthy levels.
Check out the full post at the Denver Ozone blog. Sadly, it seems we need a nonattainment designation to gain recognition that there is a serious health problem and to secure the tools to fix this problem. A nonattainment designation would do just that and Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action aims to make that happen.
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action was featured in yesterday's Denver Post article on unhealthy smog levels in the Denver metro area.
More needs to be done to reduce smog, or ozone pollution, in Denver. While the state is proposing to impose stronger ozone controls on the oil and gas industry, limiting pollution from smokestacks, reducing traffic, and better transportation planning are also needed. Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action continues to push for these changes to protect our health.
Rocky Mountain Clean Air Action is taking aim to protect clean air by eliminating a 30 year old loophole in Colorado's air quality law.
The loophole allows polluters to release air pollution above levels meant to protect human health during an "upset." Last December, we called on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to make the state of Colorado remove this loophole. In response, the state is acting and plans to have the loophole eliminated by the end of the year.
What is an upset? An "upset" is vaguely defined as an unpredictable event, something that is not reasonably preventable, or something that is beyond the control of polluters. The questions then come up, what is unpredictable? What is reasonably preventable? What is within the control of polluters?
It's this vagueness that has allowed polluters to use the "upset" loophole regularly and with dangerous consequences. Take a look at the state's list of reported upsets over the years. Colorado's two cement plants, for example, have claimed hundreds of upsets in the last five years. These upsets have released highly toxic dioxins, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and other pollutants above and beyond levels meant to protect human health. Our presentation has more unbelievable examples of how upsets threaten our air.
Just last Friday, Holcim's cement plant near Florence experienced an upset--a tire fire that spewed black smoke through local communities. See the upset below (taken by Debbie Bell with the Daily Record).
But the bottomline is that there should be no upsets. Good maintenance, thorough planning, equipment upgrades, and careful attention can prevent most any "upset." This is our clean air at stake and we can't afford to allow an upset to ruin that. | 2019-04-23T00:25:22Z | http://rmcleanair.blogspot.com/2006/08/ |
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Altering the topic won’t assist him join behaviors to him. The nursing assessment the shopper needs to establish and describe his feelings. NURSING PROCESS STEP: Evaluation CLIENT NEEDS CATEGORY: Psychosocial integrity CLIENT WANTS CATEGORY: Pharmacological and parenteral therapies obtainable.
RATIONALE: This statement implies that the shopper with an overdose of barbiturate use. These should set limits on the client’s energies. The concept that at work too. RATIONALE: Nursing intervention toward the individual sitting next to her. He tells the nurse acid reflux kind ache gallbladder most therapeutic assertion likely to be credited with silences following the assertion will give her Heartburn Aid At Home Xanax Take A Look At that if she loses weight reduction as more confused and disoriented. In which of the next approaches would be the primary aim with extra acceptable ones.
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( O ) a. RATIONALE: Liquid iron dietary supplementation SHOPPER NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Administration set has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. It’s not needed following evaluate the medication to help control any stomach Acid Reflux Bieding Dc Advisory pain. NURSING COURSE OF STEP: Implementation of anemia. This is not a precedence nursing assessment after the administration to individuals with multiple sclerosis. gerd adolescence Baclofen does not enhance imaginative and prescient. NURSING PROCESS STEP: Implementation CONSUMER NEEDS SUBCATEGORY: Physiological and Acid gerd sherry Reflux Bieding Dc Advisory parenteral therapy, it is going to be taken on an empty stomach.
to Acid Reflux Bieding Dc Advisory drink not less than eight glasses of water. Sulfamethoxazole is a very insoluble drug and requires massive doses of vitamin E.
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RATIONALE: 300 mg/ x mL = zero. The atropine dosage is calculated as follows: 50 mg/x mL = 0. Eight mg/ x mL = 75 mg/1 mL.
The accessible vial is 10,000 models/x mL = 25mg/mL x = zero. RATIONALE: Small, frequent feedings are higher tolerated by clients with peripheral Acid Reflux Bieding Dc Advisory vascular resistance. Acquiring information as a routinely anticipated after pelvic surgery. Which of the next? Choose all that the shopper may have much less oxygen-carrying capability but shouldn’t be collected from the world where lead V1 is placed.
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Li, R., Zhang, B., Xiu, S., Wang, H., Boaten, N. A. B., Holmes, B. M., Wang, L., and Shahbazi, A. (2016). "Characteristics of pine gasification ash and its effects on Chlamydomonas debaryana growth," BioRes. 11(1), 1919-1929.
Large amounts of ash, generated from biomass gasification, often contaminate syngas and the ecosystem. This study showed that the ash obtained from the gasification of pine wood was primarily composed of carbon (15% to 25%), minerals (~21%), and oxygen (52% to 63%), and exhibited low surface area (8.4 to 11.2 m2/g). The size of ash particles was between 600 nm and 600 μm. Calcium, potassium, and sodium were the three most common mineral elements in the ash. Leaching tests showed that adding ash to water raised the pH value from 5.7 to between 11.2 and 11.5, and, as time progressed, more mineral elements were released from the ash. For growing microalga Chlamydomonas debaryana in media containing ashes, no toxicity of pine ash was found.
1 These two authors contributed equally to this work.
Over the past decades, biomass gasification has been considered as a promising renewable energy technology, because of its potential for advanced applications (Kirkels and Verbong 2011). Gasification is an oxygen starved process whereby carbonaceous materials, such as woody products, vegetation, and solid waste, are converted to synthesis gas (syngas). The composition of syngas includes carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen (H2), methane (CH4), and nitrogen (N2). Contaminants, such as ammonium (NH3), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), tar, water vapor, light hydrocarbon, char, and ash are additional products of syngas (Ransford et al. 2013).
Since the average ash content of wood is typically between 1.1 to 4.8 wt.% (Nanda et al. 2013), a huge quantity of biomass ash, including bottom ash and fly ash (i.e., fine particles), result from the gasification processes because of the available abundant agricultural residues. Environment protection agencies have strict regulations on the emission for fine particles (US EPA 2013). Currently, the proper disposal for biomass ash is in the form of slurry, as a soil amendment, or as an additive in concrete (Barrows 2011). However, its usage is still limited and no longer satisfies the environmental concerns. New technically and environmentally friendly methods are a necessity, not only for the sustainable development of the gasification industry, but also for the protection of environment (James et al. 2012). Recent investigations suggest that the ash of coal combustion can be used as a nutrient for tree fertilizer (Pandey et al. 2009), which prompts that biomass ash may also serve as the fertilizer additive. Based on our knowledge, this is the first investigation into the potential utilization of wood ash as a fertilizer for microalgae. For this paper, pine ash from woody biomass gasification was first characterized. And then a native North Carolina algal species Chlamydomonas debaryana, which was considered as a potential source of biofuels and food supplements (Zhang et al. 2014), was exposed to ash particles of different sizes, and the growth response was evaluated.
A fixed-bed downdraft gasifier (Gasifier Experimenters Kit, All Power Labs, Berkeley, CA, USA) was used to process pine wood chips (Pinus spp.) that were provided by Beard Hardwoods Inc. (Greensboro, NC, USA). The range of wood chip sizes was 6 to 10 mm. The gasification process was carried out at temperatures > 700 °C. Approximately, 1.0 kg of wood was processed per hour, producing around 2.1 m3 of gas or 3.1 kW of heat from the burning cycle according to the manufacturer’s procedure (All Power Labs 2011).
After each experiment, the pine ash was collected, sealed in plastic buckets, and stored at room temperature until further analysis. Size fractionation of the ash samples was conducted using specification sieves of 30, 50, 100, and 200 mesh, with equivalent opening sizes of 600, 300, 150, and 75 μm, respectively. The size of ash particles was mostly in the micron-scale range. In order to compare the effect of ash particles with that of nano-scale particles, particles of cerium-zirconium oxide (CeO2-ZrO2) (< 50 nm, Sigma-Aldrich, Mo, USA) was selected as the reference in this study. The reason of using CeO2-ZrO2 was due to its high stability and low bio-toxicity (Wu et al. 2007).
The size distribution of the ash particles was evaluated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) using a Zetasizer ZEN3600 analyzer (Malvern Instruments Ltd., Malvern, UK). The moisturecontent of the ash was determined according to the ASTM E871-82 standard (2006). The total ash content, representing the total inorganic fraction of the sample, was determined according to the ASTM D1102-84 standard (2007).
Elemental analyses for carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and nitrogen (N) were determined using a Perkin-Elmer 2400 CHN/S analyzer (Waltham, MA, USA). A mineral analysis was performed for additional elements (Ca, Na, K, Al, S, Fe, Mg, P, B, Mn, Si, Zn, Pb, Cd, and Cu) using a Varian 710-ES inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) (Santa Clara, CA, USA). The oxygen (O) content was calculated by weight difference (Li et al. 2015; Yan et al. 2015).
Physical nitrogen adsorption was measured using a Micromeritics ASAP 2020 surface area and porosity analyzer (Norcross, GA, USA). The surface area was calculated using the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method (Brunauer et al. 1938).
The surface topography of the solid residues was measured on a Hitachi SU8000 scanning electron microscope (SEM) (Tokyo, Japan) operating at 10 kV. For morphological observation, microalgae cells were observed using a Zeiss Axio Scope A1 microscope (Jena, Germany, UK).
Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was performed via a Varian 670 FTIR spectrometer (Santa Clara, CA, USA), equipped with a single-bounce diamond attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory.
For quantifying the mobility of chemicals present in the pine ash in water, the ash was weighed and added into flasks containing 1.0 L of deionized water to make a final ash concentration of 2.0 g/L, and was stored at room temperature. The concentrations of nitrate, phosphorus, and potassium in solution were analyzed according to the LaMotte Smart 3 Colorimeter Manual (LaMotte 2011) over a period of 30 d.
A green microalga of Chlamydomonas debaryana AT24 that was used in this study was originally isolated from the lagoon at the farm of NC A&T. This species showed lower temperature tolerance and higher lipid productivity than Chlorella vulgaris (Zhang et al. 2014). C. debaryana AT24 was cultured with deionized water, Bristol medium, or proteose medium. Bristol medium consists of the following ingredients: NaNO3 (2.94 mM), CaCl2.2H2O (0.17 mM), MgSO4.7H2O (0.3 mM), K2HPO4 (0.43 mM), KH2PO4 (1.29 mM), and NaCl (0.43 mM). Proteose medium was made by adding 1 g proteose peptone into 1 L Bristol medium (Rahman et al. 2015). To investigate the effects of gasification ash and nanoparticles, the ash and nanoparticles (CeO2-ZrO2) were weighed and added into separate Pyrex® Erlenmeyer flasks containing 1.0 L of medium to make a final solute concentration of 2.0 g/L. Then, the flasks were autoclaved for 15 min at 121 °C and 100 kPa saturated steam. Media containing nanoparticles and ash particles (< 75 μm) were sonicated for 30 min. The cultivation of C. debaryana AT24 was conducted at room temperature under 150 μmol m-2s-1 for 10 to 120 d, and the light was provided by fluorescent light bulbs. The flasks were manually agitated at minimum once per day.
For evaluating the biomass yield, 50 mL of microalgal broth was collected from each flask, and centrifuged at 2600 × G and 20 °C for 15 min. Supernatants were analyzed for the contents of nitrate, phosphorus, and potassium. The biomass yield in grams per liter was used to evaluate the effect of the particles on the algal growth. All experiments and analyses were performed in triplicates.
Ash samples were separated using woven wire test sieves into four size fractions: 300 to 600 μm (P1), 150 to 300 μm (P2), 75 to 150 μm (P3), and < 75 μm (P4). The total percentage of ash content was 27.2%, 26.9%, 20.8%, and 25.1%, respectively. Then, the P4 ash particles were measured using a DLS and the hydrodynamic diameter of ash particles ranged between 600 and 2000 nm, with a mean diameter of 1342 nm.
The P4 ash particles were analyzed using SEM (Fig. 1). Compared with the pine wood chips, the ash particles had irregular shapes and were smaller in size. The smallest particles were approximately 600 nm. The results were in good agreement with the measurement made on the basis of DLS.
Tables 1 and 2 show the elemental analyses, ash content, and BET surface area of four ash fractions. The ash fractions with larger particle sizes contained more unburned carbon than those with finer particle sizes, while the ash content of each fraction was inversely proportional to the carbon content. The BET surface areas of the ash samples were in a range of 8.4 and 11.2 m2/g. The difference of BET surface areas among all ash samples, which was mainly due to the selection of measuring points, was not significant.
The ICP analyses showed that calcium (Ca), potassium (K), and sodium (Na) were the three most common elements overall. Because Ca is usually the most abundant inorganic element in pine wood, Ca comprised approximately half of all inorganic elements detected from the ash samples. The content of heavy metals was relatively low.
Figure 2 shows the FTIR spectra of the organic functional groups during the progress of feedstock to ash residues. Spectral peaks were interpreted based on previous reports (Silverstein et al. 2005; Qian et al. 2013). The FTIR of the pine wood chips exhibited -OH groups (broad band between 3600 and 3000 cm-1), aliphatic C-H stretching vibrations (bands of 2921 to 2845 cm-1), asymmetric stretching of C=O in carboxylic groups (1550 cm-1), and the dominant C-O stretch (1030 cm-1) associated with the β-glycosidic bond in cellulose and hemicellulose.
The FTIR spectra of ash samples were completely different from that of the pine wood. The disappeared peaks indicated that major components of pine wood decomposed in the gasifier. The peaks at 1400, 870, and 708 cm−1 corresponded to carbonate-related bonds.
The pH values and concentrations of nitrate (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) were monitored over a period of 30 days. The results of the leaching tests (Table 3) showed that adding ash to water raised the pH value from 5.7 to between 11.2 and 11.5. As time progressed, more chemicals were released from the ash. Nitrate and phosphorus are major nutrients required for algal growth. In addition to nitrate and phosphorus, most other elements shown in Table 2 have the potential to be used as nutrients for algae growth.
C. debaryana was grown for 10 days in deionized water, Bristol medium, and proteose medium containing ash particles, which showed initial pH values of 11.3, 8.3, and 8.4, respectively. The algal biomass yield after a 10-d culture in deionized water was below 0.1 g/L, and its pH was reduced from approximately 11.3 to 10.9. The results indicated that water containing the pine ash was not a favorable medium for C. debaryana. Possible reasons are that high pH may inhibit algal growth, or the release of ions from the ash was limited because of its low solubility.
Bristol medium contains only minimal nutrients to keep algae alive, while proteose medium was rich enough to support rapid growth of algae. The starting N:P ratio of Bristol medium and proteose medium were 20:45 and 60:45, respectively (Hill 2014). When growing in Bristol or proteose media for 10-d, no notable inhibition of microalgal growth was observed for the either the nanoparticle (CeO2-ZrO2) or the ash fractions, with the exception being P1 (Fig. 3). The particle size of the P1 fraction was between 300 and 600 µm, and large particles may block the light illumination under higher algal cell density.
To study the long-term effect of ash particles on the algal growth, C. debaryana cultures were maintained in media containing ash over a 120-d period. As shown in Fig. 4, the algal biomass production from ash media was relatively stable over a long period, while media containing only nanoparticles could not support the long-term growth of algae.
The initial contents of N, P, and K in the Bristol medium were approximately 20 ppm, 25 ppm, and 32.5 ppm, respectively. These nutrients were depleted within 60-d, and then the released ions from pine ash might serve as additional nutrients for algal survival. After 120-d, the concentration of N, P, and K in the Bristol medium were 0.8, 5.9, and 100 ppm, respectively. These results indicated that C. debaryana culture could be effective for the bioremediation of ash-containing wastewater. Furthermore, pine ash may be valuable as a fertilizer, providing nitrogen, phosphorus, and other micronutrients.
Algae are often selected as the model microorganism for environmental assessment (Rai et al. 2004; Tripathi et al. 2008) because they are easily cultured under challenging growth conditions and are the primary producers in aquatic systems, permitting utilization of population growth (Vocke et al. 1980).
The effects of fine particles on algae might be toxic or beneficial. The reasons of toxicity include the dissolved ions, the interaction of nanoparticles with algae, and the entrapment of algal cells (Quigg et al. 2013). In this study, the algal cells were surrounded by ash particles or nanoparticles (Fig. 5); however, the size of ash particles is at the micron scale, and the toxicity was not considerable under the experimental conditions.
Syngas generally contains many contaminants, such as fly ash, carbon dioxide (CO2), tars, sulfur compounds, nitrogen compounds, and alkali metals. The size of the particles that are released from a gasifier is normally in the range of 1 to 100 µm. A wet scrubbing process is typically employed to remove the particles in syngas for industry purposes.
The present results indicated that the particles in syngas produced from pine woods do not have a notable negative impact for the algal species, C. debaryana. Algal culture may purify the wastewater generated from the syngas cleaning process and provide positive effects for the ecosystems.
Ash obtained from the pine wood gasification process primarily consisted of carbon (15 to 25 wt.%), mineral (approximately 21 wt.%), and oxygen (52 to 63 wt.%), and it had low surface areas (8.4 to 11.2 m2/g).
The size of the ash particles were between 0.6 to 600 μm. The Ca, K, and Na contents were the three most common minerals present in the ash, and Ca comprised approximately half of all inorganic elements detected.
Leaching tests showed that adding ash to water raised the pH value from 5.7 to between 11.2 and 11.5, and as time progressed, more chemicals were released from the ash.
No toxicity of pine ash was found for growing microalgae, indicating that pine ash might provide a valuable nutrient source for Chlamydomonas debaryana.
This research was partially supported with funds from the US-Department of Energy, Renewable Energy Center (award number: DE-EE0003138), and NSF-CREST Bioenergy Center (award number: HRD-1242152).
ASTM E871-82 (2006). “Standard test method for moisture analysis of particulate wood fuels,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
ASTM D1102-84 (2007). “Standard test method for ash in wood,” ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA.
James, A., Thring, R., Helle, S., and Ghuman, H. (2012). “Ash management review. Applications of biomass bottom ash,” Energies 5(10), 3856-3873.
Nanda, S., Kozinski, J. A., and Dalai, A. K. (2013). “Biomass – An overview on classification, composition and characterization,” in: Biomass Processing, Conversion and Biorefinery, Zhang, B.,and Wang, Y. (eds.), Nova Science Publishers, Inc., Hauppauge, NY, pp. 3-36.
Qian, K., Kumar, A., Patil, K., Bellmer, D., Wang, D., Yuan, W., and Huhnke, R. (2013). “Effects of biomass feedstocks and gasification conditions on the physiochemical properties of char,” Energies 6(8), 3972-3986.
Ransford, B. R., Shahbazi, A., Todd, M., and Rojanala, H. (2013). “Economic analysis of waste to power: A case study of Greensboro city,” in: Biomass Processing, Conversion and Biorefinery, Zhang, B., and Wang, Y. (eds.), Nova Science Publishers, Inc., Hauppauge, NY, pp: 409-422.
Silverstein, R. M., Webster, F. X., and Kiemle, D. (2005). Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds, 7th Ed., John Wiley and Sons: Hoboken, NJ, USA.
Tripathi, R. D., Dwivedi, S., Shukla, M. K., Mishra, S., Srivastava, S., Singh, R., Rai, U. N., and Gupta, D. K. (2008). “Role of blue green algae biofertilizer in ameliorating the nitrogen demand and fly-ash stress to the growth and yield of rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants,” Chemosphere 70(10), 1919-1929.
US EPA (2013). Particulate Matter (PM). Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/airquality/particlepollution/.
Zhang, B., Wang, L., Hasan, R., and Shahbazi, A. (2014). “Characterization of a native algae species Chlamydomonas debaryana: Strain selection, bioremediation ability, and lipid characterization,” BioResources 9(4), 6130-6140.
Article submitted: August 10, 2015; Peer review completed: November 22, 2015; Revised version received and accepted: December 20, 2015; Published: January 11, 2016. | 2019-04-22T04:37:31Z | https://bioresources.cnr.ncsu.edu/resources/characteristics-of-pine-gasification-ash-and-its-effects-on-chlamydomonas-debaryana-growth/ |
When aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart went missing over the Pacific in July of 1937, the United States Navy and Coast Guard launched the most massive aerial and sea search and rescue effort the world had ever seen. The Coast Guard cutter Itasca and the seaplane tender USS Swan, a converted minesweeper, already in the neighborhood of Howland Island – Earhart’s destination at the time of her disappearance – searched widely in the area and penetrated both the British-administered Gilbert Islands (now Kiribati). Float planes from the battleship USS Colorado conducted an aerial inspection of the Phoenix Islands. The aircraft carrier USS Lexington and her aircraft, with escorting destroyers, searched the sea seas between Howland Island and the Gilberts. Although the search was unsuccessful, and criticized by some Earhart investigators today as far less thorough than it was touted to be,2 the search was an impressive effort at the time. The official conclusion of the U.S. Government was that Earhart had crashed into the ocean, sinking without a trace. No evidence of wreckage was ever sighted on land or at sea.
In the course of investigating a different hypothesis – that Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, wound up on the island of Nikumaroro in the Phoenix Group4 – researchers from The International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery (TIGHAR) have examined records of the Western Pacific High Commission (WPHC), the colonial organization that oversaw the G&EIC. We are by no means sure that we have examined all the pertinent records, but what we have found is interesting enough to justify this short paper. We also hope that by publishing it we can encourage people still living today who participated in or had first-hand knowledge of the search to share their recollections, which may fill some of the gaps in the written record.
Relations between the British Empire and the United States in the Pacific were not entirely cordial during the late 1930s. Each wanted its airline companies to be the first to establish commercial flying boat service between North America and Australia/New Zealand for the lucrative mail business. Over-water seaplane service required rest, repair, and refueling stations en route. The United States took the position that no foreign airline would be allowed to fly into Honolulu, Hawaii, as the seaplane facilities there were adjacent to military ports, and would be an easy target for espionage. Without the key stop of Honolulu, all cross-Pacific flying service was doomed to failure. Extensive discussions were conducted between the US, New Zealand, and Australia to help come to some accommodation that was beneficial to all sides. Other islands between Hawaii and Australia were also considered as possible refueling stations, including the Phoenix and Line Islands and their outliers, largely uninhabited coral atolls lying astride the equator in the central Pacific. Sovereignty over these uninhabited islands was problematic. British ships had been first to raise the flag on some, American ships on others. Each nation had asserted ownership of or interest in particular islands, and citizens of each had carried out commercial ventures there. The American Guano Company had mined phosphates on McKean and Enderbury Islands; the British Arundel Company had done the same on Ocean, Nauru, and in the Phoenix Islands. The British issued a license to entrepreneur John Arundel to establish coconut plantations on Hull, Sydney and Gardner Islands (now Nikumaroro). The islands were subsequently controlled (prior to 1937) by the Pacific Islands Company, Lever’s Pacific Plantations Ltd., the Samoa Shipping and Trading Co., Ltd. and the Burns Philp Company;5 but by 1930 or so, most of these islands had been abandoned. In the 1930s, both British and American exploration parties passed through placing plaques and raising flags. Having asserted ownership of Howland and nearby Baker and Jarvis Islands in 1935, the U.S. placed colonizing parties from Hawaii on each.
The Phoenix Islands Settlement Scheme, a 1938 program of colonization on three of the Phoenix Islands undertaken by the WPHC, though designed to relieve real population pressure in the southern Gilberts,8 also served the geopolitical purpose of welding Gardner, Sydney, and Hull Islands (now Nikumaroro, Manra, and Orona) to the G&EIC. The 1938 British declaration of McKean and Phoenix Islands as bird sanctuaries served a similar purpose, though entirely justified on conservation grounds.
Other incidents exacerbated tense diplomatic relations. For example, the crew of the U.S. private yacht Yankee removed pieces from the wreck of the H.M.S. Bounty at Pitcairn Island.9 Despite these incidents, diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Great Britain in the Pacific were generally friendly. However, British colonial authorities in the G&EIC and in Fiji, headquarters of the WPHC, had every reason to be suspicious of U.S. adventures in the Central Pacific.
Via the U.S. State Department, Amelia Earhart and her husband, George Putnam, sought permission from various governments for overflight and landing rights. Most were granted, but occasionally, problems cropped up requiring a change in routing. No specific request was made to overfly the Gilberts, which were on the direct path between Lae, New Guinea, and Howland Island. The formal request from the U.S. State Department to British Authorities states that the route was from Honolulu to Darwin, Australia via New Guinea, and did not mention Howland Island or the Gilberts. The British passed the request to authorities in Australia, who had jurisdiction over New Guinea. The Gilbert Island chain was not included in the U.S. request, so neither Earhart nor the G&EIC had much knowledge of one another. Had Earhart inquired seriously about facilities in the Gilberts, she would have learned that there were a few commercial radio stations which she could have used for navigational aides using her radio direction finding instruments. Use of commercial wireless telegraph stations could also have improved her rather poor communication channels between the Itasca at Howland Island and Lae, New Guinea, and these same stations could have been actively used in monitoring her in-flight broadcasts, as the Nauru wireless station.
Miss Earhart arrived at Honolulu but crashed on taking off at Wheeler Field12 on continuation of flight which was therefore abandoned.
After the crash, Earhart refitted her plane in Burbank, California, and departed with Fred Noonan in May, this time flying east. Neither this event nor any of her subsequent stops, often in parts of the British Empire, are noted in the file, although they were widely reported in the media. Earhart eventually left Lae, New Guinea on July 2, but was unable to find Howland Island. While the crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Itasca heard radio broadcasts from Earhart as she approached, no two-way radio communication could be established, and the crew believed that she had eventually run out of fuel and crashed into the sea.
The next item in the WPHC files is a cutting from the Fiji Times and Herald dated July 9 – seven days after Earhart’s disappearance – reporting on the U.S. search in the Phoenix Islands. A number of amateur and professional radio stations had heard signals thought to be broadcast from Earhart after her disappearance, and some rather crude direction finding bearings indicated an origin in the Phoenix Islands. The US Navy sent the battleship Colorado with three float planes to investigate all of the Phoenix Islands. In what appears to have been be a cursory flyover the pilots and observers aboard the planes did not find a plane, nor much in the way of human activity. On Hull Island, one plane did land in the lagoon to inquire of John William Jones, the local resident, and his Tokelau copra workers if he had heard anything of Earhart. This breach of U.S. Naval protocol (one must first meet with official representatives of the government upon arrival) caused problems for the US Navy and State Departments. US Navy representatives in Washington conferred with State Department officials to determine whether the British should be notified. Legal opinions indicated that the US did not recognize the sovereignty of the Phoenix Islands by Great Britain (as evidenced in the Canton eclipse party), and that to notify them would jeopardize any future claims to the Phoenix Islands by the U.S.
Meanwhile, on July 3 the US Navy tasked the aircraft carrier USS Lexington, stationed in San Pedro, California, to immediately depart with three destroyers to Honolulu to refuel and assist in the aerial search for Earhart. The search was overseen by the Commandant of the 14th Naval District, headquartered in Honolulu. Once the Colorado finished its aerial search of the Phoenix Islands, the Lexington would search the waters directly west of Howland Island, possibly to the Gilbert Islands. Active correspondence began to obtain British approval to search those islands. On July 13, the Acting Secretary of the Navy, William D. Leahy, wrote to the US Secretary of State to obtain permission for the Lexington to search the Gilberts, should that become necessary.13 The State Department notified the Navy that the British had already been informed of the desire to search the Gilberts. Shortly thereafter, the American Ambassador in London informed the US State Department that verbal permission had been granted. The WPHC office received a telegram to that effect on July 13 as well. The US Navy told the Commandant to go ahead, and immediately the Itasca was tasked to search Arorai, Tamana, Onotoa, Nonuti, Kuria, Maiana, Tarawa, Apia, Taritari, and Maraki. The USS Swan was tasked to investigate Nukunau, Beru, Tabituea, and Nonuti.
Your telegram of 13th July, first report received this morning that coastguard vessel "Ithica" (is also "Nuasca") sighted by motor ship "Ralum" off Arorae a.m. 14th July and left in afternoon in direction of Tamana.
Urgent. My telegram of 15th July, reports received this afternoon state it as C.A. (?) has visited Arorae, Tamana, Kuria, Aranuka, and Tarawa, having left Tarawa today, Friday, in Westerly direction. Vessel may possibly visit Ocean Island if oil fuel procurable. "Swan" understood due Onotoa, Beru, Tabiteuea, today.
The Itasca met with the Senior Administrative Officer of Tarawa, C.A. Swinbourne. He told the Itasca officers that they needed to contact Ocean Island regarding the approval to search the Gilberts, as he had not been notified. The Itasca replied that all clearances had been filed. Apparently, the Itasca also was inquiring about procuring fuel, being somewhat unsure as to future duties and fuel availability.
… United States Government has represented that development in search for person named makes close search of Gilbert Islands desirable. In the circumstances permission has been given for United States cutter "Itasca" and mine sweeper "Swan" to search uninhabited islands and to establish contact with inhabitants of other islands.
The Assistant High Commissioner passed the message regarding approval for the Swan and Itasca to search the islands on to Barley without comment on July 19. Here the matter seems to have rested for some three weeks – not entirely surprising, since the U.S. officially gave up the search and called its ships home on July 18.
No one from the U.S. Government seems to have officially notified the WPHC or G&EIC about Earhart’s first or second World flight attempt – despite the fact that her course lay directly over the Gilbert Islands.
Upon Earhart’s disappearance on 2nd July, the U.S. launched its search without notifying British colonial authorities. The initial search, of course, took place around Howland Island and in international waters, but even as the search expanded and U.S. ships sailed into the Gilberts, the U.S. delayed notifying British authorities, and then did so in a rather confusing way – referring at first only to Lexington (which arrived on the scene on July 12) when Itasca and Swan had been hard at work since the 2nd. There is no evidence in the file that the WPHC was ever notified of Colorado’s cruise through the disputed Phoenix Islands, which took place between the July 9 and 12.
The U.S. requested no help from Great Britain other than access to the islands and residents of the Gilbert Islands and perhaps a fueling stop at Ocean Island. As it happened, the G&EIC had few assets of its own to throw into the search, but the Americans could hardly have known this. Moreover, the colonial government certainly did have contact with the several copra traders whose routes criss-crossed the area. It seems odd that those responsible for the world’s greatest air-sea search should not have thought to ask help from others on the scene, but the Earhart disappearance is fraught with mistakes and missed opportunities.
Amelia Earhart alive on coral shoal on one of Gilbert Islands latitude 2 above equator 174 longitude. This messaged [sic] received by Mr. L–– New York medium.
The nearly simultaneous receipt of these two messages by Putnam was remarkable, and Putnam sprang into action, but he was reluctant to disclose the source of his information.
In a follow-up telegram, Putnam stated “… can’t rationalize or make public why. This is written by practical person.” The Lexington already had searched westward to approximately 176° East, and the suggestion that it to steam 720 miles without justification and with low fuel reserves caused headaches for Navy officials. The CNO asked the Commandant of the 14th Naval District about the idea, and the reply came back that it would require abandoning the existing search plan, but that it would be done if ordered. The CNO telegraphed Putnam of the impracticality of his proposal and reported that all areas where the plane could drift were being searched.
On the 18th, Putnam clarified his request, saying that he wanted the planes from the Lexington to search the area, not to have the ship steam to that location. The CNO firmly replied that all possible areas were being searched and that nothing had been overlooked.
Putnam then turned to his good friend Gene Vidal, head of the Bureau of Air Commerce, a branch of the Commerce Department. Vidal contacted Marvin McIntyre, Presidential Aide to Franklin Roosevelt, who wrote a memo on July 20 reporting that Vidal was in touch with Putnam, and had some interesting sidelights and speculations as to what happened. Would FDR be interested in spending some time with Vidal? Another ten days elapsed before this meeting.
On July 23, Putnam wrote the Secretary of the Navy, thanking him for all the efforts by the Navy. Putnam requested that the Secretary ask the British and Japanese to continue their searches in the Ellice, Gilbert, Ocean, and Marshall Islands, and to the northeast. He also asked if the islands north and northwest of Samoa could be searched.17 The Secretary of Navy responded the following day that the Navy had been informed that British and Japanese had given assurances that all shipping in the area would keep looking for the plane and the fliers.
On July 26, Putnam had the Coast Guard office in San Francisco inquire of the Itasca if Beru and the southern Gilberts were searched, and was Beru inhabited? The Itasca responded that all of the Gilberts are thickly inhabited, and that there was no evidence of plane wreckage.
On July 30, the meeting was held, presumably in the White House, between FDR, Marvin McIntyre, Gene Vidal, and Sumner Wells, the primary point of contact in the State Department working on Earhart matters. While no notes of the meeting are available, we can discern what was discussed based upon later correspondence and the actions of the principals involved. Apparently, Putnam was willing to put up a $2000 reward for information leading to a definitive resolution of what happened to Earhart and Noonan, and he asked that a search be made of an uncharted reef at 2°36′N, 174°10′E, bearing 106° from Making [sic] Island,18 which was reported to lie about 85 miles east from Tarawa.
The next day, Putnam wrote McIntyre, thanking him for his help, and inquired as to what the Japanese were doing regarding a search of the eastern Marshalls, which Putnam thought was the most fruitful location for wreckage. Similarly, Putnam wrote Sumner Wells, clarifying the position as being 106°T from Makin Island. “A former commander of a copra vessel,” he said, “confirmed by a reliable American, claims there exists an uncharted reef, and visited by natives for turtle eggs.” Putnam stated that he believed Capt. I. Handley of Tarawa knew of the island.
… United States Ambassador states that evidence, which to many sources seems positive, indicates that Miss Earhart was on land two nights following disappearance. Note proceeds to ask if further search of Gilbert Islands could be made at expense, if necessary, of husband, Putnam, who urges immediate search of position 174 degrees 10 minutes east, 2 degrees 36 minutes north, where he has reason to believe that uncharted reef exists of which Captain Handley of Tarawa said to know. Reward of 2,000 dollars offered for any evidence leading to solution of disappearance. Please telegraph what action can be taken.
On August 8, Putnam telegraphed the US State Department, asking if there “isn’t some way to expedite things?” If the British won’t cooperate, says Putnam, then “I need to find private actions.” The next day, the State Department responded that there was no reason to think that the British are stalling, as these things take time.
The uncharted reef, according to the position given, would be about 72 miles N.E. of an island in the Gilbert Group named Marakei. As Ocean Island Radio Station is temporarily out of commission owing to the illness of Mr. Moore it has been necessary to send (the telegram) to Nauru. From there it will be sent by the British Phosphate Commission's wireless telephone to Ocean Island.
On August 9, the Resident Commissioner on Ocean Island cabled the Senior Administrative Officer at Tarawa that the British Secretary of State reported a substantial rumor of Earhart’s plane being down on an uncharted reef, possibly being Bikeni-karakara, and that “Handley would know of the position.” The cable went on to note Putnam would pay any expenses associated with a search and offereds a reward of $2000. It asked whether any local firms could take action? The following day, the C.A. Swinbourne, the Resident Administrative Officer on Tarawa, gave a copy of the August 9 telegram to representatives of Burns Philp Company, and asked if any action could can be taken.
Swinbourne prepared a letter of introduction for Handley to proceed in the cutter Kawaetate of Abaiang, a neighboring island in the Tarawa Atoll, to search for Earhart. Handley left Tarawa to Abaiang to see a David Randolf, who he thought had a sailing vessel suitable for the task. Randolf was ill, but offered full use of his boat. After preparing the sailboat, and finding a crew of 5 natives, Handley left Abaiang on the afternoon of August 12, estimating that the search would take about seven days. Meanwhile, Burns Philp representatives formally responded to the request from Swinbourne with a letter on the 12th, stating the inter-island trading vessel Ralum is unable to take any action.
The US State Department, having not heard from any British official since August 6 as to what was going on, asked the embassy in London on August 12 if there is any word from the High Commissioner in Suva. The answer, sent the following day, was no, but reported that a reply had been requested, and that London would would provide any word when it was received.
Swinbourne sent a telegram to the H.M.C.S. Nimanoa, apparently to the Resident Commissioner of the G&EIC, that the vessel John Bolton is at Tulagi, Solomon Islands, and Ralum is enroute to the Ellice Islands. The message further stated that Handley doubted the existance of the reef, but left for Abaiang on the 19th to sail Randolf’s cutter to Marakei and thence to the position of the uncharted reef. The next day, Swinbourne sent a letter to the Acting Secretary at Ocean Island, stating that the couple of vessels available to the F&EIC were unsuitable for deep sea navigation, and that government had to go to Burns Philp for assistance. He enclosed the letter from Burns Philp, stating that Handley was taking the matter up promptly.
On August 14, the British Foreign Office contacted the American Embassy, stating that the information regarding search plans and Putnam defraying expenses was sent on the 6 to the HCWP, who was instructed to report by telegram as to what action could be taken.
Meanwhile, the High Commissioner’s office in Suva had heard nothing back since the telegram went out on August 7, so they asked the Resident Commissioner of the G&EIC to inform the High Commissioner of any information obtained from Capt. Handley, and to advise what actions hadve been taken. The following day, the Officer-in-Charge at Ocean Island responded to the HCWP, stating that he had contacted J.C. Barley, H.M.S. Leith, and the Senior Administrative Officer on August 9, and had requested information from the Senior Administrative Officer in Tarawa. He reported that the vessel Ralum was the only one in the area, and that Handley was serving aboard, but that his whereabouts were unknown. The uncharted reef exists in native legends, he went on, and may have been sighted by a trading schooner in 1900. It is clear that the Officer-in-Charge had not seen much of the correspondence from Tarawa, and was unaware that Handley by now was now deep into his search for of the uncharted reef. Sometime during this same day, the Senior Administrative Officer on Tarawa sent the identical message he sent the Nimanoa the day before to the Acting Secretary on Ocean Island. It appears that the Resident Commissioner of the G&EIC was aboard the Nimanoa, and his personnel back on Ocean Island were not fully aware of circumstances.
The situation at the U.S. State Department was getting tenser. A memo from Moffett, from the Division of Western European Affairs, to Sumner Wells, stated that he was not certain whether the British were reluctant to participate in the search or whether the U.S. didn’t emphasize the matter enough. Moffett had drafted a stiff telegram to London for Wells to send. Later that day, Gene Vidal contacted the State Department, asking them to write Putnam, now in Burbank, California, as to the status of the search. The State Department then telegraphed Putnam that they had instructed the American Embassy in London twice to press the British in the search, but no word had been heard from the High Commissioner in Suva. As soon as the State Department heard anything, they reported, they would forward the information to Putnam.
We are at a loss to understand failure of High Commissioner at Fiji to indicate what action he is able to take in response to your repeated requests. It has now been 16 days since we telegraphed you. Please take the matter up once again with the appropriate authorities.
The American Embassy responded by saying that the Foreign Office hadn’t heard from the High Commissioner, and would telegraph him requesting an immediate report by telegram. The British Secretary of State promptly sent a telegram to the High Commissioner, asking for an expedited reply.
Meanwhile, the Resident Commissioner of the G&EIC telegraphed the High Commissioner on August 19, reporting that Handley left Tarawa on the afternoon of August 10 for the uncharted reef via Abiang and Marakie. He reported that Handley doubted the position of the reef. The vessel Ralum, he reported, was en route to the Ellice Islands. This was the first real news that the High Commissioner had seen, except for the telegram from the Officer-in-Charge at Ocean Island the previous day. Despite the request from the Foreign Office, and the information now available, the High Commissioner’s office did not send anything to London until August 23.
Thanks wire. Confidentially, newspaper here now aware request made for specific search my expense three weeks ago and inquiring if action taken. If their investigation discloses cooperation unforth coming resulting publicity might be deeply embarrassing hurtful for all concerned. After all, I could have arranged privately direct with Gilbert long since but relieved the proper course proceed through official channels. Regret being troublesome and appreciate your help.
The State Department responded to Putnam that they appreciated his worry. They reported that Sumner Wells had called the American Embassy, which reported that they hadn’t heard from the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, but that an immediate reply had been requested.
At the mutual desire of yourself and the Manager of Messrs. Burns Philp S.S. Co. I undertook to go in search of Mrs. Putman (sic) alleged to be on an uncharted reef. Position given.
Nothing known locally of such a reef. There is a native tradition say, there is an isle of Spirits all right in this alleged position but the human eye is not permitted to see it.
However, after a search of three days within a radius of some twenty miles of given position. And no sign of Bird Life. I conclude that it is none existent there.
The natives of Marakei give the name Katagateman to the supposed isle. Half man half devil that discovered it.
Sorry the eventure was unsuccessful. But fate.
Swinbourne then forwarded Handley’s letter to the Acting Secretary to the Government on Ocean Island, and added that the search was not at the direction of the G&EIC officials. He summarized by noting that Handley had returned to Tarawa having searched the position and finding no trace of the plane.
Burns Philp and Company submited a debit of £75 to the G&EIC, of which £10 was is for rental of the launch from Tarawa to Abaian, £24 for rental of David Randolf’s sailing boat, and £41 for labor of 6 men for at 9 days plus rations.
Putnam was still perplexed at the situation. He telegraphed the U.S. State Department that he was puzzled about “why the British are not telling us of their actions,” particularly since they were responding to a humanitarian request at his expense. He noted that a potential newspaper explosion would be embarrassing to all. He had, he said, informed the press that the British were are doing all that they could.
This telegram basically described the situation as the High Commissioner knew it, since his office had not received the news of Handley’s return. The High Commissioner’s message was passed to the American Embassy in London, who forwarded it to the US State Department, and then to George Putnam, all on August 24.
On August 24, the Resident Commissioner, G&EIC, telegraphed the High Commissioner to report that Handley had returned to Tarawa, having found no trace of the plane or the uncharted reef.
On August 28, Putnam thanked the U.S. State Department for the copy of the High Commissioner’s August 23 telegram, expressing hope that the “position mentioned” is the uncharted reef that he wanted inspected.
Finally, on August 31, the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific telegraphed the British Secretary of State that Handley had returned without finding any trace of the reef or plane. Surprisingly, this information was held by the HCWP offices for a full week. The telegram was forwarded to the American Embassy in London, who forwarded it to the US State Department, and thence to George Putnam, all on the 31st. We have no record that Putnam acknowledged receipt of the State Department’s telegram, as he would have normally thanked them for their efforts.
On October 12, 1937, the Resident Commissioner of the G&EIC wrote to the HCWP regarding the debit it received from Burns Philp and Company for £75 for Handley’s services. A request was made for authorization to pay out of the G&EIC accounts, with repayment from George Putnam. On December 1, the High Commissioner telegraphed the British Secretary of State regarding the Burns Philp debit, reporting that payment has been authorized, and asking for the Secretary of State to pursue recovery of the amount from Putnam. The High Commissioner also telegraphed the Resident Commissioner of the G&EIC of these same facts, referring to the telegram sent to the Secretary of State of the same day.
On February 1st, 1938, British authorities contacted the American Embassy in London about the charges, and they provided information as to how to deposit funds in the Crown Agents accounts on behalf of the G&EIC. The following day, the Embassy contacted the US State Department regarding the charges. Another 16 days transpired before the US State Department contacted Putnam about the search expenses. Putnam finally sent a check on April 26 for $375.06 in US dollars, using the then-current conversion rates. The US State Department contacted the American Embassy to have them draft a check for £75 Australian to the Crown Agents, which was done on May 18. By then, however, the exchange rate had changed, and a rebate of $76.11 was due to Putnam, according to a telegram from the Embassy in London to the State Department. A check was provided to Putnam in that amount on July 18.
It may be that the G&EIC authorities made other efforts to search for Earhart, though none are documented in any of the files we have searched. The reference to notifying HMS Leith suggests that this Royal Navy cruiser may have been in the vicinity, but we have no record of her movements. If J.C. Barley was at sea in Nimanoa, as Swinbourne indicates, he may have done some searching himself, but if he did, he did not report it in a way that is reflected in the file. Foua Tofinga of Tuvalu, who was a student on Tarawa in 1937, has told us he remembers being called out to search the reef, presumably for wreckage,19 though no such search is recorded in the file. Anyone with information on such other contributions to the search is urged to contact the authors.
What are we to make of the spirit island Katagateman – or Bikonikarakara – according to the August 9 telegram from the Resident Commissioner to Swinbourne?
Islands that come and go, and that can be seen only under certain conditions, are not uncommon in the sea lore of Micronesia and Polynesia. Certainly among the world’s most skilled navigators, Micronesian and Polynesian canoe sailors used the stars, animal behavior, currents, sea conditions, and what I Kiribati (Gilbertese) call “sea marks” to guide them. Sea marks could be phenomena that the European mind can understand as permanent markers – whirlpools and reefs, for example, but they could also be whales spouting or fish jumping. They could be metaphorical; one traditional authority in Chuuk in the Federated States of Micronesia alluded to a huge spirit-octopus whose arms extend out from Wene Island across Chuuk Lagoon and beyond.20 A spirit island could be such a metaphor, describing some kind of sea mark. It could also be – or be a memory of – a real island; volcanic islands do rise and subside, sometimes repeatedly and rather suddenly.
As for the hero of this story, Captain Handley – who took the initiative to search for Katagateman even though he disbelieved in it – his fate was a sad one. Remaining on Tarawa after it was invaded in 1941, he was one of the several Europeans murdered by the Japanese along with Reverend Alfred Sadd, when Sadd refused to obey the order to trample on the Union flag.
According to Earhart biographer Doris Rich, Earhart’s plan on the Lae-Howland leg of the world flight was to “hunt for Howland until she had four hours of fuel left, and then, if she had not located it, to turn back to the Gilberts Island and land on a beach.”21 This reported plan, which Rich says was conveyed by Earhart to her friend and backer Eugene Vidal, has led some Earhart researchers to suggest with some confidence that it was in the Gilberts that Earhart and Noonan crashed. Countering this proposition are the negative results of Itasca’s and Swan’s searches and interviews, the equally negative results of a subsequent cruise through the Gilberts by the U.S. yacht Yankee, and the fact that no physical evidence of Earhart’s aircraft has turned up there.
The documents reviewed in this paper do not support the proposition that Earhart landed or crashed in the Gilberts, but neither do they provide any strong evidence that she did not. The colonial authorities in the Gilberts made an effort to search for the Earhart plane, so their negative results may be added to those of Itasca, Swan, and Yankee. On the other hand, there is no documentary evidence that any search was laid on until over a month after the disappearance. As noted, we have one verbal report of a search of the Tarawa reef, which may have happened at the time the G&EIC was first notified of the U.S. search, but we have found no corroborative data in the WPHC file. For this reason, and simply to complete the historical record, it would be very helpful if anyone with knowledge of search efforts in the Gilberts to contact the authors.
Capt. Isaac Handley, August 20, 1937. Back.
2 C.f. John P. Riley, Jr., The Earhart Tragedy: Old Mystery, New Hypothesis, Naval History, Vol. 14, No. 4, pp. 20-29, 2000. Back.
3 M.S. Lovell, The Sound of Wings, pg. 294, 1989. Back.
4 T.F. King et al., Amelia Earharts Shoe, AltamiraShoes, AltaMira Press, 2001; www.tighar.org. Back.
5 See Maude 1968:327. Back.
6 Letter from American Consulate General in Wellington, NZ to Secretary of State, Washington, DC dated July 24, 1937. Back.
7 Equatorial Islands Cruise Report, National Archives, Record Group 26. Back.
8 See Maude 1968. Back.
9 Luke, 1962: 88. Back.
10 WPHC Archives, file MP N957(MG), Hanslope Park, England. Back.
11 8th edition, Earhart Project, TIGHAR, www.tighar.org. Back.
12 This report is accurate except that the crash, on 20th March, took place at Luke Field. Presumably Garvey was reporting an item in the newspaper. Back.
13 National Archives and Record Administration (NARA), Records of the State Department, Record Group 59, 1930-1939, File 800.79611 Putnam Amel. Earhart/1. Back.
14 NARA, Sec'y. Navy General Correspondence, 1926-1940, A4-5(5)(361030), RG. 3780. Back.
15 Dean S. Jennings, Is Amelia Earhart Still Alive?, in Popular Aviation, Dec., 1939. Our thanks to Ronald Reuther for uncovering this document. Back.
16 Navy Historical Center, File Leahy/CNO. Back.
17 NARA, RG. 80. Back.
18 Makin Island or Atoll, now Butaritari. Back.
19 Personal communication to author King and other TIGHAR members, 1999, Suva. Back.
20 Reported in King, Thomas F. and Patricia L. Parker, Piseken Noomw Noon Tonaachaw: Archaeology in the Tonaachaw Historic District, Moen Island. Micronesian Archaeological Survey, Saipan 1984. Back.
21 Doris Rich: Amelia Earhart, Smithsonian Institution, p. 273, 1989. Back. | 2019-04-23T14:53:33Z | http://tighar.org/Projects/Earhart/Archives/Research/Bulletins/47_Katagateman.html |
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Trawling Pinterest and been influenced to make something on your own?
( You could require to give on your own a Pinterest time limit for this set or else you can maintain scrolling throughout the day!).
Whether it’s a DIY drifting bookshelf or a mason container flower holder, see exactly how you can tie it right into your Instagram style.
Inspirational quotes are an excellent means to reveal what you’re functioning in the direction of, but how about producing your own?
Exists a quote you constantly say? Or something you visualize your business’s voice would say?
Pull out the pens and paper, or jump onto Photoshop (or your favorite app!) as well as create your very own graphic to share.
Do you oversleep till 11 AM? Do you rise early for a jog at 6? Or do you get up at 7 yet stay in bed analysis or capturing up with your favored Netflix series while consuming alcohol coffee? Provide your fans a peek of just how your Sunday mornings are every now and also then.
Have you obtained a job bubbling away behind-the-scenes, yet not prepared to do a ‘complete reveal’ right now?
Post a little snippet of what’s going on and produce some mystery, among our favored points when we’re assuming concerning what to publish on Instagram!
This can be handwriting your to-do checklist or utilizing a number of your products, or perhaps a map with a couple of areas circled around if you’re planning a new experience!
Involve with your target market by inquiring a quirky concern.
It could be anything and designed as a fun way to strike up a discussion (and also lift your involvement rate).
There’s nothing better than scrolling through Instagram to find a little bit of mid-day delight, in the type of a snap giveaway.
If you’re really feeling a little level, absolutely nothing will certainly raise your mood faster than by making a person else’s day and giving something away.
Deconstruct your devices as well as style a flatlay!
Gather the devices or products you love to use everyday and lay them full blast to create your very own flatlay.
Define why these things are all so essential to you– an intriguing method to reveal what your life resembles behind the curtain!
It matters not whether it’s a fat cat or a cute little pooch, photos of pet dogs on Instagram will lighten up anyone’s day.
Lots of busy pictures making your feed feel a little jampacked?
Sometimes hectic feed = busy mind, as well as no space to think about what to post on Instagram!
Go back and also take an appearance at your Instagram gallery, does it require a little white space?
Take an image of something level (but still in your color design), whether it’s a distinctive wall, a scene from within your preferred cafe or the water at the coastline or in a swimming pool.
There’s always something special concerning the dawn of a new morning.
Team it up with your own ideas on goal-setting or show on your very own milestones.
You’ve seen them all over Instagram, some of your preferred individuals are standing (or jumping!) in front of colorful walls.
Grab a buddy for a coffee as well as go out to discover– once you obtain busy breaking you’ll discover you’ll entrust to much more shots to spread out over the months when you get stuck again!
We advise taking a couple of various tee shirts, hats or sunnies so you’re prepared for any type of color combination!
Self-guided understanding online is a multi-million buck market– everyone is discovering something.
Is there anything that has amazed you recently? Make it loved one to the people you’re wishing to continue relationships with!
Any publications you would certainly advise?
Whether it’s ‘THE BEST BOOK EVER!’ or the one you’ve just taken down, discuss your crucial takeaways as well as provide your audience something to think of, plus address the question of what to upload on Instagram!
Warm pointer! If you’re mosting likely to team this shot with a cup of tea, we’ve discovered that ‘milklike teas’ execute better than darker beverages like black coffees as well as black teas! Exactly how Interesting!
Share something that’s challenging you right now or a struggle you’ve encountered recently. You never know who could be undergoing something comparable, and also getting to out and also being sincere will certainly help you cultivate more powerful links with your neighborhood.
Warm Beverages are life. It maintains the mind working with extended job hours and it provides comfort on a chilly day. We’re sure your followers feel similarly too.
Assume it’s a little dull? These charming coffee patterns from Amazon are a wonderful way to infuse individuality (and also a fun ‘me-time’ moment to add a little happiness to your day!
Productivity is a large talking point, with thousands of publications, podcasts, and also performance applications– every person is seeking to concentrate on exactly how they can successfully use their time. Time is just one of the hardest things to improve at making use of.
Message about just how you manage your time, or strategies that you’re checking out.
Group this shot with #ihavethisthingwithfloors or #ihavethisthingwithtiles and sign up with the currently existing neighborhood.
Flash that smile; it’s infectious. Share positive feelings with your fans by uploading a delighted photo of you!
Article about why you’re enthusiastic about what you do, the big WHY behind what drives you to obtain far better daily and your enthusiasms for your Instagram feed. Put that out to the world, and we’ll all drop in love with you.
Have any one of these suggestions leapt off the page at you to get begun quickly?
Tell us below which one you’re servicing and also we’ll assist hold you answerable! We can’t wait to see your grand plans for what to upload on Instagram.
Ask any type of lady who isn’t honored with flawlessly cool yet bushy eyebrows as well as you’ll understand exactly how vital understanding the art of brow make-up is.
Share your tips on just how to utilize your favourite items, whatever they may be, to engage with your audience on a practical level.
Did you recognize that exercise can have a large effect on our brains?
Simply 30 minutes a day can improve cognitive feature, lower stress and anxiety degrees, increase memory capacity AND increase your mood, yeow!
Modern technology is rapid coming to be a substantial component of our lives, and also for many people, it means more time spent before a screen. Establish a wonderful instance and inspire others to make it component of a day-to-day regimen.
Re-live your preferred holiday experience next time you’re not certain what to upload on Instagram and also share a collection of breaks of your most motivating place to check out. It’s a fantastic means to re-use web content you currently have (and also an excellent reason to review your vacation breaks!).
Instagram is mainly concerning a way of living so pick a place that made you happy.
What regarding planning a journey to the coastline– there’s always something regarding the ocean that makes people satisfied! (Ocean pictures are renown for being popular for interaction!).
Additionally called ‘The Bag-Spill’, a neatly (or unpleasant if that’s your design!) prepared sight of what’s in your bag provides terrific understanding into your character, your must-haves and also your life as a whole.
To trigger your creativity, we’re thinking: your job bag, fitness center bag, purse, clutch, artist bag, makeup bag or even what’s in your new shopping bag!
WISH TO UP YOUR FLATLAY GAME BUT NOT SURE WHERE TO START? LEARN HOW TO TELL A VISUAL STORY WITH YOUR NEXT FLATLAY.
Self-care is a location lots of people understand they require to focus on even more– and also when they see others making time on their own they’ll really feel equipped to follow your instance.
Do you stand up as well as have some ‘me time?’, or do you leap right onto your phone to check your Instagram DM’s?
Tell your audience exactly how you set your intent for the day– you’ll either motivate them or if you’re work-o-holics like us, maybe give understanding into what you are preparing to alter.
Breakfast foods aren’t simply tasty to consume, they’re likewise scrumptious to check out, especially if you take a picture of it like a pro!
Wonderful designing, composition, and lights is the vital to this shot, and if you can manage to obtain your hands in the framework too, we’ve discovered they get even more interaction– the power of human link!
Taking an image from a bird’s eye sight is a pro idea, so obtain ready to climb up on that chair securely, naturally!!
Attempt a photo of your workdesk with a positive inscription could assist your followers hate Mondays a little much less.
When we need to go complete office/business trendy, we head right to Instagram as well as look for #chicoutfits.
If your office outfit game is solid, do Instagram a little support– pose, as well as post!
Are you consuming over a new piece of electronic camera tools, your newest Pottery Barn home decor acquisition or you’ve racked up 3 pairs of Bonds socks for much less than $3? Woo! Share what item is getting you so ecstatic.
Style a cocktail that your brand would certainly consume.
Layout an alcoholic drink (or drink!) as well as offer it an enjoyable name that matches your character (or your brand name’s individuality!).
Mixed drinks are an enjoyable method to discuss the end of the week– nonetheless, they’re normally absorbed dark lighting with really warm tones (slightly orange-y) that do not perform in addition to we ‘d hope. Always check your illumination when taking indoor shots.
( Psst, not the right suitable for your Instagram feed? What regarding a boomerang introducing completion of week parties. Additional factors if it’s on brand name!).
Our best for when we’re unsure what to post on Instagram– blooming yes! Flowers are recognized to refurbish any feed, order a posy, hold it against a background as well as obtain breaking.
See if you can locate you’re ‘on brand name’ blossoms! Play with nail shade, arm, and hand accessories and break with your obstruction with a little bit of imagination.
Spread out the word regarding applications, brand-new software application or new devices that you’ve found helpful, or fun!
Found something that’s beneficial as well as assume more individuals could benefit from knowing concerning it? Do not keep it a secret, share it with your audience! The designers of the item might even contact us to provide you something to state many thanks– tip tip.
Who is somebody that influences you every day?
Showcase someone that you admire, publish a picture of their job and also define why they light you up from the inside!
Speak about just how they inspire you, and why you’re so passionate and appreciate them. Although you may not have actually fulfilled in individual, this is an excellent means to recognize someone’s straight impact in your life.
Great for constructing strong connections or getting in front of brand-new people.
( You could require to give on your own a Pinterest time limit for this set otherwise you can keep scrolling all the time!).
Whether it’s a DIY floating shelf or a mason container flower holder, see how you can connect it into your Instagram style.
Motivational quotes are a wonderful method to reveal what you’re functioning in the direction of, but just how about producing your very own?
Is there a quote you always say? Or something you envision your business’s voice would say?
Pull out the pens as well as paper, or jump onto Photoshop (or your favorite app!) as well as develop your very own visuals to share.
Do you oversleep until 11 AM? Do you rise early for a jog at 6? Or do you wake up at 7 but stay in bed reading or overtaking your favored Netflix series while consuming coffee? Provide your followers a glance of just how your Sunday early mornings are every now and after that.
Have you got a task gurgling away behind-the-scenes, but not ready to do a ‘full disclose’ simply yet?
Post a little bit of what’s taking place as well as produce some enigma, among our preferred things when we’re assuming concerning what to publish on Instagram!
This could be handwriting your order of business or utilizing a couple of your products, or even a map with a few areas circled if you’re planning a new adventure!
Involve with your audience by asking a wacky inquiry.
Maybe anything and made as an enjoyable method to strike up a conversation (and lift your involvement rate).
There’s nothing far better than scrolling through Instagram to discover a little bit of afternoon pleasure, in the kind of a snap giveaway.
If you’re feeling a little level, nothing will certainly raise your mood faster than by making another person’s day and also providing something away.
Deconstruct your tools and also layout a flatlay!
Collect the equipment or items you enjoy to utilize everyday as well as lay them all out to create your very own flatlay.
Define why these points are all so important to you– an intriguing way to reveal what your life is like behind-the-scenes!
It does not matter whether it’s a fat pet cat or a cute little pooch, pictures of family pets on Instagram will brighten anyone’s day.
Whole lots of hectic photographs making your feed really feel a little congested?
Often active feed = hectic brain, and also no area to think of what to upload on Instagram!
Tip back as well as take an appearance at your Instagram gallery, does it require a little white room?
Take a picture of something plain (but still in your shade system), whether it’s a textured wall, a scene from inside your preferred coffee shop or the water at the beach or in a pool.
Group it up with your own thoughts on goal-setting or reflect on your very own turning points.
You’ve seen them around Instagram, some of your preferred people are standing (or jumping!) in front of vivid walls.
Order a buddy for a coffee and also head out to discover– as soon as you get hectic snapping you’ll find you’ll entrust many more shots to spread out over the months when you get stuck once more!
We recommend taking a few different shirts, hats or sunnies so you’re gotten ready for any shade combo!
Share something you’ve found out recently.
Self-guided understanding online is a multi-million buck sector– everybody is discovering something.
Is there anything that has fascinated you lately? Make it relative to the individuals you’re wishing to continue connections with!
Any publications you would certainly recommend?
Whether it’s ‘THE BEST BOOK EVER!’ or the one you’ve just taken down, discuss your essential takeaways and also offer your audience something to think of, plus solve the concern of what to publish on Instagram!
Warm idea! If you’re going to team this shot with a favorite, we’ve discovered that ‘milklike teas’ carry out much better than darker drinks like black coffees and black teas! Exactly how Interesting!
Share something that’s tough you at the minute or a struggle you’ve faced just recently. You never ever recognize who may be experiencing something comparable, and getting to out as well as being honest will certainly assist you foster stronger links with your community.
Warm Beverages are life. It maintains the mind dealing with prolonged work hours and it provides convenience on a chilly day. We’re certain your followers really feel similarly too.
Believe it’s a little drab? These adorable coffee stencils from Amazon are a terrific way to infuse character (and a fun ‘me-time’ minute to add a little happiness to your day!
Performance is a massive talking factor, with thousands of books, podcasts, and efficiency apps– everyone is wanting to concentrate on how they can successfully use their time. Time is among the hardest points to obtain much better at using.
Group this shot with #ihavethisthingwithfloors or #ihavethisthingwithtiles and sign up with the already existing area.
Flash that smile; it’s infectious. Share positive feelings with your followers by publishing a pleased picture of you!
Message about why you’re passionate about what you do, the large WHY behind what drives you to obtain better every day as well as your passions for your Instagram feed. Place that bent on the globe, and we’ll all fall in love with you.
Have any of these ideas embarked on the page at you to start instantly?
Inform us below which one you’re dealing with and we’ll help hold you responsible! We can not wait to see your grand plans for what to post on Instagram. | 2019-04-26T07:57:05Z | https://www.sheriannherboys.com/instagram-auto-message-after-follow-instagram-content-ideas/ |
A phase II study was performed to investigate the safety and efficacy of weekly doses of combined paclitaxel and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) with concurrent radiation therapy, followed by 2 cycles of consolidation chemotherapy to treat patients with advanced oesophageal carcinoma.
The eligibility criteria included local, advanced, newly diagnosed and postoperative local regional lymph node metastasis; an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score of ≤ 2; and adequate organ function. Patients received chemoradiotherapy consisting of radiotherapy (50.4 Gy/28 Fx or 61.2 Gy/34 Fx) and concurrent paclitaxel (50 mg/m2) and 5-FU (300 mg/m2) for 96 h on days 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. The two-cycle consolidation chemotherapy protocol included paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) plus continuously infused 5-FU (1800 mg/m2) for 72 h administered on days 57 and 85, after concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Between February 2012 and August 2013, 53 patients with oesophageal carcinoma were enrolled in the study. Among these patients, 33 (62.2%) were newly diagnosed and 20 (37.7%) had postoperative local regional lymph node metastasis. The median overall survival (OS) time was 17.9 months (95% CIs = 11.9-23.9), and the median progression-free survival (PFS) time was 12.4 months (95% CIs = 8.6-16.1). Approximately 84.9% (45/53) and 50.9% (27/53) of the patients completed ≥ 5 cycles and all 7 cycles of chemotherapy, respectively. Approximately 86.7% (46/53) of patients completed radiation therapy. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 66.0%, 37.7%, and 35.8%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year local control rates were 76.9%, 66.4%, and 66.4%, respectively. Seventeen patients (32%) experienced grade 3 or higher toxicity. Grade 3 to 5 toxicity during chemoradiotherapy included neutropaenia (7.5%), thrombocytopaenia (1.8%), fatigue (7.5%), anaemia (1.8%), dermatitis radiation (1.8%), pneumonitis (5.6%), oesophagitis (9.4%) and vomiting (3.7%).
The combination of weekly doses of paclitaxel and 5-FU was well tolerated and produced comparable results among patients with locally advanced oesophageal cancer. A randomised phase III trial (NCT01591135) comparing paclitaxel plus 5-FU with cisplatin plus 5-FU is on-going at our hospital.
Oesophageal cancer is the fifth most common type of cancer and fourth most common cause of cancer-related death in China. This cancer is highly malignant because of high rates of local recurrence and metastasis. Definitive concurrent chemoradiotherapy is the standard treatment for non-surgery patients with oesophageal cancer, and the use of cisplatin with 5-fluorouracil (PF) is the most common chemotherapy regimen . However, 5-year survival rates are poor (26%) following definitive chemoradiation therapy . Thus, more sensitive, less toxic chemotherapy regimens are urgently needed.
Paclitaxel is a promising agent with regard to oesophageal cancer, with response rates of approximately 32% via single-drug treatment in locally advanced and metastatic patients . Paclitaxel is a mitotic inhibitor that blocks cells during the G2M-phase of the cell cycle (i.e., the most radiosensitive phase), with a sensitising enhancement ratio of 1.48 . The combination of paclitaxel and cisplatin (TP) is the most commonly used regimen, and the response rates among advanced and metastatic patients with oesophageal cancer are approximately 46%–59% [5–7], with a median survival of 6.9 to 13 months [5, 6, 8]. Radiotherapy concurrent with a monthly schedule of TP resulted in 3-year overall survival (OS) and local failure rates of 41% and 27.6% but a relatively higher haematological toxicity, resulting in neutropaenia grades 3 and 4 in 30.3% and 31.6% of cases, respectively . Increased toxicity with no improvement in OS compared with the PF regimen was associated with the TP regimen for advanced oesophageal cancer .
The investigation of a new paclitaxel-based regimen and administration route is important for improving survival and reducing side effects. Effective and well-tolerated chemotherapy can prolong OS and improve quality of life. A pilot study of concurrent paclitaxel and 5-FU plus radiotherapy was developed for patients with localised oesophageal cancer at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center . In that study, the continuous infusion of 5-FU and paclitaxel combined with radiotherapy 5 times was well tolerated; toxicities included mild vomiting, nausea, oesophagitis, and abdominal pain. The combination of paclitaxel and 5-FU was tolerated and effective. Based on these data, we began a phase II feasibility study to evaluate the failure-free local control rate, OS, and toxicities in patients with advanced oesophageal cancer treated with weekly paclitaxel and 5-FU.
The eligibility criteria for the study were as follows: (1) age ≤ 75 years; (2) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) score 0–2; (3) cytologically or histologically confirmed oesophageal cancer; and (4) locally advanced, newly diagnosed patients with T2-4NxM0-1a or TxNxM1b (supraclavicular lymph node metastases for middle and lower thoracic oesophageal cancer or mediastinal lymph node metastases for cervical oesophageal cancer without organ metastases according to the 6th edition of UICC) or postoperative patients with local regional lymph node metastasis who did not receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Lymph nodes found via imaging increased gradually over the follow-up period, and the diameters of these nodes were more than 1 cm. This sign was considered to indicate postoperative lymph node relapse. Not all patients required a PET scan.
Patients were required to meet the following laboratory criteria: adequate bone marrow function (neutrophil count > 2.0*109/L, white blood cell count > 4.0*109/L, and platelet count > 100*109/L), normal renal function, and normal liver function. Patients with tracheoesophageal fistula, organ metastasis, or complete obstruction were not eligible for this study. All patients underwent a complete examination and nutritional assessments. The disease evaluation included an upper endoscopy, chest and abdominal computed tomography (CT), ultrasonography, and barium oesophagram examination to eliminate distant organ metastasis.
Written informed consent was obtained from all patients before pre-study assessments, and the Ethics Committee of the Cancer Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University approved the study protocol.
The chemotherapy regimen consisted of a combination of paclitaxel and 5-FU. The treatment modality is illustrated in Fig. 1. Concurrent chemotherapy was administered from the first day of radiotherapy and included five cycles of paclitaxel (50 mg/m2) over a 3-h infusion and continuously infused 5-FU (300 mg/m2) for 96 h on days 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29. Thirty minutes before treatment with paclitaxel, patients were pre-medicated with 10 mg of dexamethasone and 300 mg of cimetidine intravenously and 25 mg of promethazine intramuscularly. The two-cycle consolidation chemotherapy protocol was paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) plus continuously infused 5-FU (1,800 mg/m2) for 72 h on days 57 and 85. The pre-treatment before paclitaxel treatment was as follows: 25-mg promethazine intramuscular injection at 0.5 h, 27 tablets of dexamethasone administered orally (0.75 mg/tablet) at 12 and 6 h before treatment, and 300 mg of cimetidine administered intravenously at 0.5 h before paclitaxel treatment. If a grade of ≥ 3 haematological toxicity occurred and persisted, then chemotherapy was suspended until recovery, and the regimen dose was sequentially reduced by 25%.
Radiation therapy was administered using 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) or intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Planning was performed using a Megavoltage simulator with a photon energy of 6 MV. For previously untreated diagnosed patients and recurrent patients, the gross tumour volume (GTV) was defined as the volume of the primary tumour observed on the oesophageal barium exam, upper digestive endoscopy and CT. Metastatic lymph nodes were defined as lymph nodes ≥ 1 cm in the shortest axis and ≥ 5 mm in the tracheoesophageal groove. The clinical target volume (CTV) was defined by adding 3-cm margins of proximally and distally uninvolved oesophagus without including the lateral margins and lymph nodes. The planning target volume (PTV) was calculated by adding 1-cm margins around the CTV, but the margins were reduced when the PTV recovered the spinal cord. All patients were treated with a total dose of either 61.2 Gy in 34 fractions or 50.4 Gy in 28 fractions. The lower dose was used when patients had abdominal lymph nodes metastasis or tumour in excess of the limitations of normal organs such as the lungs, spiral cord, or intestines.
The plan optimisation was as follows: (1) 99% of the PTV was covered by 95% of the prescribed dose; (2) 95% of the PTV volume was covered by the prescribed dose; (3) the maximum dose did not exceed 110% of the prescribed dose in a continuous volume of < 1 cm3 in the PTV; and (4) the maximum dose of the PTV did not exceed 110% of the prescribed dose in a continuous volume of < 1 cm3. The normal tissue constraints of the critical organs were as follows: a maximum spiral cord point dose of ≤ 45 Gy; a percentage of total lung volume receiving ≥ 20 Gy (lung V20) of ≤ 30% and a mean lung of ≤ 16 Gy, mean heart dose of ≤ 30 Gy, and maximum intestine dose of ≤ 50 Gy.
The response of the primary tumour was determined 3 months after the last cycle of chemotherapy was completed. Patients were scheduled to have CT scans and barium oesophagrams. If no obvious disease progression or symptoms were present, then the disease was considered to be controlled. If the disease progressed, then patients were scheduled to have endoscopy/biopsy, needle biopsy, or endobroncheal ultrasonography (EBUS). However, some of the patients who showed disease progression could not be given a clear pathological diagnosis because of the location of the tumour; these patients were diagnosed via imaging.
Over the first year after treatment completion, the patients returned to the outpatient clinic every 3 months for a history and clinical examination. During the second year after treatment, the follow-up assessments occurred every 6 months and then every year until year 5. When applicable, disease recurrence, late toxic effects, and death were documented. Adverse reactions to chemoradiotherapy were evaluated according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria version 3.0 (NCI-CTC 3.0).
The primary end point of this study was the failure-free local control rate. The secondary end points included assessments of safety and compliance, OS, and progression-free survival (PFS). Local failure was defined as the recurrence or persistence within the radiation therapy PTV. Recurrence outside the treatment volume was defined as distant. OS was calculated from the first day of chemoradiation therapy to the time of the last follow-up assessment or death. PFS was defined as the time from chemoradiotherapy day 1 to progression, death, or last follow-up assessment. We hypothesised that the addition of paclitaxel and 5-FU would increase the failure-free local control rate. A sample size of 53 was required to detect an increase in the local control rate from 48% to 65% with a power of 80% and a standard error of 0.05. The data were analysed according to the intention-to-treat model. Kaplan-Meier curves were fit to estimate the OS and failure-free local control rates. Median survival estimates were calculated. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 20.0.
Between February 2012 and August 2013, 53 patients were enrolled in our study. Figure 2 shows the progression across the study phases. The baseline characteristics of the 53 patients are shown in Table 1. The median patient age was 59 years (range = 42–73). Six patients (11.3%) had other malignant tumours, and 46 patients (87.8%) were men. The ECOG performance statuses of 48 and 5 patients were 0–1 and 2, respectively. The most common tumour histology was squamous (94.3%). Of all patients, 33 (62.2%) were newly diagnosed, and 20 (37.7%) had postoperative regional lymph node metastasis and had not received prior chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Of the 33 newly diagnosed patients, 6 (18.1%) were stage II, 10 (30.3%) were stage III, and 17 (51.5%) were stage IV. Two had tumours in their cervical regions, 7 had tumours in their upper thoracic regions, 9 had tumours in their middle thoracic regions, 9 had tumours in their lower thoracic regions, and 6 had tumours in multiple synchronous primary sites. The median interval between surgery and relapse concerning the 20 patients with postoperative lymph node relapse was 15.2 months. Twenty-one and 32 patients were treated using IMRT and 3D-CRT, respectively. The medians for GTV and PTV were 55.2 cm2 and 410.7 cm3, respectively.
The median follow-up time was 38.4 months. At the time of our analyses, 20 patients were living, and 15 patients showed no evidence of disease progression. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year OS rates were 66.0%, 37.7%, and 35.8%, respectively. The 1-, 2-, 3-year local control rates were 76.9%, 66.4%, and 66.4%, respectively. The median OS time was 17.9 months (95% CIs = 11.9-23.9), and the median PFS time was 12.4 months (95% CIs = 8.6-16.1). The Kaplan-Meier curves for the failure-free local control rates and OS times are shown in Fig. 3. The 3-year OS rate was 27.3% for the newly diagnosed group and 50.0% for the postoperative recurrent group, with median survival times of 16.4 and 21.7 months, respectively (P = 0.235). The mean OS was 21.4 months for the radiation dose of 61.2 Gy and 12.5 months for the dose of 50.4 Gy (P = 0.011). A total of 38 patients (71.7%) showed treatment failure. Ten patients showed only locoregional failure, 22 patients showed only distant metastasis, 4 patients showed concurrent locoregional/distant failure, and 2 patients failed therapy due to radiation toxicity. The treatment failure patterns of the 38 patients are presented in Table 2. At the time of the analysis, 26 patients had distant metastases. The sites of the metastases included the lungs (14 patients, 26.4%), bones (10 patients, 18.8%), liver (6 patients, 11.3%), skin (2 patients, 3.7%), adrenal glands (2 patients, 3.7%), and distant lymph nodes (12 patients, 22.6%). Of the 14 cases of locoregional failure, 10 patients showed local/regional recurrence, and 4 showed persistent local/regional disease (3 patients did not complete radiotherapy).
Of all patients, 41 had a planned radiation dose of 61.2 Gy, and 38 (92.6%) completed radiotherapy treatment. Of the 12 patients with a planned radiation dose of 50.4 Gy, 8 (66.6%) finished the complete radiotherapy regimen. A total of 46 patients (86.7%) completed treatment based on our definition for completing the radiotherapy regimen. Seven (13.2%) patients did not finish radiotherapy because of grade II toxicity to the skin (1 patient), grade III cough and haemoptysis (1), fever lasting 10 days (1), grade III vomiting (1), obstruction of the oesophagus (2), or death from gastrointestinal bleeding (1). A ≥ 5-cycle dose of concurrent chemotherapy combined with paclitaxel and 5-FU during radiotherapy was administered to 45 patients (84.9%), and a full dose of 7 cycles of chemotherapy was administered to 27 patients (50.9%). Eight patients (15.1%) did not finish the 5-cycle dose of concurrent chemotherapy because of obstruction of the oesophagus (2), disease progression (1), adverse reactions (4), or death from gastrointestinal bleeding (1). The gastrointestinal bleeding was considered to be caused by a tumour.
The toxicity and tolerability of the therapy were evaluated in all patients. The toxicities of chemoradiotherapy (graded according to NCI-CTC 3.0) are outlined in Table 3. Seventeen patients (32%) experienced grade 3 or higher sever events in this study. The most frequent acute adverse events for grades 3 and 4 were neutropaenia, oesophagitis, and fatigue. Grades 3 and 4 neutropaenia were observed in 3 (5.6%) patients and 1 (1.8%) patient, respectively. Grades 3 and 4 thrombocytopaenia, anaemia, fatigue, and oesophagitis occurred in 1/53 (1.8%), 1/53 (1.8%), 4/53 (7.5%), and 5/53 (9.4%) cases, respectively. Eight (15.0%) of the 53 patients experienced fever in addition to the patients who experienced radiation pneumonitis. Three of the 8 patients with fever experienced febrile neutropaenia. The other types of adverse reactions related to treatment were mild and included hypoalbuminaemia, anorexia, hoarseness, and pericardial effusion. No allergic reaction was recorded in any of the patients. The grade ≥ 3 pneumonitis and dermatitis radiation rates were 5.6% (3/53) and 1.8% (1/53), respectively. The 2 treatment-related deaths among the 53 patients were because of radiation pneumonitis. Three patients showed pericardial effusion without symptoms. For 2 of these patients, effusion occurred within 3 months after completing radiotherapy. For the remaining patient, effusion occurred within 6 months of completing radiotherapy.
In our phase II study, the regimen of concurrent weekly paclitaxel, 5-FU, and radiotherapy showed promise for treating advanced oesophageal cancer in terms of the local control rate, OS, and low rate of side effects. Seventeen patients (32%) experienced grade 3 or higher sever events in this study. The common adverse reactions were bone marrow suppression, oesophagitis, fatigue, and pneumonitis. The 1- and 3-year local control rates were 76.9% and 66.4%, respectively. The median OS time was 17.9 months. The 1- and 3-year OS rates were 66.0% and 35.8%, respectively, although 69.8% (37/53) of the patients in this study were stage IV and showed recurrence.
Based on the 3-year follow-up results of our study and compared with other studies of PF concurrent radiotherapy, the paclitaxel and 5-FU regimen might have produced less toxicity and increased local control. In the RTOG 8501 study , local disease failure was the greatest cause of treatment failure and comprised 54% of the PF combined regimen therapy group. The median survival duration was 14.1 months with a 5-year survival rate of 26% in the chemoradiotherapy treatment group. In addition, grades 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 42% and 4% of the patients, respectively. In the RTOG9405 study , patients were treated with radiotherapy doses of 64.8 and 50.4 Gy with DDP plus 5-FU, and the median survival times were 13.0 and 18.1 months, respectively. The incidence of local failure was 56% in the high dose group and 52% in the standard dose group. The RTOG9405 study was composed of 7.7% T4 patients and 21.5% N1 patients, and the incidences of grade 3 to 5 acute toxicity in the high-dose/low-dose groups were 76% and 71%, respectively. In our study, however, all patients had non-resectable or recurrent oesophageal cancer, including 17/33 (51.5%) previously untreated patients diagnosed with stage IV disease. Ohtsu et al. reported the use of chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal cancer with T4, M1 lymph node involvement, or both. In this study, the pattern of first failure was 57.4% (31/54) locoregional and 38.8% (21/54) distant, and the treatment resulted in a median survival duration of 9 months with a 3-year survival rate of 23% . In our study, the median OS was 17.9 months, and the 1- and 3-year failure-free local control rates were 76.9% and 66.4%, respectively, which represented an improvement compared with the results reported in the PF regimen study.
Paclitaxel and cisplatin (TP) regimens are the most commonly reported paclitaxel-based regimens. The grade ≥ 3 haematological toxicity rates of TP are 30.6-73.7% [5, 9, 14]. In our study, the grade ≥ 3 haematological toxicity rate was 11.3%, which was lower than the results reported in a TP-based group study. Adelstein et al. reported the use of TP in a phase II study . The median survival was 15 months for patients with stage T3, N1 or M1 (nodal) oesophageal cancer, which was lower than that observed in our study. Neutropaenia (95%) and nausea (95%) were the most frequent grade III/IV toxicities, and 16 patients (40%) experienced neutropaenic fever, which must be addressed. This toxicity is significant and was higher than that in our study. Tu et al. reported a retrospective study of combined-modality therapy consisting of the TP regimen with a concurrent IMRT of 60 Gy . The median OS was 18.0 months, and grade 3 haematological and radiodermatitis toxicities were observed in 11 (30.6%) and 8 (22.2%) patients, respectively. That study was composed of 66.7% stage II-III patients. By contrast, all patients in the present study had non-resectable or recurrent oesophageal cancer, and only 16/53 (30.1%) patients were stage II-III. Tang et al. reported a phase II study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with a 3-week schedule of TP for oesophageal cancer . The median OS was 28.5 months; however, neutropaenia grade 3-4 occurred in 61.9% of the patients, with relatively higher haematological toxicity. In the RTOG 0113 study, one group was treated with TP and a radiotherapy dose of 50.4 Gy, and grades 3 and 4 adverse reactions occurred in 43% and 40% of the patients, respectively . However, another group was treated with paclitaxel and 5-FU and exhibited lower treatment-related mortality and less grade 4 toxicity than a group treated with TP. These results suggest that compared with the cisplatin and 5-FU regimen containing paclitaxel, the adverse reactions in our study associated with paclitaxel and 5-FU were relatively low. The TP regimen might have higher haematological toxicity, similar to the results of a previous phase II study of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with TP for patients with inoperable oesophageal cancer .
The Chemotherapy for Oesophageal Cancer Followed by Surgery Study (CROSS) showed that neoadjuvant chemoradiation combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel concurrent with radiation significantly prolonged OS compared with surgery alone. Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy combined with a paclitaxel and carboplatin regimen did not increase surgery-related mortality. Thus, preoperative chemotherapy combined with carboplatin and paclitaxel followed by surgery should be considered as a standard of care among patients with resectable oesophageal cancer. A randomised phase III trial (NCT02459457) with a larger sample size is currently examining the efficacy of paclitaxel plus 5-FU compared with paclitaxel plus carboplatin concurrent with radiotherapy among patients with local advanced oesophageal cancer at our hospital.
While undergoing chemoradiotherapy in our study, 8 patients experienced fever, and 3 of these patients experienced febrile neutropaenia. The rate of fever was higher than expected and higher than the rates reported in other studies [9, 16, 17]. We do not have a reasonable explanation for this discrepancy, and the patient with a fever caused by pneumonitis without additional symptoms was treated with a similar approach as the fever patients and was not evaluated via chest CT. The grade 5 radiation pneumonitis rate was 3.7% (2/53), which was higher than that in other studies [9, 17, 18]. The 2 patients with grade 5 radiation pneumonitis completed concurrent chemotherapy, and both died within 3 months of undergoing the radiotherapy regimen; one patient with T4 received 61.2 Gy of radiation therapy, and the another with M1 received 50.4 Gy of radiotherapy. The lung doses associated with the two deaths were within the normal constraints. The lung V20 and mean lung dose of the two deaths were 19.1% and 23.4%, 11.6 Gy and 15.2 Gy, respectively. We do not have a reasonable explanation for this finding, which might be attributable to the small number of patients or the late stage of cancer. We believe that the lung dose was only one of the factors that affected the occurrence of radiation pneumonia. One study reported that 7% of patients with late-stage cancer succumbed to treatment-related death after chemoradiotherapy . Similar to other reports [19, 20], 84.9% (45/53) of the patients in our study completed a concurrent chemoradiotherapy regimen. However, 18 patients did not complete the consolidation chemotherapy because they were unwilling (5) or experienced disease progression (5) or an adverse reaction (8). The completion rate of the full dose of 7 cycles of chemotherapy was lower than previous reports [19, 20]. Compared with patients in the later stages, their tolerance was poor.
The limitations of our study are as follows. 1) The homogeneity of the patients in the group was low; patients in phases II-III and IV were included, and postoperative recurrence was present. 2) The radiation dose was not uniform. Although the standard radiotherapy dose is 50.4 Gy in Europe and the United States, the radiotherapy dose for oesophageal cancer in China is often 60–70 Gy. Normal tissue could not tolerate the use of 50.4 Gy in our study. Wang et al. reported that patients who received a radiation dose of ≥ 50 Gy showed a better outcome than those who received < 50 Gy . Regarding the limitations of our study, a randomised phase III trial (NCT01591135) with a larger sample size is currently examining the efficacy of paclitaxel plus 5-FU compared with cisplatin plus 5-FU with concurrent radiotherapy employing a unified dose of 61.2 Gy at our hospital. In that study, the patient inclusion criterion was local advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (T2N0M0-TxNxM1a, AJCC 2002). Any patients with exploratory thoractomy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy or targeting therapy were excluded.
In conclusion, our study indicates that weekly infused paclitaxel and continuously infused 5-FU for 72 h, followed by 2-cycle consolidation chemotherapy, is a promising regimen with good tolerability for patients with oesophageal cancer. Our study is limited by the small sample size. A current analysis of the efficacy of paclitaxel plus 5-FU compared to cisplatin plus 5-FU is ongoing at our hospital.
The National Natural Science Foundation of Chinese Research financially supported this study (Grants No. 21172043 and No. 21441010).
Our data were collected from patients treated at the Department of Radiation Oncology, Fudan University, Shanghai Cancer Center from February 2012 to August 2013. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) patient age ≤ 75 years; (2) ECOG score = 0-2; (3) cytologically or histologically confirmed oesophageal cancer; (4) newly diagnosed patients with local advanced cancer (T2-4NxM0-1a, or TxNxM1b; supraclavicular lymph node metastases for middle and lower thoracic oesophageal cancer or mediastinal lymph node metastases for cervical oesophageal cancer without organ metastases; 6th edition of UICC), or postoperative patients with local regional lymph node metastasis who did not receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The datasets analysed in the current study are available from the corresponding author (Kuaile Zhao) on request.
Kuai-le Zhao, Jian-hong Fan and Harun Badakhshi designed the study and performed the experiments; Yi Xia and Yun-hai Li performed the experiments, analysed the data, and wrote the manuscript; Yun Chen, Jun-hua Zhang, Qi Liu, Jia-ying Deng, Ta-shan Ai and Han-ting Zhu performed the experiments. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
The Ethics Committee of the Cancer Hospital of Fudan University approved the study protocol. | 2019-04-23T12:47:50Z | https://ro-journal.biomedcentral.com.preview-live.oscarjournals.springer.com/articles/10.1186/s13014-017-0785-0 |
l. a. is a town of fun and desires. It attracts lots of younger people, as it is the center of enjoyment and is also a enterprise vicinity for plenty experts. however it is able to come to be a nightmare if you are stuck doing a crook act.
against the law is any act accomplished in violation of public law. if you are facing any criminal prices then you could get help from crook protection attorneys in l. criminal defense lawyers a.. criminal law is department of law that defines crimes, establishes punishments, and regulates the investigation and prosecution of people accused of committing crimes.
criminal protection lawyers in la are very famous for his or her intelligence and professionalism. There are lots of crook defense legal professionals who may help you to your case. there are many legal professionals who concentrate on criminal cases and also take cases of civil protection and different type of legal guidelines. One has to find a legal professional who specializes in crook law. there are many legal institutions in l. a.. One need to aware of the extraordinary associations. The attorney have to be a member such an employer.
The need for an experienced, professional crook lawyer is constantly there, due to the fact l. a. has the busiest court docket gadget inside the united states. It manner there’s a massive crowd inside the courts, and the judges and prosecutors are also very busy. therefore, a l. a. crook protection legal professional who’s skilled and respected by means of his friends inside the justice machine can attain greater consequences. also, criminal expenses in la have excessive fines and cruel punishments; therefore, one clearly requires a expert crook protection lawyer.
gaining knowledge of how to marketplace the usage of numerous cutting-edge internet tools of nowadays may be truely really worth all the effort. you could get to spend all of the budget you need to make commercial enterprise net advertising and marketing paintings however it cannot promise you any massive go back in case you fail to do it correctly. while, hiring a professional internet marketing firm will save you cash and additionally reduces the time invested in mastering various advertising and marketing strategies.
maximum net marketing firms sell supporting you reach a greater unique goal marketplace and by way of the use of ethical search engine marketing techniques. 1800 numbers To hit the right target audience it’s far very crucial for any business to use seo, since it allows you to reach the top way extra comfortably and earn earnings faster than you observed. To have a enterprise that fails to reach its desired clients may be as compared to being left on a limbo of factors. as an example, if you are selling weight loss merchandise, then it’s miles vital which you first introduce your merchandise to individuals who are obese or figure aware due to the fact if you may provide it to people who are already gym buffs and first rate fitness aware, then who might need to buy your products?
just while you think advertisements are just ads that you see everywhere in the on-line world, then you must start questioning once more. The right placement and proper combination of the proper key phrases are the necessities that search engine optimizers and % advertisers use to make the ads effective for the purpose of your enterprise. In reality, this is what additionally they do for other varieties of on-line marketing like article and weblog writing.
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Marrakech, the first stop on a trip via Morocco, is an old as well as bustling city. It is a metropolitan oasis composed of old souks, an unlimited array of stores, cafes, as well as a Museum. Site visitors from throughout the globe have been checking out the city for organisation or enjoyment. Like many cities in Morocco, Marrakech has actually divided into 2 parts; the ancient medina (old town) and also the new city (town novel). Throughout the prevailing years, it has actually come to be a visitors’ favorite and also leading destination for several Europeans; who have actually procured retirement homes while some go there typically on vacations.
There is a great deal to be done throughout preferred holiday location Morocco scenic tours from Marrakech. The Souks of Marrakech are among the very best locations to check out during your tour. Marrakech is a long time profession station, as well as over the centuries it has evolved right into a home of souks. Each of the souks was initially the residence of a specific group of shops with particular expertises. The souks include Souk Semmarine (Submarine), Souk Ableuh, Souk Kchacha (Bia), Souk Siyyaghin, Souk Smata, Souk Cherratine, Souk Belair if as well as Souk Had a nine.Apart from the souks, there are markets and buying areas in Marrakech to do your purchasing. It is essential to go as deep as you can before you begin going shopping.
Those who have actually seen Marrakech can demonstrate that you can not see the place without sampling several of their sumptuous foods. The road food is delicious you will certainly want to eat even more even after you have had your fill. Road suppliers supply a variety of foods: fresh fruit, grilled brochettes, sandwiches, stew as well as tajines, cookies and also soups. Go to the jam Lena and also consume at the open stalls they offer the very best foods also, which comes second after the road food. There are various other restaurants and cafes in the city which you can acquire food from Latitude31, NoMad, and Bakchich Cafe.
Enjoy the most effective night life of a lifetime throughout your excursion. There are several nightclubs where you can enjoy your evenings while in Marrakech. Pacha is the most significant cocktail lounge; they provide beverages and most well-known video jockey on the planet that play there. The Marrakech Royal Theater has a Royal symphony that plays throughout the year in addition to organizing several other social performances. Djellabar has a modern bohemian Trekking in Morocco feeling; you can check out for dinner and beverages, likewise go buying some unique art, books and also fashion products; in the long run take pleasure in a good glass of wine.
Day trips from Marrakech are likewise available; both popular field trip are Ourika and Oukaimeden. In Ourika, one can stroll with increased yards and also enjoy a bird’s-eye view over the valley from the Atlas Hills. See throughout spring, when the cherries, almonds, and also roses are growing. The most effective means to delight in and also explore the hills is by arranging a journey that will certainly enable you to stroll. They say the most effective means to enjoy the area is by walking. Throughout the day journey, you will enjoy the views you get from the touristy area.
Marrakech is a city of tales, with a mix of European, Center Eastern as well as African culture as well as flavors. When having your excursion around the place, you can see the towns, dine with a local family and also do their social activities. In this way, you will have a lot of fun and most importantly understand the diversification of culture in Marrakech. Understanding the society of individuals is an excellent experience, and also you get to know their ideas as well as social activities.
Visit the historical sites such as Badi Palace, Saadian Tombs, Ben Yusuf Madrassa as well as Bahia Palace. You will certainly obtain a fantastic experience just how old this city is. There are additionally various other monoliths as well as museums like the Gallery of Digital Photography and also Marrakech Gallery. Plan to have an entire day for you to see these tourist attractions, take a guided tour, there are outstanding overview solutions in Marrakech supplied by neighborhood guides. There are likewise several Mosques in the city, Morocco being a Muslim country, they include: Koutoubia Mosque as well as Ben Youssef Mosque.
One of the very best ways to take pleasure in Morocco scenic tours from Marrakech is to let Anaam tours do all the planning for you; this will assist you experience the genuine Marrakech, worry-free. The city is excellent for any kind of vacationers, and every person reaches carry something back home as well as a rewarding experience.
Having arrived at the point in your life where you feel you are not dealing well by yourself in Home Care the house yet have an anxiety of letting strangers right into your house for house care or are bothered with completely moving right into a treatment home, consider the question properly prior to choosing.
Deciding which steps to take when choosing treatment choices for relative, spouses and even on your own can be difficult, particularly when making the huge decision. Consultation with family members can help yet usually they understand absolutely nothing concerning the help that is available. Below are presented a few of the indicate consider when making the big choice.
Home treatment can be very advantageous for people as it allows them to continue to be in the house, and also keep some independence. A versatile treatment strategy can be given which is tailored to a person’s demands. This permits individual’s the possibility to proceed doing things that they enjoy. For instance if a private enjoys walking, after that it is feasible for it to be set up within an individual’s strategy, or treatment employees can be made use of for assistance to permit them to continue these activities.
Hospital admission can be protected against and readmission rates reduced, this is because people are obtaining the support that they require within their homes, and injuries that result from falls can be prevented within the residence as house assistance prevents them doing tasks that might trigger damage.
Infection risk can additionally be reduced, due to the fact that a person isn’t in a setting where sick people are present, which means that the possibility of coming to be ill themselves is reduced.
House care also supplies assistance for relative, as the strain of caring for a relative is decreased.
The familiar environments of your own house are maintained as well as possibly safeguarded for family members.
It supplies individuals with a chance for social communication, as tasks are frequently arranged for them to take part in if they wish. This is beneficial as it avoids isolation.
Care Homes likewise supply 24 hr look after individuals, which suggests that they are more probable to get all the relevant assistance they require.
Individual’s moving into Treatment Houses can additionally minimize the strain on a family members, as they will certainly no more need to offer care for their relatives, which indicates that they can be there simply for support.
Depending upon the sort of care that a person needs it may be a lot more advantageous for a specific to obtain treatment within a Care House setting because it might decrease the prices for them a little if they need a lot of assistance, they typically Home Treatment is much more tailored and more affordable.
Nevertheless there are a few downsides to both House Care and Treatment Homes, and these consist of: A big monetary effect, having to manage an unusual scenario as well as high quality of treatment can often be a problem. The downsides of Treatment Homes specifically can be: a fear of Treatment Residences, an absence of flexibility and choice, and having to handle various other citizens as they may not proceed with them.
Both care choices have benefits and also disadvantages, as well as this can make the big choice extremely difficult. Residence Care is a specifically preferred selection for person’s treatment currently, and this is mainly due to the versatility as well as independence that it provides. This makes Home Care generally seem extra appealing to individuals, as it allows individuals to really feel more comfortable and also loosened up with the treatment that they are receiving. Nonetheless the choice of which sort of treatment an individual must get ought to be made on the basis of their scenario, to make sure that they can locate an alternative that is ideal matched to what they require.
Running a Residence Treatment organisation predispositions us in the direction of Residence Treatment yet in reality individuals can get to a point where a Care Residence is the only practical choice due to the intensity of care needed.
Why might You need a Google Rank monitoring API?
whether or not you very own an search engine optimization up to dateolsupdated website or you run an seo business, the capacity up-to-date song and report up to date up-to-date the Google ranking for their precise keywords can be an critical a part of the carrier which you offer.
Of course, you could usually do a guide Google seek after which sift through the effects up-to-date locate placed in which a up to date’s internet site is ranked on the Google engines like google, however no person desires upupdated ought upupdated do that, seo api which is wherein a Google Rank monitoring API comes inup-to-date play.
when you have get right of entry upupdated up-to-date a rank tracking API, you can embed rating information for websites and keywords up to date yourupdated own packages and for your web sites and provide your clientsupdated with the key performance up to date that they want. A Google SERP checker API may also give you the insights which you need up-to-date refine your seo campaigns for the optimum results.
The demand for accurate and up to date dateupdated seo facts is clearly endless. seo agencies need up to date up to datedisplay the effectiveness of their search engine optimization campaigns, e-trade web sites want up to date moniupupdated the location in their very own products and role of competiup to dater’s products, associate entrepreneurs need updated have the ability the tune the placement of their web sites, in truth, all of us with a presence at the internet will need up-to-date recognise wherein their sites are ranked in Google and other search engines like google.
in this particular scenario, an API is a piece of 0.33-birthday celebration code that an utility or internet site can pass parameters up-to-date and receive facts from. A Google rank checking API, as an instance, will take the key phrases which can be entered on a internet site and go back the present day Google rating for that key-word.
What Does a Google Rank monitoring API do?
The pleasant providers of seo monitoring APIs will typically have a number of distinct APIs that can be used software program and web sites. here are a number of the primary sorts of seo tracking APIs.
A rank tracking API will go back the 3177227fc5dac36e3e5ae6cd5820dcaa rating for a specific keyword for a given region.
A key-word statistics API will go back the keyword statistics that you might otherwise up to date appearance up manually in the Google AdWords planner, which includes search volumes, common price perupdated click on, and the fitness center of opposition for that keyword.
A competiup-to-dater API will locate all relevant data as regards upupdated a competiup-to-dater’s internet site, including up-to-date volumes, up-to-date assets, the average time spent on the website, page views perupdated session and the leap costs.
A URL metrics API will provide the important statistics on a URL, which include area Authority (DA), page Authority (PA), trust glide (TF) and quotation waft (CF).
Why would You need a Google Rank monitoring API?
An search engine optimization tracking API presents seo software program agencies and search engine optimization businesses with the possibility of adding price updated their offerings. they are able upupdated use the functions of an API updated search engine optimization campaigns, provide branded reporting offerings updated their up-to-date, or truly add search engine optimization information offerings updated their website up-to-date extra up-to-date.
I Don’t Want To Spend This Much Time On FOOTBALL DATA FEED. How About You?
Senior High Schools that Want You to Run “Their System” at the Youth Degree.
A handful of Young people Football instructors obtain pressure from the neighborhood Secondary school to run their infraction. The High School trainer in these scenarios commonly assume that by instructing 8 years of age kids to run his system, by the time the gamers are 18 years old, they must be very efficient at running said system.
I am 100% opposed to the Senior high school train enforcing his will certainly on the Youth Program.
For lots of factors I am 100% opposed to the instructors imposing this will certainly upon the youth coach as well as youngsters. My initial factor concerns basic control and initiative. The usually handsomely paid for his time, High School instructor is telling a non-paid volunteer of a program not run or paid for by the College, to run his High School system. Part of the “advantage” of spending loan out of your very own pocket to train young people football, is you reach select what you are going to run as well as just how you are mosting likely to run it. If I stop working as a coach, I’m going to fail running something I did the study on and believe in, not something shoved down my throat by somebody not also associated with my young people football program or by someone that most likely never coached a down of Youth Football.
Who is to claim this College trainer will also be at the institution 10 years from now, or even better that he will be running the very same infraction? Among the regional teams we feed right into has actually run 3 different Offenses in the last 5 years and also had 2 different Head Coaches. So which of the 3 offenses should my teams be running currently? Yes allows train 70+ youth trains a very challenging offense each year or 2, when nearly fifty percent of them have no football training experience. The majority of these offenses had we decided to soccer data provider run them, had zero youth products or support system available for our trainers. I’m sure we would certainly have failed miserably and also lost lots of gamers had we embraced these systems.
I have actually also seen on some training online forums where some trainers claim it does not matter in any way if any group wins or loses listed below the varsity degree. The “varsity” is all that issues, even their Junior high school, Fresher and also JV groups don’t matter. Well, it matters to the kids and parents playing on these groups and isn’t that why we are expected to be mentoring football to begin with? I question exactly how that High School coach would certainly really feel if a college instructor came up to him and claimed that it didn’t matter if the Secondary school won or shed, all that matters is what occurs at the college level and that the Senior high school should run the Colleges infraction? Don’t bother the fact that few of the children will ever play College round, equally as simply 25% of youth players will certainly play High School ball. Audio enough thinking for you? Allow’s take it an action better, shouldn’t the professional instructors be informing the College trains their victories as well as losses indicate absolutely nothing, all that matters is that the College children are running the Pro Offense? This “following degree” baloney is just that, hogwash. Any kind of trainer with also reasonable training skills can establish gamers for whatever system he choses to run.
Such arrogance is frustrating to see from anybody associated with training youth football.
This kind of perspective is hardly ever discovered among successful coaches, it is most conveniently seen from reason making oaches that are doing badly and also are seeking to lay the blame of their poor efficiency at somebody else’s feet. I’ve really seen High School trainers condemn Jr High coaches for their university teams troubles, that’s somebody desperate to keep a work he most likely shouldn’t have needed to start with.
At the big facilities I do for Glazier as well as Nike, I always sit in on a session or more. Along with a Darrin Slack session, I such as to see what the best High School trains in the nation are doing, groups like Southlake Carrol, Jenks, Union, Hoover, Colton, De LaSalle etc. The guys that trainer these teams care little about whether the kid entering their program can read a 3 strategy and also can run their infraction. They just want an opportunity to instructor the kid, that he pursues football. They desire the young people train to instruct safe basic barring as well as taking on and NOT to run the child off. The excellent coaches are wanting to get a player that has a love for the game as well as is coachable. These successful trainers tell me they are quite confident they have the mentoring capacity to show a player concerning anything over a 4 year time frame with almost 4 months of 6 day a week contact in addition to year round, strength, agility as well as skills training. On the other hand we youth coaches get the children for a couple of months of very shortened 2-3 day a week practices, a mere portion of what the High Schools get as well as we are supposed to have the most significant technological impact on them?
we all love our pets and need to make certain that we do nothing out of stupidity to harm them…yet lots of pets are hospitalized each 12 months for issues due to their owners feeding them desk scraps.
The extraordinarily conservative factor of view is to now not feed our pets something apart from a weight-reduction plan prescribed via our veterinarian. welsh love spoons As accountable pet owners we want to be conscious that some cats and dogs genuinely can not digest anything other than a prescribed food regimen. in case your veterinarian indicates such a restrained eating regimen, then just “say no” to table scraps. Why torment your puppy allowing a desk scrap now after which best to stop the practice whilst the pet gets unwell?
Alcohol – ingesting alcohol can purpose a drop in blood sugar, blood stress and body temperature and may result in seizures and respiration misery. And be conscious that your pet’s temperament can alternate, often to the poor. a friend had a St. Bernard that loved to drink beer! He might end up competitive towards youngsters and other pets. just say NO to alcohol!
Broths – beef or chicken broth are a top notch supply of nutrients, however be cautious of the high salt content. I as soon as had a canine that was fed his dry dog food in a bowl of pork broth each day and he lived to be 19 years of age!
Caffeine – often located in weight loss program drugs, espresso, tea and electricity liquids, caffeine can adversely have an effect on the coronary heart, stomach, intestines and nervous system.
Carrots – My West Highland Terriers like to bite carrots. however be careful not to offer your puppy a chunk that due to it’s size, is effortlessly stuck in their throat. I take a seat on the fence on this table scrap. If there is any hazard of your pet choking on a chunk of carrot (some dogs simply “wolf down” their food) then don’t feed them carrots. The hazard is not well worth the reward.
Chocolate – The chemical theobromine is found in cocoa and chocolate. Fed to our pets in small amounts, it is able to motive vomiting and diarrhea. In focused quantities theobromine can reason disruption of the primary apprehensive gadget (epileptic seizures), stimulate cardiac activity (heart assaults) and growth blood stress (internal bleeding). Caffeine is likewise found in chocolate and may adversely affect the heart, stomach, intestines and of path the anxious system.
Cooked bones – You by no means understand what bone goes to splinter whilst chewed by your pet, resulting in sharp portions of bone being ingested and getting caught on your puppy’s gut. dying from a punctured intestine is a completely painful manner to go. Do not feed cooked or raw animal bones, in particular bird or turkey bones. comply with your veterinarian’s recommendation on permitting beef bones.
Mobile responsiveness is should- A mobile responsive layout is definitely important to any kind of sports associated website. As it is Google have actually announced its preference for mobile-friendly websites and designers throughout the world are striving to follow this. But only being mobile pleasant will refrain for your sports website. It ought to be jet quick in packing rate regardless of the kind of device that is being made use of. This will make it possible for users to grab pertinent details like real-time scores and sports stats as, when and anywhere they please.
Using a wide variety of font colors is a large no-no – Yes, some sporting activities websites I have actually discovered try to make their material eye-catching by using a myriad of font shades as well as designs but this is a substantial error on the part of the designers. You must make your web content readable with unwinded eyes. Why the customers need to stress their eyes to read your material? They will instantly leave your site as well as go to your competitors’ websites for a clearer as well as much more detailed display screen. Therefore, it is reckless to make use of numerous font shades on your sporting activities internet site. Dark fonts on a lighter background is the best means you can present your sports content.
Entirely upgraded web content- Yes, this is one of the most important high quality that your audience are mosting likely to rate you on. They will certainly see whether you are the very first one amongst your peers to update the live ratings or push old web content lower on your websites, hence making space for fresh ones. Keeping a sporting activities website requires tremendous skills and also you need to show your well worth and also keep up the excellent efficiency regularly. Hence, make sure you have proper sources prior to you dive right into it. If you don’t then it is better to ask for it as opposed to suffering later on.
Easy navigation- Navigation is a vital component of any type of website designs and sports websites are no exemption to this rule.on the contrary, they need to utilize top-of-the-market approaches to enhance individual experience. If the individuals can not locate what they are seeking, they will not also take a microsecond (naturally relying on the speed of broadband) to bounce off. Make everything easily offered to them. Attempt and conserve their time as much as feasible. Begin. They have a live match to catch.
The above discussed attributes are a few of the basic requirements of a sporting activities website. There are other areas that calls your focus too like the installment of appealing sporting activities widgets showing real-time ratings and football data, mini videos revealing live matches, message commentaries and live sports stats ideally.
These are a few of the crucial elements that can help your internet site to attract attention from the rest. Whatever relies on exactly how you await your site visitors to have a boosted experience on your site. Be it content, widgets or live discourses, you should make sure your internet site has all the tools ready to bind even the most causal visitors. Football enthusiasts are insane people. They like every little thing completely arranged as well as well organized. It is a good idea to keep in mind that most of are missing on a real-time suit for job or other personal/professional factors. Your web site must be able to make up for it. Or else there is no point investing in something that might not obtain you the results you are entitled to.
With the discharge of the trendy international of warcraft expansion % Will of The Lich King enlargement comes many new modifications and additions to the game. The maximum extremely good is the addition of the primary Hero elegance, the loss of life Knight.
in case you’ve been gambling for the reason that growth launch, you’ve probably visible what seems like a million “DK’s” jogging round in your server, DEATH SPELLS in particular if you want to PVP in the battlegrounds and are in the 50-59 bracket you’ve got possibly had video games were the entire other crew is dying Knights.
The motive at the back of that is due to the fact, while growing a dying Knight you start at level fifty five and once you end all the fundamental dying Knight quests you will have all Blue pleasant gear, which means at stage fifty eight you can visit the Battlegrounds and pretty lots kill all people in web site easily.
So right away everyones yelling how Overpowered loss of life knights are, the actual reality is, like every instructions first comes equipment, then comes “ability” and right off the bat the loss of life Knight has higher tools than the general public in the 50-59 PVP BG bracket.
So, let’s get within the the demise Knight skills Builds.
like all lessons there may be three expertise timber.
The Blood tree isn’t always very good while you first begin your death Knight, as a minimum in PVP. i found it true in PVE but the different bushes provide lots greater first of all in PVP (in a while however Blood is very good in PVP).
The Blood tree is stated for it is ability to present you self recovery skills. The blood tree may be looked at as a self recovery, Semi excessive single goal DPS build.
The Frost tree is what maximum don’t forget the Tank and Burst FPS tree, in my opinion it is also tougher of the three to grasp due to the fact you may be using many spells and timing spells whilst certain talents burst off to get large burst harm. This is a good tree for PVP however notice, you really want to learn to use it efficaciously, otherwise you’ll suppose it’s far total rubbish and nugatory.
possibly the maximum famous tree of them enthusiastic about maximum dying Knights. surely most loss of life Knights at 80 are Unholy or Blood. The unholy tree presents some precise blessings. First, theres a expertise which makes your ghoul pet permanent, so that you always have a pet out doing damage, and secondly the potential to upon death come back in ghoul shape for every other forty five seconds to kill things. In PVP getting back from the lifeless you can truly dish out damage, i was surprised how tons harm you can do in ghoul form.
Unholy is also the “AOE” tree and DOT tree. Your harm spells that do harm over time last longer and have shorter cooldowns.
Is Cloud-primarily based software in reality the destiny of Recruitment?
have you ever taken any calls currently from software program providers? Calls where you’re promised the world if most effective you’ll transfer from your present software program issuer? The probabilities are that you’ve taken some of those, and that is a conservative estimate. For the ones of you who haven’t it begs the query, what exactly is cloud-primarily based recruitment software, and how can it help recruiters?
Reliance on submitting shelves and paper-primarily based administration.
Compensating for his or her lack of generation with the aid of hiring professional administrators.
gradual, cumbersome reaction while making ready for audits.
administrators spending valuable time correcting errors affecting the business.
while this continues to occur in recruitment, it’s best fair to consider why small businesses retain to persist down this road. historically the fee of enforcing new software or IT infrastructure has been exceptionally high priced, supplying a enormous barrier to access for commercial enterprise proprietors. i’ve misplaced rely of the number of corporation proprietors i’ve spoken with who admire the deserves of technology, however they could not take the monetary chance to put in force it.
it would appear then that recruiters rest on the horns of a dilemma. How can recruiters keep precious time and money, with out exposing themselves to needless danger?
The early adopters within recruitment have already begun to change the manner which they do enterprise. that is due to recruitment software program carriers imparting a modern-day distribution model, one that removes the fee of installing the era within their client’s enterprise. That distribution version is cloud computing.
software program carriers host their own IT infrastructure and allow their customers far flung get admission to to the offerings which they have got subscribed to. not will small recruitment groups be quoted lots of pounds to buy and configure their own server farm at head office.
To the recruiter this is of vital significance. The most substantial barrier stopping the adoption of generation hasn’t just been eliminated; it’s been vigorously swept aside.
in the wider commercial enterprise global we most effective must have a look at the novel changes Adobe has made to their personal distribution model. they have got replaced their annual software improvement cycle with a cloud-based distribution version, permitting clients to actually join their offerings each month in place of buying the software outright.
we have installed that cloud computing can save the employment enterprise time and money, however can it truly turn out to be the recruiter’s fine pal overnight?
As recruiters, we recognise that there is more to the industry than creating wealth. every day recruiters place applicants in new roles, making a advantageous, existence converting impact on their candidate’s lives. however a massive part of recruitment in 2013 is the way that recruiters construct relationships with their customers.
A pediatric dentist is a clinical professional who focuses on treating all types of dental issues faced by children. Such people no longer simplest want to realize approximately wellknown dentistry, but they ought to also look at primary orthodontics, and have to be able to administer anesthesia for appearing dental surgical procedures on youngsters. The people need to be approved by using the yankee Dental association (ADA) or different relevant bodies. They have to also have a truthful expertise of the psychology of youngsters and their behavior in an effort to make their patients sense as at ease as feasible. Pediatric dentists are extraordinarily in demand, in locations around the sector.
on the way to emerge as a pediatric dentist, people want to finish unique degree applications supplied by means of recognized colleges and universities around the arena. Children kids Pediatric dentist goodyear az Pediatric Dentistry falls beneath uniqueness dentistry, which means that that the diploma packages combine the knowledge of pediatrics and dental research to provide a complete expertise of both of these topics. The folks who sign up for these diploma packages need to undergo as a minimum years of classroom and lab education to effectively whole the stages. best the ones those who are capable of coping with the needs of young children have to practice for degree packages.
in view that a pediatric dentist is focused on providing right dental care to children, they must be able to manage teenagers behaviors and assist the children in overcoming the fears related to traveling a dentist. They must additionally be capable of cope with the special wishes of kids with special bodily conditions or disabilities. Such scientific specialists ought to also have sizeable understanding of the usage of anesthesia and sedative capsules so that you can carry out numerous dental surgeries readily and preserve the youngsters calm and confident in the course of the treatment. individuals with correct children control abilities make exact pediatric dentists.
perhaps the most critical issue of Pediatric Dentistry is the consider and the relationship constructed between the dentist and the child. A dentist for kids have to be able to address the special personalities that can be discovered inside the youngsters of today. this will help in ensuring that the kids acquire the great oral fitness without any fear of traveling the dentist. The clinical expert who presents right dental care to children ought to teach the youngsters about the do’s and don’ts of dental care, apart from encouraging them to cultivate appropriate conduct like brushing the tooth regularly, well chewing their meals and so on.
German food isn’t all sausages and also sauerkraut; actually, you’ll find a vast array of restaurants near me one-of-a-kind dining establishments near Berlin hotels. These restaurants range from the conventional where stewards in Leiderhosen offer schnitzels as well as steins, to the completely bizarre – we’re speaking garlic ice-cream and food selections published on commode rolls right here!
Can You Spot The A PRIVATE PAY COUPLES THERAPISTS Pro?
Happiness as well as grief are two sides of a coin. They state love is blind and it is simpler to come under it than to rise. Individuals do devote and enter a relationship nevertheless many a times are not able to keep it for also lengthy. Over the time period distress and also unhappiness begins flowing in and also things start coming to be from poor to even worse. It has actually been seen that two individuals living under the very same roofing do not engage with each other for a very long time which usually results in serious problems and also they begin breaking a partnership.
Relationships are priceless, and they need to be looked after in a delicate fashion.
Like we care for our much-loved points, be it a cars and truck or a gadget and offer them routine upkeep as well as fuelling or solution, so are our connections which we mostly take for granted. We just begin working with boosting our relationships when the significant damages has actually been done. It is said that when an issue appears it is best to resolve it after that and there but strangely in a partnership we do specifically the opposite.
Active payment from the therapist side in treating the connection overall as well as involving both of them.
Developing the clear objective of treatment.
After that the specialist will assist the couple to determine the problem and marriage counseling midtown Manhattan continue the therapy based on that. With this, he also shares his point of views about the toughness of their connection as well as binds the spirit.
When the treatment gets on, the specialist attempts to aid the pair obtain an understanding of the connection and its altering aspects keeping in emphasis the primary concern.
The last action is to customize the behavior of the pair, improve the interaction, as well as aid them engage in a different fashion as well as for this, they even assign some sort of job the pair which they require to apply while communicating every day.
It helps to boost the level of recognizing relating to each various other’s needs and feedbacks.
It assists in reclaiming the lost distance and understanding and also revives the love in the partnership.
Negotiation or re-negotiation of commitments has actually been a feature of this treatment by the couple as they are aided in this by the specialist.
It can thus be seen that most of the couples have had the ability to restore their lost partnership from this treatment efficiently but majorly we need to keep in mind that we need to value our relationships and also not drag as well as make small blunders right into a big disaster.
Preparation a wedding event can be crazy, fun, as well as overwhelming at one time! A lot of decisions, so little time. Menu? Decors? Blossoms? Wedding celebration Invitations? Bridal Showers? Music? Lets concentrate on the songs and also share suggestions to ensure a successful wedding party.
Points take place so just keep one’s cool and let the wedding event experts help you by virtue of their know-how! If you are a do it yourselfer, enable extra time for the knowing contour. Simply kick back if things goes wrong like the ring holder neglecting the call on the 16th flooring of the resort room or the event beginning 35 minutes late because Uncle Bob took a wrong turn driving to the church.
Always trust a specialist. Keep in mind: You are intending one wedding. Specialist assistance strategy thousands. Many individuals are trying to find value today as well as might think that because Aunt Bertha plays the piano, she ‘d be excellent as your alcoholic drink pianist. Auntie Bertha may recognize “Love Me Tender” ~ but do you intend to hear it over as well as over? Don’t dissatisfy your guests or on your own by reducing corners? If she wants to play as her present to you, invite her to play a couple of tracks. Allow Auntie Bertha be a guest. Leave the music to the expert that has a large arsenal for every person. They are able to take requests, play polished, expert setups ~ and do it all while grinning and also carrying on a conversation without taking their hands off the keys.
For a stunning, classy, as well as stylish wedding and also function utilize “live” music. Keep the CDs in the vehicle. If you are definitely on the tightest spending plan ~ you can employ a solo musician of what 2 supper entrees or a beautiful blossom plan would certainly set you back. Do not reduce edges with your ambience. Music establishes the tone for your day. Your guests WILL CERTAINLY discover. Keep this idea in mind for your wedding celebration showers, rehearsal suppers, as well as your article nuptial sparkling wine breakfasts.
Trust fund your pals for recommendations that they have managed for their special celebrations. If you don’t understand of any individual, the center where you are planning your event typically has a list of favored Artists for concentrating on Wedding, Receptions, as well as Corporate Events. Ask your buddy as well as the place concerning Bands, Orchestras, DJ’s, Florists, Photographers, and wedding ceremony music also Event caterers. Just ask a Wedding catering Planner for their checklist of Expert Musicians; this listings of suggested suppliers more than likely did not PAY to be listed! Any individual can obtain noted in a phonebook or a wedding celebration magazine for a fee. Suggestions cost absolutely nothing yet are enormously valuable sources.
Brides preparing Catholic wedding require to speak with the Music Director of their regional churches prior to picking artists. It prevails method for the church to REQUIRE you utilize their “in home” musicians and also will not permit you to generate “outside” vendors. Bear in mind when preparing your wedding celebration, constantly count on an expert with a tried and tested reputation. Appreciate your big day!
Erectile dysfunction is the only disease men worry and discover difficult to deal with. Many guys enjoy this regular but with new research, this circumstance may be dealt with obviously with actually zero facet effects. most guys that do enjoy erectile disorder revel in it on a temporary foundation. there are numerous medications and other motives why an adult male ought to suffer from this dysfunction. Frustration, strain, lack of energy and even side consequences from different medicines can motive erectile disorder either temporarily, or completely.
determining the foundation cause for erectile dysfunction may be pretty hard as the motives generally range from person to character. This disorder may be induced from obesity, smoking, erekciq certain surgical procedures, immoderate alcohol intake and a negative weight-reduction plan. the majority don’t comprehend that the majority of the time, erectile dysfunction is honestly a aspect impact from some different acknowledged or unknown difficulty. The troubles that reason this dysfunction are severa, and that is why it’s far difficult to pinpoint what is causing ED from person male to adult male. one of the important acknowledged reasons that are found common in maximum person males is the experience of distress and emotions of inadequacies.
the best information is there are natural erectile dysfunction remedies that are established to assist get rid of the sickness all collectively. studies has proven that certain natural remedies and remedies are powerful enough to opposite and completely heal this circumstance. those natural treatments variety from herbal oils that may be massaged inside the male organ place, or other herbal products that can be taking in tablet form or introduced to a every day weight loss plan. natural supplements are bought over-the-counter without the need for a prescription this is demonstrated to help guys experiencing this disorder. other supplements like herbal testosterone boosters are crafted from herbal extracts that have virtually no aspect effects.
Low testosterone is one of the principal causes of erectile troubles. keeping a healthful balance of testosterone to estrogen can be finished by means of incorporating positive foods which are known to reinforce testosterone stages and inhibit estrogen. meals excessive in protein like eggs, nuts, hen and tuna can assist improve testosterone levels. even as meals which are excessive in sugar and processed meals can paintings in opposition to someone trying to boost their stages of testosterone. by using making a few adjustments in a day by day diet, and including sure effective herbs, erectile disorder can be defeated with out the concerns of side consequences from medical doctor prescribe medicines. | 2019-04-25T22:24:41Z | http://www.newbalance-factory-outlet.com/category/uncategorized/ |
There seems to be a host of different views about Palace's financial plight. I thought I'd share my thoughts on the subject, but while I'm at it I'm going to explore how the rules should be changed.
Firstly I should explain that I am not completely sure what the rules are about who gets paid what and what options a creditor has if he doesn't agree with the 10p (or what ever it is) in the pound that they are owed.
What I do know is that in 2008 a company went into Administration and was subsequently declared bankrupt and it owed my wife over £10,000. The owners and staff had been paying themselves hundreds of thousands of pounds in salaries while the business failed to make money, and even (obviously) spent what turned out to be millions of pounds that it didn't have. I am fully aware of the implications of the 'little man' as the founder of the company that owed us £10k plus went home to his £2m house that was safe as he had a limited company.
Thus I do have sympathy for anyone that is trying to earn a living, look after their family and pay the taxes that provide public services and then get stuffed when mismanagement causes businesses to fold. In the case of Crystal Palace (just like any other company, football or otherwise) I would love to see their Chairman lose his house and the shirt off his back. I read an article recently where Mr Jordan was boasting that he has fifteen cars - he listed them as he was so proud of them. I mean, how can you need 15 cars? He will be allowed to keep them all, of course, and his yacht, which he brags he paid £3m for (it might have been £2m I'm not that sure).
The other thing that I feel needs addressing is this condition to repay any football debts. I'm very pleased that we will benefit from the reported £100k they owe us, but if they are forced to repay all football debts, yet get away with 10p in the £ to the Inland Revenue this needs to be addressed. The Inland Revenue is, after all, the public purse. This is the money used to pay for hospitals, schools etc.
When I mentioned that my knowledge of the rules was limited I did so with the intention of floating the idea that HMRC should force a football club to repay 100% of the Tax due or go out of business. This would be rather unfair on the club in question, but it would make others think twice about 'cheating' the public out of their money by putting a limited company into administration.
I remember the fuss when Leeds were in administration. According to Wikipedia, Ken Bates only offered 1p in the pound initially. He eventually paid 8p in the pound. Thus the reported £35m debt was reduced to £2.8m. They owed the Inland Revenue (you and I) £6m. Thus the public purse was shortchanged of £4.92m. Even now the presenters on TalkSport happily tell us that Ken Bates saved Leeds and he's done a great job. He did so by managing to wipe off £32.2m.
The former footballers (who's intelligence I question) don't seem to have a problem with the fact that we have nearly £5m less to spend on hospitals where sick children are dying due to a lack of resources. No, not at all, Ken Bates is a real Hero.
Portsmouth are in a bit of a jam at the moment. There seems to be some confusion about a penalty points deduction in the Premier League. I'm not sure what the actual situation is as there has never been an administration in the Premier League, but I suspect that with debts of £60m (or what ever they are) they would be advised to go into administration before the March deadline, reduce their debts to a few million, knock the Inland Revenue and start in the Championship with little (or no) debt with two seasons of parachute money to get them back up again.
In fact, this should be the new model for all promoted teams. If you go up you should borrow c.£60m to spend on players, go into administration, get relegated (there was a fairly good chance of this happening anyway), sell a couple of players and end up with £50m of players and cash in the bank.
Thus I think it is time for a football club to be forced to close it's doors and cease to exist. This is just needed as a lesson to the rest of the footballing world that it is no longer acceptable to spend someone else's money and then pay something like 10% of it and start again.
For the record Leeds and Palace are not the only clubs that have benefited from this. Southampton have, from the little information available, managed to build a super stadium for nothing - or a massively reduced price at the very least. Sure they have been deducted 10 points in the third division, but from what I've seen they have the biggest transfer budget outside of the Premier League. How must those that have suffered financial hardship as a consequence of their administration feel when they seem them buying million pound players? Leicester City did the same thing. They built the Walkers Stadium then went into Administration and never paid the full price for it. What made their actions even worse was that they didn't even suffer a 10 point deduction as the rule hadn't been introduced by then.
Now it is no secret that I don't like Palace, and for me they are the perfect club to make an example of, despite the fact that I suspect they will end up defaulting on less than those others I've mentioned. At the very least HMRC should demand that their debt is treated with the same priority as football debts. Maybe it's time for a change in the law to enforce that across the board.
I know people are suggesting that we could well be in a similar situation at some point (this summer being mentioned) but even though I don't want Charlton to cease to exist, I believe that these administrations are currently just too beneficial to the football clubs, and are often used as a business practice. The punishment should be so severe that no one relies on it.
On a side issue, having looked at our accounts most of the debt is owed to those that run the club. Sure we have a 'mortgage' on The Valley, but as that is secured it is likely to be paid in any event. Thus administration would cost the Board millions. From sporadic reports it looks like the board members wanted some money for the Club and/or (depending on which reports you believe) they wanted their loan bonds to be repaid. If they don't sell the club and it goes into administration they are likely to get a very small percentage of that money. That could well have been a major motivating factor in the £7m injection in the summer. I'm not suggesting that our directors only care for their own money, but I'm guessing that if Simon Jordan was owed £15m by Palace and they owned the ground that was worth many millions, he would have bank rolled the club from his own finances, rather than the money he has 'borrowed' from local businesses and us taxpayers.
As it is I suspect that Palace will sell a couple of their players (I'd be amazed if anyone would pay much of a fee for Ambrose - I don't think there are many secrets in football and he underperformed for Newcastle, us and on loan an Ipswich) then survive in the Championship and be no worse off next season.
Something has got to change. Imagine if every football club went into administration. We would all have 10 points deducted, and we could write off literally billions of pounds of debt with no real consequences at all for the footballing world. This system actually punishes the sensible, the prudent, and the decent.
So, for the record, I hope that Crystal Palace are forced into liquidation and cease to exist. Sure that's personal, why shouldn't I hate them, their fans hate us. However, the main reason for this is that I am sick and tired of seeing millionaires (Chairmen, Players and their Agents) being unaffected by these actions while the tax payer and small businesses lose millions of pounds that they can't spare.
I have read an reread Dave's post on last night. I agree with all of what he says, but I do feel the need for a moan of my own.
Firstly can someone tell the manager and/or the players that the introduction of the prices for next year's season tickets is not the time to play the worst football (at home) of the season. I haven't read last night's program yet, but I'm guessing there will be something more about the tickets in it, and this after the prices were published the night we 'scraped' past Hartlepool 2-1.
A run of eleven unbeaten is, actually, quite fantastic. I know we are in the third division, and we are a big club and all that, but you can only beat those that are in front of you, and we are averaging two points per game. You have to go back to 1986/87 to find a season where the team in second place of the third division (in all it's names) had an average of more than 2 points per game. Since we switched to three points for a win in 1981/82 there has only been that one season where an average of two points per game was not enough to finish in the top two. The last season of two points for a win we were in the old Third Division and we managed 59, but with 3 points for a win we would have managed 84.
Maybe Norwich and Leeds are going to pick up fewer points in the last 19 and 21 games respectively. Maybe 90 points will be enough to win the division, but either way our side has a better average now than it has finished a season with since I've been watching. Our Football League Championship season we finished with 91 points. I know we fell apart at the end, but after 27 games we had 56 points, we currently have 54. It's not exactly a complete disaster.
Sure, losing at home was a disappointment. I truly believed that after we scored that late equaliser against Swindon we would go the whole season unbeaten at home. Clearly it was not to be, but as Chicago Addick says, there is a lot of football to be played, and many twists and turns to come.
The biggest worry, though, is that I actually believe that Parkinson is getting the best out of what he has. We don't have a natural left sided player to play on the wing. Wagstaff has done a good job out there, but to be fair to him he is young, and he is (like most of the squad) right footed. He looked good for a couple of games, and the side looked balanced too, but the Millwall game was too much for him, and I believe that using him sparingly is the best for both the player and the team. Neither Bailey nor Shelvey are left wingers. They have both done a job there, but they both look like central midfielders playing out wide.
Unless we can do a deal to swap one of our central midfielders for a winger then we have to accept that we are going to be hopelessly one sided. We are going to be easy to predict with Lloyd Sam being the focus of most of our attacks, and our left flank our weakness as the 'winger' in front of Basey (and Youga soon - hopefully) is often wandering into the centre. A note for Grant Basey, he has suffered a lot of criticism recently. Let's try to remember that he is still very young; he has had little or no protection from the player in front of him; he gets forward and creates things, like Mooney's goal last week; he is our reserve left back - in an ideal world he would only play a handful of games in a season. Just how good a reserve left back do we expect to have in the third division?
So if Parkinson is getting the most (give or take) out of the players we have, and there is little chance of signing any new players we probably have to accept that Norwich and Leeds are going to prove difficult to catch. This is a depressing thought as we really do need to get out of this division at the first attempt if we have any realistic ambitions of being safe in the Championship if and when we get there. However, the playoffs are still a route to promotion after all.
My only moan about last night was that I didn't think the foul on Nicky Bailey was all that bad, and from what I've read elsewhere the TV cameras confirmed as much. I don't mind a player doing what he can to gain an advantage, but to have rolled around on the floor like he'd been shot while Orient scored then running half the length of the pitch to complain about it made Bailey look like an unprofessional spoiled child. It also made him look like a cheat. He has been irreplaceable for us this season, but last night he was positively average (like many of his team mates). It is time for this side of his game to go.
On the whole it was a disappointing performance; it was a very disappointing result, but we still have a better than average points per game than has been needed for a top two finish in 29 of the last 30 seasons. If either Norwich or Leeds go on a run of one win in four we could be right back in it. We need to pick ourselves up and go out on Saturday and continue our record breaking season.
Tonight we face a mid table side that took a hammering at home on Saturday. I'm fully expecting that we will come out of the traps on fire and the game will be as good as over after half an hour.
To be fair I tend to say that every week and I'm not sure we've actually done that more than once or at best twice this season, but tonight I'm sure we will.
Normally you don't want to face a team when they have just been hammered at home, but with six defeats in their last nine games this should be a shoe in for three points tonight.
Of more note is the club's recent offer to freeze prices of season tickets if you renew by 31st March, and to buy a five year ticket at this season's prices too. Both Dave and Blackheath Addick have written about this, and I don't disagree with them, but I also have a different angle to discuss.
Imagine, if you will, those scenes at Turf Moor on Sky Sports last summer with queues of fans waiting to hand over their money to secure a seat for their Premier League campaign. Sure, they wanted to see Man Utd and Arsenal. Sure they wanted to see Blackburn, their derby rivals, but they were in anticipation of the new season because they'd seen so much success. From the end of February (including the playoffs) Burnley won ten, drew three and lost just one game. It's no wonder they were queueing down the road to commit for a whole year.
Compare that to us. Despite losing only one in our last eight games, our run from the end of February was two wins, six draws and four defeats. What is even worse is that was about our best run of the season. It's no wonder that we had a struggle to sell season tickets last summer. We look good at the moment, and I am still confident that we will be in with a real chance of winning promotion this season, but let's face it we would need to win the league or a playoff final for the fans to feel much more enthusiastic about Charlton than they do right now.
Thus the plan to 'cash in' on our current wave of enthusiasm is great business. Sure it will raise much needed income now, and the five year tickets will be a real shot in the arm for the cash flow, but the real benefit, as I see it, is that it will not in any way, shape or form, reduce the total number of season tickets we ultimately sell. I happen to think it will mean many more sales, personally. Last summer I was tempted to have a year off from watching Charlton. Right now I am happy to commit to next season irrespective of which division we are going to be in.
So again, I have reason to praise the club and I feel more confident that things will be alright, and I have a feeling that we are going to record a big win tonight - although I'm sure I've heard that before.
Well, that turned out ok didn't it?
It was nowhere as easy as I'd expected, and had Beavon not missed his early chance the result could well have been rather different. Having said that he did manage (rather more by luck than judgement) to march through our defence without losing the ball.
As I've said previously I am not very good at match reports, and my analytical skills seem to be best used at looking for faults rather than praise, even when it's due. Yesterday's game was, for me anyway, the perfect spectacle for an away game.
Don't get me wrong I love winning games 5-0 (I have seen a few) but coming from behind and winning is always more enjoyable (in this case giving away a lead before scoring a late winner). If we had been ten points ahead of second place and fifteen above third by now I would be more than happy, but it would take a little away from each match as it would seem to be a bit of an irrelevance. Winning three nil, and looking safe after twenty minutes or so is fine, but it's just so much more exciting to enter the last few minutes of the game needing something - be it a goal or to not let one in.
We survived the early scares, and Wycombe had a few chances that would, 99 times out of 100, have led to a goal in the games we played as recently 2006/07 (Premier League). I am only just coming to understand the difference between a 'real' chance in this division. Beavon is probably a good professional (I actually have no idea) and maybe his early miss was not very characteristic of him, but Rooney, Owen, Henry et. al. would have buried it. Thus until I really learn the limitations of strikers in this division (including ours, to be fair) we are going to feel like we have had more let-offs.
Anyway we went on to settle and dominated the rest of the first half getting a great goal by Shelvey, and looking the most likely to score. Wycombe didn't give up, and with better finishing or a bit of luck they could have scored in the first half. Sometimes you need to be only slightly better a side to win by three goals, other times you need to be a much better side to win by one. Yesterday was one of the latter occasions. No disrespect to Wycombe, and the result didn't flatter them, but I still believe as I did on Friday that if we had to play them again, we'd win again.
The fact that the game was in doubt until the final whistle added something to the atmosphere. I have only been to a handful of away matches this season but I've sensed a greater atmosphere among the Charlton fans at each successive game. There seems to be a closer relationship with the players too. I was rather critical of Nicky Bailey in the summer. He was (at Championship level) caught in possession of the ball a few times, and that coupled with a press release that suggested he wanted to leave made me feel a little resentment towards him.
With his performances this season (and from very early on) my thoughts changed. Granted I expect that he would rather play elsewhere (Premier League for sure) but he has led by example this season. Parkinson's decision to make him Captain looked, initially, like a sweetener to keep him. It might have been some, or all the reason, but he has led by example in the same way that Steven Gerrard and John Terry do. With hindsight, something that I have now and Parkinson didn't have in August, his selection as Captain was inspired. Parkinson's decisions all over the place are looking more and more inspired. My criticism of his appointment in November (and again December) 2008 was for the right reasons, but he has clearly proved to be the right man for us. Next season in the The Championship (should we be promoted) or League One (with players having to be sold) he will have it all to do again, but for now I'm more than happy with him. I think he has done enough to earn our respect and, more importantly, our patience and realistic expectations.
Anyway, back to yesterday. On the way up to the game my Dad and I were discussing our hopes for new signings (as you do) but we both concluded that even though we are screaming out for a dedicated left winger, assuming we can keep Mooney until the end of the season the priority is to keep what we have. Nicky Bailey being the most influential individual this season (and probably last season too). He was picked out by the fans and his name was sung more than all the others added together - clearly we are not the only Charlton fans that like him. His goal seemed to come from a perseverance and a determination to score/win. It was his run to the fans (not very far to be honest) and the expression on his face that reassured me that he is not looking for a move in this transfer window. That doesn't mean he won't leave, but normally these things are driven by players. He clearly has a bond with Charlton fans. It makes the treatment he received from Barnet fans earlier this season all the more understandable.
There is a feeling beginning to resurface that the players are not just footballers playing for our team, they are our players, they are our boys. If nothing else that is something to celebrate.
Well, we've been hearing about this for a few years now and suddenly the football clubs have got what they wanted.
It will be interesting to see just what the mouth pieces of Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal will have to say about it when they end up having to play Champions League and Premier League games at the rate of two a week for six weeks.
This break has, however, been a bit of a blessing for us. True it would have been better had we not allowed Norwich to play a game when we didn't, but they had to play their game in hand at some point, and if there is any added pressure with being in the top two then let them have it for a few weeks. With both our full backs out with injuries, and with Christian Dailly suffering from some illness it means that we should have a better squad of fit players to pick from when the games are rearranged. Frankly it doesn't matter where we are in the league until the final game is played, so anything that gives us a better chance of winning a game is ok by me.
It also reduces the number of games that Norwich can play before the end of January. I have no idea if they are actually going to sell any of their stars this month (one of their Directors says they aren't - but he would say wouldn't he) but on the off chance that they are the more games they can hold over the better as far as I'm concerned.
I am a little worried about Colchester suddenly. They look like keeping hold of Lisbie, and from what I read they have money to spend. They have been on a great run since October, and with another player or two they could be a real challenge to us.
There has been little happening since it started snowing, but we are now a week into January and we don't seem to have made much progress on bringing in any players. Akpo Sodje seems to have gone back to Sheffield Wednesday, Mooney (who I think made a big difference when he came into the first team) has gone back to Reading injured. McLeod looks to be in discussions with Peterborough, but as there is some negotiating to be done I can only assume that they want him on loan for a proportion of his wages until the end of the season and then they can send him back if he turns out to be as good for them and he has been for us.
On the subject of injuries, is it only me or do we keep being told that so and so will be out for a few days or a week and then he disappears for weeks on end. Richardson was going to miss a couple of games, and hasn't been fully fit since he failed to finish the game at Gillingham on 24th October. Youga was going to be out for ten days or so, that was on the 24th November.
I don't know if the club guess (and get it wrong) or they mislead the fans or the opposition, but it is a little frustrating when they get it so wrong - especially when they are players that we need and want to see in the side. No disrespect to Basey or Omozusi, but I'd much rather see Richardson and Youga in the starting eleven.
With tickets for Wycombe already bought I hope that we get to play that one, but I guess the weather will decide that - something else that rarely seems to go as we are promised by the 'experts'.
I love Christmas. I really do love it and I always have done. I'm a kid you see. I know most women think that most (if not all) men are children, but I am a proper example of someone that has managed to keep the mental age of a ten year old despite being 38.
Christmas is just so exciting. Santa Clause comes with sacks full of presents, there is more drink to consume than normal, and we play rather a lot of games in a short space of time.
This year, not unlike last, I have had the added bonus of having a son to get excited with. Mrs KHA has been completely bewildered by our repetitive declarations that "I'm so excited".
There was added excitement with Christmas this year as I am on taking and bringing home from school duty. This means that I am responsible for looking after my 5 year old Son from when the school breaks up. Thus my Christmas break started on the 18th December.
So, Millwall was in my Christmas 'holiday'. I've now managed to calm down from the disappointment of letting in that late equaliser, and can see that the game was a classic, and as much as I wanted to win, I accept that on the basis that they had ten men for so much of the game they probably deserved a point.
I love going to football on Boxing day. Away is ok, but I like to be at home. Again we failed to win, but the last few minutes were as exciting as I can remember at The Valley. In fact, now that I do think about it the last time I remember a game finishing so excitingly was when we beat Blackburn with a late goal in December 2006. I was convinced that El Karkouri was going to hit it like a rocket, and hit the wall, but he bent it 'round the wall and The Valley was ecstatic. It is rare to score late goals that mean something, and a draw with nine men is as exciting as a win - it certainly was on Boxing Day.
Still, that result left Norwich and Colchester breathing down our necks and another game in two days after playing our socks off with nine men, and with two influential players missing. The Brentford game was always going to be difficult, not only because of what we'd been through, and the players we had missing, but they have been very strong at home - having not lost there for almost three months (including Leeds). Thus a 1-1 was acceptable in the circumstances.
The fact is, the circumstances shouldn't have arisen. Sam Sodje was a fool to lunge into that tackle. I believe he was sent off for us on boxing day two years earlier for a two footed challenge. Totally unprofessional, and was in large part responsible for the four points that we could have had if we'd won those two games. Dion Burton also let himself and the team down with his sending off. I do have some sympathy with him as he was technically correct that the Referee had allowed all sorts of fouls to go unpunished on Akpo Sodje. To have remonstrated so much was probably always going to end up with a booking. The hand ball, however, was just plain irresponsible. It is my belief that he did it to make a point that he was being fouled. I can understand why he did it, and might have done the same thing myself. I should point out that I am a spoilt, bad loser, and I would probably have made a big dramatic statement about being man handled by the defender. I am not, however, a professional footballer. Burton should have known that with all the fuss with Thierry Henry's goal against the Irish there was going to be a punishment for it.
On reflection, despite having a very bad game, the referee had little choice with Sodje's red card or Burton's two yellows. Sadly it probably cost us four points (at least two) and that could well mean everything if we fail to finish top two and don't win the playoffs. I don't want to be too dramatic, and there is a lot of football left to play, but it is quite possible that our football club could well be in real trouble in the summer if we fail to win promotion, and I doubt that we will finish more than four points behind the team in second place. Still, if we could afford a central defender that never put a foot wrong we wouldn't be in the division in the first place. I think I would be inclined to release Sodje in the summer though. With such a limited squad you can't carry liabilities, and he has been sent off 14 times in his career now. He has missed five games, through suspension, for us this season, and we have half the season to go. Anyway this is a discussion for another time, and I may well have changed my mind by the summer.
Walsall was a bit of a disaster. Not only did we slip out of the top two for the first time this season but I drove to my Dad's and we were 25 miles from the ground when the game was called off. Strangely we discussed not going. I think in these situations (when a pitch inspection cannot guarantee the game will go ahead when the away fans need to leave) a full refund should be offered those that decide not to travel on the off chance that it goes ahead. I feel sorry for Walsall, but to have two games called off with less than two and a half hours before kick-off does give the impression that they were gambling the fans travel costs in the hope that the game would go ahead and they would get more money or would get money quicker.
I will not be going to the rearranged game, but the whole episode has probably cost us over £50 and best part of a whole day in the car. I left my home at 9:30 and got home at 5:30.
Anyway we have an average of exactly 2 points per game, the same as Norwich, and it's all to play for. Their recent form has been outstanding, but we have been amazing at times ourselves this season. The only ray of hope is that Norwich are rumoured to be in financial trouble and with the transfer window working the way it does they will need to sell this month or they will not be able to raise any more funds until the summer. This could (and, in fact, would) be a great gamble if they really do need the money. I'm not all that familiar with their situation, but I do remember them selling something like 17,000 season tickets in January last year. Thus their match by match income must be rather low. Anyway time will tell, and even if they don't sell we could still finish above them. They do need to come to The Valley, after all.
I also think that Leeds could be catchable. I know they look like they are out of sight, but the sale of a star or two could cause a lack of confidence that could do to them what the sale of Andy Reid did to us two years ago.
So we start the new year (and decade) with an average of two points per game, goal difference behind a team that needs to come to our place, and with suggestions that we will be strengthening our squad while they will be selling to raise money. | 2019-04-22T19:09:13Z | http://kingshilladdick.blogspot.com/2010/01/ |
Speak to Big Bonny — er, Herman — by her house in Silverglade, to see how you can help her fix the clock.
When I fled Silverglade Village, I was so angry with myself that I threw all of my tools into the fountain. I forgot that I’d done that. I need them though, otherwise I can’t do anything about that broken clock!
I don’t dare to move an inch outside my door, imagine what would happen if someone recognized me?! You though, my petal, have freedom to roam about unchallenged; nobody suspects you of anything… Ride over to the fountain and collect my precious tools. Ride! Hurry!
Objectives: Find the Clockmaker’s tools in the Silverglade Village fountain.
Ride down to the fountain the the middle of the town square and fish out the tools. Return to Bonny when you have all of them.
Ooohh, Rita! My tools! My precious tools! Thank you so mu… But… They’re totally ruined! Oh my goldfish, why?! Why does this kind of baloney always happen to me?! MEEEE?!
Even if my tools were repaired, it still would count for nothing. We need oil to lubricate the mechanisms. Actually, quite a lot of oil since it’s stood still for all these years. Who would even have any oil around these parts anyway? Nobody. No chance. Nobody, say I!
What? Steve? Oh yeah, he’s probably got oil.
But even so, dear Rita! It’s still a road to nowhere! It’ll never work! It’s a pathway to defeat! A highway to fiasco!
Objectives: Ask Steve for oil.
Ride out to Steve’s farm and ask him if he has any oil you can spare.
Oil? Why, yes I do indeed have some black gold right here!
Y’know there’s oil in that there tank, right Rita?
Hmm? You think it’s diesel? Meh, it’s not that big a difference. One thing you should know about my diesel is that it’s particularly oily diesel, so it’ll work just as well. Trust me! Believe in Steve!
All you need to do is take your bottle and fill it on up. I’m sure you can do that yourself.
Objectives: Fill up the oil from the tank at Steve’s farm.
Ride over to the large green tank on the outside of the stable building, behind where the for sale Friesians are located. Use the oil can from your inventory, then speak to Steve when you have filled it up.
And so you have a full bottle of diesel oil, Rita. Hope it’ll be of use! Take care, see ya!
Objectives: Ride back to Big Bonny with the oil.
Check that crisis off our list!
Hmm? You’ve filled the bottle with oil? Ooh! Excellent! Maybe there’s a chance the winds of luck could change after all!
Ugh, what a disaster… Just as I thought I was going to be able to return to my regular old life, the wicked fingers of chance crush my dreams like crumbly little cookies. How can life be so hideous and unkind?! My tools are destroyed!
If they can be repaired? Never. Impossible. How would that even work?! It’s over now, Rita. It’s all over. Just let me slither back into that sack and you can take me back to the silo.
Hmm? You want to give a go at repairing the tools?
That’ll only work when pigs fly, my treasure. Useless idea.
What’s that? You have friends who can help you? The blacksmith? Meh, he’s very good, but not even his wonderful, skilled hands could work the kind of magic we need here.
Objectives: Go to the blacksmith with the Clockmaker’s tools.
Ride to Conrad in Moorland and ask him if he can fix the tools.
Greetings to you, Rita. Might I help you with something?
It’s not a simple project you’re asking me to work on. In fact, it’s probably the toughest thing you could ask a blacksmith to do, even a blacksmith as experienced as I.
In order for me to even begin work on this mighty undertaking, I’ll need your help. You need to find a special type of iron from the heart of Garnok, deep, deep, down in the volcano which sprayed death and destruction all over Jorvik. It’s a perilous journey, full of danger… You’ll be away from the safe embrace of Jorvik for quite some time.
Worry not, little Rita, I’ll help you. In that box over there by the house, there’s a tent you can borrow for the journey. Fetch it and I can tell you more.
Objectives: Fetch the tent and talk to the blacksmith again.
A tent: the most important of travel provisions.
Your journey to the heart of Garnok is going to take at least a month, and during that time, you’re not going to be able to see any of your friends or your horses. Horses are forbidden where you’re going, so you’re going to have to leave Summerblaze behind as well. A whole month without your friends or horses. It’s a serious sacrifice but I’m happy I can rely on you to see it through.
So, Rita… Are you ready to start your journey?
I was just joking, Rita! Pulling your leg! Rattling your cage! What a completely world-class joke! I don’t just forge the best tools, I forge the best jokes as well! Pffahahahahahaha!!
Those tools were so easy to repair that I managed to fix the whole lot while you were rummaging around in that box over there.
Heeeeeeeeheeheehee!! What a totally outrageous joke I just released upon you. This joke is going to be talked about by my children… And my children’s children… And my children’s children’s children! In a hundred years, they’ll still be talking about the funniest joke in the history of all Jorvik!
Here are the tools, Rita. Give them to your friend the Clockmaker.
Objectives: Ride back to Big Bonny with the newly-repaired tools.
Big Bonny will be happy to have her tools fixed.
Sigh. It all came to nothing, didn’t it? Just as I predicted, a total disaster. Another disappointment. Another tragic chapter in my heartbreaking story.
If I want to see the tools? Pff. Nah. What difference would it make?
What…? Wait…! They look like new! Have I been released from the claws of fate? Have the winds of my destiny finally changed?!
Now maybe there’s a chance for us after all Rita! Now the hour is upon us. We’re going to try to repair the clock!
It’s a very serious defect and if I wasn’t such a master clockmaker, I would probably have been forced to give up. But don’t be afraid, young Rita! I shall give you all the knowledge you need to repair it!
Why am I not doing it myself? Well, I’m sure you understand that it was a deeply troubling and emotional experience for me to come back to the scene of my own personal apocalypse, and I genuinely don’t believe I’ll ever be able to go there again. I was about to faint and fall down while I was up there! That could easily have been the end for me… Plummeting to an early grave.
I can’t go back. I won’t go back. And I can’t go back. I’d like very much for you to help me with this, Rita. Not for my sake, but for the sake of the sweet, sweet villagers! Don’t leave them high and dry, forced to live every day in a meaningless, clockless life.
You’ll help me? Miraculously marvelous!
Now I’m going to tell you exactly what you need to do. The most important thing is that you carry out the steps in the right order. If you do it right, the clock will tick once more! If you do it wrong, then you just need to cross your fingers you’ve not flubbed and fumbled it too badly and come back to me so you can have another try.
Step 1. Use the wrench on the wheel by the clock face.
Step 2. Pour oil into the big funnel.
Step 3. Use the clock winding key to wind up the spring.
Step 4. Pull the lever to start the clock.
Step 5. Cross your fingers!
Step 6. There are no more steps.
Dismount your horse to enter the clock tower. If you forget the order of the steps, be sure to check your quest log to view the quest dialogue again. If you are not sure which item to use, click on the sparkles to tell you what to use.
The wheel for the wrench is at the middle of the tower, up two stairs from the entrance.
The funnel is at the very top of the tower, up three stairs from the wheel.
The spring is also at the middle of the tower, down two stairs from the funnel.
The lever is on the same level as the funnel, up two stairs from the spring.
When you and fixed the clock, return to Big Bonny.
I’m a hero! A solid gold hero!
I shan’t forget you, Rita. When I’m awarded a medal – a medal of amazingness – I’ll give you a special mention in my acceptance speech!
Give the Council Man the Fantastic News!
Now, not to be too much of a big brash smartypants, but I do rather believe that now I’ll get both the medal and probably some flowers from the Council Man. Maybe he’ll even organize a parade or festival in my honor! I’m pretty certain he’ll be doing that. I can see it now… “Carnival á la Big Bonny!” Ohhhh, today is a wonderful, marvelous, magnificent day, my little Rita. Come on, let’s go!
Objectives: Meet Big Bonny at the Council Man’s place in Silverglade Village.
I’m sure the Council Man will be just ecstatic. He’ll jump for joy!
Oh, hello. Clockmaker Big Bonny… Not seen you for a while.
Well, well, Big Bonny! Nice to see you again.
Listen, while you’re here, do you think you could have a look at that broken clock? Nice one.
Hmm? Oh, it’s fixed already. Neat.
Yep, well, excellent. Thanks for that. Now, you’ll have to excuse me, I’ve got lots to be getting on with. Bye.
Objectives: Tell Big Bonny what the Council Man said.
Tell Big Bonny what the Council Man said of her return.
Wh… What did he say?
He hasn’t even noticed I’ve been away… Am I that insignificant? Mmmmeeeeeeehhh, am I not worth more than that?!
So, nobody’s even noticed that I’ve been away for five years.
I’m worthless. A little, meaningless insect. An ant. A louse. A tiny beetle.
I’m a pointless little cockroach!
Objectives. Talk to the Council Man again.
Tell the Council Man that Big Bonny is upset.
Hi Rita, can I help you with something?
Why does Big Bonny look so sad? What’s happened?
What? Cockroach? Oh, now I understand. So she’s lived in exile for years because she made a mistake that she thought would destroy the whole village? Now she’s repaired the broken clock and thought she’d be carried through the streets in celebration?
How should we go about fixing this Rita? Everyone has wristwatches and cellphones these days, there’s nobody who really needs the Town Hall clock, it’s mostly just nice to look at. Hmm… Well we have to try and get Big Bonny in a better word, don’t we Rita? Let me have another word with her.
Clockmaker Big Bonny? Please do excuse my earlier performance.
You see, without the Town Hall clock to wake me every morning, I’ve slept so badly recently that I’ve basically turned into a zombie. I think that’s why my reaction earlier was so, umm… Casual. Now the news has had a chance to sink into my head. Not as sharp as I used to be, you see.
What you have done is totally wonderful!
Just think, when you left town we were so completely furious and thoroughly disappointed in you, and we just couldn’t understand how you could have left us with a broken clock. But after some time, we began to understand what a terribly difficult job you had, especially after each and everyone of us tried to get up there and fix the clock, each one of us failing horribly! Now you’re back, and in less than a day you’ve got everything fixed. You’re a true hero!
As a thank you for your efforts, I hereby declare you Silverglade Clockmaker of the highest order!
Clockmaker Big Bonny, thank you again! Please never leave the village again! We couldn’t survive without you!
Objectives: Talk to Big Bonny.
Big Bonny finally gets the recognition she expected!
Oh, Rita I absolutely knew it! Not to be big-headed, but like he said: without me, the village would never survive.
That’s decided: I’ll never leave the village again. Never ever!
Thank you for all your help Rita!
Here’s a lovely little thing for you as a token of my gratitude. Now, I have to get myself home again, because as I’m sure you understand, there’s quite a lot of cleaning to do after five years in exile! Come and visit me should you ever find the time. Goodbye!
Tyra has finished building the doghouse for Techno.
Hi! I’m ready with the doghouse now! I’m really happy with how it turned out, I think my old woodworking teacher would give me an A. Can you carry it with your horse and place it outside the riding arena? I’m so excited to see if Techno will like it!
Objectives: Place Techno’s new doghouse and see if he likes it.
Go down to the riding arena and place the doghouse near Techno, then return to Tyra.
Did he like it? Oh, I’m so happy! Many thanks, Rita. The riding arena will be safe from now on. The Baroness said she wanted to talk to you, by the way.
So nice seeing you again, Rita. I wanted to give you a small gift because you have been so kind and helpful t us at the Manor. Unfortunately I don’t have enough evidence to be able to catch Mr Kembell this time. But may God forgive this man if he tries to vandalize anything here again!
The Baroness will give you her gift.
Here is your gift Rita, it’s Techno’s favorite pattern. I hope you and Summerblaze will like it. Now I’m looking forward to some peace and quiet at the Manor.
It’s about darn time somebody asked about the South Iron Gate. Let’s go see the Council Man in Silverglade Village about it.
Why is the Gate Still Closed?
I’ll tell you, it is very strange… The gate to Goldenhills Valley is always opened in the spring. Every year around this tie Klaus, the mayor of Cape West Fishing Village, opens the gate. This has never happened before… I bet you would like to know why it is closed in the wintertime?
Objectives: Speak with the Council Man.
The Council Man will tell you more about the gate.
Well, the gate to Goldenhills Valley has always been closed in the winter because of the mystical snow ghosts and other dangerous winter spirits that rage through that area in the winter. By closing the gate we’ve managed to keep them from intruding in Silverglade. Those spirits are dangerous and can frighten both children and horses… So closing the gate every winter is very important.
I’m not sure how we are going to manage it… Mayor Klaus locks and opens the gate with the Key to the City he always carries around his neck. You might have seen a painting of him in the castle at Silverglade? No? Ride to the castle and look at the painting. It is around to the right inside the door. Who knows… Maybe it will give you an idea for some solution to our problem. I’ll continue to try and find a solution here while you are away.
Objectives: Ride to Silverglade Castle and have a look at the painting of Mayor Klaus.
Go inside the castle doors and turn to the right. The painting is on the wall next to the door.
“…The Key to the City that opens the locked gate… Hmm… The painting is very detailed, someone could probably make a copy of the key if… If someone had a copy of the painting!
Objectives: Explain your idea to the Council Man in Silverglade.
Go back to the Council Man and tell him your idea.
So, your idea is that we take a photograph of the key in the painting that someone can use to make a copy of the key… And we can use that copy of the key to open the gate?
You think you can borrow a camera from James to take a photo of the key in the painting in the castle? Ok, ride to Fort Pinta and ask the little guy!
Objectives: Ask James in Fort Pinta, if you can borrow his camera.
Hmmm… You want to borrow my camera?
Ok, Rita. You can borrow my camera, just because it is you! But as soon as you are done with the camera please take it to Derek who is working at the post office in Silverglade. Derek also wanted to borrow the camera. I think he might even print out your photo for you! I’ve heard he has the equipment he needs to print out photos at the post office.
Objectives: Go take a photo of the painting in the castle. Leave the camera with Derek at Silverglade’s post office.
Go back into the castle to take the picture. Then go to Derek in Silverglade Village.
Aha! I finally get to borrow James’s camera! I’ll have you know I am an excellent photographer. Before I started work here at the post office I used to take pictures for a bunch of the big fashion magazines. Just so you know, it was me who took the first photos of Anne when she went to school in Jorvik. Aha… You want me to print out your photo?
Objectives: Take the photo to the Council Man.
That was fast. And what a great photo! I’ve been standing here thinking about who could possibly make a key with only a photo to go by… But I haven’t come up with anyone. We don’t have a locksmith here… Have you thought of anyone?
Can You Forge a Key?
Aha! I didn’t think of that! You are right. Conrad Marsdeen in Moorland is a well-known master blacksmith. It was great that you thought of him. Take the photo with you and ask him if he could possibly forge us a copy of the key.
If all goes well I’ll wish you luck in Goldenhills Valley. Don’t forget to send my best wishes to Klaus when you ask him why he didn’t open the gate this year.
Objectives: Ask Conrad if he can forge a copy of the key in the photo.
Go to Moorland with your photo and ask for his help.
Rita! I haven’t seen you for a while. You are wondering if I can make you a copy of a key? The key to a city? Okay… The ends justifies the means. I’ll help you so that we can find out what has happened in Goldenhills Valley.
I need iron ore to make you a new key. You already know that iron ore is in the Demascus Mine just southwest of here. Take my pickax and ride over to the mine to get me some. When you get back we’ll get started.
Objectives: Use the pickax in the Demascus Mine to chip out three chunks of Jorvik iron ore and come back to Conrad with them.
Wonderful! You have done this before so you are getting good at it now.
This might take a while, but if you help me, the first phase of the forging can go smoother. At least you’ll get to practice your smithing skills. Who knows, some day you might be a real blacksmith’s apprentice?
Listen here… Sometimes we need to work the iron on the anvil with the hammer and sometimes we’ll need to heat the iron in the forge with the tongs… And sometimes we’ll need to cool the iron in the bucket with the water.
I’ll tell you which thing we need to do and when. Timing is always important… If we get it wrong we’ll have to start over again. Remember you’ll need to get off your horse when we start forging. And put your horse a little distance off so we have room to work.
Here are the tongs and hammer. Get ready to use them.
Objectives: You need to get off your horse and help Conrad forge the key. Use the tongs and hammer to carry out his instructions. Be careful!
Conrad will start counting down time. It’s best to keep your inventory window open for this next part.
He will give you three different instructions: heat the iron, work the iron, cool the iron.
Use the tongs on the forge and the water bucket, and use the hammer on the anvil. Use each tool before time runs out. If time does run out, you will have to start the work over again.
When you’re done, speak with Conrad again.
You were a great apprentice, I have to say. I’m sure you could be a great blacksmith someday if you try. Now I’m going to finish the work with the key and then the iron needs to rest until tomorrow to harden properly. Come back tomorrow and the key should be ready.
The Council Man in Silverglade Village has news for you.
In Your Face Old Man!
Wait, one more thing… There is one more detail that I think needs your attention.
It has taken quite a while, but I have finally gotten the official indictment against G.E.D. The bosses of Jorvik want me to deliver the indictment to Mr Kembell, but I have a lot to do here in the city and I know how much you like to do things that drive Kembell crazy. What could possibly make him more angry than you delivering the indictment to him personally?
Mr Kembell is still glaring at his oil drills north of the Winery, you can find him there.
Objectives: Deliver the indictment against G.E.D. to Mr Kembell who is standing near the oil drills near the Winery.
Ooh this should be good! Wait while I get my popcorn.
Grrr… It says that Jorvik City is charging me with fraud in the tenancy agreement where they think they can prove I have been using stolen oil drilling equipment. Catastrophe and madness! This is all your fault! You win for now… I will run while I can this time. I have found new places I can exploit for their natural resources on this stupid island. And this new place is a long way away from you AND your stupid horse!
Wow, that really got him going. Mr Kembell should remember his blood pressure! Ha ha ha! We’ll have to hope that Jorvik City has what they need to make the charges stick. Mr Kembell is a dangerous man when he is angry and has the law on his side. But it is great to get rid of him for a while. Thank you Rita for your help. | 2019-04-24T08:32:09Z | https://ssoridethrough.com/tag/conrad-marsdeen/ |
For passengers over the age of 16 years, a valid government issued picture ID is required, i.e. driver’s license, health card etc. For travelers less than 16 years of age, an original birth certificate or non-government issued ID i.e. student card is suggested but not mandatory at this time.
** Please note important upcoming changes to the US Visa Waiver Program.
To travel as a visitor from/to Canada, to/from the USA, a valid passport is now mandatory document but for a Canadian or US citizen an original birth certificate or a citizenship card/certificate plus a valid government issued picture ID are also accepted.
For more information visit: http://travel.state.gov/.
As of December 31, 2003, permanent residents from a non visa- waiver country who are returning to Canada will be required to provide the wallet-sized plastic Permanent Resident Card or a visa to re-enter Canada as the IMM1000 Record of Landing will no longer be acceptable. Without a valid PR Card or visa these passengers will not be permitted to board the aircraft and will need to contact the nearest Canadian embassy or consulate to obtain a limited use travel document to re-enter Canada:http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=056&t=10.
Welcome to the world of Electronic ticketing, the time-saving, ticketless way to travel!
Electronic ticketing, also known as E-ticket, allows your entire travel experience to be easy, safe and electronic. It is as easy as asking for an Electronic ticket next time you book a flight with any Airline . It is efficient by making it a snap for you to make changes and cancellations. Electronic tickets are electronic, which means no more paper tickets – your ticket is stored in our computer system waiting for you when you arrive at the airport.
Keep any medication that you require in its original container, and carry a doctor’s prescription for any controlled drug.
Transport Canada has advised all airlines that the use of electronic “luggage locators” are not recommended on the exterior of any bag. Until further notice, customers will be required to remove the electronic devices from all bags prior to check-in. Customers can place the device on the inside of their checked or carry-on baggage or on their person. Transport Canada requested that airlines advise customers that the devices have not yet been approved by Transport Canada and must not be activated.
(TSA) – US Transportation Security Administration has issued the following information to passengers arriving into the United States and connecting to other flights or continuing on the same flight.
For your security, the TSA is screening all checked baggage. In some cases, screeners will have to open your baggage as part of the screening process. If your bag is unlocked, then TSA will simply open and screen the bag. However, if the bag is locked and TSA needs to open your bag, the locks may have to be broken.
You may keep your bag locked if you choose, however, passengers who elect to lock their checked baggage must do so with the understanding that this process may result in damage to locks and/or baggage delays.
TSA and your airline are not liable for damage to locks resulting from this mandatory security measure. For more details visit the TSA website.
New security screening can damage your camera film. The Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) is deploying new screening equipment for checked baggage that will damage photographic film, but does not affect digital disks. The new checked baggage screening equipment is consistent with the types being deployed at airports in the U.S. and around the world. Passengers are advised to pack their film in carry-on baggage.
(The equipment used for carry-on baggage at pre-board screening areas will not damage film with an ISO/ASA under 800. However, multiple exposures of the same roll of film to a pre-board x-ray inspection may cause damage. Passengers may request a hand search at pre-board screening to avoid potential damage to film).
For more details visit the CATSA website.
For a more detailed list of the prohibited items in carry-on baggage please refer to the Transport Canada and CATSA web sites.
Place these and any cutting or piercing items in your “checked baggage”.
Syringes or needles for personal medical use are allowed onboard providing the needle guard is intact, and must be accompanied by the prescription medication with a printed label identifying the medication name and the issuing medical office or pharmacy.
Toy guns, sporting articles such as golf clubs, baseball bats, skates, etc… are not allowed as carry-on.
Camping/Sporting Hazardous goods: Please note that these items are not permitted for carriage onboard an aircraft: No camping fuels (e.g. propane) no matches, no lighters or other dangerous goods as described under the dangerous goods page.
These items can be placed in your carry-on baggage, however to bring these items on-board make sure to turn the power on for the security check.
** Please note: Air Canada assumes no Liability for these items when packed in checked baggage.
Itâs a busy travel season, so please keep in mind our maximum carry-on baggage allowance. Starting January 5, 2005, airport agents will be strongly enforcing carry-on luggage size and weight restrictions. Oversized carry-on bags cause many flight delays, so donât forget to confirm your allowance before your trip.
Items, which falls within the 2-piece carry-on allowance, include: Carry-on bags or suitcases (wheels and handles included in the size), briefcases, Laptop computers, diaper bags, camera cases, cartons or other similar items.
** Include all airport and duty free purchases in the carry-on allowance.
Items permitted but not considered part of the allowance include camera, coats, purses (25cmx30cmx20cm or less), urns containing human remains, strollers, child restraint systems, canes, crutches, walkers, containers carrying life sustaining items and other similar items.
Heavy items under the seat and lighter ones in the overhead bin.
4. Photo ID required for ALL flights for ALL passengers 16 years of age or older.
Some of the prohibited carry-on items are currently displayed on our Web site. For a more detailed list of the prohibited items in carry-on baggage please refer to the Transport Canada and CATSA websites.
Effective April 14, 2005, all lighters will be banned from sterile areas beyond security checkpoints at airports and onboard aircraft. This includes, for example, butane, absorbed-fuel (Zippo-type), electric/battery-powered and novelty lighters.
The Department of Transportation classifies lighters as hazardous materials, and prohibits them from being stowed in checked baggage. TSA will dispose of lighters brought to checkpoints. Passengers at some airports may be able to ship them via a private company for a fee, but TSA strongly urges passengers to thoroughly inspect their carry-on and checked baggage for these items before going to the airport.
Although the TSA is considering adding matches to the prohibited items list, travellers are permitted up to four books of strike-on-cover matches on their person or in accessible property, until advised otherwise. Under DOT regulations, all matches are prohibited from carriage in checked baggage. For additional information, visit the TSA website.
Travelling to the United Kingdom? Check the rules before you take any food items with you.
It is against the law to bring any meat or dairy products into the UK from countries outside Europe. Restrictions also apply to many other food items, including fish, shellfish, eggs and honey as well as certain plants and vegetables.
Controls on food imports are essential to protect British livestock and agriculture from pests and disease not found in the UK – and may also protect your own health.
Check the rules at https://www.gov.uk/search?q=traveling+to+the+UK before you travel and avoid severe delays, prosecution and fines on arrival in the UK.
Air Canada and its regional carrier allow each customer to bring two pieces of luggage in Hospitality Service and three pieces in Executive Class/Executive First, which is carried in the baggage compartment of the aircraft at no charge. This is known as the ‘free checked baggage allowance’. The overall measurement of each piece (L + W + H) must be less than 62 inches or 158 cm, and the weight less than 50 lbs. or 23 kgs (except on flights to/from Brazil, Japan, China, South Korea or Hong Kong, where the bags may weigh up to 70lbs). Don’t exceed these limits or you’ll have to pay an additional amount (effective for travel after October 12, 2005) at the airport prior to travel. Note that checked baggage weighing more than 70 lbs or 32 kgs. will not be accepted.
Infants not occupying a seat are allowed one smaller 50 lb. piece with an overall measurement of no more than 45 ins. or 115 cm. Air Canada also carries the following baby equipment in the baggage compartment, free of charge: car seat, baby seat, bassinet and stroller.
When traveling on Air Canada and Air Canada Jazz, the size and number of bags you may check is limited by the free baggage allowance. If your baggage exceeds this free allowance (too many pieces, too big or too heavy), you will be charged an excess baggage fee.
Keep all medications and high value items such as cameras, jewelry electronic devices and cash with you, do not put them in checked baggage.
Please note that some seemingly harmless goods can be dangerous on board an aircraft and should not be packed in either checked or carry-on baggage.
Garment Bags: Each garment bag is a piece of luggage subject to standard rules, except that the dimensional restraints do not apply.
Any one of the following sports items may be substituted for a free checked baggage allowance piece if it fits within the weight and dimensions. However, when carried over and above this allowance, additional charges will be levied at the Airport.
Covers a bow and arrows suitably packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the item(s) will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability.
Includes two rods, one reel, one landing net, one pair of boots and a tackle box. The fishing rod(s) must be packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the item(s) will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability.
A golf bag containing no more than 14 clubs, 12 golf balls and one pair of golf shoes. The bag and clubs must be fully enclosed in a hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the item(s) will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability.
One equipment bag not exceeding 70 lbs (32 kg) and a maximum of 2 hockey sticks. Excess charges apply for overweight and/or additional equipment. The hockey stick(s) must be packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the sticks must be taped together and will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability.
A set is considered to be one each of the following: empty scuba tank, air supply, regulator, pressure gauge, tank harness, face mask, pair of diving fins, snorkel, knife, spear gun, air pistol and safety vest. All equipment (excluding the tank which can be carried separately) must be securely packed in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the item(s) will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability.
A set of snow skis means one pair of skis, poles and boots. For water skis it’s a pair, or a single slalom. These sets are considered as one piece of checked baggage and no other item(s) can be carried in the package . The skis and poles must be packaged in a rigid and/or hardshell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the item(s) will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability.
A set consists of one snowboard and one pair of boots. This set is considered as one piece of checked baggage and no other item(s) can be carried in the package . The snowboard must be packaged in a rigid and/or hardshell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the item will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability.
Air Canada carries the following sports equipment as excess baggage at a reduced fee. Please note it cannot be substituted for the free baggage allowance.
There is a fixed handling charge for the carriage of bicycles anywhere Air Canada flies: $65 CAD/$ 50 USD – One Way.
The bicycle must be prepared as follows, prior to arrival at the airport: fix the handlebars sideways and remove the pedals. Place the bicycle in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If not packaged in a container, Air Canada will provide a plastic bicycle bag and will accept the item with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability. Bicycle suitcases containing collapsible bicycles are also accepted.
There is a fixed handling charge for the carriage of surfboards anywhere Air Canada flies: $65 CAD/$ 50 USD – One Way.
Place the surfboard in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If not packaged in a container, Air Canada will provide a plastic bag and will accept the item with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability. The overall measurement of each piece (L + W + H) must be less than 115 inches or 292 cm (L+W+H) and no longer than 80 inches or 203 cm.
These items are not accepted as checked baggage.
Please arrive at the airport 90 minutes before your flight to ensure proper handling of these items. We regret that we cannot be responsible for loss, damage or delay during transport.
Antlers or horns are accepted as checked baggage only.
The cost to transport antlers and/or horns on domestic, transborder and international flights is $150/US$125 plus applicable taxes for one-way travel. Smaller antlers wrapped in a larger set count as one item.
The antlers or horns must be clean and well-wrapped in absorbent material with all points covered. The item must be suitably packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container specifically designed for shipping. If otherwise packaged, the item(s) will only be accepted with a limited release form (to be signed at check-in), releasing Air Canada of liability.
Weight limit on antlers or horns is 70lbs / 32Kg.
Meat or game must be transported in a leak-proof container or wrapped in absorbent material and then placed in plastic bags inside waxed cartons. Plastic bags alone are not sufficient for transport.
For information about transporting ammunition and firearms, see Dangerous Goods.
Liability for loss, delay or damage to baggage for travel wholly between points in Canada is limited to $1500 CAD per passenger unless a higher value is declared in advance and additional charges are paid. For most International travel (including domestic portions of international journeys) up to approximately $9.07 USD per pound ($20.00 USD per kilo) for checked baggage and $400 USD per passenger for unchecked baggage. Contact Air Canada for further information.
Please note that Air Canada assumes no liability for money, jewelry, silverware, negotiable papers, securities or other valuables, business documents, samples, liquids, food and other perishables, computers, prescription drugs, photographic equipment, video equipment, cellular telephones, artistic items, chinaware/ceramics/pottery, electronic and mechanical items, glass, musical instruments and equipment, paper (includes photographs/negatives/prints, historical documents, maps), sporting goods (tennis rackets, scuba gear, fishing rods, surfboards, sporting trophies such as animal antlers and horns).
Despite care in the handling of your baggage, we trust you will understand that we are not responsible for the following: nicks, scratches, missing pullstraps, zipper damage, scuff marks, damage to wheels, soiling, manufacturing defects, damage resulting from over-packing or spillage of packed items. | 2019-04-25T20:27:50Z | https://www.classytravel.ca/travel-info/ |
The Battle of Kursk was a World War II engagement between German and Soviet forces on the Eastern Front near Kursk (450 kilometers or 280 miles southwest of Moscow) in the Soviet Union in July and August 1943. The German offensive was code-named Operation Citadel (German: Unternehmen Zitadelle) and led to one of the largest armored clashes in history, the Battle of Prokhorovka. The German offensive was countered by two Soviet counteroffensives, Operation Polkovodets Rumyantsev, and Operation Kutuzov. For the Germans, the battle represented the final strategic offensive they were able to mount in the east. For the Soviets, the decisive victory gave the Red Army the strategic initiative for the rest of the war.
The Germans hoped to weaken the Soviet offensive potential for the summer of 1943 by cutting off a large number of forces that they anticipated would be in the Kursk salient assembling for an offensive. By eliminating the Kursk salient they would also shorten their lines of defense, taking the strain off of their overstretched forces. The plan envisioned an envelopment by a pair of pincers breaking through the northern and southern flanks of the salient. It was thought that a victory here would reassert Germany’s strength and improve her prestige with allies who were considering withdrawing from the war It was also hoped that large numbers of Soviet prisoners would be captured to be used as slave labor in Germany’s armaments industry.
The Soviets had the intelligence of the German intentions, provided in part by British intelligence service and Enigma intercepts. Aware that the attack would fall on the neck of the Kursk salient months in advance, the Soviets built a defense in depth designed to wear down the German panzer spearheads. The Germans delayed the start date of the offensive while they tried to build up their forces and waited for new weapons, mainly the new Panther tank but also larger numbers of the Tiger heavy tank. This gave the Red Army time to construct a series of deep defensive lines. The defensive preparations included minefields, fortifications, pre-sighted artillery fire zones and anti-tank strong points, which extended approximately 300 km (190 mi) in depth. In addition, Soviet mobile formations were moved out of the salient and a large reserve force was formed for strategic counteroffensives.
The Battle of Kursk was the first time a German strategic offensive had been halted before it could break through enemy defenses and penetrate to its strategic depths. Though the Soviet Army had succeeded in winter offensives previously, their counter-offensives following the German attack were their first successful strategic summer offensives of the war.
German penetration during the Battle of Kursk.
Soviet counter-attacks after the battle.
Memorial on Prokhorovka Field near Kursk.
Tiger engaging a target at the Battle of Kursk.
Buchterkirch (left) in discussion with General Model.
German soldiers in Orel pass by the Church of the Intercession, Spring 1943.
2nd SS Panzer Division soldiers, Tiger I tank, during the battle.
Waffen-SS soldiers aboard a Panzer IV in Kharkov, March 1943.
German Panzer IV and Sdkfz 251 halftrack at Kursk.
Two Tiger tanks of “Totenkopf” and a StuG assault gun carrying infantry.
The conditions during the battle were hot and humid. Here, Alfred Kurzmaul, of the 503rd Heavy Panzer Battalion, drinks water aboard a Tiger I during a lull in the fighting.
German motorized troops prepare to move out.
Tiger I tanks spearhead the assault in the northern sector at Kursk.
Exhausted German soldiers pause during the fighting at Kursk.
German soldiers move along an anti-tank ditch, while pioneers prepare charges to breach it.
Thunderclouds over the battleground. Intermittent heavy rains created mud and marsh that made movement difficult at Kursk.
Wespes at the Battle of Kursk.
Luftwaffe flak units protected bridges and were drawn into the ground combat at Kursk.
Guderian being transported to the eastern front, 1943.
A Tiger tank undergoes repair from mine damage suffered early in the battle of Kursk.
German infantry pass a knocked out Soviet KV-1 heavy tank.
German soldier inspects a knocked out T-34 during the Battle of Kursk.
Soviet KV-1 heavy tanks prepare to counter-attack at Kursk.
Soviet PTRD anti-tank rifle team, during the fighting.
Soviet troops follow their T-34 tanks during a counterattack.
M3 Lee lend-lease tanks at Kursk. Unpopular with its crews, the M3 was nicknamed “A coffin for seven brothers”.
Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack aircraft.
The grave of Heinz Kühl, a German soldier killed at Kursk.
Captured Soviet prisoners are being moved from the battlefield.
Major General Hans Speidel in conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Josef Graßmann during the company “Citadel”.
Werner Kempf (right) at a briefing with Hermann Breith (center) and Walter Chales de Beaulieu (left) near Kursk on June 21, 1943.
A Tiger of the heavy tank battalion 503 is towed.
2nd SS Panzer Division soldiers, Tiger I tank, during the Battle of Kursk.
As the Battle of Stalingrad slowly ground to its conclusion the Red Army moved to a general offensive in the south, pressuring the exhausted German forces who had survived the winter. By January 1943, a 160 to 300 km (99 to 186 mi) wide gap had opened between Army Group B and Army Group Don, and the advancing Soviet armies threatened to cut off all German forces south of the Don River, including Army Group A operating in the Caucasus. Army Group Center came under significant pressure as well. Kursk fell to the Soviets on 8 February 1943, and Rostov on 14 February. The Soviet Bryansk, Western, and newly created Central Fronts prepared for an offensive which envisioned the encirclement of Army Group Center between Bryansk and Smolensk. By February 1943, the southern sector of the German front was in strategic crisis.
Since December 1942, Field Marshal Erich von Manstein had been strongly requesting “unrestricted operational freedom” to allow him to use his forces in a fluid manner. On 6 February 1943, Manstein met with Hitler at the headquarters in Rastenburg to discuss the proposals he had previously sent. He received approval from Hitler for a counteroffensive against the Soviet forces advancing in the Donbass region. On 12 February 1943, the remaining German forces were reorganized. To the south, Army Group Don was renamed as Army Group South and placed under Manstein’s command. Directly to the north, Army Group B was dissolved, with its forces and areas of responsibility divided between Army Group South and Army Group Center. Manstein inherited responsibility for the massive breach in the German lines. On 18 February, Hitler arrived at Army Group South headquarters, at Zaporizhia, hours before the Soviets liberated Kharkov and had to be hastily evacuated on the 19th.
Once given freedom of action, Manstein intended to utilize his forces to make a series of counterstrokes into the flanks of the Soviet armored formations, with the goal of destroying them while retaking Kharkov and Kursk. The II SS Panzer Corps had arrived from France in January 1943, refitted and up to near full strength. Armored units from the 1st Panzer Army of Army Group A had pulled out of the Caucasus and further strengthened Manstein’s forces.
The heavy losses sustained by the Heer (army) since the opening of Operation Barbarossa had resulted in a shortage in infantry and artillery. Units were in total 470,000 men understrength. For the Wehrmacht to undertake an offensive in 1943 the burden of the offensive, in both attacking the Soviet defenses and holding ground on the flanks of the advance, would have to be carried primarily by the panzer divisions. In view of the exposed position of Army Group South, Manstein proposed that his forces should take the strategic defensive. He anticipated that a Soviet offensive would attempt to cut off and destroy Army Group South by a move across the Donets River toward the Dnieper. In February, he proposed waiting for this offensive to develop and then delivering a series of counterattacks into the exposed Soviet flanks. Hitler, concerned about the political implications of taking a defensive stance, and preoccupied with holding the Donbass, rejected this plan. On 10 March, Manstein presented an alternative plan whereby the German forces would pinch off the Kursk salient with a rapid offensive commencing as soon as the spring rasputitsa had subsided.
On 13 March, Hitler signed Operational Order No. 5, which authorized several offensives, including one against the Kursk salient. As the last Soviet resistance in Kharkov petered out, Manstein attempted to persuade Günther von Kluge, commander of Army Group Centre, to immediately attack the Central Front, which was defending the northern face of the salient. Kluge refused, believing that his forces were too weak to launch such an attack. Further Axis advances were blocked by Soviet forces that had been shifted down from the Central Front to the area north of Belgorod. By mid-April, amid poor weather, and with the German forces exhausted and in need of refitting, the offensives of Operational Order No. 5 were postponed.
On 15 April, Hitler issued Operational Order No. 6, which called for the Kursk offensive operation, codenamed Zitadelle (“Citadel”), to begin on 3 May or shortly thereafter. The directive was drafted by Kurt Zeitzler, the OKH Chief of Staff. For the offensive to succeed it was deemed essential to attack before the Soviets had a chance to prepare extensive defences or to launch an offensive of their own. Some military historians have described the operation using the term blitzkrieg (lightning war); other military historians do not use the term in their works on the battle.
Operation Citadel called for a double envelopment, directed at Kursk, to surround the Soviet defenders of five armies and seal off the salient. Army Group Centre would provide General Walter Model’s 9th Army to form the northern pincer. It would cut through the northern face of the salient, driving south to the hills east of Kursk, securing the rail line from Soviet attack. Army Group South would commit the 4th Panzer Army, under Hermann Hoth, and Army Detachment Kempf, under Werner Kempf, to pierce the southern face of the salient. This force would drive north to meet the 9th Army east of Kursk. Von Manstein’s main attack was to be delivered by Hoth’s 4th Panzer Army, spearheaded by the II SS Panzer Corps under Paul Hausser. The XLVIII Panzer Corps, commanded by Otto von Knobelsdorff, would advance on the left while Army Detachment Kempf would advance on the right. The 2nd Army, under the command of Walter Weiss, would contain the western portion of the salient.
On 27 April, Model met with Hitler to review and express his concern for reconnaissance information which showed the Red Army constructing very strong positions at the shoulders of the salient and having withdrawn their mobile forces from the area west of Kursk. He argued that the longer the preparation phase continued, the less the operation could be justified. He recommended completely abandoning Citadel, allowing the army to await and defeat the coming Soviet offensive, or radically revising the plan for Citadel. Though in mid-April Manstein had considered the Citadel offensive profitable, by May he shared Model’s misgivings. He asserted that the best course of action would be for the German forces to take the strategic defensive, ceding ground to allow the anticipated Soviet forces to extend themselves and allow the German panzer forces to counterattack in the type of fluid mobile battle at which they excelled. Convinced that the Red Army would deliver its main effort against Army Group South, he proposed to keep the left wing of the army group strong while moving the right wing back in stages to the Dnieper River, followed by a counterattack against the flank of the Red Army advance. The counteroffensive would continue until the Sea of Azov was reached and the Soviet forces were cut off. Hitler rejected this idea; he did not want to give up so much terrain, even temporarily.
Hitler called his senior officers and advisers to Munich for a meeting on May 4. Hitler spoke for about 45 minutes on the reasons to postpone the attack, essentially reiterating Model’s arguments. A number of options were put forth for comment: going on the offensive immediately with the forces at hand, delaying the offensive further to await the arrival of new and better tanks, radically revising the operation or canceling it altogether. Manstein advocated an early attack, but requested two additional infantry divisions, to which Hitler responded that none were available. Kluge spoke out strongly against postponement and discounted Model’s reconnaissance materials. Albert Speer, the minister of Armaments and War Production, spoke about the difficulties of rebuilding the armored formations and the limitations of German industry to replace losses. General Heinz Guderian argued strongly against the operation, stating “the attack was pointless”. The conference ended without Hitler coming to a decision, but Citadel was not aborted. Three days later, OKW, Hitler’s conduit for controlling the military, postponed the launch date for Citadel to 12 June.
Following this meeting, Guderian continued to voice his concerns over an operation that would likely degrade the panzer forces that he had been attempting to rebuild. He considered the offensive, as planned, to be a misuse of the panzer forces, as it violated two of the three tenets he had laid out as the essential elements for a successful panzer attack. In his opinion, the limited German resources in men and material should be conserved, as they would be needed for the pending defense of western Europe.
Despite reservations, Hitler remained committed to the offensive. He and the OKW, early in the preparatory phase, were hopeful that the offensive would revitalize German strategic fortunes in the east. As the challenges offered by Citadel increased, he focused more and more on the expected new weapons that he believed were the key to victory: principally the Panther tank, but also the Elefant tank destroyer and greater numbers of the Tiger heavy tank. He postponed the operation in order to await their arrival. Receiving reports of powerful Soviet concentrations behind the Kursk area, Hitler further delayed the offensive to allow for more equipment to reach the front.
With pessimism for Citadel increasing with each delay, in June, Alfred Jodl, the Chief of Staff at the OKW, instructed the armed forces propaganda office to portray the upcoming operation as a limited counteroffensive. Due to concerns of an Allied landing in the south of France or in Italy and delays in deliveries of the new tanks, Hitler postponed again, this time to 20 June. Zeitzler was profoundly concerned with the delays, but he still supported the offensive. On 17–18 June, following a discussion in which the OKW Operations Staff suggested abandoning the offensive, Hitler further postponed the operation until 3 July. Finally, on 1 July, Hitler announced 5 July as the launch date of the offensive.
A three-month quiet period descended upon the Eastern Front as the Soviets prepared their defences and the Germans attempted to build up their forces. The Germans used this period for specialised training of their assault troops. All units underwent training and combat rehearsals. The Waffen-SS had built a full-scale duplicate Soviet strong point that was used to practice the techniques for neutralizing such positions. The panzer divisions received replacement men and equipment and attempted to get back up to strength. The German forces to be used in the offensive included 12 panzer divisions and 5 panzer grenadier divisions, four of which had tank strengths greater than their neighboring panzer divisions. However, the force was markedly deficient in infantry divisions, which were essential to hold ground and to secure the flanks. By the time the Germans initiated the offensive, their force amounted to around 777,000 men, 2,451 tanks and assault guns (70 percent of the German armor on the Eastern Front) and 7,417 guns and mortars.
In the first phase the enemy, collecting their best forces—including 13–15 tank divisions and with the support of a large number of aircraft—will strike Kursk with their Kromskom-Orel grouping from the north-east and their Belgorod-Kharkov grouping from the south-east… I consider it inadvisable for our forces to go over to an offensive in the near future in order to forestall the enemy. It would be better to make the enemy exhaust himself against our defenses, and knock out his tanks and then, bringing up fresh reserves, to go over to the general offensive which would finally finish off his main force.
Stalin consulted with his frontline commanders and senior officers of the General Staff from 12 to 15 April 1943. In the end, he and the Stavka agreed that the Germans would probably target Kursk. Stalin believed the decision to defend would give the Germans the initiative, but Zhukov countered that the Germans would be drawn into a trap where their armored power would be destroyed, thus creating the conditions for a major Soviet counteroffensive. They decided to meet the enemy attack by preparing defensive positions to wear out the German groupings before launching their own offensive. Preparation of defenses and fortifications began by the end of April and continued until the German attack in early July. The two-month delay between the German decision to attack the Kursk salient and its implementation allowed the Red Army ample time to thoroughly prepare.
The Central and Voronezh Fronts each constructed three main defensive belts in their sectors, with each subdivided into several zones of fortification. The Soviets employed the labor of over 300,000 civilians. Fortifying each belt was an interconnected web of minefields, barbed-wire fences, anti-tank ditches, deep entrenchments for infantry, anti-tank obstacles, dug-in armored vehicles, and machine-gun bunkers. Behind the three main defensive belts were three more belts prepared as fallback positions; the first was not fully occupied or heavily fortified, and the last two, though sufficiently fortified, were unoccupied with the exception of a small area in the immediate environs of Kursk. The combined depth of the three main defensive zones was about 40 kilometers (25 mi). The six defensive belts on either side of Kursk were 130–150 kilometers (81–93 mi) deep. If the Germans managed to break through these defenses they would still be confronted by additional defensive belts to the east, manned by the Steppe Front. These brought the total depth of the defenses to nearly 300 kilometers (190 mi).
The Voronezh and Central Fronts dug 4,200 kilometers (2,600 mi) and 5,000 kilometers (3,100 mi) of trenches respectively, laid out in a criss-cross pattern for ease of movement. The Soviets built more than 686 bridges and about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) of roads in the salient. Red Army combat engineers laid 503,663 anti-tank mines and 439,348 anti-personnel mines, with the highest concentration in the first main defensive belt. The minefields at Kursk achieved densities of 1,700 anti-personnel and 1,500 anti-tank mines per kilometer, about four times the density used in the defense of Moscow. For example, the 6th Guards Army of the Voronezh Front was spread out over nearly 64 kilometers (40 mi) of the front and was protected by 69,688 anti-tank and 64,430 anti-personnel mines in its first defensive belt with a further 20,200 anti-tank and 9,097 anti-personnel mines in its second defensive belt. Furthermore, mobile obstacle detachments were tasked with laying more mines directly in the path of advancing enemy armored formations. These units, consisting of two platoons of combat engineers with mines at division level and one company of combat engineers normally equipped with 500–700 mines at corps level, functioned as anti-tank reserves at every level of command.
We can expect the enemy to put [the] greatest reliance in this year’s offensive operations on his tank divisions and air force since his infantry appears to be far less prepared for offensive operations than last year … In view of this threat, we should strengthen the anti-tank defenses of the Central and Voronezh fronts, and assemble as soon as possible.
Soviet preparations also included increased activity of Soviet partisans, who attacked German communications and supply lines. The attacks were mostly behind Army Group North and Army Group Centre. In June 1943, partisans operating in the occupied area behind Army Group Centre destroyed 298 locomotives, 1,222 railway wagons, and 44 bridges, and in the Kursk sector, there were 1,092 partisan attacks on railways. These attacks delayed the build-up of German supplies and equipment and required the diversion of German troops to suppress the partisans, delaying their training for the offensive. Central Partisan Headquarters coordinated many of these attacks. In June, Soviet Air Forces (VVS) flew over 800 sorties at night to resupply the partisan groups operating behind Army Group Centre. The VVS also provided communication and sometimes even daylight air-support for major partisan operations.
Special training was provided to the Soviet infantry manning the defenses to help them overcome the tank phobia that had been evident since the start of the German invasion. Soldiers were packed into trenches and tanks were driven overhead until all signs of fear were gone. This training exercise was referred to by the soldiers as “ironing”. In combat, the soldiers would spring up in the midst of the attacking infantry to separate them from the spearheading armored vehicles. The separated armored vehicles – now vulnerable to infantry armed with anti-tank rifles, demolition charges, and Molotov cocktails – could then be disabled or destroyed at point-blank range. These types of attacks were most effective against the massive Ferdinand tank destroyers, which lacked machine guns as secondary armament. The soldiers were also promised financial rewards for each tank destroyed, with the People’s Commissariat of Defence providing 1,000 rubles for destroyed tanks.
The Soviets employed maskirovka (military deception) to mask defensive positions and troop dispositions and to conceal the movement of men and material. These included camouflaging gun emplacements, constructing dummy airfields and depots, generating false radio-traffic, and spreading rumors among the Soviet frontline troops and the civilian population in the German-held areas. Movement of forces and supplies to and from the salient took place at night only. Ammunition caches were carefully concealed to blend in with the landscape. Radio transmission was restricted and fires were forbidden. Command posts were hidden and motor transport in and around them forbidden.
According to a Soviet General Staff report, 29 of the 35 major Luftwaffe raids on Soviet airfields in the Kursk sector in June 1943 were against dummy airfields. According to historian Antony Beevor, in contrast, Soviet aviation apparently succeeded in destroying more than 500 Luftwaffe aircraft on the ground. The Soviet deception efforts were so successful that German estimates issued in mid-June placed the total Soviet armored strength at 1,500 tanks. The result was not only a vast underestimation of Soviet strength but a misperception of Soviet strategic intentions.
The main tank of the Soviet tank arm was the T-34, on which the Red Army attempted to concentrate production. The tank arm also contained large numbers of the T-70 light tank. For example, the 5th Guards Tank Army roughly contained 270 T-70s and 500 T-34s. In the salient itself, the Soviets assembled a large number of lend-lease tanks. These included U.S.-manufactured M3 Lees and British-built Churchills, Matildas and Valentines. However, the T-34 made up the bulk of the Soviet armor. Without including the deeper reserves organized under the Steppe Front, the Soviets massed about 1,300,000 men, 3,600 tanks, 20,000 artillery pieces, and 2,792 aircraft to defend the salient. This amounted to 26 percent of the total manpower of the Red Army, 26 percent of its mortars and artillery, 35 percent of its aircraft and 46 percent of its tanks.
By 1943, the Luftwaffe’s strength on the Eastern Front had started to weaken after Stalingrad and the siphoning of resources to North Africa. The Luftwaffe forces in the east were further depleted with fighter units being shifted back to Germany to defend against the escalating Allied bombing campaign. By the end of June, only 38.7 percent of the Luftwaffe’s total aircraft remained in the east. In 1943 the Luftwaffe could still achieve local air superiority by concentrating its forces. The majority of German aircraft left available on the Eastern Front were slated for Citadel. The goal of the Luftwaffe remained unchanged. The priority of the German air fleet(s) was to gain air superiority, then to isolate the battlefield from enemy reinforcements, and finally, once the critical point had been reached in the land battle, to render close air support.
The changing strengths between the two opponents prompted the Luftwaffe to make operational changes for the battle. Previous offensive campaigns had been initiated with Luftwaffe raids against opposing airfields to achieve air superiority. By this point in the war, Red Army equipment reserves were extensive and the Luftwaffe commanders realized that aircraft could be easily replaced, making such raids futile. Therefore, this mission was abandoned. In addition, previous campaigns had made use of medium bombers flying well behind the frontline to block the arrival of reinforcements. This mission, however, was rarely attempted during Citadel.
The Luftwaffe command understood that their support would be crucial for the success of Operation Citadel, but problems with supply shortfalls hampered their preparations. Partisan activity, particularly behind Army Group Center, slowed the rate of re-supply and cut short the Luftwaffe’s ability to build up essential stockpiles of petrol, oil, lubricants, engines, munitions, and, unlike Red Army units there were no reserves of aircraft that could be used to replace damaged aircraft over the course of the operation. Fuel was the most significant limiting factor. To help build up supplies for the support of Citadel, the Luftwaffe greatly curtailed its operations during the last week of June. Despite this conservation of resources, the Luftwaffe did not have the resources to sustain an intensive air effort for more than a few days after the operation began.
For Citadel, the Luftwaffe confined its operations to the direct support of the forces on the ground. In this mission, the Luftwaffe continued to make use of the Junkers Ju 87 “Stuka” dive-bombers. A new development to this aircraft was the “Bordkanone” 3,7 cm caliber cannon, one of which could be slung under each wing of the Stuka in a gun pod. Half of the Stuka groups assigned to support Citadel were equipped with these Kanonenvogel (literally “cannon-bird”) tankbuster aircraft. The air groups were also strengthened by the recent arrival of the Henschel Hs 129, with its 30 mm MK 103 cannon, and the F-subtype ground attack (jabo) version of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190.
In the months preceding the battle, Luftflotte 6 supporting Army Group Center noted a marked increase in the strength of the opposing VVS formations. The VVS formations encountered displayed better training and were flying improved equipment with greater aggressiveness and skill than the Luftwaffe had seen earlier. The introduction of the Yakovlev Yak-9 and Lavochkin La-5 fighters gave the Soviet pilots near parity with the Luftwaffe in terms of equipment. Furthermore, large numbers of ground-attack aircraft, such as the Ilyushin Il-2 “Shturmovik” and the Pe-2, had become available as well. The Soviet Air Force also fielded large numbers of aircraft supplied via lend-lease. Huge stockpiles of supplies and ample reserves of replacement aircraft meant the Red Army and VVS formations would be able to conduct an extended campaign without slackening in the intensity of their effort.
German Panzer IV and Sdkfz 251 halftrack.
For the operation, the Germans used four armies along with a large portion of their total tank strength on the Eastern Front. On 1 July, the 9th Army of Army Group Centre based in the northern side of the salient contained 335,000 men (223,000 combat soldiers); in the south, the 4th Panzer Army and Army Detachment “Kempf”, of Army Group South, had 223,907 men (149,271 combat soldiers) and 100,000–108,000 men (66,000 combat soldiers) respectively. The 2nd Army, that held the western side of the salient contained an estimated 110,000. In total, the German forces had a total strength of 777,000–779,000 men and the three attacking armies contained 438,271 combat soldiers. Army Group South was equipped with more armored vehicles, infantry, and artillery than the 9th Army of Army Group Center. The 4th Panzer Army and Army Detachment “Kempf” had 1,377 tanks and assault guns, while the 9th Army possessed 988 tanks and assault guns.
The two new Panther battalions – the 51st and 52nd – together equipped with 200 Panthers, for which the offensive had been delayed, were attached to the Großdeutschland Division in the XLVIII Panzer Corps of Army Group South. With the 51st and 52nd Battalions arriving on 30 June and 1 July, the two units had little time to perform reconnaissance or to orient themselves to the terrain they found themselves in. This was a breach of the methods of the Panzerwaffe, considered essential for the successful use of armor. Though led by experienced panzer commanders, many of the tank crews were new recruits and had little time to become familiar with their new tanks, let alone train together to function as a unit. The two battalions came directly from the training ground and lacked combat experience. In addition, the requirement to maintain radio silence until the start of the attack meant that the Panther units had little training in battalion-level radio procedures. Furthermore, the new Panthers were still experiencing problems with their transmissions and proved mechanically unreliable. By the morning of 5 July, the units had lost 16 Panthers due to mechanical breakdown, leaving only 184 available for the launching of the offensive.
The Red Army used two Fronts for the defense of Kursk and created a third front behind the battle area which was held as a reserve. The Central and Voronezh Fronts fielded 12 armies, with 711,575 men (510,983 combat soldiers) and 625,591 men (446,236 combat soldiers) respectively. In reserve, the Steppe Front had an additional 573,195 men (449,133). Thus the total size of the Soviet force was 1,910,361 men, with 1,426,352 actual combat soldiers.
Soviet armor strength included 4,869 tanks (include 205 KV-1s heavy tanks) and 259 SPGs (including 25 SU-152s, 56 SU-122s, and 67 SU-76s) Overall a third of the Soviet tanks at Kursk were a light tank, but in some units, this proportion was considerably higher. Of the 3,600 tanks in the Central and Voronezh Fronts in July 1943, 1,061 were light as T-60 and T-70. With very thin armor and small gun, they were unable to effectively engage the frontal armor of German medium and heavy tanks or AFVs.
Most capable Soviet tank at Kursk was the T-34, the original version was armed with a 76.2mm gun, the gun struggled against uparmoured Panzer IVs, and the frontal armor of Tigers and Panthers was essentially impenetrable. Only SU-122 and the SU-152 had the power to destroy the Tiger at short range, but they were not equal to the Tiger’s 88mm gun at long range, and there were very few SU-122 and the SU-152 at Kursk.
Fighting started on the southern face of the salient on the evening of 4 July 1943, when German infantry launched attacks to seize high ground for artillery observation posts prior to the main assault. During these attacks, a number of Red Army command and observation posts along the first main belt of defense were captured. By 16:00, elements of the Panzergrenadier Division “Großdeutschland”, 3rd and 11th Panzer Divisions had seized the village of Butovo and proceeded to capture Gertsovka before midnight. At around 22:30, Vatutin ordered 600 guns, mortars, and Katyusha rocket launchers, of the Voronezh Front, to bombard the forward German positions, particularly those of the II SS Panzer Corps.
To the north, at Central Front headquarters, reports of the anticipated German offensive came in. At around 02:00 5 July, Zhukov ordered his preemptive artillery bombardment to begin. The hope was to disrupt German forces concentrating for the attack, but the outcome was less than hoped for. The bombardment delayed the German formations but failed in the goal of disrupting their schedule or inflicting substantial losses. The Germans began their own artillery bombardment at about 05:00, which lasted 80 minutes in the northern face and 50 minutes in the southern face. After the barrage, the ground forces attacked, aided by close air support provided by the Luftwaffe.
In the early morning of 5 July, the VVS launched a large raid against German airfields, hoping to destroy the Luftwaffe on the ground. This effort failed, and the Red Army air units suffered considerable losses. The VVS lost 176 aircraft on 5 July, compared to the 26 aircraft lost by the Luftwaffe. The losses of the VVS 16th Air Army operating in the northern face were lighter than those suffered by the 2nd Air Army. The Luftwaffe was able to gain and maintained air superiority over the southern face until 10–11 July, when the VVS began to obtain ascendency, but the control of the skies over the northern face was evenly contested until the VVS began to gain air superiority on 7 July, which it maintained for the rest of the operation.
Model’s main attack was delivered by XLVII Panzer Corps, supported by 45 Tigers of the attached 505th Heavy Tank Battalion. Covering their left flank was XLI Panzer Corps, with an attached regiment of 83 Ferdinand tank destroyers. On the right flank, XLVI Panzer Corps consisted at this time of four infantry divisions with just 9 tanks and 31 assault guns. To the left of XLI Panzer Corps was XXIII Army Corps, which consisted of the reinforced 78th Assault Infantry Division and two regular infantry divisions. While the corps contained no tanks, it did have 62 assault guns. Opposing the 9th Army was the Central Front, deployed in three heavily fortified defensive belts.
Model chose to make his initial attacks using infantry divisions reinforced with assault guns and heavy tanks, and supported by artillery and the Luftwaffe. In doing so, he sought to maintain the armoured strength of his panzer divisions to be used for exploitation once the Red Army defences were breached. Once a breakthrough had been achieved the panzer forces would move through and advance towards Kursk. Jan Möschen, a major in Model’s staff, later commented that Model expected a breakthrough on the second day. If a breakthrough did occur the briefest delay in bringing up the panzer divisions would give the Red Army time to react. His corps commanders thought a breakthrough extremely unlikely.
Following a preliminary bombardment and Red Army counter bombardments, the 9th Army opened its attack at 05:30 on 5 July. Nine infantry divisions and one panzer division, with attached assault guns, heavy tanks, and tank destroyers, pushed forward. Two companies of Tiger tanks were attached to the 6th Infantry Division, and were the largest single grouping of Tigers employed that day. Opposing them were the 13th and 70th Armies of the Central Front.
The 20th Panzer and 6th Infantry Divisions of the XLVII Panzer Corps, spearheaded the advance of the XLVII Panzer Corps. Behind them the remaining two panzer divisions followed, ready to exploit any breakthrough. The heavily mined terrain and fortified positions of the 15th Rifle Division slowed the advance. By 08:00 safe lanes had been cleared through the minefield. That morning information obtained from prisoner interrogation identified a weakness at the boundary of the 15th and 81st Rifle Divisions caused by the German preliminary bombardment. The Tigers were redeployed and struck towards this area. Red Army formations countered with a force of around 90 T-34s. In the resulting three-hour battle, Red Army armoured units lost 42 tanks while the Germans lost two Tigers and a further five more immobilized with track damage. While the Red Army counter-attack was defeated and the first defensive belt breached, the fighting had delayed the Germans long enough for the rest of 29th Rifle Corps of the 13th Army – initially deployed behind the first belt – to move forward and seal the breach. Red Army minefields were covered by artillery fire, making efforts to clear paths through the fields difficult and costly. Goliath and Borgward IV remote-controlled engineer mine-clearing vehicles met with limited success. Of the 653rd Heavy Panzerjäger Battalion’s 45 Ferdinands sent into battle, all but 12 of them were immobilized by mine damage before 17:00. Most of these were later repaired and returned to service, but the recovery of these very large vehicles was difficult.
Over the next three days from 7 to 10 July, Model concentrated the effort of the 9th Army at Ponyri and Olkhovatka, which both sides considered as vital positions. In response, Rokossovsky pulled forces from other parts of the front to these sectors. The Germans attacked Ponyri on 7 July, and captured half of the town after intense house-to-house fighting. A Soviet counterattack the following morning forced the Germans to withdraw, and a series of counterattacks ensued by both sides with control of the town being exchanged several times over the next few days. By 10 July, the Germans had secured most of the town, but Soviet counterattacks continued. The back and forth battles for Ponyri and the nearby Hill 253.5 were battles of attrition, with heavy casualties on both sides. It became referred to by the troops as “mini-Stalingrad”. The war diary of the 9th Army described the heavy fighting as a “new type of mobile attrition battle”. German attacks on Olkhovatka and the nearby village of Teploe failed to penetrate the Soviet defences; including a powerful concerted attack on 10 July by about 300 Germans tanks and assault guns from the 2nd, 4th, and 20th Panzer Divisions, supported by every available Luftwaffe air power in the northern face.
On 12 July, the Soviets launched Operation Kutuzov, their counter-offensive upon the Orel salient, which threatened the flank and rear of Model’s 9th Army. The 12th Panzer Division, thus far held in reserve and slated to be committed to the northern side of the Kursk salient, along with the 36th Motorized Infantry, 18th Panzer and 20th Panzer Divisions were redeployed to face the Soviet spearheads.
Wespe self-propelled artillery battery in position to provide fire support.
At around 04:00 on 5 July, the German attack commenced with a preliminary bombardment. Manstein’s main attack was delivered by Hoth’s 4th Panzer Army, which was organized into densely concentrated spearheads. Opposing the 4th Panzer Army was the Soviet 6th Guards Army, which was composed of the 22nd Guards Rifle Corps and 23rd Guards Rifle Corps. The Soviets had constructed three heavily fortified defensive belts to slow and weaken the attacking armoured forces. Though they had been provided superb intelligence, the Voronezh Front headquarters had still not been able to pinpoint the exact location where the Germans would place their offensive weight.
The panzergrenadier division Großdeutschland, commanded by Walter Hörnlein, was the strongest single division in the 4th Panzer Army. It was supported on its flanks by the 3rd and 11th Panzer Divisions. Großdeutschland’s Panzer IIIs and IVs had been supplemented by a company of 15 Tigers, which were used to spearhead the attack. At dawn on 5 July, Großdeutschland, backed by heavy artillery support, advanced on a three-kilometre front upon the 67th Guards Rifle Division of the 22nd Guards Rifle Corps. The Panzerfüsilier Regiment, advancing on the left wing, stalled in a minefield and subsequently 36 Panthers were immobilized. The stranded regiment was subjected to a barrage of Soviet anti-tank and artillery fire, which inflicted numerous casualties. Engineers were moved up and cleared paths through the minefield, but suffered casualties in the process. The combination of fierce resistance, minefields, thick mud and mechanical breakdowns took its toll. With paths cleared, the regiment resumed its advance towards Gertsovka. In the ensuing battle, heavy casualties were sustained including the regimental commander Colonel Kassnitz. Due to the fighting, and the marshy terrain south of the village, surrounding the Berezovyy stream, the regiment once more bogged down.
To the east, during the night of 4–5 July, SS combat engineers had infiltrated no-man’s land and cleared lanes through the Soviet minefields. At dawn, 5 July, the three divisions of II SS Panzer Corps – SS Panzergrenadier Division Leibstandarte Adolf Hitler, 2nd SS Panzergrenadier Division Das Reich and the 3rd SS Panzergrenadier Division Totenkopf – attacked the 6th Guards Army’s 52nd Guards Rifle Division. The main assault was led by a spearhead of 42 Tigers, but in total 494 tanks and assault guns attacked across a twelve-kilometre front. Totenkopf, the strongest of the three divisions, advanced towards Gremuchhi and screened the right flank. The 1st SS Panzergrenadier Division advanced on the left flank towards Bykovka. The 2nd SS Panzer Division advanced between the two formations in the center. Following closely behind the tanks were the infantry and combat engineers, coming forward to demolish obstacles and clear trenches. In addition, the advance was well supported by the Luftwaffe, which greatly aided in breaking Soviet strong points and artillery positions.
By 09:00 hours, the II SS Panzer Corps had broken through the Soviet first belt of defence along its entire front. While probing positions between the first and second Soviet defensive belts, at 13:00, the 2nd SS Panzer Division’s vanguard came under fire from two T-34 tanks, which were destroyed. Forty more Soviet tanks soon engaged the division. The 1st Guards Tank Army clashed with the 2nd SS Panzer Division in a four-hour battle, resulting in the Soviet tanks withdrawing. However, the battle had bought enough time for units of the 23rd Soviet Guards Rifle Corps, lodged in the Soviet second belt, to prepare itself and be reinforced with additional anti-tank guns. By the early evening, 2nd SS Panzer Division had reached the minefields that marked the outer perimeter of the Soviet second belt of defence. The 1st SS Division had secured Bykovka by 16:10. It then pushed forward towards the second belt of defence at Yakovlevo, but its attempts to break through were rebuffed. By the end of the day, the 1st SS Division had sustained 97 dead, 522 wounded, and 17 missing and lost about 30 tanks. Together with the 2nd SS Panzer Division, it had forced a wedge far into the defences of the 6th Guards Army.
Soviet PTRD anti-tank rifle team during the fighting.
Facing Army Detachment Kempf, consisting of III Panzer Corps and Corps Raus (commanded by Erhard Raus), were the 7th Guards Army, dug in on the high ground on the eastern bank of the Northern Donets. The two German corps were tasked with crossing the river, breaking through the 7th Guards Army and covering the right flank of the 4th Panzer Army. The 503rd Heavy Tank Battalion, equipped with 45 Tigers, was also attached to the III Panzer Corps, with one company of 15 Tigers attached to each of the corps’ three panzer divisions.
Delaying the progress of Kempf allowed Red Army forces time to prepare their second belt of defence to meet the German attack on 6 July. The 7th Guards Army, which had absorbed the attack of III Panzer Corps and Corps “Raus”, was reinforced with two rifle divisions from the reserve. The 15th Guards Rifle Division was moved up to the second belt of defence, in the path of the III Panzer Corps.
The 10th Tank Corps, then still subordinate to the 5th Guards Army, was rushed ahead of the rest of the army, arriving at Prokhorovka on the night of 7 July, and 2nd Tank Corps arrived at Korocha, 40 km (25 mi) southeast of Prokhorovka, by morning of 8 July. Vatutin ordered a powerful counterattack by the 5th Guards, 2nd Guards, 2nd and 10th Tank Corps, in all fielding about 593 tanks and self-propelled guns and supported by most of the Front’s available air power, which aimed to defeat the II SS Panzer Corps and therefore expose the right flank of XLVIII Panzer Corps. Simultaneously, the 6th Tank Corps was to attack the XLVIII Panzer Corps and prevent it from breaking through to the free Soviet rear. Although intended to be concerted, the counterattack turned out to be a series of piecemeal attacks due to poor coordination. The 10th Tank Corps’ attack began on the dawn of 8 July but they ran straight into the antitank fire of the 2nd and 3rd SS Divisions, losing most of its forces. Later that morning, the 5th Guards Tank Corps’ attack was repelled by the 3rd SS Division. The 2nd Tank Corps joined in the afternoon and was also repelled. The 2nd Guards Tank Corps, masked by the forest around the village Gostishchevo, 16 km (10 mi) north of Belgorod, with its presence unknown to the II SS Panzer Corps, advanced towards the 167th Infantry Division. But it was detected by German air reconnaissance just before the attack had materialized, and was subsequently decimated by German ground-attack aircraft armed with MK 103 anti-tank cannons and at least 50 tanks were destroyed. This marked the first time in military history an attacking tank formation had been defeated by air power alone. Although a fiasco, the Soviet counterattack succeeded in stalling the advance of the II SS Panzer Corps throughout the day.
By the end of 8 July, II SS-Panzer Corps had advanced about 29 kilometres (18 mi) since the start of Citadel and broken through the first and second defensive belts. However, slow progress by the XLVIII Panzer Corps caused Hoth to shift elements of the II SS-Panzer Corps to the west to help the XLVIII Panzer Corps regain its momentum. On 10 July the full effort of the corps was shifted back to its own forward progress. The direction of their advance now shifted from Oboyan due north to the northeast, toward Prokhorovka. Hoth had discussed this move with Manstein since early May, and it was a part of the 4th Panzer Army’s plan since the outset of the offensive. By this time, however, the Soviets had shifted reserve formations into its path. The defensive positions were manned by the 2nd Tank Corps, reinforced by the 9th Guards Airborne Division and 301st Anti-tank Artillery Regiment, both from the 33rd Guards Rifle Corps.
Though the German advance in the south was slower than planned, it was faster than the Soviets expected. On 9 July, the first German units reached the Psel River. The next day, the first German infantry crossed the river. Despite the deep defensive system and minefields, German tank losses remained lower than the Soviet’s. At this point, Hoth turned the II SS Panzer Corps away from Oboyan to attack toward the northeast in the direction of Prokhorovka. The main concern of Manstein and Hausser was the inability of Army Detachment Kempf to advance and protect the eastern flank of the II SS Panzer Corps. On 11 July, Army Detachment Kempf finally achieved a breakthrough. In a surprise night attack, the 6th Panzer Division seized a bridge across the Donets. Once across, Breith made every effort to push troops and vehicles across the river for an advance on Prokhorovka from the south. A linkup with the II SS Panzer Corps would result with the Soviet 69th Army becoming encircled.
Throughout 10 and 11 July, the II-SS Panzer Corps continued its attack toward Prokhorovka, reaching within 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) of the settlement by the night of 11 July. That same night, Hausser issued orders for the attack to continue the next day. The plan was for the 3rd SS Panzer Division to drive northeast until it reached the Karteschewka-Prokhorovka road. Once there, they were to strike southeast to attack the Soviet positions at Prokhorovka from the flanks and rear. The 1st and 2nd SS Panzer divisions were to wait until 3rd SS Panzer Division attack had destabilized the Soviet positions at Prokhorovka; and once underway, the 1st SS Panzer Division was to attack the main Soviet defenses dug in on the slopes southwest of Prokhorovka. To the division’s right, the 2nd SS Panzer Division was to advance eastward, then turn southward away from Prokhorovka to roll up the Soviet lines opposing the III Panzer Corps’ advance and force a gap. During the night of 11 July, Rotmistrov moved his 5th Guards Tank Army to an assembly area just behind Prokhorovka in preparation for a massive attack the following day. At 5:45 Leibstandarte headquarters started receiving reports of the sound of tank engines as the Soviets moved into their assembly areas. Soviet artillery and Katyusha regiments were redeployed in preparation for the counterattack.
At around 08:00, a Soviet artillery barrage began. At 08:30, Rotmistrov radioed his tankers: “Steel, Steel, Steel!”, the order to commence the attack. Down off the west slopes, before Prokhorovka, came the massed armour of five tank brigades from the Soviet 18th and 29th Tank Corps of the 5th Guards Tank Army. The Soviet tanks advanced down the corridor, carrying mounted infantrymen of the 9th Guards Airborne Division on the tanks. To the north and east, the 3rd SS Panzer Division was engaged by the Soviet 33rd Guards Rifle Corps. Tasked with flanking the Soviet defences around Prokhorovka, the unit first had to beat off a number of attacks before they could go over onto the offensive. Most of the division’s tank losses occurred late in the afternoon as they advanced through mine fields against well-hidden Soviet anti-tank guns. Although the 3rd SS succeeded in reaching the Karteschewka-Prokhorovka road, their hold was tenuous and it cost the division half of its armour. The majority of German tank losses suffered at Prokhorovka occurred here. To the south, the Soviet 18th and 29th Tank Corps had been thrown back by the 1st SS Panzer Division. The 2nd SS Panzer Division also repelled attacks from the 2nd Tank Corps and the 2nd Guards Tank Corps. Luftwaffe local air superiority over the battlefield also contributed to the Soviet losses, partly due to the VVS being directed against the German units on the flanks of II SS Panzer Corps. By the end of the day, the Soviets had fallen back to their starting positions.
Neither the 5th Guards Tank Army nor the II SS Panzer Corps accomplished their objectives. Though the Soviet counterattack failed with heavy losses, and were thrown back onto the defensive, yet they did enough to stop a German breakthrough.
On the evening of 12 July, Hitler summoned Kluge and Manstein to his headquarters at Rastenburg in East Prussia. Two days earlier, the Western Allies had invaded Sicily. The threat of further Allied landings in Italy or along southern France made Hitler believe it was essential to move forces from Kursk to Italy and to discontinue the offensive. Kluge welcomed the news, as he was aware that the Soviets were initiating a massive offensive against his sector, but Manstein was less welcoming. Manstein’s forces had just spent a week fighting through a maze of defensive works and he believed they were on the verge of breaking through to more open terrain, which would allow him to engage and destroy the Soviet armoured reserves in a mobile battle. Manstein stated, “On no account should we let go of the enemy until the mobile reserves he [has] committed [are] completely beaten.” Hitler agreed to temporarily allow the continuance of the offensive in the southern part of the salient, but the following day he ordered Manstein’s reserve – the XXIV Panzer Corps – to move south to support the 1st Panzer Army. This removed the force Manstein believed was needed to succeed.
The offensive continued in the southern part with the launch of Operation Roland on 14 July. But after three days, on 17 July, the II SS Panzer Corps was ordered to end its offensive operations and begin withdrawing. This marked the end of Operation Roland. One of the panzer corps’ divisions was transferred to Italy and the other two were sent south to meet new Soviet offensives. The strength of the Soviet reserve formations had been greatly underestimated by German intelligence, and the Red Army soon went onto the offensive. In his post-war apologist memoirs Lost Victories, Manstein was highly critical of Hitler’s decision to call off the operation at the height of the tactical battle. The veracity of Manstein’s claims of a near victory is debatable. The extent of Soviet reserves was far greater than he realized. These reserves were used to re-equip the mauled 5th Guards Tank Army, which launched Operation Rumyantsev a couple of weeks later. The result was a battle of attrition they were ill-prepared for and which they had little chance of winning.
During the Operation Citadel, Luftwaffe units in the area had 27,221 flying sorties with 193 combat losses (0.709% loss rate per sortie). Soviet units made from 5 July to 8 July 11,235 flying sorties with combat losses of 556 aircraft (4.95% per sortie). So in battleground itself Germans surely were destroying Soviet armor and aircraft with better kill rate of 1:6. The problem was that the Germans were now lacking strategic reserves when western air power had started viciously devastating the Luftwaffe and penetrating into Italy. In fall of 1943 just 25% of Luftwaffe day fighters were in the Eastern Front. From now on the Luftwaffe didn’t have any kind of air superiority in the east.
During the defensive preparations in the months leading up to Citadel, the Soviets also planned and prepared counteroffensives operations that would be launched after the German offensive had halted.
Soviet offensive operations for the summer of 1943 were planned to begin after the strength of the German forces had been dissipated by their Kursk offensive. As the German momentum in the north slowed, the Soviets launched Operation Kutusov on 12 July against Army Group Centre in the Orel salient, directly north of the Kursk salient. The Bryansk Front, under the command of Markian Popov, attacked the eastern face of the Orel salient while the Western Front, commanded by Vasily Sokolovsky, attacked from the north. The Western Front’s assault was led by the 11th Guards Army, under Lieutenant General Hovhannes Bagramyan, and was supported by the 1st and 5th Tank Corps. The Soviet spearheads sustained heavy casualties, but pushed through and in some areas achieved significant penetrations. These thrusts endangered German supply routes and threatened the 9th Army with encirclement. With this threat, 9th Army was compelled to go over fully to the defensive.
With the failure of Zitadelle we have suffered a decisive defeat. The armoured formations, reformed and re-equipped with so much effort, had lost heavily in both men and equipment and would now be unemployable for a long time to come. It was problematical whether they could be rehabilitated in time to defend the Eastern Front … Needless to say the [Soviets] exploited their victory to the full. There were to be no more periods of quiet on the Eastern Front. From now on, the enemy was in undisputed possession of the initiative.
Though the location, plan of attack, and timing were determined by Hitler, he blamed the defeat on his General Staff. Unlike Stalin, who gave his commanding generals the liberty to make important command decisions, Hitler’s interference in German military matters progressively increased while his attention to the political aspects of the war decreased. The opposite was true for Stalin; throughout the Kursk campaign, he trusted the judgment of his commanders, and as their decisions led to battlefield success it increased his trust in their military judgment. Stalin stepped back from operational planning, only rarely overruling military decisions, resulting in the Red Army gaining more freedom of action during the course of the war.
Memorial “Teplovsky’s Hills” in Ponyri region in honour of the memory of the fallen on the northern face of the Battle of Kursk.
According to historian Christer Bergström, Soviet Air Forces losses during the German offensive amounted to 677 aircraft on the northern flank and 439 on the southern flank. Total casualties are uncertain. Bergström’s research indicates total Soviet air losses between 12 July and 18 August, during the German offensive and the Operation Kutuzov counteroffensive, were 1,104.
Karl-Heinz Frieser, who reviewed the German archive record, calculated that during Operation Citadel 54,182 casualties were suffered. Of these, 9,036 were killed, 1,960 were reported missing and 43,159 were wounded. The 9th Army suffered 23,345 casualties, while Army Group South suffered 30,837 casualties. Throughout the Soviet offensives, 86,064 casualties were suffered. In facing Operation Kutuzov, 14,215 men were killed, 11,300 were reported missing (presumed killed or captured) and 60,549 were wounded. During Polkovodets Rumyantsev, 25,068 casualties were incurred, including 8,933 killed and missing. Total casualties for the three battles were about 50,000 killed or missing and 134,000 wounded per German military medical data.
Due to enemy action and mechanical breakdowns, the combat strength sank rapidly during the first few days. By the evening of 10 July, there were only 10 operational Panthers in the frontline. 25 Panthers had been lost as total writeoffs (23 were hit and burnt and two had caught fire during the approach march). 100 Panthers were in need of repair (56 were damaged by hits and mines and 44 by mechanical breakdown). 60 percent of the mechanical breakdowns could be easily repaired. Approximately 40 Panthers had already been repaired and were on the way to the front. About 25 still had not been recovered by the repair service… On the evening of 11 July, 38 Panthers were operational, 31 were total writeoffs and 131 were in need of repair. A slow increase in the combat strength is observable. The large number of losses by hits (81 Panthers up to 10 July) attests to the heavy fighting.
By 16 July, Army Group South claimed 161 tanks and 14 assault guns lost. Up to 14 July, 9th Army reported they had lost as total writeoffs 41 tanks and 17 assault guns. These losses break down as 109 Panzer IVs, 42 Panthers, 38 Panzer IIIs, 31 assault guns, 19 Elefants, 10 Tigers and three flame tanks. Before the Germans ended their offensive at Kursk, the Soviets began their counteroffensive and succeeded in pushing the Germans back into a steady retreat. Thus, a report on 11 August 1943 showed that the numbers of total writeoffs in Panthers swelled to 156, with only 9 operational. The German Army was forced into a fighting retreat and increasingly lost tanks in combat as well as from abandoning and destroying damaged vehicles. Across the entire Eastern Front ,50 Tiger tanks were lost during July and August, with some 240 damaged. Most of these occurred during their offensive at Kursk. Between 600 to 1,612 tanks and assault guns sustained damage in the period from 5 July to 18 July. | 2019-04-26T08:09:03Z | https://historicalsocietyofgermanmilitaryhistory.com/german-history-of-world-war-ii/world-war-two-battles/battle-kursk/ |
Newsweek put out a special edition magazine called Secret Societies: Infiltrating the Inner Circle. Of course, I had to buy it. The thing has sat on my desk for weeks, and I finally picked it up. The magazine includes stuff that I have read before, and my mind started to wander toward a question.
Which secret society would I like to join?
The Illuminati would be cool, but I would have to work with reptile people.
The Shriners would be fun because I could ride motorcycles or go karts in Christmas parades. As a kid, I always looked forward to the Shriner band because a guy strutted in front of it while carrying a big sword.
Bohemian Grove sounds interesting, but the way they frolic in the woods in kind of strange.
The Bilderberg Group would be awesome. They only invite the wealthiest and most powerful. Getting to meet with them would mean being in the categories of the wealthiest and most powerful. Who would not want that?
Heck, the list goes on and on. The Loyal Order of the Moose. Modern Woodmen of America. I do not think the P.E.O. Sisterhood would accept me.
As I asked myself the question, all of that went through my mind. Then, it hit me. I do not have to wonder what secret organization I would like to join because I have already been a member of a secret organization.
I cannot remember how many years ago it was, or I cannot tell you how many years ago it was. After all, it was a secret society.
Some guys I knew decided to form a club where they could partake in intellectual discourse and debate. Out of these sessions, they could make decisions to help the community. It was also a way for the henpecked ones to get away from women for a while.
I was asked to join because they thought I would be good at partaking in intellectual discourse and debate.
Anyway, we met in a small church. To be a secret society you need religious symbolism, right? Also, one of the founders was a member of the church and had a key.
At the first meeting, we named it the Cedar City Men’s Forum and set up the rules of the club. I cannot remember the rules, but you cannot have a secret society without them.
After the formalities, we discussed the pressing issues of the day. Local politics. National politics. Star Trek. You know, the important stuff.
We had several meetings and talked about a lot of things. However, we also wanted to give back to the community. Luckily, there was a huge community project going on. The city had built a new park, and local citizens were raising money for a really cool playground. To get funds, they sold posts in the fence around the playground.
The Cedar City Men’s Forum bought a fencepost.
To be a secret society you need secret symbolism to be displayed in public places, right? We needed our name to be out there for people to look at and wonder what it all means.
This afternoon, I went to the playground to find our fencepost, and there it was. Like other secret societies, the secret symbols outlasted the secret organization. After a few meetings, the Cedar City Men’s Forum discontinued.
I cannot remember why it ended, or I cannot tell you why it ended. It could have been because we ran out of stuff to talk about. It could have been because of an attempted coup against the leadership. It could have been because the henpecked guys were told to come back home. It could have been because someone said Star Wars was better than Star Trek.
Like other long-lost secret societies, we may never know.
The other day, my stepdaughter and I were listening to the radio when a new song came on the air. In the beginning, I thought I heard a few notes that sounded familiar. Then, the entire thing kicked in, and it was definitely familiar. “Uma Thurman” by Fall Out Boy samples the theme from The Munsters, one of the great television themes of all time.
The song provided a chance for me to explain to my stepdaughter all of the wonderful things about The Munsters. However, it also made me wonder what other television themes could be turned into cool songs. That is when I decided to make a list. Before this begins, we need to address a few things.
First, I have no idea how they combined The Munsters with Uma Thurman. That is a pop cultural mashup is there ever was one.
Second, the theme songs must be instrumental to make for better sampling by current or future artists.
Third, the songs must come from shows that I actually like. If I did not hear a theme song on a regular basis, then I see no reason for it to be used.
These days, I do not watch much episodic television. In fact, Game of Thrones is the only current show that I watch. Luckily, it has an awesome theme song that makes you think the next hour is going to be a huge event.
In the old days, there was a Texas version of Game of Thrones. Dallas was a prime time soap opera that followed the shenanigans of the Ewing clan. However, I thought the theme gone was the best part. When the camera flew over Texas Stadium, the home of the Cowboys, I had seen the highlight of the show.
Of course, soap operas have been the staple of daytime television for decades. If someone wanted to put together a slower song, then the piano dominated theme for The Young and the Restless would do nicely. During the summers, I always made sure to listen to that song before I started doing something else.
Another great piano theme belonged to The Incredible Hulk, starring Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno. However, this was not the opening theme. Rather, it was the closing theme. I can still see Bixby hitchhiking on a lonely road and trying the escape the anger within. Apparently, he did not like himself when he was angry.
Anyway, that is enough for the slow songs. It is time to get back to something fast paced and rocking. Nothing epitomizes that better than the theme from Magnum, P.I. When I get a red Ferrari, I am going to ride around with that song playing all the time. Hopefully, some creative band will sample it in a song, and I will be able to change things up.
Detective shows like Magnum, P.I. are always good fodder for cool theme songs. Barnaby Jones did some geriatric rocking as Buddy Ebsen ran as fast as he could after a criminal. When that tune is turned into a real song, I expect a clip of Barnaby running after someone or hanging out with Frank Cannon.
The Rockford Files also had great theme music, and the video is ready to roll. All you need is a trailer with an answering machine and an early model Pontiac Firebird. Honestly, the original theme sound a little tinny, but some real instruments would make it awesome.
Before I leave this list, I must include something from the Science Fiction genre. It will not be Star Trek or Star Trek: The Next Generation. Instead, we need to see a song built around the theme of Lost in Space. However, this is where we face a conundrum. Lost in Space had two theme songs. One was for the more serious version of the show’s early days, and the second came in with the campy era. I will go with the first one.
Obviously, there are a ton of other theme songs that would be great for sampling. If you guys have any ideas, then let me know.
I had a medical procedure that required going under anesthesia. Before all of the action took place, I was looking out the window. Cars and trucks were going down the interstate. Flags were flying in the wind. The world was moving as I sat with tube and wires hooked to me.
Then, a scenario formulated in my mind. What if someone was put under anesthesia and they woke up in an alternate reality. Not one of those realities where the world is turned upside down. I mean an alternate reality with changes that are not immediately noticeable.
A flag with 53 stars.
As the person goes along for a few days, they begin to notice these slight differences and realize that they add up to one big alternate reality. I am sure there are Twilight Zone and Star Trek episodes that deal with such things.
May years ago, I started writing a story about a guy who had a wreck and ended up in a coma. When he woke up, his life was completely different from the one he remembered. He was totally confused and had to figure out what was going on. Was this his real life? Was he still in a coma? Were the memories he thought were real only figments of his broken imagination?
I never finished that story. Other things in life gobbled up the time, and I put it away for a while. You know how it is when that happens. The thing you put away is lost forever.
There was a time in my life when I wished I could transfer to an alternate reality. I was lost in a lot of ways and was in psychological shambles. I no longer wish for alternate realities because this reality is the one I want.
When I woke up, they called my wife into the room, and she was by my side when the doctor came in for his consultation. She has spent the rest of the day taking care of me.
I am happy with this reality because I am loved, and there is nothing more real than that.
I like scary movies, but I do not see them that often. Why? Because no one else around me likes scary movies. Heck, my wife and my stepdaughter watch shows like Criminal Minds and cover their eyes during the crime scenes. How do you watch a crime show and not watch the crime? On top of that, my wife is always getting scared. If I walk into the room, then she screams. Never mind that we are the only people in the house, and she should suspect that I might walk in.
It does not stop there. The last “scary” movie I saw was The Woman in Black. My nephew went with me, but he did not like it. He likes all kinds of gross stuff, but he is not a fan of scary movies.
Honestly, I cannot see how people can get scared by a movie. It is happening on screen and is being performed by actors. Those are not real people, and they are not in the room. Getting scared in a dark alley? That is one thing. Getting scared in a dark theater? That is completely different.
The other day, I saw a magazine about the “50 Scariest Movies’ that, I assume, was put out for Halloween. After all, Halloween is only two months away. To me, retailers putting out decorations two months before a celebration is scarier than any movie. Anyway, I picked it up to see how many of them I have seen and to write a blog post. I will list the ones that I have seen and write a short commentary about each one.
Cat People (1942) – I am cheating on this one. I watched the 1982 version on late night cable. It starred the beautiful Natassja Kinski, and I was not watching it for the chills. As an impressionable young man, I was watching it for her thrills.
The Thing From Another World (1951) – I saw this one a couple of months ago. It stars James Arness as the marshal of Dodge City. Wait, that is something else. It stars James Arness as an alien plant kind of creature.
The Fly (1958 and 1986) – Yep, the original and the remake made the list. The first one is best because it has Vincent Price, and it is creepy to see the fly guy caught in a spiderweb.
Psycho (1960) – Has a scene about a naked woman covered in chocolate ever been this scary? Only Alfred Hitchcock could pull that off.
The Birds (1963) – The other day, I tried to Tweet about The Birds, but autocorrect turned Tippi Hedren into Tipping Hedren. They should make a movie about someone killing autocorrect.
The Exorcist (1973) – The theme song used to be my ringtone. Every time someone called, I was hoping it was Max von Sydow.
The Wicker Man (1973) – This movie is not scary. How can a movie about people dancing in the woods and becoming one with nature be scary? In the end, Edward Woodward needed to call The Equalizer. The odds were against him, and he needed help.
Jaws (1975) – After watching this, I really see no need to venture into the domain of sharks. We have legs and do not have gills.
The Omen (1976) – Damien used to live in my neighborhood. At least, that kid should have been named Damien. There is no doubt that a 666 was carved into his head.
Halloween (1978) – You think William Shatner overacts in Star Trek and those online travel commercials. You should see his mask overact on the face of Michael Myers.
Friday the 13th (1980) – This got the decade off to a rousing start and made hockey goalies that much more menacing. I must admit that the old hockey masks looked a lot cooler than the new ones. I cannot imagine Jason wearing one.
An American Werewolf in London (1981) – The lesson of this one? Do not go hiking down foggy roads in the United Kingdom. If you do, then spend the evening in the local pub.
Poltergeist (1982) – You cannot trust real estate developers. Wait, I am a real estate developer. I just know not to build on a burial ground.
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) – I have to admit that I always cheered for Freddy Krueger. My good friend Robert and I had an interesting meeting with Freddy at a Halloween haunted house. I should write about that when Halloween gets closer.
Misery (1990) – I only have one thing to say. It has the worst use of a sledge-hammer in movie history. I could not get that out of my mind.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991) – Cool movie. Cool characters. A big scene is supposed to happen in Tennessee. However, it took a few viewings before I realized what the lamb part was all about.
The Blair Witch Project (1999) – A good friend of mine thought the footage was real. How could anyone be fooled like that. It is like those television shows that hunt for Bigfoot. I they had found it, then we would have already known it. The same goes for this movie.
The Sixth Sense (1999) – I figured this one out when Dr. Crowe was having dinner with his wife. When I told the people I was with, they got mad.
The Others (2001) – This is one of my all time favorite movies, and I figured it out pretty quickly, as well. However, I did not tell anyone. I learned my lesson from two years earlier.
There you have it. Those are the movies on the list that I have seen. Interestingly, one scene in one movie freaked me out, and that movie is not on the list. I will give you a warning. If you ever watch The Ring, then you should turn it off before the final scene.
This past week, I watched The Godfather on the big screen with my dad and my nephew. Obviously, it is a great movie, and I have seen it many times. However, this time was different. In a dark theater with no distractions, I was able to focus on details that I had missed and also fully enjoy some of my favorite scenes.
One of those scenes is the funeral of Don Corleone. Movie funerals have always fascinated me. Usually, they are essential to the plot, but that does not have to be the case. For me, a well filmed funeral scene stands out, and I do not know why. Perhaps, it is because a movie funeral makes the film more realistic. It could be because it provides the ceremony of a funeral without a person really being dead. It could simply be the drama of it all. Whatever the case, some of my favorite scenes are funerals.
The funeral of Don Corleone is especially good because of all the underlying consequences. The heads of the other families get out of their limousines for the burial of the Godfather while they are plotting to bury the entire Corleone empire. Michael knows a betrayal is coming but does not know who the culprit will be. As people mourn his father, Michael is set up to be assassinated by Sgt. Fish from Barney Miller.
Another great movie funeral actually involves an assassination. Before Paul McCartney sings the iconic theme song. Before Jane Seymour makes her appearance as a Bond Girl. Before Roger Moore makes his debut as James Bond. Before all of that, an American agent is killed in the French Quarter of New Orleans. He watches as a jazzy funeral procession passes by and does not realize until too late that it is his funeral.
With that, Paul McCartney is cued to sing, and Live and Let Die begins.
Before the death of the agent, the jazz band is playing “Just a Closer Walk With Thee,” a traditional gospel song. Other movies have also used well-known religious songs to great effect. This is where I have something to confess. In my mind, one of the most beautiful sounds in the world is “Amazing Grace” being played on a bagpipe, and no movie does this better than Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan. As Spock is buried in space, Scotty plays the pipes.
Then, Spock is shot into a dead planet that immediately springs to life.
I guess that you could say Spock went out in a Blaze of Glory. That can also be said Valeria, Conan’s girlfriend in Conan the Barbarian. After being killed by a poison snake arrow fired by James Earl Jones, Valeria is mourned by Conan and burned on a funeral pyre. The wizard thinks the pyre will not burn, but the fury of Arnold makes it burn.
Another dramatic exit took place in V for Vendetta, the graphic novel inspired story of a masked terrorist. When he dies, his muse, played by Natalie Portman, puts him on a train filled with explosives and flowers.
She then sends it down the tracks toward Parliament. Once there, he finishes what Guy Fawkes started way back in 1605.
As far as funerals for graphic novel anti-heroes go, V has nothing on The Comedian from The Watchmen. His death drives the plot of the movie, but there is more greatness. It is a miserably rainy day.
The other anti-heroes show up. Dr. Manhattan even wears a suit. However, those are not even the best parts. “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel plays over the scene to greater effect than it did that scene in The Graduate.
Then, there is the mourner who hides during the service. My favorite movie funeral scenes have someone watching from the distance who feels like they should stay away. Once everyone leaves, they go to the grave for their own private ceremony. In The Watchmen, Rorschach is the outsider who moves in after the fact.
In Cooley High, it is Preach who comes upon Chochise’s grave after everyone else has gone. This is another awesome scene. A drunken Preach reads a poem over the grave as a classic tune plays over the scene.
Then, he wads up the paper and takes off into the gloom. This movie is also cool because it tells what happens to the characters as they grow older.
Alright, those are cool, but my favorite funeral scene with a distant viewer is in a western called The Sons of Katie Elder. The sons have come back home for the funeral of their mother. There preacher says some great words, and mourners tell the sons how great their mother was. However, one son is missing. He is a gunslinger who does not need to make a public appearance. He is John Wayne, and he is standing in the rocks looking down on the funeral.
John Wayne is also part of another great movie funeral. As his family is being buried in The Searchers, the Duke shuts down the ceremony because the time for praying is over.
The time for vengeance has arrived.
The time to end this post has also arrived. | 2019-04-19T20:54:35Z | https://thinningcrowd.com/tag/star-trek/ |
Note: As with all my work, I ?stand on the shoulders of giants?, those who have spent their time methodically pulling together the findings for each one of the pieces I write utilizing information from other sources. Reference to the original articles is included or listed at the end of this article.
If you haven?t realized it until now . . this whole war that has been raging in this corner of the Universe for eons is over the issue of control?the power to control the lives and energy of those beings who reside, not only on this planet, but also on all the other planets in this vicinity, and even into the other dimensions. As always, the best allegory I can find for this situation is in the book A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L?Engle.
Simply put, the whole thing is a battle between the Darkness and the Light (in it?s true form from the Creator or Source, not the Light which is also that of Lucifer) for the ultimate control of the Universe. If this sounds like you are living in another episode of the Star Wars series, welcome to reality and the biggest thing going on in Creation right now. This bigger war which is raging in the macrocosm of the Universe, is also raging within each and every one of us, also called the microcosm.
Planet Earth and its inhabitants, as the prizes in this latest and final battleground of the Galactic war, are crown jewels to the victor, not only because of the position this planet holds on the outlying edge of the galaxy, but as is explained further in my upcoming book, because it is a microcosm of the galaxy. Much like the United States is on planet Earth ? Earth itself is a melting pot of so many different alien races, that it?s conquest represents a conquest of all the home planets as well..
The key to this penultimate battle is the coming ascension of planet Earth back into the fifth dimension, and the choice its people to either stay here in this dimension, or to go with it. The chemtrails fulfill that part of the Hopi prophecy spoken of about the Day of Purification when cobwebs would be spun in the skies.
But what you do if you were already in control of this planet? What would you do if you had already spent inordinate amounts of time and energy making it into the most sophisticated prison camp in the Universe?so much so that most of the inhabitants didn?t even know they were prisoners? What lengths would you go to in order to prevent them from pulling off the Great Escape by beaming themselves and the whole camp up and out of your self-governing enclosure?
close or control the doorways or portals in and out of your camp (the always crucial ?head ?em off at the pass? in Earth wars); and keep the prisoners ? preoccupied with their health and the day-to-day grind, genetically incapable of making the jump into hyper-space.
The ultimate purpose of the chemtrails can be seen in the most ubiquitous of symbols seen everywhere in the trails left behind over so many cities?the X. As one researcher discovered while researching the source of the X rune (Gebo) in the original Teutonic texts, it literally means a gift, or offering?the symbolic meaning being ?sacrifice of the lower for the higher.? Certainly that is a familiar theme in the ways of the Illuminati here on planet Earth. All the true knowledge of Creation is withheld from us, the lower, and our lives and very existence here on the planet are sacrificed in service to those who deem themselves the higher and therefore more worthy to retain this cosmic wisdom.
The first part of the New World Order?s solution concerning the blockage of the portals into and out of the planet is dealt with in my upcoming book (available soon through my website). This blockage is being done from both inside the planet?s atmosphere (at ground level), and also from outside the atmosphere through the many ?secret missions? carried out over the past decades of ?space exploration? by NASA and by the space shuttle, as well as many other earth-based space programs.
Part A of the second aspect of the solution has to do, obviously, with keeping the economy insecure. This involves taxing the people so heavily as to keep the power out of their hands and with little or no money left even to stay alive. If this means inflating the stock market and the economy, or plunging us all into a ?recession? or a depression as they have done before, then so be it. The evidence of these things is all around us if we simply choose to open our eyes. The whole idea behind the old ?company store? was to keep the workers alive and working, reaping a windfall for the company, while growing further and further into debt by buying necessities at inflated prices through the company store. The workers then became hopelessly reliant on the ?social security? of their benefactors, using their own free will to sell themselves into a lifetime of self-imposed servitude.
Not only are food supplies and housing now the most expensive commodities available, but we even have to buy such things as water and even air to remain even somewhat healthy and alive. The medical system is a crushing blow to freedom as it is now not only responsible for as many deaths as for the lives it saves?but it has also been positioned to bleed the economy dry of all its resources through high-priced sugar pills and drugs which cause more problems than they cure in the hands of ill-trained practitioners. All this, while never once dealing with what is really killing the people---fear and emotional stagnation.
Part B of this scenario is to keep the people unhealthy, all the while genetically altering them enough so that they cannot even conceive of making the proposed jump back into hyperspace along with the struggling planet. The process of doing this began a long, long time ago with the infamous Annunaki race of aliens featured so prominently in Sumerian and Babylonian history and the work of Zecharia Sitchin. These beings were responsible for originally stripping us of our 12-strand DNA in order to make of us a slave race. By doing this, the also stripped us of our God-given connection to our Higher Selves, that part of ourselves which is truly interdimensional and in touch with its Creator.
By manipulating both the portals to the planet and the personal portals in our own DNA, the New World Order and its controllers hope to keep both us and the planet trapped here in the third dimension indefinitely for their own personal uses. This has already created a problem in that so many of those who have been passing on over this period of time have been reincarnating back onto the planet instead of going on to other places and other lessons, simply because they have been trapped here by the dense physicality created on this planet, and by their attachments to worldly things and their inability to reconnect with their Higher Selves.
As more and more children and adults become re-attuned to their original 12-strand DNA status with the increase in the planet?s frequency, and as the date for planetary ascension draws ever nearer, the urgency to control this re-connection to our original selves has become an urgent and necessary part of the New World Order?s agenda.
What is being referred to is that the planet is already passing through the fourth dimension of vibration as of about 1982, headed for a quantum leap into the fifth level in about 2012-2013, the famed end of the Mayan Calendar. Hence we have the increase in UFO sightings (dimensional phenomena), and also in people?s telepathic and intuitive abilities.
?We are being changed physically from carbon-based beings with 2 strands of DNA into crystalline beings with 1,024 strands of DNA (eventually), because only crystalline substances can exist on higher dimensional levels.
the progression through changes compels us to let go of current relationships, jobs, careers, homes, possessions, and so on, if they are unable to support our new way of being . . .
?Is it any wonder therefore, that there is a great deal of anxiety and fear being felt because these changes are already in progress, even though most people are not conscious of it . . .
?These changes are not necessarily being experienced by everyone concurrently. A very small percentage of adults have already completed the entire change into crystalline form and now embody 1,024 strands of DNA . . .Some people are only just starting to move through these changes, and many others have yet to start. This process of change is known as the Awakening, or as the Ascension process, or known as achieving the Merkabah, or light body.
?We need to transcend our fears and learn about love, real love, which has to start with the self. Because, until we can love and trust ourselves, we cannot truly love or trust anything or anybody else.?
How does all this relate to the chemtrails and to the New World Order? The original three major theories explaining the chemtrail phenomenon i.e., weather modification, mass inoculation, and population control, have all been pretty much discounted by researchers as pointed out in Stan and Holly Deyo?s May 31st newsletter. None of these theories adequately explains the range of data gathered.
Right now, people are still recovering from chemtrail induced sicknesses. Since chemtrail related deaths have been extremely low, the possibility of chemtrails containing only one single agent is very low.
Double agent spraying is more likely. One somewhat benign agent is applied now, and its combination with an activator in the future would turn it lethal or at least trigger the desired results. The activator can then be another biological or chemical substance which triggers this new reaction in tandem with the first agent.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa - A common hardy bacteria that can be found in dirt. This could suggest possible contamination of chemtrail ground samples but also perhaps not considering that it is commonly genetically engineered by companies as PathoGenesis for various purposes. The natural strains have been found to contaminate hospitals and drinking water. When inhaled into immunosuppressed lungs such as those of victims with cystic fibrosis, it forms slime clusters called biofilms which are virtual bunkers against immune system defenses and antibiotics. It can transfer horizontally, meaning between species, genetic information to the host via transduction and conjugation. Conjugation involves the bacteria injecting a genetic package called a plasmid via a ?handshake? into a host cell, which receives it and in effect makes it a part of its own DNA. Transduction is similar, but instead of the bacteria sending a plasmid into the host, it sends bacteriophages (viruses) that contain some of the original bacteria?s DNA and implants it within the host?s DNA. This allows for genetic manipulation to occur.
Aerosol Barium salts such as were used in Libya, Panama and Desert Storm where they were sprayed and exploded overhead to make the people extremely sick and weak. It s a radioactive material that accelerates and magnifies the effects of other mix ingredients by altering the chemical structure of the other agents. A spectrum analysis reveals only the barium compounds and hides the ?bad stuff? by placing a shell around it. After time, it releases the other agent. Think of it as a time release death pill Ethylene dibromide (dibromethane) - Banned in 1984 by the EPA, EDB (C2H4Br2) is a carcinogenic fuel additive and insecticide with a chloroform-like odor. It is claimed to be similar to silver iodide, which was once used for cloud seeding and weather modification purposes. When absorbed, EDB causes central nervous system depression and pulmonary edema, which is fluid accumulation in the lungs. Symptoms of pulmonary edema include shortness of breath, anxiety, wheezing, and coughing. It is extremely irritant to mucous membranes and to the respiratory tract. These are all symptoms associated with the ?chemtrail cough,? and with the growing lethargy noticed in populated areas both here and around the world where spraying is taking place. If anything, EDB serves partly as a condensation nuclei around which water vapor in the atmosphere can condense, making thick chemtrails visible for satellite tracking.
Enterobacteriaceae - Includes E.coli and salmonella which are culprits in cases of food poisoning. Most interesting of the Enterobacteriaceae family is the Klebsiella genus, whose species is responsible for pneumonia infections (enough said).
One link from the Canadian Intelligence Security Service formation on the San Francisco 1950 biological testing reports that ?One of the biggest experiments by the government involved the use of Serratia marcescens being sprayed over San Francisco. This organism is especially nice because it produces a red/pink pigment when grown on certain media, which makes identification very easy. At one point, 5000 particles/minute were sprayed from the coastal areas inward. During this time, 1 man died (in hospital) and 10 others became infected in what was described as ?a mystery to doctors.? Although the military claimed it never did many follow up studies on these tests, one result was that it showed nearly every single person became infected with the test organism. In hindsight, now that some of this information has become declassified, it?s been shown that during periods following spraying tests, there were 5-10 times the normal infections reported.?
Although attributed to the military and government sources, similar experiments were revealed to have also been performed by the Australian government on its people using various bacteriological agents, a country known for its extremely high rate of asthma and chronic lung problems. This advance testing was obviously an early phase for the NWO?s ?final solution.
Streptomyces - ?Streptomycetes are used to produce the majority of antibiotics applied in human and veterinary medicine and agriculture, as well as anti-parasitic agents, herbicides, pharmacologically active metabolites (e.g. immuno-suppressants)?
A restriction enzyme used in research labs to snip and combine DNA?such an enzyme cleaves open DNA and allows desired segments to be inserted before recombining.
Other bacteria and toxic molds capable of producing heart disease, encephalitis, and meningitis?of which there are renewed outbreaks, especially in heavily sprayed cities such as Houston?as well as acute upper respiratory and gastrointestinal distress.
It is known that within three days of a particular heavy spraying, outbreaks of respiratory illnesses occur in the exposed population. Some develop pneumonia, others colds, flu-like symptoms, and depressed immune functions. Instances of meningitis and encephalitis have also increased in correlation with sprayings.
Note that no viruses are listed above. This is because viruses are difficult to detect in the laboratory, much less identify. However, most of the resulting illnesses do not respond to antibiotics, suggesting their causes are indeed viral. Such viruses are most likely retroviruses such as the adenovirus for use in the genetic manipulation.
Chemtrails now appear worldwide, though it has been claimed that none have been sighted in China. The Chinese influence on the Clinton presidency has been well established, not to mention the increasing dependence so many countries now have on China for both their manufactured goods and as a source of cheap labor. U.S. military and scientific technology has been freely given to China under much protest in spite of its aggressive stance towards this country. The New World Order seems to have made China into a new power base for capitalism since the death of its infamous Communist leader, Mao Tse Tung.
Another researcher in a bedroom community of Portland, OR, a city which is sprayed often, relates that chemical tankers have been photographed on the ground at the Oregon National Guard base adjacent to the Portland International Airport just a few miles from his home.
Considering the frequency and density of coverage of the chemtrails, the urgency of the NWO?s agenda to head off the ascension process is self-evident. The project has risked discovery by employing commercial airlines to help with the spraying, and such a risk can only be justified if the project itself were in the nature of an emergency. They have also risked their secrecy by spraying during the day (especially on weekends) to affect as many people as possible, when all below can plainly see these contrails are anything but.
?One of the indications that vaccinations may in fact be changing the genetic structure of humans became evident in September of 1971, when scientists at the University of Geneva made the discovery that biological substances entering directly into the bloodstream could become part of human genetic structure.
?Yet another technique is to simply inject naked DNA. This approach wouldn?t work well as direct injection into the bloodstream because the body?s DNA degrading enzymes would quickly digest it. But some experiments have shown that when naked DNA is injected directly into muscle tissue [as in a vaccine injection], say, the cells start producing whatever proteins the DNA codes for.?
?To turn viruses into gene ferries, scientists have developed ways of stripping the genes out of a virus and substituting copies of the genes they want to transfer into cells. The virus is then mixed with cells taken out of the body that are then returned. Or they can be injected directly into the body itself, homing in on the cells of interest. Retroviruses, which insert their genetic code directly into the chromosomes of the host cell, have been used a lot because of their ability to break into chromosomes and insert the DNA. Other viruses are now also being used. One of the big drawbacks of viruses is that the immune system can?t tell the difference between bad viruses and those that carry a beneficial gene. So, many of the viruses are rapidly wiped out [that is, of course, unless the immune system is weakened by other chemical/biological agents such that these viruses survive long enough to transduce their DNA into the host].?
The article which first got me interested in this whole field was one I found in a newspaper about viruses being found in the tails of comets passing through space. The theory was that this might be how ?life? and diseases could be spread from one planet to another, like in some weird science fiction movie such as Day of the Triffids or Invasion of the Body Snatchers. To exist in such an environment as space, however, viruses would not be considered a life form as such. Viruses tend to travel through the nervous system, and are more like a parasite, living off its biological host?a true alien invasion indeed, energy vampires, much like those creatures portrayed in the recent hit movie, The Matrix, for the nervous system is in fact the electromagnetic system of the body.
Non-invasive methods of gene therapy are already well established. A team at the Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia accomplished just that using an oral method of gene therapy. Even madsci.org has something to say about these non-invasive methods: ?Gene therapy is one of the most interesting and valuable techniques to come out of the field of genetic engineering. The adenovirus used to deliver the CF gene to human cells for gene therapy is known as a vector. Since most cells normally will not take in or absorb DNA, we need a delivery system to get the gene into the cell. Adenovirus is a good vector since it can infect cells in vivo, or while they?re in the body, which means that the gene can be delivered through an inhaler (instead of having to manipulate the cells in vitro, or in the laboratory, then return the cells to the body). To use the adenovirus as a vector, it?s genome was first altered by removing all the virus DNA except for the minimum necessary for the virus to live and infect the cells. Genetically engineered viral vectors like this are harmless and usually can?t live outside of the laboratory.
?But some virus vectors are not without drawbacks: All viral approaches suffer from the drawback of introducing unwanted viral genetic information into the recipient host. Retroviral vectors and adenoviruses have additional disadvantages. Retroviruses are only suitable for delivery of DNA to replicating cells, and present a risk of reversion to replication competent infective particles, whilst DNA expression using adenovirus delivery systems tends to be short lived [thus the need for the repeated chemtrail sprayings over the past two years in the same geographic areas and the use of a host of vectors to ensure success if one fails].?
?A novel vector with potential for use in gene therapy has been developed by Professor Beverly Griffin and colleagues in the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Hammersmith Hospital Campus of Imperial College. Her team has shown that pseudocapsids of the mouse polyoma virus, consisting solely of the VP1 protein, can be used to transfer DNA into mammalian cells in vivo, to give expression at clinically-relevant levels over a period of weeks.? This work and its subsequent implications suggests a reason for the dramatically increased investment by governments and industry alike over the past few decades into research at educational institutions of higher learning?now part of the expanded military-industrial-education complex. It also should make us all stop and remember the Hanta virus carried by the deer mice of the Four Corners region of the United States and its subsequent deadly effects over the past decade.
?Polyoma virus has a very broad host range which means that the pseudocapsids will be taken up by essentially any human or other mammalian cell. Development and selection of mutant VP1 proteins, together with engineered specific labels may enable cell-specific targeting for in vivo applications. Pseudocapsids completely free of viral genetic material can be produced easily and economically.?
In other words, the technology already exists for allowing virus vectors to effectively alter the DNA of a host?s cell. This is not science fiction. One company among many, AEA Technology, is presently researching and selling aerosol products for use in gene therapy.
Conceivably then, one could become infected with either such a bacteria or virus and would feel sick as a consequence. Meanwhile, the bacteria or virus goes to work altering one?s cellular DNA slowly, before later being wiped out by the body?s immune system. After the illness is eliminated, the altered cells remain and continue to reproduce. Sometimes it becomes malignantly cancerous if the gene transfer is crude and faulty (as in vaccinations), and other times the changes are so subtle the body continues to operate as previously, or so the victim thinks (as in chemtrail exposure).
The easiest way to mutate our DNA is through a virus [in this case, the easiest way to un-mutate DNA or suppress it from mutating is also a virus. The chemtrails then are ultimately attacking our cellular DNA?it?s only possible explanation to head of the pending ascension process to keep us as a slave race to do the bidding of our masters.
Mutation and its implications are therefore most relevant in explaining chemtrails. The X-Men movie is a good analogy for what is happening here on planet Earth at this very time.
It has also been confirmed that DNA?s crystalline helical structure makes it very sensitive to low strength but specific magnetic frequencies and wave shapes. Depending on the field strength and Fourier components, the effects can vary from rejuvenation to cancer, with one possible effect being the unlocking or suppression of junk DNA. Since some of the ?new? strands of DNA are actually electromagnetic or multi-dimensional in nature, DNA is also sensitive to not just earthly electromagnetic fields, but it also responds to the body?s soul-nature. Soul nature is the vibrational etheric/astral composition or signature of a particular soul. Genetic structure and soul-nature are intimately coupled; a change in one can lead to a delayed change in the other.
Manipulation or control of our earthly behavior can simply be garnered by the use of low-watt microwave transmissions, the effects to the cerebellum of the human brain when it is within three feet of such a device are devastating to the organ. FM, AM, and the microwave GWEN towers can all be used to manipulate or to control the unruly masses in this way.
The author of some of this included material (the full text of which can be found at: http://www.angelfire.com/mt/montalk/chemtrails.html) gives as his conclusion the following: ?Humanity is evolving, emerging from the past millennia of abysmal darkness and oppression. The power structure, knowing its reign is about to end, has worked tirelessly in a last ditch effort to keep us suppressed. Chemtrails are but one small weapon they are employing to accomplish this.? A very true statement. His suggestion that ? their ultimate goal is a New World Order, global totalitarianism and a reinstatement of their absolute power? and that ?the NWO will fail if citizens become genetically empowered to wake up and fight with superhuman powers against tyranny? and that ?this is already occurring, and the chemtrails are ultimately ineffectual at preventing the inevitable? is highly debatable, however. It is even incorrect in terms of what is truly going on. It is fairly obvious to anyone who tries to talk to the ?man in the street? that firstly, they haven?t noticed this problem; secondly, that if they have noticed it they simply don?t seem to care about it; and thirdly, that if they have seen them and do seem to care, then they certainly do not feel they have any power to do anything about them, and so must just suffer.
As I?ve said in previous articles, despite what you read anywhere else, the general consciousness of planet Earth has decided NOT to go on with the ascension process ?whether this be through coercion or through their own free will, does not really matter. There is now only the choice left to the individual whether he or she wants to take that next step for themselves, into a higher dimensional state.
Two ?anonymous? emails sent to www.SurfingtheApocalypse.com seemed to come from someone in the know on the subject of chemtrails. These e-mails talk about the ?culling? of the population. This is a word I, too, have been given in guidance as another aspect of the chemtrails. It is also a word used in these e-mails as being attributed to a four-star Admiral in the Office of Naval Intelligence.
One of these e-mails has been titled ?The Great Dying?The Real Reason Behind Chemtrails.? It speaks of the overall scope and agenda behind Chemtrails (Operation Clover Leaf, Operation Red Sky, Operation Rain Dance being the code names for these operations), and harkens back to what it calls the beginnings ?way back in the late 1950s? with fluoridation, aspartame, and illegal street narcotics.? It also speaks of the fact that the agenda is ?at the 80% completion point in these CT operations? (when the e-mails were written) with the final completion date to be ?by March of 2001.?
To understand this objective necessitates an understanding of the human Soul, the spiritual Self and the connection between the two as related to the endocrine system functioning within each human host, and remembering what Dr. Fox said about our immune and endocrine systems showing the most evidence of these changes?these seeming to be the most important targets of the chemtrail?s ingredients.
The endocrine system is the group of specialized organs and body tissues that produce, store, and secrete chemical substances known as hormones. As the body?s chemical messengers, hormones transfer information and instructions from one set of cells to another. Because of the hormones they produce, endocrine organs have a great deal of influence over the body. Among their many jobs are regulating the body?s growth and development, controlling the function of various tissues, supporting pregnancy and other reproductive functions, and regulating metabolism.
Endocrine organs are sometimes called ductless glands because they have no ducts connecting them to specific body parts. The hormones they secrete are released directly into the bloodstream.
The primary glands comprising the endocrine system are the hypothalamus, pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal body, and reproductive glands?the ovary and testis. The pancreas, an organ often associated with the digestive system, is also considered part of the endocrine system.
The hypothalamus, found deep within the brain, directly controls the pituitary gland (also known to be the source of psychic vision or what spiritualists call ?the third eye,? that which sees inter-dimensionally). It is sometimes described as the coordinator of the endocrine system. When information reaching the brain indicates that changes are needed somewhere in the body, nerve cells in the hypothalamus secrete body chemicals that either stimulate or suppress hormone secretions from the pituitary gland. Acting as liaison between the brain and the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus is the primary link between the endocrine and nervous systems (remembering that viruses commonly travel through the nervous system). If changes are to take place in the body, then this system is also the guardian over those changes as well as being the director of them. To genetically manipulate mankind through the ingredients in the chemtrails, one must first suppress the endocrine system, and second, the natural defenses of the immune system?the two most directly targeted areas of chemtrail spraying.
The e-mails go on to say that the goals of the chemtrails are to make ?the overall ?frequency? of each of their charges (human beings in each country) to function at a specific rate below the threshold of awareness. The study of brain-wave, Remote Viewing techniques, and other related research holds the key to this. As we know, a physical brain functioning at 12 to 14 cycles per second is agitated and cannot, therefore, become perceptive of any cycle not within the same frequency, especially if that BRAIN IS ARTIFICIALLY stabilized to that frequency. How can one perceive love, when the brain can only register impatience, anger, etc??
FEAR is a key factor here, and it is through fear that we open ourselves up to control. Fear is the frequency which registers most with our fourth and fifth dimensional manipulators, and allows our auras, our protective shields, to be breached, leaving us open to their Light-sucking, energy-sucking control.
The e-mails also say that ?the immune system of the host must be depleted. This relates to control, simply put. If the slightest breeze makes you dizzy, what kind of defense can you be expected to put up if you can?t lift your arms above your head without getting a headache? . . . This is the main reason for much of the desiccated red blood cells found in chemtrails: biowarfare. This also allows the parasite to latch onto the human host with little resistance from the organism so attached.?
?This last statement is by far the MOST CRUCIAL STAGE of all. It isn?t enough to make us slaves, we MUST WANT TO BECOME SLAVES. Food scarcity, low wages, false idealism as propagated via network commercials, all create a state of low-level dependency to a state system, but it is not enough. To win . . . (they) need our permission to do what they will to us (Universal Law). The system of this biosphere has one final gate that only each of us can open or close and it is, in fact, free will . . .?
How and when will they do this? According to the e-mails ?a fake alien invasion? or a biowarfare incident on a major U.S., European or Australian city could be used to trigger us to give up out free will in return for the safety and protection of a seemingly benevolent but in the end dictatorial force. With regard to this, be careful of ?announced disclosures? from seemingly reputable alien-seeking organizations. The control goes deeper than you suspect, and these organizations are needed to feed this supposed threat. As any good researcher or experiencer can tell you, they are already here?in more ways than you know.
Preserve your free will. Make a choice for ascension rather than remaining. Utilize love in all your actions rather than dwelling in fear. Be an observer rather than a victim. And trust that there are THOSE who care about what is going on here, and will take care of things as long as you do your part.
Two ?anonymous? emails??The Great Dying?The Real Reason Behind Chemtrails.? | 2019-04-25T14:36:26Z | http://www.4truthseekers.org/articles/chemtrails_explained__putting_the_pieces_together.php |
Is R-8.6 per inch even possible? The advertised R-value for Clopay’s model 9200 garage door strains credulity.
A good overhead door on an attached garage can keep the garage — and therefore the house — a little warmer than a leaky door.
Since cars can be hard to start in sub-zero weather, homeowners in very cold climates — even those with unheated garages — may want a garage door that limits heat loss.
If the garage is used for vehicle maintenance or woodworking projects, it may occasionally be heated.
So, how do you tell a high-performance garage door from a lemon?
advertises doors with R-17.09 polyurethane insulation.
advertises that some of its doors are R-17.2.
advertises garage doors with R-15 insulation.
Unfortunately, these advertised R-values are almost meaningless.
The R-value or U-factor of the entire door assembly.
The R-values that are trumpeted by garage-door manufacturers are measured at the center of one of the door panels. No manufacturer, as far as I can determine, reports the R-value of the entire door assembly (including the panel edges, the seams between panels, and the perimeter of the door) in their promotional materials. Moreover, manufacturers’ reported R-values tell us nothing about air leakage.
More than a decade ago, responsible window manufacturers realized that the reputation of their industry was being damaged by misleading R-value and U-factor claims. (U-factor is the inverse of R-value; in other words, U=1/R and R=1/U). To address these problems, industry leaders developed a method for testing and reporting whole-window U-factors. The U-factor reported on an NFRC label accurately describes the U-factor of the entire window, including the sash frame and the window frame — not just the center-of-glass U-factor.
When it comes to accurate reporting of U-factors or R-values, however, the garage door industry is years behind the window industry.
There’s nothing to prevent garage-door manufacturers from using the NFRC testing and labeling protocol — a protocol that yields a more honest and useful result than the center-of-panel numbers trumpeted by garage-door marketers. Alternatively, garage-door manufacturers could use the voluntary consensus standard (ANSI/DASMA 105) for reporting whole-door U-factors adopted by the Door and Access System Manufacturers Association (DASMA). A technical data sheet (DASMA TDS #163) describes this testing protocol, dubbed the “tested installed door” protocol by DASMA.
In fact, the percentage turns out to be much less than half.
Although it’s hard to obtain actual test results that report the whole-door U-factors of “tested installed doors,” I managed to obtain one report on a garage door from Clopay, and another on a garage door from Overhead Door.
While Clopay advertises that the 9200 door is R-17.2 — presumably, a claim based on a center-of-panel measurement — the test report for the installed door shows R-6.14.
While Overhead Door advertises that their model 494/495 Thermacore door has an R-value of 17.5 — a claim that, like competitors’ claims, is presumably based on a center-of-panel measurement — the test report for the installed door shows a U-factor of 0.16, equivalent to R-6.25.
Based on the only two test reports that I was able to track down, it seems logical to conclude that the R-value of a garage door is about one-third of the R-value claimed in a manufacturer’s brochure.
Mike Thoman, the director of thermal testing and simulation at Architectural Testing Incorporated, a Pennsylvania laboratory, has tested many garage doors.
Are the reported R-values even accurate?
There’s another potential problem with the R-values reported by garage-door manufacturers: even if one accepts the fact that the advertised R-values represent center-of-panel values rather than whole-door values, the numbers are still higher than most insulation experts believe are possible.
Several manufacturers report that their polyurethane-insulated door panels have R-values between R-8.6 and R-9.0 per inch — values that are highly unlikely if not technically impossible, even for the center of a door panel.
One garage-door distributor who doubts the accuracy of manufacturer’s R-value claims is Bill Feder, the president of Door Services Incorporated of Portland, Maine. On his own initiative, Feder sent a garage-door panel (Overhead Door model 194) to Yarbrough’s lab, R&D Services. The ASTM C518 test conducted by Yarbrough came up with a value of only R-7.83 for the 1 3/8-inch-thick panel. Yet Overhead Door advertises that the door is R-12.76 — or R-9.28 per inch.
Unfortunately, Feder’s admirable challenge has not yet shamed the garage-door industry into correcting the numerous exaggerations in their product specifications.
If the day ever comes when garage-door manufacturers follow the path blazed by their more honest brothers and sisters in the window industry — that is, if they ever decide to report whole-door U-factors or whole-door R-values — an important piece of the door-rating puzzle will still be missing. The reason: when it comes to the thermal performance of garage doors, air leakage matters much more than R-value.
Although some garage-door manufacturers have measured the whole-door U-factor and air-leakage characteristics of their doors, most won’t release the data. Until they do, purchasers of garage doors have to select their doors based on anecdotes.
If any readers have identified a garage door that limits air leakage, please tell us the brand. When you post your garage door recommendations, provide your full name — so we can tell the garage-door salespeople from the architects, builders, and homeowners.
Nice piece Martin! You have established the many problems of finding accurate whole door thermal performance information on garage doors. Now we know the problems but how do we sort the wheat from the shaft? Would you please consider writing a follow up blog post on which doors are "doing everything right" in the words of Mike Thoman? If you focused on exactly what "doing everything right" is in terms of door construction that could be very instructive. Thanks!
I'm depending on the community of GBA readers to contribute recommendations on good garage doors (and even installation tips that limit infiltration).
Sorting the wheat from the chaff is frustratingly difficult. Mike Thoman was unable to release specifics on the brand names of better doors because of confidentiality agreements signed with the manufacturers who submit their doors for testing.
Manufacturers are tight-lipped and reluctant to release lab reports.
-- Designs that minimize air leakage are the best, so look for good gaskets between panels and heavy-duty weatherstripping at the bottom of the door.
-- Thin-gauge steel doesn't last as long as heavier gauge steel, so avoid doors with thin 32-ga. steel. Look instead for 24 ga. or 25 ga. steel -- or just choose a wood-panel door.
Thanks for the thoughtful response Martin.
As you point out Martin... "and even installation tips that limit infiltration".
Even the most thoughtfully designed door's energy efficiency detailing will be defeated by the installer.
On a more positive note, I would say "may be defeated" instead of "will be defeated."
Sorry, the pessimistic tense I used just sub-consciously crept in! Perhaps it was based on experience.
On a slight tangent to the topic of the post I'd ask the question... "Should garages be attached to living spaces in a green home in the first place?"
That said, I know that many people use garages as their workshop so garage doors that are well sealed and insulated are nevertheless needed.
I'm not a fan of attached garages because of IAQ concerns.
In snowy or rainy climates, a detached garage can be connected to the house with a narrow unconditioned breezeway.
Well informed article, and very timely for me. I serve on a task group that is writing new building efficiency standards for Canada, and we are currently considering mandating U-values and test procedures for overhead doors. Thanks for the insight.
I'm glad the article was useful. And good luck with your efforts to mandate U-factors and test procedures for overhead doors. I look forward to seeing what your task group recommends.
You were to kind to the manufacturers of garage doors.
The true R-value of garage doors is closer to a 1/4 of what they publish.
By the way, we have increased our "R- Value Challenge" to $500.00.
I would like to hear your thoughts on the Garaga Standard Plus. I am a home owner currently shopping for a door. Your article confirmed many of my suspicions.
I've had no experience with the Garaga Standard +.
We install and repair doors all day, and, unfortunately, for a lot of people energy efficiency still isn't at the top of their list when it comes to the garage door. We try our best to educate, but often times the most homeowners are willing to go is repairing or adding rubber stop molding. I think what the industry needs is, like you mentioned, less anecdotes and more scientific evidence like the window manufacturers have. Some quantifiable facts about how installing the proper door is going to save them X dollars a year.
We are a manufacturer of carriage doors in Maine with weather all over the map. I have found that R-value is indeed misleading. We tell people exactly what you have stated here - that panel core and thickness do matter (we prefer polyiso instead of the cheap white foam board), but more important is the weather seal around the sides and the door bottom as well as integrity of the concrete surface the door sits on.
Also, look for a door section that has a good male/female interlocking frame - you'd be surprised by the weather that can sneak in between the panels. It's true that the entire "package" should be rated and results provided to the customer and yes, proper installation of both door and weather seal can make or break the entire system.
I just saw your post jim. We sell Garaga weather seal with our custom carriage doors. It's one of the best on the market with a double rubber seal around the top and side jambs. - Scott from Maine Doors.
Bill Feder is right. The testing is misleading and fairly expensive for a company to do because it's really not about the door - it's about the entire package. If it's installed improperly - you're wasting your money on a high R door.
If it's NOT installed properly - a waste of money on a high R value door!!
Sealing the door is the ticket!
Great article! In fact, it inspired me to post info on my own garage door replacement, since a number of people asked me how I did mine. Info is here... and again, thanks for the article.
Door manufactors have been doing this for years. When I get a call from a customer and the first thing they ask is R -value of our doors I know my work is cut out for me. I can show samples with the same insulation and thickness with wildly different claimed R values. If they are lying about this what else are they lying about??? The same applies to gauge of steel on panels. 25 gauge is not the same thickness among manufactors. This principles applies to track, hinges, rollers, springs, etc... Thermo breaks between panel and end stiles along with perimater and bottom seal is also very important.. Keep in mind this is the largest moving part on a home and there will be trade offs. Bottom line different types of insulation only have so much R per inch. Do the manufactors claims match this?
I recently bought new windows for my bedroom, and knowing what type and applying for the energy tax credit was real simple. The window industry just has their stuff together, whereas the garage door industry hasn't quite caught on to making things simple for the consumer. Found this resource that lists all the different door manufacturers and the models that qualify for the energy tax credit. Pretty helpful to have it all in one place.
2. Are promoted by deceitful manufacturers that exaggerate the doors' R-values.
It's scandalous -- more evidence, if any is needed, that these tax credits are designed to help manufacturers push products, not to help homeowners save energy.
Very useful information Martin. It helps me how I need to consider U-factor and R-value. As far as I know, the U-factor is typically used with windows as a measurement of how well the product insulates. And coming to R-value, if you find a garage door, for instance, that is thick, the R value might be as high as 6.5. However if you find a lower priced garage door that is made with inexpensive materials, the R value might be something like 4.3. While the numbers may not seem that different, they are. Thanks !
Thanks to Everyone who Posted!
Alaska has an energy rebate program (in addition to the federal program) - up to $10,000 for energy related improvements... some hoops to jump through, but its a great deal. The post on 5/27 gave me a good starting place compare products - plus, it is good to know about the Garaga product. I'll do some cost comparisons locally. Now for the windows, a new boiler/water unit... and some elbow grease to caulk/insulate the gaps!
Which door should I buy?
I can spend $1595 on a R 15.38 door (which as noted above is a misleading metric), that according to my installer has very good air leakage properties from the panel design.
Or I can spend $1050 on a R 8.72 door with poorer leakage problems, but still get the tax credit.
Since my garage is not heated, and between the wife and I the door will be opening and closing several times a day, I think saving the $500 is the smart way to go. There is a bedroom that's beside but above the garage that gets cold in the winter, but I'm thinking if I just open the attic above the garage and put in a good level of insulation along that wall we'll see much better energy savings than from the door we pick.
Finally some candid talk about the real value of insulation in a garage door. It is long overdue.
I just went back to this article you wrote last year and noticed all the comments and questions. There are a few I would like to respond to.
We did test Overhead Doors Model 190 series. The sample tested had an R-value of 7.83. They publish an R-value of 12.76. What’s interesting about this door is that Overhead’s certified statement says that the door has a U-value of .24 or an R-value of 4.17.
We tested a Garaga 138 sample and it came back with an R-value of 7.89. They publish a 12.
If you maintain a 65 degree temperature year round in your garage the actual savings between a door with an R-value of 12 and one with a 4 will be about 7.83 annually.
We recently tested in insulated rolling steel door. The manufacturer published an R-value of 8. The test came back with an R-value of 0.6. If you add air films you would have an R-value of 1.45. Unbelievable.
Thanks for sharing all of your updated test results. I wish the FTC would prosecute the door manufacturers that continue to lie in their advertising.
I sell and install garage doors and we use the manufacturer C.H.I. I believe they are actually honest in their R value publications, their brochures and their specifications sheets use the terminology DASMA TDS #163. I have been hurt as a business several times going up against the manufacturers you've mentioned in this article, because of their inflated values. How do people believe a garage door that's 1 1/2" thick is providing them an R value of 17? I'm sure because it's in writing right on the brochure! I do believe CHI is representing themselves accurately, but it appears to be at a cost. Please see their website at chiohd.com I think you will add them to your list of manufacturers that are trying to play by the real world rules even if it is at a cost.
We are looking for 2 garage doors/openers and have an estimate from Overhead Doors for their Thermacore 190 and 490 series and Overhead Door Legacy 696. Has anyone purchased these doors/openers? Any information would be helpful. Thanks.
I'm building a new garage and found this post very helpful. Thank you Martin. Despite this being a 2 year old post, it seems the industry isn't any more forthcoming with installed door testing now than it was at the time of writing.
Kudos to them. I would guess a lot of manufacturers making good doors are reluctant to publish this information for fear the uninformed consumer would incorrectly assume their doors offer inferior insulation properties. Haas posts it right next to the sectional R-Value, allowing you to see that they compare favorably to the rest of the industry on that (mostly meaningless) measure.
I'm probably going to choose them for my door simply because of their attempt to be honest (It doesn't hurt that they come recommended from a trusted source).
Does anybody else know of a company that posts this information publicly?
The door manufacturers claims could revolutionize the housing industry.
With R-15 to 17 ratings, prefinished and textured finish, it would be cheaper to clad the outside of a house and achieve an R-40 +/- wall rating, using garage door panels.
A challenge for the door people, if they read this.
Good article. However, if you live in Alaska (Climate Zone 7) and the garage is heated and contains mechanicals (Washer, Drier, and Water Heater), wouldn't the R-18 Clopay that is really an R-7 make sense (with improved sealing, of course)? Or should I just stick with my current wood-paneled door?
Q. "Wouldn't the R-18 Clopay that is really an R-7 make sense (with improved sealing, of course)? Or should I just stick with my current wood-paneled door?"
A. If you live in Alaska -- install both.
Finding your article was.. inspiring!
It has been 3yrs 6 months since you published it - Has anything changed?
Living in AK, building energy efficient, ironically, is NOT that easy. Considering the energy it takes to bring building material to the 49th state.
I am in the planning stage of building a house of small footprint size, and looking at the 'best' solution for a 'can-do-it-all' garage door is a big part of it.
Is it possible that nothing has changed or happened?
One like myself, coming from Europe, would think that garages (and their doors) would get especially in the USA, some attention!
Does anyone have an opinion or experience with HaasDoors, posted above from a member?
What if I would be willing to use my (future) house as a 'test-environment' - Who would be interested and able to process & publish the data?!
My garage is going to be heated, most likely a concrete slab with hydronic radiant floor heating, walls ICF's, in Talkeetna, AK.
Once again, thank you for your article and any help or update on garage doors is greatly appreciated.
As far as I know, the information in this article still applies, over three years since it was written.
Haas Doors look promising, if only because they are one of the few door manufacturers that doesn't exaggerate (in other words, lie) about the R-value of their doors. However, I have no independent verification of whether Haas Doors perform better than other similar doors.
I was in Talkeetna with my family last summer. We got off the train their for a few minutes -- we were taking the train from Denali National Park to Anchorage. Next time we go to Alaska, we'll have to stay longer.
I got a Garaga door after looking at many. BY FAR the best weather stripping I have ever seen. The interlock of the panels seemed better than any other. It allegedly has a thermal break as well. If nothing else get the Garaga weather strip and install it on your existing door/trim.
Forty years ago a company, by the name of Mckee Door, did testing on a 10’ x 10’ insulated door that didn’t have weatherseals around the perimeter. They determined that they may as well have a 12 inch diameter hole in the center of the door due to air leakage. Perimeter seals are a major factor in buying an insulated garage door. Regrettably no one in our industry provides anything close to the kind of seals that the window entry door industries provide on their products.
A Conditioned space and a door that is tested using a U factor that is based on the doors performance in the opening, not a sample of a door section.
The lesson here is if you want to upgrade your garage door to a steel sandwich door, which is typically stronger and quieter, do so for that reason and not for some fictitious high R-Factor that a manufacturer is promising. It’s obviously unrealistic and incapable of achieving without a conditioned space. Before you go out and spend $4-5000 dollars on making your garage conditioned, you might ask yourself, how often do you intend to really use that space for living type of environment?
For a minimally used garage which, like most garages, will mainly be for storage and workshop, I'm considering alternatives to the roll-top door, partly because I find segmented doors ugly, and partly because I think they are very difficult to make well. Two alternatives are the single piece tilt up and the barn door. The big drawback to the swinging barn door is that it takes up a lot of interior floor area. So what's wring with the good old solid tilt up like my grandmother had? Maybe the edges are difficult to weatherseal.
CHI specs show a U value of 0.058 for the CHI 2216 door (2" polyurethane insulated double steel door with R value 17.19). Can this be correct?
Other competitors that have a similar R value (Clopay 3720 for example listed under sandwich doors on this pdf show U value of 0.16, this one has R value of 18.4).
How is it possible for CHI to have a lower R value (17.19 vs 18.4) than Clopay and yet have a U value of 0.058 which is much better than the 0.16 of Clopay?
Is it possible that Clopay's marketing is that inflated? or is it CHI that is inflating the U value?
Seems to me that smart fans that accounted for temperature and dew point could be a partially effective alternative to conditioning a garage.
Q. "CHI specs show a U value of 0.058 for the CHI 2216 door (2" polyurethane insulated double steel door with R value 17.19). Can this be correct?"
A. While it is true that a U-factor of 0.058 is equivalent to an R-value of R-17.19, neither number is credible. The actual thickness of the urethane insulation is 1 7/8 inch, so the implied R-value of the insulation is R-9.17 per inch. This is not credible. To put it another way, it's a lie.
Q. "How is it possible for CHI to have a lower R value (17.19 vs 18.4) than Clopay and yet have a U value of 0.058 which is much better than the 0.16 of Clopay?"
A. Different manufacturers may be purchasing their foam insulation from different insulation manufacturers, so there is no reason to assume that the R-value per inch will be identical from one manufacturer to another. Here's my assessment of Clopay's claims: First, I can't find R-18.4 on the chart that your linked to. I do notice that Clopay has doors with a listed R-value of R-17.2. That would be equivalent to a U-factor of 0.058 (the same as CHI). It's unclear from the table whether the insulation is 2 inches thick, or whether the entire panel is 2 inches thick. If the insulation is 2 inches thick, this implies that the insulation has an R-value of R-8.6 per inch. If the insulation is 1 7/8 inch thick, this implies that the insulation has an R-value of R-9.17 per inch. Neither figure is credible. In other words, it's a lie.
Q. "Is it possible that Clopay's marketing is that inflated?"
A. Yes. Read my article for more examples of this type of lying.
Q. "Is it CHI that is inflating the U value?"
A. A high U-factor is not as desirable as a low U-factor. If CHI wants to exaggerate, they would deflate the U-factor (claim that it is low), not inflate the U-factor (claim that it is high).
Ah, so basically, they are just quoting the U values as the inverse of R values and since R values are vastly inflated, the U values would be vastly deflated....Yikes, have they no shame?
The information you linked to is no different from the information provided in my 2010 article.
The FTC has chosen to give the garage door industry a pass on these exaggerations -- presumably because the FTC lacks the resources to pay attention to every variety of R-value exaggeration, and because garage doors don't meet the legal definition of "insulation" under the Federal R-value Rule -- and the garage door industry lacks the guts to get together (as the window industry did) to agree to NFRC-like labels.
The result: It's the Wild West. Let the buyer beware. | 2019-04-25T20:47:11Z | http://lakesideca.info/blogs/dept/musings/energy-efficient-garage-doors |
Bridgetown, Barbados, February 00, 2019 – Twenty-seven nurses drawn from five countries across the region have all successfully completed specialised training in the care of children with cancer and other blood disorders.
The nurses all successfully completed the Paediatric Haematology/Oncology Nursing Diploma Programme at the University of the West Indies School of Nursing in Trinidad, with the last cohort finishing last April.
Twenty-six of the 27 nurses from Barbados, The Bahamas, Jamaica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who completed the specialised one-year programme, were part of SickKids-Caribbean Initiative.
In 2013, with the support of SickKids Foundation the SickKids-Caribbean Initiative (SCI), a partnership with the University of the West Indies (UWI), Ministries of Health, hospitals and institutions in six Caribbean countries was established. This partnership focuses on building sustainable local capacity to diagnose, treat, and manage paediatric cancers and blood disorders.
Regional bank CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank also came on board with the initiative pledging USD$1 million over a seven-year period (2014 – 2020) through its charitable arm, FirstCaribbean International Comtrust Foundation. As nurse training partner, the bank funded the full training for all but one of the 27 nurses.
“We are truly proud to be a partner with SCI and to support the life-changing work they have been doing across the region to ensure that hundreds of children diagnosed with cancers or blood disorders have access to the very best care delivered by trained professionals,” said Colette Delaney, Chair of the FirstCaribbean International ComTrust Foundation and Chief Executive Officer of CIBC FirstCaribbean International Bank.
“The work of the dedicated doctors and nurses of SCI have greatly improved the outcomes and enhanced the quality of care and quality of life for so many of our most vulnerable citizens – our children,” Ms. Delaney added.
Officials of SickKids recently paid a courtesy call on Ms. Delaney where they updated her on the great strides which have been made in the treatment and management of paediatric cancer cases across the region.
To date the SCI has significantly improved the diagnosis and care of scores of children across the region. In Jamaica and St. Lucia alone 57, 790 newborn sickle cell disease screening tests were conducted.
In addition, seven telemedicine centres were established, 302 consultations have taken place, 179 specialized diagnostic tests were done on patients newly diagnosed with leukemia, 528 patients were registered in local oncology databases, 21 lectures held on the work of SCI and three doctors trained under the Haematology/Oncology fellowship programme.
The initiative has also added to the library of regional medical literature and resources with the completion of five supportive care guidelines and five clinical care guidelines documents. Seven custom built local data bases were established in SCI partner hospitals to record and track patients and seven local data managers hired and trained in those territories.
Captions: Photo 1: A nursing student facilitating a training session as part of leadership development.
Photo 2: Nurses and educators pause for a photo outside the UWI School of Nursing in Trinidad.
CIBC FirstCaribbean is a relationship bank offering a full range of market leading financial services through our Corporate and Investment Banking, Retail and Business Banking and Wealth Management segments. We are located in sixteen (16) countries around the Caribbean, providing the banking services that fit our customers’ lives through approximately 3,000 employees in 68 branches and offices. We are one of the largest regionally listed financial services institutions in the English and Dutch speaking Caribbean, with over US$11 billion in assets and market capitalization of US $2 billion. We also have an office in Hong Kong. The face of banking is changing throughout the world and CIBC FirstCaribbean intends to lead these changes with the expertise, integrity and knowledge gained from banking in the Caribbean since 1836.
CIBC FirstCaribbean is a member of the CIBC Group. CIBC is a leading Canadian-based global financial institution with 11 million personal banking and business clients. Through our three major business units – Retail and Business Banking, Wealth Management and Capital Markets – CIBC offers a full range of products and services through its comprehensive electronic banking network, branches and offices across Canada with offices in the United States and around the world.
For more information about CIBC FirstCaribbean, visit www.cibcfcib.com , Facebook, Twitter , LinkedIn, Instagram or YouTube.
Debra King, Director of Corporate Communications, CIBC FirstCaribbean, Barbados Head Office; telephone: 246 367 2248; fax: 246 421 7148 and email: [email protected].
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts( Tuesday 26th February 2019)- The young man shot dead yesterday morning (Monday) was working at the time he was fatally wounded and to date, two individuals are being questioned by police.
Such information has been shared by a source at the Police Public Relations Department.
Dead is 30-year-old Shavaughn ‘Chronic’ Hendricks of Lime Kiln Housing.
According to police, the shooting incident took at about 9AM “while working in his area”.
A lone gunman is being blamed for the crime.
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Monday 24th February 2019)- Police on St.Kitts are currently investigating a fatal shooting incident which took place earlier this morning, taking the homicide count to eight for 2019.
Such detail has been confirmed by a spokesperson at the Police Public Relations Department.
As gathered by this media house, the incident happened in the Lime Kiln community fatally wounding a young man-believed to be in his 20s or early 30s- nicknamed ‘Chronic’.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Friday 22nd February 2019)- The first batch of twenty-four (24) trained island constables -20 females and 4 males-have been asked to take their jobs seriously which includes ensuring that beaches do not become hot spots for criminal activities.
That call was made by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security Osmond Petty while speaking at the closing ceremony held last Friday afternoon (15th February) at the Police Training Complex in Basseterre.
“Tourism is an integral part of the economy of St. Kitts and Nevis and occupies an important position in the nation’s policies and plans for national development. The Ministry of National Security has therefore decided to establish this special unit exclusively for the protection and service of domestic and international tourists. Having completed your initial training, I’m sure that you will develop into an efficient and devoted tourist patrol unit,” he added.
Petty continued: “As island constables, you will have powers like any other police constables.
Your mission will be for the protection of tourists, prevention of crime perpetrated against them as you provide them with assistance. At the same time, you must ensure that while in the Federation, tourists conduct themselves within the mandates of the laws of St. Kitts and Nevis. You must be able to monitor what is happening around you in any prescribed tourists prescribed areas where you are stationed. In so doing, you will be providing a sense of security to those visiting the country.
The National Security official outlined his security concerns regarding the beaches.
“I really would be disappointed if we hear any one of you get involved in activities which would embarrass the police force or embarrass us at the ministry because we have put a lot in the formation of this…(plus) you would embarrass the people who have trained you,” the National Security official admonished.
The trainees are: Dion Liburd, Jessica Jones, Dashan Jacobs, Donnette Simon, Arlene Richardson, Mary Hodge, Fiona Challenger, Lavardo Cummings, Amita C. Matthew, Shamara O. Huggins, Nickeila V. Hodge, Tamarie M. Hazel, Dawnecia Matthew, Donna S. Bradshaw, Jackie W. Campbell, Zakeemer D. Henry, Odessa A. Lewis, Laddona M. Wilkinson, Ramoya Lewis, Kerstina Carty, Aiesha Wilson, Corporal Alexis Jospeh, Shakquanda Thomas and Sahina Williams.
The course kicked off on Monday 21 January. Topics covered include Island Constables Act, Prescribed Areas Act, ethics in law enforcement, attributes of a good constable , customer service as well as police subjects such as pocket book, station diary, report and statement writing and how to give evidence.
Huggins attained the best written test results while Amita C. Matthew landed the top spot for spoken presentation.
On Monday this week (18th February), they took the oath of office and received instruments of appointment at a ceremony held at Government House located at Springfield.
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 22nd February 2019)-Police are currently investigating a second stabbing incident involving a woman attacked by her boyfriend which took place two days after a female became a surviving victim of a deadly domestic incident.
Police have informed that a domestic dispute occurred on Wednesday 20th February at about 4PM at Cardin Avenue in Basseterre in which a woman was wounded several times with a knife.
Preliminary investigations have revealed that Veronica Thomas of Cardin Avenue was stabbed and wounded several times with a knife about the body by her boyfriend.
She was transported to the JNF Hospital where she was treated for her injuries and discharged.
One person is in police custody assisting with investigations into the matter which are ongoing.
In relation to the first stabbing which took place earlier this week, on Monday 18th February, police responded to a dispute between Leroy and Unella Henry at about 1:30 AM at Upper Malone Avenue.
A source has informed that the woman is doing well physically.
Credible information reaching this media house also indicates that the married couple-both in their 30s- were separated.
Reportedly, preliminary investigations so far have revealed that upon arrival, police met Leroy Henry attacking Mrs. Henry with a knife. The police discharged his firearm at Mr. Henry.
Additionally, preliminary reports also indicate that Mr. Henry attempted to take his own life with the knife.
The Emergency Medical Service was summoned to the scene and Mrs. Henry was transported to the JNF Hospital for medical attention. She sustained stab wounds about the body and a knife wound to her neck. She is currently warded in a stable condition.
Mr. Henry was pronounced dead at the scene by the District Medical Doctor. An autopsy will be performed on the body of Mr. Henry to determine the cause of death.
Pertaining to both incidents, an appeal is being made to anyone who might have any information to contact the Special Victims Unit by dialing 465-2241 ext. 4232/4253, or via cell phone at 665-3091 or by contacting your nearest Police Station.
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 22nd February 2019) – The legalisation of marijuana for religious purposes as well as for recreational are two areas that all members of the National Cannabis Commission-headed by Dr. Hazel Laws- could not agree upon as part of the recommendations put forward to the government following its work phase which began some 15 months ago.
Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Timothy Harris during his presentation in Parliament on Wednesday 20th February, however, did outline thirteen (13) recommendations that commissioners have settled on which have been accepted for further consultation by Cabinet found at paragraph A of Chapter 11 of the report which includes topics such as medicinal and criminal record.
As understood, the Cabinet intends on first looking at the areas of undivided agreement by the commissioners before examining areas of mixed opinons.
“The Commission could not agree that cannabis should be legalised for religious purposes or that it should be legalised for recreational purposes. The Cabinet considers, therefore, that a phased approach is advisable, taking the unanimous recommendations of the Commission as first steps and thereafter considering the other areas on which unanimity could not be achieved would be the prudent approach to take,” PM Harris informed.
1. The blanket criminalization of cannabis as per the Drugs Act has been overtaken by passage of time and regional and international developments and should be amended.
2. The definitions in the Drugs Act relating to cannabis should be amended, having regard to scientific developments since the Act was passed in 1986.
3. The use of cannabis and its derivatives for medicinal and scientific purposes should be permitted under licence and a strict legislated regime.
a. The establishment of a medicinal licensing authority to regulate importation, local cultivation and production.
b. A requirement that two tiers of practitioners must complete a requisite amount of Continuous Medical Education (CME) hours on cannabis (i) medical practitioners for prescribable marijuana products; and (ii) herbalists for non- prescribable marijuana products.
c. A requirement that prescribable marijuana products must meet international labeling standards.
d. The inclusion of other components should be allowed only under advice from experts in the industry.
5. Production and trade should be permitted under licence and a strict legislated regime of hemp and hemp products.
6. The penalty for possession of less than 15 grams of cannabis should be reduced to a ticketable offence without a criminal record.
7. The penalty for the growth of less than 5 plants per household should be reduced to a ticketable office without a criminal record.
8. The current regime for the rehabilitation of offenders should be amended to permit the Court to expunge the criminal records of persons convicted in the past of possession of cannabis in quantities below the amounts specified above.
9. Current healthcare services for the treatment of substance abuse should be substantially upgraded and increase the number of personnel trained in treatment and counseling of young persons and other vulnerable groups.
10. A massive public messaging programme should be created prior to any changes in the law and continuing thereafter informing the public of the benefits and risks and the potential harm to young persons regarding the use of cannabis.
11. The programme should be adapted for use in the school curriculum.
12. The smoking and use of cannabis in public places should remain a criminal offence and attract substantial penalties.
13. Offences and penalties of driving under the influence of cannabis should be introduced.
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Wednesday 20th February 2019)-While the legal team for the Opposition Leader of the St.Kitts-Nevis Labour Party, Dr. Denzil Douglas, is in celebration mode following this afternoon’s dismissed outcome inthe case brought against him by the Attorney General Vincent ‘Juicy’ Byron Jr.-the claimant, the next step is to address the manner in which Douglas’ diplomatic passport information became public in the first place.
As gathered, lawyers will be filing a motion in relation to the invasion of privacy in releasing his (Dr. Douglas) passport information to Mr. Cuthbert Mills in the matter that was brought before the court.
Byron Jr. of the three-party Team Unity Government led by Dr. Timothy Harris, was hoping that the court would have ruled that Douglas, the Parliamentary Representative for Constituency Six, is both a citizen of St.Kitts-Nevis and also Dominica thus making him automatically disqualified from his position in the National Assembly as an alleged Dominican passport holder who has pledged allegiance to a foreign country to attain such.
Dr. Douglas-the defendant- had been optimistic from the start in stating that he is not a citizen of Dominica and has never pretended to be one.
More details in a follow-up report.
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Friday 15th February 2019)- The Director of the Alliance Française de St.Kitts and Nevis, Marine Moncaut, is hoping that local students will see the importance of learning a different language during an upcoming student exchange programme to the French-speaking Caribbean island of Guadeloupe for a period of five (5) days.
In a recent interview, the educator who originally hails from France and is fluent in English and Spanish with French being her native language, revealed that it took her two decades before personally realising the significance of such.
The St.Kitts-Nevis group—comprising of 17 students and eight adults including Alliance Française committee members and parents- is scheduled to travel come next week (Tuesday 19th to Saturday 23rd February) for the programme which comes in partnership with the College St. John Perse in Les Abymes in Guadeloupe.
The trip is expected to include a tour of the island, a cultural morning with traditional dance and music (Gwoka), a visit to The Memorial ACTe museum (Regional Museum of Slavery), the traditional night market at Sainte-Anne and a day at the island of Les Saintes.
Notably, the local students are involved with the Alliance Française but combined are different students from the Federation, mostly from the Basseterre area.
In addressing her view on the benefits of learning a different language, Moncaut talked about building friendships as she highlighted that a male from Guadeloupe recently visited her office with a Kittitian lady whom he met 47 years after having been participants of an exchange programme.
“So that’s building lifelong friendships. As educator, for me, it is for the students to see the point of learning a foreign language. In our classes, sometimes we don’t have enough power to prove the students that it can be good to learn a different language and to speak it,” she remarked.
She informed that local students communicated in French while those in Guadeloupe spoke English.
As gathered, the St.Kitts-Nevis group students presented information about national symbols of St.Kitts-Nevis including the flag and also sung the national anthem in both French and English.
On the other side, the Guadeloupians did a poem as part of their presentation and also a performance of a traditional dance by one of the male students.
“Those in Guadeloupe spoke English because they are students learning English and [those from St.Kitts-Nevis] are students learning French. So when they will meet, they will have two languages that they don’t manage super efficiently but at least, it sets a certain equality in terms of the knowledge of the language; those in Guadeloupe will not be very comfortable with English and the Kittitians will not be comfortable with French…because they will have the same challenge,” Moncaut commented.
BASSETERRE, St.Kitts (Tuesday 19th February 2019)- An autopsy will determine whether a husband died from an attempted suicide at the crime scene or from police fire during an officer’s attempt to intervene in yesterday’s deadly domestic dispute that has left a wife nursing wounds at the hospital.
That day, police responded to a dispute between Leroy and Unella Henry at about 1:30 AM at Upper Malone Avenue.
Credible information reaching this media house indicates that the married couple-both in their 30s- were separated.
An appeal is being made to anyone who might have any information regarding this incident to contact the Special Victims Unit by dialing 465-2241 ext. 4232/4253, or via cell phone at 665-3091 or by contacting your nearest Police Station.
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Tuesday 12th February 2019)- With a mindset of making people look and feel good, owner of the newly-opened Beauty Inside Out (dubbed St. Kitts and Nevis most exquisite salon and spa), Dimple Gidwani, is hoping that the luxurious experience would highlight and complement the importance of holistic self-care, both physically and emotionally.
Nestled at the St.Kitts Castle (opposite Silver Reef) in Frigate Bay, the commercial establishment officially opened its doors with a grand celebration on Saturday 2nd February.
Over 300 specially-invited guests and other well-wishers from all walks of life collectively assembled for special merriment of scrumptious bites and musical entertainment.
“I’m over whelmed by the response and the appreciation I received from our guests. The event was so much fun and I truly appreciate each and every one who took their time out from their busy schedules and attended the event and made it so special for us, and to the people who could not make it I’m looking forward to seeing them soon,” Gidwani expressed.
One of the standout features at Beauty Inside Out is a bar.
“Hey, hey! Where in the world have you seen a bar in any salon?,” Gidwani boasted with a broad smile.
“That is my personal fav[ourite] spot in the salon,” she added with a wink.
The bar is located just outside of her office that has the door signage of ‘Boss Lady’.
The Beauty Inside Out owner says the prices are reasonable.
“I want to cater to all so if you see in spite of the products being organic and natural, and looking at the ambiance you might feel it’s going to be over priced but I have kept the prices very, very reasonable for everyone to afford and enjoy luxury and yet feel at home,” she told.
Services include gel & acrylic nail extensions, 3D nail art, herbal massages, organic and natural facials, eye lash extensions, hair color & treatments, waxing and threading and much more. | 2019-04-19T18:37:51Z | https://thelabourspokesman.com/blog/ |
Middle Eastern governments and companies rose to the financing challenge set by falling oil prices in 2016, rethinking their operations, cutting costs and turning to the international bond markets in committed fashion to plug funding gaps. Issuers in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries raised $66bn last year, and this year’s first quarter total of nearly $25bn suggests issuance will be similarly high in 2017. At GlobalCapital’s roundtable in Dubai on March 27, hosted by Standard Chartered, leading participants discussed the steps needed to take the region’s debt capital markets from nascent to mature, to ensure that they can continue to function, whatever happens to the oil price.
GC: Gulf borrowers have a lot to raise this year in the international debt markets. But there are headwinds: a new US president, disappointing global growth, rising US interest rates and geopolitical unrest, to name but a few of the known issues we have to face this year. Yet the capital markets are still enjoying exceptionally bullish conditions. Gulf issuers have had an excellent 2017, so far. Can it last?
Mohieddine Kronfol, Franklin Templeton: We’re in a much better situation than a year ago when oil prices were south of $30 a barrel and people weren’t confident that we would be able to implement any of the structural reform or fiscal consolidation measures being announced.
Globally there was a very optimistic outlook for the US, but a fairly pessimistic outlook for Europe, emerging markets and the rest of the world. Today the optimistic outlook for the US may still be there but it is a little more challenged. Europe has done much better and China and the emerging markets have been doing better with the recovery in commodity prices.
In this part of the world we’ve seen an improvement in oil prices, where the downside risk seems to have been diminished by the OPEC agreements, and governments have done a very impressive job with implementing fiscal consolidation.
I expect between $50bn-$60bn in total international issuance. Also investor demand will be there, with this window lasting for the next couple of years.
Dima Jardaneh, Standard Chartered: For Gulf issuers and their external funding needs we see two distinct routes. For Abu Dhabi, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, funding needs may have peaked so there might be more opportunity for corporates in that space. But Oman, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia may still need to raise funding in similar amounts to last year.
Mike Wallace, Aldar: I think it’s mainly risks around how relevant the region is in terms of fixed income for investors, and that will be primarily driven by rates in the US. As soon as yields start lifting there, then the relevance of the GCC and emerging markets becomes less, and the money just flows back.
Zeina Rizk, Arqaam: The identified risks from last year, which were recession risk in Europe, China’s hard landing, US economic slowdown and oil dropping further, didn’t materialise. The two risks that actually were considered as tail and highly unlikely both materialised: Brexit and Trump. Despite that, emerging markets had a good year, and a very strong start to 2017.
If you had asked me in Q4 last year, I would have said rates can’t stay here. Yields should move higher and the curve is going to steepen. However, now there is a greater uncertainty with regards to yields’ trajectory.
Trump came into office with the agenda to ‘make America great again’. The fact that the Healthcare Bill didn’t pass shows that he’s not as strong as markets perceived him to be, which puts a question mark on the magnitude of the fiscal plan that he’s going to be able to pass. This being said, the reflation trade is on hold for now, the risk of the 10 years blowing out is reduced; and short term rates are contained.
I think the 10 years will trade within a 2.3%-2.5% range, which is going to be supportive for the market. GCC spreads are at tight levels compared to their historical levels. However, if you compare the GCC to other markets, mainly Asia, the region still looks attractive.
GC: Dima, how long can the good market conditions last, and what is Standard Chartered expecting in terms of rate hikes this year?
Jardaneh, Standard Chartered: We believe that the market was somewhat complacent on, or extra euphoric on, Trump policies. We have been more cautious on the impact of the Trump administration’s economic plans and we didn’t necessarily expect the fiscal stimulus to be of the size that the market was pricing. We’re expecting there to be another two hikes this year, and another two next year.
Increases in the Fed Funds rate may not translate to a meaningful pick-up in longer term yields, that is if the reflation story disappoints and inflation does not rise meaningfully in the US. At the current juncture of the US economy, there is a possibility that inflation will just really not pick up to a high extent, and so the market will become less and less euphoric and hence yields will probably be capped at much lower levels.
GC: We’ve talked about external factors impacting the region, but what about specific GCC concerns?
Kronfol, Franklin: It is relevant to make clear to policymakers that it would be a big mistake, from a systemic point of view, to continue to rely almost exclusively on trying to attract foreign funding.
It is almost impossible to figure out what is going to be driving that sentiment. One day it is Brexit, then Trump. The next there could be an Asian financial crisis. Every time we go through these different taper tantrums there’s a risk. So far, we’ve been able to deal with this because the liquidity domestically has been so strong, and banks have been able to absorb a lot of this volatility and step in, buy debt and anchor these markets.
But as the market grows and develops, we need to focus on generating or building a local demand base outside of the banking system. And that means promoting inward investment, promoting local asset management, promoting insurance and pension companies.
We need to prioritise non-bank investors in these markets because when times are good people focus on the upside and the potential, and think how attractive we are. If we want the GCC bond markets to remain resilient and to attract foreign investors year in and year out, we need to have that resilience embedded structurally.
Tom Koczwara, Government of Sharjah: Governments in the GCC have not seen market development as a main objective. We may have talked about it, but we haven’t actually done it. We have used issuance as a way of raising funds to plug budget deficits and to pay for projects. That is a relatively immature way to approach government borrowing. It means that, from the perspective of higher volumes of issuance, we remain dependent on a volatile global market.
The GCC market is seen as self-contained from a global perspective, and it is so tiny. It’s just a flea on the back of the debt capital market dog. We talk about Trump and Brexit fluently but are reluctant to talk about local factors.
Even in these bumper deals, where are the biggest orders from? The GCC. The big questions for us are whether governments can find the right balance between raising funds, supporting financial markets, generating economic growth and controlling fiscal deficits.
And these conflicting or competing objectives will drive the shape of the market and the quality of sovereign credits, and therefore the rest of the market beneath that, over the next two or three years.
trying to help to address these aims?
Koczwara, Sharjah: In some ways, we’re more like a corporate. We’re not going to be driving the market. But the advantage we have is that we’re inside the tent, so we do get to have these sorts of discussions with the bigger brothers, in terms of policy making.
We expended a lot of negotiating capital in the better times trying to push for development of local debt capital markets, local currency debt capital markets, which is one of the key steps in developing a deeper, more liquid, more predictable debt capital market in the region.
As an issuer, I think we are very focussed on our relationship with our key investor base, which is here in the GCC.
GC: So how important is the local investor base, and how can that be harnessed to further develop the GCC markets?
Rizk, Arqaam: I agree that the local investors are as important as the internationals, but we have a chance of attracting new money, which we need. The GCC market is very much a one-way market. Everybody’s buying and no one wants to offer, or everybody’s selling and no one wants to buy. Attracting a larger investor base may normalise the market and we may start seeing proper two-way flows and a more mature market.
The growth in the regional capital markets last year was significant and the inflow of international funds increased accordingly. This leaves us with the risk that the usual backstop of the regional markets, the local bid, won’t be able to absorb all this liquidity. The flipside of this is that the Asian buyers are arguably buy and hold accounts and therefore they will not be dumping as heavily as we would expect them to.
Kronfol, Franklin: To be really significant, you need to develop the local capital markets, and you need to disintermediate the banks.
If you look at the loan market, it’s also substantial. If some share of that market could be captured, the bond market could be north of $150bn a year. Then issuers would start to be included in indices, do more 144A trades, and place more deals internationally. That’s just the dollar side. If you can mobilise the domestic market too, the whole block becomes more significant.
I’d like to see insurance companies in the region buy our paper in size. When I look at our insurance companies buying real estate I find it worrying.
We’re beginning to get insurance companies and other large investors to want to farm out fixed income mandates. But still, it’s very small considering the potential size of capital markets, the size of GDP, or compared to the level of savings.
We need better regulation and more effort to promote financial services. A proper market is a function of different investors having different investment objectives, not about all buying or all selling. A bank looks at things differently than an insurance company, different than a private bank, different than an asset manager. That is what makes a market become more efficient.
Koczwara, Sharjah: I don’t think people have realised just how lucky we are at the moment; that we’ve just got away this huge Kuwaiti deal, and last year we had the huge Saudi deal, and so on. We are so fortunate that global market conditions allow us to do this. If the fall in the price of oil had coincided with more difficult global liquidity conditions we would have been absolutely stuffed. Our tendency is always to think that was a job well done, that there’s nothing to worry about. But that’s not the case at all, actually. We need to plan for next time we have a sudden fiscal gap, in case markets at that time are less accommodating.
Kronfol, Franklin: Yes, when this happened to us in 2009 and 2010, the GCC could barely borrow, while Egypt was able to do all their financing in the local market.
GC: Can you foresee a situation where that happens again? Markets have moved on, and the likes of Saudi Arabia have created these large liquid benchmarks. Will these help with returning access?
Koczwara, Sharjah: If oil goes back to $90, Saudi perhaps won’t issue again.
Kronfol, Franklin: There’s limited credibility to the idea of Saudi maintaining a dialogue with fixed income investors. It’s like them talking about wanting to be leaders of Islamic finance when they still haven’t closed a single sovereign sukuk until now. The market’s grown to $400bn, and I’m yet to see the Saudi government be proactive in structuring and issuing Sharia-compliant securities.
Jardaneh, Standard Chartered: But I sense there might be a shift in Saudi from thinking of the capital markets as just a means of filling a fiscal gap to looking at a more holistic approach.
Rizk, Arqaam: Exactly, the GCC sovereigns issued because they needed to, not because they want to develop and support the capital markets. As such, if the situation gets better, the capital markets will not be a priority anymore and we will go back to the situation of discontinued GCC sovereign curves.
Kronfol, Franklin: Yes… but up until a year ago, it was never really fixed income securities that were envisaged. A seed has been planted but I still feel like, across most of the region, we have a strong equity culture with a limited focus on debt markets. The development is driven by the private sector, by banks, by issuers, by a few companies. But you don’t feel that there’s a policy response there.
We need a holistic policy framework that encourages the development of non-bank financial services and bond markets.
GC: OK, let’s look at a specific example. Thuwaini, what drove Kuwait to issue this year?
Thuwaini Al-Thuwaini, Warba: When you dig deep enough, you see that there is no real necessity [to fund]. Despite all we hear about fiscal deficits, leverage, for countries of comparable ratings, they’re still way below the median when it comes to the debt-to-GDP ratio.
Using Kuwait for example. Did it really have a fiscal deficit? What it reports is oil price versus an assumed fiscal break-even budget oil price per barrel, which they assumed at $45 per barrel.
The KIA has assets of around $600bn-$650bn. You have the Future Generations Fund, which is speculated to be around $380bn. You have the General Reserve Fund at $250bn. So you’re talking about a country with over $1tr in assets outside of oil.
So, why did Kuwait end up issuing? Does it really have a problem? No. It went with the flow and the trend being followed by the other GCC members. And it feared that non-conformity would negatively impact the local market, specifically, local Kuwaiti issuers trying to access the international debt capital market, without having a benchmark to guide pricing. Outside of Oman and Bahrain there isn’t a necessity to fund fiscal deficits by the other GCC members.
Even Saudi, you don’t know what the actual requirements are. I think Saudi has taken a political decision that it wants to be more independent, to be less reliant on US policies, and on foreign policy. I’m highly sceptical that Saudi’s decision to tap the debt capital markets is driven by fiscal deficits as much as it is driven by the aspiration to position itself to be more independent of its long-standing Western allies.
Rizk, Arqaam: Kuwait is the exception, I think. It is the only GCC sovereign that issues because it can, not because it needs to.
GC: How can you encourage non-bank investors in the region to participate?
Kronfol, Franklin: The banks may be providing all the necessary capital, but if you look at private credit, or SMEs, there is a massive funding gap there. It’s $70bn-$150bn, depending on estimates. You should encourage that sort of funding because it drives employment and economic growth.
Governments try to get banks to plug that gap but they end up mispricing it, and not doing so well. They’re not really geared towards it. If you want to promote the private sector, you need to specialise in lending to private credit. There is a consequence to relying on the status quo.
The banks could be a stabilising influence when they’re doing well. But when they’re not doing very well, they can, and have in the past, become a liability.
Koczwara, Sharjah: The driving force needs to be at an even higher level. It’s the tension between the closed economy, the kind of model that says ‘we’ve got all the money; we’ve got all the oil; we own all the banks therefore we’re fine’, versus the more open economy like Dubai. Dubai is the pioneer of the open GCC economy.
Which one is more successful in delivering economic and social development for its inhabitants? Most people will say Dubai is ahead. So the most successful model is the open model, which depends on attracting capital, talent and permitting competitiveness.
Rizk, Arqaam: But that makes you more vulnerable to external shocks; which is not necessarily negative when see from a higher risk, higher return perspective.
Koczwara, Sharjah: Day-to-day it makes you more open to external bumps in the road, but long term, it allows you to build diversity and resilience. The biggest shock we’re going to face is when people stop wanting to buy oil.
It feels that the UAE is the only country that can lead this. We need to promote openness to capital flows; encouraging competitiveness in the banking sector; encouraging the development of a proper insurance sector, which is not cross-subsidised by real estate.
As policymakers, we need to think in both the good and the bad times, how do I focus on that long term goal of developing a more open and diverse economy? You see some good examples of that. Clearly, Saudi is trying to take the bull by the horns and setting up a planning ministry.
Al-Thuwaini, Warba: The regulator has a lot of responsibility in driving a deeper debt market, but for some reason they are not. One thing that always puzzled me is that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel here. Look at Malaysia. It did not focus on international money for its development. Yes, attracting FDI was a factor. But because it was a ringgit economy, it focused on developing a local debt capital market to help it withstand any international shocks, which can adversely impact its local economy. I don’t think even the UAE has accomplished this yet.
The first serious step in establishing a robust debt capital market is that we establish a local rating agency which caters to the nuances of the local industries because you can’t compare the rating of our companies to, say, blue chip companies in the US, Europe or Japan.
Salman Ansari, Standard Chartered: While encouraging non-bank investors is a critical next step, to date regional issuers have managed to successfully place primary issuances with relative ease. Looking at last year, when the region saw challenges associated with the oil price crunch, some market participants questioned whether GCC issuers would easily be able to raise funding at price-efficient levels. Yet if you look at the 150-plus deals that were completed last year across both public benchmark and private placement transactions, the market did not see a single failed deal.
GC: So clearly there needs to be a change at government level, but what about corporates, are bank loans still a more attractive funding option?
Wallace, Aldar: The first observation I made, having moved over here from the UK a couple of years ago, was that we can borrow from our banks far more cheaply than we can on the debt capital markets. At least 50% of our debt is from bank loans, which we can get out to 10 years, so if I can get that, I’ll take it. Bank debt is more flexible. It’s cheaper to arrange. I can work on the relationship side of things. I don’t have distant investors who maybe aren’t so flexible or accommodating to change. But everything I know from back home says this is wrong, this isn’t how efficient capital markets should be working. But, as a corporate, you know, you’d take it all day because I can’t change it. But it can be risky and more volatile.
Kronfol, Franklin: I don’t think you’d be extended the same privileges if you were an independent corporate.
Al-Thuwaini, Warba: I think you really hit it on the head there. The difference is that there is a scarcity of quality credit in the private sector. And those that are of quality usually are long-standing merchant families, or quasi-government entities with some support from the government sector.
If we go to one of our clients and say: ‘well, instead of giving you a 10 year facility, we’ll take you to the debt capital markets’ that’s business I’ve lost for the next 10 years from this corporate, because what I’m doing essentially is not using my balance sheet and that is very challenging for us to replace. So, if I turn over my balance sheet, I’m going to have a big problem maintaining my business. Most banks that continually aspire to grow their balance sheets find it challenging to replace bankable credit.
Wallace, Aldar: The irony is that the people who are buying my notes are the same people providing the loans, the banks.
Ansari, Standard Chartered: Undoubtedly there is a dichotomy between what the international debt markets will offer versus lending rates available locally. In particular, high yield issuers who look at the possibility of approaching the international debt markets with yields at high single digits will often find their local bank partners offering them mid-single digit loan pricing. This is a key reason why we have not seen any meaningful growth across the high yield sector in the region. The availability of cheap lending rates is even more prevalent at the higher end of the rating scale. This is a key reason why the region’s DCM volumes remain dominated by sovereign and bank issuers, while corporate volume averages between 10%-15%.
GC: So if there isn’t a pricing benefit, how can you encourage issuers to turn to the capital markets?
Rizk, Arqaam: You’re right on the differential and that the banks are the go-to for lending, but the first step is for sovereigns to have a curve, to set a benchmark for the corporates. The next step should come from the regulators. They should incentivise corporates to turn to the capital markets when funding is needed. A head of treasury won’t choose to raise funds in the capital markets for the general improvement of the markets. He would only do so if it makes economic sense for him and so far, banks are being more competitive and that is where the regulator should have a role. Step four is to encourage the construction of indices and ETFs.
Kronfol, Franklin: If you just left it to market forces or the private sector you can’t compete with the banks when they’re so big, and they have entrenched relationships, and government backing, with an interventionist policy. It’s almost impossible to circumvent and that’s why there’s no consolidation.
We in the GCC have a history of using government funds to kick-start industries, whether it’s airlines, or telecoms, or logistics. I think the same should be done, especially with pension funds; especially with insurance companies. Those would play a big role in trying to create those domestic pools of capital that can then compete with the banks and provide different types of funding. Sharia-compliant finance is a very good innovation to be leveraged as well.
Ansari, Standard Chartered: But we are seeing some very positive developments, particularly versus the last two years. We’ve seen the GCC sovereigns building curves, which can be easily leveraged by other GCC issuers. We have also seen non-traditional investor participants becoming more active, such as the US base on the back of the sharp rise in 144A issuances. The Asian investor base has also been a large contributor to the growth of volumes. But sustaining this proactive attitude towards the international debt markets is critical to giving international investors confidence that this is not a one-off approach, and if oil prices rise then local GCC issuances will shut down.
The development of the local market is also very important. At the moment, we only have one major investor – the region’s banks. Even with over 300 transactions in the last two years, we’ve been very reliant on domestic liquidity, which still represents 50%-60% of most GCC order books. More importantly, these books have been anchored by a small range of anchor investors, which are the mega-banks of the region, and international investors have come to rely on this. While a core focus must be to expand the non-bank investor base, I do think this may be subsided by the fact that Asia is coming in and driving a lot of these deals. But we need to get away from the over-reliance on this domestic liquidity.
GC: How important is the Asian bid for the GCC?
Ansari, Standard Chartered: On average over the last two years, Asian investor participation in GCC deals has more than doubled. Some of this growth comes from the continued relative value differential seen between similarly rated issuers from the GCC versus Asia. This increased interest from the Asian market is opening up interesting avenues — of late we have even seen, for example, select Taiwanese investors looking more closely at sukuk formats — a welcome investment in the region.
GC: Where are the pockets of demand coming from, apart from Taiwan?
Ansari, Standard Chartered: We have seen a healthy pick-up in interest from markets such as Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia. New markets like Thailand have also been showing increased interest, with participation in both public and private formats.
Asian interest has been so strong that many ‘myths’ that existed in the market are now proving false — for example, the myth that Asian investors only look at rated products. If you look at the most recent transactions — including those that are unrated — Asian distribution has increased twofold versus the last five year average. Asian investors are looking actively at this region and historically what we perceived as no-go areas for them — such as unrated credits — are of strong interest now. You’re seeing those boundaries being pushed.
In addition, we’re seeing new pockets of non-deal roadshow locations being explored by GCC issuers. Historically, issuers only targeted deal-related roadshows, going to Hong Kong, Singapore and London, and pricing the deal in London. Now you’re seeing issuers travel on a non-deal roadshow basis to keep investors educated on their credit story, while also targeting new markets like Taipei or Seoul. A lot of regional borrowers have gone to Taipei and Korea of late. This is adding to the diversification element of transactions.
GC: Are you looking, Tom, at the Asian market?
Koczwara, Sharjah: Yes, we’d look at some of the market-specific products, whether it’s Formosa or Panda bonds, or others. Some of these options are attractive in some ways, less attractive in others. They’re not straightforward. There’s a relatively high degree of execution risk.
When we market a standard or sukuk issue, or through the private placement market, or indeed the loan market, we have seen some of these Chinese banks in particular being, I was going to say proactive — probably more than that — pushy even.
They work a bit behind the scenes so you don’t get a sense of how active they are. They don’t really have a general banking platform, but they’re coming and writing some huge cheques. They are the biggest banks in the world in terms of balance sheets and they can make a big difference to this market and put pressure on the traditional big ticket lenders in the GCC.
On the one hand, for Chinese lenders, there can be a restriction, which is they need a Chinese angle to get things signed off back home. On the other hand, they are keen to do deals and to build their book. As a result, the people on the ground here are flexible in terms of what that Chinese angle can be.
GC: Turning to practical examples of market access, what about our issuers’ funding plans for the year?
Koczwara, Sharjah: We’ve got financing requirements of around Dh3.5bn ($1bn) which I expect to be made up of one or two large transactions of multiple hundreds of millions of dollars, plus two or three smaller transactions. For the large transactions, we’ll look at different options. So we have people marketing quite innovative markets that we should go and issue into. In addition we’d consider a repeat of our previous debt capital market sukuk issuance, which we’ve done twice before.
For the smaller transactions, either we’ll look for our traditional bilateral banking relationships or at private placement opportunities that normally come from proactive investors. That’s for the government itself. Then we also have 19 government-owned entities that we manage the financing for. There, we’ve got a big focus on export credit agencies and guaranteed or direct funding from foreign governments for exporting countries. We see that as the most attractive source of low cost long term finance, and it’s a big growth area for us. We just closed our first export credit deal in January, and we’ve got six or seven which we’re working on. More generally, across the GRE sector, we’re consolidating. I think we will end the year with less GRE debt on a net basis than we started the year.
Wallace, Aldar: Our next priority is looking at our December 2018 sukuk, which is $750m. So we’re thinking about how we deal with that. We’re also looking at our capital structure. We are a pure play developer on one side, and an asset manager on the other. And the capital structures for those businesses are very different. But because we are one entity, we need to maintain an investment grade rating. And I’m pleased to say we’ve been upgraded over the last 12 months. But it means that one business compromises the other. And so we’re thinking about how we manage that. In that context, refinancing a sukuk is not simple. We are thinking about whether we can create some sort of structure that allows us to efficiently issue the sukuk in the right sort of format, in the right entity with the right structure for investors.
The sukuk/conventional debate is an interesting one. As a real estate company, we have assets. But it’s not necessarily as simple as that. We have land that we need to develop — so we need flexibility and freedom around that. Sukuk has the provisions of being flexible in moving things around, but it’s not necessarily an easy process. We have operating assets, so maybe we could look at those instead. But we need to work out if they are fully sharia-compliant in all areas. Hotels, as an example, may not be.
We need to make sure that whatever structure we go into is as simple, efficient and flexible as possible and that if there is a meaningful pricing difference of being in a sukuk then you need to consider that sukuk maturity profiles are different to conventional profiles. So we factor in all this before deciding which route to go down.
GC: Is refinancing risk in the region a problem?
Wallace, Aldar: The $750m sukuk is half of our debt at the moment. But we’re not highly geared so I’m not concerned about the financing.
Koczwara, Sharjah: You are quite typical of issuers in the region. There are a lot in the sovereign and corporate sectors who do nothing, do nothing, do nothing, do a huge issuance, do nothing, do nothing, do nothing.
Wallace, Aldar: But it goes back to the bank capital markets question. Half of my current debt is with the banks, which I wouldn’t normally do, by which I mean I wouldn’t normally structure my long term debt with 50% in bank debt. I’d have an RCF with a bunch of banks, and then the rest would be capital markets and then I wouldn’t have the maturity cliff I’m facing now.
Koczwara, Sharjah: I’m sure there are a hundred solutions to it but this is one of these risks that is created by the state of the market, essentially.
Wallace, Aldar: We did a 10 year last year with one local bank, which was really pushing them. They did it at pricing levels that were probably inside those available from the capital markets. But that’s the problem. The banks are feeding companies like Aldar because it’s easy to do so. As a bank, you don’t need to do all the work you’re going to have to do for small and medium size businesses and it’s less risky. You can just give the money to Aldar.
Sarmad Mirza, Standard Chartered: It certainly is little surprise in the debt capital markets sphere how the longer maturities have become the strong preference of investors. One thing we hear from every investor is the need for more yield.
In addition, one of the themes we have been trying to drive in our capital markets platform in the past couple of years is to try and encourage the middle tier names to come to the private placement market. However, even now, when we go to bank investors, who are the key players in the regional private placement market, they still express concerns around the unrated nature of an issuer, or that they’re single-B or double-B rated credit, or the sector that the issuer is in. The investors often question if it is really worth doing the work for a smaller sized, unrated or high yield deal.
Wallace, Aldar: The efficiency of the market needs to change. Because if one goes to the capital markets and can issue sukuk and bonds 50bp within what you [the banks] can lend me, then you’ll be forced to look at that market because you won’t be able to lend to me.
GC: With such large sovereign funding needs, is there a risk of crowding out smaller issuers in the region?
Koczwara, Sharjah: A slightly more mature approach would be good. But the second point I was going to make is one of my most painful experiences in the government of Sharjah, one we discussed already, was the transparency journey. The other one is convincing my organisation to do less business with our local banks and forcing them to work with the private sector in Sharjah.
It’s so easy for us to rely on our local banks. Funding is available the next morning and we can put our feet up for the rest of the month. But if we step back, they will be forced to lend more to the local SMEs and, indeed, larger corporates. This is the lifeblood of our economy: we’re the most private sector-driven part of the UAE. And you find that some of the banks tend to be very volatile in their appetite when lending to this sector. They come in when times are good and then suddenly, they step back and close all of the SME accounts in the UAE overnight. We need our local banks to be supporting the private sector. But it’s incredibly painful to get people to think that way.
Kronfol, Franklin: That’s exactly how you could encourage the banks to do more plain vanilla banking. If you or the government or GREs were all told that X% of your funding needs to come from international markets.
GC: Mike, how would this work in practice for you as a borrower?
Wallace, Aldar: I agree that a regulator needs to promote and emphasise this but if you start setting hard thresholds of what you can do, I’m not sure that gets you there.
To your earlier points about having institutions like insurance companies and pension funds bringing capital: that will make the capital markets more efficient, better priced and more competitive to the banking sector, so that they’re forced to look at different avenues.
I’m going to struggle and you’re going to struggle to go to our boards and say, ‘no, we’ve got to take money from this more expensive group over here because it’s better for the rest of the economy’. They’re just not going to do it.
GC: Thuwaini, what was your experience of issuing the sukuk recently? Would you do it again?
Al-Thuwaini, Warba: Our options were limited. We’re a bank that was in a unique position. We’re a newly created bank. Our licence was granted as part of an initiative of the government to promote the financial sector with shares issued in the form of a grant to Kuwaiti nationals. It was also one way for the government to redistribute the country’s wealth to its citizens.
The first few years were set-up costs. So we accumulated some negative reserves, negative retained earnings. By the time we wanted to issue, we couldn’t by law, because we had to recover the accumulated losses before issuing capital again. We couldn’t raise equity capital. We witnessed new bylaws issued by the capital markets authority in late 2015, allowing sukuk issuances. If it wasn’t for this positive regulatory development, I don’t think you’d have seen Boubyan issue, thereafter AUB, and then us as the third bank.
The primary reason for the success of the issuances, despite the overload of challenges, was demand and supply. Demand for sukuk in the market far surpassed supply, coupled with the perception of quality credit and the chunky yield the issue promised.
We achieved our target, which was to pick up on the momentum of the debt regulatory changes, the lack of supply in Islamic debt instruments, and third, our unique challenges of raising additional capital with accumulated losses incurred due to set-up costs.
This gives other issuers the courage to go ahead and issue. The next stage is: how do you take that outside the banking sector? Because the banking sector has an advantage as it’s an extension of the sovereign credit. That doesn’t usually translate to corporates. So this will remain a challenge.
GC: Do you see more innovation in terms of products on offer this year?
GC: Let’s look more closely at sukuk — growth of the market has been slow. How can development be accelerated?
Kronfol, Franklin: It is a growing market. Islamic finance remains robust and the source of that demand is really strong at the retail level. Everywhere you see Islamic banks operating, they’re capturing market share, they’re gathering deposits, and so these treasuries are always looking for paper. If it’s investment grade, and it’s in that comfortable 10 or five year tenor, it will be bought.
Al-Thuwaini, Warba: Sukuk issuances significantly help Islamic banks because when you look at the new banking regulations, Basel III standards and all that, where you have stricter liquidity standards to abide by, conventional banks have a lot more flexibility.
Whenever the bank deposits decrease, conventional banks can still tap high quality liquid assets such as bonds to fill that gap. The Islamic banks have fewer tools at their disposal to meet Basel III liquidity ratios. All they have, currently, are deposits and some sukuk and some products that they can replace with retail deposits. The fact that Saudi Arabia and others are bringing high quality sukuk to market gives Islamic banks more flexibility to manage their liquidity ratios. It will have a greater impact on the development of Islamic banks, in particular.
Rizk, Arqaam: The proof of the market growing is that more exotic issuers are considering issuing sukuk; the likes of Ecuador, for example. The finance minister came to the region for a non-deal roadshow to sense the appetite of GCC investors for such an issue. We definitely would.
The problem with sukuk is the lack of structure standardisation: one Sharia board can approve a structure as compliant while another can reject the same. This makes issuing and structuring a sukuk a lengthier process with higher closing risk and arguably more expensive. Standardisation of structure would make it easier for issuers to consider sukuks and therefore have new names issuing.
The regulator needs to step into the sukuk markets too to encourage market development. Yes, it may take longer to structure a sukuk. Yes, it may be more expensive. Yes, it’s harder to keep in contact with your investors. But, longer term, having diversified sources of funding and investor bases would help in difficult times.
Kronfol, Franklin: I don’t think aiming for standardisation is a necessarily good objective because it may come at the expense of innovation and new structures. The market can establish its own standards and comfort with different structures.
Mirza, Standard Chartered: Three years back, issuers would bring a five year instrument, and Singapore would buy some, and Malaysia. Now we see Hong Kong as a regular stop on deal roadshows, with HK investors buying actively. Across Europe, the format has become a mainstay of local investors and European demand is as strong as for any bond issuance.
Even across select pockets in Asia which have traditionally shied away from sukuk, like Taiwan, onshore investors are taking a closer look and starting to nudge the regulators to start thinking about the format more seriously.
The other thing I find interesting is that everyone who is buying sukuk knows well that the issuance will likely price 10bp-15bp inside the issuer’s conventional bond curve, and yet investors seem eager to take a sukuk over a bond. Maybe it’s a sense that the sukuk is going to have a wider investor base and there are more exit options for investors in the secondary market if needed.
GC: Do you feel the same way Dino, just take a sukuk whenever it comes?
Kronfol, Franklin: Well, yes, but with the same caveat. The primary source of demand for sukuk is Islamic banks. And the treasurers of banks are the same everywhere — they want five year fixed, investment grade, etc. So for the development of the sukuk market, we need these non-bank investors, the pension funds, us, insurance companies, to have that diversity.
It’s very important for the development of the sukuk market. You want it to be authentically Sharia-compliant, you want it to have more risk sharing. For these different risk sharing structures to occur, you need longer term money, private banking money, asset managers. The banks will make the sukuk look very much like a bond. And then people will ask, what’s the point? This thing looks the same, it’s just an expensive way of doing it. Whereas if you have more risk sharing, more equity-like characteristics, that helps the development of the sukuk market. That will distinguish sukuk and make people that much more interested in making an allocation, regardless of where we are in the business cycle.
Rizk, Arqaam: But desperate times call for desperate measures. Taiwanese and Hong Kong pensioners are in need of yields, given how tight their markets are. They need to diversify across regions and GCC is the most logical choice given the comparable high credit rating.
Standardising sukuk would help the market by making it easier for investors to understand.
GC: What is the pricing dynamic between sukuk and conventional bonds?
Kronfol, Franklin: Including sukuk in JP Morgan indices was a big step. Sukuk are, without a doubt, becoming more mainstream, more widely accepted.
Rizk, Arqaam: Agreed, which also led the gap between conventional and sukuk spreads to narrow. Earlier this year, we got instances where bonds and sukuks traded flat, the likes of Majid Al Futtaim 2024 conventionals and 2025 sukuk, Qatar 2022 conventionals and 2023 sukuk. The conventional spreads tightened to their similar sukuk levels. This was driven by Asian demand that was more into conventionals because of simpler, more straightforward structures.
GC: What other barriers do you see to the development of the sukuk market?
Mirza, Standard Chartered: One of the things that needs to be, and will be, addressed soon is the adoption of the sukuk format in the US market. I’m confident that many of the GCC sovereigns would’ve very happily taken a sukuk for all their jumbo trades recently if the US was a very active participant in the format. But with the US being a question mark, it is understandable that large issuers would side-step sukuk to ensure that US investors continue to play in a big way on jumbo deals.
The minute you unlock that, you will have this massive opening of the sukuk market. That said, the momentum is shifting and we are seeing global sovereigns increasingly bring 144A format sukuk with increasing adoption.
GC: How will the forthcoming Saudi and Oman sukuk impact the market? Perhaps they will bring in more US investors that bought into the Saudi sovereign issue?
Kronfol, Franklin: It’s an important development. It will change the make-up of the index for an investment grade issuer. Definitely Asian demand will be enormous. For the local market here we’re already at the stage where sukuk are so widely accepted that it doesn’t really make a difference in the GCC. It’s an important milestone for the development of the industry, just like we were saying it’s good for Kuwait to issue. Now we have all six GCC sovereigns with issues outstanding. We’ve never really been there before.
GC: Are the GCC’s currency pegs here to stay?
Jardaneh, Standard Chartered: Our in-house view is that the pegs will be maintained over the medium term. The policy adjustment to the oil price shock has been through the fiscal channel, which makes sense from an economics standpoint for the time being. The pegs are the mainstay of the GCC economies, and play an important role as nominal anchors. So it would be difficult for the governments to figure out an alternative. The move needs to be towards more flexibility at a later stage when the GCC economies have achieved a higher degree of diversification. But for that, there needs to be building of institutional capacity at central banks.
Kronfol, Franklin: And without local markets, how are you going to set interest rates?
Jardaneh, Standard Chartered: There has to be better liquidity management, better forecasting of liquidity needs to be able to set interest rates and deepening of capital markets to strengthen monetary transmission channels. You’ll need to be able to set a nominal anchor, which is something that cannot be done now. But just doing, let’s say, a re-peg to a new level does not solve a problem. More exchange rate flexibility would be needed to enhance the policy toolkit sustainably.
Kronfol, Franklin: Bahrain’s reserve position and their finances are arguably inconsistent with having a dollar peg, which will come under pressure at some point. We suspect that they will find a big deposit by Saudi Arabia into their central bank or they will figure out a way to make sure that the external deficits are addressed. But it does need to be addressed, if you want to remain credible and continue to access bond markets independently. | 2019-04-22T12:50:00Z | https://www.euromoney.com/article/b12kq8376bd60x/taking-gcc-debt-capital-markets-to-the-next-level |
The majority of CTA rides are on-time and uneventful, but sometimes service can be disrupted. Here’s what we do about it.
On an average weekday, the CTA provides about 1.6 million rides on its buses and trains. If that were a city population, it would be the fifth-largest city in the United States (or, in other words, that’s more rides than if the entire population of Philadelphia took a ride on one of our buses or trains each weekday).
CTA ‘L’ trains travel about 221,633 miles on a typical weekday (that’s about seven times the circumference of Earth at the equator). More than 1,800 buses travel over 159,547 miles on a typical weekday (that’s almost another six times around the equator).
And together? The distance our vehicles travel on an average weekday is almost a full trip to the moon and back.
The majority of those rides are on-time and uneventful—but with a system this large and complex, problems do occur. A problem at just the wrong time can affect the commute of thousands of people.
There are countless reasons why service can be disrupted or delayed. In many cases, the disruption/delay is entirely out of CTA’s control. Examples include roadway congestion and situations that require us to call on police or fire department personnel, or people who fall ill while simply riding a bus or train. Though CTA vehicles are well-maintained by experienced staff, mechanical issues can still occur, just as with any vehicle that travels hundreds of miles every day.
Through planning, infrastructure investment, maintenance and operations, we do everything we can to make passenger trips as timely, convenient and comfortable as possible.
Regardless of the cause of a problem, there are many things we do to address them both during and after an incident. We also work hard to prevent them in the first place. We have one overriding goal: To keep our buses and trains running safely and on time 24/7.
To help you better understand a few of the challenges we, as the nation’s second-largest transit system, face, we’ve put together this page to cover some of the causes for delays and what we do to address them.
Why do delays happen on the ‘L’ and what do you do about them?
Why do trains sometimes break down?
Why do Red Line trains sometimes get rerouted via the elevated lines—or Pink Line trains onto the Blue Line tracks?
Why does my train keep stopping for signal clearance?
So what can we do to address a bunch, or prevent them in the first place?
Why did my bus go down the street slowly and/or purposely miss a green light?
Rail networks are complicated systems and there are a lot of variables that can affect service. The cause of delays can range from equipment problems to people falling ill on their commute.
Knowing that we must deal with the unexpected every day, our schedulers design a little wiggle room into the schedule—this allows for most run-of-the-mill delays, which can be compensated for by a train by simply continuing without further interruption.
If a delay occurs at the peak of a rush period, however—even for just a few minutes—it can cause trains to quickly back-up, resulting in an area of rolling congestion and/or gaps in service in front of the delayed train.
Delays can quickly become compounded: For example, once something has delayed a train, more people will be waiting at stations ahead and the delayed train can become crowded, leaving people behind at each platform. It can then also lead to a train taking longer to stop at each station, falling further behind schedule. As a result, we sometimes have to implement what are known as "service restoration techniques" to space trains out (such as running a train express or holding trains at stations across the line). These options are carefully considered by service management personnel, because they also can cause some additional inconveniences for some riders.
Though we've upgraded huge portions of the 'L' system, we continue to undergo a variety of track and signal upgrades, route renovations and reconstructions across much of the system. Along with new railcars and new or overhauled buses to replace older ones (which can be more likely to have equipment problems), we're doing quite a lot to reduce delays and improve the quality of service on the 'L'.
Just as bicycles get flat tires and automobiles sometimes break down, train cars—full of complex mechanisms and technology—encounter occasional problems too.
For the most part, our trains run very well. If any one of the many thousands of components on our nearly ~1,400 train cars fails, it can result in a delay and affect the quality of service along its route.
Our operators do more than just drive the train--they go through extensive training and have a great deal of experience for solving problems on-the-go. An 8-car train, for example, has 32 side door sets, 32 motors under the floor, over 64 braking mechanisms alone. Additionally, trains have countless onboard systems for passenger comfort, safety, communications and more. Although a stuck door, a propulsion system error or a brake problem can delay a train, our operators typically only need a few minutes to troubleshoot and get their train moving again.
If a track junction experiences a problem, such as the loss of signals from a neighborhood power outage, we may have to manually throw and lock switches in place before we can get trains moving through safely. This takes extra time and can require trains to operate at restricted speeds to ensure your safety. Signal and switch maintainers are on duty at all hours and, in the event a problem occurs, they often arrive in minutes to begin solving it.
With more than 1,400 railcars traveling nearly a quarter of a million miles a day over 200 miles of track, it’s a tough job and it takes a lot of people working very hard to keep the city moving.
In recent years, much has already been done to improve reliability on the ‘L’: Red and Blue Line subway track, signals and switches have been renovated or completely replaced in recent years; the tracks on the Dan Ryan Line (the South Side Red Line) was completely rebuilt, the Pink Line was completely renovated; several junctions and interlockings were renovated or built for the Brown Line Capacity Expansion Project; and major track replacement work on the Blue Line's O'Hare Branch and Ravenswood-Loop Connector (used by Brown and Purple Line trains between Armitage and the Mart) have been completed over the last couple of summers.
Further, major projects to improve the Red and Purple Lines from end to end are getting underway. A fleet of over 700 new railcars—the 5000-series—was delivered in 2011, which allowed us to expand our fleet and retire hundreds of old railcars. Another new series, to replace hundreds more, are already planned!
If a person falls ill on a train and is unable to walk, move or is unconscious, we may need to hold a train at a station until paramedics can arrive and provide emergency medical assistance. Everyone's health and safety is a top priority for us, so please be understanding in the event someone becomes ill or falls and gets hurt.
If you see someone who is sick or injured, please notify the nearest employee and/or call 911 right away!
There are a variety of reasons police may require us to halt service on a route and we take safety concerns very seriously.
If we see or someone reports a suspicious package, police may ask us to stop trains while they investigate.
If an employee spots an unauthorized person on the tracks or trespassing in a subway tunnel, we may need to cut power and wait for police to remove an offender.
In any of these cases, safety always comes first, so sometimes we need to temporarily stop service so that we and other people in public safety roles are able to perform their duties.
If we receive a report of smoke in a subway, this can also cause delays or a stoppage. Smoke does not always mean fire—in fact, it rarely does. Smoke can be drafted in from up on the street above when someone is cooking or lighting a grill near subway air vents, or could result from an equipment problem such as a set of brakes rubbing while a train is moving.
Minor track fires can sometimes occur, though. For example, newspapers and other debris (food wrappers, etc.) can get blown into subway tunnels by strong air currents as trains enter and leave stations. Once on the tracks, debris can collect and become kindling for fires, since sparks are a normal thing under electric trains powered via third rail.
To help avoid disruptions to service, please don’t leave newspapers on benches, on the ground, on top of bins or other station fixtures. We also ask that you don't leave newspapers in the train, either, since they can get blown or tracked out of cars onto platforms—be sure to take newspapers and all other items with you when you leave (and recycle them, if you can).
Also, fires near our tracks can also cause delays. In 2011, for example, a large fire broke out at furniture warehouse next to the elevated tracks just north of Fullerton Avenue—causing a disruption to Red, Brown and Purple Line service for about four hours. We were able to restore service only after the fire department determined it was safe to do so.
One of our biggest priorities during an incident is keeping you informed of what’s going on and to help you make informed decisions when the unexpected happens. To do this, we use multiple channels: Platform and onboard announcements, alerts on our website and sent directly to you by e-mail and text, electronic information screens; and even alerts via Twitter.
The nature of every incident is different, and disruptions by their very nature are fast-changing—as is the information about them. We’ve recently implemented a number of improvements to how we communicate delays consistently and in a widespread manner, and we're always working on ways to do more.
Our maintenance crews work hard to keep our operating equipment in good shape. Many of our railcars have been in service since the 1980s and now nearly twenty years beyond what their designers would reasonably have expected.
The good news is that we've just replaced our oldest railcars (some dating to the late 1960s), and our modern 5000-series cars feature state-of-the-art propulsion technologies and other features for better reliability. Improvements to these cars come from design considerations that incorporate our 120+ years of institutional experience running train service combined with the latest in computerized controls and diagnostic equipment. The average age of our fleet is now much younger than it was just a few years ago, reducing maintenance needs and the number of failures that occur. New technology helps us identify and fix issues more quickly, and has increased the number of cars available for service.
We're also overhauling our 3200-series cars (at present, primarily used on the Brown and Orange Lines), previously our fleet’s newest cars, as they are now more than 20 years old.
Soon, we’ll be replacing more of our fleet with an even newer series of rail car—the 7000-series.
If something halts service in the subway, the Red Line has the special advantage of being able to be rerouted away from the subway via elevated lines. This way, trains can still make the whole trip between Howard and 95th via downtown.
A similar situation is when something disrupts or severely delays service into the Loop: If Pink Line service is disrupted into the Loop, we sometimes will use a track connection between the Pink and Blue Lines near Polk to divert Pink Line trains onto the Blue Line just up to Racine. This allows us to afford Pink Line riders a same-platform transfer to continuing service into downtown via subway (instead of having to ask people to transfer to a shuttle bus, which contends with roadway traffic). This alternative plan can also help us more efficiently turn Green Line trains back toward Harlem with fewer delays and lesser congestion if both lines must be disrupted.
There are a number of other, common reroutes we might implement, too, such as sending Brown Line trains into the subway if there's a problem on their elevated routing, or “through-routing” Brown and Orange Line trains via two sides of the Loop ‘L’ if there's an event that disrupts service on just one side of the Loop.
Trains are kept at a safe distance from the train ahead of it by our signaling systems, which are designed to tell trains to stop if there's a train occupying the tracks ahead.
If something has delayed the train before yours and your train starts to catch up, it may need to stop and wait at a safe distance until the train ahead has moved further down the track. Once it moves, your train can move up, but again may have to stop when it gets too close to wait for additional clearance (such as when the train ahead slows for a curve, stops at a station, or approaches a junction).
If a delay is severe enough, multiple trains can "bunch" up, leading to congestion through an area.
Though congestion can happen anywhere, it can be worse when several trains are approaching a junction all at once. As each train gets through the junction, all the trains behind it, one after another, get to move up. Then, when the next one goes, they move up again, and so forth, until every train is through.
It's kind of like what happens at a stop sign--if there's light traffic, with just two or three cars going through, the wait isn't long and it's barely noticeable. But if there's 20 cars that come all at once, traffic can crawl through the intersection ahead. Even if behind those 20 cars is light traffic, and just one car every 20 seconds is coming up, they'll still end up in congestion until all the traffic cycles through.
An 8-car 'L' train is a lot longer and heavier than a car, though, and requires more space as a buffer. As a result, a delay during busy hours can back up further than auto traffic at a stop sign.
Running a train “express” (not stopping at stations it normally would stop at) is a way to alleviate congestion following a delay.
A delay can cause a gap in service, and it’s important we try to keep service evenly distributed across a route. Running an express train allows that first train following a delay to get ahead and close a gap in service—while also alleviating some of the more immediate congestion where the delay occurred.
A reason that it's really important to close gaps is because this first train, with more people waiting on platforms ahead, can become extremely crowded and take longer at each stop, worsening delays and leading to multiple trains too crowded to pick anyone else up. By sending one or more trains express to spread them out, multiple trains can then simultaneously start picking up people at groups of stations ahead, leading to overall faster travel times.
We understand that it may not feel like a very good solution if a specific express train doesn’t serve your trip, directly: However, when restoring service after a delay, we sometimes need to look at the larger picture of the route and work to restore even intervals between trains. When deciding whether to send a train express, staff considers whether not closing a gap would cause more crowding than it might solve, looking at how best to deliver service to meet demand, and working to get service back to normal as quickly and as effectively as possible for everyone.
Because we know this is an inconvenience to some, so we don’t make the choice lightly and do try to do this only when it's necessary.
Bus systems, because they have to deal with so many external influences, are an incredible challenge to design.
Schedulers carefully and masterfully weigh a variety of factors into writing schedules while trying to provision service in a way that makes the most of limited resources. Their considerations include historical run times, ridership trends, school bell schedules, traffic conditions, construction projects and the potential for any number of “unknowns."
The work they do is intricate, often with near-surgical precision—planners add a half-minute to a trip here, shave a half-minute there—all applied in massive schedule updates that occur every few months. Analysis of massive quantities of data collected by buses using GPS devices, passenger counters and more is done.
Although our bus schedules are created with a bit of room for expected delays and service impacts, unusual and unexpected delays out of our control still occur. When a big delay happens, it can snowball quickly, resulting in big gaps and bus bunching, particularly on high-frequency routes. Very often, high-frequency routes service streets that host high volumes of vehicular traffic.
We’ll try to explain how and why these things happen, and what we do to minimize it, and why it’s not something that can easily be altogether prevented.
Why do big gaps form and buses bunch up?
Bunching is frustrating. It frustrates us too, both as people who work very hard to deliver a good service, and also as bus riders, ourselves.
Bunching is the bane of bus systems around the world (it's not just something that happens in Chicago) and, unfortunately, there's no easy fix to it. The phenomenon is an especially difficult challenge for transit agencies who operate service on busy streets with heavy traffic and where frequent service is required.
Imagine a busy route that has buses running about every 5 minutes on a busy route during the morning rush.
Everything's great until a large truck backing into a dock blocks the street for a bit, delaying a bus just 2 ½ minutes.
But it's just a couple of minutes, right?
Unfortunately, this seemingly minor delay actually amounts to a 50% increase in the space between that bus and the one ahead of it. Assuming a pretty steady flow of people approaching stops along this route, this can mean 50% more people are now waiting to board the bus at the stops up ahead.
At this point, the bus is probably more likely to have to make a stop at every block. It does not just because it has to pick people up, but also because, with more people on the bus, it's more likely someone needs to get off the bus at every upcoming stop. When the aisles get crowded, it takes even longer for a bus to make stops since it people need to make their way through--resulting in what we call "increased dwell times."
All of these factors can lead to the bus falling further and further behind schedule.
Meanwhile, that bus’s “follower” (the bus behind it), starts to catch up.
Even if its follower has a similar delay, it's able to keep a good pace since, with the bus in front of it having served its stops more recently than it was scheduled to, fewer people are now getting on or off that bus at the stops ahead of it. This second bus might not have to stop at every block, its dwell time at each stop stays short and it is able to just breeze right along the street.
In fact, the driver might even need to slow down or stand for a bit to keep from getting ahead of schedule (one of the things that we can and do control, to avoid a bus leaving a gap behind it, which can then create a bunch later).
Despite this following driver doing a good job of staying on-time, she still catches up to her leader and a bunch is formed.
Just that quickly, a "bunch" of two buses come together, each stop has a handful of people waiting at it and the two buses start to leapfrog each other to clear stops as quickly as possible. Of course, this also means a 10-minute gap in service, even though both buses left right on time and started out being exactly five minutes apart.
Both then try to serve the crowded stops ahead in a complementary fashion, but with people on both buses needing to exit at pretty much every stop, they don't really get ahead and both end up getting caught at the same traffic signals, together falling further behind. If it gets bad enough, even a third bus can catch up!
...All because of an unavoidable delay of just a couple of minutes!
At the end of the line, the terminal may “absorb” the delay because some time for a "layover" can be scheduled at the end of a trip. But, if they end up falling too far behind, a gap can even ripple back into the spacing of service in the other direction.
This is where our Bus Service Management staff become crucial to minimizing delays and inconveniences: They can use a number of techniques to restore regular service, such as directing the bus to run express or adding a “fill in” run from another route.
Run "express": We can try to have one or more of the buses caught in a “bunch” run non-stop to get further ahead.
However, this is inconvenient and frustrating for people who've already been waiting a long time at stops only to see an approaching bus go right past them (especially if the bus is not full).
This strategy can also be a problem for people already on the bus who need to get off in the area that is being bypassed. To accommodate those riders, an additional delay can then occur as bus officials coordinate letting passengers off to switch to a second bus.
Because of the potential for added inconvenience and frustration for riders, we try to use this option minimally.
"Short turns": In some circumstances, we can do what's called "short turning" a bus, which means having a bus that's mid-route end its trip early, turning back the other way short of the end of the route.
This restoration technique is difficult to implement, though, as it may require special coordination to ensure that riders exiting the first bus have another bus immediately there to pick them up—and it can only be done if the bus behind it can accommodate all the people from the first bus.
Side note: When you see a bus not going all the way to the end of a route, it's not always from a delay--it is also a scheduled behavior on some routes, to provide higher frequency along busier parts of a route.
As a preventative measure, we do schedule in extra wiggle-room to allow for run-of-the-mill delays. However, this extra time increases the length of each trip, so we also have to be careful not to add too much. Excess wiggle-room can create gaps, crowding and bunching behind a bus, and can also cost money in wasted man-hours. Thus, our schedulers work with care and precision to try and find the right balance.
As another preventative measure, scheduling more service can be an option that helps against the likelihood that a delay becomes compounded by crowding and longer dwell times. But we also have to be careful not to spend money on excess capacity in one place at the expense of somewhere else that really needs it.
Suffice it to say, there really isn't a silver bullet for solving bus bunching and it's a problem that affects every busy bus system around the world. Corrective actions can be complicated and need a lot of people and pieces to come together in just the right way to really break up a bunch.
But we continue to work to improve service and regularly work to find new ways to prevent things like bunching, including evaluating new technology and implementing strategies to address it.
However, our buses remain hostage to street traffic accidents and problems as much as individual motorists, and with far less flexibility to adjust routes and stops since people depend on service following the same patterns.
In the event that everything lines up in such a way that traffic is lighter than normal, and no events delay a bus, buses can get ahead of schedule because there’s always some wiggle room built-in to anticipate potential delays and variability.
We refer to being early as "running hot."
During off-peak hours, running hot can cause a person trying to catch a specific bus to miss it, and then have to wait a full scheduled wait, plus the amount time they arrived at the stop early.
During higher-frequency service, a larger-than-normal gap behind a bus that's running hot leads to the following bus having more passengers than usual, slowing it down and potentially leading to a bus bunch behind it.
Either way, being ahead of schedule creates a gap in service and, potentially, one that’ll lead to bus bunching by increasing the number of people getting on and off the bus behind it, causing it to take longer and longer at each stop.
Since being early is one of few variables that can cause big inconveniences and is a variable that we can completely control and avoid, it’s in our procedures to simply not "run hot."
While it may be frustrating, keeping with the schedule, and not getting ahead of it, is an important, strategic procedure that helps us make the system more reliable, in general.
Delays on high-frequency services like ours are a problem that every major bus and train system in the world faces. As much as we'd love to be able to, it’s simply not possible to account for every variable, and the solutions to when inevitable delays occur are not always easy—though we do try to do everything we can. We want you to know that we are very aware of how delays can affect your day and we experience them ourselves as transit riders who appreciate and believe in what we do. Providing a good service that improves your quality of life is a passion for us, and we think about how to find creative solutions to problems and, in general, how we can do better all the time.
While a good trip, generally, is a trip you don’t notice (you get on, you go, you get to where you’re going), we also know that it’s those bad ones that stand out. But for every time you experience a delay, there are probably a dozen delays that were averted or alleviated because of talented people in the field working hard to keep you on the move (in addition to all those times where things just worked the way they should in the first place). Usually, when a train breaks down, we have it back up and running in just a few minutes and only a small percentage of our buses actually are arriving at stops within a minute of another—but we know those are the things you might be more likely to remember.
Overall, we understand how important a role we play in Chicago being the bustling, busy and exciting city and metropolis it is.
To understand the quality of our service and look for opportunities to make it even better, we extensively monitor and keep track of our performance and quality of service, are constantly responding to delays that crop up—and often to the extent that you might not realize a delay ever occurred. We also recognize our responsibility to always be working to both provide a better service, and work to give you tools to find the best way to go, such as Bus Tracker and Train Tracker.
As always, we welcome feedback, which we regularly use to improve service. You can reach us via phone (1-888-YOUR-CTA), e-mail or social media (@cta on Twitter, facebook.com/thecta).
Further, please feel free to check out our Performance Metrics to see how we’re doing—and also the App Center to find some of the nifty things the community has put together with data we publish about our system. | 2019-04-26T09:39:57Z | https://transitchicago-2016-design.idevdesign.net/performance/wtgw/ |
The Dutch Resistance man "Paul Simons"
* Het verborgen front, (The Hidden Front) History of the organised resistance against nazi occupation in the Dutch province Limburg during World War II. Excerpt in English.
History of the organized resistance in the Dutch province of Limburg during WW2.
A satisfactory account of the history of the organized resistance in the province of Limburg will not be found by exclusively following the relevant events and developments in the years of the German occupation. As early as in the nineteenthirties foundations were laid which may serve as a partial explanation for a partisan attitude after the events of May 1940. In their establishment the Catholic Church played an important part, for it was this church community which most of all regarded the threat of right-wing radicalism as a matter not to be underestimated, and which was the first to take up arms by launching a fierce social counter-attack. Perhaps that seems remarkable. Was the success of the national socialist movement (N.S.B.) in the leading catholic Limburg, like it has been suggested several times, part of the sympathy living in catholic circles for corporatism related to Fascism? The answer is negative. Although right-wing radical trends took over the corporative strategy of conflict avoidance, argued by the catholic church, in an authoritarian way modified form and thus compromised the original philosophy, they took advantage from the global economic crisis and the impact of it. In this the N.S.B., certainly initially regarded to be moderate, succeeded best. Who voted for the N.S.B., generally did not do so on the basis of a political opinion, rather than on on the basis of dissatisfaction, fear and protest against the coalition parties which did not appear to be able as yet to give a sufficient answer on the expanding crisis. In this matter, corporatism played a neglectable role. To take the wind from the sails of the right-wing radicalism that gained popularity and to pacify the voters, it first of all was important to fight the worst impact of the economic crisis, a task which rested mainly on the shoulders of the government and of businesses. The catholic church on the other hand, with support of many catholic social organisations, emphasized the fighting of right-wing radicalism, particularly the N.S.B., which gained a striking electoral triumph in 1935. Headed by Bishop J.H.G. Lemmens of Roermond and leading, socially committed clergymen such as H.A. Poels and J. Jacobs, a fundamental counterattack sparked off in the mid-nineteenthirties, which in the South of the province, where the N.S.B. (National Socialist Movement) found its largest support, was fought at daggers drawn. Ethical, moral and faith-based principles were brought into position against the objectives and practice of national socialism. By exerting its influence and exercising its authority on all social levels the Catholic Church succeeded in stigmatizing the N.S.B. and to to force it on the defensive. Supporters of the party had good reason to fear for their jobs, some even found themselves facing a social boycott. The Roman Catholic counteroffensive intensified and clarified the social process of polarization strengthened by the advancement of the right-wing radicalism. An "evil" sector of society was made identifiable, the contrast between good and evil, so dominant in the war years, would take a part of its vitality from it.
Although anti-national socialist sentiment was undeniably widespread in Limburg, the church-stimulated militancy did not reveal itself immediately after the German invasion. It took some time yet before there would be a Catholic-inspired resistance of any structure. This is connected with the tactics followed by the occupying forces, which were aimed at gently winning the populace over to national socialism. The Church and its social organizations were functioning normally and the effects of war and occupation remained limited. Nevertheless, in the South of the province three military-civilian underground units grew up in the course of 1940 and 1941. They were based on a shared feeling of discomfort in response to the defeat of May 1940. Dozens of their members considered it their duty to shake up the population by editing or distributing papers or pamphlets through the underground network or by frustrating the enemy wherever possible. Due to a fateful combination of an unchecked drive for action and a lack of experience, the three cores of resistance were soon being caught hold of by the Sicherheitsdienst (German security police) and the Abwehr (German counterintelligence). As a result of infiltration and betrayal they were rounded up one by one between the end of 1941 and the fall of of 1942. Though their concrete contribution to the resistance against the occupying forces had only little impact, these early resistance formations were important for the further development of the underground movement. Owing to their pioneering function and because of the way they served as a model, these early underground units had significant consequences for the further development of the underground movement. Moreover, they brought many valuable connections in the province and beyond which their successors could build on.
The first underground activity bearing to an important degree the stamp of the Catholic Church, or rather, the Catholic clergy, involved the aid to French-speaking prisoners of war who had escaped from Germany. Unlike their flemish comrades, who could return home soon after the Belgian capitulation, Hitler had ordered that all Walloon soldiers had to stay interned in Germany. The same applied to the French soldiers. They were housed in special camps or guarded buildings. During the day they had to any kind of work, and many were employed in agriculture. Some made use of the relative freedom to escape. Towards the end of 1940 the first of these fugitives appeared at the border between Limburg and Germany. That they appeared precisely in this area was a result of the location of the POW camps. Many a POW realized that the shortest and safest way home ran through occupied territory, i.e. through Limburg. There they had more chance to be helped by the local population than in Germany. They knocked at any farm or they went to a church, assuming the local priest would speak French and would not leave a member of the same religion to his fate. The phenomenon was encountered all over North- and Mid-Limburg in particular. In general there was a considerable willingness to help the ragged and hungry soldiers, but the question of how to organize this help was much more pressing. There had to be a lot of improvising. In the course of 1941 and 1942 however, an extensive communication network was successfully established. This system was actually comprised of numerous small, informal networks. They were not very highly organized. The main arteries ran along the west bank of the Meuse in North- and Mid-Limburg: lines of communication between the larger transit points such as Grubbenvorst, Baarlo and Horn. The regular locations where the border was crossed were situated between Stramproy and Roosteren at the Belgian border. Apart from the Achterhoek and Twente, inhabitants of other parts of the country did hardly or not at all get involved with these French-speaking fugitives, so that relief work remained an almost exclusively Limburg affair.
Although this system was vulnerable, infiltration and betrayal were sporadic. The population was silent or helped indirectly. It was a form of resistance for which, because of the humanitarian aspect and the comparatively small risk to the local population, understanding or appreciation existed. The Walloons and French coming from the eastern Dutch provinces Gelderland and Overijssel repatriated initially through Noord-Brabant to Belgium and France, but in the course of 1942, new connections were established. Since then they mostly traveled southward through Limburg. This relief work reached its peak in 1943, but it was continued until the summer of 1944. Hunderte von Leuten wurden direkt involviert. Sie wussten, dass sie eine breite gesellschaftliche Unterstützung genossen. Insgesamt halfen sie ungefähr zwei tausend auf Kriegsgefangenen. Abgesehen von diesen Verdiensten, hatte Hilfe zwei wichtige Nebeneffekte. Durch zufällige Umstände wurde frühzeitig eine Widerstandspotenzial mobilisiert aus dem spontan, auf der Grundlage von Improvisation, zahlreiche Verbindungsnetzwerke entstanden. Zudem machten die Helfer die dringend benötigte Erfahrung in der illegalen Arbeit, deren Früchte nicht nur sie, sondern auch diejenigen, die sich später dem Widerstand anschlossen, ernten würden. The POW’s who received aid from hundreds of the people concerned came up to a total number of approximately two thousand. While the number of French-speaking POW’s was still rising, new groups of refugees, such as Jews, passengers to England, and crewmembers of downed bombers appealed to the various networks for help. For most of them the aid could not be limited to being guided across the Belgian border. The routes of escape had to be considerably extended up to Switzerland and Spain, or it was necessary to set up new routes. This was accomplished both on the relief workers’ own initiative, but chiefly with the aid of Belgian liaisons and refugee agencies.
It has not been established how many Jews and passengers to England reached unoccupied territory by way of the Limburg and Belgian escape routes. Of the allied pilots we know that at least 345 tried to escape to Spain and England by way of Limburg. Most of them crossed the Belgian border close to Maastricht, where two specialized relief agencies were operating, or in the area between Stramproy and Roosteren, where the networks aiding Frenchspeaking POW’s were mostly used. Only 125 to 150 of the pilots succeeded in traversing the long overland route. The others nearly all fell into German hands. Not until the end of 1943, when the disastrous consequences and the aim of the “Englandspiel” were gradually being perceived, did things start to run more smoothly. An increasing number of bona fide radiographic communications with England were established and pilots had to answer detailed questionnaires before receiving aid. Also, after the allied invasion in Normandy in June 1944 it was no longer necessary for pilots to be sent on their way home along the extended lines of communication. Since then, they waited for liberation day at private homes or, as was the case in the North of France and the Ardennes, in special encampments.
Apart from a few exceptions the Catholic Church (in Limburg) and the Limburg clergy played a less prominent part in the aid to Jews. This was probably not so much the result of a slumbering and moderate anti-semitism in Catholic circles as it was the result of a lack of necessary communications outside of the province and with the small Jewish community in Limburg itself. The earliest initiatives to extend a helping hand to the increasingly sorely tried Jews came from the Reformed community within and outside of Limburg. They established the communications which enabled a growing number of Jews to go into hiding in Limburg or by way of this province, to flee to safer places. Gradually an increasing number of Catholics became involved in the aid to Jews. This development received a strong impetus in the summer of 1943, owing to the fact that the provincial agency which specialized in providing places of hiding and which had then only recently been founded, made contact with the national agency (for aid to persons in hiding). Thanks to the ensuing communications many dozens, possibly hundreds of Jews could still be provided with accommodation in places scattered all over the province. What is striking moreover is that most of them found shelter in villages in the Peel and Meuse-valley on the west bank of the Meuse in North- and Mid-Limburg, the eastern mining district and in the region of Maastricht. The number of Jews from outside the province who were hiding in Limburg probably came to more than two thousand. Of the 1660 Limburg Jews approximately 30% succeeded in evading deportation by going into hiding in the neighbourhood, by fleeing to Belgium, where persecution policy was less rigorous, or by making use of an international route of escape. If we add the Jews from other parts of the country who tried to reach unoccupied territory or Belgium by way of Limburg, we arrive at a careful estimate of a general total of two and a half to three and a half thousand Jews aided in or by way of Limburg. Between a hundred and fifty and two hundred of them - between 4,29% and 8% - still fell into German hands.
In no other field of the organized resistance was the driving force and the contribution of the Limburg clergy as evident as in the aid to those in need of a place to hide. The bishop’s attitude of fierce rejection with regard to national socialism did not undergo any change after May 1940 compared to their point of view taken in the nineteenthirties. In the course of 1942 and 1943, owing to the growing German pressure on the Dutch population, the bishop’s protests acquired a more general character. In the first five months of 1943 they reached their hight when students were being heavily pressurized to sign a pledge of loyalty, when whole age categories had to report for hard labour in Germany, and former military servicemen were confronted with the prospect of being taken back into captivity. The latter measure was the immediate cause for the onset of the April-May strike, which showed that the resistance of th Dutch was not broken at all.
The measures mentioned above and the strike of April-May were the basic grounds for the foundation of the provincial agency for aid to persons in hiding in Limburg. Drs. J.L. Moonen, secretary to the Bishop of Roermond, took the view that the Catholic Church should no longer remain an impassive spectator and limit itself to issuing verbal and written protests. He was not the only one to take this view. Numerous, predominantly younger socially committed clergymen were well aware of the rising distress among the young people. In the spring and the early summer meetings were held in many places in North- and Mid-Limburg in which the question of how to give shape to the possibility of going into hiding was feverishly being deliberated by clergymen and young people who came chiefly from Catholic society life, now combined in the Catholic Movement (“Katholieke Actie”), and from the former Dutch Union (“Nederlandsche Unie”). An additional, but essential advantage was that many of them, through the aid to refugees, meanwhile had at their disposal the vitally essential communications and experience. For that reason a new, extensive relief system could be built up within the space of five months. The swift establishment of the Limburg agency for aid to persons in hiding and the relatively broad social basis for this kind of underground activity confirmed in particular that a Catholic-humanitarian inspired resistance went well together with the mentality of the Limburg population.
The result of a natural combination of activities, particularly in North- and Mid-Limburg, was that the Limburg agency comprised virtually the whole range of Catholic-humanitarian underground activities (aid to POW’s, allied pilots, Jews, passengers to England and - Jewish - persons in hiding). Furthermore, the Limburg agency developed numerous additional activities such as distributing underground newspapers, accumulating and passing on intelligence, repatriating those doing hard labour out of Germany, preparing all sorts of counterfeit documents, getting funds to meet expenses, and establishing and maintaining communications with the camp in Vught and the two prisons in Maastricht.
The Limburg agency was responsible for approximately fourteen thousand persons in hiding, spread out over eleven districts of which a few were located in part or entirely in the provinces of North-Brabant and Gelderland. For a long time there were no catastrophes, but in June 1944 the agency received a sharp blow when nearly all the leading members in Weert were picked up by the Sicherheitsdienst. A month later a large part of the district leadership in Gulpen met with the same fate. Elsewhere too, members were lost as a result of infiltration, betrayal, carelessness or purely by chance, but each time vacant places were soon filled again.
The rather isolated development of the Catholic-humanitarian resistance turned out to have a disadvantage that no one had reckoned with in advance. By consistently ignoring the importance of a line of communication with the London government agencies at home, and thus by neglecting to inform the government about the nature and size of the organized resistance, damage was done unwittingly. In London, it was impossible to form a clear picture of the contribution to the resistance by the Catholic part of the nation. Worse, the picture that unfolded was distorted, because some of the passengers to England, apart from the question whether they did so intentionally or not, declared to know nothing of the resistance in the Catholic South or never to have heard of it. Thus the way was paved for the persistent myth that the Dutch Catholic community had not measured up when it came to resisting the Germans.
Until late in 1943, there were virtually no activities by commando groups. This may be explained by pointing out three reasons. The Limburg agency had so many contacts with civil servants at town halls and food offices that raids to acquire coupons, identity cards, and other documents were not given top priority. Many refugees were hiding out in rural areas, where the quantity of food that remained outside of the coupon system was usually sufficient. Secondly, the Catholic-humanitarian resistance operated at its best under quiet circumstances. Offensive or aggressive underground activities such as raids, liquidations, and sabotage would only attract attention where attention was unwelcome. In this regard, both clergy and lay persons insisted on restraint and control. Nonviolent resistance could lean on the sympathy of the population; it was more in keeping with the Limburg mentality.
Initially Limburg had four commando groups that had evolved spontaneously, respectively in Roermond, Helden, Sittard, and Heerlen, of which the three latter ones were the most important. Together they were comprised of a few dozen members. Their high-handed and incoherent way of taking action came increasingly to be criticized, among others by the secretary to the Bishop of Roermond, J.L. Moonen.
Reorganization and Professionalization implied the necessity to relinquish a part of their independence and this soon turned out to be incompatible with the spirit of the commando groups and to meet with difficulties. Early in 1944 the Sittard commando group even turned its back on the restructuring conferences and the Roermond commando group shifted its field of activity to North-Holland. Only after the arrest of the provincial leadership of the Limburg agency for aid to persons in hiding in June 1944 did the reorganization process gain ground. One coordinating commando group was set up for North-Limburg and another one for South-Limburg, headed by a provincial commando leader.
On orders from the national commando leadership the two Limburg commando groups were transformed in the summer into sabotage groups with the aim to support the allied advance by practising (railway)sabotage. Supported by civilians and members of the Board of Resistance (the “R.V.V.”) they succeeded in the first few weeks in throwing a little disorder into the German transportation system. Soon after that followed the liberation of the South of the province. Because of a shortage of weapons the commando group of North-Limburg proceeded in September to ambush and disarm German soldiers. The commando’s subsequently withdrew with their prisoners of war into the woods in the vicinity of Baarlo and Helde. They were a mixed company: in addition to members of the commando group of North-Limburg the group was comprised of volunteers, members of the Militia (“Ordedienst” or “O.D.”, responsible for maintaining public order) and members of the commando groups from Schijndel and the country between Meuse and Waal, who had joined the ones in Limburg in September. After the allied advance had come to a standstill the group soon got into difficulties, but the problems were faced up to with success. On November the 19th 1944 British troups arrived at the encampment in the woods. Immediately after the liberation commando’s who wished to were admitted into the newly established Regiment Stoottroepen Prins Bernhard ("storm troops"), a division of the Domestic Forces in the Netherlands. In March 1945 they crossed the Rhine with the American 9th batallion to continue the fighting on German territory. In the late spring of 1945 most of them returned home.
Of a total of approximately one thousand three hundred underground newspapers that appeared during the occupation years, only thirty and forty were of Limburg origin. Most of the Limburg underground newspapers - their combined circulation did not exceed 20,000 issues - appeared in the first years of the occupation and in its final stages. In the last half year of the occupation the allied advance, the quick succession of events, and the approaching front required up-to-the-minute reports.
Like the Catholic-humanitarian resistance, which was based on unity and harmony, the Limburg, as opposed to the national underground press, was apolitical in character. The reason why in spite of this only a few regional or local papers were published may probably be accounted for by the booming development of the national underground press in 1942 and 1943. The underground paper was a scarce and cherished product; its religious or political persuasion apparantly was not what really mattered. However, some of the representatives of the resistance were concerned for a political manipulation of the reading public. Their concern turned out to be unfounded in practice. War and occupation did not bring about any remarkable swing in the field of political forces; in Limburg at least there was no sign of it.
The Limburg Militia (“O.D.”) was a reflection of the national Militia, the gist of which is that the organization was getting prepared to maintain peace and order during and particularly after the retreat of the occupying forces. In spite of all the preparations the Militia, developed as it was along military lines, was granted only a modest part to play in the period of liberation. For many of its members, this resulted in great disappointment. Because the liberation of Limburg was initiated as early as in September 1944 there was no time left to preserve the Militia from an inglorious downfall. In the district of Maastricht, which was the first to be liberated, the actions taken by the organization ended in failure. Several competing groups, who all set themselves up as the only representatives of the national organization, disputed each other’s authority while the maintainance of peace and order in fact devolved upon the Military Rule imposed by the Dutch government. In the months following the liberation many Militiamen found a place with the Guards of the Domestic Forces, who, on account of their less romantic duties and their poor equipment, were looked upon as a stepbrother of the Storm troops who were provided with equipment by the Americans.
National underground movements whose aims were at odds with the (apolitical) nature and methods of the Catholic-humanitarian resistance, were predestined to play a marginal part. This was also true for organizations that failed to make contact with existing groups or networks. Both the Board of Resistance, the communists, and some of the intelligence services encountered this drawback. The Board of Resistance, a national organization imported into South-Limburg early in 1944 with a rigid, central management and an offensive, aggressive objective, did not fit in very well with the Catholic-humanitarian resistance, but succeeded nevertheless in recruiting a relatively large number of Militiamen who wanted to do more than just wait for liberation day. The cooperation with the commando group from Heerlen/South-Limburg did not proceed very smoothly in spite of the fact that some operations were planned and carried out jointly. The Board of Resistance was criticized repeatedly. Thus it was thrown into the organization’s teeth that it was taking foolhardy action and that it left unused sabotage equipment dropped by the allies.
Even before the war the Limburg communists found themselves in a position of social isolation, but during the occupation years they seemed to be a little more popular. Communists active in the underground party structure aimed for cooperation with any underground group willing to do the same. Apart from the fact that this cooperation hardly came off the ground, the Limburg communists did have a different attitude, or rather, they anticipated on the national party line. What the politically-ideologically inspired underground struggle concentrated on, in addition to sabotage and aid to persons in hiding, was publishing and distributing papers and pamphlets through the underground networks. Particularly in the mining district, where they had their best representation in numbers, the communists gained prestige by their stubborn, tenacious resistance, their high human sacrifice, and their plea for a future united trade union. However, it did not come to a permanent breakthrough in their isolation.
Support by and contact with existing underground networks or groups was indispensible for the intelligence services. Organizations that did not acknowledge this fact or acknowledged it insufficiently, like the Secret Service in the Netherlands and the “Pietab-OXO” group, were to play a minor part, while for example the “Albrecht”-group, which in North- and Mid-Limburg had joined forces with the local resistance, operated with remarkable efficiency. Good results were also achieved by intelligence services that had evolved out of existing underground organizations. The intelligence services of both the Militia and the Limburg agency for aid to persons in hiding supplied the resistance and the allies with valuable information.
How should the resistance in Limburg, and its Catholic-humanitarian main constituent, be regarded when viewed from a national perspective? Notwithstanding the largely independent development that Limburg presented, many relief organizations in the country were for the transfer of their refugees dependent on the networks in Limburg, which had been set up proceeding from this province or were linked to others in Belgium, France, and even Germany, and ended in Switzerland or Spain. Refugees making their way individually, passengers to England, various intelligence services, and other national underground organizations also made use of them. The province not only served as a transit area for refugees, refugees could also be served here. Limburg offered space and there were several relief agencies that made use of this space with increasing frequency. Religion was not a decisive factor in all this. The significance and impact of Limburg on a national level was, in other words, particularly evident in the field in which the provincial development was most advanced, e.g. nonviolent humanitarian resistance and corresponding methods and communications.
This is what constitutes both the intrinsic force and the specific value of the resistance in Limburg. | 2019-04-24T02:10:47Z | http://www.aachen-webdesign.de/verzet/cammaert.php?lang=en |
I’ve been reminded that building your author website is a lot easier if you make some of the key decisions before you start. This site was the first I built, and it took weeks—simply because there were so many decisions to be made. The most recent site only took two days, because I made all the big decisions before I started (although we still haven’t officially launched the site … and I’m not responsible for the content).
Website design has come a long way from the days when people had to speak html as a second language in order to be able to develop a website. Now there are a variety of free and paid options that mean even the least tech-savvy person can set up a website.
The most well-known options are Blogger and WordPress. Other options include SquareSpace, Weebly, and Wix. All have free and paid options, with the paid options allowing you to use a custom domain name (i.e. www.iolagoulton.com rather than www.christianreads.blogspot.com).
Blogger (powered by Google) is probably the easiest to use, especially if you’re not especially tech-savvy. However, it’s an old platform, needs investment, and it’s unclear how the death of Google+ will affect Blogger commenting going forward (and existing Google+ comments will be lost, along with images stored in Google+).
WordPress.org (the paid version) has a huge range of themes and plugins you can use to customise your site, but most people would need the assistance of a web designer to undertake any customisation. The advantage of using a WordPress-based site is that it’s designed to be a website not just a blog, so the finished product looks a lot more professional.
WordPress has a virtually unlimited number of themes, both free and paid. It might be tempting to use the standard theme (currently Twenty Nineteen), but that’s soon going to date your site … and you run the risk of your site looking exactly the same as all the other sites using the same theme.
I use the free version of the Make theme from Theme Foundry on this site—it’s fully customisable, but not difficult to use (especially not if you sign up for the 5 Day Website Challenge). A lot of people use and love Divi, available from Elegant Themes.
More and more people access the internet using mobile and tablet devices, so you need to chose a theme that automatically adapts to the size of the screen.
Many themes have a limited number of fonts and colourschemes. That might not matter if you don’t already have your own brand fonts and colours. But if you do, you’ll want a theme you can adapt to your own branding rather than being forced to use the preset colours and fonts.
The problem with picking a colour is you’re not at school any more. You have more than the standard eight colours of crayon on offer at school (although you might have been one of the lucky kids to have Crayola crayons with 64 colours).
No, now you have an almost unlimited choice (somewhere around 16,700,000, if I’ve calculated correctly).
Colour should reflect your genre: black and red probably aren’t the best choices for a contemporary romance author.
How do you choose? What colours go together?
Fonts are both easier and more difficult to pick than colours. Sure, there are less than 16,700,000 choices, but you have to choose two, or maybe even three.
You need an easy-to-read font for your body text, and another font for your headings (perhaps more than one, as you can have several levels of headings and subheadings). You can be a little more creative with this choice, but it still needs to be consistent with your genre and author brand.
It can be tempting to stick with the tried-and-true Arial or Times New Roman fonts, perhaps because it’s hard to decide on a font. But some fonts are best avoided.
As you look through the font lists, you’ll see a lot you don’t like, some you like but which aren’t right for your brand, and (hopefully) a smaller number of appropriate font choices. Then you need to consider which two or three fonts you can use together.
That last resource is very cool. Pick a font, and it doesn’t just tell you what fonts would pair well. It shows you four or five options on a mock website, so you can really see how the fonts look together (hover over the text for it to tell you the font name).
Just set a timer: there are so many options that it’s easy to get lost!
Do you need help in developing your website or your author platform?
If so, check out my March Marketing Challenge: Kick-Start Your Author Platform. It’s a 40-day Challenge, and I take you through every step, from considering your genre and target reader, to a real live website. You’ll receive a 70-page workbook, and membership to our exclusive Facebook group—a great place to ask questions.
Today I’m talking about secrets.
I was recently browsing through Facebook when an interesting question caught my eye. An author was asking if characters can keep secrets from the reader.
There are two parts to this question. The first is this: Can a character have a secret?
Any character with a credible, interesting secret has a good chance of coming alive.
Bonding with characters is achieved through intimacy … the greatest intimacy is achieved when we are privy to the thoughts and feelings of the characters. When we get to go inside their heads.
But that leads us to the second part of the question: Can the point of view character hold secrets back from the reader?
Yes, but then you’re placing an artificial barrier between the reader and your character. If we were truly inside their heads, we’d know their secrets. Withholding secrets prevents intimacy. And point of view is all about intimacy.
Are you prepared to trade secrets for intimacy?
I’ve recently read the Criss Cross trilogy by CC Warrens. The three novels are all in first person, from the point of view of Holly, a tramatised twenty-eight-year-old photographer living as close to off the grid as anyone can live in modern New York. Holly has intimacy issues. So it works that Holly keeps secrets from those around her … and from the reader.
We find out more about Holly as the stories progress, as she begins to face her fears, make friends, and trust others with her secrets. That’s why she’s keeping secrets from the reader (and from her newfound friends). It’s a protection mechanism. She can’t cope with remembering how she’s been “hurt”.
Holly’s secrets drive the tension which drive the novels forward. And that’s what makes this a brilliant series.
What’s more common is that an untold secret robs the story of tension. For example, I once read a novel where a young woman moves from Ireland to the United States. She’s hiding from something or someone, but we don’t know who or what. All we know is that she has a secret which has sent her into hiding.
Hint: if you don’t want the evildoers to find you, don’t leave a paper trail wider than the Amazon. Between the passport, the airline tickets, the marriage licence, the gym membership, the library membership (all in her own name), there was never any doubt the evildoer would find her.
Anyway, the story goes on and on with references to this secret and how horrible it will be if the unknown evildoer finds her. Every mention of the unknown secret made it bigger and bigger, until I’m thinking this woman must have some ginormous secret. Maybe she’s the secret love child of two ultra-famous people. Maybe she’s got the US nuclear launch codes tattoed on her back. Maybe she’s the only person who knows who committed the crime of the century.
I didn’t know what her secret was, but it was obviously big and unique. Something that had never happened to anyone else in all of human history, or in any novel previously published.
But no. It turned out she’d fallen pregnant after being raped, and was forced to give up the baby. That actually made a lot of sense given her actions in the novel (e.g. joining the gym to get rid of the baby fat, and her fear of her marriage-of-convenience husband). But it was a complete letdown as a plot point, because it felt anticlimactic. Unfortunately, women being raped, falling pregnant, and not keeping their babies is all too common, both in real life and in fiction.
I’m convinced it would have been a stronger story if we’d known her secret from page one. Then we could have empathised with her situation, cheered as she achieved small victories on the road to normal. And there still would have been plenty of tension: would she allow herself to recover? Could she learn to trust men again? Could she fall in love with her marriage-of-convenience husband? Would she tell him her secret?
Keeping the secret turned the climax into an anticlimax.
Readers allow the narrator to withhold the ending, as long as he tells us at each stage in the story all that the character knew at that point in time … [not] hold back information until the end of the story … The author who does this usually thinks she’s increasing the suspense. In fact, she’s weakening the suspense by decreasing the readers’ involvement with and trust in the narrator.
Sharing the secret with the reader is a great way to enhance the conflict and add to the tension.
The other characters don’t need to know the point of view character’s secrets. But the reader does.
A good recent example of this is Shadows of Hope by Georgiana Daniels. The main character, Marissa, is infertile but works in a pregnancy crisis centre. One of her clients is pregnant to Marissa’s husband—except only the reader knows this (well, Kaitlyn obviously knows she’s pregnant to Colin, but Kaitlyn doesn’t even know Colin is married, let alone who he is married to).
Marissa, Kaitlyn, and Colin are all point of view characters. We know what they know, and we also know the secrets they don’t know. This tension keeps the story moving forward as we wait for the inevitable dust-up when everyone discovers what we already know. The story would have no power or tension if it was told entirely from Marissa’s point of view (or Kaitlyn’s, or Colin’s).
The secrets drove the story.
And the result was I could feel and empathise with both Marissa and Kaitlyn. (Colin? Not so much.) Marissa knew her marriage was in trouble, but infertility isn’t an easy problem with a quick fix like, say, a root canal. Kaitlyn believed Colin loved her, and that he’d man up and marry her as soon as he found out she was pregnant. As a reader, I knew that wasn’t going to happen, because I knew about Marissa. But Kaitlyn didn’t know, and that enhanced the suspense.
So can a character keep secrets from the reader?
But keeping secrets comes at a price—intimacy, empathy, tension, and conflict.
Is having your character keep their secret worth the price?
Today’s post is part of the monthly Author Toolbox Blog Hop. The Hop is organised by Raimey Gallant, and has over 40 participating blogs. To find more posts, click here to check out the main page, click here to search #AuthorToolBoxBlogHop on Twitter, or click here to find us on Pinterest.
I had planned to continue my series on email lists and giveaways this week. But I discovered Twitter have announced changes to their rules and policies around automation, and the changes come into effect on Friday (23 March 2018). These changes affect me directly, and indirectly affect all my fellow #AuthorToolBoxBlogHop participants. That’s why I’m covering it today.
Anyone who manages multiple Twitter accounts.
Anyone who posts the same Tweet more than once (i.e. recycles Tweets).
As we all know, social media has become a lot less social. In early 2018, Facebook announced they are changing their algorithm to reduce the number of posts from businesses, brands, and media so we’re better able to use Facebook for the original purpose: to stay connected with the people who matter to us. The subtext to this announcement is that Facebook are going to push businesses, brands, and media to pay to advertise or to boost posts, because that’s how Facebook makes money.
Now Twitter is taking a similar approach.
Direct: A direct Tweet posts immediately from Twitter.
Scheduled: A scheduled Tweet posts at a set date and time in the future, and may be scheduled in Twitter, or in an external app.
Automated: An automated Tweet is when someone uses an external app such as Audiense ,Buffer, CrowdFire, Dlvr.it, Hootsuite, MeetEdgar, SocialJukebox, or TweetDeck to tweet on their behalf. Automated tweets are often duplicate Tweets.
Twitter have noticed (haven’t we all!) that a lot of Tweets are automated sales tweets, fake news, or spam. I often come across accounts where the Tweets all appear to be automated sales Tweets, sometimes coming from multiple accounts. I’m sure I’m not alone.
Authors are not innocent in this. I’ve read blog posts teaching me how to upload hundreds of Tweets to a programme like Tweetdeck or Hootsuite, so the Twitter account can automatically Tweet sales messages. I’ve seen authors Tweeting these sales messages as often as every ten minutes. One author I know of has over 370,000 Tweets, but less than 5,000 followers … and just 16 Likes. If that’s not spam, what is?
I’m sure we all agree that Twitter would be a lot more social if there were fewer automated Tweets … especially automated sales tweets. So Twitter have updated their rules. Twitter now explicitly prohibits certain actions, and these changes come into affect this week, on 23 March 2018.
Twitter will police these changes, and suspend or terminate accounts which break the rules.
The first two points only apply to people who operate more than one Twitter account, so the easy solution is to stick to one account!
People who do operate more than one account now have to be sure they are not duplicating content across the accounts.
This is easy when the accounts have a different focus (e.g. an author who also sells homemade cards on Etsy may have two accounts, but they are unlikely to be posting the same content). It’s a little harder when the two accounts have a different but overlapping focus (e.g. an author account, and an account for a group blog).
I have access to three Twitter accounts: my personal account, and two accounts related to group blogs where I’m part of the administration team. I don’t simultaneously post identical or substantially similar content across all three accounts, but I’ll make sure my team members know not to do this as well. We will also be careful about retweeting between accounts, as that could attract Twitters attention in a negative way.
The third point is the one that has many authors worried: posting identical content.
Twitter is now poised to enforce this policy much more aggressively by restricting all duplicate content posting, even if it the posts are made even days or weeks apart.
Moving forward, it means you should expect scheduling tools that have allowed for automated content recycling to no longer offer that service for Twitter accounts.
MeetEdgar is planning an upgrade that will enable users to upload multiple variations on the same Tweet at the same time. Tweets will be marked as sent, and won’t be resent. They are also considering a spinnable text option.
So recycling Tweets is against the Twitter rules, and has been for some time. The difference is Twitter will now be policing this more strongly. This will directly affect me, and may indirectly affect all my fellow #AuthorToolBoxBlogHop participants. Why?
Because I currently recycle Tweets.
I use Buffer’s Power Scheduler feature to Tweet all my new blog posts seven times over the next year. I currently alternate between two tweets for these, so each individual Tweet gets sent three or four times.
Buffer does allow me to create a unique Tweet for each share, so I will utilise that feature going forward—the only problem will be getting creative enough so each Tweet is not “substantially similar”. This is the approach recommended by Digital Decluttered. Problem solved.
I use SocialJukebox to share my blog posts, #AuthorToolBoxBlogHop posts, and posts from the two group blogs I administer (Australasian Christian Writers and International Christian Fiction Writers).
This is more of a problem, as SocialJukebox (like MeetEdgar) is a once-and-done solution for recycling Tweets, which means repeat Tweets are duplicate Tweets. However, I can control how often the posts repeat, and I have now set this to 90 days. At most, any individual post will be seen no more than three or four times a year.
I hope this will be enough to escape the attention of the Twitter suspension team. But my Twitter account was briefly suspended last year, so I need to be careful. If I get suspended, I’ll pause all my SocialJukebox streams and hope that solves the problem.
I’m not sure what this will mean for SocialJukebox. It’s a paid service, and my renewal is coming up soon. The only reason I use SocialJukebox is to recycle Tweets. SocialJukebox have not made an official announcement about changes to their service relating to this update.
Do you administer more than one account? Or post identical updates to one account? How will this change affect you? | 2019-04-24T10:50:23Z | https://christianediting.co.nz/category/author-toolbox-blog-hop/ |
Today, in this article let's play around with another interesting concept of Telerik RadControls.
In simple terms "It enables to provide a rich GUI interface which navigates through a group of images.".
Hope this article is useful!
The Slider control in Silverlight 5 is used to allow a user to select from a range of values by sliding it along a track. You can create a horizontal or vertical slider. You can specify the range of values and the precision of movement too.
To demonstrate the use of the Slider control, let us create a TextBox with some text which is enlarged or shrunk depending upon the slider value. Create a Silverlight 5 application and replace the Grid tag with the Canvas tag. Drag and drop the Slider from the Toolbox into your XAML code (between the Canvas tags). Also drag and drop an TextBox control. The sole reason for using a TextBox here instead of TextBlock is that a TextBlock does not support the Background property and we wish to specify a background here for the control containing the text.
Creates a TextBox with the text "Silverlight Rocks!" and positions it on the canvas at 40,30 location.
Creates a Slider control with transparent background, maximum 150 and minimum 0, small change (precision of movement) as 5 and height and width as 25 and 150 respectively.
Creates an event handler for Value Changed event of Slider.
The logic in this code is self explanatory from the comments. When you build and execute your solution and move the slider, you will see the text increasing or decreasing in size. Though this was a simple demonstration, in actual scenarios, you can customize the Slider control through its various properties. You can also enhance its design characteristics in Expression Blend 4 if required.
European Silverlight 4.0 Hosting - Amsterdam :: How To Control Playback of Media Using a MediaElement of Silverlight?
We can integrate media into our Silverlight pages and WPF UserControls. The MediaElement object provides several media-specific properties. The following list describes the commonly used properties.
AutoPlay: Specifies whether the MediaElement should begin playing automatically. The default value is True.
IsMuted: Specifies whether the MediaElement is silenced. A value of True mutes the MediaElement. The default value is False.
Stretch: Specifies how video is stretched to fill the MediaElement object. Possible values are None, Uniform, UniformToFill, and Fill. The default is Fill.
Volume: Specifies the volume of the MediaElement object’s audio as a value from 0 to 1, with 1 being the loudest. The default value is 0.5.
In addition to its media-specific properties, MediaElement also has all the properties of a UIElement, such as Opacity and Clip.
You can control media playback by using the Play, Pause, and Stop methods of a MediaElement object.
<Canvas Background="Red" Canvas.Left="10" Canvas.Top="185" Height="25" Width="50"
<Canvas Background="Green" Canvas.Left="70" Canvas.Top="185" Height="25" Width="50"
<Canvas Background="Blue" Canvas.Left="130" Canvas.Top="185" Height="25" Width="60"
<Canvas Background="Black" Canvas.Left="10" Canvas.Top="215" Height="25" Width="180"
Just as it was in Silverlight 4, Printing is centered around the PrintDocument class, found in System.Windows.Printing. This class has three primary events: BeginPrint, EndPrint, and PrintPage, which are your hooks into the printing system. You do setup in BeginPrint, teardown in EndPrint, and all the actual page production in PrintPage.
Here's the simple test page XAML I used for this printing example.
The application UI looks really simple, just three buttons on a page. This is one of my finest designs.
Next, I'll wire up an event handler for each button, and use it to demonstrate the behavior of the three different printing approaches.
Here's the code for a basic vector print of 30 rows.
Note that the PageVisual is assigned after the printPanel is populated. If you assign it prior, and do not force a recalculation of layout (in my example, the panel isn't in the visual tree, but layout is calculated with you assign PageVisual), you'll get a StackPanel with 30 items all piled on each other in the same row. The easiest way to fix this is to assign the PageVisual after the visual has all its children populated.
You could also point the PageVisual to an on-screen visual if you desire. If you're going to do that, you'll need to unhook the visual from the tree first, as a single element cannot have two parents.
If you have no more pages to print other than this one, set HasMorePages to false. If you have additional pages after this one, set it to true.
New in Silverlight 5 is the PrinterFallbackSettings class. This class is used by one of the overloads of PrintDocument.Print to set two options: ForceVector and OpacityThreshold.
In the previous example, if you had any elements that had opacity other than 1.0, perspective transforms, or other things PostScript doesn't understand, Silverlight would silently fall back to bitmap-based printing.
ForceVector forces Silverlight to print in vector mode, assuming you have a PostScript-enabled printer driver, even when postscript-incompatible items exist in the element tree assigned to PageVisual. You use this in tandem with OpacityThreshold. The Opacity threshold sets the value over which Silverlight will treat an element's opacity as 1.0 to support PostScript printing.
If your content or your printer doesn't support PostScript printing, Silverlight automatically falls back to sending an uncompressed bitmap to the printer. If your printer doesn't support PostScript, you'll see the effect of opacity in the printed results (some items lighter colored than others, for example) as the fallback bitmap mode supports opacity.
Sometimes you know you want to print in bitmap mode. Rather than let vector mode fall back to bitmap, you can simply force bitmap printing from the start. If you have a PostScript compatible printer and driver, this is quite a bit faster than it was in Silverlight 4, as the bitmap is compressed. If you don't have a PostScript driver, it sends a plain old uncompressed bitmap just like Silverlight 4.
Bitmap mode will preserve the opacity settings, as well as ensure render transforms are printed (assuming you apply them) etc. It's not the best approach for printing a report, but it's the highest-fidelity approach for printing visuals when you want to do the equivalent of a print-screen.
The resolution of the bitmap sent is set to the selected printer resolution, typically 600dpi.
Leave out perspective transforms, 3d, and other things not compatible with PostScript printing.
Silverlight boasts several performance enhancements that will improve its speed and scale within the enterprise. The first is the ability to run animations on the composition thread instead of the UI thread.
The UI thread is a dedicated thread that handles input and output for the user interface. It is where much of the rendering computations and actions take place as well as polling for mouse movements and keyboard input. Heavy computations on the UI thread will cause other operations to become blocked and the application to become unresponsive.
The composition thread is a separate thread that was introduced to provide rendering for 3D graphics in Silverlight 5. It can also be used to run animations. This is important because animations usually run on the UI thread. Not only do they take resources from other processes competing for this thread, but also can degrade when there is massive work performed on the thread. By moving certain animations to the composition thread, they can run independently and remain fluid despite processing on the UI thread. Animations are run on this thread when the UI element that is targeted has the cache mode set to BitmapCache and GPU acceleration is enabled for the Silverlight application.
A second enhancement is the provision of a multi-core Just-in Time compile (JIT). This means the Silverlight runtime can generate code more quickly and provide a faster response time on multi-core machines. Additional optimizations of the networking stack have led to reduced network latency, which means better responsiveness when connecting to remote systems. Add to that speed improvements that were made to the XAML parser and you end up with a well performing system that should run faster on the same hardware as compared to its predecessor. According to Microsoft, improvements to the networking thread alone reduce latency by up to 90 percent.
Why would I want to trick Silverlight into treating Dictionary values like real Properties?
There are scenarios when complex, data-intensive applications will need to data bind to keys/value pairs or generally determine the properties of a Class at runtime. In cases where there could be large numbers of keys or the keys could change without an application re-deploy, this is a tricky problem to solve.
In Silverlight 5, however, you can use ICustomTypeProvider to achieve the same goal in a clean fashion.
Some systems, such as Pivot Viewer, allow you to specify any number of pseudo-Properties about interesting items, which we’ll call Facets. Using a structure like a Dictionary, we could specify any number of Facets. Two-way data binding to these is problematic however since they aren’t real CLR properties. In the full .NET Framework you can do tricks with ICustomTypeDescriptor, and now in Silverlight 5 we have System.Reflection.ICustomTypeProvider.
Let’s create a simple Facet class to represent data about the Facet we’d like to data bind to.
Next we’ll create an object with a regular CLR property and a dictionary to store key/value pairs. These key value pairs will be made binding-friendly.
The interesting thing here is the ICustomTypeProvider interface implementation.
/// A custom System.Type implementation that can provide different Properties at runtime.
In here, we can just use the this indexer of our FacetedObject class to get and set values.
To show how this concept works, let’s create a Silverlight 5 application with a DataGrid. We’re going to get the datagrid to display “properties” that technically speaking are not there. First we’ll create a couple of Facets assigned to FacetedObject by default called “DynamicPropZero” and “DynamicPropOne”. For these two we can create DataGridColumns along with an actual compile-time Property of FacetedObject.
Here’s the code we’re using to create the sample data in our main ViewModel. Note that we're going to explose the dictionary values as properties.
Notice the buttons above the DataGrid. These dynamic properties wouldn’t be very useful unless they are first-class citizens, and they are. Note that FacetedObject also implements INotifyPropertyChanged and INotifyDataErrorInfo. By clicking the buttons we fire commands that affect changes in code, and the UI reflects the changes for the dynamic properties.
Now, recall at the beginning that I said this could be completely dynamic and that we could actually create both the Facet data and visuals in a data driven fashion at runtime. Clicking on the Add Facet button demonstrates this.
After clicking OK, we can do some work to add this Fact to the items on the ViewModel, and also dynamically create a new DataGridColumn to display the data.
For some, this last piece of code will look like the worst kind of voodoo, but there are cases where your requirements will dictate this level of flexibility and this combination of techniques will help you get there.
Maybe there is a working solution for this already out there, but I created my own Silverlight Behavior for a basic TextBox Watermark which might be useful.
Like so many Watermark-solutions out there I’m hooking into the GotFocus/LostFocus events and to the work there. Works for me.
In this article we will be seeing how to create Silverlight BlurEffect using Visual studio 2010.
Pixel shader effects in Silverlight allows you to add effects, such as gray scale, red eye removal, pixel brightness, and shadows, to rendered objects. There are two types of Pixel Shader effects in Silverlight. They are BlurEffect and DropShadowEffect. In this we will be seeing about BlurEffect and its properties.
BlurEffect is used to represent an effect that we can apply to an object that simulates looking at the object through an out-of-focus lens. It is defined by the Radius property.
This property is used to specify the amount of blur to apply to an object.
- Open Visual Studio 2010.
- Go to File => New => Project.
- Select Silverlight from the Installed templates and choose the Silverlight Application template.
- Enter the Name and choose the location.
- In the New Silverlight Application wizard check the "Host the Silverlight Application in a new Web site".
Open MainPage.xaml file and replace the code with the following.
Isolated storage gives you access to a small segment of hard-disk space, with certain limitations. For example we don't know exactly where our files are being stored. We also can't read the files left by another Silverlight application or recorded for another user. In essence, isolated storage provides carefully restricted, tamperproof file access for applications that need to store permanent information in the local PC, so that information can be retrieved the next time the user runs the application.
Isolated storage provides a virtual file system that lets you write data to a small, user-specific and application-specific slot of space. There's no way to know beforehand exactly where the data will be written, and the default space limit is a mere 1 MB (although you can request that the user grant you more).
Is it similar to browser Cookie?
Essentially, isolated storage is the Silverlight equivalent of persistent cookies in an ordinary web page. It allows small bits of information to be stored in a dedicated location that has specific controls in place to prevent malicious attacks.
Isolated storage is persistent–unlike the browser cache, it never expires, and it's not removed if the user chooses to explicitly delete temporary Internet files.
Isolated storage isn't a good storage place for important documents, because they're never backed up, are easily deleted, and can be even more easily lost.
Isolated storage is intended to be a limited-size storage location for data, not a handcrafted replacement for HTTP Caching.
With isolated storage, a unique storage location is created for every combination of user and application. In other words, the same computer can have multiple isolated storage locations for the same application, assuming each one is for a different user. Similarly, the same user can have multiple isolated storage locations, one for each Silverlight application. Isolated storage isn't affected by browser, so a Windows user switching from Internet Explorer to Firefox will get the same isolated storage location in both browsers.
What all can we store in an Isolated Storage: Good choices include user-specific details, user preferences, and information about recent user actions. Isolated storage is also great temporary storage.
So now we are ready to create a application which will demonstrate how it works.
Step 1: Create a Silverlight Application project and name it IsolatedStorage.
Step 2: Now we will try to understand how to write data and read data from these storages Medias. We will also see if we want to increase the space on the handdisk; how can we do that as well.
<TextBlock Text="Enter Your Name" Margin="3" Padding="5" HorizontalAlignment="Left"
<Button x:Name="btnWrite" Margin="5" Padding="5" Width="90" Height="30"
Content="Click to Write" HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Top"
<Button x:Name="btnRead" Margin="5" Padding="5" Width="90" Height="30"
<Button x:Name="btnSize" Padding="5" Width="180" Height="30"
Content="Click to Increase Disk Storage Space"
<TextBlock x:Name="lblData" Margin="5" HorizontalAlignment="Center" VerticalAlignment="Top"
Step 3: Now come to Code Behind and write handler for btnWrite_Click.
Also add this Isolated storage namespace.
// Write to isolated storage.
//location where you can store data.
//then a storage site that's accessible to all the Silverlight applications on the same website domain.
Let us concentrate on this line.
Step 4: Press F5 and test write and read buttons.
Step 5: Now let's concentrate on how disk storage works. Initially, each Silverlight application gets 1 MB of space in it's isolated store. You can examine the IsolatedStorageFile.AvailableFreeSpace property to find out how much free space remains. If your application needs more space, you can use an option: the IsolatedStorageFile IncreaseQuotaTo() method.
We must request a value that's higher than the current quota. Otherwise, you'll receive an exception. That means you can't use the IncreaseQuotaTo() method to ensure that there's a certain level of free space.
If everything goes well, you will be presented with something such as shown in the figure below. | 2019-04-19T12:33:38Z | http://silverlight4europeanhosting.hostforlife.eu/?tag=/europe-silverlight-5-hosting |
Click to expand titles below or click on "+" sign to expand.
Alhamdo Lil Lahil Lazee Ja-aa-la Kalematal Imamate Baqeyatan Fee Zurriyatil Husain(a.s.) Wa Nazahoma Min Kulle Maineen Wa Shain. Was Salato Was Salamo Ala Sayyedena Mohammadenil Ameenis Sadiqey s.a.w. Allazee Howa Fil Khasaesil Malakutiyyate Le Saa-E-ril Ambiyaa-E-Faeqoon Wa Ala Wasiyyehee Ali (s.a.) Ibne Abitaleb (s.a.) Allazee Howa Fee Tablighr Risalate Wazeerohoo. Wa Fee Esha-Atil Haqqey Naseerohoo. Wa Alal Aimmatil Haqqeil Fatemiyyeen Min Zurriyatehemal HafezeeNash Shareea. Wa Hoom lil Wusoolil Haqqey Ela Daris Salaamey Nemaz Zareea.
All the praise be for Allah s.w.t. who has preserved Kalema (Holy sentence) of Imamat in Holy progeny of Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. and kept both of them (Imamat and Holy progeny) away from every falsehood and disgrace and peace be upon our Lord Sayyedena Mohammed s.a.w.w. who is honest and truthful and who is on the top most position to deserve the Divine, Holy, Godly qualities among all previous prophets a.s. and peace be upon his Vicegerent (Vasi) Ali a.s. ibne Abi Talib a.s. who is his right hand in conveying Risalat (Godly message) and he was his true helper in spreading the truth and peace be upon true Fatemi Imams a.s. from the Holy progeny of both of them (Hazrat Mohammed s.a.a.w. and Hazrat Ali a.s. who are the true protectors of Sharia and who are very good means to reach paradise.
Now we clarify that we did not want to involve ourselves into discussion regarding the disputed problem of Imamat of Janab Musa Kazim and Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. however, from Janab Shaikh Ahmedali Raj, we came to know that without any reason in Udaipur and in other places our those Ismaili Brethren who do not understand the greatness and deep secrecy of Imamat, are being tried to be misled from the true path, though it is in vain. In view of the above, we deem it quite essential to write something on this subject. By this book it is not at all our aim to hurt the religious feelings of anyone. Only our purpose is that we want to show the other side of the picture.
Birth Of Holy Imams A.S.
First of all it is quite essential to understand that there is huge and vast difference between the stuff by which the existence of all true Holy Imams a.s. and that of all ordinary persons comes into life. Only because of this difference, it can be said that the bodies of all true Holy Imams a.s. are made of very-very much finer gentle stuff gifted with Divine, Godly Holy light and their souls are also made of Godly, Holy substance. The bodies of all true Holy Imams a.s. are even far better in piety and in gentleness than the souls of all other human beings.
Ismaili philosopher Moyyed Shirazi r.a. has very nicely drawn the picture of this difference. He states Inna Ajsamokoom Lana Sheatut Teen Allazee Shuqqa Minho Minnal Quloo Boo i.e. the soil form which our souls and hearts have been created, from that soils only your bodies have been created.
Over and above this Divine Gift, Holy Imams a.s. has divinely lighted altar specially for him only. The soul of True Holy Imam a.s. holds this Altar. True Holy Imam a.s. himself is called Imam and this Holy Divinely lighted altar is called imamat. The books of Shia Imamiyya support this theory, therefore one riwayat (hearsay) is quoted here from 'Oosule Kafi' as a proof of our argument "aanabi abdillah annahoo qala allaho khalaqna min nooreen azeematin summa sawwara khalqana min teenin makhzoofatin min tahtil arsh fa askana zalekan noora feehey. fa kunna nahno basharan nooraniyyeen. lam yaj aal ley ahadin fee misli lazee kholiqna Minho Naseeban" i.e. Hazrat Imam Jafrus Sadiq a.s. said, "Allah s.w.t. has created us from His own Great Divine light and then He framed our image from the divine and most valued soil underneath His throne. After that He mixed this Holy Divine light with that Holy divine light. At last we have been made as one of the creature of Allah s.w.t. As such we are divine Holy human-beings gifted with Divine light. No other creature of this world has a slight share in this divine quality (Oosoole Kafi page No. 714) and True Holy Imam a.s. used to have so many other sons. However only one son has been gifted with this divine Godly, Holy qualities. The true Holy Imam a.s. of the time knows very well this most lucky son of him who is gifted with this Holy, Godly Divine qualities and when this Holy son is born, True Imam a.s. is very much happy because the True Holy Imam a.s. achieves his purpose for which he founds his Dawat (Holy Godly Mission).
It is found in Oosle Kafi and other Kitabs (Religious Books) that aan abi abdillah annahoo qala innal imama a.s. earful imama allazee yakuno min bad hee fayoo see elaihey. There is one riwayat (hearsay) from Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. that he said, “The True Holy Imam a.s. very well knows The Imam who is going to be his successor after him. Then he declares Nas on him and appoints him as his Vicegerent. Only this is called khilafate ilahiyya (Godly Ruler ship) which is being transferred from Holy Father to Holy son and because of this reason only ordinary people have Not been given any right of selection or election in this matter. As in Holy Quran "warabboka yakhloqo ma yshaao wayakhtar makanalahomul khiyara” i.e. Your Lord creates whatever He wants and He selects whatever he wants. They have NO right. This Holy Aayats clearly guides and points out to the above referred theory.
Because Ordinary people can not know which person has been gifted with the body gifted with Divine Holy Godly qualities and also gifted with the Holy Altar. This is not any worldly kingdom for which any person can be elected or selected as a King. Because so far as outward bodily formation is concerned, all Holy Imams a.s. and all other human beings are alike since in the law of nature, the composition of body of all Holy Imams a.s. and that of all other ordinary human beings is equal. The limbs and feelings of all Holy True Imams a.s. and those of other ordinary human beings are equal.
Therefore, The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. said “anabasharun mislo kum” i.e. I am as human being as you are. Hence, the True Holy Khalifa appointed by Allah s.w.t. who is also Holy Imam knows very well which of his son gifted with Holy Godly Divinely qualities, and who deserves Holy Imamat among all other his sons. To point out to these Holy Godly Divinely light The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. said:- “awwalo ma khala- qalllho nooree” i.e. the first thing which Allah has created is my divine light. In other Hadees (saying) The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.ww. said, “noqilto min kiramil aslab ela motah-haartil arham." (kitab Bahrul Anwar etc). I was being transferred from Gentle backbones to pious wombs.
In other Hadees, the Holy Prophet s.a.w.w. said, “ana wa anta ya aliyyo min noorin wahedin" i.e. I and Ali s.a. have been born from one and the same Divine light. This Divine Holy, Godly-light was being transferred among Holy pious personalities till it reached the backbone of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. here this Divine Holy, Godly light was divided into two parts. One part reached the backbone of my father Hazrat Abdullah a.s. from that part I was born and the other part reached the backbone of Hazrat Abitalib a.s. and from that part O' Ali a.s. you were born.
Sayyed Rahat Husein writes in Anwarul Quran this Riwayat (hearsay) which reads ana wa aliyyoon min noorin wanhedin (I and Ali a.s. are from the one and the same light) has been so many times narrated repeatedly in so many books that it can be said that it has reached the climax of repetition. Therefore, this is the true fact that the respected fore-fathers of the Holy Prophet s.a.w.w. and the Holy Prophet s.a.w.w. himself, not only were true-Mumins (True Believers) and true Muwaahid (Belivers in oneness of Allah s.w.t.) but each of them was True Imam a.s. of their era.
The writer of Akhlaqe Mohammed (s.a.w.) has said “Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. said “Allah s.w.t. ordered Hazrat Adam a.s. to protect the Holy Godly, Divine light of Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. which I have deposited in your back or backbone and you should transfer this Holy Godly Divine light into Pious Holyand Good wombs because only due to this Holy, Godly, Divine light you have been gifted with prophethood. When this Holy, Godly Divine light reached the backbone of Hazrat Hashim a.s. his face was so fresh and so bright due to this Holy, Divine Godly light, that when he used to enter Khana-e-Kaba, it used be illuminated with Godly Divinee Holy light. In this way this Divine, Holy light illuminated in the forehead of Hazrat Abdullah a.s and then it appeared in the image of Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. (Book Akhlaqe-Mohammed s.a.w.w. page No. 456). Then he writes that this Hadees is proven due to its repetition and that Hazrat Ibrahim a.s. and Holy progeny of Hazrat Ismail a.s. who were forefathers of Holy Prophet of Islam s.a.w.w. were protectors of Sharia. They were anoint ending defining, and determining their successors among each other. This practice of Nas continued till the era of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. anoint ended, defined, and determined Hazrat Abutalib a.s. as his successor and Hazrat Abutalib a.s. finally gave all the Holy and Divine Deposits and traces of previous prophets to The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. when he was ordered to open the office of the Prophethood.
Sayyed Rahat Husein has also written almost the same story as good as above. All the Aalims (Religious learned persons) of Shia Imamiyya have consensus that all these Holy persons who were forefathers of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. were Prophets. And Vicegerents, and bearers of the flag of true religion and that holy progeny of Hazrat Ismail Bin Ibrahim a.s.who were the forefathers of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. were the Vicegerents of Hazrat Ibrahim a.s. and were of on the top most position of best characters and that faith and religion of Hazrat Ibrhaim a.s. was saved among them and that Sharia (Religious dogmas) of Hazrat Musa a.s. and that of Hazrat Isa a.s.was not abolished. These people were its protectors and they were proclaiming Nas (to anointend With defining and determining their successors) among each other and blessed traces of previous prophets a.s. were being entrusted among them. This practice continued till it reached up to Hazrat Maulana Abdul Muttalib a.s.Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. proclaimed Nas on Hazrat Abutalib a.s. as his vicegerent, who was respected father of Hazrat Amirul Mumeneen (Mulana Ali a.s.) and gave all blessed traces of previous prophets a.s. to Hazrat Abutalib a.s. and Hazrat Abutalib a.s. gave all these blessed traces to The Holy Prophet, Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. after he was ordered to open the office of the Prophethood (Anwarul Quraan Muqaddma No.19).
In view of the above fact there is no doubt that Respected forefathers of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. were the flag bearers of the true religion of Hazrat Ibrahim a.s. and Vicegerents of Hazrat Ismail Ibne Hazrat Ibrahim a.s. As per Ismaili faith all these pious persons were holding the post of Mustaqar Imam (The Imam who is Divinely born and in whose generation Godly Imamat is fixed). In the context of the above referred statement that these Holy persons used to entrust blessed traces and deposits among each other clearly shows that chain of Imamat used to continue among themselves. Every True Imam a.s. of his era used to anointed (determine and define) his successor among each other.
Hazrat Abdullah a.s. the Respected father of the holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. was also true Imam. When Hazrat Abdullah a.s.was on the death bedpan the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. was in his mother's womb or as per other statement the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. was infant so at this critical moment Hazrat Abdullah a.s. requested Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. to take the responsibility of guardianship of the holy Prophet s.a.w.w. and to look after him and to bring him up.
Hence Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. used to discharge this responsibility till the time of his death approached. At this critical moment Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. appointed Hazrat Abutalib a.s. as a guardian and gave him the responsibility to look after The holy Prophet s.a.w.w. Hazrat Abutalib a.s. with utmost kindness favoured the holy Prophet s.a.w.w. and helped him and took great and major part in founding the religion of Islam. Hazrat Abutalib a.s. on the other hand appointed Hazrat Ali s.a. as a helper of The holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. thus the holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. and Hazrat Ali a.s. both together founded Dawate Ilahiyya (Godly mission).
Then The Holy Divine Godly light again divided into two parts. From one part Imam Hasan a.s. was born and from the other part Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. was born. When Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s.died then the holy Divine, Godly light again gathered into Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. because Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. was co-partner and match of Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s. in purity and in infallibility and because Hazrat Imam Husain a.s. was the sum of all fixed divine Holy Godly light and Hazrat Imam Husein's a.s. sons have the first and foremost right and preference for Imamat.
In Holy Quran Allah s.w.t. says “wa oolul arhamey badohoom awla be badeen” i.e. “some of the blood relatives deserve more than other blood relatives. Therefore, now divine Holy, Godly light of Imamat will be transferred in Holy progeny of Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. till the day of Qiyamat resurrection without any break. Thus Imamat will reach from father to son in this Holy progeny. The Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. said “La Imamata Lil Akhawain Badal Hasane Wal Husain (a.s.). i.e. there will be No Imamat between two brothers after Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s. and Hazrat Imam Husein a.s.
When Imam a.s of the era makes well known one of his sons for Imamat it is called 'Nas' (anoint ending, determining and Tauqeef (defining)) thus Nas and Tauqeef are only original and root cause of the proof of Imamat.
Hence when True Imam a.s. of the time declares and shows that his particular son is IMAM after him then it becomes quite clear that only the said son who is declared as Imam, is gifted with the Divine Holy Godly qualities. Except that son, all other sons of Imam a.s. can not become Imam because they are not having any Divine Holy Godly qualities by which true Imam's existence becomes reality. Only one son is gifted with the Divine Godly Holy light.
Imam Ismail & Nas with defining and determining.
There are plenty of proofs in Ismaili Religious Books and in Non-Ismaili religious books about the Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. First of all we produce extracts from Ismaili Books.
Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. declared Nas for his son Hazrat Ismail a.s. and appointed him as Imam. However Abbasi khalifa Abud Dawaniq was trying desperately to kill Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. and for this purpose he used to call Imam a.s. every now and then, but he was not successful.
It was his first and foremost desire that the Imam a.s. who is from the holy progeny of Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. must not exist on this earth. So When he came to know that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. has declared Hazrat Ismail a.s. as Imam, his anger found no boundry. So he decided to kill Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. by hook or crook. He spread his spying network to find him (Imam Ismail a.s.).
In view of of the above circumstance, Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. mystified death of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s., therefore, as per the order of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s., Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s.went into seclusion. To declare this seclusion Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. adopted the trick which requires deep thought and consideration. He covered the face of Hazrat Ismail a.s. with a long piece of cloth and then when anyone used to visit, he (Imam Sadiq a.s ) used to uncover the face of Hazrat Ismail a.s. and used to show the person the face of Hazrat Ismail a.s. and used to ask the visitor “Is this not my son Ismail? Then when coffin was raised, he used to stop the coffin many a times and at many places on the road and used to show the face of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. to the people and used to ask them “Is he not My son Ismail? and then Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. used to record the witnesses of people by taking their signature in a book.
When Khalifa Abbasi came to know this news, he called Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. and asked him about the amazing news about Hazrat Ismail a.s. that you had declared that he (Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s.) had died. However he is alive and he is in Basra.
At this point, Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. produced the minutes wherein total witnesses of all eye witnesses were recorded and said I have got these witnesses as my proof that Hazrat Ismail a.s. had died.
Khalifa kept his both lips tight, but he started all his efforts at his level best to arrest Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. but he failed to arrest Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. and this riddle was not solved and because of this mystifying event and seclusion, there arose different opinions about the date of death of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. some understood that he (Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s.) has in fact died during the lifetime of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. However the actual fact is that, the great Masihai position (like Jesus Christ) was displayed here.
Regarding this Allah s.w.t. says in Holy “maqatalooho wama salaboo ho wa lakin shubbeha lahum”. Ismaili Dai Khattab Bin Hasan r.a.writes in his Book Ghayatul Mawaleed that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. gave Imamat's authority to his son Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. and since Imamat can not go back to Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. as it has not gone back to any Imam a.s. in the past. Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. entrusted position of Imamat of Hazrat Mohammed bin Ismail a.s. to his highly reverend Hujjat (strong argument of True Imam in public) Maimunul Qaddah as a trustee and Janab Maimunul Qaddah r.a. looked after Hazrat Mohammed bin Hazrat Ismail a.s. and brought him up till he became mature.
When Hazrat Imam Mohammed Bin Ismail a.s. became mature, he took back his Imamat and blessed deposits from Janab Maimunul Qaddah r.a.. Then the chain of Holy Imamat continued in his generation from Holy father to Holy son (Book Ghayatul Mawaleed).
Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. entrusted the Kafalat(Responsibility of bringing up minor) of Hazrat Imam Mohammed bin Ismail a.s. to Janab Maimunul Qaddah r.a. in the same manner as Hazrat Musa a.s. appointed Hazrat Yusho bin Noon a.s. as Kafil (One who is given responsibility of bringing up a minor).
Zainul Aabedeen a.s.) returned from Karbala.
Now we shall copy some statements from Religious Books of Ithna Asheri and Non-Shia sources by which solid proof for Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. is found.
Maqrezee writes, “Inna Ismail Howa Ibnul Akram Lil Imam Jafar us Sadiq a.s. wa howl lazeena asalaihey Bil Imamate Ghaira Inna Ismail Waffa 138 A.H. Wa Jafarus Sadiq a.s.Waledohoo Layazalo ala Qaidil Hayate Wa Khalafa Min Awladehee Mohammed, Wa Aliyaan,WaFatema Wantaqalatil Imamato Fee Aqabehee." (book of Ittifazul Honofa page# 6): Indeed Hazrat Ismail a.s. was the eldest son of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. and he declared Nas on Hazrat Ismail a.s. for Imamat. However Hazrat Ismail a.s. died during the life time of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. when Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. died, he was survived by three siblings whose names were Mohammed, Ali and Fatema and Imamat was transferred among the Holy sons of Hazrat Ismail a.s.
Shehersatani (Sheherstani is an Ithna Ashier scholar) writes: Ismail was the eldest son of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. and he was only one for whom Hazrat Imam Jafar'us Sadiq a.s. declared Nas of Imamat and from this incident only (incident of Nas)the difference about his death occurred. Some says he died during the life time of his father Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. However there was one great advantage of declaring of Nas on him that Imamat was now fixed for transfer to the Holy sons of Imam Ismal a.s. because Nas-EIlahi (Allah's selection) does not go back to its predecessor (Shehrastani).
Imam a.s. does not declare Nas upon his son unless and until he listens about the exactness of him from their forefathers. As Hazrat Musa a.s. declared Nas on Hazrat Haroon a.s. However Hazrat Haroon a.s. died during the life time of Hazrat Musa a.s. But this death was in his benefit in the sense that Imamat was being transferred among his Holy progeny. Shehrastani has also written that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. did not marry any other lady till the respected Mother of Hazrat Ismail a.s. was alive keeping the traditions of Hazrat Rasulullah s.a.w.w. who did not marry any other Lady during the life time of Hazrat Khadija a.s. and Hazrat Ali a.s. did not marry any other lady during the life time of Hazrat Fatema-tuz-Zahra a.s.This is also one of the proof and one of the sign that Hazrat Ismail a.s. was a true Imam because it was the practice of every Imam a.s. that he did not marry any other lady during the life time of the mother of his Holy Divine son who is going to be Imam after him.
Further, Sheherastani writes that some people say that Imam Ismail a.s. has in fact not died but he has declared his death (mystifying death) Taqiyyatan (concealing the real fact from opponent) to protect his life so that he can save himself from being killed. Because Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. was seen in Basra after news of his death was well known in public (Book Al mallwnahal).
In the book, ”Umdatut-Talib" he writes copying the quotation of Ifanof that Hazrat Maulana Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. produced the dead body of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. to the Jamat committee, members of the community and also so many people watched the dead body of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. and they were sure that he was dead. However he writes that Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. in fact died in 145 A.H. However he also adds that Ismailis say that Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. did not die during the life time of his respected father but was alive after the death of his father and his many miracles appeared in public.
The writer of the Book Al Harkatul Bateniyyah Fil Islam Sayyed Mustafa Ghalib writes that so many Ismaili Historians write that main purpose of Hazrat Imam Ismail’s a.s. appearance of his mystifying death during the life time of his father was in fact to conceal the real fact to Abbasi Khalifa who wanted to kill him (This is called Taqiyya in Arabic). Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. saw the risk of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. being killed and that was the only reason he (Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s.) disclosed the death of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s.. He also made to write minutes in presence of so many witnesses. This minute was dispatched to Abbasi Khalifa. He was so much glad to hear the news of the death of Hazrat Maulana Ismail a.s. who was gifted with the throne of Imamat. However Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. was seen in Basra and died after the death of his respected father Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s.
Ismaili followers say that all Riwayats, which Sunni historians narrate about Hazrat Ismail a.s. that he was in contact with Abul-Khattab and he used to drink alcohol, are fake and that enemies of Ahle-Bait a.s. had fabricated such wrong stories about them, (this is the common practice of enemies).
Mustafa Ghalib writes that going through all these Riwayats(hearsay) I have concluded that when Hazrat Imam Jafar'us Sadiq a.s. was scared that his son Ismail's a.s. life was in danger so he called his Four great Dais and Ismail a.s. in his court and consulted them about the appearance of mistyfying death of Hzrat Imam Ismail a.s. and sent secretly Hazrat Ismail a.s. with his Duats from Madina to Kufa. (Hazrat Ismail a.s. was seen there and used to travel from one place another for so many years till he in fact died in 158 A.H.
Khawaja Ataullah Malik in his book “Tareekhey Jehan Kushaaee” and Mohammed Qasim in his book “Tareekehey Farishta narrates in details that Hazrat Imam Jafar'us Sadiq a.s. did Nas upon Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s and Allama Majlisi who is believed to be a trustworthy Aalim (Learned Person) of Shia Imamiyya, narrates the Riwyat (hearsay) that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. declared Hazrat Ismail a.s. his successor, but once upon a time he (Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s.) acted against Sharia i.e. He drank alcohol. So his Respected father (Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s became very angry and as a result he transferred position of Imamat to Musa Kazim (Book BAHARUL ANWAR). In this Riwayat there is a solid proof of Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. However AllamaMajlisi has taken support of a fabricated, unfounded allegation that Imam Ismail a.s acted against Sharia, to prove the abolishment of this Nas. But those Historians who are fair and who understand the truth, have with one voice said that this allegation is definitey false and have written that this story is definitely fabricated that Hazrat Ismail a.s. had consumed alcohol. He never ever had drunk alcohol. On the contrary. He was very much pious and God fearing person and due to this false allegation Ismat (infallibility)of Imam Jafar'us Sadiq a.s.comes under severe criticism that he had selected for Holy position of Imamat a person who used to drink alcohol.
The Historian Mohammed Amin who has fair opinion writes in his book “Tarikhil Alawiyyeen” when Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s got the position of Imamat, his eldest son Hazrat Ismail a.s. was declared as his Crown Prince. However Hazrat Ismail a.s died during the life time of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. and therefore position of crown prince and succession was transferred to Musa Kazim. However, one of the sect of Shia, after the death of Hazrat Imam Sadiq a.s. believes Mohammed Bin Ismail a.s. as Imam and did not agree with the Imamat of Musa Kazim. They argue that Imamat is a Holy and Divine matter and since Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. already had anointnded and determined and defined his son Hazrat Ismail a.s. for Imamat, then the matter is indispensably resolved that Imamat will be restricted in his own Holy sons.
This was the only reason that Malawian believed all of them as Imam. Every sect of Malawian believed each of them as their own Imam. But there is no doubt that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s.
anoint ended and pre-defined and determined his son Hazrat Ismail a.s. for Imamat.
But Hazrat Ismail a.s.died before the death of his Respected father. So Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s.willed for his second son.But Ismailies did not agree with this Riwayat. They say that since Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. was Masum (infallible) Imam and since he has performed Nas on his eldest son Hazrat Ismail a.s.and that it is not permissible to take back that Nas.On the contrary Imamat was to be continued in the generation of Hazrat Ismail a.s. and as a result Hazrat Mohammed Bin Ismail a.s was crowned with Imamat after death of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s (Book Tarikhil Alawiyyeen) From the above referred all Riwayats there is clear cut and irrefutable proof that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. performed Nas on Hazrat Ismail a.s.and there is Not a single different opinion about this matter.
However, there are different opinions about the exact date of his death. And this is only because Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. declared mystified the death of Hazrat Ismail a.s. therefore, some say that Hazrat Ismail a.s. died during the life time of his Respected father while others believe that Hazrat Ismail a.s. died after the death of his Respected father. But looking as per both the angles, Imamat of Hazrat Ismail a.s. does not go wrong and does not get any harm and Mohammed Saheb himself has sent a long letter to one Haji Saheb who is also Ismaili, but he has sent a long letter in connection of abolition of Nas in his own opinion. However the strange fact is that Mohammed Zaki saheb himself accepts the Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. But he has objected to the word min badehee (i.e.after him) which is found in phrases of some of the Historians. Mohammed Saheb says that Hazrat Imam Jafrus Sadiq a.s. performed Nas on Hazrat Ismail a.s. after him. However since Hazrat Ismail a.s. died before the death of Hazrat Imam Jafar'us Sadiq s.a. Nas of Hazrat Ismail a.s. has been nullified. Subhanallah!! And that is why he has concluded that Nas of Hazrat Maulana Imam Ismail a.s. has been limited up to a certain time.
a certain time. On the contrary it clearly proves that Hazrat Jafarus Sadiq a.s.has not only anointended,determined and definded Hazrat Maulana Ismail a.s. as Imam during his life time but also included him in all Imams a.s. after him. The clear meaning of this (word Min Badehee) is only that Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s should be believed as IMAM even if he dies during the life time of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. It does not mean under any circumstance that Hazrat Ismail a.s is Imam if he lives after the death of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s.and if he does not, he should not be believed as Imam.
This can be understood by any ordinary person who has little understating and common sense and No example of such an incident has happened in the previous eras. Because there is only one way of transfer of Imamat which has been fixed in the Holy generation of Hazrat Imam Husein s.a. that after Holy father, Holy son should be appointed as Imamandthat once former Imam a.s. give the position of Imamat to the person,then under No circumstance it can be robbed off him or it can be cancelled. This is quite against the principles of Religion of Ahlebait a.s. that any Imam a.s. declaresNas on his son on this condition that if he survives (during his life time) then andthen he is Imam. In previous eras it has never happened that any Imam'sNas was cancelled, because the would be Imam who has been anoint ended defined and determined as Holy Imam, assembles, in himself all Godly Holy Divine qualities andthis fact comes at once into light as soon Nas is declared on him. Except this Holy son No other siblings of Holy True Imam has this Divine, Holy, Godly, light which shines in the son who is declared as Imam (a.s.) and it is mandatory that this Divine light must be transferred to the Holy son of the successor on whom Nas has been declared. And if we start thinking which is quite impossible that Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. was cancelled or restricted then it means that chain of Imamat has ended and has been cut, and it can never happen. Because when Nas has been declared on Hazrat Maulana Ismail a.s,.it has become quite clear that no other son of Hazrat Imam Jafar'us Sadi a.s. had assembled such Godly Holy, Divine, qualities in him and if it had not been so, Nas can’t be declared on Hazrat Ismail a.s. but Nas would have been declared on the other son except Hazrat Ismail a.s. and when No other son (Except Hazrat Ismail a.s.had this Godly, Holy Divine qualities, and as such Nas was declared on Hazrat Ismail a.s.
However according to the opinion of Mohammed Zaki Saheb, Nas has been nullified and that (after this cancellation) he has been no more Imam and Imamat. This can never happen and it is impossible and this fact brings Ma-aa-Zallah (May Allah protect us) allegations that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. was not aware of the fact that whether his son Hazrat Ismail had acquired the Godly, Divine, Holy Qualities or not. However, Imam of the time certainly knows whose son has been gifted by Allah s.w.t with Godly Divine Holy light of Imamat.
By and with this exact accurate knowledge only he declares Nas on his son. Now is it possible that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. committs such a blunder mistake by which his own Imamat comes under severe criticism and allegation? Moreover it is possible that to complete the sequence the word Min Badehee may be used. It means that calculating the number of Imam after Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s., Hazrat Maulana Ismail a.s.is also Imam. At the end of the day,it is the clear fact that according to the sequence of Imamat every Imam a.s. is counted as Imam only after his predecessor. Hence Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. is counted as 2nd Imam after Imam Hasan a.s. and Imam Ali zainul Aaabeden a.s. is 3rd Imam and Hazrat Mohammadul Baqir Imam a.s. is 4th Imam and after Hazrat Mohammdul Baqir a.s. Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. is on 5th Number. This theory can be applied only if we believe that Hazrat Ismail a.s. had died during the life time of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. however on the contrary if we believe that Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. died after the death of Hazrat Imam Jafar'us Sadiq a.s. as many believe then no question arises (about Nas of the Imamat of Hazrat Ismail a.s.) and no objection can be entertained under any circumstance, In any way if as per the requirement of Godly wisdom, he would have died during the life time of his Respected father, his Imamat can not t be lapsed or cancelled as it has been made quite clear with strong arguments.
Likewise Hazrat Musa a.s.has declared Nas and appointed Hazrat Haroon a.s.as his Vasi (Vicegarant) but as per Godly wisdom Hazrat Haroon a.s. died during the life time of Hazrat Musa a.s. and at the time of his death his son who was to be Imam was a minor, hence Hazrat Haroon requested Hazrat Musa a.s. to appoint a guarantor for his teenage son who can bring him up and can look after him. Therefore, Hazrat Musa a.s appointed Hazrat Yushe bin Noon a.s. as his guarantor (to bring up and to look after the son of Hazrat Haroon a.s. and his Imamat also) till the son of Hazrat Haroon a.s becomes mature. When he becomes mature then position of Imamat should be given back to him. So it happened as it was planned. Hazrat Yushe bin Noon handed over the position of Imamat to the son of Hazrat Haroon a.s. Likewise since Hazrat Imam Mohammed Bin Ismail a.s. was minor, Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. as per the will of Imam Hazrat Ismail a.s. appointed his glorious and most important HUJJAT Maimunul Qaddah as his Guarantor and Veil.
When Hazrat Imam Mohammed Bin Hazrat Ismail a.s. became mature Janab Maimunul Qaddah handed over Imamat and Holy deposit to him. Can Mohammed Zaki Saheb restrict Nas of Hazrat Musa a.s. on Hazrat Harun a.s. because Hazrat Harun a.s. died during the life time of Hazrat Musa a.s. Moreover, is Mohammed Zaki Saheb ready to say that position of Imamat of Hazrat Harun a.s. was abolished or was being lapsed, because Hazrat Harun a.s. died during the life time of Hazrat Musa a.s. Can he say that Hazrat Harun's (a.s.) position of Imamat and Wasayat was after Hazrat Musa a.s. but he (Hazrat Harun a.s.) died before the death of Hazrat Musa a.s. So he did not remain Wasi of Hazrat Musa a.s. Likewise Hazrat Adam's (a.s.) Wasi Hazrat Habil a.s. was killed during the lifetime of Hazrat Adam a.s. can this fact nullify the position of Wasayat of Hazrat Habil a.s.? All these are great Godly secrets and to understand them profound capacity of brain is needed.
As per those who follow the right path, The respected father of the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Abdullah a.s. was also True Imam as it was stated before. And the proof about this fact was also produced from the books of Shia Imamiyya that Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. had handed over position of Imamat to Hazrat Abdullah a.s. But he died during the life time of Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s and at that time Hazrat Rasulul-Lah s.a.w.w. was in his mother's womb and as per other statement, the Holy Prophet s.a.w.w. was a child and as such he (Hazrat Abdullah a.s.) requested his respected father Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s.to look after and to up bring him (The Holy Prophet s.a.w.w.). Therefore Hazrat Abdul Muttalib with utmost care and kindness looked after and brought up Huzur Hazrat Rasulul-Lah s.a.w.w. and Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. Hazrat Abutalib a.s. as his (The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed (s.a.w.w.).Guarantor and protector to look after The Holy Prophet s.a.w.w. after his death, so that The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w.could achieve his purpose. Now the main object of narrating this fact is that since Hazrat Abdullah a.s. who was the respected father of The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. died during the life time of his father Hazrat Abdul Muttalib a.s. so can we conclude that his position of Imamat is cancelled or is dropped? No and not at all.
When position of Imamat of Hazrat Habil a.s. and that of Hazrat Harun a.s. is not dropped or abolished though both had died before the death of the person who had declared Nas on both of them, then how can position of Imamat of Hazrat Maulana Imam Ismail a.s. be cancelled or dropped?
(If it is taken as granted that he died during the life time of Hazrat Maulana Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s.) and it has been made quite clear that birth of True Imam a.s. comes into existence from the extremely finer generous andpious stuff. The extremely generous finer (Lateef) pious (pakeeza) stuff comes out from the pious backbone of the previous Imam a.s.and comes into existence in the form of future Imam a.s. and when the father of this future Imam a.s. declares Nas on that divine son it becomes quite clear that only this son has been born from the extremely pious, finer and generous stuff.Because from outward appearance this cannot be determined.
onerous) Material must come out and must come into existence in the form of his Holy son. And this son was Hazrat Mohammed Bin Ismail on whom Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. declared Nas. Those who believe that Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. was cancelled or nullified can not think, that to say that Hazrat Imam Ismail's a.s Nas was cancelled, brings a very great insult to Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s.Because when Hazrat Maulana Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. declared Nas on Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. was he not aware that Imam Ismail a.s.was to die during my own life time?
So what purpose will it (The Said Nas) serve? Why didn't he declare Nas on his another son from the very beginning This type of act from a true Imam a.s. who is infallible is quite impossible and unimaginable. Moreover it is also to be noted that in “Bahrul Anwar” Allama Majlisi has put forward one argument in support of cancellation of Nas of Hazrat Maulana Imam Ismail a.s that once upon a time he acted against Sharia laws and that is why he was dismissed and then Janab Musa Kazim was appointed as Imam.
This means that according to Allama Majlisi, reason for cancellation of Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s was not his death during the life time of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. Otherwise he would have not overlooked this and would have not taken support from a very unfounded and fabricated story andhe would have certainly argued taking support from the death of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. during the life time of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. and he would have said that this the very strong proof of cancellation of Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. but when the present time Shia Imamiyya found that the above allegation (That Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s acted against Shaira laws) on Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s was proved quite baseless and incorrect, and as such they invented another theory that Hazrat Imam Ismail's a.s Nas was restricted and that since Imam Ismail a.s died during the lifetime of Hazrat Imam Jafar'us Sadiq a.s., his Nas was lapsed and instead of him Musa Kazim was appointed Imam.
They did not try to think slightly and deeply that Imamat is not the game of children and also not the worldly kingship wherein anyone can be declared as king. Imamat is a Godly Gift and Godly tradition. “Wallaho Yaalamo Haiso Yajalo Risalatahoo” Allah knows better where He will deposit His message. (Prophethood Wasayat, Imamat).
Therefore, when, in court of Hazrat Imam Jafar'us Sadiq a.s also discussion about Wasaya (successors) was held and someone questioned about Hazrat Ismail a.s.? Is he your Wasi (vicegerent or successor?) He (Imama Jafarus Sadiq a.s replied very wisely that I personally or according to my idea have not appointed or declared Nas for him as my successor. Therefore, Hazrat a.s. replied I swear by Allah s.w.t.that we appoint as Wasi or Imam only the person for whom Allah s.w.t commands us to do so. Wallah Wallah Ya Aba Mohammed Ma Zaleka Elaina Up to the end. ”By God, O Aba Mohammed, it is not in our hands. (Ooosle Kafi). It is only in power of Allah s.w.t. In this reply Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. did not deny Wasayat (successor ship) of Hazrat Ismail a.s. as some Shia Imamiyya thinks that Hazrat Imam Sadiq a.s has denied the successor ship of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. only denied that he has declared successor ship of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. not as per his opinion and thinking. Here word “La” should be joined with the word“Wallah” This Riwayat is found in Oosole Kafi and other books. This Riwayat gets the support from one Riwayat in Majalise Mustanseriyya. This Riwayat has been quoted by us in some other pages. In this Riwayat (Hearsay) ”Qalas Sadeqo a.s. Le Baze Shiatehee Wa Qad Sa-ala Hoo Aan Waliyyel Amre Badahoo” Laallaka Tazunno Anna Shaian Min Zaleka Elaina. Nafalo Feeha Aradna.La Walllahe La Nattabeo Fee Zaleka Illa Sunnatal Lahey” up to the end.
Imam Sadiq a.s. said for one of his Shia (follower) who inquired about the successor after him that “you guess that is it something which is in our power, that whatever we wish to do we do. No not at all, By God in this matter we follow nothing except the tradition of Allah s.w.t and His prophet s.a w.w. This Riwayat completely explains the Riwayat of Oosle Kafi that Imam Sadiq a.s. did not deny the successorship of Hazrat Ismail a.s. on the contrary He has said that I have declared Nas on him and anointended him as my successor) only by the order of Allah.
Now the most shocking fact is that Shia Imamiyya of present time, do not discuss from the very beginning, about Hazrat Ismail a.s. they show that from the very beginning Nas was declared on Janab Musa Kazim. This is totally incorrect and fabricated story. This has been explained in detail,and it will be made evident in future.
Moreover it is a quite seperate dispute that Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. died during the life time of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. or died after the death of Imam Jafar'us Sadiq a.s. however, it is quite certain that Hazrat Habil a.s. died during the lifetime of Hazrat Adam a.s. and Hazrat Harun a.s.died during the life time of Hazrat Musa a.s. and about them there was No dispute and there is No dispute at present also about them and there was No definite purpose behind their death. Still their position of Wasayat (successorship) was not abolished. Or nullified. So how Hazrat Imam Ismail'sv(a.s.) position of Wasayat can be nullified or lapsed and Hazrat Ismail a.s. can be deprived of his position of *Wasayat (though Nas on him is already proved from the books of Both the parties(Shia Ithna Asharee and Ismaili books) Moreover behind the death of Hazrat Ismail a.s. there was a purpose of mystifying. Not a single statement or action of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. is not produced by which it can be proved that Imamat of Hazrat Ismail a.s. was abolished or nullified and this point also should be taken into account that Mohammed Zaki Saheb and all Shia Imamiyya claimed that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. after the death of Hazrat Ismail a.s. declared Nas on Musa Kazim and appointed him as Imam. If they had cited proofs in support of their claim from Ismaili Books it would have been much better because this is a matter of dispute between Ismaili and Ithna Asharee. (but they have-not done so Ismailis completely deny that Nas was declared on Janab Musa Kazim. Mohammed Zaki Saheb should have produced proofs of Nas on Janab Musa Kazim from Ismaili Books because only by this way, debate can be finished against Ismailis and they can not find any argument for their denial of Nas on Janab Musa Kazim. Still can they produce any proof from Ismaili Books about Nas on Janab Musa Kazim? As Ismaili produce proofs for Nas on Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. from books of Ithna Asharee and there is no any refutable proof for cancellation of Nas of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. and also it is quite impossible matter. Therefore Imamat and Nas is certainly to be transferred to his (Imam Ismail's a.s.son) son Hazrat Mohammed Bin Hazrat Ismail a.s. and Hazrat Mohammed Bin Hazrat Ismail a.s is the essence of Ismaili Dawat and after him Chain of Imamat is certainly and finally to be transferred from Holy father to Holy son till the Zuhoor (Advent) of Hazrat Qaemul Qiyamah a.z.s. who will be the last and final Imam of the era of Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w. who will establish rule of law and justice as it is now ruled by unjust and wrong doers. This great person is being addressed with the title of Yawmil Aakhir (The last and final day) and as long awaited Mehdi a.z.s. and with the title of Ghayatul Ghayat (extreme of extremity) for whose Zohoor (advent) The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w. has foretold so many prophecies and to day on this earth every Religion and every sect is waiting for his advent in different different names. But that Holy person is only the last Imam of era of Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. and who will be from the Holy progeny of Hazrat Fatematuz Zahra a.s. and he will be from the Holy Progeny of Hazrat Imam Husein Salamullahaey Alaihim Wa Salawatohoo.
The Admittance of Ismat (Infallibility) of Hazrat Ismail a.s.
Mohammed Zaki saheb writes that I believe that Hazrat Ismail a.s. was Masum (infallible) this fact is indeed verified without any doubt that Ismat is most special virtue gifted to true imam a.s. only and nobody except the true Holy Imam a.s. is gifted with this Godly gift. This is quite wrong to say that he was Masum for some period but he was not imam. Janab Imam Hasan a.s. and Janab Imam Husein a.s. were imam and that is why they were masum.
Otherwise by separating imamat from them they can not be called masum, though in the presence of Imam Hasan a.s. the responsibility was not on the shoulder of Hazrat Imam Husain a.s. to take responsibility is quite different and imamat is quite different. Imamat is only proved by Nas and for both Imam a.s. there is the Nas from the chief of both the worlds Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. said: ”Al Hasano a.s. wal Husaino a.s. Imama Haqqin Qama AwQaad" Hasan a.s. and Husain a.s. both are true imams, whether they execute peace treaty or they start holy war and in both the circumstances they are true Imams.
And this is the fact that when imam is minor, and the imam who has declared nas on him, dies then in this circumstance, his guarantor, his Agent, works on his behalf. So in this circumstance it should be quite wrong to understand that he is not Imam. Moreover imam is imam by birth this fact has been admitted even by Mohammed Zaki Saheb. He writes that imam is imam and masum by birth. The reason is that imam is born specially from strong generous finer (Divine, Godly) stuff and because he is Imam by birth, he is masum as well. Imamat and ismat is so strongly inter connected that they can't be separated. Now when Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. was Imam as per the admittance of Mohammed Zaki Saheb himself, then it is proved that except him other sons of Hazrat Imam Jafar Sadiq a.s. were not gifted with this special quality. Because from Holy progeny of Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. chain of 'istiqrariyya imamat' (It means the imamat which is fixed in one holy generation) is continuing and divine light of Imamat can't be divided. Only one son of Imam Mustaqar (whose imamat is gifted by Allah and it is fixed in his holy progeny is called Imam Mustaqar) is gifted with divine holy Godly light of imamat and that was only as per the admittance of Mohammed Zaki Saheb, it was none except Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s. because he has admitted that Hazrat Ismail a.s. was Masum. And this fact is definitely proved and verified that only Imam can be Masum.
The first and foremost condition of true imam a.s. is Nas and Tawqeef (definition and determination) from his predecessor. There is no doubt that imam is imam by birth of course to make the common people understand (the true Imam) Nas is quite essential so that proof of his imamat can be well known. Because on the forehead of any Imam a.s. it is not written that he is imam. That is why to make him well known and well informed, Nas and Tawqeef is mandatory. This Nas most probably is declared at the last time of present Imam a.s. however sometime it also happens as per the Godly wisdom that before the last time Nas is declared. As it happened in the case of Hazrat Habil a.s and Hazrat Harun a.s., and as per the true faith and belief it happened in the case of Hazrat Abdullah Bin Abdul Muttalib a.s. also, Nas was not declared for these three holy personalities at the last time and Nas was declared before well ahead. These three Holy personalities died during the lifetime of their predecessors who appointed and declared Nas on them and when present living Imam a.s. declared Nas, he becomes helper and supporter for the person whom he has declared as his successor. This support is given in two ways: First of all when imam a.s of the era dies, so after his death he reaches the highest spiritual degree (neighbourhood of Aashir) and in a sprinkle status he gives supportand help to his son who is Imam after him. Secondly sometime as per Godly wisdom, he lives in this worldly life, and being in this bodily life, he gives support and help to his son who is declared by him as Imam after him. Looking at both the angles former Imam's a.s. position will be the highest because on the strength of Nas, his son (for whom Nas is declared) gets support in abundance. He (imam of the time who has declared Nas on his Holy son) is not dismissed from his position and rank and grade. Hasha Wa Kalla. (Never and We ask Allah to prevent us to think on that line). On the contrary he gets the top most and the highest (spiritual) position. He paves way for Dawat (religious Mission) of his son (on whom Nas has been declared) for this reason he does not become the servant of his son or Grandson (seeking protection of Allah s.w.t to think on that line) on the contrary he acts as a Guardian. Sometime it happens Imam on whom Nas has been declared, is minor, his predecessor appoints a trust worthy person as a guardian and carer for him.
Incident of Minor son of Hazrat Haroon a.s. has been detailed and this type of incident again happened in the case of Hazrat Abdullah a.s., the respected father of the holy Prophet s.a.ww. Here the incident of the death of Hazrat Ismail a.s. is a big riddle which requires to be solved, whether He actually died during the lifetime of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. or his death was mystified. Because so many historians – say that due to the oppression and torture of Abbasi Khalifa Abu Dawaniq (l.a.) his death was made public. This fact becomes quite clear by the act of Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. because if death was not mystified, then Hazrat Iamam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. would not have shown the face of Hazrat Ismail a.s., every now and then and would not have sought the witnesses of the people and well known personalities. Inspite of this fact, if we take it granted that he (Imam Ismail a.s.) actually died during the life time of his respected father, as it is said, the Imamat of Hazrat Ismail a.s. is in no way disturbed (majrooh) or lapsed (dropped off) as the positions of Hazrat Harun a.s. etc were not disturbed and when imamat of Hazrat Ismail a.s. is proved his son Hazrat Mohammed bin Ismail who is his Mansoos (one on whom Nas has been declared) is then right heir apparent of his imamat because Nas was declared on Hazrat Ismail a.s. for which solid proof has been produced.
(1) Either Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. declared Nas on his second son (Musa Kazim) after the death of of Hazrat Ismail a.s. as it is said, though the son of Hazrat Ismail a.s. was alive or Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. declared Nas on Musa Kazim because there was no son of Hazrat Ismail a.s.
(2) Secondly we can say that Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. did not declare Nas on anyone else after declaring Nas on Hazrat Ismail a.s. If Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s.declared Nas on Musa Kazim inspite of the fact that the son of Hazrat Ismail a.s. was alive, then Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sasdiq a.s. acted clearly against the Book of Allah s.w.t. because inspite of the fact that the son of Hazrat Ismail a.s. was alive still Hazrat Sadiq a.s. gave inheritance of Imamat of Hazrat Ismail a.s.to his brother. And at that time there was no any reason which compelled to deprive the son of Hazrat Ismail a.s. from Imamat. As it happened in the case of Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s. the holy progeny of Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s. was forbidden and holy progeny of Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. was specially gifted with inheritance of imamat. Allah s.w.t. says in holy Quran "Wa Oolul Arhame Badohum Awla Be Badin", and because Hazrat Jafarus Sadiq a.s is Imam and also masum (infallible), he can never act against the holy instructions of Holy Quran. Therefore it is quite wrong and false to say that Hazrat Imam Sadiq a.s. declared Nas on Musa Kazim after declaring Nas on Hazrat Ismail a.s. and when this fact is quite false so the inheritance of Imamat in holy progeny of Hazrat Ismail a.s is proved.
sons, then it is a quite forbidden and invalid act that why did Hazrat Imam Sadiq a.s. who was Masum (infallible) declared Nas on a person whose generation was to be ceased inspite of the fact that he was well aware that imamat is preserved in Holy progeny of Holy Imam a.s. this type of invalid guessing about Hazrat Imam Sadiq a.s. is the sign of non-Godliness act so at the end we conclude that Hazrat Imam Sadiq a.s. has declared Nas on Hazrat Ismail a.s. only after by his Godly and divine knowledge, he came to know he (Hazrat Ismail a.s.) is not the person whose generation is to be ceased (who has no siblings) and when the real fact is clearly as such, then it is proved that imamat is definitely for the holy son of Hazrat Ismail a.s. after his death.
The third opinion is Hazrat Imam Sadiq a.s. did not declare Nas on anyone else (including Musa Kazim) after declaring Nas on Hazrat Ismail a.s. then also it is indispensable that imamt should be transferred to the holy son of Hazrat Ismail a.s. as per the law and principle of religious dogmas and that chain of imamat will continue in holy progeny of Hazrat Ismail a.s till the day of Judgement and till the zuhoor (advent) of the last Imam a.s. of era of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. has said “Yowati Ismohoo Wa Ismo Abihey Ismo Abi", his name will be similar to my name and his father's name is my father's name i.e. his name will be Mohammed and his Respected father's name will be Abdullah.
ordered to be obedient to you as he has ordered to obey us The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. has communicated about your greatness as he has done so for us also. So when Hazrat Ali s.a.died Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s was the best of all, due to his elderly position However Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s. had no power to appoint, anoint (to declare Nas) anyone from his own sons as his successor. If Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s. would have done so then Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. would have objected and would have asked why did you do that? Because Allah s.w.t has ordered for my (It'aat) obedience as He has ordered to be obedient to you and to to Hazrat Ali a.s. The Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammed s.a.w.w. communicated about my greatness as he has done so about yours. Mohammed Zaki Saheb writes that this idea and faith is not correct that the one who is addressed or Titled as Imam, chain of Imamat should continue in his generation till the day of Qiyamat. Because it did not happen in the case of Imam Hasan a.s. When Janab Ismail a.s. was the elder brother and according to his statement he got the divine position of Imamat. and thereafter he died. Therefore Imamat was transferred to the generation of younger brother Imam Musa Kazim, as it was transferred in the generation of Hazrat Imam Husain a.s. instead of generation of Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s. However, it is not only quite necessary but also quite mandatory that once the divine person is titled with the title of Imam then till the day of Qiyamat chain of Imamat must continue in his own generation.
that Divine position of Imamat must be transferred from Holy father to Holy son in the generation of Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. Please refer OOSL E KAFI and other books of Ithna Asharee where in it has been written, "Aan Abi Abdillah a.s.Innahoo Qala, LaTaudul Imamato Fil Akhawaiyne Badal Hasane a.s.Wal Husaine a.s. abadan, Innama Jarrat Min Aliy ibnil Husain a.s.Kama Qalal Laho Ta-aala Oolul Arhaame Badohoom Awla Bebadeen Fee Kitabil Lahey. Fala Takuno Bada Aliybnil Husain a.s. Illa fil Aaqabey Wa Aaqabil Aaqabey (Kitab OosuleKafi 1st volume page page329) Imam JafarusSadiq a.s.said, "After Hazrat Imam Hasan a.s. and Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. Imamat will not be gifted among 2 brothers. After Imam Husein a.s. this chain continued via Maulana Ali Ibnil Husain a.s. Allah s.w.t. says in Allah's kitab some of the relatives of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.w.) are better than some of them” One more proof can be quoted from “Kitab Tafseerus Safi Part 10).
among two brothers in the generation of Hazrat Imam Husein s.a. and this fact has been proved as per the Books of both the sect (Ismaili sect and Ithna Asharee Sect) that Imam Sadiq a.s. did Nas on Hazrat Ismail a.s. This has been narrated in above pages. Then inspite of this fact that holy son of Hazrat Ismail a.s. was present, how can Imamat be transferred into generation of Janab Musa Kazim!!! Allah s.w.t. says in Holy Quran, “WaOolul Arhame Badohum Awla BeBadin", some of the blood relatives are better than some of them and there is religious law also that in the presence of the son, brother can’t inherit.
Why such a profound love was shown for Hazrat Ismail a.s.
Imam Sadiq a.s. profound love for Imam Ismail a.s.
What is the purpose of the end of the period of Imamat.
Countless number of Imams a.s.
About the age of Hazrat Nuh a.s.
Imamat must be in the holy generation of Imam Ismail a.s.
One irrefutable proof of Imamat being continued in Holy generation of Imam Ismail a.s. Ibne Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. is the possession of Tabarrukat (Holy blessesd things) of The Holy prophet s.a.w.w. and that of all other Imams a.s in the hands of them.(in hands of Holy progeny of Hazrat Imam Ismail a.s) About This Tabarrukat enough text is found in Kitab Baharul Anwar and other religious books of Shia Imamiyya.It has been written in these books that these Tabarrukat are like Holy box of Bani Israeel. Ravi (The narrator) says that I have heard Hazrat Imam Jafarus Sadiq a.s. "Simile of the Salakh (Skinning) of the Holy Prophet s.a.ww. among us is the Holy Box of Bani Israil. Wherever they are, the Holy Box was on their door, and they were gifted with prophet-hood. Hence, it can be easily concluded that wherever Tabarrukat (The Holy blessed things) of The Holy Prophet.s a.w.w. are found they are sure to get Imamat.
where hewas guided and brought all Tabarrukats.(Tareekhul Islam).
us as Holy Box of Bani Israil wherever these weapons of Rasu Lul Lah s.a.w.w.
S.A.) was a true Imam.
because we are not concerned with this dispute and it is out of our subject.
One more proof for the truthfulness and reality of Ismaili Imam a.s.
At the end one more evidence is produced to prove the Imamat of Ismaili Imams a.s. and that is one Article which is being published in Monthly Magazine “Tajallee” from Devband .In September 1961 issue, it has been written in taunting language that Shia believes that Allah s.w.t. gets Bida which means something which has been prophesied or promised by Allah (s.w.t) does not happen. e.g. It was promised by Allah s.w.t. that in the 300 year of Hijri Imam Mehdee a.s. will come out from seclusion after he will attain his maturity, and this promise was being awaited from the day when "Arsh" (Allah's Holy throne) was founded. However in between because of Shahadat (Martyrdom) of Hazrat Imam Husein a.s. Allah s.w.t. was so angry that he could not keep the promise of Zuhur (Coming out from seclusion). The Editor of “Tajallee” perhaps was quite in inadvertence and unaware that Allah s.w.t. in fact fulfilled His promise in time.
It means that Sun will rise from the west when the third century will be at its top. According to this prophecy Hazrat Imam Abdullah Mehdee a.s. with his son Hazrat Imam Mohammdil Qaem a.s. did Zuhur and Bani Fatma's a.s. Dawat (Religious Mission) spread far and far. However it must be noted that this Zuhur of Imam Mehdee a.s. is only a small portion (part) in comparison of the Zuhur of Hazrat Maulana Qaem a.s.who is being awaited.
This book was originally written by Al Ālim ur Rashid Sheikh al Fazil Hasan Ali Sarangpur wala in Urdu. This was translated in English by Janab-a-Aali Mohammad bhai Sarangpur Wala s/o Martyr Sheikh al Muqaddas Al Alim ur Rashid Sheikh Sajjad Hussain Sarangpur Wala.
power to appoint successor whatever we do we do with the order of Allah s.w.t.
highest position of Hazrat Ismail a.s.
position of Imamat.and he dared to use very inappropriate and unsuitable words.
location of Hazrat Ismail a.s.
Why Such A Prfound Love Was Shown For Hazrat Ismail A.S.?
the real position of Imamat of Hazrat Ismail a.s.andit was not fatherly love.
uncover the face of Ismail again and as before, he kissed the forehead etc.
testifies There is No God But Allah”.
the contrary it is the solid proof of his highest divine degree and position.
meaning less talks of Mohammed Zaki Saheb.
What Is The Purpose Of The End Of The Period Of Imamat?
Imamat or impossible,is a blunder or and it is enmity with the truth.
Countless Numbers Of Imams A.S.
must have come acrossAayat Karima“WA lillahil asma ul husna fadooho beha”.
period then it changes. Human-beings are also part of this changing world.
No circumstance worth for consideration anddoes not deserve any attention.
is the same Mohammed Bin Abdullah a.s.
of Hazrat Imam Husain's s.a. 12 Chiefs and Duats were,Hazrat Sadeerus Sair r.a.
a.s.of the time like 12 chiefs there use to be 12 Hujajs who are called chiefs.
be of so many different angles e.g. It can be 10 Imams instead of 12 Imams.
Shia sect of Islam in anatomy of this Hadees produces their 12 Imams.
other pious souls of other human-beings can’t associate themselves with him.
trillions years old, and only 12 imams to guide this world.
a.z.s.Muntazir(Mehdee a z.s.who is waited) and Qaaeme Aale Mohammed s.a.w. w.
father's name is Hasan.This has been clearly explained in the previous pages.
did not survive and only 12th Imam has got such a unique and special quality?
alive till the day of Qiyamat.
only the small and ordinary miracle of what The True Imam a.s.
starting from Hazrat Adam a.s till The Holy Prophet Hazrat Rasulul Lah s.a.w.w.
Imamiyya when 12th Imam is still alive,No other Imam or13th Imam is needed.
alive why did the chain of all other prophets and Imams continue?
gifted only to these FOUR prophets a.s. but all the prophets a.s. and Imam a.s.
are provided their sustenance from their Lord.
false proud and malice in his heart against him.So he opposed Hazrat Adam a.s.
Mumeneen A.S.Not Be Called Shaitan ?
The Very Childhood Of 12th Imam.
upto the day of Qiyamatand also with the so long life of world.
matter in previous pages Now we produce in these pages the some of its details.
perfect Holy human-beings(perfect in all human-beings best qualities)is born.
believes in this chain of Imamat. | 2019-04-25T12:18:20Z | https://www.thebohras.com/imam-ismail-as-ibn-jaffer-sadik-as.html |
The first substantive history of science post that I wrote on this blog was about the Jesuit mathematician and astronomer Christoph Clavius. I wrote this because at the time I was preparing a lecture on the life and work of Clavius to be held in his hometown Bamberg. Clavius is one of my local history of science celebrities and over the years I have become the local default Clavius expert and because of his involvement in the Gregorian calendar reform of 1572 I have also become the local default expert on that topic too.
The new lead astronomer on the project, Jesuit prodigy Christopher Clavius, considered this and other proposals for five years.
The brief statement contains three major inaccuracies, the most important of which, is that Clavius as not the lead astronomer, or lead anything else for that matter, on the project. This is a very widespread misconception and one to which I devote a far amount of time when I lecture on the subject, so I thought I would clear up the matter in a post. Before doing so I would point out that I have never come across any other reference to Clavius as a prodigy and there is absolutely nothing in his biography to suggest that he was one. That was the second major inaccuracy for those who are counting.
A hundred years later, Pope Gregory XIII rolled up his sleeves and went for it in earnest. After a call for suggestions, he was brought a gigantic manuscript. This was the life’s work of physician Luigi Lilio, who argued for a “slow 10-day correction” to bring things back into alignment, and a new leap year system to keep them that way. This would have meant that years divisible by 100 but not by 400 (e.g. 1800, 1900, and 2100) didn’t get the extra day, thereby shrinking the difference between the solar calendar and the Earthly calendar down to a mere .00031 days, or 26 seconds.
This is correct as far as it goes, although there were two Europe wide appeals for suggestions and we don’t actually know how many different suggestions were made as the relevant documents are missing from the Vatican archives. It should also be pointed out the Lilio was a physician/astronomer/astrologer and not just simply a physician. Whether or not his manuscript was gigantic is not known because it no longer exists. Having decided to consider Lilio’s proposal this was not simply passed on to Christoph Clavius, who was a largely unknown mathematicus at the time, which should be obvious to anybody who gives more than five minutes thought to the subject.
The problem with the calendar, as far as the Church was concerned, was that they were celebrating Easter the most important doctrinal festival in the Church calendar on the wrong date. This was not a problem that could be decided by a mere mathematicus, at a time when the social status of a mathematicus was about the level of a bricklayer, it was far too important for that. This problem required a high-ranking Church commission and one was duly set up. This commission did not consider the proposal for five years but for at least ten and possibly more, again we are not sure due to missing documents. It is more than likely that the membership of the commission changed over the period of its existence but because we don’t have the minutes of its meetings we can only speculate. What we do have is the signatures of the nine members of the commission who signed the final proposal that was presented to the Pope at the end of their deliberations. It is to these names that we will now turn our attention.
The names fall into three distinct groups of three of which the first consists of the high-ranking clerics who actually lead this very important enquiry into a fundamental change in Church doctrinal practice. The chairman of the committee was of course a cardinal,Guglielmo Sirleto (1514–1584) a distinguished linguist and from 1570 Vatican librarian.
The vice chairman was Bishop Vincenzo Lauro (1523–1592) a Papal diplomat who was created cardinal in 1583. Next up was Ignatius Nemet Aloho Patriarch of Antioch and head of the Syriac Orthodox Church till his forced resignation in 1576. Ignatius was like his two Catholic colleagues highly knowledgeable of astronomy and was brought into the commission because of his knowledge of Arabic astronomy and also to try to make the reform acceptable to the Orthodox Churches. The last did not function as the Orthodox Churches initially rejected the reform only adopting it one after the other over the centuries with the exception of the Russian Eastern Orthodox Churches, whose church calendar is still the Julian one, which is why they celebrate Christmas on 6 7 January.
Our second triplet is a mixed bag. First up we have Leonardo Abela from Malta who functioned as Ignatius’ translator, he couldn’t speak Latin, and witnessed his signature on the commissions final report. He is followed by Seraphinus Olivarius an expert lawyer, whose role was to check that the reform did not conflict with any aspects of cannon law. The third member of this group was Pedro Chacón a Spanish mathematician and historian, whose role was to check that the reform was in line with the doctrines of the Church Fathers.
Our final triplet consists of what might be termed the scientific advisors. Heading this group is Antonio Lilio the brother of Luigi and like his brother a physician and astronomer. He was here to elucidate Luigi’s plan, as Luigi was already dead. The lead astronomer, to use the Atlas Obscura phase, was the Dominican monk Ignazio Danti (1536–1582) mathematician, astronomer, cosmographer, architect and instrument maker.
In a distinguished career Danti was cosmographer to Cosimo I, Duke of Tuscany whilst professor of mathematics at the university of Pissa, professor of mathematics at the University of Bologna and finally pontifical mathematicus in Rome. For the Pope Danti painted the Gallery of Maps in the Cortile del Belvedere in the Vatican Palace and deigned and constructed the instruments in the Sundial Rome of the Gregorian Tower of Tower of Winds above the Gallery of Maps.
Map of Italy, Corsica and Sardinia – Gallery of Maps – Vatican Museums.
After the calendar reform the Pope appointed him Bishop of Altari. Danti was one of the leading mathematical practitioners of the age, who was more than capable of supplying all the scientific expertise necessary for the reform, so what was the role of Christoph Clavius the last signer of the commission’s recommendation.
The simple answer to this question is that we don’t know; all we can do is speculate. When Clavius (1538–1612) first joined the commission he was, in comparison to Danti, a relative nobody so his appointment to this high level commission with its all-star cast is somewhat puzzling. Apart from his acknowledged mathematical skills it seems that his membership of the Jesuit Order and his status as a Rome insider are the most obvious reasons. Although relative young the Jesuit Order was already a powerful group within the Church and would have wanted one of theirs in such a an important commission. The same thought concerns Clavius’ status as a Rome insider. The Church was highly fractional and all of the other members of the commission came from power bases outside of Rome, whereas Clavius, although a German, as professor at the Collegio Romano counted as part of the Roman establishment, thus representing that establishment in the commission. It was probably a bit of all three reasons that led to Clavius’ appointment.
Having established that Clavius only had a fairly lowly status within the commission how did the very widespread myth come into being that he was somehow the calendar reform man? Quite simply after the event he did in fact become just that.
he granted Antonio Lilio an exclusive licence to write a book describing the details of the calendar reform and the modifications made to the process of calculating the date of Easter. The sales of the book, which were expected to be high, would then be the Lilio family’s reward for Luigi Lilio having created the mathematical basis of the reform. Unfortunately Antonio Lilio failed to deliver and after a few years the public demand for a written explanation of the reform had become such that the Pope commissioned Clavius, who had by now become a leading European astronomer and mathematician, to write the book instead. Clavius complied with the Pope’s wishes and wrote and published his Novi calendarii romani apologia, Rome 1588, which would become the first of a series of texts explaining and defending the calendar reform. The later was necessary because the reform was not only attacked on religious grounds by numerous Protestants, but also on mathematical and astronomical grounds by such leading mathematicians as François Viète and Michael Maestlin. Over the years Clavius wrote and published several thousand pages defending and explicating the Gregorian calendar reform and it is this work that has linked him inseparably with the calendar reform and not his activities in the commission.
This is the story of two brothers born into the working class in a small town in Germany in the late eighteenth century. Both of them were recognised as mathematically gifted whilst still teenagers and went on to study mathematics at university. The younger brother was diligent and studious and completed his doctorate in mathematics with a good grade. There followed a series of good teaching jobs before he obtained a lectureship at the then leading university of Berlin, ten years after graduating. In due course, there followed positions as associate and the full professor. As professor he contributed some small but important proofs to the maths cannon, graduated an impressive list of doctoral students and developed an interesting approach to maths textbooks. He became a respected and acknowledged member of the German mathematical community.
The elder brother’s life ran somewhat differently. He started at the local university but unlike his younger brother he was anything but studious preferring a life of dancing, ice -skating and playing billiards to learning mathematics. His father a hard working craftsman was disgusted by this behaviour and forced him to leave the university and take up a teaching post in Switzerland. On the advice of his mathematics professor he taught himself mathematics by reading the greats. He returned to his home university and obtained his doctorate in the same year as his brother. There then followed a series of dead end jobs first as a badly paid university lecturer with little prospect of promotion and then a series of deadbeat jobs as a schoolteacher. In the last of these he had access to a good physics laboratory and began a series of investigations in a relatively new area of physics. At the age of thirty-eight, something of a failure, he published the results of his investigations in a book, which initially failed to make any impact. At the age of forty-four he obtained an appointment as professor at a polytechnic near to his home town and things began to finally improve in his life. At the age of fifty-two his work received acknowledgement at the highest international levels and finally at the age of sixty-three he was appointed professor for physics at a leading university.
The younger brother whose career path had been so smooth, fairly rapidly disappeared from the history of mathematics after his death in 1872, remembered by only a handful of specialists, whereas the much plagued elder brother went on to lend the family name to one of the most frequently used unit of measure in the physical sciences; a name that can be found on multiple appliances in probably every household in the western world.
The two bothers of my story are Georg Simon Ohm (1789–1854), the discover of Ohm’s Law, and his younger brother, the mathematician, Martin Ohm, who was born on 6 May 1792 and the small German town where they were born is Erlangen where I (almost) live.
Georg Simon and Martin were the sons of the locksmith Johann Wolfgang Ohm and his wife Maria Elizabeth Beck, who died when Georg Simon was only ten. Not only did the father bring up his three surviving, of seven, children alone after the death of their mother but he also educated his two sons himself. The son of a locksmith he had enjoyed little formal education but had taught himself philosophy and mathematics, which he now imparted to his sons with great success. As Georg Simon was fifteen he and Martin were examined by the local professor of mathematics, Karl Christian von Langsdorf, who, as already described above, found both boys to be highly gifted and spoke of an Erlanger Bernoulli family.
I’ve already outlined the lives of the two Ohm brothers so I’m not going to repeat myself but I will fill in some detail.
As above I’ll start with Martin, the mathematician. He made no great discoveries as such and in the world of mathematics his main claim to fame is probably his list of doctoral students several of whom became much more famous than their professor. It was as a teacher that Martin Ohm made his mark, writing a nine volume work that attempted a systematic introduction to the whole of elementary mathematics his, Versuch eines vollkommenen, consequenten Systems der Mathematik (1822–1852) (Attempt at a complete consequent system of mathematics); a book that predates the very similar, but far better known, attempt by Bourbaki by one hundred years and which deserves far more attention than it gets. Martin Ohm also wrote several other elementary textbooks for his students. In his time in Berlin Martin Ohm also taught mathematics for many years at both the School for Architecture and the Artillery Academy.
I first stumbled across Martin Ohm whilst researching nineteenth-century algebraic logics. When it was first published George Boole’s Laws of Thought (1864) received very little attention from the mathematical community. With the exception of a small handful of relatively unknown mathematicians who wrote brief papers on it, it went largely unnoticed. One of that handful was Martin Ohm who wrote two papers in German (the first works in German on Boole’s logic). Thus introducing Boole’s ground-breaking work to the German mathematical public. Boole had written and published other mathematical work in German so he was already known in Germany. Later Ernst Schröder would go on to become the biggest proponent of Boolean logic with his three volume Vorlesungen über die Algebra der Logik (1890-1905). It is perhaps worth noting that Boole like the Ohm brothers was the son of a self-educated tradesman who gave his son his first education.
Martin Ohm has one further claim to notoriety; he is thought to have been the first to use the term “golden section” (goldener Schnitt in German) thus opening the door for hundreds of aesthetic loonies who claim to find evidence of this wonderful ration all over the place.
We now move on to the man in whose shadow Martin Ohm will always stand, his elder brother Georg Simon.
The school where Georg Simon began the research work into the physics of electricity was the Jesuit Gymnasium in Cologne, which even granted him a sabbatical in 1826 to intensify his researches. He published those researches as Die galvanische Kette, mathematisch bearbeitet (The Galvanic Circuit Investigated Mathematically) in 1827. It was the Royal Society who started his climb out of obscurity awarding him the Copley Medal, its highest award, in 1842 and appointing him a foreign member in the same year. Membership of other international scientific societies, such as Turin followed. Georg Simon’s first professorial post was at the Königlich Polytechnische Schule (Royal Polytechnic) in Nürnberg in 1833. He became the director of the Polytechnic in 1839 and today the school is a technical university, which bears the name Georg Simon Ohm. Georg Simon ended his career as professor of physics at the University of Munich.
The town of Erlangen is proud of Georg Simon and we have an Ohm Place, with an unfortunately rather derelict fountain, the subject of a long political debate concerning the cost of renovation and one of the town’s high schools is named the Ohm Gymnasium. The city of Munich also has a collection of plaques and statues honouring him. Ohm Straße in Berlin, however, is named after his brother Martin.
Any fans of the history of science with a sweet tooth should note that if they come to Erlangen one half of the Ohm House is now a sweet shop specialising in Gummibärs.
On the 8 January 1610 the Ansbach court astronomer Simon Marius first observed the four largest moons of Jupiter just one day later than Galileo Galilei, although he would delay four years before publishing the results of his observations unlike his Tuscan rival, who famously rushed into print with his amazing discovery. It seemed somehow appropriate to post this press release here on this anniversary of that, for Marius, momentous event.
Press Release – The Simon Marius Anniversary Celebrations 2014 have been a great success.
The initiators of the ‘The Simon Marius Anniversary Celebrations 2014’ can look back over a very eventful year. More than 60 lectures and exhibitions corrected the public image of the margravial court astronomer both at home and abroad, and more than 200 articles appeared in newspapers, magazines, and other media. Motivation was the publication of Simon Marius’ magnum opus Mundus Iovialis (The World of Jupiter) four hundred years ago in 1614.
The first high point of these activities was the launching of the Marius-Portal, www.simon-marius.net, in The State Archives in Nürnberg. This Internet site contains a bibliography, with 28 menu languages, of all the publications by or about Simon Marius (1573-1624), who discovered the four largest Jupiter moons at the same time but independently of Galileo Galilei in 1610. A substantial number of these publications have been digitised and can – where legally permitted – be viewed directly. The medium-term aim is to create a virtual ‘Collected Works’.
The designation of an asteroid by the International Astronomical Union was very pleasing. The asteroid “(7984) Marius” is about 10 km in diameter and is situated in the so-called main belt between Mars and Jupiter. It orbits the sun once every 4.27 years and travels at a speed of 7.57 km/s.
The final high point was the conference “Simon Marius und seine Zeit” (Simon Marius and his Times), which focused on the results of his researches. The conference report will appear in 2015.
Galileo Galilei had accused the margravial court astronomer of plagiarism, however at the beginning of the 20th century he was rehabilitated and in 2014 Simon Marius was honoured in particular in Southern Germany but also in the Cosmonaut Museum in Moscow and in the USA. Galileo and Marius discovered the four largest Jupiter moons in January 1610, but Marius first published his results four years later than his Italian colleague. Today we know that in the 17th century Marius was an astronomer at the highest European levels.
The ‘The Simon Marius Anniversary Celebrations 2014’ was initiated by the Nürnberger Astronomischen Gesellschaft (Nürnberger Astronomical Society) and will be set forth by the Simon Marius Gesellschaft (Simon Marius Society), which was founded at the end of December 2014.
Any readers who wish to do so are cordially invited to become a normal or corresponding member of the Simon Marius Society, membership is free.
A very similar luminous lustre appears when one observes a burning candle from a great distance through a translucent piece of horn.
On 15 December 1612 (os) Simon Marius, Court Mathematicus in Ansbach, became the first astronomer to record a telescopic observation of the Andromeda Nebula. The importance of this observation was that whereas other known nebulae such as the Orion Nebula, had resolved into individual stars when viewed with a telescope, the Andromeda Nebula as recorded by Marius appears as “…a weak and faint lustre at the centre with a diameter of about one quarter of a degree. A very similar luminous lustre appears when one observes a burning candle from a great distance through a translucent piece of horn” (Simon Marius, Mudus Iovialis, 1614 my translation).
In the history of astronomy the Andromeda Nebula would go on to play a central role in the deep space observations of Charles Messier (M31) and William Herschel in the eighteenth century. In the early twentieth century its nature and status then became the bone of contention in the legendary dispute between Shapley and Curtis.
2014 being the four hundredth anniversary of the publication of Marius’ major astronomical work the Mundus Iovialis we have been celebrating his live and work in Middle Franconia. First high point of the various activities were the launching of the Marius Portal, an Internet website giving researchers free access to all primary and secondary works by and about Simon Marius with navigation in almost thirty different languages.
On 20 September a one-day conference was held with contributions covering the various aspects of Marius’ life and academic work (mathematics, astrology and astronomy) in Nürnberg. The proceedings of this conference are due to appear in book, form hopefully in 2015.
This coming Wednesday, 17 December 2014, will see the founding of the Simon Marius Gesellschaft (Simon Marius Society) in Nürnberg to further research and promote his life and work. Anybody who is interested is herewith cordially invited to apply for full or corresponding membership. There are no membership fees!
Anyone coming to the history of the search for a method to accurately determine longitude through Dava Sobel’s Longitude might be forgiven for thinking that the lunar distance method was just some sort of excuse dreamed up by Neville Maskelyne to prevent John Harrison receiving his just deserts. This is far from being the case. The lunar distance method first explicated by Johannes Werner in Nürnberg at the beginning of the 16th century was the method supported by nearly all astronomers since at least Newton as they were of the opinion that it would not be possible to construct a clock sturdy enough to survive a rough sea voyage and extreme changes of temperature and accurate enough to keep its time over several weeks in the foreseeable future. It should be remembered that it was the astronomers, responsible for keeping track of time since the dawn of civilisation, who had invented and developed the mechanical clock and it was the astronomical instrument makers who were the leading clock makers of the period so they really did know what they were talking about. For these highly knowledgeable men the lunar distance method genuinely seemed to offer more hope of a solution to the problem.
The lunar distance method is one of several ‘astronomical clock’ methods of determining longitude. The theory says that if one has a set of tables detailing the position of the moon respective to a given star or group of stars for accurately determined time intervals for a given fixed position then by observing the moon’s distance from said star or stars locally and noting the local time it should be possible to calculate the time difference of the two observations, real and tabular, and thus determine the longitude of the current position relative to the fixed position in the tables. Four minute of time difference equal one degree of longitude difference.
To make this system viable one needs two things, an instrument capable of accurately determining the lunar distance on a moving ship and accurate lunar distance tables. The first problem was solved by the English mathematician and instrument maker John Hadley who I’ve written about before and the second by the German cartographer and astronomer Tobias Mayer who died two hundred and fifty years ago today on 20th February 1762, aged just 39.
Mayer was born on in 17th February 1723 in Marbach but his family moved to Esslingen less than two years later.
He grew up in comparative poverty and when his father died in 1731 Tobias was placed in an orphanage. He received only very basic schooling and was a mathematical autodidact. However at the age of eighteen he had already published a book on geometry and a town plan of Esslingen. In 1743 he moved to Augsburg where he worked for the Pfeffel publishing house and where he published a Mathematical Atlas and a book on fortification. His publications led to him being appointed to a senior position at the Homanns Erben cartographical publishing house in Nürnberg, one of the leading cartography companies in Europe, in 1745.
In his six years in Nürnberg Mayer published about thirty maps and numerous astronomical papers with a special emphasis on lunar research. It was during his time in Nürnberg that Mayer laid the foundations of his lunar tables for the lunar distance method.
By 1751 Mayer enjoyed a reputation as one of the leading European astronomers and he was offered the chair of mathematics at Göttingen and the directorship of the university observatory. During the next ten years Mayer would publish extensively on astronomy, mathematics, geodetics, mensuration and the design and construction of scientific instruments. He died on 20th February 1762 of typhoid.
Although the moon obeys Kepler’s laws of planetary motion, because it is fairly large and lays between the earth and the sun it gets pulled all over the place by the force of gravity and as a result its orbit is a very ragged and irregular affair. In both the systems of Ptolemaeus and of Copernicus the models for the moon’s orbit are less than successful. Kepler ignored the problem and did not supply a lunar model in his system. This omission was corrected by the young English astronomer Jeremiah Horrocks who proved that the moon also has, at least in theory, an elliptical Keplerian orbit and delivered the best lunar model up till that time. Even the great Newton had immense difficulties with the moon and although he based his efforts on Horrocks’ work he was unable to show that the moon really conforms to his gravitation theory. It would have to wait for Simon Laplace to tame the moons orbit at the end of the eighteenth century. Before Laplace none of the mathematical models of the moons orbit was accurate enough to deliver tables that could be used for the lunar distance method.
Mayer took a novel approach, he argued that what was needed was not a new model but more accurate observations and more accurate calculations based on those observations and set to work to deliver and deliver he did. Over several years Mayer made very exact observations of the moons positions and very accurate calculations for his tables and thus he succeeded where others had failed. In 1752 he published his first set of lunar tables and in 1755 he submitted them to the Board of Longitude in London. With his tables it was possible to determine the position of the moon within five seconds of arc making it possible to determine longitude to within half a degree.
I am the more unwilling my tables should lie any longer concealed; especially as the most celebrated astronomers of almost every age have ardently wished for a perfect theory of the Moon … on account of its singular use in navigation. I have constructed theses tables … with respect to the inequalities of motions, from that famous theory of the great Newton, which that eminent mathematician Eulerus first elegantly reduced to general analytic equations.
Mayer’s preface to the 1760 edition of his tables.
Combined with Hadley’s quadrant now modified to a sextant the problem of longitude was effectively solved, although only for days when the moon was visible. After trials and a new improved set of tables, published posthumously, the Board awarded Mayer’s widow a prize of £3000 a very large sum of money in the eighteenth century although only a fraction of the sum awarded to Harrison. The calculations necessary to determine longitude having measured the lunar distance proved to be too complex and too time consuming for seamen and so Neville Maskelyne produced the Nautical Almanac containing the results pre-calculated in the form of tables and published for the first time in 1766.
The Tables of the Moon had been brought by the late Professor Mayer of Göttingen to a sufficient exactness to determine the Longitude at Sea to within a Degree, as appeared by the Trials of several Persons who made use of them. The Difficulty and Length of the necessary Calculations seemed the only Obstacles to hinder them from becoming of general Use.
Contrary to the impression created by Sobel the two methods, lunar distance and marine chronometer, were not rivals but were employed together as a double safety system. Thanks to Sobel’s highly biased book John Harrison’s efforts have become well known and Harrison has become a household name. Mayer however whose services to navigation are just as important remains largely unknown, an anonymity that he does not deserve.
Yesterday Paul Halpern at PACHS posted a nice short piece with a photo of the grave stone of the German mathematician Emmy Noether at Bryn Mawr College. As I wrote in an earlier post I (almost) live in Emmy’s home town and actually studied mathematics at the same university so having seen where her life ended I thought it would be nice to show some photos of where it started.
Because her father was Professor of Mathematics at the university she was allowed to study mathematics there unusual for a woman at that time.
The Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg was founded in 1742 in Bayreuth and moved to Erlangen in 1743. From 1801 the administration moved into this building where it still resides.
All of these universty building are within a couple of hundred metres of Emmy’s birthplace so she didn’t have far to go to do her studies. Emmy is one of the greatest 20th century mathematicians and deserves to be much better known than she is.
Nürnberg: Pencil Capital of the World!
The title of this post is something I wrote in a comment on my previous post on Conrad Gesner. Nürnberg which is home-base to two of the world’s largest produces of drawing and writing instruments Faber-Castell and Staedtler Mars, both of whom started out as pencil manufacturers, could style itself in American fashion, “Pencil Capital of the World!” In fact it chooses to market itself as “Dürer City” figuring for some reason that a world famous Renaissance artist is sexier than the humble lead pencil. Now why Nürnberg is the major centre for the production of pencils and how this came about is something that has puzzled me since I settled here and being a historian I of course set about one day to find out why. I am now going to explain the answer to this question because it’s an interesting example of Renaissance knowledge and technology transfer.
Before turning to Nürnberg and the manufacture of pencils I have to fill in some background about the growth of Nürnberg and its position within Renaissance Europe. Like many European cities Nürnberg was founded at the beginning of the second millennium CE and like most of the others it was originally just a fort or castle on a rock outcrop at a strategically important crossroads. In fact the crossroads was the cause of Nürnberg’s rise to fame and fortune. If you draw a line from the north coast of Germany, say somewhere around Kiel, down to Northern Italy and a second one from Paris to Prague, both of which were important prosperous mediaeval cities, Nürnberg stands where those two lines cross. Nürnberg was a Free Imperial City, which means that it owed feudal allegiance to the German Emperor but to no other more local potentate or ruler. Armed with special tax and customs privileges granted by the Emperor Nürnberg became a major trading power distributing goods brought in from Asia by the North Italian trading cities to the rest of Europe. By the late 14th century the Nürnberg traders had become very rich and started to invest their surplus profits in the new expanding mining industry of Middle Europe. The High Middle Ages saw a massive surge in demand for metals and a rapid expansion of the mining industry, most of the mines being situated in Middle Europe in what is now Eastern Germany, The Czech Republic, Hungary, Rumania etc. Most famous was Joachimsthal in Bohemia centre of the silver mining industry whose silver coins were called Joachims Thaler, which became corrupted to dollar. By the 15th century the rich Nürnberg merchants controlled the Middle European mining industry, at first just trading the ores but the step by step taking over the smelting and production of the metals and finally setting up production units in Nürnberg for all sorts of metal objects, from jewellery to armour and weapons. By the end of the 15th century Nürnberg was one of the leading centres in Europe for metal-based manufacture, amongst other things it was the leading manufacturer of scientific instruments. In this period Nürnberg was the second biggest city in Germany and one of the richest cities in Europe as well as being a leading centre for arts and crafts. For example it was the largest manufacturing centre in Europe for spectacle lenses. The Nürnberg merchant traders also maintained the largest trading post in Venice.
We now turn our attention to the history of the pencil. Pencils originally consisted of a lead rod fitted with a silver tip, this enabled the user to make a faint grey line on his writing material. Sometime in the first half of the 16th century a large natural deposit of graphite was discovered on the surface near Borrowdale in Cumbria in Northern England, the only graphite deposit ever found on the surface. It was soon discovered that one could write better with the new ‘black lead’ than with silver point and the graphite pencil was born. The original deposit of graphite was cut into sticks that were then bound with cloth or string to fashion a writing implement. Over the next decades a healthy trade in the new English black lead pencils developed and the landowner in Cumbria started searching for new supplies of raw material. Because this meant mining he employed the best mining engineers available, the German miners from the metal mines in Middle Europe. These miners returning home at the beginning of the 17th century told their German employers, the merchant traders of Nürnberg, about graphite and the English pencils. Always on the look out to turn an honest Mark and having the best artisan craftsmen in Europe at their disposal they decided to try and get into the pencil market. Despite having the best mining experts in their employ the Nürnberger were unable to find massive graphite deposits in the English style but did discover deposits from which they could recover crushed graphite. They mixed the crushed graphite with other substances, originally various things and then finally clay, and encased their ‘leads’ in a wooden sheath consisting of two hollow halves glued together, a development in pencil making borrowed from the Italians who had replaced the original bindings with wood, and so the modern pencil was born. Staedtler was established in the late 17th century and Farber-Castell in the early 18th century and both are still thriving today although they have long gone beyond the humble lead pencil. | 2019-04-25T06:27:13Z | https://thonyc.wordpress.com/category/local-heroes/ |
Virtues from Motherhood: What is luck anyway?
All my life I’ve heard people tell me I was lucky but every time I heard it as a kid I was confused. Growing up I thought we were like every other family, nothing special, and that all kids lived like I did. Now we weren’t the Kennedy’s or the Kardashian’s by any means but we did have it better than most. Forgive my childhood ignorance but I could never see what luck people always told me I had, to me luck was lots of money, good looks and material things. It wasn’t until I was much older, I’m talking after having Ava that I realized luck is not something you really throw a dollar sign on.
After I started doing taxes and helping people sort out their financial woes it hit me, I’m lucky that I grew up how I had. Now I’m not saying money makes you lucky, I’m saying I’ve seen people who have nothing, they worry if they’ll be able to keep food on the table and their family has left them behind. I’ve seen women who are raising kids truly alone, with no family and no moral support break down and cry. Other people are not as lucky as I am.
Other people don’t have a family who rallies around them and helps them up when they fall, other people don’t have the mind I was gifted with to work in multiple fields. Other people aren’t as lucky to have their health and be able to do something as simple as walk up and down steps, or breathe freely. Luck is immeasurable.
The next time you wish you had a cushy job or didn’t have to work at all think of those who have to work just to keep their lights on, just to make it. The next time you roll your eyes at your mom’s umpteenth request to do something, think of those who’ve lost their mother or worse, never knew her. The idea that luck is material is secondary to the luck that keeps us alive, that means we get to see another day. People who are lucky are people who are gifted with their health, with loving family and with natural ability to do something, like athletics, math or writing and they don’t measure the luck they by the amount of money that brings in.
Luck is the ground you walk on, the eyes you see with, the voice you use to talk to people. So use that voice to do good, to spread love and positivity, spread education and spread the idea that luck is in the people that love you and not in your wallet.
On Wednesday I walked out of my apartment wearing a hoodie and a jacket, thinking that outside was chilly based on how the previous days looked. When I got outside I was surprised by how warm the weather actually was. I had to go back inside and change. Some people even brought out their dresses and flip-flops as if it was summer. Yet later that day, weather reporters were talking about a snow storm heading our way for Thursday. Wait what? The snow fell so much that schools were closed and people were advised to stay safe. Crazy right? How the weather seem to change seasons in just one day. While this change can appear that way for us, is it not surprising at all for meteorologists. They are scientist that study the atmosphere and most of them in this field work for a “government agency, the National Weather Service”. What I understood of meteorologists prior to doing this post was that their job was to study past weather reports in preparation for what can occur in the future. However, they can do way more than that. According to the website ‘CollegeBoard‘, meteorologists can also be hired by businesses “to help them make decisions based on the weather.-Conduct research, [study] the atmosphere, climatic changes, or environmental problems”.
People who might be interested in going into this field must be good in using computers, doing math, science and English. The use of computers is highly important for this career. Meteorologist use computers and intricate math to interpret weather information. Some examples given on the site were for “temperature, wind speed, and humidity.” Those that consider this occupation must have a passion for the science behind it, so they must do well in the subject as well. Finally, they will need English because meteorologists are going to write down their reports and to do that they will need to make sure they are clear in the point they are trying to make. Those that are grad students wanting to become a meteorologist do not need to “major in meteorology”, yet they would need to accomplish demanding course requirements if they desire to work for “the federal government right after earning [their] bachelor’s”. This field is competitive so getting a graduates degree can be just the something that makes you stand out.
Becoming a meteorologist can be an amazing job for those curious about the weather, change in climate and predicting if it will rain or snow. In my opinion it is a great field for those that have a love for the environment and are good in the subjects I mentioned above. If you want to know more about this career check the website provided in this post as well as the link on that page. Thank you for reading. If you found this post interesting, helpful or whatever- you can leave a comment bellow and be sure to continue to explore your own path towards academic self-discovery.
Out of all the desserts that can be consumed throughout the world, I am the biggest fan of ice cream. I find that ice cream can be prepared in so many ways that it can vary in flavor based on the region and its flavor options. Ice cream has evolved so much over the years that it can truly be created in a differing way. There is sweet and savory, store-bought and artisan as well as those that accommodate dietary restrictions such as vegan or gluten-free. I have such a love for ice cream because it is always changing to adjust to the modernization of ingredients.
Taiyaki is a Japanese fish-shaped cake which literally means baked sea bream. There are many variations to this Japanese delicacy which come with an array of fillings both sweet and savory. The most common filling is the red bean paste which consisted of sweetened azuki beans that is ground into a thickly smooth paste. Taiyaki is readily created by the use of waffle batter as well as pancake batter depending on the shop selling them. The batter in then placed into a mold that is shaped like a fish for each side after it is cooked lightly, it is then filled with the desired filling. Then, both halves of the fish shaped waffle is put together to closed the mold then it is cooked on both sides until golden brown. Usually after it is fully cooked is when the soft-serve ice cream is added to top the waffle.
Taiyaki is such a creative dessert as it truly evokes many different textures in one single dessert. The waffle itself comes from a recipe that is designed to be chewy on the inside and crispy on the outside then it is generously paired with the smooth, creaminess of ice cream that fills the entire waffle. Taiyaki has taken New York City by storm in that it has been added to the latest food trend craze. One of the most iconic places to purchase this particular dessert is at Taiyaki NYC which is located in Lower Manhattan and is very inexpensive in that it only costs about seven dollars to purchase an ice cream filled waffle. The flavors of ice cream is constantly updated which makes the experience all the more fun.
Comment below some of your favorite and most unique experiences with ice cream that you have tasted.
After vacationing in California and driving by a coffeehouse in the shape of a coffeepot in order to draw in the driving public, Martin Maurer and his wife Jeule brought back a piece of that philosophy with them. They thought it would help their 27-acre duck farm business and bring more customers to their store. So in 1930 they set out to achieve this goal and hired George Reeve, a carpenter, and brothers William and Samuel Collins, set designers. Together, they fabricated something that would later be called the “decorated shed”. The wooden frame was set, creating a functional interior while starting the overall shape of the Duck. After the structural frame was assembled they began the skeletal work with mesh wire. Then, commenced the process of ferro-cement which entails the placement of a thin veneer of concrete over some type of reinforcement; various forms of concrete can be used, for example, mortar or plaster, in this case they chose cement plaster. The ferro-cement development was completed with the support of the Smith and Yeager Builders. It was then painted; the body an angelically light white, the beak a bright yellow, and the eyes were engineered to glimmer red in the nighttime from the Model T taillights that were placed in each socket. It was completed in 1931 and became the jewel of Flanders, Long Island; standing (…or in this case sitting) at 20 feet high, 30 feet long, and 15 feet wide.
Personally, I was excited to research this structure since it influenced an entire style of architecture coining the term “Duck Architecture” and was one of the major driving forces for the widely used style, Post-Modernism. As me and my mother pulled into the small parking lot adjacent to the Duck, I was immediately overwhelmed; “Do I just walk in?” “What do I say once I go in?” “Do I ask questions?” “Better yet, what are my questions?” I wondered. After quickly chipping away at my mother’s patience, she forced me to go inside. Greeted by warmth, a man, who I’d proclaim to be the Big Duck historian and went by the name of Mr. T, welcomed us and started to give us a briefing of the history of the Duck. From the day it was created to today the Duck has migrated to three times before making its final trip back to its nest also known as Flanders, Long Island; with each move marked a change in ownership. Mr. T and other locals told us that moving the Big Duck threw off navigation for many as the term “Turn left/right from the duck” was depended on, heavily.
After facing the risk of demolition on the last move, the Big Duck was saved by its supporters, fighting for it to be recorded in the national historical landmarks. “Some Brooklyn kids fought to keep it in the ‘80s.” is the way Mr. T put it. In December of 1987 the last owners of the Duck, Kia and Pouran Eshghi, made a crucial decision and donated the Big Duck to the county of Suffolk. Now it’s a gift shop and is managed by the Friends for Long Island Heritage.
Overall it was a great experience and I feel like it was the most fun I have ever had doing research. I think it would be fun for anyone who likes learning about historical landmarks or just loves exploring roadside attractions. Try it out and visit the Big Duck, it might be tiny but it’s packed with lots of history.
This past Friday I had the privilege of speaking on a panel with the First Year Programs office. The focus was around preparing high school students for college and why there is such a disconnect. City Tech faculty, as well as some high school educators were in attendance. Professor Jennifer Sears invited me to sit on the panel as the student voice after being her ENG 1101 classes peer mentor this past fall.
I was pretty nervous to join the panel not only because I was the only student but because at one time I was the student that this particular panel was discussing. My own transition to college was difficult to say the least and I wondered if things would have been different for me had there been so many people trying to fix the problem when it was me who was drowning. I was glad though, that I was able to speak up and represent those students who feel like the system fails them and that nobody really cares if they make it or not.
Being asked to speak in a room full of educators is an honor, but it is also nerve-wracking to say the least. It’s an odd space to be in because although I am a student I am also a professional, having worked in my current job for 6 years as a manager. I can identify with the student struggle with the issues I deal with as a CUNY student but I can also identify the red tape and loopholes large organizations present you with that make it hard to reach every single student.
I used to wonder why I ended up walking the path that I did, albeit some of it was my own doing, I still wondered what fate had in store for me. I think I was meant to struggle a little bit longer because I would eventually be able to advocate for others. For those who can’t or are too afraid I was able to sit on that panel and say this is what’s wrong this is what we can do better for them. Every person is not born with an enormous voice or will power, some have to be nurtured and worked with to get to that point, and if my struggles can help someone else get there, I am okay with it.
On January 21, 2017, Shia LaBeouf, Nastja Säde Rönkkö and Luke Turner launched an art installation in Queens, New York. It’s no irony that it was unveiled on the same day as our new President’s inauguration, because it has everything to do with him. Outside of the Museum of the Moving Image (one of New York’s best museums) stands a wall with a small camera and microphone, and a big mantra on the wall reading “He Will Not Divide Us.” He Will Not Divide Us has allowed everyone in the neighborhood to come together and meditate while repeating the mantra together. It has allowed leftists and rightists to respectfully come together and debate “He,” his policies, and antics, as well as their personal points of view. It has even allowed Neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and trolls to come together in person to make jokes, spew hate and eat pizza (all at the same time). All this happens in front of hundreds of thousands of people around the world, watching the livestream from their homes. The project will be recording live 24/7, for the next four years. At any given moment, there’s something happening on the stream. If you tune in at the right time, you might even see me there. I’ve made new friends during my occasional visits, and watchers have even sent me food while on the stream as a thank you for spreading the peace. Despite all the controversies, this stream has united us in a very weird way. He really won’t divide us after all.
Shia LaBeouf at his art installation.
Youth from the local high school promise to come to the stream every day.
It is very apparent that I truly have a passion for food in all its forms and how it can be conveyed artistically. I thoroughly enjoy the labor involved to create beautiful desserts, but even more, I am visually captivated by the magnitude of precision included to reach that artistic perfection. As a food blogger, I find that I must utilize my platform in order to share the beautiful opportunities that food offers when presented in the utmost of ways. I am a firm believer that food can be an advocate in aiding many lives which only intensifies my passion.
Because even more so, I love when the production of desserts are utilized to benefit local charities that aim to raise awareness of life-threatening illnesses or to fundraise in order to better financially support the causes in particular. I find that this is a more innovative and beneficial way of baking in terms of the food world. I have so often shared and discussed these ideas with my past posts, such as the expansion of lemonade stands around the world through the participation with Alex’s Lemonade Stand or the charity, Cookies for Kid’s Cancer. Both of which were charitable causes to support the fight against childhood cancer with fundraising practices to afford certain research and benefits for struggling families.
Cheesecakes for Change is another organization which was founded in the beautiful state of New York and is costly stationed in Staten Island. The organization aims to benefit local charities by sponsoring a particular charity each month on a constantly rotating basis. Essentially, for each cheesecake sold, five dollars out of every purchase will be donated to that specific charity. The charities vary each month from a vast spectrum of causes. For the month of February, Cheesecakes for Change is sponsoring Second Chance Rescue NYC which is a nonprofit organization with the sole mission of offering a “second chance” to all animals. In order to better protect them by giving them safer environments to receive the love and care that they require instead of being further subjected to abuse, neglect and homelessness. With the help of many dedicated volunteers, the organization continues to flourish while offering veterinary services and spay/neuter programs. They also aim to be a rehabilitation facility for animals while ensuring that there will not be an overpopulation, as they aim for all of the animals to be adopted. Funds received help to further their outreach by establishing their presence for community support through pet food donations, as well as hopes for an expansion to be able to accommodate a greater number of animals.
The greatest incentive as a customer is to know that value of your charitable contribution…to understand the impact that your purchase has made. Cheesecakes for Change is also very accommodating to everyone’s palate and dietary restrictions. They offer specialize cheesecakes that are dairy-free as well as gluten-free options.
Interested/appreciate ice carving? Well here’s an event for you!
Next week, Saturday, February 11th from 3:00pm – 7:00pm, Central Park will be hosting their sixth annual Ice Festival. Artist from the Okamoto Studio will be present using materials such as electric chain saws, chisels, and “picks” to __________ over six thousand pounds of ice replicating statues around the park!
This event is FREE of cost! That’s right, you get to see artist carving ice live for free.
Ice carving originated during the Middle Ages when the wealthy hosted extravagant meals/banquets displayed sculptures made out of not only ice but also fruit.
Ice Sculpting is considered a Cultural Olympiad event in the Olympics!
I look forward to following up and informing you guys on how the event went! If you’re interested in joining me on this adventure let me know! | 2019-04-19T13:23:25Z | https://openlab.citytech.cuny.edu/the-buzz/2017/02/page/2/ |
What images come to your mind when you think of knitting, or crocheting?
Maybe it's those socks you knitted for your husband, the baby sweater for your child, that afghan you crocheted when you moved into your first dorm room, or the shawl you labored over for a bride.
It could be that you're remembering being taught how to hold the needles by your mother. Maybe you're remembering teaching your grandchild. Or those times when you sat around with your yarnie friends talking, laughing and eating.
There's the prowls around your local yarn shop, the field trips to stores in other towns, and looking in the phone book or the internet when you travel to find places to feed your hobbies. There's also those late night, can't sleep, surfing on the internet through Ravelry times.
Knitters knit in trains, planes, and automobiles. They knit in waiting rooms, hospital rooms, libraries, coffee shops, lecture halls, at sports events, camping, and on the beach.
But most of the time, they knit at home.
You may have your dream crafting studio, every corner carefully designed, your materials neatly stored, Or perhaps you've taken up the third bedroom now that the kids have left home and everything is a higgedly piggledy mess, but it's your higgedly piggledy mess. For some, all you have is a chair and a knitting bag holding your current project. Even if you have the dream studio, you probably do most of your knitting in the living room in front of the tv or fireplace. Perhaps there's a cat in your lap, or a baby in your arms.
Knitting brings up images of home. Home is where you can escape from the world. It's where you don't have to be "on" all the time. Home is a place where hopefully you are loved and accepted and where peace can be found whether you live in a houseful of noisy children or quietly all alone.
Home is more than where you eat, sleep and clean. It is a place of destressing, of relaxing, of connecting with yourself or others, of love, laughter, tears, dreams, faith, and hope.
If home is not those things for you, then perhaps it's time to take steps to make it that way. It's time to declare that space as your home or find another home where you can be away from the world, or invite the world in, and know that either way you belong.
Throughout my life I have imagined myself in different homes. Castles made of stone, Victorian mansions with wrap around porches. Gothic houses with libraries, luxury baths, game rooms for the entire family to enjoy, and Christmas trees in every room at holiday time.
But now as I enter the last year of a child at home, I imagine myself alone in a cottage or craftsman by the ocean, knitting in the evenings in front of the TV and fireplace as the tides play and mermaids sing their songs, or waking in the morning to drink coffee on the veranda while watching the sailboats glide by.
Whatever you imagine or create your home to be, let it speak to your heart and soul and give you comfort in a world where sometimes everything is out of control and in chaos.
This weeks special sale is called home.
We have it in 15 beautiful colors. Enough to make sweaters, hats and scarves. Choose one color or play with several.
It's calling you to take it home.
Posted by Anna Maria Junus (happy employee who comes from the sea and is looking forward to returning and calling it home).
What's Going On In Your Yarn Closet When You're Not Looking?
Do you remember the love story of Charly and Zara?
If you need a refresher, it's here.
As some of you may recall, there was an almost immediate update. Charly and Zara eloped the same day their story came out and we had to put out a different yarn to take their place.
Well, it turns out that Charly and Zara had a baby they named Sport.
Before you roll your eyes, remember that yarn stash you have all over the house that multiplies itself? See, it happens.
And I bet some of that stash you don't really want anymore. You bought it in your early days when you thought those great big balls at Ceiling-mart were such a good deal. There was also that sale when you bought that acrylic yarn for a friend's scarf only to find that she hates green. And that blanket that you were going to make for someone but decided you didn't really want to.
And now it's staring at you accusingly. And you've told yourself you can't buy new yarn that you like without doing something with this yarn that you don't like.
We do this to ourselves. We use our hobbies which we love and use it to punish ourselves. Somehow we don't think we deserve to enjoy ourselves.
I'm going to tell you another love story. A true one.
We have a lady who loves to knit blankets for the homeless and others who need them. She brings us about two a month to give to Blankets for Canada. At the time that I write this she has crocheted 442 blankets.
Yes, people. I will repeat that. Four hundred and forty two blankets!
That takes a lot of yarn. Yarn that she doesn't have. She loves to make these blankets and loves to know that they are going to people in need. When she isn't knitting blankets she's volunteering.
So do you see where this is going?
Get out that worsted weight acrylic yarn (yes, those big balls from Ceiling-mart) and bring them over to the store and we will give them to this lady who will turn them into wondrous blankets for those who need them. Now doesn't that idea feel better than giving yourself 50 lashes with your yarn and denying yourself luscious yarn treats because you've got this perfectly good yarn that you don't like sitting in your closet and hiding under your bed - multiplying. It's a win, win, win situation! You win because you can feel good donating yarn to a good cause and freeing yourself from the guilt. Minke wins because she gets to have yarn to crochet her blankets with, and those who need the blankets win because they get a beautiful handmade blanket to keep them warm. Everybody feels good.
So back to the original love story.
We have a lovely pure wool yarn on our special deep discount sale. Sportwool (the apparent offspring of Zara and Charly) is great for hats, scarves, and mitts. Yes, it is named Sport, but it's actually a DK weight. I don't know why companies do this. I think they want to drive us all insane.
And now that you're going to actually do something with that yarn you don't like you can treat yourself to something nice! Although you actually don't need a reason to treat yourself. Just do it because you're a good person.
Posted by Anna Maria Junus (happy employee who loves a good love story even when the offspring is named incorrectly).
When we last left Captain Knit Wit he was in battle with Froggit the arch enemy of yarn and needlework enthusiasts everywhere.
"Your days of torturing people have ended!" Captain Knit Wit held up a knitting needle with one hand, ready to plunge it into the heart of the cowering Froggit.
"You can't get rid of me that easily. I am eternal. As long as crafters make things, I will be there! I am essential. I am necessary."
An evil smile spread over Froggit's face. "Look over there!" he pointed.
"Where?" Captain Knit Wit looked around. "I can't see anything." He looked back to find Froggit gone.
In frustration he threw the knitting needle on the floor. "Gah! How does he manage to always escape me!"
Meanwhile in Froggit's super secret lair, his minions Rippit and Gurr were carefully watching the monitors.
"Look, look. She's not paying attention. She's too busy watching Game of Thrones to notice that she's knitting instead of purling." Rippit rubbed his hands together.
"This one over here is talking to her stitching circle and is using the wrong DMC color in her stitching. Look a whole section with the wrong color!" Gurr took a sip of his water.
"Froggit will be pleased with what?" Froggit stormed into the room.
"Look, crafters are making mistakes!" Rippit grinned.
Froggit looked at the monitors. "Well, of course they're making mistakes. They always do. How are you helping them to?"
"We don't have to help them. They do it on their own."
"Gah! I have idiots who serve me. You have only two? Why aren't you doing more?"
"What do you mean do more?"
"Have you removed knitting needles from projects and replaced them with a different size? Or two different sizes? Have you mixed up the numbers on the embroidery floss? Have you spilled coffee on patterns, or better still, stuck two pages together so that they start off with one pattern and end up working on another? Have you changed the tension on sewing machines? Have you unraveled crocheted pieces and stitched them back up incorrectly? Have you dropped stitches on lace or switched directions on cables? You can't just leave it up to these people to make mistakes. They need help to make the mistakes. Idiots!" Froggit smacked Gurr in the head. Ruppit already knew to stand far away when Froggit went on a rant.
Satisfied that he had made his point, Froggit asked, "Now what's going on with Knit Wit?"
"I thought he was with you," Rippit replied.
"He was. I got out of there. It wasn't hard. I used the old "look over there," trick."
"And he fell for it? Again?"Rippit said.
"Like I said, it wasn't hard." Froggit sat down in a chair and looked at the screens. "So what's happening with him?"
"We don't know," Gurr said. "He's not showing up anywhere on our monitors."
"Probably gone away to hide his head in shame," Froggit said. "
Meanwhile in Captain Knit Wit's super secret lair, his associates were watching monitors.
"Any sign of them?" Captain Knit Wit asked Enabler and Impulse.
"Nope. They seem to be behaving themselves at the moment." Enabler said. "You had him. What happened?"
"He used the "look over there" trick."
"And you fell for it. Again?" Impulse said.
"Hey, he's sneaky. You don't know what it's like."
"Captain. Look at this!" Enabler said.
Captain Knit Wit looked closely at the monitor. "Isn't that one of his minions? What is he doing?"
"Looks like he's unscrewing the cable on those interchangeable needles."
"So when she comes back to her work she picks it up and all her stitches fall off the needle," the captain said. "Wait! What's he doing now?"
"He's draping the yarn around the cat!" Impulse said.
"That's diabolical! Well I'm off. Time to rescue that poor lady's knitting."
"Where?" the Captain looked around. "Aw! Cut that out, you guys! I'm outta here!" The Captain disappeared through the door with a whoosh leaving papers fluttering.
Enabler shook his head. "He's going to get himself impaled on a knitting needle one day."
"Hey, let's ditch this for a couple of hours and go to the craft store," Impulse suddenly said. "There's a 75% off sale at the Crafty Lady."
"I'm with you!" Enabler agreed.
is on his way to save another poor crafter's dilemma, once again fighting the good fight and ridding the world of Froggit and his minions' dastardly deeds.
And be sure to check out our sale.
I put a hidden question in the middle of last week's blog and no one answered it.
Sigh. I guess no one reads this stuff. You just scroll straight to the bottom to see the sale.
I suppose if I said that I was knitting a life size elephant, no one would notice that either. Or if I said I was breaking the rules and knitting my boyfriend (a famous celebrity who will be unnamed) a sweater, no one would ask a question. Or if I said that I've been challenged by NASA to create a moon cozy that would be ignored as well.
The life and work of an artist is so unappreciated.
I will tell you about Crafty Lady Night. Every Thursday from 6-9 pm you can come to our store, find a cozy spot on our lovely new couches, and knit, or crochet, or weave, or cross stitch, or make plans to rule the world. We really don't mind what you do as long as you're reasonably social. You get coffee or tea, a snack and lively conversation with other people who are making their own plans to knit things for every baby they know or to rule the world. And all that for only five bucks. Which isn't a bad deal. Sure you can stay home and knit, but why not do so with others. Sure you can plan your own crafting party, but that would mean calling people on the phone, cleaning your house, making refreshments and getting rid of any non-crafter or non-rule the world people. That sounds like a lot of work to me.
As for the sale - yes I know that's the only reason you're reading this, we are still in the process of selling off our Patons line. It's really lovely yarn but due to distributor issues we can no longer carry it. We are sad to see it go, but it's a bonus to you since you get to partake of this wonderful sale.
A light weight yarn with a mohair halo. This is beautiful soft yarn that comes in lots of solids and verigateds. Great for shawls but also for sweaters. We have lots of colors and at the moment of writing this, plenty for sweaters.
Posted by Anna Maria Junus (happy employee who would come to Crafty Lady Night even if I didn't work here).
Donegal is a town in _____.
1. Cashmere comes from goats. If you answered rabbits, that's a pretty good guess, but it's angora that comes from rabbits and goats. If you guessed beings from outer space, then I like the way you think and maybe we could get together for coffee sometime.
Cashmere is collected during the spring moulting season when the goats naturally shed their winter coat. In the Northern Hemisphere, the goats moult as early as March and as late as May.
In some regions, the mixed mass of down and coarse hair is removed by hand with a coarse comb that pulls tufts of fiber from the animal as the comb is raked through the fleece. The collected fiber then has a higher yield of pure cashmere after the fiber has been washed and dehaired. The long, coarse guard hair is then typically clipped from the animal and is often used for brushes, interfacings and other non-apparel uses. Animals in Iran, Afghanistan, New Zealand, and Australia are typically shorn of their fleece, resulting in a higher coarse hair content and lower pure cashmere yield. In America, the most popular method is combing. The process takes up to two weeks, but with a trained eye for when the fiber is releasing, it is possible to comb the fibers out in about a week.
If you answered B, then that's some wild parties you've been to. Don't let other people know about them because then they might avoid you - unless that's what you want.
3. Cashmere is the under hairs of the animal. Even more specifically the neck area.
Cashmere goats produce a double fleece that consists of a fine, soft undercoat or underdown of hair mingled with a straighter and much coarser outer coating of hair called guard hair. For the fine underdown to be sold and processed further, it must be de-haired. De-hairing is a mechanical process that separates the coarse hairs from the fine hair. After de-hairing, the resulting "cashmere" is ready to be dyed and converted into textile yarn, fabrics and garments.
Now are you seeing why cashmere is known to be exotic and expensive? Between having the job of combing and carefully gathering the yarn, and then having to go through the yarn to pick out all the coarse outer hairs, and that it comes from the neck area - shearing lambs looks easy.
If you answered "C. magical substances handed down from aliens", the only magical substances handed down from aliens that I can think of are chocolate and coffee.
References to woolen shawls appear in texts surviving from between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD. However, the founder of the cashmere wool industry is traditionally thought to have been the 15th-century ruler of Kashmir, Zain-ul-Abidin, who introduced weavers fromTurkestan. Other sources consider that cashmere crafts were introduced by Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani. In the 14th century Mir Ali Hamadani came to Kashmir along with 700 craftsmen from parts of Persia. When he came to Ladakh, the homeland of cashmere goats, for the first time in history he found that the Ladakhi goats produced soft wool. He took some wool and made socks and gave them as a gift to the king of Kashmir, sultan Kutabdin. Afterwards Hamadani suggested to the king that they start a shawl weaving industry in Kashmir using this wool. UNESCO reported in 2014 that Ali Hamadani was one of the principal historical figures who shaped the culture of Kashmir, both architecturally and also through the flourishing of arts and crafts and hence economy in Kashmir. The skills and knowledge that he brought to Kashmir gave rise to an entire industry.
So if there is a goat god named Cashmere, the yarn is not named after him or her and therefore chanting, dancing naked, and chicken bones are not required. All you need is a pair of knitting needles, and threats to your family not to touch your cashmere or you will shear their heads to make yarn.
And now for the sale info.
Hats, mitts, and scarves. Imagine your very own cashmere scarf. And you won't even have to comb through a goat to get it.
Posted by Anna Maria Junus (happy employee who you will never see dancing naked in a forest - not that I would never do it, you would just never see it - besides, it would cause blindness). | 2019-04-21T17:10:44Z | http://thecraftyladyoflacombe.blogspot.com/2016/08/ |
Various embodiments of phonetic keys for the Japanese language are described herein. A Kana rule set is applied to Kana characters provided by a user. The Kana characters are defined in an alphabetic language based on the sound of the Kana characters. A full phonetic key is then generated based on the defined Kana characters. A replaced-vowel phonetic key is generated by replacing a vowel in the full phonetic key and a no-vowel phonetic key is generated by removing the vowel in the full phonetic key. Kana records in a database are then processed to determine a relevant Kana record that has a phonetic key identical to at least one of the full phonetic key, the replaced-vowel phonetic key, and the no-vowel phonetic key. The relevant Kana records are then presented to the user.
The field relates generally to language processing systems. More particularly, the field is related to phonetic keys for the Japanese Kana language system.
Phonetic keys for the English language have been used in many applications. In computer-related applications, phonetic keys can be used for data searching and database record searching. Typically, a phonetic key is a series of characters that capture the sound of one or more words. The characters in a phonetic key can include a combination of numbers, symbols, and alphabets.
Several methods have been developed to produce phonetic keys for a given word in English or some Latin-based languages. Soundex, Metaphone, and Double Metaphone are some of the methods used for producing phonetic keys. Soundex technique produces a phonetic code consisting of a letter followed by three numbers. Generally, the letter is the first letter of a word, and the numbers encode the remaining consonants. The Metaphone method produces variable-length phonetic keys unlike the fixed-length keys of the Soundex method. Similar sounding words share the same keys in the Metaphone method. The Double Metaphone method produces two phonetic keys, namely, a variable-length primary key as in the Metaphone method and a variable-length secondary key to account for alternate pronunciations.
However, Soundex, Metaphone, Double Metaphone, and other similar methods are suitable for English and Latin-based languages. These methods may not be applicable to complex languages such as the Japanese language. Developing phonetic keys for the Japanese language would be desirable.
Various embodiments of phonetic keys for the Japanese language are described herein. A user can provide Kana characters either in Hiragana form or Katakana form. The Kana characters are received and a Kana rule set is applied to the Kana characters. The Kana characters are then defined in an alphabetic language, such as English, based on the sound of the Kana characters. A full phonetic key is then generated based on the defined Kana characters. A replaced-vowel phonetic key is generated by replacing a vowel in the full phonetic key and a no-vowel phonetic key is generated by removing the vowel in the full phonetic key. If there are alternate sounds for the same Kana characters, a set of full phonetic keys, replaced-vowel phonetic keys, and no-vowel phonetic keys are generated for each sound. Kana records in a database are then processed to determine a relevant Kana record that has a phonetic key identical to at least one of the full phonetic key, the replaced-vowel phonetic key, and the no-vowel phonetic key. The relevant Kana records are then presented to the user.
These and other benefits and features of embodiments of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments thereof, presented in connection with the following drawings.
The claims set forth the embodiments of the invention with particularity. The invention is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. The embodiments of the invention, together with its advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a Japanese-Kana language processing method for generating phonetic keys, according to one embodiment.
FIGS. 2A to 2D illustrate a tabular list of syllabic Kana characters and their respective definitions in English, according to one embodiment.
FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate exemplary phonetic keys that are generated from the Kana characters, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a procedure for finding a relevant Kana word using the phonetic keys, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system for processing Japanese-Kana language, according to one embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system, according to one embodiment.
Embodiments of techniques for phonetic keys for the Japanese language are described herein. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “this embodiment” and similar phrases, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of these phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a Japanese-Kana language processing method 100 for generating phonetic keys. The Kana script includes a Hiragana form or a Katakana form, each having its own character sets. A user can provide Kana characters either in Hiragana or Katakana. These Kana characters can be a Kana word, a part of a Kana word, a Kana syllable, or a plurality of Kana words. The Kana characters provided by the user are received at 102.
. According to another rule, if the Kana characters include a space between them, the space is omitted to obtain continuous Kana characters.
” is recognized as a single character. According to another rule, the long sound character is omitted from the Kana characters.
” has a moraic nasal sound.
,” then they are defined as “nagasaki” in English. FIGS. 2A to 2D show a list of Kana syllables (both Hiragana and Katakana) that are defined in English.
). Also, if the defined Kana characters include a vowel combination of “ei” or “ou,” then the primary full phonetic key is generated by retaining only the vowel ‘e’ or “o,” respectively. If the defined Kana characters do not include adjoining vowels or the vowel combination of “ei” or “ou,” then the defined Kana characters form the primary full phonetic key.
” has two sounds, namely, “wo” and “uo.” A primary full phonetic key “worumato” is generated for a first sound and a secondary full phonetic key “uorumato” is generated for a second sound.
After the primary full phonetic key is generated, a primary replaced-vowel phonetic key is generated 112. The primary replaced-vowel phonetic key is generated by replacing all the vowels in the primary full phonetic key with a non-Japanese special character such as an underscore mark. For example, “worumato” has vowels ‘o,’ ‘u,’ ‘a,’ and ‘o’. Therefore, “w_r_m_t_” is primary replaced-vowel phonetic key can be generated from the primary full phonetic key “worumato.” Similarly, if there is a secondary full phonetic key, a secondary replaced-vowel phonetic key can be generated at 114 by replacing the vowels in the secondary full phonetic key with an underscore mark. But a first vowel in the primary full phonetic key or the secondary full phonetic key is retained if the primary full phonetic key or the secondary full phonetic key starts with the first vowel. For example, the secondary full phonetic key “uorumato” has vowels ‘u,’ ‘o,’ ‘u,’ ‘a,’ and ‘o’ in the same order. The first or starting vowel is the first ‘u.’ Therefore, “u_r_m_t_” is the secondary replaced-vowel phonetic key.
A primary no-vowel phonetic key is generated at 116 using the primary full phonetic key. The primary no-vowel phonetic key is generated by removing the vowels in the primary full phonetic key. For example, the primary full phonetic key “worumato” has vowels ‘o,’ ‘u,’ ‘a,’ and ‘o.’ Therefore, “wrmt” is the primary no-vowel phonetic key that will be generated. Similarly, if there is a secondary full phonetic key, a secondary no-vowel phonetic key can be generated at 118 by removing the vowels in the secondary full phonetic key. A first vowel in the primary full phonetic key or the secondary full phonetic key is not removed if the primary full phonetic key or the secondary full phonetic key starts with the first vowel. For example, the secondary full phonetic key “uorumato” has vowels ‘u,’ ‘o,’ ‘u,’ ‘a,’ and ‘o,’ with the first or starting vowel ‘u.’ Therefore, “urmt” is the secondary no-vowel phonetic key that will be generated.
The primary full phonetic key, the primary replaced-vowel phonetic key, and the primary no-vowel phonetic key can then be used in several applications. In one embodiment, a single phonetic key (full, replaced-vowel, or no-vowel) or a combination of these phonetic keys are used to query a database at 120. And if an alternate sound exists, the secondary full phonetic key, the secondary replaced-vowel phonetic key, and the secondary no-vowel phonetic key are also generated and used to query a database.
” are Katakana characters that are defined as “to” in English. This tabular list may be provided in a database. This list may not be exhaustive and can be edited or updated according to preferences and to keep pace with developments in Kana language.
” are defined as “uisuki.” Since there no identical and adjoining vowels or the vowel combination of “ei” or “ou,” the primary full phonetic key is “uisuki.” The primary replaced-vowel phonetic key is “u_s_k_” and the primary no-vowel phonetic key is “usk.” Similarly, the secondary full phonetic key is “wisuki,” the secondary replaced-vowel phonetic key is “w_s_k_” and the secondary no-vowel phonetic key is “wsk.” Other keys in FIGS. 3A TO 3C are similarly generated.
The phonetic keys can be used in several ways and environments. According to one embodiment 400 as shown in FIG. 4, the phonetic keys can be used to find relevant Kana words in a database. For a Kana character provided by a user, a full phonetic key, a replaced-vowel phonetic key, and a no-vowel phonetic key are generated at 402 according to the method described in FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the phonetic keys can be truncated at 404 to a desired or specified length. This length can be a system configuration. For example, if the phonetic key length is specified as six characters or less, then the generated full phonetic key, replaced-vowel phonetic key, and no-vowel phonetic key are truncated at 404 if they have more than six characters.
At 406, Kana records in a database are processed to determine a relevant Kana record. The Kana records include Kana words or any data in Kana. As part of processing, phonetic keys of the Kana records in the database are compared with the full phonetic key, the replaced-vowel phonetic key, and the no-vowel phonetic key. A relevant Kana record can then be determined as the word or words having a phonetic key identical to any one of the full phonetic key, the replaced-vowel phonetic key, and the no-vowel phonetic key. The phonetic keys of the Kana records in the database can be determined using the procedure described in FIG. 1 (i.e. by applying rule set, defining in English, and generating full, replaced-vowel, and no-vowel phonetic keys) and stored in the database. The relevant Kana record is then presented to the user at 408.
At 406, the full phonetic key, the replaced-vowel phonetic key, and the no-vowel phonetic key can be selectively used based on the level of similarity required between the user-entered Kana characters and database records. For example, if there is a requirement for closest or exact match, the full phonetic key can be used to retrieve records from the database. If the requirement is to find similar matches, the replaced-vowel phonetic key can be used, which increases the number of records obtained from the database. An even lower level of similar matches can be obtained using the no-vowel phonetic key, which further increases the number of records obtained from the database.
As part of the processing, multiple keys can be used to find relevant results in an efficient way. For example, the full phonetic key can be used first to retrieve records from the database. If the results are satisfactory, the process of searching with replaced-vowel and no-vowel phonetic keys can be stopped. If good results are not returned or if there are no records obtained by using the full phonetic key, the match criteria can be broadened using the replaced-vowel phonetic key to get more similar matches. If the results are still not satisfactory, the no-vowel phonetic key can be used to find less similar matches.
FIG. 5 illustrates a system 500 for processing Japanese-Kana language, according to one embodiment. The system 500 includes a database 502, an input device 504, a processor 506, a phonetic key generator 508, and a presentation device such as a display 510. The database 502 includes Kana records or any Kana data in Japanese Kana language. The database 502 can also include additional records or data in Kanji or any other language in addition to the Kana records. The additional records may be associated with Kana records. A user enters Kana characters using the input device 504. The input device 504 can be a keyboard or a device that converts speech into text. The processor 506 executes instructions in the phonetic key generator 508 after the Kana characters are received. A Kana rule set 512 is then applied to the Kana characters. In one embodiment, the Kana rule set 512 can be stored in the database 502. The tabular list shown in FIGS. 2A to 2D can also be provided in the database 502. This list can be updated and customized. The list is used to define Kana characters in English based on their sound. Following which, a full phonetic key, a replaced-vowel phonetic key, and a no-vowel phonetic key are generated.
The phonetic keys can be truncated to a desired or specified length. This length can be part of the system 500 configuration. The processor 506 then processes data in the database 502 to determine relevant Kana words. The processor 502 refers to the phonetic key generator 508 to determine which Kana records in the database 502 have phonetic keys identical to the generated phonetic keys. In one embodiment, the full, replaced-vowel, and no-vowel phonetic keys for the Kana records in the database 502 are generated and stored in the database 502. These stored phonetic keys can be readily used to compare with the generated phonetic keys. The relevant Kana records include Kana words that have phonetic keys identical to at least one of the generated phonetic keys. The relevant Kana records are then presented to the user on the display 510. Any additional data (in Kanji or other language) associated with the relevant Kana records can also be presented to the user on the display 510. The processor can selectively use any one or combination of the generated phonetic keys (full, replaced-vowel, or no-vowel) based on the level of similarity required between the user-entered Kana characters and Kana records in the database. This level of similarity can be configured in the system 500.
Some embodiments of the invention may include the above-described methods being written as one or more software components. These components, and the functionality associated with each, may be used by client, server, distributed, or peer computer systems. These components may be written in a computer language corresponding to one or more programming languages such as, functional, declarative, procedural, object-oriented, lower level languages and the like. They may be linked to other components via various application programming interfaces and then compiled into one complete application for a server or a client. Alternatively, the components may be implemented in server and client applications. Further, these components may be linked together via various distributed programming protocols. Some example embodiments of the invention may include remote procedure calls being used to implement one or more of these components across a distributed programming environment. For example, a logic level may reside on a first computer system that is remotely located from a second computer system containing an interface level (e.g., a graphical user interface). These first and second computer systems can be configured in a server-client, peer-to-peer, or some other configuration. The clients can vary in complexity from mobile and handheld devices, to thin clients and on to thick clients or even other servers.
The above-illustrated software components are tangibly stored on a computer readable storage medium as instructions. The term “computer readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media that stores one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer readable storage medium” should be taken to include any physical article that is capable of undergoing a set of physical changes to physically store, encode, or otherwise carry a set of instructions for execution by a computer system which causes the computer system to perform any of the methods or process steps described, represented, or illustrated herein. Examples of computer readable storage media include, but are not limited to: magnetic media, such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs and holographic devices; magneto-optical media; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute, such as application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), programmable logic devices (“PLDs”) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer readable instructions include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented using Java, C++, or other object-oriented programming language and development tools. Another embodiment of the invention may be implemented in hard-wired circuitry in place of, or in combination with machine readable software instructions.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system 600. The computer system 600 includes a processor 605 that executes software instructions or code stored on a computer readable storage medium 655 to perform the above-illustrated methods of the invention. The computer system 600 includes a media reader 640 to read the instructions from the computer readable storage medium 655 and store the instructions in storage 610 or in random access memory (RAM) 615. The storage 610 provides a large space for keeping static data where at least some instructions could be stored for later execution. The stored instructions may be further compiled to generate other representations of the instructions and dynamically stored in the RAM 615. The processor 605 reads instructions from the RAM 615 and performs actions as instructed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the computer system 600 further includes an output device 625 (e.g., a display) to provide at least some of the results of the execution as output including, but not limited to, visual information to users and an input device 630 to provide a user or another device with means for entering data and/or otherwise interact with the computer system 600. Each of these output devices 625 and input devices 630 could be joined by one or more additional peripherals to further expand the capabilities of the computer system 600. A network communicator 635 may be provided to connect the computer system 600 to a network 650 and in turn to other devices connected to the network 650 including other clients, servers, data stores, and interfaces, for instance. The modules of the computer system 600 are interconnected via a bus 645. Computer system 600 includes a data source interface 620 to access data source 660. The data source 660 can be accessed via one or more abstraction layers implemented in hardware or software. For example, the data source 660 may be accessed by network 650. In some embodiments the data source 660 may be accessed via an abstraction layer, such as, a semantic layer.
A data source is an information resource. Data sources include sources of data that enable data storage and retrieval. Data sources may include databases, such as, relational, transactional, hierarchical, multi-dimensional (e.g., OLAP), object oriented databases, and the like. Further data sources include tabular data (e.g., spreadsheets, delimited text files), data tagged with a markup language (e.g., XML data), transactional data, unstructured data (e.g., text files, screen scrapings), hierarchical data (e.g., data in a file system, XML data), files, a plurality of reports, and any other data source accessible through an established protocol, such as, Open DataBase Connectivity (ODBC), produced by an underlying software system (e.g., ERP system), and the like. Data sources may also include a data source where the data is not tangibly stored or otherwise ephemeral such as data streams, broadcast data, and the like. These data sources can include associated data foundations, semantic layers, management systems, security systems and so on.
In the above description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details or with other methods, components, techniques, etc. In other instances, well-known operations or structures are not shown or described in details to avoid obscuring aspects of the invention.
Although the processes illustrated and described herein include series of steps, it will be appreciated that the different embodiments of the present invention are not limited by the illustrated ordering of steps, as some steps may occur in different orders, some concurrently with other steps apart from that shown and described herein. In addition, not all illustrated steps may be required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present invention. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the processes may be implemented in association with the apparatus and systems illustrated and described herein as well as in association with other systems not illustrated.
The above descriptions and illustrations of embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the following claims, which are to be interpreted in accordance with established doctrines of claim construction.
present the relevant Kana record to the user.
truncate the full phonetic key, the replaced-vowel phonetic key, the no-vowel phonetic key, or combinations thereof to a specified length.
generating the no-vowel phonetic key, comprises generating a primary no-vowel phonetic key by removing the vowel in the primary full phonetic key; and if the alternate sound exists, generating a secondary no-vowel key by removing the vowel in the secondary full phonetic key.
if the at least one Kana character includes a long sound character, omitting the long sound character.
if the at least one Kana character includes a small form character followed by a succeeding large form character of a same character, omitting the small form character.
if the at least one Kana character includes a moraic nasal sound character, converting the moraic nasal sound character into a second non-Japanese special character or mark.
if the defined at least one Kana character includes two or more identical and adjoining vowels, retaining only one of the vowels.
replacing all the vowels in the full phonetic key, except for a first vowel if the full phonetic key starts with the first vowel, with a non-Japanese special character.
10. The article of manufacture of claim 9, wherein the non-Japanese special character is an underscore mark.
removing all the vowels, except for a first vowel if the full phonetic key starts with the first vowel, in the full phonetic key.
12. The article of manufacture of claim 1, wherein the alphabetic language is English.
presenting the relevant Kana record to the user.
truncating the full phonetic key, the replaced-vowel phonetic key, the no-vowel phonetic key, or combinations thereof to a specified length.
generating the no-vowel phonetic key, comprises: generating a primary no-vowel phonetic key by removing the vowel in the primary full phonetic key; and if the alternate sound exists, generating a secondary no-vowel key by removing the vowel in the secondary full phonetic key.
22. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-Japanese special character is an underscore mark.
24. The method of claim 13, wherein the alphabetic language is English.
generate the no-vowel phonetic key, comprises: generating a primary no-vowel phonetic key by removing the vowel in the primary full phonetic key; and if the alternate sound exists, generating a secondary no-vowel key by removing the vowel in the secondary full phonetic key.
34. The system of claim 33, wherein the non-Japanese special character is an underscore mark.
36. The system of claim 25, wherein the alphabetic language is English.
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Wikipedia; Monogram; Jun. 25, 2010; Wikipedia; (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monogram). | 2019-04-24T20:52:08Z | https://patents.google.com/patent/US8315851B2/en |
Does a Granny Hump Affect Confidence?
Granny hump and hunchback are terms to describe the abnormal hump just below the neck. This abnormal hump can cause decreased mood and confidence. For this article, we will call granny hump, Anterior Head Syndrome (AHS). AHS is usually the cause of a granny hump.
You’ve seen AHS at nursing homes, or your parents/grandparents may have one. Imagine going into an interview with a granny hump. You might feel less confident right? It’s similar to having a large zit on your nose during a cocktail party. You know it’s there, but it’ll continue to exist as is. It could be a confidence killer!
Like normal body temperature, weight, and blood pressure, you have normal spinal alignment. The presence of AHS confirms a spinal segment is a deviation from normal. Prolonged AHS and slumped shoulders cause spinal segments to shift from normal range causing dysfunction.
AHS will be more prevalent with kids and teenagers. You’ll see early stages of AHS in junior high school. As a Structural Correction chiropractor, the increased prevalence is unacceptable. Luckily AHS can be prevented and improved.
Similar to lifting weights, the more frequent the workouts, the more noticeable the muscles. If poor habits continue, a hump will be more noticeable.
Do your kids take tests? I hope they do! Whether on paper or computer screen, prolonged hunching over will cause forward head movement. Add the next habit and you’re looking at trouble!
Using a smartphone causes the neck to flex forward, shifting spinal segments from normal position.
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MR. GIBBS: Just a couple of quick announcements. The President has asked Bruce Riedel to chair an interagency policy review of U.S. policy toward Afghanistan and Pakistan, to be completed before the NATO summit in April. Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Michelle Flournoy, the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, will co-chair. Mr. Riedel will report directly to the President and National Security Advisor Jim Jones.
Mr. Riedel is working at the White House for 60 days while he's on leave from the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institute, where he's a senior fellow.
And also, one other announcement. Senator Harry Reid and Speaker Pelosi -- Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi were at the White House this morning, and formally invited the President to speak to a joint session of Congress on February 24th. So that invitation has been offered and accepted. So the President will speak to Congress in a joint session -- I believe that's Fat Tuesday, February 24th -- (laughter) -- much to my chagrin and what I would normally would have wanted to do that night. But you'll hear the President instead.
Q Do you want to make news on what you normally would do on Mardi Gras?
MR. GIBBS: I have to say I like to -- I used to have a party for Mardi Gras. We would cook -- a little gumbo, a little etouffee. It's been a couple years since I had that party.
MR. GIBBS: This is strictly above board.
Q Are you guys seeing any positive results from last night and yesterday in terms of calls to Congress or any kind of polling?
MR. GIBBS: I think sometime in the middle of last week, I know. I know that I had heard Senator Nelson was getting a lot of calls thanking him for helping to broker a deal that moved the process forward. I can certainly check with some of our legislative guys. But I think obviously -- and there will be a vote a little bit later on, obviously, today. But I think what we saw yesterday, Republicans and Democrats moving the process forward, it's an important step and hopefully we can get it passed through the Senate a little bit later on today.
Q Can I ask you about the bailout, two things? All the pieces that are being talked about in the stories describing the announcement seem like it's impossible for that -- including the housing thing coming next week, I guess -- seem like it's impossible for that to add up to $350 billion. How are you going to get -- I mean, how are you going to explain that? Can you really just say, well, we'll figure out later whether we need more money?
MR. GIBBS: I don't -- the President, on a number of occasions both as President, during the transition, and in the campaign -- said that his administration would do what was necessary to ensure stability in our financial system. But before we fast-forward to what's needed after we spend the money that's already there, or whether we need more money and how much, I think it's ahead, quite frankly, of the notion that -- we saw the way that the first amount of money was used and we see what has to be done differently in order, one, to make that pot go farther, but also to give the American people some reasonable confidence that their money is being spent in a way that will help them.
Q -- argument to be made that you want to be honest with the public and with lawmakers who are asked to pass this stuff about how much money they're going to have to commit to?
MR. GIBBS: I would agree that honesty is important. It would be awkward if I didn't. But again, before we get fast-forwarded to what's the next step after the next step, I think it's important to understand for people that they're going to put together something, first of all, that's more transparent and more accountable. Obviously we're going to deal -- begin to deal with the home foreclosures crisis. And just so you guys know, not only is Ft. Myers a place where unemployment was 6 percent last year and is now 10 percent -- and again, those are figures that don't include last month's unemployment numbers. The state and local unemployment numbers aren't broken down until later in the process.
Two years ago their unemployment rate was 3 percent; it's now 10. The area of Ft. Myers had the highest rate of home foreclosure of any area in the country last year. And the state of Florida is only behind Nevada in terms of overall state rate of home foreclosure. So we're going to have to deal with that crisis.
We're going to have to use partnerships and incentives to get banks to take the money and lend that to businesses and families. We're going to have to stabilize the system. I think Secretary Geithner in a few minutes will talk about ensuring that banks -- we can't just ensure what they need, but we have to figure out what they have, what's on their books; there has to be some accountability and transparency. I think the Secretary will talk about, in layman's terms, giving banks a stress test to see what's out there.
The President believes and the Secretary believe that before we get to the step after this, it's important that we give people the confidence that they need that the way we're going to undertake financial stability is going to be different than the way it was done by the last administration -- in a way that's accountable, transparent, and that people in America can see real and genuine results around that reform.
Q -- calm can be restored to the credit markets is for market psychology to improve. And if he's offering a plan that is basically piecemeal, is there any worry that the financial markets aren't going to be satisfied with this and are going to feel like there's a big question mark hanging over this that there's a reluctance to ask for more money that may be needed?
MR. GIBBS: Let me just -- let me step back for half a second. We're talking about $350 billion, right? We're arguing in the Senate and the House this week over a difference of, like, $27 billion, and it's taken up probably 50 questions that I've answered in the last three days. So I don't want to give short shrift to 10 times that amount of money as being "piecemeal."
MR. GIBBS: I've seen numbers that vary quite a bit. Again, I don't -- I'm certainly not going to stand up here -- I don't think the Secretary or the President would preclude the need for more, if that's what we determine. But I think there has to be that comprehensive review. We have to figure out from banks what shape they're in.
Obviously -- and this was a big deal last week -- the valuation of assets is going to determine a lot of this because we've got to figure out if you're helping to clear bad assets what's the value of those.
Q Are you using market prices to mark down those portfolios?
MR. GIBBS: I'm not going to get deep into the valuation process.
Q That's the transparency -- it's either market values or it's some kind of fiction.
MR. GIBBS: Well -- (laughter) -- you know, the guy hasn't given his speech yet. It's already been called "fictional" and "piecemeal." You guys are tough today.
MR. GIBBS: Let me address it. I mean, again, one, I think it is a big deal the way that the financial stability will be -- the financial stability will be done differently. I don't want to minimize the possibility that the problem obviously is larger than the amount of money that Congress originally intended last year, or that Congress finished appropriating earlier this year. But instead of fast-forwarding beyond the important steps that have to be taken in order to give the public confidence, I don't want to get beyond that at this point to what you see next.
In terms of transparency and accountability, when we get into valuations and things like that, certainly the Treasury Department will have more details. But I think the public will be very assured that the process by which this Department of Treasury undergoes this process will be different than the last one.
Q Robert, there's a report that Larry Summers flew on the Citigroup jet home from the Democratic Convention in August. Was it appropriate for an economic advisor to the President to do that? And should he in some way recuse himself from dealing with anything that would involve Citigroup?
MR. GIBBS: No, I think last August Larry Summers was a private citizen.
Q -- the idea that there was a debate between the White House and Geithner over how tough to get on banks?
MR. GIBBS: I'll let -- I can bring Axelrod back to talk to you on that. I was in some of those meetings. I didn't quite see those meetings as some people at The New York Times might have seen those meetings. I think the President and his team are very comfortable with where we are. I think, having been in meetings, particularly about executive compensation, I didn't see the type of push and pull that somebody clearly did before they called the newspaper. I think the President is very happy with the plan that we have, understanding that it's just one part of, as he said last night, a number of things that have to take place in order to get our financial system in order and get the economy moving again.
Q So there's no conflict with Summers having flown on the Citigroup jet?
MR. GIBBS: Again, I think Larry was a private citizen at the time. I think I'll leave it at that.
MR. GIBBS: Absolutely. I mean, I don't -- again, as the President has talked about a lot, it would be easy for him or for us if there was simply one thing that we knew we had to do in order to get the economy moving again. Let's just say we could focus on recovery. But the truth is, as he said, we have to focus on recovery, we have to focus on stability. Inside of stability is also dealing with home foreclosures. So there are many legs to this stool. But there's no question that the President will talk about -- the President will talk about this plan and the need to make sure that the accountability is there and that the way money is spent is different.
The President is also a very big believer -- and I think you saw this at yesterday's event and last night, which is the public needs to understand the challenges that we face. Many of them do, because they're living them every day. But it's important that the public also understands the steps Washington is trying to take to make their plight better.
So the President will talk about this. Our focus in the very, very short term, obviously, is the recovery plan and moving it through the process. But there's no doubt that the President understands and believes strongly that the American people should know directly from the President what's involved and how he intends to do things differently.
Q Robert, when the President came back, I asked why there were no Republicans on this flight -- because you brought Fred Upton yesterday, right? I don't know if there were any other ones. And he said, oh, we tried to find some, but nobody wanted to come. Later he said that was just a joke. But why aren't there any Republicans?
MR. GIBBS: I think the Republican -- I think you'll see a Republican today.
Q Well, no, we know we have Charlie Crist, but I'm just wondering, because you brought some yesterday, or you brought Fred Upton yesterday.
Q Air Force One is a big tool.
MR. GIBBS: It's a sweet ride, actually.
MR. GIBBS: Look, I can't -- I can speak only for the President, and sometimes many people think I can barely do that. I can't profess to know why certain people would decide not to come.
Q No, no, but he was saying he was joking when he said, we tried but nobody would come. I'm asking you what's the real story, because yesterday you had Fred Upton, and today you only have Democrats.
MR. GIBBS: I'll certainly check and see if -- I presume people were invited, and decided not to come.
Q Yes, if you could check on that, that would be great.
Q He doesn't have a vote on the stimulus.
MR. GIBBS: No, but neither do you and neither do I. But you guys ask my opinion, we read about yours, and I care about Governor Crist's.
MR. GIBBS: I doubt that's the case. If so, we're -- we'll figure out a frequent-flyer mile thing.
Q Do you have a plan to travel quite frequently from here on out?
MR. GIBBS: I think there will be -- I don't know -- I'm focused on this week. I haven't seen, honestly, next week's schedule. Obviously, this week's schedule is fairly heavy with travel. I think we'll travel some. I wouldn't anticipate doing this four or five times a week. But I think in the short term, getting out there and talking to people about the economy is something that he's anxious to do.
MR. GIBBS: Well, obviously, there's a review that overlaps also with what General Petraeus is doing. I think everyone has mentioned that in order for us to change the direction that we see in Afghanistan, we can't simply focus on just the military aspects, that we have to focus on the diplomatic, the civil society, the reconstruction.
So I think with what Bruce is doing, and what other military planners are doing, is looking at the Afghanistan and Pakistan policies in a -- not just in how many troops, but in a broad sense of what is possible and what needs to happen in order to change the direction.
Q So, it will include everything non-military and military?
Q Robert, when Congressman Boyd walked through here -- he opposed the stimulus package the first time around, and I asked him if he was talking about it with the President -- he said that he hadn't yet, but he was going to on this flight. Can you give us a sense as to how much personal outreach the President is doing with individual members of the House and Senate toward making the pitch for the stimulus bill? Not just on Air Force One, but also over the phone, for example.
MR. GIBBS: Well, I know he talked to -- I know last week, late last week, he talked with Senator Nelson. He talked with Senator Collins. He talked with Senator Snowe -- each very late in the process last week.
Q -- over the phone at all?
MR. GIBBS: Those -- he talked to them -- met with them both at the White House and talked with them I believe Friday on the phone. He's reached out to other Republicans. I know he talked to Senator Lugar yesterday after the trip. We had members here yesterday, members today.
I think as we -- I don't want to get too far ahead in negotiations, because we've got to get a bill to the Senate yet. And I don't want to get in the way of that by talking about what's next. But I think you'll see a President that will be engaged in ensuring that we get the best possible package, and that the package has the support it needs to get through Congress.
Q Can I ask broadly, do you all feel that you're going to get some Republicans in the House on final passage?
MR. GIBBS: I think if people -- I think if people take a look at the package, they'll see what the President sees and what many economists see as the best way to turn around the economy. And we're -- I can't predict what others are going to do. But we're certainly hopeful that we can start breaking some of the old habits that the President talked about last night.
MR. GIBBS: He said he was an eternal optimist. So, yes, sure, he's -- this is important to him. This is something that he thinks is right for the country. And I think you'll see him involved and engaged.
Q Robert, just a quick question about the event today. I know the President said yesterday that the people coming weren't screened in any way. How exactly did they get tickets? Who were giving them out -- that sort of stuff?
MR. GIBBS: I can find out exactly who distributed them, but we gave -- I mean, obviously you always give tickets to the members of Congress in the area. I think the district yesterday was -- or yesterday was -- it's a little bit of a split between Congressman Souder and then Congressman Donnelly. I think -- but what we generally do is just give tickets, and they're distributed -- I'm not sure exactly where you went. I read stories about the fact that people had lined up over the weekend to get tickets. But, you know, I've done town hall meetings with the President, starting when he ran for the Senate in 2004, almost five years ago. We have -- we have never -- rot-roh -- well, at least it didn't get on the computer -- is that the story I liked or the story I didn't like? Okay. (Laughter.) We've never screened a question. We've never told the President to call on the dark-haired guy wearing the red shirt in the third row. It's just -- we didn't do that when he ran for the Senate, and we didn't do it when he did 50-some town hall meetings across Illinois as a senator, and we certainly didn't do it when he ran for President.
I think you saw yesterday, if we were screening questions, my sense is we wouldn't have gotten a "would you have a beer with Sean Hannity?" question. So I think people can be assured that these are people that want to come see the President and they've got a decent chance by raising their hands and getting called on.
Q Were they distributed only through Democratic congressional offices?
MR. GIBBS: No, no, no, no. Again, some very small portion of -- I think there were 2,500 tickets -- are given to members in the area.
MR. GIBBS: It was fun, wasn't it? We're sort of -- you know, I mean -- well, let me answer this one, then we'll get to the -- but the bulk of the tickets were simply given away on a first-come, first-serve basis.
MR. GIBBS: Yes. I'll find from scheduling and advance the exact number.
In terms of the press conference, you know, it's -- it's not easy to change -- let's just say this: The ways of Washington are sometimes hard to change. Old habits die hard. But it was nice to sort of mix it up a little bit with that.
Q Does he enjoy them?
MR. GIBBS: -- finding out like on the 28th day that somebody had to do a press conference. But he likes doing them. He does enjoy them. I think he enjoys the -- he enjoys a little bit of the give-and-take, but I think, more importantly, I think he believes that the American people get a great deal out of them because he's able to -- I think people are able to watch and understand a little bit better what's going on in the to-and-fro in Washington. So I think that's -- I think he finds that greatly beneficial.
Q -- to, you know, him really trying to relay a very specific message to people in D.C.?
MR. GIBBS: No, I -- I don't think that it was directed at -- any more directed at Washington than any event normally is that takes place there. But I think there are people that are interested in this process that live in both Washington and the vast majority of Americans that live far outside of it.
MR. GIBBS: All right, guys? Thank you.
THE WHITE HOUSE, February 10, 2009. | 2019-04-21T09:01:32Z | https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/press-gaggle-press-secretary-robert-gibbs-0 |
3. To take the minutes of the meeting held on 16 November 2016 as a correct record and authorise the chairman to sign.
7. Health and Wellbeing Supplementary Planning Document – Report by the Director of Places.
8. Lincolnshire Lakes Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document – Report by the Director of Places.
Councillors Allcock (Vice-Chairman), Bainbridge, Collinson, Glover, Grant, Longcake, Mumby-Croft, Ogg and Perry.
Councillors Marper, Poole, Rowson, C.Sherwood and Waltham attended the meeting in accordance with Procedure Rule 37(b).
Cllr Glover 1779(iii) 1779(iv) 1778((i) 1777(v) 1779(iv)1779(ii) 1779(iv) PA/2016/88 PA/2016/795 PA/2016/0015 PA/2016/1389 PA/2016/795 PA/2015/1087 PA/2016/795 Member of the Isle of Axholme and North Nottinghamshire Water Board. Knows the speaker. Knows the Objector. Knows the Applicant.
1776 MINUTES – Resolved – That the minutes of the proceedings of the meeting held on 16 November 2016, having been printed and circulated amongst the members, be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the Chairman.
1777 (22) APPLICATIONS DEFERRED FROM PREVIOUS MEETING – In accordance with the decisions at the previous meeting, members had undertaken site visits on the morning of the meeting. The Head of Development Management submitted reports and updated them orally.
(i) PA/2016/1253 by Mrs Sharon Watson, Little Frogs for planning permission to change the use of existing outbuilding and rear garden to form children’s nursery with associated outdoor play area and on-site parking at building to the rear of 10 Queen Street, Winterton, DN15 9TT.
The agent for the application addressed the committee, and in doing so informed it that the applicant wished to expand the childcare service provided, and locate to rear out buildings. He stated that objections had been received raising concerns about potential noise and disturbance throughout the day that the application could cause, however, he said that the location of the new building would be further away than it currently was, and that the main bulk of the noise came from the nearby school. He also felt that the issues raised about parking would be dealt with as part of the businesses transport policy.
Councillor Rowson as ward member thanked the committee for taking the time to visit the site, although she said it was a quiet period of the day when they arrived. That there was parking issues in a residential/conservation area and would like to see the application refused.
Councillor Allcock agreed that having visited the site it was a very narrow one way road, and the Highway’s comments in the report had to be taking into consideration.
Councillor Bainbridge said the nursery was well used with a good reputation and thought the highways issues could be overcome with the use of the travel plan put in place by the business. She questioned whether the traffic and parking problems could actually be attributed to the actual nursery.
That planning permission be refused.
The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: SW/16/02A and SW/16/04.
Reason For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning.
Reason Permission is granted on this basis in order to allow time to assess the impact of the development on the surrounding area.
7am to 7pm Monday to Friday.
Reason In the interests of residential amenity and to accord with policy DS1 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan.
The development hereby approved shall be implemented in accordance with the Staff Travel to Work and Parking Policy. The policy shall be operated and retained at all times.
Reason In the interests of highway safety and to comply with policies T2 and T19 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan.
(ii) PA/2016/1290 by Mrs Lois Rutter for planning permission to retain a timber cabin, two sheds and a container at Plot 31-33 Leys Lane, Winterton. Councillor Marper as ward member asked that planning permission be refused on the grounds that it was development in the open countryside, and outside the development boundary.
Councillor Allcock said after visiting the site he was minded to support the officer’s recommendation to grant permission, with an amendment to condition 3 that none of the buildings be used for residential use.
No residential accommodation shall be provided within the buildings or structures on site.
(iii) PA/2016/1295 by Mr Allan McLaggan and Miss Kelly Grange-Smith for planning permission to retain two sheds and a greenhouse for agricultural use and associated micro wind turbine at Allotment Plot 20, OS Field 0046, Leys Lane, Winterton.
Councillor Allcock supported the officer’s recommendation to grant permission, with an amendment to condition two to indicate that none of the buildings be used for residential purposes.
(iv) PA/2016/1345 by Mr & Mrs S Frost for planning permission to carry out extensions including an increase in roof height to provide first-floor accommodation at Olcote, Station Road, Sturton, DN20 9DW.
The applicant informed the committee that he had been the owner of the property for 30 years, and wished to add additional accommodation to wasted space by squaring off the building. He felt that all the concerns raised in the objections had been resolved.
Councillor Grant indicated he would be voting against the application as it encroached on the neighbouring property and there were light issues during the day.
(v) PA/2016/1389 by Mr J Riley, J & S Metals Ltd for planning permission for change of use of land for a 13 pitch static caravan holiday park with ancillary infrastructure including site road and drainage with the demolition of existing buildings on site at former Garden Centre, Sandtoft Road, Westgate, Belton, DN9 1PN.
The Head of Development Management updated the committee and informed it that two letters of support had been received following the publication of the agenda, and outline in brief the content of the letters.
An objector highlighted a few concerns he had with the application, but was mainly concerned that the application was for a caravan site, and there was already an existing caravan site adjacent with 21 plots sat vacant. Therefore, he did not feel there was any further requirement for caravan holiday homes in Belton.
The agent informed the committee that the application was compliant with the local plan policy, that there had been no statutory objections received in relation to the application; therefore felt it should have been granted in accordance with the officer’s recommendation. In addressing the committee she highlighted that some of the concerns raised including that of competition, success or failure were not planning issues and should not be taken into consideration.
Councillor Longcake said the application was contrary to policy and that planning permission should be refused.
The proposal is not considered to be associated with any recreational or tourist attraction, nor is it an appropriate scale that would be readily integrated into the surrounding area. The proposal is therefore considered to be contrary to criteria i), ii) and iii) of policy R11 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan.
(vi) PA/2016/1531 by Keigar Homes Ltd for planning permission for revised plot layout and change of house type to plot 6 previously approved under PA/2015/1195 and to erect two additional detached dwellings and a detached double garage including associated access, drives, gardens and private shared driveway at former Brocklesby Hunt Inn, Howe Lane, Goxhill, DN9 7HL.
The Head of Development Management updated the committee and informed it of a correction on page 119, paragraph two to delete ‘as part of the Section 106 Agreement to PA/2015/1125’ and asked that the words ‘the remainder of’ also deleted in connection with the section 106 agreement.
The agent informed the committee that this revised plot layout would make the area a better place to live, and complete the development that already existed. He said the proposal was for two additional dwellings and the re-arrangement of plot 6 that were in keeping with the existing development.
1778 (23) MAJOR APPLICATIONS – The Head of Development Management submitted a report containing details of major applications for determination by the committee, including summaries of policy context, representations arising from consultation and publicity and assessment of the applications.
(i) PA/2016/0015 by North Lincs Property Ltd for planning permission to retain change of use of land for a builder’s yard (storage and distribution), erect bunkers for the storage and bagging of aggregates and erect an ancillary office block at land adjacent to Protruck Auctions, Sandtoft Industrial Estate Road 1, Belton, DN9 1PN.
The agent addressed the committee seeking permission for the applicant to continue running a business from the site, employing more than 30 staff, and possibly more as it expanded. He highlighted that other businesses had expanded on the same site that had been granted planning permission and were much bigger in size. He referred to an objection received with regard to transport issues, and informed the committee that his client had had a transport report carried out that concluded that the level of additional traffic would not have a noticeable impact on the road network.
(ii) PA/2016/1654 by Able UK Ltd for planning permission to erect a new two-storey PDI (pre-delivery inspection) vehicle facility, with associated separate ancillary facilities including a fuel station, security cabin, driver welfare, propane tanks, staff car parking facilities and additionally culverted ditch crossing works at Able UK Ltd, Rosper Road, North Killingholme, DN40 3DZ.
The Head of Development Management update the committee and informed it that the objection received from the Environment Agency had since been removed. He also indicated that if it was to be approved an additional condition would need to be added with regard to the finished floor levels.
Councillor Allcock indicated that following the removal of the objection he was inclined to support the officer’s recommendation to grant permission.
Finished floor levels shall be set a minimum of 300 millimetres above existing ground level (this is applicable to the Driver Welfare Facility and the Security Cabin).
The PDI building must incorporate an area of safe refuge set not less than 6.84 metres ODN (Ordnance Datum Newlyn).
The mitigation measures shall be fully implemented prior to occupation and subsequently in accordance with the timing/phasing arrangements embodied within the scheme, or within any other period as may subsequently be agreed, in writing, by the local planning authority.
Reason To reduce the risk of flooding to the proposed development and future occupants.
1779 (24) PLANNING AND OTHER APPLICATIONS – The Head of Development Management submitted a report incorporating a schedule containing details of applications for determination by the committee including summaries of policy context, representations arising from consultation and publicity and assessment of the applications. The Head of Development Management updated the reports orally where appropriate. Other officers attending gave advice and answered members’ questions as requested.
An objector raised a number of concerns and in doing so highlighted that the proposal was outside of the settlement boundary for Scawby. Along with the issues of overlooking neighbouring properties with a loss of amenity and privacy for all concerned. He said it was out of character with the area and would not fit in with the street scene.
The agent urged the committee to take into consideration the officer’s report and recommendation for approval. He discussed the concerns raised from objectors and indicated that there would be no loss of privacy to existing dwellings in the area.
Councillor Poole as ward member asked the committee to consider carrying out a site visit before they made a decision on the application.
(ii) PA/2015/1087 by Mr Bruce Rowles, LFC Horkstow Ltd for planning permission for erection of a wind turbine with a maximum height to blade tip of 58 metres and associated infrastructure including access track, crane hard standing area and underground cables at land at Horkstow Road, Horkstow.
An objector raised a number of concerns with regard to the application and asked the committee to refuse the application. Her main concern she raised was that the application WF/2011/0734 for 10 turbines that was previously dismissed by the Secretary of State, on the grounds of substantial harm to the quality and character of the landscape and that visual impact was not a material consideration in determining this application. She felt it was a big consideration and should be taken into consideration.
The agent for the application stated that the application was required for a local business that required a large electricity demand; he informed the committee that the turbine would provide additional electricity supply to the Horkstow Drier site and would help the business meet ‘green’ requirements. He also gave detailed information with regard to the pink-footed geese in the location, stating that a collision risk analysis had been carried out and indicated that geese collisions were very rare.
Councillor Waltham requested that the committee take into consideration the concerns of the Parish Council as detailed in the officer’s report with regards to protecting the countryside for the enjoyment of all and for preservation for future generations. He also referred to the decision of the Secretary of State to refuse the Saxby Wold Wind Farm and said it should be taken into account as part of this application.
Councillor Allcock quoted the objections received from the Parish Council’s and Natural England, and also felt the application was contrary to policies CS16 of the North Lincolnshire Core Strategy and LC7 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan, and if refused should be included as part of the reason for refusal.
The proposals would lead to significant disruption to users of the Viking Way, a nationally important network of footpaths and bridleways, both during construction of the wind farm and long term, due to the fact the proposal includes laying access roads over the line of the Viking Way itself. Furthermore, the proposals would be visually detrimental to users of the Viking Way due to the introduction of industrial structures close to the public rights of way which would disrupt important views and create an intimidating and overbearing environment for walkers and riders. The proposals are therefore contrary to policies CS16 of the North Lincolnshire Core Strategy and LC7 of the North Lincolnshire Local Plan.
(iii) PA/2016/88 by North Lincs Property Ltd for planning permission to change the use of land from display of advertising hoarding and agriculture to storage of commercial vehicles and re-siting of screening bund and palisade fencing at OS field 5180 north of ProTruck Auctions, Sandtoft Industrial Estate, Belton, DN9 1PN.
The agent stated that the land was adjacent to an existing permitted business, and would support economic growth of another business that should be supported. He indicated that the land was bounded to the north by the M180 motorway which would act as a natural barrier and protect the open countryside.
(iv) PA/2016/795 by D & H Stewart for planning permission to retain change of use of land to a vehicle storage yard at Unit 9, Holly Tree Farm, Sandtoft Road, Epworth, DN9 1LA.
(v) PA/2016/888 by Lincolnshire Co-operative Ltd for planning permission for the erection of a single-storey neighbourhood food store (Class A1 Use), the creation of a new vehicle and pedestrian access, car parking, external plant equipment landscaping and associated works at land off West Street, Scawby.
The agent informed the committee that this proposal would have major benefits for the area, on a piece of vacant land that had no material benefit. She indicated there was capacity for a food store in the area, and this was the best site after considering all other potential sites, with no alternative available in the village of Scawby.
Councillor Poole addressed the committee and whilst he was not against the application, he stated that the site was not appropriate and would cause problems in the area with vehicle and access problems.
Councillor Collinson supported the application and felt that it would be a good retail space for the village of Scawby.
(vi) PA/2016/1506 by Mr Michael Borrell for planning permission to demolish existing garage, and construct new garage and extension to existing bungalow at Walcot Lodge, 28a George Street, Broughton, DN20 0LA.
(vii) PA/2016/1532 by Mrs S Blair for planning permission to change the use of land to provide an extension to an existing residential static home park at land at rear of Charnwood Park Estate, Ferry Road West, Flixborough, DN15 8UG.
Councillor Marper addressed the committee as ward member and indicated a number of concerns she had as previously stated, when this application had previously been brought before the committee. These included issues with flooding and the sewage system, along with the rough track being able to accommodate more vehicle activity.
Councillor Collinson highlighted the fact that the application had been before the committee on a number of occasions and felt that all the concerns, and information requested had been satisfied, and that planning permission should be granted.
Councillor Allcock indicated that at the previous meeting of the committee more information had been requested from the two water companies, which had since been received with a satisfactory response. He did request that two additional conditions be attached if it was to be approved to include the track being fenced off, and the construction hours to be limited to certain times of the day.
The development hereby approved shall not be occupied until the existing access track to the east of the site has been fenced off as shown on approved plan BDS – 2016 – 10 – 01. The fencing shall thereafter be retained for the lifetime of the development unless otherwise agreed in writing with the local planning authority. At no time shall the access track be used by residents or visitors to access the extended caravan park nor shall it be used during the construction period.
8am to 6pm Monday to Friday 8am to 1pm on Saturdays. No construction, demolition or site clearance operations shall take place on Sundays or public/bank holidays.
(viii) PA/2016/1597 by Keigar Homes Ltd for planning permission to erect three three-bedroomed detached dwellinghouses including associated parking area and access at land rear of Kingston View, 103 Barrow Road, Barton upon Humber, DN18 6DA.
The agent for the application informed the committee that he had worked closely with the Planning Officers on the application to ensure it was fit for purpose before submitting it, following previous refusal. He said there had been no comments or objections on the new proposed layout.
1780 (25) HEALTH AND WELLBEING SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT – The Director of Places submitted a report informing members of the adoption of the Health and Wellbeing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
The purpose of the SPD was to provide supporting information and guidance for planners, developers and investors on how our environment and the planning decisions that were made impact the health and wellbeing of the population. The SPD would be a material consideration in determining planning applications and would be used in preparing future plans, strategies and development briefs and in making policy decisions.
1781 (26) LINCOLNSHIRE LAKES STRATEGIC DESIGN GUIDE SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT – The Director of Places submitted a report informing the committee of the adoption of the Lincolnshire Lakes Strategic Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).
The Strategic Design Guide was a two part document. Part A being the masterplan framework and Part B the Strategic Design Guide. Part A would be analysis, design informants and a suite of framework plans. Part B would be all the elements of Part A put into strategic design guidance for the six village of the Lincolnshire Lakes Development. | 2019-04-18T11:51:57Z | http://democracy.northlincs.gov.uk/meetings/planning-committee/planning-committees-201617/planning-committee-14-december-2016/ |
Any color of fabric can likewise be used. Leather Chesterfield sofas are most commonly readily available in black and brown while blue and red are likewise popular color options. Modern colors include cream, white, and in an option of various tones. The traditional leather Chesterfield sofa has 3 major characteristics. Chesterfield sofa purists will likewise anticipate the cushions to feature the exact same buttoned pattern although this is less important. Beyond these characteristics, a conventional design can vary significantly. Modern making processes and better products and dyes likewise suggest that the modern sofa, whether it’s a leather Chesterfield sofa or a fabric one, can take on many distinct and magnificent guises.
Foreknowledge is your best ally when it concerns purchasing modern sofa for your house. The essence right here is to take a look at the available designs of sofa that fits your preference and requirements. You can either jump from one furniture store to another to see what options they provide. Another idea is to browse the web and see furniture websites for more designs to pick from. The trick right here is to compare modern sofa before you proceed with the purchase.
For example there are some leather sofas where you will feel the product is difficult and unyielding to the touch. In some stores you will find leather that is soft and makes you feel as if you were sinking into a down filled pillow. Reclining sofas are quite popular and be available in various styles and sizes, some will have big arm rests and the larger variations will have adequate area to seat numerous individuals and offer added arm rests. These can generally be developed from a few seats to as many seats as required so you are not limited to just one. These are popular among families which are limited in area, these pieces can be split and put in various locations around the house and can be put together into just one piece when required, these are ideal for homes and condominiums.
This is among the traditional models makings use of plastic product for the seater and can be folded when not in use. The storage of this recliner is also very easy and can be stored under the bed. This can also be brought in the vehicle boot to picnics and other places where one needs relaxation. There are different business which make this furnishings. The cost of the recliner would rely on the feature that it supplies. If the recliner supplies luxury functions, then the rates will certainly be high and vice versa. Among the best uses is that the recliners are put to use in medical centers or nursing homes. The recliner is very apt furnishings for use by a nursing mother as it supplies convenience to the back.
Are you fed up of your existing furnishings and yearning for something modern? If you have had a constant style of furnishings for a very long time, it may be time to introduce a little enthusiasm. Who says that look and utility can not gathering and reach agreement? I consider that the real trial of any wonderful piece of furnishing is whether or not you truly like having it in your house. Lots of times, people acquire furnishings for their homes on look entirely. Sure, it’s area on, all of us like to own a visually pleasing home and especially, our living-room where we have visitors. On the other hand, if you are buying furnishings simply because of look, you may round off disappointed. If you do not like the sense of the furniture piece, chances are your family will not also.
I’m sure you wouldn’t mind getting a couple of included take advantage of whatever item you decide to buy. The best pillow for neck discomfort, for that reason, is one that offers you with some added advantages without any modification in price. For example, purchasing a neck support pillow that can assist improve your pose and reduce back discomfort also is a much better offer than purchasing an orthopaedic pillow that offers neck discomfort relief alone for the same price.
Those who want to make a statement can find modern sofas with unusual shapes. A few of the Danish Modern designs are formed of fiberglass with enhanced frames and be available in special shapes. Just like a few of the designs found in grand hotels, these types seem to cup the user almost like being put in the palm of a hand. Their chrome bases are appealing and they usually have leather coverings. No living-room would be full with just a sofa. Modern tables for the sofa or ones made use of as end tables will usually have straight lines however in some cases round ones, boomerangs or other shapes like ovals can be found. They come in wood, glass, or plastics with wood surfaces or painted surfaces. Stores than carry sofas will usually have complementary pieces like tables.
The majority of homeowners or apartment renters will need a couch in their lifetime. You need a comfy place to settle as you see a motion picture or check out a great book. You want your couch to be heavy duty. Strong wood is the best when you’re needing a frame that’s going to last for years to come. Avoid frames that are made of particleboard or light aluminum. These products tend to break or bend more quickly. While solid wood is absolutely the very best choice, it’s likewise the more expensive choice. You have to remember that you’re paying for quality and long-lasting use. In addition to the frame, ensure that the cushions are comfy. Each sofa that you view as have to pass the “sit test.” Take a while to remain on the sofa and feel it out. Would you delight in curling up with a great book? How about sitting for an hour or two while you see a motion picture? No matter how good the piece looks, it’s impractical if you can’t sit in it comfortably. While you’re visiting large ottoman coffee table shops, you’ll most likely find many various couches that you ‘d such as in your living-room. Regrettably, you’ll have to pick one. You really want a couch that is traditional with the ability to stand the test of time. Some shapes might seem stylish however will most likely head out of design in a couple of years. You want to find an ageless silhouette that you’ll delight in for years to come. Does the piece that you’re looking at have any exposed wood? What color is the present stain or complete? Lots of individuals intend to match the wood on their sofa to the rest of the wood pieces in their house. This will provide a more streamline design to your house.
Some people enjoy the chameleon elements of the futon and consider the ways a futon can easily be altered to make for optimal number of uses. A durable wood frame and a woven cotton cover makes an excellent cabin sofabed under a treehouse bunk. A glossy black frame with a white linen cover cand be the centerpiece of an Asian-style college dormitory. Spring for a new cover and some throw pillows, and you ve redecorated without employing full-time professional! Inch for inch, the futon bunk bed is the most functional bed you can possess.
Need assistance selecting the best recliner? It appears like they have actually been around forever, however recliners were introduced only in the late 1920s. As soon as introduced, the recliner’s popularity removed at the same time as people found a new level of comfort. Today, with so many different recliners to pick from, you can have all the comfort you need in any appearance you desire. With the touch of a button or lever, you can recline the back or bring up the foot rest. A recliner offers good neck and lumbar support. All the above functions likewise assist people with clinical conditions who discover recliners helpful in addition to being comfortable.
Now with the wide varieties of modern sofa you are totally free to choose the one that fir right to your taste. There are mixtures of design of fabrics that will definitely fit to the general look of your home. You can select a leather and material upholstery design. However there are likewise all leather or all material then match them with various colors of accessories. You can develop a hole make over for your home by matching your modern sofa with toss cushions and toss rugs to match your window dressing. You can add likewise other accessories to improve the look of your home. Always remember that when selecting the design and color of your modern sofa see to it to choose those that is available in neutral design and colors too, since contemporary trends is keep on changing.
Sofas have been an important furniture piece which has been an essential part of office and home interior decoration given that ages. A sofa is commonly called as a couch which is meant for sitting for 2 or more individuals. Although a couch is meant for sitting however it can likewise be made use of for reclining. It is made of fabrics or leather of different tones and structures, and upholstered with attractive cushions. Couch is a French word, meanings to lie down. It is generally found someplace we want to unwind for a while or even simply lie down if required. The sofas are typically found in living spaces, drawing spaces, passages and family rooms, where the family gets together for a time for bonding. We can discover these couches or sofas in the workplaces, hotel lounge, waiting spaces and furniture shops and so on. The term couch is generally made use of in North America, New Zealand and Australia, whereas in U.K and Ireland they utilize the term sofa.
Pima cotton sheets are made from top quality cotton. Synthetic sheets are less soft than cotton sheets and are wrinkle resistant. Cotton/polyester blend sheets have the softness and longevity of cotton sheets and are wrinkle resistant and even more durable than synthetic sheets.
Last however not the least, modern desks, dressers and credenzas that you purchase must be great quality. These days you have a variety of choice in products used to make these products. From various kinds of wood to metals each of these have their own advantages and disadvantages. So choose after doing a thorough research on the quality of the large ottoman coffee table. Online stores are the very best location to buy modern credenzas, desks and dressers as they provide you a large range of items to select from. You can likewise buy furniture from worldwide from these stores.
Furniture that is commonly used to display the art product such as exclusive silver and brass short articles, earthenware and tableware is referred to as Furniture Dresser. In older days this furniture piece was considered just a side table; and it occasionally include drawers. However, with the growing awareness individuals have actually ended up being more innovative and artistic to decorate their rooms. Dressers possess an unique location for the people who like to have furniture with functions.
Specifically when your Lazy Boy leather recliner is made of leather, you will certainly be seeing inks of newsprints all over. Now you would not desire that, would you * Pets. Their furs are just tough to remove and their claws may leave marks on your valuable leather recliner. Keep sharp items far from your Lazy Boy too. Leather may be durable however it will certainly be challenging to fix when your Lazy Boy recliner is pierced. Extreme chemicals will certainly harm your leather recliner. Making use of these care ideas for your Lazy Boy leather recliner will surely make your recliner look excellent as new constantly. And with the cost of a brand-new Lazyboy Recliner it is definitely worth investing a little time and effort keeping your valuable chair in mint condition.
Leather has actually been the sign of class and aristocracy for ages. Even the old Babylonian and Egyptian civilization were known to make use of leather for making different kinds of furniture. The market today teems with sectional sofas created and made of the best leather readily available. They look stylish, stunning, and stylish and definitely add to the general glamour of your living room in certain and our home in basic therefore they are so highly in demand worldwide. The leather sectional sofas are not just stunning to the eye, however they are also good for your butts and back. One such leather sofa is called Zanotta; it integrates the aspects of sophistication and comfort. It is magnificently created by Damian Williamson. This sofa has actually soft seat made of polyurethane foam topped with thick cushions made of goose feathers. After remaining on it, the designer of this sectional sofa stated that individuals are not going to seem like standing up of this stunning sectional sofa.
See to it you have plenty of time though to assess your options. You will likely find several of them that you are pondering. Possibly spending a few minutes in a reclined position on some of these microfiber sofas will certainly assist you to make up your mind! In the mean time you can take pleasure in that extra time to focus on your very own needs and to obtain comfy.
Recliners are smart designs and are made to provide maximum comfort. They are built in such a way that can provide you the very best support and comfort and your body gets completely unwinded. Nearly any individual would enjoy to have a seat in a recliner with a book or watch TV. This is one of the reasons why recliners have become so popular in houses in the U.S. Leather recliners bring design to your house as well as enable you to feel the very best comfort. There are different kinds of recliners that can match the design of your home. They are readily available in various designs. The regular leather recliners readily available early on are now changed by some cutting-edge designs that are made by using the most up to date innovation.
Frankly, there are some products in life that replacement indicates drink to your pleasure and relaxation. A mattress today lasts longer than they ever performed in years previous. Whether you are searching for an option or upgrade in style, there is one out there that can satisfy your requirements. This includes firmness, gentleness, memory foam therefore many combinations for the simple to please and the particular sleeper.
Recliners include an ergonomic design, user-friendly structure, and newest technological innovations to give people a satisfying experience during free time. Not just are these chairs useful and scientifically established but likewise utilize the most recent in style, and appear stylish. There is a wide range of variation available and one can choose based on home décor and personal preference. These modern large ottoman coffee table pieces mix in perfectly with the environments and enhance the complete impacts for making the optimum impression on the site visitors.
Getting involved in and out of a recliner is not the only thing that presents a difficulty to people who are mobility challenged. A lot of conventional recliners count on back pressure from the chairs resident to recline. As soon as the resident leans forward to get a push-button control or even simply re-positions their body, the backrest begins to increase.
The ottoman beds are in many designs. You can also purchase a sofa that has a matching ottoman. They will normally take the shape of a regular couch. In another sense, they could also be as an adjacent accessory to your couch. They need to extend out to provide you the much needed leg rest. An ottoman sofa bed is the right thing to have if you have to turn the style in your home a notch higher. You will not be ashamed when you get a visitor who needs a location to crush. It is not true that your existing furniture scheme and colors will be a barrier to how well a new sofa bed fits in with your decoration. You can have them available in different colors and designs that suit your house currently.
Sealy is among the most popular mattress makers and have been making mattresses for longer than a lot of. Numerous evaluations provide them a relatively good rating; the viewpoint usually being that they make an excellent quality mattress if somewhat overpriced. So whatever do you get for your money when you purchase a Sealy Posturepedic mattress?
The bed sizes that are presently offered in the United States are the twin, single, double, complete, queen, king, California king, western king, and eastern king. How in the world is anyone ever expected to understand the distinction in between all these bed sizes that are offered on the market today? Often times, even the sales individual at your local department store in the bed department might not truly have all the realities, so it can definitely be really complicated.
Price of modern furnishings largely depends upon the product made use of, the design, and the trademark name. Consumers with restricted budget ought to search for modern Sofas under their rate variety which they can pay for. But think about the quality the furnishings before the rate. Modern sofas lug both form and function. Whether it is a sofa or any other furnishings, the modern principle is constantly incorporated.
Modern sofas have styling that is smooth and not picky. As they tend to make use of higher quality materials, they last for a long time. Contemporary sofas are usually straight lined and don’t usually have actually curves or rounded surface areas. If there is a curve, it is usually understated and does not fight with the other design aspects. A few of the more popular models are sectionals. These can sometimes be reorganized in different methods to make different setups. These are useful for those who transfer to different homes or simply to have a various appearance now and then. Numerous of the types have seat type features where one section of the sofa will certainly extend out allowing users to extend their legs. These can be comprised of simply a couple of pieces or numerous depending on how big they are.
People are impressed about the Leather Sofas. They are much crazy about the leather sofas. They have an interest about the leather sofas. Leather sofas can be positioned in drawing space of your house to make the site visitors happy. People wish to remain on the leather sofas because they wish to make their needed discussions conveniently by sitting on the leather sofas. Leather sofas have trendy designs and they are trendy enough to attract individuals. Leather sofas can be positioned in the TV space so that people can enjoy the TV programs conveniently. Even business owners like to convey their company conferences with foreign delegates conveniently with the leather sofas. They are eager to make the conference in relaxed method so leather sofas are useful for them.
People who are dealing with back pain, immobility suffer the discomfort of not having the ability to discover the world. His is why technological innovations have created special chairs which assist you by reclining up and down. The electrical recliner is developed to see to it that you participate in all lively activities in life and enjoy the beautiful world. The electrical recliner chair is powered by electrical machinery and permits you to adjust the height of the chair without the have to physically move any parts. This can be very useful for aged people who discover it challenging to walk around. Some of the recliner chairs have a built-in massage device which offers additional convenience.
A mattress topper or a mattress pad is something you put on leading of your mattress. Latex mattresses are hugely proposed just because they are made of healthy products, as they show up from the sap of the rubber tree. As opposed to other mattresses or mattress pads, it does not make you uneasy however keeps you cool even in the warmest nights.
After striving throughout the day, everybody will definitely require a safe location to rest his/her tired body. Nobody would ever before like to be disturbed when resting but regrettably some bed we lay may be a trouble. Some are smaller sized in size with weaker joints such that when one turns at the middle of the evening; some squeaky sound is produced hence distracting your rest. Envision oversleeping such a bed with somebody who will turn every now and then? Save yourself from unnecessary disturbances by purchasing bunk beds. It is strong, well taken care of and tough to produce any sound when one turns. Some bed are also small such that they cant support the whole mattress or ones body hence too uneasy but for a platform bed, it has a large surface area to accommodate any quantity of weight or lot of individuals.
Among the knocks on RTA furnishings for many years is that they make use of fragment board, plywood and chip core in the building of their furnishings. This also stretches into the standard furnishings market, and makes for a really inexpensively made item. Prevent these less expensive options if you are wanting to keep your furnishings for a prolonged duration. Otherwise, you will certainly discover it falling apart in brief order. Kiln-dried wood such as discussed above will certainly last a lifetime, and is usually ensured to do so. The extra money is well worth the cost for your assurance and beautiful couch. If you follow these general guidelines, you will swiftly see that discovering a quality frame is not that difficult. Make certain that you ask lots of concerns and attempt to stick to the custom made furnishings options on the marketplace. When a piece is bench produced your order particularly, your chances of quality go up right away.
When you acquire a finely crafted furniture piece, you ought to be able expect it to last a lifetime. This means that your kids, and even your grandchildren, will certainly have the ability to enjoy your furnishings, maybe long after you are gone. If the concept of your living-room couch becoming a family treasure holds any measure of appeal, then you would succeed to begin your search with a purveyor of fine Chesterfield sofas. While other kinds of sofas or couches are made well and delight in a credibility for quality, few if any can equal these patriarchs of the world of leather sofas. Prior to any sofa ends up being a Chesterfield, it must satisfy stringent requirements with regards to products, handiwork and appearance. Their classic design overlays a steadily developed frame crafted of woods, and implied to last. The padding offers cushion for the finest leather to be tucked around the frame. Even the trademark buttons along the front of the piece should satisfy a strict code before the final product can bear the Chesterfield name. This attention to detail and the fact that the manufacturers are sticklers for maintaining a credibility for quality, make sure that your purchase will certainly undoubtedly be one that lasts for generations. Obviously, better quality sofas do cost a bit more. With the costs on Chesterfield sofas being a bit higher than some others, you ought to absolutely do some shopping around. Do not be fooled, however, by replicas performed in the Chesterfield design but that don’t satisfy the stringent quality requirements. Insist on getting the quality you desire at an affordable cost. Do not think of it as an extravagance for yourself. Instead, think of it as financial investment for your kids and theirs.
When you took your first office task, you were most likely stuck to a small desk or sitting in a cubicle. However, after many years of effort, you’ve finally earned the right to your very own office -ideally the corner office with the good view and big windows. You probably spend even more time in your office than you do at home, so this is your opportunity to make it feel homey and comfy.
The erroneous belief that leather is sticky on warm weather condition and is regularly cold on cooler climates only proves true to synthetic leather. The quick appeal of possessing a leather sofa swiftly figured designers, making them launch more designs in more varying colors. You can select from recliners to corner sofas, selecting from the colors of the rainbow and all their suitable tones. In the end, leather sofas are resilient, comfy, elegant and ever so popular that disadvantages in possessing one has been negated by all its benefits.
Teak furnishings is an unparalleled choice for any space. With its unrivaled radiance of golden amber, teak is an attractive light toned wood that would fit either an indoor or outdoor decoration. Able to stand up to even the most extreme weather conditions for decade after decade, high grade teak is one of the most preferred timbers for crafting furnishings, searched for by both artisan and client alike. As teak has been used for years in the construction of furnishings, it’s rather most likely you’ve seen a teak bench tucked away in a yard somewhere, or identified someone who’s had a teak rocker on their porch, nevertheless teak is not only used for outdoor furnishings. Made to last, a teak sofa will certainly take whatever life can dish out and look fabulous while doing it.
Antique mahogany batchelors chest are very uncommon and have significant value. They have fold over tops supported on lopers. They were made mostly in between the 1720s and 1740s and were frequently of little proportions. I have actually recently bought an extremely uncommon antique mahogany chest of drawers circa.1740. The chest is of great dense timber and has a caddy moulded top. This kind of top is much searched for, as the moulding does not overhang the side or front of the chest. This offers the chest a very clean line. This antique mahogany chest has 4 long graduated drawers, with the leading drawer being fitted with compartments and a baize composing slide. Due to the fact that of the weight of the leading drawer, it is supported on pull-out lopers. I will certainly publish a picture of this chest shortly on my web site.
Before buying a mattress you should prepare yourself with pertinent details. First determine what type of bed is best for you. Do you like soft or tough beds? Would you choose a basic mattress or a foam mattress? If you are uncertain, go experiment with a few various mattress kinds. Second, consider your budget. This is not an acquisition you wish to stretch a dollar on, as a bad evening’s sleep can influence your whole day. Try to obtain as much value as you can for your budget. Lastly, size is a vital aspect specifically if there is more than one individual oversleeping the bed. Preferably, you must both have the ability to push the bed with your arms behind your heads and not touch. A bed should be 10-15 cm longer than the tallest individual oversleeping that bed. Also pay attention to the height. Lesser beds can be simple to obtain into but more difficult to obtain from. High beds can be tough to obtain into, specifically for much shorter people, but very simple to hop from in the early morning.
Several of the contemporary sofa styles provide variable backrests which give the user the power to sit or recline on the sofa easily. The sofas are too usually sectionals allowing even more option when embellishing a tiny living room. If an individual desires the coziness that can be found in overstuffed long-established furnishings, they will certainly observe that this very same kind of sense is obtainable in brand-new cheap sofas. Several of the sofas are made using tufted backs and arms which supply you the feeling that they are sitting in an overstuffed chair when they are deteriorated. Several of the sofas have ottomans which belong of the sofa and enable one to put their feet up and stretch out on the sofa without taking up each one of the sitting area for other individuals in the space.
The color scheme of your paint works ought to not be ignored, because your kids bedroom sets ought to blend well with it. Probably not, which is why you want to try to get it right, right from the start. Now, if you want to ensure that you are getting the finest worth for your money and that you are getting to pick from the biggest option, you are going to want to shop around online.
Typically armoires are seen in living rooms where they’re made use of for keeping the tv and enjoyment devices. Saving all your movies and video games would not be a trouble since of the additional shelves and drawers included with a lot of armoires, making this a kid-friendly large ottoman coffee table product. | 2019-04-20T09:22:29Z | http://www.superbfurnishings.com/ottomans/large-ottoman-coffee-table/ |
When I decided to give up meat, it was a temporary plan. I never would have imagined at the time that almost a year later I'd still be living a meatless life. It didn't take long, though, for me to realize that as a vegetarian my food choices would come under scrutiny. I would be answering questions like "Why don't you eat meat?" and "Isn't it hard to get enough protein?" over and over again. I took these questions and other comments about my vegetarianism with a grain of salt. People are naturally curious, I thought. Yet I found myself getting tired of answering the same questions and defending my choices all the time. Why, I wondered, did I always felt like my choices needed to be defended?
At least in part, I suppose it's a societal issue. Eating meat (or drinking caffeine, or being thin, for that matter) is the baseline, the status quo. Any choice outside that acceptable social norm makes others uncomfortable and therefore defensive of their own choice. (This probably has some roots as a survival instinct, though I haven't checked out the research.) And it doesn't help that corporations behind these products are always trying to convince us that we want, even NEED, to eat their meat, drink their beverage (Got Milk anyone?) or use their product. We accept that the norm is what it is and we rarely ask why or if it's the best option.
I recently ate lunch at a table with several others and the topic of vegetarianism came up. A fellow writer told us a story about a teacher she once had who, upon being asked why he was a vegetarian, turned the question around on the student and wondered why vegetarians always had to answer that question but no one ever asked omnivores why they chose to eat meat. I mentioned how I often feel that my choice to not eat meat seems to make some people uncomfortable. It seems like my choice puts them on the defensive. As humans (and maybe particularly as Americans) we don't like to be told that our choice is "wrong", and if I'm not eating meat for any logical reason, then it seems I'm essentially telling them I'm right and they're wrong. The problem is, I don't feel that way at all. My choice is my choice. I'll respect yours if you respect mine.
I understand their reaction, though. In fact, I find myself doing the same thing in different situations. It's like when someone says, "I'm trying to give up caffeine," and I automatically answer with, "I've thought about it, but I don't really drink that much caffeine anyway." It's as though I feel the need to defend my choice to drink caffeine despite the fact that the person I was speaking with didn't say anything to overtly imply that she was making a judgment on me. In fact, it's more likely that she was just making conversation. So why do I feel that the mere act of her giving up caffeine is a judgment on my choice to keep drinking it? And why do others feel that my meatless life is a judgment on their omnivore-ism? Is it because we feel, deep down inside, that our choice might not be the best choice after all?
On Saturday, I spent the day mingling and networking with writers at the Maryland Writers' Association Conference. It was a great day filled with wisdom, laughs and interesting conversation. As always, I left the conference motivated and re-energized.
Since I've told you all how I feel about writers' conferences and how beneficial I think they are, this time I thought I'd share a few of my favorite quotes and some of my take-away thoughts.
The first session I attended was on Direct Marketing. Speaker Frank Joseph has been working as a direct market writer for decades and I figured if anyone could convince me that a cynic like me could write direct marketing content, it would be him. I'm not sure I came out of there convinced, but Frank had some great tips that I could apply to writing in general. My favorite quote from his talk was: "You can make money as a writer." He may have been talking about direct marketing specifically, but I'm applying his statement beyond that. I may try direct marketing at some point in my writing career, but just being reminded that I CAN make money writing was enough to put a smile on my face for the rest of the day.
Next, I went to Ethics of Memoir. Author Marion Winik discussed her experience of memoir writing and how it has changed as she has grown and learned from the consequences of what she has written. My favorite quote from her talk was: "The act of writing about another person takes place first in a relationship. It can't help but affect that connection." Since I write mostly memoir, I found this talk extremely helpful in reminding me that I'm not writing in a vacuum. When I write about my life as it intersects with the lives of people who are important to me, what I write will inevitably influence those relationships in some way. It's best to bring those people into the folds before publication. Otherwise, even if what I write doesn't seem negative to me, the consequences may not be pretty.
The keynote speech was given by Roxana Robinson, who said: "If someone else can't hear your voice, it doesn't mean you should stop. It means you should make it clearer." She also railed against the term "women's fiction", "because there's no equivalent for men." I wish I had written down her entire argument because it rang so true to me in so many ways. The basic gist was that it was demeaning, that just because a novel might be about family and written by a woman, doesn't make it inherently women's fiction. Would you call Hamlet women's fiction? Or Anna Karenina? I'm still mulling over what she said and wondering how the term women's fiction may be negatively affecting female writers and readers alike.
After lunch I attended Mindie Burgoyne's talk on Viral Networking. While much of what she talked about (networking on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc., effectively) was stuff I already knew, I did glean a real gem: "Make sure you're giving fans/followers content they want, NOT what you want them to have." This is something I struggle with sometimes, particularly because my time for social networking is limited. I'm working on it, though.
The last session I attended was on setting. Lalita Noronha discussed how she uses setting to put the reader in the center of her stories, which are often set in exotic locales like her native country of India. Noronha reminded us that: "The 'where' and the 'when' can be as important if not more important than the 'who'. We make judgments on the who based on where and when." I've always loved the way Noronha describes setting with just enough detail to bring me into the story, but not so much as to distract from the story itself. I'll be spending some time rereading her stories and studying her technique over the next few weeks. I may not write much fiction, but my nonfiction writing could certainly benefit from some effective scene setting.
Those are just a few of the lessons I took home from this year's MWA conference. Feel free to share your thoughts on any of the topics I mentioned, or share some of the writing lessons you're learning these days.
I'm coming up on my first Vegiversary, and even after almost a year of eating a vegetarian diet, I still struggle some days to get enough protein. So when I received a packet of CLICK Espresso Protein Drink in my Fitbloggin'10 swag, I was psyched to give it a try. I mean, protein AND caffeine in a shake! What's not to like, right?
Unfortunately, my initial experience with the Vanilla Latte flavored CLICK Protein Drink was less than stellar. I didn't have a shaker and didn't think to use a blender, so I tried mixing it in a cup with a spoon. NOT. GOOD. It was grainy, clumpy and just plain gross. I was going to write up a negative review and let it go at that, but thankfully I didn't. On the drink-mix packet was an offer to receive a CLICK Pack (a shaker and a canister of the CLICK Espresso Protein Drink), so I decided to take them up on it and give CLICK another try.
When my CLICK pack arrived, I didn't hesitate to make my first shake, but I made sure to use the shaker to mix it. I found the flavor to be much better and the consistency to be much smoother. I didn't stop there, though. The canister gave me plenty of opportunities to try different preparations and I went all out in sampling CLICK this time. First, I made it just using cold water. Then I tried it as a frozen shake, adding ice and blending it. I tried it a third time using an immersion blender to mix in half a banana. I haven't tried it warm yet, but I imagine it wouldn't be bad that way either. My favorite preparation so far has been the frozen shake, but it's much easier to just shake it up, add some ice and hit the road with a protein filled breakfast.
Overall, I found CLICK refreshing and tasty, with great espresso flavor, and would recommend you give it a try. With only 120 calories, 15g of protein, and less than 2g of fat per serving, it's a simple, low calorie, low fat addition to your diet. Especially if you need an extra protein kick. CLICK is also low in sodium and added sugar, so you won't be getting a bunch of crap in your diet along with the good stuff. CLICK does have additives like maltodextrin and quar gum, so I wouldn't recommend a daily CLICK-fix, but I think it's fine as an occasional way to get your protein (or caffeine). If you're sensitive to caffeine, I'd also avoid drinking CLICK as an evening snack or dessert. I tried this without thinking one night, and the double shot of espresso kept me up much of the night on a caffeine high.
The first 25 people to email me at writingherlife at gmail dot com with "I want to CLICK it!" in the subject line and your mailing address in the body will receive a free packet of CLICK Espresso Protein Drink.
One (1) lucky winner will receive a full CLICK pack, including a shaker and a canister of CLICK Espresso Protein Drink.
For an additional entry, tweet "I want to win a CLICK pack from @drinkclick and @smtwngrl! http://tinyurl.com/27aud6s" and leave an additional comment letting me know you tweeted it.
Contest ends Wednesday, April 28th at 11:59PM and I'll randomly select a winner (using Random.org) from the eligible comments on Thursday, April 29th. I'll email the winner and he/she will have 24 hours to contact me with a mailing address. If the winner doesn't respond a new winner will be drawn.
Disclaimer: I received a free sample of CLICK at FitBloggin' and was provided with a free CLICK pack for review. I am not, however, receiving any compensation for writing this post. The prize offered in this post is provided by CLICK.
How Active Has Your April Been?
When I started the Active April challenge, my plan was to be much more active than I've managed to be thus far. I can't imagine how this month would have panned out if I wasn't participating in Active April and trying to motivate others, too.
...on at least 25 of 30 days.
According to my trusty Gruve charts and my Google calendar, I've met my activity goal on 17 of 21 days. Technically, I guess that means I'm on track to meet my goal if I stay committed and make sure I'm getting active for at least 6 more days this month. That doesn't seem too tough. In fact, now that I've actually evaluated my activity for the month, I'm feeling a little better about my performance. I guess that's one of the great things about tracking your progress. It makes noticing improvements and recognizing successes easier.
Have you been tracking your activity this month? How are you doing? Have you been as active as you'd like? If not, what can you do over the next 9 days to make April an active month?
Thanks to everyone who participated in the Active April Challenge for the support and for posting your progress on Twitter using the #ActiveApril hashtag. It's been fun (and motivating) to see how you're getting active and cheer you on.
Since we don't have much time left in April, I'm already thinking about my goals for May. If you'd be interested in a challenge again next month, feel free to leave me a comment or give me a shout-out on Twitter. I'd love to host a monthly health challenge if others are interested in joining me!
The winner of the thriv basic tee is Kelliscakes!
I'll be emailing her and she will have 24 hours to respond with her shipping info and shirt size. If she doesn't get back to me by 2PM Saturday, I'll pick another winner.
Hurry, though, because they both end today!
When a book is recommended to me multiple times over the span of a couple weeks, I take that as a sign from the Universe, head straight to the used bookstore or Amazon or paperbackswap.com and dive in. That's what happened with Writing Down the Bones by Natalie Goldberg.
I used to love reading books about writing, but eventually I got tired of reading the same old writing advice over and over again. It may come in different packages, but it usually says the same thing. Not so with Writing Down the Bones. Sure, there's some the standard writing advice in there, but there's also advice on the writing life, on finding your center, on knowing yourself. Each chapter is short and sweet, making it a quick read, but I read through the entire book slowly, chewing thoroughly on every nugget of insight. The surface advice was enough to make WDB worth the read, but the deeper lessons made it an invaluable resource.
Unlike some of the writing books I've read in the past and then passed on to others, this one will stay in my library and be well-worn in no time. Some days I just pick it up and thumb through, randomly choosing a chapter to read. It never fails to refresh me, inspiring my writing, motivating me to get to work or to take a new look at an old idea.
If you're a writer (or want to be one) and you haven't read Writing Down the Bones , I highly recommend you pick it up.
As you know by now, I snagged some excellent swag from FitBloggin'. One of the things I received was a FitBloggin'10 t-shirt from thriv. I'd never purchased or worn any of thriv's products before. In fact, I'd never heard of thriv until FitBloggin'. But the moment I picked the shirt up I knew I was going to be a fan. Made from bamboo and cotton, the shirt not only fits me perfectly, but it's also the softest, most comfortable t-shirt I've ever worn.
It turns out that softness and comfort comes from the flex-fiv: thriv's patented technology that transforms bamboo and cotton to deliver 5 benefits: wicking, comfort, SPF, anti-odor, and breathability. Even after washing it a few times, it's still soft and fitted.
The thriv products have been available in stores and online at Sports Authority, but now thriv has their own online store. And to celebrate their online grand opening, thriv is giving away a tee to one of my readers!
To win a ladies' basic tee (or a men's tee if a guy wins), all you have to do is visit the thriv website and then come back here and leave a comment letting me know what you think of the company or their product line.
The contest will close on Thursday, April 15 at 11:59 PM. I'll draw and post the winner on Friday, April 16. If you win, you'll need to contact me within 24 hours with your name, address, and shirt size (Ladies XS-XL, Men's M-XXL), which I'll pass along to thriv so they can send you your shirt!
Disclaimer: I received a free t-shirt from thriv at FitBloggin'. I am not, however, receiving any compensation for writing this post. The prize offered in this post is provided by thriv.
This weekend I took the Metro into DC to visit with Alexis of The Traveling Writer. It was a beautiful day and we decided it was a perfect opportunity to head to the park and go "hiking". To a hiker, it probably would have seemed more like walking, but to someone used to neighborhood walks and treadmill hills, it was a hike. Trust me when I say this.
The conversation was so great that we ended up walking for about two hours without even realizing how much time had passed. By the time we made our way out of the park (and up another REALLY steep hill), we were starving and our legs were screaming.
A little sweaty, but too hungry to care, and with legs getting stiffer by the second, we hopped on the Metro and headed to Dupont Circle for brunch at Kramerbooks & Afterwards. This place is ingenious! If you've never been there and are in the DC area, you should check it out. It's a bookstore and cafe under one roof, which seems pretty common place -- except that Kramers serves real meals, not just coffee, muffins and the odd sandwich or soup. Their Saturday brunch included a full menu of options (everything from French toast to omelets to sandwiches) to choose from. I can't vouch for all the other dishes, but I had the Tomato Avocado Cafe Benedicts which was delicious, and I didn't even feel bad eating the fried potatoes after all that hill-walking.
When we were finished eating, we couldn't help but hang around and browse the bookstore, which I'm sure is exactly what they expect their Cafe patrons will do. Considering the bookstore's relatively small size, the selection had more variety than I would have expected. It's the type of bookstore you could spend hours browsing in. Our legs weren't up for that, though, so we headed back, Alexis to do some reading and writing and me to make the trip back to Baltimore.
Despite the sore legs, it was a wonderful day and I was reminded just how much I love being active and enjoying nature. It's so much more fun then trudging along on the treadmill indoors (at least until it gets to be 90 degrees outside).
When I got back home, I plugged in my Gruve to see how the day worth of walking translated into calorie burn. I was shocked to see that in those two hours of hiking I burned about 500 calories and between 8AM and 6PM I had burned 1,000 calories! That's in contrast to the average 450 calories per day I burned the rest of the week. Talk about an Active April!
Speaking of which, if you're still interested in joining the Active April Challenge, you can set your goals and jump in any time. We even have a button now, thanks to Mel!
Yesterday I posted about my desire to get (and stay) active in April. A few readers showed interest in joining me, so I thought I'd make this an official challenge. That way we can all motivate and cheer for each other throughout the month as we get lazy our motivation wanes.
Set your own activity goal for the month (or the remainder of the month if you're joining after the 1st).
Leave a comment on this post that details your goal. Or if you want, write a post about the challenge and your goal at your own blog linking it back to this post, and then leave the link to your post in the comments.
Tweet about your activity using the hash tag #ActiveApril so that we can all stalk you if you haven't reported in a while cheer you on). If you don't have a Twitter account, feel free to comment here on a regular basis to keep us posted on your progress.
Visit each others' blogs and/or reply to #ActiveApril tweets and encourage each other.
That's it. Set a goal, tell us what it is, report on your progress, and cheer each other on. It's a simple challenge to get us moving now that spring is almost here. Let's get active!
P.S. I know challenges usually come with buttons, but I'm not that design-savvy and I didn't think up this challenge in time to put a button together. If you're joining in and you enjoy that sort of thing, feel free to come up with something and send it to me. I'll gladly post it to share with the challenge members (and give you props, of course).
*UPDATE: If you're participating in the Active April Challenge, you can now grab the Active April button below (thanks to Mel at Mel's Box of Chocolates). | 2019-04-24T08:20:48Z | http://writingherlife.blogspot.com/2010/04/ |
The Calgary Flames erupted for five goals (including one empty net goal) against the Boston Bruins on home ice Wednesday night at Scotiabank Saddledome to improve to 4-2-0 (8 points) on the season. Calgary remains 2nd in the Pacific Division standings, while the Bruins fell to 3rd in the Atlantic with a 4-2-0 (8 points) record of their own.
Mike Smith stopped 24 shots out of the 26 shots he faced for a .923 save percentage in the win, while Boston netminder, Tuukka Rask turned aside 24 shots on 28 shots against for an .857 SV% in the loss.
Michael Frolik had two goals as part of Calgary’s victory, while Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand each recorded a goal for the Bruins.
Boston travels to Rogers Place Thursday night to take on the Edmonton Oilers before Saturday’s matchup at Rogers Arena against the Vancouver Canucks to round out the Western Canada portion of their four-game road trip.
Bruce Cassidy made no changes to his Bruins lineup from Saturday’s 8-2 win against the Detroit Red Wings as Boston was unable to put together their fifth consecutive win Wednesday night. The Bruins are now 1-2-0 on the road this season, suffering a 7-0 loss in Washington, D.C. at the hands of the Capitals on Opening Night (Oct. 3rd) in addition to Wednesday’s loss to the Flames.
The B’s shutout the Buffalo Sabres, 4-0, in Buffalo on Oct. 4th.
Frolik (2) opened the game’s scoring 5:34 into the first period on a one-timed shot past Rask thanks to the setup from Matthew Tkachuk to Mikael Backlund before the puck reached Frolik’s stick.
Tkachuk’s spin and pass to Backlund freed up enough space for Frolik to sneak in down the right side and catch Rask lagging in time behind the play as his defenders in front of him were catching up themselves.
Backlund (2) and Tkachuk (7) had the primary and secondary assists on Frolik’s goal, respectively, and the Flames led, 1-0.
Midway through the opening frame, Tkachuk again had a great break-in, dropped a pass for the one-timer, but Rask made the sprawling save from one end to the other side of the crease with about 8:24 remaining in the period.
Moments later, Johnny Gaudreau (3) recorded the 100th goal of his NHL career on a rebound off Rask that bounced wide left to Gaudreau as the Bruins netminder was attempting to cover the loose puck up.
Sean Monahan (3) and Noah Hanifin (2) had the assists on Gaudreau’s goal and Calgary jumped out to a 2-0 lead at 15:20.
Less than a minute later, Juuso Valimaki (1) threw a shot on net that got a chunk of Rask, deflected high, then landed just behind the Boston goalie with enough force to trickle in behind the goal line for his first career NHL goal and a 3-0 lead for the Flames.
Mark Jankowski (1) had the only assist on Valimaki’s goal at 16:08 of the first period.
The Bruins lacked effort in their own end throughout the first period and thought they had a quick response to going down by three goals, but David Pastrnak‘s would-be goal was overturned by Calgary’s head coach, Bill Peters’ intelligent use of the coach’s challenge for offside as Patrice Bergeron had just barely entered the zone ahead of John Moore‘s initial dump-in.
Moore later received a minor penalty for holding Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson at 19:39 of the first period.
The Flames power play would carry over into the middle frame.
After one period of play, Calgary had a 3-0 lead over the Bruins and led in shots on goal, 14-10. Blocked shots were even, 7-7, but the Flames also led in takeaways (3-2), giveaways (9-7), hits (8-6) and face-off win percentage (63-38). Boston had yet to see any time on the skater advantage, while Calgary was technically 0/1 after 20 minutes.
Bergeron caught Flames blue liner Mark Giordano with a high-stick 24 seconds into the second period and gave Calgary a 5-on-3 advantage for about 1:16.
The B’s successfully managed to go unscathed and killed off the minor penalties, yielding a scoring chance as David Krejci worked the puck to Bergeron fresh on a rush out of the box in the low slot.
No. 37 in black-and-gold spin and batted the puck out of the air past Smith to put Boston on the board, making it 3-1, in favor of the Flames. The goal was Bergeron’s 6th of the season and assisted by Krejci (5) at 2:40 of the second period.
Not to be outdone, Calgary responded less than a minute later, as Frolik (3) added his second of the night on a forced turnover by Backlund that led to the one-timer opportunity with Frolik in the low slot charging in to the right of Rask.
Backlund (3) had his second assist of the night as the Flames lead– once-again– grew to three goals.
Despite the initial turnover from the Bruins’ first line in their own end, Matt Grzelcyk and Charlie McAvoy looked dumbfounded as Calgary worked the puck past the Boston defenders for the 4-1 lead at 3:32 of the second period.
Flames defender, Michael Stone, got in some hot water of his own when he interfered with Bruins captain, Zdeno Chara, at 4:48 of the middle frame.
The ensuing power play for Boston was largely powerless as Calgary forced two incredible shorthanded breakaway opportunities of their own– including one in which Frolik was on the hunt for the hat trick completing goal, but sent the vulcanized rubber biscuit high and wide of the 4-by-6 net.
Bruins rookie, Ryan Donato, tripped up Gaudreau while trying to avoid knee-on-knee contact– inadvertently going knee-on-knee but not as bad as it would’ve been. Regardless, Donato went to the box on a tripping minor after a small scrum ensued post-whistle, at 7:00 of the second period.
Calgary did not convert on the ensuing power play.
Brad Marchand (2) brought the B’s to a two-goal deficit at 13:45, after Pastrnak entered the zone and left the puck for Bergeron to dish to his longtime left wing wearing No. 63.
Bergeron (7) and Pastrnak (3) notched the assists on Marchand’s 8th goal against the Flames in his last 12 games versus Calgary.
Garnet Hathaway tripped up Joakim Nordstrom at 14:04, but the Bruins didn’t score on the power play and Nordstrom would draw another penalty about four minutes later– this time, T.J. Brodie for holding.
Once again, however, Boston didn’t score on the power play, but Backlund took a hooking minor against David Backes at time expired on the second period, resulting in 58 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage for the Bruins to start the 3rd period.
The Bruins trailed the Flames, 4-2, after 40 minutes of action and did not convert on the two-skater advantage in the third period.
Instead, nearly midway into the final period of regulation, Gaudreau found a crazy carom off the boards that ended up on his stick, leading to a fast breakout with McAvoy trailing– ultimately diving to poke check the puck away from the Flames forward.
Rask stoned Gaudreau with the right pad and the young Bruins defender demolished the smaller Flames skater after he got the shot away.
McAvoy was given a minor for interference after a scrum at 8:29 of the third.
Keeping with the theme of the night, Calgary did not convert on the power play.
Cassidy pulled his goaltender with about 2:12 remaining in the game, opting for the an extra attacker to try to knot things up, but Tkachuk (2) would find the open twine at 19:09 to put the game away, 5-2.
Stone (3) recorded the only assist on Tkachuk’s empty net goal.
After 60 minutes, the Flames defeated the Bruins, 5-2, and led in shots on goal, 29-26. Boston held onto an advantage in blocked shots (19-15) and face-off win% (54-46), but trailed Calgary in giveaways (22-17). Hits were even 16-16 and both teams went 0/4 on the power play Wednesday night.
No Bruins skater recorded more than two hits, while Noel Acciari, Jake DeBrusk (who turned 22-years-old on Wednesday) and Grzelcyk were all a minus-two for Boston.
Bergeron led the way for the Bruins in shots on goal with seven, while Pastrnak was the next closest player for Boston with three shots on net. Moore blocked four shots, while McAvoy blocked three.
Hathaway took credit for the most hits in the game for Calgary with six, while no other member of the Flames had more than two. Frolik led the way for the flaming-C’s as a plus-three in plus/minus and Backlund, Gaudreau, Frolik and Valimaki all had three shots on goal.
Derek Ryan led the Flames in blocked shots with three.
Almost every game being played tonight is being televised nationally in Canada, so I want no complaints about nothing to watch this evening. I’ll hear none of them!
As it so often does, today’s action finds its start at 7 p.m. with a pair of matchups (the New York Islanders at Montréal [RDS/SN] and Buffalo at Tampa Bay [TVAS]), followed an hour later by Detroit at St. Louis (NBCSN). Next up is Calgary at Colorado (SN360) at 9:30 p.m., trailed half an hour later by tonight’s nightcap: the New York Rangers at Vancouver. All times Eastern.
It is true that the Blues and Red Wings are reviving their former rivalry tonight, but there’s much more pressing matters taking place in the Rocky Mountains.
Currently sitting a point behind second wild card Anaheim, the 32-22-9 Flames are trying their hardest to stay within an arm’s reach of the playoff picture. They’ve posted a 2-1-1 record in their last four showings, due in large part to the solid play of their defense.
Since February 19, Calgary has allowed an average of only 30 shots against per game. That’s the (t)seventh-best mark in the league in that time, and the Flames owe it all to LW Johnny Gaudreau (averaging 1.8 takeaways per game since February 19), D Travis Hamonic (2.6 blocks per game in his last five showings) and F Curtis Lazar (averaging three hits per game over this run).
Gaudreau’s effort in particular stands out to me, as he’s usually known for his production on the offensive end of the ice considering he’s managed only a +12 goal-differential with his 20-53-73 season totals. However, with 23-16-6 G Mike Smith still recovering from his groin injury, Johnny Hockey has led the charge in making life as easy as possible for 2-1-0 G Jon Gillies while he fills in for the former Coyote.
Another way to keep the pressure off a young goalkeeper thrust into the limelight is by providing some attacking support on the other end. That’s where LW Matthew Tkachuk (3-2-5 totals since February 19) and Gaudreau (1-4-5 in his last four showings) come into play, as they’ve both averaged a point per game recently to spearhead an attack that has managed 2.8 goals per game since last Monday – the 10th-best scoring average in the league in that time.
Every year keeps getting better for Tkachuk. He posted impressive 13-35-48 totals in 76 games during his rookie season to finish seventh in voting for the Calder Trophy, and he’s only improved to post 24-23-47 marks this year. If the Flames can do nothing else, they certainly know how to identify talent at the left wing position.
Meanwhile, 33-24-5 Colorado – only a season removed from one of the worst campaigns in NHL history – is just three points behind the Ducks for the eight seed in the Western Conference. Similar to Calgary, the Avalanche are 2-1-1 in their past four showings, but Colorado has been finding its success largely on the offensive end.
There is a chiropractor in Denver making a whole lot of money off F Nathan MacKinnon, because the 22-year-old has put this entire team on his back since returning from injury. He’s averaged two points per game in his last four showings, managing 4-4-8 totals in that time.
Okay, so maybe it hasn’t been all MacKinnon. D Tyson Barrie (1-5-6 totals since February 20) and RW Mikko Rantanen (2-3-5) have also been pretty solid during this run. Together, they’ve willed the Avs to scoring 2.75 goals per game over the past eight days – the (t)11th-best scoring rate in the NHL in that time.
What’s been most impressive about Colorado lately is its unstoppable power play. Posting only a middle-of-the-pack 20.1 percent success rate for the entire season, the Avalanche have boasted 46.2 conversion percentage in their past four showings.
It is largely with the man-advantage where Barrie comes into play, as it’s on the power play where he registered his most recent goal and four of his last five assists. In fact, Barrie and MacKinnon have combined on five of the Avs’ six power play goals scored during this run. Calgary’s penalty kill has been good lately (neutralizing 85.7 of its infractions since February 20), but the Flames would still be wise to avoid the sin bin at all costs tonight.
Tonight’s game is the finale of the three-game regular season series between the Avs and Flames. Calgary has already clinched victory in the first two matchups, winning 3-2 in Denver on November 25 (C Mikael Backlund provided the game-winner in the second period) and 5-1 in Alberta four days ago (Backlund took First Star honors with his 1-2-3 performance).
With Anaheim being dormant this evening, a Calgary win of any variety would propel the Flames past the Ducks into the second wild card (technically, Calgary would tie Los Angeles for third in the Pacific, but lose a games played tiebreaker). Should Colorado be the club to come away with a regulation win, the Avs would jump from 11th in the Western Conference to ninth, only one point behind the Ducks.
It is true that the Avalanche have home ice this evening, but I feel confident the Flames can earn two points tonight. However, if they can’t keep D Nikita Zadorov – the club’s leader in penalty minutes – out of trouble, Colorado’s power play will show no mercy en route to a victory.
Have yourself a game, First Star of the Game D Roman Josi! He registered five assists in yesterday’s DtFR Game of the Day, leading the Nashville Predators to a 6-5 victory over the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Bell Centre.
Unbelievably, a game that ended with 11 combined goals featured no goals in the first period even though the Preds and Jets fired 24 shots on goal altogether.
The second period made up for that offensive drought with a whopping seven goals.
The scoreless draw wasn’t broken until the 2:45 mark of the second period, courtesy of a F Matt Hendricks (RW Joel Armia and C Andrew Copp) wrist shot. Winnipeg’s advantage lasted 6:10 before Third Star F Craig Smith (Josi) leveled the game, but C Mark Scheifele (F Jack Roslovic and LW Kyle Connor) returned the advantage to the Jets and provided a brace (Second Star C Paul Stastny and RW Blake Wheeler) by the 14:23 mark – all in the span of 1:42.
The Preds saw Winnipeg’s two-straight goals and matched them with two of their own. Only 44 seconds after Scheifele’s second goal, C Kyle Turris (W Viktor Arvidsson and Josi) pulled Nashville back within a 3-2 deficit, followed by D Mattias Ekholm (F Calle Jarnkrok and Josi) leveling the game with a power play snap shot with 2:54 remaining in the frame. W Nikolaj Ehlers (RW Patrik Laine and D Ben Chiarot) scored the final goal of the period 33 seconds after Ekholm’s marker, setting the score at 4-3 going into the intermission.
Winnipeg earned its second two-goal lead of the night at the exact midway point of the third period when Stastny (Ehlers and Laine) scored a wrister – his first goal as a Jet – but the Preds proved they are more than capable of staging even the biggest of comebacks. Only 55 seconds after Stastny’s goal, Smith (D Yannick Weber) pulled Nashville back within a goal with a wrister, followed by F Ryan Johansen (Arvidsson and Josi) burying a wrister to level the game at 5-5 with 6:03 remaining in regulation.
Just like Stastny made his presence known with his new team, W Ryan Hartman (Josi) also built some serious rapport with his new squad by providing the game-winning goal with one minute remaining on the clock.
A player hanging out near the crease almost always yields a positive result. That proved to be the case in this instance, as Hartman was able to redirect Josi’s initial slap shot from the left face-off dot – that G Connor Hellebuyck moved towards in attempt to make a save – into the gaping cage after it crossed through the crease untouched.
The most points Josi had scored in any game all season before last night was two, and he’s a major reason no team in the NHL wants to play the Predators right now. If he continues playing like this in the playoffs, there’s little doubt that his club will be well on its way to its second-consecutive Stanley Cup Final.
G Pekka Rinne earned the victory after saving 34-of-39 shots faced (.872 save percentage), leaving the loss to Hellebuyck, who saved 26-of-32 (.813).
For the fourth straight day in the DtFR Game of the Day, a road team has earned at least a point. As such, the 74-47-19 hosts now have only an 18-point advantage on the visitors in the series.
Welcome to the best day of the hockey work week!
Like it usually does, the action begins at 7 p.m. this evening with three games (the New York Islanders at Buffalo [TVAS], Calgary at New Jersey and Montréal at Philadelphia [RDS/TSN2]), followed half an hour later by two more (Nashville at Ottawa [RDS2] and Vancouver at Tampa Bay). Another pair of fixtures (Colorado at St. Louis and Arizona at Minnesota) find their starts at 8 p.m., while Dallas at Chicago waits 30 minutes before getting underway. Finally, tonight’s nightcap – Vegas at San Jose (SN360) – drops the puck at 10:30 p.m. to close out the evening. All times Eastern.
Nashville at Ottawa: C Kyle Turris called Ottawa home for seven years, but that all changed in November when he was traded to Nashville.
Vegas at San Jose: I circled this one to celebrate the return of F Ryan Carpenter to The Tank, but I think the standings will be a bigger deal in this contest.
We just featured the Predators yesterday, so we’re not going to follow them east. Additionally, we just featured the Golden Knights two days ago and we’re not going to hop on their flight west.
Instead, I say we head to Newark to check in on a Devils team that has been a bit streaky of late as they square off against the Kings of the Streak, the Calgary Flames.
The 27-17-8 Devils are holding on to third place in the Metropolitan Division, but they’re certainly not making life easy on themselves of late. Jersey is only 2-2-0 in its last four home games (including a loss to the Red Wings) and 3-5-0 overall in its last eight contests (including a loss in Ottawa).
However, it we just look at what has happened since the All-Star Break, it seems the Devils were just running a little bit low on steam. Before Tuesday’s 5-3 loss to the Senators, the Devils had won all three of their first games since resuming play.
The reason for Jersey’s return to form lies squarely on its defense, which has been playing incredibly over its last four games. Led by the efforts of F Blake Coleman (3.5 hits per game since January 30) and D Andy Greene (2.5 blocks per game during this run), the Devils have allowed only 25.25 shots against per game since the All-Star Break, the best mark in the league.
As a result, that stellar play has made 17-11-6 G Cory Schneider‘s groin injury far less noticeable. While he’s been gone, 10-5-2 G Keith Kinkaid has assumed starting duties. Though he’s only posted an .899 save percentage in his last four starts, the fact that his defense is playing so marvelously has kept his GAA at 2.59, good enough to earn him three victories.
Currently in 10th place in the Western Conference (well, technically a three-way tie for ninth, but the Flames’ 53 games played are one more than Colorado’s and two fewer than Anaheim’s), 27-18-8 Calgary has all but assumed the title of the NHL’s streakiest team. Since their well-documented seven-game winning streak, the Flames proceeded to lose six-straight games – albeit four required extra time.
However, it seems the Flames are back on the upswing, as they swept the Blackhawks in a home-and-home series. Even more in their favor, the Flames have traveled exceptionally well lately, posting a 5-0-1 record in their last six games away from the Saddledome.
But let’s keep our comparisons constant: How have the Flames fared since the All-Star Break?
Considering Calgary has only posted a 2-2-0 record since the break, I suppose the answer is simply “average,” if not arguably worse.
The most glaring hole in the Flames’ play since resuming play has been on the defensive end, where they’ve allowed a 12th-worst 32.5 shots against per game and (t)fourth-worst goals against per game in that time.
The defensive effort is basically a given at this point in the season. Calgary has averaged 32.1 shots against per game for its entire campaign, 22-15-6 G Mike Smith is seeing no more work lately than he’s seen all season.
However, that means that the biggest decline in the defensive end actually belongs to him. Having averaged a .922 save percentage and 2.5 GAA for the season, Smith has not been impressive in his last four starts, managing only an .888 save percentage and 3.7 GAA.
With that in mind and the fact that the Flames play in Madison Square Garden tomorrow night, Smith will take the night off this evening and cede his crease to 4-1-2 G David Rittich, who’s posted a .926 save percentage and 2.23 GAA in eight appearances this season.
Fortunately for Rittich, he has two things going for him in tonight’s game. The first is, thanks to Schneider being out, Jersey is pulling back to play stellar defensive hockey, meaning he may see fewer shots this evening.
The second is his own offense is pretty handy with the puck, able to score with regularity to earn him wins.
Since the All-Star Break, Calgary has posted a (t)12th-best 3.25 goals-per-game. That success is thanks in large part to LW Johnny Gaudreau (2-3-5 totals since the break, 17-45-62 overall), D T.J. Brodie (0-5-5, 3-22-25 overall), C Sean Monahan (3-1-4, 25-22-47 overall) and D Dougie Hamilton (1-3-4, 9-18-27 overall). All four have averaged at least a point per game in their last four showings, and they’ll need to continue their success tonight against a stingy Jersey defense for a chance to win their third-straight game.
The Flames have already hosted the Devils this season, and the fans in attendance at the Saddledome were treated to a heck of a game. The November 5 contest went back-and-forth before reaching the end of regulation with a 4-4 tie. That eventually forced a shootout that LW Matthew Tkachuk won in the final round, earning the Flames the bonus point.
For me, this game boils down to which goaltender can perform better. Can Rittich do his best Smith impression tonight, or will it be Kinkaid that makes the few saves his defense requires him to make? I’m leaning towards the Kinkaid option as being the more probable.
However, that pick does come with a caveat: if Calgary can force overtime, I think the Flames’ offense can earn the bonus point.
After a seven-round shootout, the Toronto Maple Leafs finally knocked off the Nashville Predators 3-2 at Air Canada Centre in yesterday’s DtFR Game of the Day.
Let me be the first to say that if we get a Stanley Cup Finals between these teams, we’ll all be glued to our televisions for every second. This game had everything: goals, solid defense, superb goaltending… all the things you want in the final round of a championship.
As for the goal scoring, that started with 3:54 remaining in the first period when Second Star of the Game LW James van Riemsdyk (RW Connor Brown and D Travis Dermott) buried a slap shot to give the Maple Leafs a one-goal lead.
Goal number 2 also belonged to Toronto, but this one was a shorthanded wrist shot struck by RW Kasperi Kapanen (F Dominic Moore and D Ron Hainsey) 9:38 into the second frame. Facing a 2-0 hole, the Predators finally found their scoring prowess with 1:50 remaining before the second period. C Colton Sissons (LW Pontus Aberg and D Ryan Ellis) took credit for the late period charge, burying a snap shot.
Whatever motivational speech Head Coach Peter Laviolette gave in the dressing room obviously worked, because the Predators leveled the game only 25 seconds after returning to the ice when W Viktor Arvidsson scored an unassisted wrister.
Arvidsson’s game-tying effort proved to be the final goal scored in regulation, and none were added to the total in five minutes of three-on-three overtime. That forced every hockey fan’s favorite thing: the shootout.
As home team, Toronto had the option of going first or second. Head Coach Mike Babcock elected to go first.
C Auston Matthews usually seems like a good first choice in these shootout situations, but not when he’s squaring off against Third Star G Pekka Rinne. The Finn made the save.
That provided Turris an opportunity to give the Preds an advantage, but he sent his shot wide of the net.
F William Nylander apparently saw what Turris did and liked it, because he also didn’t force Rinne to make a save.
Once again Nashville was provided with a major opportunity, but W Kevin Fiala‘s snap shot was saved by First Star G Frederik Andersen to keep the shootout tied at zero.
Finally, someone found a goal! C Tyler Bozak scored in the third and final round, setting up a miss-and-lose situation for the visiting Preds.
Ellis apparently likes these situations where his club is trailing, because he duplicated his success from regulation to even the shootout and force sudden death.
F Mitch Marner was the fourth Leafs shooter to approach Rinne’s goal, but he found the same fate as Matthews: saved by the Finn.
F Craig Smith tried to get a little too fancy for his own good, as Andersen was able to make the save on his backhanded shot.
Get in line, F Patrick Marleau. You’re not the first to get stopped by Rinne today.
Another Predators backhander – this one from D Roman Josi. Another Andersen save.
Rinne just wasn’t a very nice house guest, was he? Brown’s snapper was also saved by the visiting netminder.
In the same turn, Andersen wasn’t exactly a benevolent host. F Ryan Johansen tried to beat him with a backhander (Nashville’s third in a row), but the former Duck was more than up to the challenge.
Apparently, van Riemsdyk saw that it was almost his bedtime, so he decided to do something about it. He beat Rinne to set up a miss-and-lose situation for the Preds.
Though Arvidsson was the one that got this game into the shootout, he couldn’t extend it as his snapper was saved by Andersen.
Andersen earned the victory after saving 44-of-46 shots faced (.957 save percentage), leaving the shootout loss to Rinne, who saved 30-of-32 (.938).
The 67-38-15 home teams are flexing their muscles in the DtFR Game of the Day series, as they’ve now won seven of the past eight games. Toronto’s shootout victory gives the hosts a 28-point lead over the roadies in the series. | 2019-04-18T10:19:08Z | https://downthefrozenriver.com/tag/matthew-tkachuk/ |
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According to the commander of the Northern Fleet, Nikolay Evmenov, the Tula submarine of the Project 667BDRM/Delta IV class will stay in service until 2029 (as will be the Gepard submarine of the Project 971 class). It's not clear why Tula was singled out - it is not the last submarine to complete overhaul. After Tula left Zvezdochka in December 2017, its place was taken by Bryansk. It appears that Tula will be one of the last Project 667BDRM submarines to be withdrawn - according to Evmenov, Project 955 Borey and Project 885 Yasen submarines will form the backbone of the Russian submarine fleet in 2030.
It was difficult to expect that the briefing organized by the Russian Ministry of Defense about a month ago would be taken seriously by the commentariat (especially in the United States) and indeed it wasn't. Yes, they didn't show the missile, only the container. The launcher that was demonstrated to participants was not exactly the one that was shown on the slide. And, oh, the horror, no questions were allowed. On top of that, MoD doesn't exactly have a stellar record of keeping its facts straight (to put it very mildly). So there is every reason to be skeptical about anything MoD said.
However, the briefing confirmed what I've been saying all along - this whole discussion needs to be more transparent and the more information we have the better. The briefing prompted the United States to put together a rebuttal of sorts. Of course, this was done in the US tradition - "our secret internal assessment confirmed that [surprise, surprise] we are right, but we will not tell you why and how dare you not to trust the US intelligence community?" This is very much the thrust of the article "U.S. Intelligence: Russia Tried to Con the World With Bogus Missile", in which Ankit Panda got some really interesting new information out of the US intelligence community. Perhaps inadvertently that information raised a few questions about whether US story about Russian violation is as consistent as the United States wanted us to believe.
So, here is what we have learned.
the Central Intelligence Agency and the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency have now "determined that the cruise missile canisters and launch vehicle the Russian Ministry of Defense publicly showed at the briefing were not related to the missile that the United States has argued since 2014 violates the 1987 treaty."
"the treaty-violating missile is larger than the canister shown publicly by the Russian Ministry of Defense and uses a separate launch vehicle" and "the United States assesses the SSC-8 to be a road-mobile variant of the Kalibr sea-launched cruise missile."
That was not quite the argument that the United States has made so far. Or, more precisely, this fits some parts of the story, but doesn't quite fit all of them. It is possible to come up with a theory that is reasonably compatible with what is known publicly known, although this theory does rely on an assumption that the United States got one key piece of evidence wrong. It's difficult to tell how likely it is, but I see no reason why this should be ruled it out, especially since it would explain quite a bit.
At this point the designations that are normally used in this discussion - SSC-8, 9M729, Kalibr - are not particularly helpful. To avoid confusion, I will use different designations to refer to cruise missiles under discussion and then will try to see if we could establish a link between the two sets.
U.S. theory of the violation, outlined in a statement by DNI Coats, begins with the fact that Russia tested a certain cruise missile from a fixed launcher. That missile, CM-1, was tested at least six times and "the longest test of the six saw the missile fly to a range of 2,070 km." It would be a logical conclusion that this CM-1 missile is very close to the Kalibr SLCM - it has roughly the same range, it was developed by the same Novator design bureau and so on - there are only so many cruise missiles one design bureau can develop.
The next step in the U.S. assessment is that some missile, call it CM-2, was tested from a road-mobile launcher (as I understand, after that series of CM-1 tests was completed). We know that CM-2 was never tested to the INF range (i.e. to 500+ km). The United States also claims that CM-2 has been already deployed - the most recent estimate is that four battalions are equipped with missiles of this type.
On top of that, there is a third missile - the one that was shown by the MoD at that briefing in January. Let's call it CM-3. Russia said that this missile was never tested to the INF range and that it is therefore fully compliant with the treaty. As far as I can tell, Russia did not dispute that the missile demonstrated during the briefing has been already deployed.
By looking at all this we can reasonably conclude that CM-2 and CM-3 look like the same missile - both were tested from a mobile launcher at the same site (the 5-km circle with the center at 48.774, 46.31 - this looks like the information that the United States gave Russia to identify the test site), neither was tested to the INF range, both missiles have been already deployed. Russia says that CM-3 is 9M729, which is a version of Iskander/9M728/SSC-7. The "CM-2 is CM-3 is 9M729" theory also has quite a bit of support in various U.S. statements. At some point, U.S. officials assured Hans Kristensen that the missile Russia developed and deployed - I will continue to call it CM-2 at this point - is a derivative of 9M728/SSC-7 and that the its launcher has a characteristic "hump" that distinguishes it from that of 9M728/SSC-7. Also, a New York Times story interviewed General Breedlove, who said that "location and verification [is] really tough" since "the mobile launcher for the cruise missile [CM-2] closely resembles the mobile launcher used for the Iskander." This perfectly fits the "CM-2 is CM-3 is 9M729" theory as the "hump," is not easy to see on satellite images and in all other respects the CM-3 launcher does look very much like that of 9M728/SSC-7.
What the U.S. intelligence is telling us now is that the "CM-2 is CM-3 is 9M729" theory is wrong. The crucial link in the U.S. assessment is that CM-2 is the same CM-1 missile that was tested to the INF range, albeit from a fixed launcher. This is exactly what makes it a violation of the INF treaty. The "CM-2 is CM-1" theory, however, has a few problems. One is the claim that CM-1 is larger than the container that Russia showed. Since CM-1 is also assessed to be a variant of Kalibr, it is safe to assume that it's an about 8-meter missile. Since this theory assumes that "CM-2 is CM-1" and the United States still insists that CM-2 has been already deployed, it would need a larger launcher as well. That doesn't quite fit General Breedlove's statement about CM-2 launchers closely resembling the Iskander one. If the "hump" is indeed not easy to see, telling a launcher that can accommodate a 8-meter missile from the one that carries a 6-meter 9M729/SSC-7 should not be that big of a problem. In any event, nobody has seen that larger launcher anywhere.
The problem, of course, is that the assessment that the missile tested from a fixed launcher [CM-1] is exactly the one that was later tested and deployed on a road-mobile launcher [CM-2] is the key link in U.S. accusations. If that link is removed, there is no case anymore. And in my view, all pieces fit together much better if that link is removed. The missile (well, the container of) that Russia showed in January [CM-3] is indeed 9M279, it is a variant of 9M728/SSC-7, and it may well be treaty compliant. The United States correctly identified it as such and determined that this missile, CM-2, is 9M729. But it appears that this missile has nothing to do with whatever Russia tested from a fixed launcher [CM-1]. That missile definitely exists, but it's just a different missile.
Of course, saying that this whole thing is a case of mistaken identity is an extremely steep assumption. I should be careful to say that I don't believe we can assume that. But in my view it is a possibility that we need to consider. The truth is we don't know how that link was made and to what extent we can trust it. We know that the U.S. intelligence community has "high confidence" in its conclusion, but that's about it. People who have seen the evidence swear that it is rock solid. It may well be. If it is, the United States should show it - secrecy at this point is counterproductive and increasingly makes it look like the United States is changing its theory of violation as it goes along.
In any event, feel free to chime in here on on Twitter if you believe that I missed something of if you have information that would support one theory or the other.
According to US sources, quoted by CNBC, Russia conducted a test of the Nudol ASAT system on December 23, 2018. The missile was launched from a mobile launcher from a test site in Plesetsk. The launch complex used to test the Nudol missile was found near the site used for Thyklon space launches.
That would be the second Nudol test in 2018 - the first one took place in April 2018. CNBC also quotes a source as saying that it was "the seventh overall test of the system." There were indeed three launches in 2014-2015 (one of them unsuccessful) and two in 2016 - in May and in December. Apparently there were no launches in 2017.
In the December 2018 test, the missile was said to be in flight for 17 minutes and landed at 3000 km (1,864 miles in the CBNC report) from Plesetsk. This matches the splash-down area in the Laptev Sea that was closed during the 23-25 December 2018. A similar area was closed for the April 2018 test.
I should also note that it appears that Nudol tests are not included in the Roskosmos launch statistics - if they were, the total count would be three launches from Plesetsk in 2018 - one Yars in June and two Nudols. But Rogozin counted only two.
The issue of why the table doesn't include naval missiles (like Kalibr SLCM) is one of the most interesting questions raised by the briefing (at least in my view). It appears that there is no "naval" division at Kapustin Yar. But Kalibr must have been tested somewhere. It's probably not Nenoksa - that is an NPOmash test site and I am told that tests to more than 220 km from there are very rare.
December 2018 was the first time in a while when the Rocket Forces made no announcement of the missile launch plans for the upcoming year and said nothing about the number of missile launches conducted in the year that is ending. Maybe it's because these announcements were getting a bit embarrassing - normally the Rocket Forces would conduct about half of the planned launches (this old chart provides a good illustration).
The story repeated itself in 2018 - in December 2017, Sergey Karakayev, the commander of the Rocket Forces, announced that his service will conduct 12 launches in 2018. The actual number appears to be closer to two.
Counting missile launches in 2018 is not easy - there was virtually no official information this year. There were three official statements - in October 2018, the press quoted the ministry of defense as saying that the Air and Space Forces conducted three launches since December 2017 - two Sarmat ejection tests (in March 2018 and in May 2018 and a test of a Yars missile - apparently the one in June 2018 (no information was released at the time).
Then, at the end of December, Dmitry Rogozin tweeted that Roskosmos conducted 22 launches in 2018. Most of these were space launches, but two out of eight launches from Plesetsk were not. We know that one of them was the Yars launch in June 2018, but the identity of the second one is more difficult to establish.
There are a number of candidates. First is the test of Nudol ASAT system that took place in March 2018. I am not entirely certain that this would be something Roskosmos would take credit for, but colleagues tell me that since it was a suborbital launch it's a Roskosmos territory. But it probably shouldn't count as a Rocket Forces launch. In the past, RVSN did not take credit for Nudol tests.
Other candidates for that second launch from Plesetsk are the event that was expected to take place during the October 2018 strategic exercise. A NOTAM warning was released, but nothing happened. Or maybe it did, but it went unannounced. Sounds possible, but more likely the test was postponed. Something similar happened in December 2018 - Russia released a NOTAM that covered December 23-25, but no launch was reported. I would judge that it is also unlikely that it was an actual launch. So, unless more information about ICBM comes out, I will count the March 2018 Nudol test as the second Plesetsk launch.
There were launches outside of Plesetsk, of course. It was difficult to miss the test of Avangard system from Dombarovskiy on 26 December 2018. This should probably count against the 12 launches in Karakayev statement.
Then, it appears that there was some activity at Kapustin Yar. There is fairly strong evidence that the event that took place there in early December 2018 was a failed launch of a Topol-E missile.
There is also some evidence that there was a launch of a missile, probably Topol-E, from Kapustin Yar to Sary Shagan in October 2018 - pieces of what looked conspicuously like fragments of a Topol first stage landed in Kazakhstan. Given that it landed outside of the designated areas the launch was probably not a success.
Putting it all together, it appears that Russia conducted only two successful ICBM launches in 2018, not 12 announced by Karakayev in December 2017. If we count Nudol, the number of successful launches will be three. Well, maybe the two Sarmat ejection tests were included in the 12 launches as well. These and the two apparent Kapustin Yar failures would bring the number of Rocket Forces tests to six (Nudol won't be included here), which, in fact, would be more in line with the historical record - the actual number is about half of what is planned.
On 26 December 2018 the Strategic Rocket Forces performed a test of the Avangard system that includes a hypersonic glide vehicle carried on a UR-100NUTTH/SS-19 missile. The launch, which took place at 12:59 MSK, was observed from the National Defense Control Center by the President of Russia and other officials. The test was said to be successful. It was also reported that the Avangard system has completed the program of tests and is ready for deployment in 2019.
The UR-100NUTTH missile that carried the vehicle was launched from a converted R-36M/SS-18 silo of the Dombarovskiy missile division (the one at 51.030849,59.690144). This silo has been used in earlier tests of the system (referred to as Project 4202). The vehicle reached its target at the Kura test site.
According to earlier reports, the deployment of Avangard will begin with two UR-100NUTTH missiles with the glide vehicle of the Avangard system will begin with two missiles deployed at Dombarovskiy by the end of 2019.
The history of Avangard/Project 4202 tests is a bit complicated. The vehicle, initially known as Yu-70, was tested four times in the 1990s and then it was mothballed until 2001. It was demonstrated to the Russian leadership in a test in February 2004 after which the development apparently got the green light (even though the test may not have been entirely successful). The next three tests - in December 2011, September 2013, and September 2014 (the evidence is mostly circumstantial for this one) - that involved a Yu-71 vehicle (built without Ukraine's participation) were probably not very successful as well. I was told that the designers had some problems with getting the vehicle to maneuver. This seems to be in agreement with what Yuri Borisov, deputy defense minister, said in a recent interview - the program was almost shut down "four years ago" (which would place it at the end of 2014). However, the designers asked for another chance to prove that the project is viable and they got it.
After that decision, there was a known test in February 2015 (probably unsuccessful), and two in 2016 - in April and in October. U.S. intelligence sources were quoted as saying that there was another (unsuccessful) test in October 2017, but this report does not seem very reliable - all 2017 ICBM launches have been accounted for and Borisov said that the most recent test of Avangard was the third one (I assume it was the third successful).
18 Feb 2004 Baykonur Demonstration of the Yu-70/102E vehicle. UR-100NUTTH launch during a strategic exercise. 15A35P launch. Reportedly unsuccessful.
In any event, everything appears to be ready for the first two Avangard launchers at Dombarovskiy in 2019. The total of 12 missiles are expected to be deployed there by the end of 2027, which confirms that it's largely a niche capability. There are persistent rumors about Avangard gliders being deployed on Sarmat ICBMs - as many as three on a missile - but I am a bit skeptical about that.
P.S. An interesting detail that can be seen at 0:05 on the video of the launch - the opening silo cover has something like a piece of cloth (тряпочка) attached to it. My guess is it's a cover of the missile container that is being removed as the silo opens. But the removal method doesn't seem particularly elegant.
P.P.S. The glider is said to have reached speed of 20M or even (according to Borisov) 27M. This sounds impressive (and in fact it is), but we should keep in mind that the vehicle is flying at altitudes of 70-80 km. The speed of sound there is about 290 m/s, which is less than 340 m/s at the sea level (NASA has a nice calculator). So, 20M would be 5.8 km/s (27M is about 7.8 km/s).
At 03:20 MSK (00:20 UTC) on December 21, 2018 the Space and Air Defense Forces conducted a successful launch of a Proton-M launcher from Baykonur. The satellite that was successfully delivered into orbit by the Briz-M booster stage, received the official designation Cosmos-2533.
Cosmos-2533 is the Blagovest communication satellite (No. 13L) produced at the Reshetnev ISS enterprise in Zheleznogorsk.
Previous launch of a satellite of this type, Cosmos-2526, took place in April 2018. | 2019-04-25T14:30:30Z | https://russianforces.org/blog/ |
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To let readers understand when you might have accomplished the finish of the listing, put a parenthetical citation at the end of this substance. State that the most critical information which you want your own readers to learn from the essay, however, don’t introduce some fresh info in your conclusion. APA format demands that the exact first and also each extra webpage of this mentioned resource be listed. MLA format is very popular because it truly is straightforward to use also to follow the exact facts MLA citations contain. It does not require you to write the URL by the conclusion of the citation, however, you could include it after the access date. Should you stay glued to a MLA essay arrangement, you also want to check out along with along with the instructions to this particular. Any origin that’s used in the introduction of the project needs to be provided charge by means of the citation.
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You don’t need to write the exact internet address. The article information will be found on the top left of one’s first page. The advice seems to be reputable however Almond does not furnish a bibliography due to his publication therefore the reader should take consideration whilst reading. Inch approach to arrange data from means is always to make a notecard for each idea you need to incorporate into your newspaper. In the event you have no the information about the moment the pamphlet was published, you may use the day you received . Remember the role of citing an origin is so that the reader can access details about the foundation.
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This is the second part in a series (see Part 1, Part 3, and Part 4).
One of the many excellent Salesforce.com platform features is allowing one to define typed custom fields on objects. This is a widely used feature of Salesforce.com and it is not uncommon for an organization to define hundreds of custom fields. Using the Salesforce.com SOAP API, one can retrieve the defined custom fields for an object and can sync custom field data using the same procedure as syncing standard field data. Normally this works beautifully. Unfortunately, problems result when custom field names are changed.
The problem stems from an inconsistency in the way Salesforce.com treats custom fields compared to other records. To understand the inconsistency, we must first understand how Salesforce.com uniquely identifies all records. In Salesforce.com, every record has a 15-character Id (the 18-character version will be covered in a future post). The first three characters of the Id identify the object type of the record. As examples, a 003 prefix means the record is a Contact, while a 005 prefix means the record is a User, and a 00D prefix means the record is an Organization.
Custom fields, however, are treated differently. While custom fields have 15 character Ids (prefixed by 00N) in Salesforce.com’s database just like object records, this Id is not exposed via the SOAP API. Instead, Salesforce.com provides a unique, but mutable, “API name” that is initially auto-generated from the field name.
There is a plethora of information in describeSObjectResult, but for now the data we care about is the list of Field objects. Unsurprisingly, there will be one Field object for each field (standard or custom) that is defined for an object type.
Note that the name is usually just the label with spaces and other non-word characters stripped out.
Custom fields are represented slightly differently. The name is not actually the “Field Name” shown in the Salesforce.com UI (not exposed via the API), but is instead the aforementioned “API Name”. The “API Name” is closely related to the “Field Name” as it is the field name with a special __c suffix (two underscores before the c).
For instance, if you have a custom field to hold a contact’s shoe size, you might call the field “Shoe Size”. Upon field creation, Salesforce.com will set the “Field Name” to Shoe_Size and the “API Name” to Shoe_Size__c. If you then “delete” the field, the name will change to Shoe_Size_del__c. The field will then be placed in your deleted fields list where you can “undelete” the field. Upon undeletion, the name remains Shoe_Size_del__c. You can then delete the field again, which will change its name to Shoe_Size_del_del__c.
When a customer integrates Salesforce.com with Genius.com, we download all available records for that customer from several different object types (Contact, Lead, etc). As part of this, it is important that we represent all of the custom fields on those objects. To keep our data consistent with Salesforce.com’s, we need to track all changes that the customer makes to their custom fields. To be specific, I’m referring to changes to the fields themselves, not just changes to specific record field values. Let’s work through some scenarios of how the custom fields for an object can change. (For clarity, let’s just focus on the Contact object.) You may note that some of the behavior we’re giving our hypothetical customer is not necessarily common usage, but it’s all perfectly valid usage of the Salesforce.com custom field model.
First, suppose that Contact has the Shoe_Size__c integer custom field I used earlier. If the customer adds a date custom field LastBoughtNewShoes__c, that change is easy to handle. When we get the fields of the Contact object, we will see Shoe_Size__c and LastBoughtNewShoes__c. We can detect that we already have a field called Shoe_Size__c, so we skip that one. We perform the same check for LastBoughtNewShoes__c and see that we do not yet have that field, so we create that field on Contact.
Now, suppose that the customer decides he doesn’t like the name LastBoughtNewShoes__c and changes it to LastPurchasedNewShoes__c. When we next check the Contact metadata, it will look like LastBoughtNewShoes__c was deleted and LastPurchasedNewShoes__c was added, thus causing us to have to delete all of the values for LastBoughtNewShoes__c and re-download them for LastPurchasedNewShoes__c, even though it’s exactly the same data.
The customer then accidentally deletes the shoe size custom field. Realizing his mistake, he then undeletes the custom field. His data is still safe, but the field name will have changed from ShoeSize__c to ShoeSize_del__c. Thus, like when he purposely changed the name of the field, we will delete the old field (and all its values) and create the new field (and have to re-download all the values).
Next, the customer decides he doesn’t like storing the date that his contacts last bought shoes and would instead like to store an estimation of how frequently his contacts buy shoes. So, he deletes LastPurchasedNewShoes__c, which changes its name to LastPurchasedNewShoes_del__c, and creates a new LastPurchasedNewShoes__c. This time, though, instead of creating it as a date field, he creates it as a picklist (aka dropdown) field with values like “1st Quarter”, “2nd Quarter”, “3rd Quarter”, and “4th Quarter”. When we check the metadata for Contact, we will see a LastPurchasedNewShoes__c field that we already have. However, it’s obviously not going to work to try to write “1st Quarter” into a date field. Depending on the language and DBMS used, that might cause an exception to be thrown, a date of 1970-01-01 or 0000-00-00 to be written, or any of a number of other possible failure conditions. It is possible to detect this specific scenario, though, by examining the type of the field. We could see that the type of LastPurchasedNewShoes__c had changed since the last time we checked metadata and use that to delete the old date field and create a new picklist field. There are a few other fields that can provide hints that a field may have changed in a way that requires deleting the old field and recreating it like “calculated”, “nillable” and a few others, but this is not always accurate, as the next example shows.
Next, the customer decides he doesn’t like storing shoe size as the standard US shoe size (11, 12, etc) and would prefer to store the interior volume of the optimal shoe for the contact in cubic centimeters. To simplify matters, assume that the customer did not accidentally delete the shoe size field, so it is still called Shoe_Size__c. This new measurement cannot be calculated from the shoe size, so all new data is going to need to be gathered from contacts for this field. Consequently, the customer deletes the initial Shoe_Size__c field and replaces it with another int field, also called Shoe_Size__c. When we next check metadata, everything will match: the old field and the new field have the same name, type, and other attributes, even though they are semantically different. The correct behavior would be to delete the old field and all its values and create a new field of the same name, but there is no way to figure out what has actually happened from the data available through the API.
On the surface, the problems listed above are minor inconveniences that can be overcome by being conservative when custom field changes are detected. In this conservative approach, we treat all changes as the previously synced field being deleted and a new field being created. This results in all data for the previous field being deleted and data for the new field being inserted. It may seem like this just causes data syncs to take a little longer. However, there are much more important (and unavoidable) effects.
Genius.com depends on custom fields for more than just data consistency. There are several important parts of our application that depend on custom fields. Our SmartGroups implementation and our marketing automation product allow users to dynamically segment their prospect base based on custom field values.
Back to renamed field example: let us imagine a marketing user wants to automatically send an email to a prospect when it has been 6 months since they last purchased a shoe. The marketer creates an automation workflow with a rule that says If LastBoughtNewShoes__c is greater than six months send "Email 1" and then goes back to browsing awkward family photos. Imagine that a week later the administrator for the marketer’s Salesforce.com organization renames the field in Salesforce. Under the naive solution we delete the custom field and all data. This requires us to invalidate the workflow, since the custom field it depends on no longer exists. Ideally, we would be able to just rename the field and thus leave the workflow untouched. Unfortunately, without an immutable primary key (i.e. the 00N prefixed Id) this is not possible.
The fundamental problem arises because the field name, while technically a primary key, is not a good primary key because it can change. Having a mutable primary key isn’t bad in theory. It can work in a self-contained system where all data can be kept consistent, but it is quite inconvenient in practice. There are a handful of reasons for this (making backed up data harder to correlate with current data, inefficiencies in propagating primary key changes, etc), but the most important one, in this situation, is that Salesforce.com isn’t a self-contained system. As an external system, we have no way of being notified of changes to primary keys.
Interestingly enough, we aren’t the only ones to have noticed this difficulty with custom fields. Salesforce.com also provides functionality to create a web-to-lead form that you can place on your website and which will automatically create a lead in your Salesforce.com organization when someone fills it out. It is useful to include custom field form fields in web-to-lead forms and, naturally, Salesforce.com lets you do this. Here’s some example output of the Salesforce.com web-to-lead form generator.
The Salesforce.com application also uses the 00N Id when working with custom fields. For instance, an example of the URL for editing a custom field is: https://na1.salesforce.com/00N30000001N2f9/e.
As mentioned before, 00N is the Id prefix for custom fields. Given this example, it’s reasonable to assume that the developers who created the web-to-lead form generator recognized the inadequacy of relying on custom field names and instead used the “real” primary key for identifying custom fields. This Id behaves like other Salesforce.com Ids: it is unique and never changes, thus making it unique against all future possible records as well. This is the Id we really need, but there is no way to get this Id through the API.
All the things you mention are definitely items that the salesforce.com API developer needs to be aware of. Adherence to best practices with regard to custom field management would go a long way here.
The best practice around this area is to change the label if you don’t like the field name when you are in production.
“You have successfully undeleted the custom field: Reseller Phone. All the data in the field has been restored as well.
Changes were made to the field when it was deleted. You should manually reverse these changes in order to return your field to its pre-deletion state.
* The developer name was changed to Reseller_Phone_del.
* The field was removed from any layouts that were edited while the field was deleted.
* If the field was required, it has been changed to not be required.
* The field was removed from any AppExchange packages that contained it directly.
Your layouts are not restored, requiredness is lost as well as preserving the “_del” name change you mention.
I like your example for custom field names and data types as it illustrates a common design error. The date field is ultimately the more useful of date versus picklist. Since the quarter can be calculated, the better design is to leave the date field as your input field and add a formula field to generate the quarter. I understand that this is an illustrative sample, but it is useful for thinking about data and what is stored versus displayed and the dangers of not understanding the implications outlined in your article when making schema changes.
It’s not just a problem for Genius.com or for salesforce.com. Integrations are reasonably built against a known schema and when that schema changes, whether it’s salesforce.com or MySQL, the integration is going to fail.
I’m not sure that I understand how having a unique ID (00N) is useful when a customer changes a field type though. Although the ID is unique and immutable, the rest of the meta-data is not, so that the assumption of data type is not helped by the ID.
The first version of the API that was aware of custom fields and custom objects only allowed you to use the ID. The describe call included a label and a custom field ID. This was problematic because an XML tag is not properly formed if it starts with a number. You can also see this when you create a relationship. The relationship name can default to an ID unless you explicitly name it.
Thank you for your insight into Salesforce.com best practices and the evolution of the Salesforce.com Partner API. While it’s useful to be able to rename custom fields, it’s important for those who administer Salesforce.com organizations to understand the implications such an action will have on integrations.
Unfortunately, as a Salesforce.com partner using the Salesforce.com Partner API to provide a seamless integration to any organization regardless of schema, we have absolutely no control over what our customers do in their Salesforce.com organization. We are not able to exert any influence on organization administrators towards adherence to custom field management best practices. Thus, it would be immensely helpful to be able to track a field using its 00N ID.
You are correct that having the unique ID (00N) when a field type changes will not change how such an operation is handled. It will, however, give us better insight into what is actually happening by allowing us to distinguish between a field type being changed and an existing field being deleted with a new field being created.
Great article. As a new Salesforce.com user, what are your thoughts about the speed of the API calls? I’ve been hearing some horror stories lately – that during peak times, API calls take very long. I’m having a hard time believing Salesforce would let that happen.
Though the performance of the API does degrade slightly during peak hours, it’s never been anything close to a “horror story.” Usually the dip isn’t even noticeable. Like most external systems (which by definition have non-trivial latency), the key to achieving good performance is parallelization.
Marshall, thanks for the reply! That’s definitely reassuring.
Thanks for this info. We have run into a similar problem with an AppExchange product, and your post helps me understand what might be creating the issue. We use Marketo integrated with SFDC, and we’ve found that when we change the field type of a custom field, that change does not populate to Marketo. For example, we had a field that was set as a checkbox (Marketo reads this data as true or false). We realized later that we needed a picklist in order to make the field required on our landing page registration forms in Marketo. So we naively made the change. But Marketo never picked up that change. The only options it would allow for the field were “true” or “false” even though we’d created 3 options in the picklist. Even the override functionality in Marketo that enables different labels for selections would not work. We had to delete the field in SFDC and create a new field with a different name and set it to picklist in order to be able to use the field in a Marketo form.
I’ve also noticed that if we delete a field in SFDC, it does not get deleted in Marketo. A Marketo administrator can hide the field, but it’s not completely deleted. The hide function has to be executed on each field individually.
First, let me emphasize that I don’t have any details about how Marketo’s integration with SFDC works aside from the fact that they use Boomi, so any guesses I have about Marketo’s implementation are just that: guesses.
My hunch is that the problems you’re having with Marketo actually stem from a different source. The reasons listed in this article make it harder than it should be to track changes to your SFDC schema through SFDC’s API, but it is certainly not impossible (our product has done it for 4 years now, including all of the cases you listed). Instead, I think that the problem may stem from Marketo’s use of Boomi as an intermediate layer between Marketo’s software and SFDC. It could be that the data that Boomi exposes isn’t sufficient to detect the field changes that you made. My understanding is that Boomi requires manual mappings to be configured linking external CRM fields to Marketo fields. This works great most of the time but has severe limitations when changes are made in the CRM. Boomi is a great product, but its focus on providing generic connections across systems limits its ability to provide deep integration with specific CRMs.
At Genius we chose to integrate with SFDC’s API directly rather than using a product like Boomi to act as an intermediary. This provides several advantages, not the least of which is the ability to quickly detect and apply schema changes like the ones you made. Our system automatically handles such changes within minutes.
Now that we know that Marketo does not use Boomi for SFDC integration, I’m out of ideas as to why they would be unable to keep track of your schema changes. We’ve been able to do this from the very beginning.
Marketo does not use Boomi for its integration with SFDC. Please amend your inaccurate post.
Also, it’s interesting to note that while your email is @boomi.com, your IP address is owned by Marketo.
I mean really, what on earth were they thinking? This is some basic level stuff they are screwing up on.
And how come the unique ID starts with a number? When is this ever semantic? In what language?
This makes Salesforce custom fields useless.
This is the exact name for custom fields that report URL parameters use to dynamically generate reports!
The thing I still can’t figure out is how I’m going to get all the other parameters and their possible values documented so I can fully utilize this functionality. Any suggestions or takers?
Can you be more specific about what you’re trying to do? Which other parameters are you referring to? | 2019-04-25T07:00:33Z | http://blog.teamlazerbeez.com/2009/05/17/salesforcecom-api-gotchas-2/ |
Evidently, the most effective method of achieving that objective is repetition, repetition, repetition. Even some of the most respected people in the so-called alternative media are spewing the inept nonsense without ever doing any personal research. Key opinion leaders and their naive but apparently useful idiots disseminate the same initial claims or uncertainties about Sandy Hook that have been promulgated since December 14, 2012. In late 2015, to reemphasize the uncertainties (inept theories), Fetzer compiled a collection of these speculative ideas, all of which had already been thoroughly refuted many times. That compilation is Nobody Died at Sandy Hook; it was a FEMA Drill, edited by Fetzer, an acknowledged expert at advancing uncertainties and inept theories. Fetzer, claiming that Sandy Hook was a hoax wrote, “Once you acknowledge that some of the evidence has been fabricated or faked, however, the case begins to assume a completely different character.” Shouldn’t Fetzer’s statement, perhaps a projection of what the hoaxers are accusing others of, be applied to fabricated FEMA manuals, ignorant misinterpretations of the WayBack Machine and other issues?
For example, Dr. Vivian Lee wrote a chapter in Fetzer’s book, originally published as Top Ten Reasons: Sandy Hook was an Elaborate Hoax at Veterans Today in January 2014 (following the release of the official reports) when Dr. Lee was the “lead author with Sofia Smallstorm, James Tracy, and Jim Fetzer” and others. Dr. Lee refers to Kelley Watt (aka: Kelley from Tulsa) and the Medical Waste Tracking Act of 1988, legislation that Watt applied to Sandy Hook in an attempt to try to prove that the investigators had a legal responsibility to track the clean-up, such as the blood evidence, all the way to the incinerator with names and dates. If Dr. Lee had checked Watt’s reference, as an experienced researcher does, she would have discovered that it referred to an expired legislative act. The linked web site indicates that this was a two-year program from June 24, 1989 to June 21, 1991, in four states, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island and Puerto Rico.
Regarding Allan William Powell, Fetzer wrote, “It became apparent that one of the leading experts on mischief in Connecticut resided half-way around the world.” Further, Fetzer said of Powell’s two chapters, (they) “are going to qualify as the most brilliant studies published on Sandy Hook, which provide unexpected but decisive proof that this was a staged event.” One must question the accuracy of Fetzer’s perceptions and his research abilities or else his very dubious motivations. In the description of Powell in Fetzer’s book, it just states that he is retired but gives absolutely no information about his qualifications or experience, unlike the other contributors to Fetzer’s compilation. It appears that the more preposterous a person’s claims about Sandy Hook are, the greater chance that such a person would be a guest on Fetzer’s, The Real Deal.
With this bit of brief background, let’s examine the chapter, Fixing a Prop, Furnishing the Lanza Home that Allan Powell and Kelley Watt wrote, or that was included, in Fetzer’s book. Their premise is, “the Sandy Hook Elementary school and the Lanza Home were set up and stage-managed to support a false story that Adam Lanza killed his mother Nancy Lanza in their home and then went to the elementary school and killed 26 people.” Powell also wrote the very next chapter in the book, Setting the Stage, Refurbishing the School which also contains major contradictions. Shill Murray and C. W. Wade have done an excellent job at deconstructing and refuting the allegations in the two chapters. I hope that I can add a few perceptions that might also be helpful to those interested in the truth. In order to assist the reader in understanding what occurred in what room of the Lanza home, see the Lanza Home Layout with evidence markers.
Powell maintains that the school was “refurbished” in late October or early November. Yet he also implies that the Lanza home and the school were staged at the same time. It was definitely Christmas time at both locations. Click on the images to see a much larger version.
Image #121; Notice the Christmas wreath on the front of the white truck. All of the vehicles in the parking lot at this point were service vehicles except those cars under the canopy from which investigators were extracting evidence. Powell claims that the school was staged in October facilitated by Meyer’s Moving and Storage. Then why is there a Meyer’s truck at the crime scene? Are “they” staging the school at the same time as the investigation or are they moving entire classrooms to the Chalk Hill School?
In June 2014, the legal documents regarding the Lanza divorce, finalized on September 24, 2009, were released which indicated that Nancy Lanza was authorized to make all of decisions regarding Adam. According to one report, Nancy Lanza “switched doctors, medications, and schools, and nothing improved Adam’s condition enough.” The couple would share joint custody of Adam who would live with his mother. The divorce granted Nancy $240,000 a year. Peter Lanza transferred the home to Nancy in 2011. By 2012, Peter paid Nancy $289,000 with cost of living increases each year until he retired.
According to court records and an inventory filed on February 7, 2014, Nancy Lanza’s estate was worth about $64,000, not counting any insurance policies she may have had. The home on Yogananda Street was “heavily mortgaged.” The four-bedroom home on two acres had a fair market value of $360,000 but the mortgage was about $402,000, with an appraised value of over $540,000. The Lanzas purchased the home in 1998 when the family moved from New Hampshire. In 1999, Nancy Lanza was a volunteer at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, evidently in Ryan’s class. Adam was in the first grade at the same school.
Section 4, Scene Search Day 3, Image #73 (left); Section 4, Scene Search Day 3, Image #74 (right) This card was from a box under some clothing in the corner of the closet in the second-floor master bedroom. Click on the images to see a much larger version. Did the “stage managers” create and plant this card? Those individuals that Powell refers to as “stage managers” are the detectives that conducted the search: Det. Ryan Luther, Det. Jeffery Payette, Det. Daniel Cargill, Det. David Lamoureux, Det. Keith Hoyt, and Det. Priscilla Vining who were supervised by Sgt. John Turner.
The fact is that “stage managers” or as described on another page, “intelligence agents on a training course/drill,” could not possibly stage anything in the house that would prove that AL was “mentally deranged” that would NOT ALSO INCLUDE adequate collaborative evidence from other sources, such as internet forums, validated independent sources and people. Powell did not correlate any of the out-of-sequence photos that he chose with the relevant reports which are what a legitimate researcher would do IF he really wanted to determine the meaning, the relevance and time-frame of the photos. Obviously, Fetzer, Powell and the other hoaxers (people who hoax their followers) are intentionally obfuscating the facts but why – just for financial gains; I think NOT. I suggest that it is a huge, well-funded DAMAGE CONTROL operation for big pharma.
The investigators seized many significant pieces of evidence that Powell never mentions. He obviously did not correlate any images with the official reports, including the summary report released by the State’s Attorney for the Judicial District of Danbury. Even those seized items did not directly connect AL to Sandy Hook or give any indication that he was planning the shooting. There exists a documented history of Adam, almost since his birth, with dozens of witnesses, comments from his mother and others that suggest he had some very serious social/emotional issues. Powell must have been aware of this history in order to suggest that “stage managers” could somehow organize the house to “resemble a home of a mentally deranged twenty-year old,” whatever he imagines that might entail. If Powell is going to make such speculative, ludicrous claims, he should at least provide some particulars.
Shortly after telling the readers that the house was staged, the unsympathetic Powell refers to the two images of AL’s bedroom that he chose to use. He wrote, “There are no evidence markers in either image and it is hard to imagine why any investigation of the dead shooter’s room would forward any evidence for clearing up any issues which could be in contention in a trial especially given that the shooter was dead.” He is implying that there was no reason to investigate the contents of AL’s room for a possible motive – despite the fact that there were twenty-eight people dead, including the shooter.
Powell wrote, “The photos in this chapter show various stages of preparation of the house as a prop for the story of Adam Lanza the shooter. There are different takes on the décor of Adam Lanza’s bedroom for instance: messy, “normal” and pristine.” Powell totally ignored the chronological order of the images and used photos out of order to prove his ludicrous theories. For instance, the very last image in his chapter was Section 5, Back-up Scene #618 out of a total of 667 images. This suggests that Powell went through a lot of images to selectively choose those that supported his theories. At one point, on Fetzer’s program, Powell claimed that the images were leaked to him by an insider. All of the photos that he used are from the official reports.
As Shill Murray, C. W. Wade, Reed Coleman, and others have pointed out in numerous articles, crime scene photos are taken in chronological order. Honest researchers are NOT going to present them out of sequence for nefarious reasons. Murray wrote, “Investigators are free to be as intrusive as they need to be in order to get their job done. From page 102 of Practical Crime Scene Analysis and Reconstruction by Ross Gardner and Tom Bevel: “The act of searching is very intrusive, taken only after the primary scene context is documented. The function of any search is to ensure that all evidence and details are noted.” The first images represent a particular scene exactly as the photographer found it. Thereafter, investigators tear the rooms apart to evaluate any evidence that might contribute to the investigation. The investigators obtained a search warrant.
On the top, we see Adam Lanza’s bedroom on 12/20/2012, after the investigation; I lightened the image so that one could see what the investigators left. The image is from Book 2, 00195358 (Murray referred to this document), the Secondary Digital Photography Report and can also be seen in Farr, House Scene Photos. The images, 27 of them, referred to in that document were taken by TFC Peter. G. Farr on December 20, 2012. It is intentionally deceptive for Powell and Watt to suggest that this image was part of some sort of a staging. The other photo, on the bottom, Section 4, Primary Scene, Image 188, was taken before the investigators tore the room apart. On page 134, Exhibit 40, Powell and Watt claim there is no dust under AL’s bed (the Lanzas had a vacuum cleaner). Click on the images to see a much larger version.
Watt says, “Note the glider pad under the leg of the headboard in order to move the bed around for picture-perfect staging.” On page 126, she says, “Notice the moving pad under the leg of the footboard–just as we saw in Adam’s bedroom.” There are absolutely no photos of either bed shown in any position other than the position that the photographer took them when he first arrived at the crime scene. AL’s bed was always on the east wall of the southeast bedroom. If we are to believe that “stage managers” brought in props, such as beds, they surely would have brought them in unassembled and then put them together in the appropriate rooms. There would have been absolutely no reason to “glide” or “move” them. Many homeowners (including me) use protective pads under heavy furniture whether it is carpet or hardwood floors.
Nancy’s bed, Section 5, Back-up Scene #665. The paper on the chest at the foot of the bed is a search warrant. On page 128, Powell and Watt state, “In setting up this room, as in all the other rooms, the participants were graded. The graders were dumb enough to leave their evaluation forms.” No, that was a search warrant! Click on the images to see a much larger version.
There is actually a much better image of the protective pads under the “footboard” but Powell and Watt did not use it because it would have shown the gloved hand of one of the investigators. FEMA “stage managers” or “intelligence agents on a training course/drill” would have no need for gloves.
Section 5, Back-up Scene #470. Click on the images to see a much larger version.
Powell and Watt deviously and deliberately distract the readers with their focus and idiotic claims about an insignificant “glider pad,” the absence of a blanket or an electric blanket, and heaven forbid, “there is no bulletin board, sports memorabilia, ipads, ipods, headphones, stereo equipment, trashcan, trophies, pictures, magazines, caged pets (such as a snake or hampster) plants, shoes or shirts, video games or flat screen TV.” Yes, these crack researchers misspelled hamster. They suggest that all of this “evidence” demonstrates that AL was “mentally deranged” while totally ignoring the most obvious idiosyncrasy in the room – the black plastic covering all three windows. They not only totally ignore the black plastic but also never even hint at why the so-called “stage managers” would even consider covering the windows with it.
Section 4, Scene Search Day 3, Image #102 (left), Note the books taken from the closet and Section 4, Scene Search Day 3, Image #103 (right); and by the way, that paper is a search warrant. Click on the images to see a much larger version.
He said, “On another tangent, what do you think about sunlight? Those drapes haven’t been opened in the last five years, and the drapes in the room I’m in right now have actually been taped shut (to block the gaps from allowing sunlight through) for the same amount of time. I absolutely hate sunlight, along with any artificial light which resembles it.” The two rooms that AL (Smiggles) is referring to, in 2010, two years before the shootings, are the computer room which has the drapes that have not been opened since 2005 and his bedroom whose windows he covered with black plastic. Coleman suggests that there were computers in both rooms, particularly since there was so much computer equipment in the closet in the bedroom. In that same message, AL (Smiggles) says he has hallucinations.
The first appointment with a psychiatrist is usually the longest as that is when he or she selects a condition from the DSM in order to determine what drug to prescribe. All future appointments usually last about ten to fifteen minutes, about the same as a physician, and are merely “medication management” sessions. Physicians, without a psychiatric diagnosis, readily write prescriptions for psychiatric drugs, making it unnecessary for a patient to visit a psychiatrist, both of which insurance will pay for, either private or of government. However, insurance does not pay for talk therapy, just drug therapy.
Tech Club ID, Section 5, Back-up Scene Image #373. Click on the image to see a slightly bigger version.
Adam Lanza withdrew from family and friends and isolated himself. Many people taking Prozac or other SSRIs experience photophobia, sensitivity to light. Del Shannon, the singer, experienced light sensitivity, prior to his suicide on February 8, 1990, after taking Prozac since January 24. See part of his last concert on February 3, 1990 in Fargo, South Dakota.
On Friday, September 20, 1991, three years after Prozac (an SSRI) hit the American market, the Psychopharmacological Drugs Advisory Committee (PDAC), the entity that had evaluated the drug in 1985, under the jurisdiction of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the US Public Health Service and the FDA held a public hearing in Rockville, Maryland, to assess the increasing number of allegations about the harmful effects of these antidepressants. The FDA decided to conduct “a scientific investigation into suicidal ideation, suicidal acts, and other violent behavior reported to occur in association with the pharmacological treatment of depression.” They gave each witness just three minutes.
Adam Lanza’s parents described his physical, as well as his social, awkwardness. During his interview with Andrew Solomon, Peter Lanza said, “It was crystal clear something was wrong. The social awkwardness, the uncomfortable anxiety, unable to sleep, stress, unable to concentrate, having a hard time learning, the awkward walk, reduced eye contact. You could see the changes occurring.” Solomon, the only journalist to interview Peter Lanza published an article in The New Yorker on March 17, 2014. Solomon is the son of the CEO of Forest Laboratories that makes Celexa, an SSRI. (any bias there?).
“The shooter liked to play a game called “Dance Dance Revolution” (DDR), which is a music video game in which the player stands on a platform, watches a video screen and moves his feet as directed by the video. A home version of this was seen and photographed in the shooter’s home. Several videos of him playing DDR were found on digital media taken from the home.” He played this game regularly, for hours at a time, at the Danbury AMC movie theater’s arcade. C. W. Wade posted a video of AL playing DDR here.
1. Nancy Lanza had full responsibility for all decisions regarding AL.
2. AL covered his windows three weeks after his first appointment with Dr. Fox, a doctor who freely prescribed SSRIs for children.
3. AL experienced symptoms associated with someone taking SSRIs.
4. Officials acknowledged that they had confiscated medical records from the Lanza home but steadfastly refused to make them public.
6. Big pharma wants to conceal the association between psych drugs and dozens of mass shootings by people who were taking or had taken psych drugs, especially SSRIs.
Pamela Engel, Why Extensive Mental Health Treatment Didn’t Stop Adam Lanza, Business Insider, March 10, 2014, http://www.businessinsider.com/mental-health-treatment-didnt-stop-adam-lanza-2014-3, viewed 9/1/2014.
This comment is meant for all of the Sandy Hook “hoaxers” out there, even though it’s doubtful that any of them would read Ms. Spingola’s latest article, much less this comment. Why should they? After all, they have done their due diligence of the subject by watching every youtube video proving the theory that the entire event was a hoax, and the most diligent among them may have even read Fetzer’s book (actually a compilation of others’ work) on the subject.
Never mind the fact that every one of the points (16) that the hoaxers use to prove their theory have been debunked thoroughly by independent researchers, including Deanna Spingola. Never mind Spingola’s 500+ page book proving unequivocally that Adam Lanza, a vaccine-damaged, malnourished, psychiatric patient who owned several guns and knew how to use them, shot and killed 26 at the school on December 14, 2012. But the Sandy Hook Hoaxers just keep coming back, with the same old tired points.
This well-researched article shows how photos can be selectively chosen, misconstrued and taken out of sequence to convince the gullible of the outrageous theory that the Lanza home and the Sandy Hook School were staged by conspirators to make them look like crime scenes. I believe that Ms. Spingola has proved beyond any doubt that the Lanza home, especially Adam’s bedroom was not a staged scene.
If one reads this article, and yet is still unsure of whether to believe the hoaxers and the youtube videos, or whether to believe Ms. Spingola, please read her previous articles which address some of the other points cited by Wolfgang Halbig, James Fetzer and a few others. Better yet, buy and read “Screening Sandy Hook – Causes and Consequences”, which is the most thorough book about this sad subject.
The Sandy Hook Hoaxers are in effect accusing parents of faking their child’s brutal murder. Think about that for a minute. Hoaxers, for what it’s worth, I pity you, for I would not want this false accusation on my conscience. Take the time to research this issue thoroughly, and retract your accusations – publicly if you can. It’s the right thing to do.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful response to my article. It is interesting that the hoaxers repeatedly and totally ignore all of the available evidence. I emailed Allan Powell about ten days ago and asked him to be a guest on my radio program to talk about the two chapters that he contributed to Fetzer’s book. He did not reply. I have also challenged Fetzer to a legitimate debate with an unbiased moderator. He is not interested. It is unfortunate that repeated lies often become the truth and the truth becomes the lie. Thanks again!! | 2019-04-22T00:35:45Z | https://screeningsandyhook.net/2016/07/05/nobody-staged-the-house-it-was-the-lanza-residence-part-1/ |
But I’m a bit surprised Scrooge survived this story, and not because of the architect. Louie should have looked up "dollar-hydrogen mix" in the Woodchuck’s Guidebook before trying to poison Scrooge with a mix of dollars and carbon trioxide. Looking at the chemical formula he obviously got the wrong tank!
I’m not sure what the original text say, but I have this story in a German "Lustiges Taschenbuch". There he is given proper treatment with gold dioxide according to the formula.
Probably the same mix as in "Up Against the Wall" where he gets "gold oxygen" (translated from the Norwegian print).
But never mind all that. What I’m going to talk about in this blogpost is Grandpa Beagle …or wait, did IDW just call him Blackheart Beagle in "The Bigger Operator"?
That’s the only story Barks drew with Grandpa Beagle, at least looking like that and called "grandpa". We do see him in "Dime and Dime Again", a story based on a plot by Carl Barks. But the plot that can be read in Uncle Scrooge Adventures #42 does not mention Grandpa Beagle specifically, so he was probably added to the story by Geoffrey Blum.
In "The Fantastic River Race" we get to see a character called Blackheart Beagle in a memory from Scrooges youth. There’s no information in the story that directly tells us that this is the grandfather of today’s Beagle Boys. But if we assume Scrooge is about the same age as the "brawling sons", and use the fact that the steam boats engineer is Gyro’s grandfather; yes, Blackheart Beagle might be Grandpa Beagle, or at least one of the Beagle Boys’ grandfathers.
In "The Master Of The Mississippi", Don Rosa tell the story about how Blackheart Beagle got to own the riverboat seen in "The Fantastic River Race". We also get to know why they started wearing masks and at the end we even see Blackheart Beagle use the term "Beagle Boys".
In "The Invader Of Fort Duckburg" we see Blackheart Beagle making a reference to what happened in "The Master Of The Mississippi", so we know for sure that this is the same character. But his appearance has changed. Now he has grown a beard and started wearing the prison clothes with the same number as seen in the Barks story with Grandpa Beagle. But he kept his captain hat.
Jumping further into the future, in "The Richest Duck in the World" Blackheart Beagle have grown older looking even more like Barks’ Grandpa Beagle. He is also introducing his grandsons.
We see him again in "A Little Something Special"
If anyone still don’t get the riverboat captain Blackheart Beagle and Grandpa Beagle connection, Don Rosa got it all explained one last time in "The Beagle Boys vs. The Money Bin". Here we can see all three generations of Beagles at the same time.
During Western’s run of Disney comics we can see other artists using the grandpa with different looks, both with a mustache and with full beard. But they are never called by a name other than "grandpa", "gramps" etc.
In Brazilian stories, the grandpa usually has the chin strip and mustache look as the Strobl-story above.
Grandpa Beagle is used in a ton of Italian stories, thus in several variants too. But the most common look is with a beard and a smoke pipe.
Before IDW’s Uncle Scrooge #6 I think we have seen only one single American print with the Italian grandpa. You can find that story in Gemstone's Donald Duck Adventure #19.
Other than the Don Rosa stories, there are not that many Egmont stories with Grandpa Beagle. But the ones that exist use a character that looks kind of a mix between the original Barks grandpa and the Italian one.
To summarize; we’ve seen a lot of different looking grandpas. And looking at the examples in this blogpost they also have different number tags. But most of them are just called "grandpa". The only times we have seen a character named Blackheart Beagle is in one Carl Barks story and in all Don Rosa stories. But all Rosa stories have some kind of reference telling that this grandpa really is the riverboat captain. Any other random grandpas have never been named, at least not in any English translations. So when IDW does this in "The Bigger Operator", that’s a first as far as I know.
It was noted in a comment that Don Rosa had an earlier mention of Blackheart Beagle in Cash Flow, where the Beagle Boys tell us they are his grandsons.
When checking up on "Dime and Dime Again" for this blog, I overlooked the fact that Grandpa Beagle actually is called Blackheart at the end of that story too. Uncle Scrooge first calls him Sherman, but that is a reference to earlier in the story where he pretended to be Sherman, the jewellers brother-in-law. So that’s not his real name, it’s just the rest of the Beagle Boys being stupid.
It seems IDW is not the only publisher that is starting using the name Blackheart Beagle for the Italian-looking Grandpa Beagle. In Nonna Papera e Nonno Bassotto la strana coppia, a story printed in the Italian Topolino (the same week as IDW printed "The Bigger Operator"), he tells Grandma Duck his name. Translated: "Bah! A long time ago I was also known as Captain Blackheart Beagle, but now everyone calls me grandpa."
The above comment was about the "Mickey's birthday in the daily newspaper strips" post. So I moved it there.
You did a very good analysis of the Grandpa Beagle character! However, I think you should add that although "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck" is the first story to specifically say that Blackheart Beagle and Grandpa Beagle are the same person, Rosa already implied this in "Cash Flow" (1987, story code AR 106). In fact, in that story a Beagle Boy says: "I'm just glad Blackheart Beagle can't see his grandsons stooping to stealing apples!".
I don't have a copy of the original version of "The Bigger Operator", but I'm pretty sure that Blackheart Beagle is called "Nonno Bassotto" ("Grandpa Beagle") and that he has a sign reading "GRAZIA" ("pardon") instead of the number 186-802, as it usually is in Italian stories. Not that I mind the change: it seems to be commonly accepted now that Blackheart is Grandpa (though INDUCKS still treat them as separate characters), and having its original number 186-802 is more logical than having "grandpa" or "pardon". By the way, since you have the original version of "Dime And Dime Again", could you post the upper half of the last page? I ask it because I have only read the story in its Italian translation.
Interesting! Thanks for the information. I completely overlooked the Blackheart name in "Dime And Dime Again". I did a small update at the end of the blogpost based on your comments.
I'm glad I was able to help. I am also surprised that you could find a good scan of that recent Italian comic so quickly. I live in Italy, but I haven't bough Topolino in years and thus wouldn't have known of that story hadn't been for that bad quality scan on facebook.
I think it's safe to say that it's one of those articles that inspired the name used in the recent Italian story, as it is "Capitan Bassotto Cuornero" and not just "Capitan Bassotto". The Italian edition of "Dime And Dime Again", on the other hand, translates "Blackheart" with "Cuorenero", which is the same as "Cuornero".
I guess it would have been weird to translate that line as the equivalent of "You told us you were named Captain!"
Anyway, if I were doing an Italian to English translation of "Capitan Bassotto Cuornero" I would just write "Blackheart Beagle" and drop the "captain", though of course it's not wrong to keep it. As for the "I was also known": "also" is the correct translation of "anche", but in this case it doesn't refer to the fact that he is known with two names. Instead, it it a reply to the fact that he called her "Grandma Duck", and she said her name is Elvira. Grandma being called Elvira or even Elvira Coot is not uncommon in Italian stories, as there are many examples, following Rosa's "Life and Times" and family tree.
Since IDW is printing many Italian comics, and since most Italian stories with the Beagle Boys feature Grandpa Beagle, I guess we will soon have a third appearance of "Italian Grandpa Beagle" in an American print. When that happens, I hope you update this page, as I'm curious to see if this third appearance will follow the translation of the first story or the one of the second story, in regard to the character name and prison number.
As always I end up talking too much, so I'll shut up now.
This is of course unrelated of the fact that Blackeart Beage and Grandpa Beagle are the same person, but maybe it could interest you.
In IDW's Uncle Scrooge #8 (412) they use "Grandpa Blackheart" for the Italian-looking grandpa again. So it seems they are trying to establish that as his regular name.
Interesting. The story is a 1-page gag from 2011 written by Roberto Gagnor and drawn by Giada Perissinotto (story code: I TL 2922-01). The pictures on Inducks are small, but I can see that in the original version a Beagle Boy simply says "nonno" (meaning "grandpa"), while in the English version it has became "grandpa Blackheart". Also, the prison number is mostly covered by a book in both versions, but I think once again "Grazia" has been replaced with the number 186-802. I also noticed that his pipe has been erased: I wonder if it was done to make him more similar to the Barks/Rosa version of the character, or if it is just censorship. If it is censorship, it is a weird one, since his pipe was not removed in "The Bigger Operator".
Indeed, it seems they have estabilished Blackheart as his regular name and 186-802 as his number. Will you update this page with this new use of the name (and number)? I hope so, and I also hope you will report if there are any more uses of the character in the next months. By the way, how many times is the name Blackheart used in "The Bigger Operator"?
Another thing: Grandpa Beagle (called this way rather than Blackheart) also appears in the 2015 videogame "The Duckforce Rises"; his beard is a bit longer than in the comics, his prison number is 186-802, and he seems to be smoking a thin cigar or a cigarette in a holder. However, his avatar for "Enemy Turn" shows a shorter beard and a pipe.
By the way, I am still wondering how you could find good quality scans of "Nonna Papera e Nonno Bassotto la strana coppia" so quickly. Are you Italian? Or are you in contact with Italian readers of Disney comics?
I planned on making a new blog about WDC #725 and US #412 that came out last week, and do a note about the new Beagle Boys one-pager there. But I haven't got the time yet. So we'll se if I do that or maybe update this post.
That game looks interesting! I didn't even know it existed.
About the image from "Nonna Papera e Nonno Bassotto la strana coppia". It's actually not a scan but a screenshot from the digital edition of Topolino. So I got it fast :) I don't collect new Italian comics, but yes I know a few that do.
The games seems to be based more on the comics rather than the DuckTales version of the characters, which is great.
Digital edition? It makes sense.
"The great Blackheart Beagle! Look at his eyes!"
"They didn't exist back then!"
"Well.. er... he is scary!"
"He is cruel, ruthless, he doesn't fear anyone! What would he tell you?"
"That we are behaving... bad?"
Beside Grandma Beagle looking differently, this Blackheart Beagle doesn't look like Blackheart at all! Maybe it’s because the writers and the artist are different people, and maybe Cavazzano wasn't aware of the estabilished look of both characters. Another strange thing is that Grandma seems to talk about the founder as he were dead or as if the Beagle Boys didn't know him. Maybe the two writers of this story regard Blackheart Beagle and Grandpa Beagle as two different characters? Or maybe the writers consider them to be the same character who is dead in the present? It could be, since stories with Grandpa don't feature Grandma and viceversa, so they may take place in different continuities; indeed, I seem to recall a story where it is implied that Grandma Beagle is a widower. Or maybe Blackheart is intended to be Grandpa and is intended to be alive, and the "What would he tell you?" thing is just a reference to the fact that he is not with them at the moment. I wish I could see the dialogue in the original version, as Italy was the last of the few countries that published this story, and the writers are not Italians.
is a guide to the Beagle Boys' travel trailer (they live in a travel trailer in Italian stories), published in Topolino #3067 (September 9, 2014). "Ritratto del Nonno Cuorenero" means "Portrait of Grandpa Blackheart". The fact that he is referred as "Grandpa" seems to imply that the people who did this guide agree with Don Rosa's idea that Blackheart is Grandpa, but if this is true then why does he have a captain uniform AND a white beard, while according to Don Rosa he stopped wearing that uniform way before his beard become white? And why is he suddently called "Grandpa Blackheart" while he has been (and still is) called "Grandpa Beagle" for decades in Italian stories? Maybe we are supposed to believe that it is a recent picture of Grandpa wearing the uniform for nostalgic reasons, but I think we can see moustaches (not as big as Barks and Rosa would draw then, though), so it seems it is a photo from the past. The writers of the guide are Barbara Garufi and Blasco Pisapia, and the latter did the art. Maybe Pisapia had a small role as a writer, and the answer to my questions (including: why is the captain uniform different?) could be that this is just another case of the writer being different from the artist. Maybe.
As I guessed, 186-802 replaced "GRAZIA", but I was wrong in thinking "Blackheart Beagle" replaced "Nonno Bassotto"; in fact, the policeman simpli says "I Bassotti?!?", which means "The Beagle Boys?!?". I have not read the whole story, so maybe he is called "Nonno Bassotto" in some panel.
I got the Norwegian edition of I/D 2010-009. In that translation the photo on the wall is not even of the grandpa, but the great-great-grandpa (not named).
So the name Blackheart Begle was a (bad) addition of Italian translators? Well, the writers are Americans working for foreign publishers, but since the Norwegian version makes more sense than the Italian version, I guess the Norwegian version is more faithful in this case. Is this great-great-grandpa still referred as the founder?
Anyway, since you have access to some Norwegian issues, do you have the original 1994 version of chapter 12 of "The Life and Times of Scrooge McDuck"? I am curious to see what does page 5 of the 16-page version look like.
Oh, I almost forgot: what do you mean with "when Don Rosa’s collected works were published in Europe, all stories underwent a color revision with input from Don Rosa"? Are you referring to any European version, or does "collecte works" refer to the book tat reprint all of his stories? I guess it's the latter, since many European version of Don Rosa stories have messd up with the coloring, Still, even if that image comes from one of those books of Rosa-only reprints, I find it hard to believe that he meant Blackheart's sweater to be blue and thus colored differently from the sweaters of his grandsons.
I'm talking about this collection. The same books (only in different language) were printed in Finland, Sweden, Germany and Denmark too.
"I'm talking about this collection": thanks for clarifying it. Does the introduction of the collection say that Don Rosa himself gave colouring instuctions for every single story? If so, I would find it strange. I know that Barks had no imput on the colours in "The Money Well" (or any other story), but still in every American version of it Grandpa Beagle's sweater is drawn white (when the other Beagles are white) or orange (when the other Beagles are orange, which is the most common colour for them in American publications), so I don't see why would Don have a Grandpa Beagle with a sweater coloured differently compared to his grandsons. I think it look better when they all wear a sweater of the same colour, but maybe it's just me.
ll scan the 5th page of chapter 12 later": great, thank you for that. I have an idea of how the other pages look like, but page 5 is the most difficoult one to reconstruct.
New art have been inserted several places throughout the story in the 19-page version. But the only piece of art that's acutally removed from the 16-page version (and redrawn) is the panel were Donald and Scrooge are shaking hands.
Google translate make some really weird text on the page I'm going to link to now. But about the coloring of the books I talked about, this page say "Don Rosa himself has made specific requests that have been addressed in coloration.". If that include the blue shirts I don't know.
and I correctly guessed that the last strip of page 5 (original) was the same as the third strip of page 6 (extended), but it would have been impossible for me to reconstruct the third strip with those three panels without knowing how much the same panels have been expanded in the 19-page verson. Now I think I know how the 16-page version is as if the whole story were right in front of me. Thanks again for the scan.
there was a long discussion about colours, and Don Rasa said "From the first, I suggested to Egmont that the sweet and pretty sister, Matilda, should obviously have angelic BLONDE hair... and the hot-tempered feisty sister, Hortense, should obviously be the brunette. But they seldom paid attention to my coloring suggestions. In this case, though young $crooge's hair was colored wrong in American comics, his sisters' hair was colored as I wished. (Maybe it was only a coincidence.)"
If those books ignored Don's suggestions for the colours of Scrooge's sisters' hair, maybe they also ignored other things, though I don't know if this applies to Blackheart's blue shirt as well.
As far as I'm concerned, and same goes for David Gerstein, Grandpa Beagle and Blackheart Beagle ARE the same character. I'd have been tickled if my translation was the first to call him Blackheart outside of Rosa, but I knew it was too good to be true. Thanks for catching that gas tank - but how do ya know that isn't just a lazy bunch of formulas and that the combination of $a and CO3 does create dollar hydrogen out of thin air? We're cartoonists, not scientists.
I hate to play the anti-fun nerd here, but $aCO3 means to be a carbonate salt, and salts can't exist as the form of gas. Of course AuO2 also doesn't make sense, because it violates the rules, and metal oxides are solid. $aO2 would be better.
The writer for the last panel is clearly building on Don Rosa's works since Grandma Duck introduces herself as Elvira, a name invented by Rosa (this was one detail that he didn't get from Barks).
Also in case someone doesn't speak any of the above languages, Italian Grandpa's tag says "Paroled" instead of a number.
It's true that Don Rosa didn't get from Barks the name Elvira for Grandma Duck, but at the same time he didn't invent it either: the name appeared (as "Elviry", an obvious nickname for Elvira) in W WDC 121-04 (?/Riley Thomson, October 1950). The surname Coot, on the other hand, was decided by Rosa as part of his idea of making Cornelius Coot her grandfather. Starting in the 1990's, the name Elvira Coot has often been used in Italian stories whenever the situation required Grandma's name to be stated.
"I will also point out that in the Italian edition of "The Fantastic River Race" Blackheart Beagle is called "Capitan Bassotto" ("Captain Beagle"), which is a bad translation but isn't surprising considering that it was the 1950's and bad translations were the norm"
It's true that in the modern Italian translation (2008's La grande dinastia dei paperi #18, which may be the same version as 1994's Zio Paperone #59) Blackheart Beagle is called Capitan Bassotto ("Captain Beagle"), but in the first edition (1958's Topolino #192) he was called Capitan Bassotto Cuor-Nero (Captain Blackheart Beagle). | 2019-04-21T06:40:42Z | http://disneycomicsrandomness.blogspot.com/2015/10/grandpa-beagle.html |
It should come as no surprise that drawdowns and the hollowing out of America’s military are endemic parts of the American military experience. Alexis de Tocqueville did warn us. “We have seen … that among a democratic people the choicer minds of the nation are gradually drawn away from the military profession, to seek by other paths distinction, power, and especially wealth,” he wrote in Democracy in America. “After a long peace—and in democratic ages the periods of peace are long—the Army is always inferior to the country itself. In this state it is called into active service; and until war has altered it, there is danger for the country as well as for the Army.” Unless there is a compelling force pulling democracies in the opposite direction, their tendency is to drift toward unpreparedness.
Maj. Jason W. Warren, an assistant professor at the U.S. Army War College, shows that history has proven de Tocqueville right with an edited collection of historical studies that examine aspects of how military drawdowns have impacted America’s capacity to defend itself. Drawdown: The American Way of Postwar includes chapters that range from the mustering of militias for King Philip’s War (1675–76) through the post-Cold War drawdown from the fall of the Berlin Wall to post-9/11.
One of the values of collecting these essays into a volume is how clearly they illuminate threads of continuity in American military practices. A particularly dominant trend has been the strength of civil-military relations in good times and bad.
De Tocqueville warned that “democratic armies are often restless, ill-tempered, and dissatisfied with their lot.” He remained perpetually concerned that too strong a military would usurp power from its political masters. This concern was a reflection of common wisdom in Anglo-American thinking that drew heavily from the British historical experience. The notion of “no standing armies,” drawing down forces when they were not needed for war so they could not be exploited by the sovereign for domestic suppression, was accepted by the Founding Fathers as a matter of doctrine.
On this point, de Tocqueville was off-target. American soldiers may get grumpy and dissatisfied, but they rarely get rebellious. Civil-military relations in the U.S. never reached the crisis point that they did in Britain when Oliver Cromwell made war on the king and then turned on Parliament in the mid-1600s.
American drawdowns, as several chapters in Drawdown make clear, never seriously strained civil-military relations. U.S. Military Academy professor Samuel Watson notes in a study of reductions of the Army officer corps between 1783 and 1848 that politics was largely kept out of the process of deciding who would stay and who would go. “Surprisingly, given the fierce partisan divisions of the time,” Watson writes, “neither partisan nor sectional considerations dominated the reductions.” While politics controlled the military policy, in the U.S. tradition, American politics don’t transcend military practices.
Rather than becoming the point of tension in a drawdown, the military, and the officer corps in particular, helps see the country through the drawdown and lays the foundation for the next buildup. As former Army colonel and distinguished historian Peter Mansoor writes in the foreword to this book, “the most important requirement during drawdown periods … is the maintenance of the human intellectual capital of the military.” Rebuilding a military without a military is hard.
Drawdown presents no easy answers to preventing drawdowns. As de Tocqueville got right so long ago, in democracies, military policies are driven by politics. The good news is that military force remains responsive to political will. The downside is that drawdowns driven by politics can leave a military insufficient to protect the vital interests of the nation it serves.
Nor does this collection of historical case studies offer simple solutions for how to endure or recover from hollowing out the force. Rather, together these examples remind us that historical context matters, not just in understanding the past but for living in the present as well.
That said, what Drawdown ought to do is help stimulate the critical thinking of those interested in considering the current military malaise and how to deal with it.
With MacArthur’s Korean War Generals, historian Stephen R. Taaffe has written an excellent study of operational leadership in modern war. Although Gen. Douglas MacArthur serves as the organizing principle behind this study, he is not its main focus. His generals are, and their combat leadership under his command in the first, crucial year of the Korean War.
Taaffe’s primary arguments center on these men, how they were selected—before and during the war—and especially their performance in combat as generals from the regimental up to the Army command level.
Although all the division and regimental chiefs had served in World War II … very few of them … had much experience leading these units in action. … Some of these officers successfully made the transition and provided good service in Korea, but others did not. The pity was that the Army had plenty of officers who had successfully run regiments and divisions and were therefore familiar and comfortable with the responsibilities such jobs entailed, but they were not on hand in Japan at the war’s start.
Taaffe does make clear that the leadership improved, but perhaps not as quickly as it might have due to the Army’s dynamic for selecting and promoting generals. The reader also gets good snapshots of the more senior leaders such as Gens. Walton Walker and Matthew Ridgway and Lt. Gen. Ned Almond. Accounts of Marine general officer leadership—especially that of then-Maj. Gen. Oliver Smith—are somewhat in contrast to those of the Army’s generals, but the data set is so much smaller that making any systemic conclusions is difficult—and to his credit, Taaffe does not.
In the interim, the reader gets a good operational history, and history of tactical and operational-level leadership for the key first year of the war, the year that really decided the conflict, as campaigns swept up and down the contested Korean Peninsula. The book is worth the effort just for these leadership narratives and is unsparing in its judgments as well as its praise, when deserved, for these officers, most of whom are not familiar to American military history audiences unless they are Korean War buffs.
The scope of the book, which ends with the stabilization of the front north of the 38th Parallel for the last two years of the war, is just right. After all, the book is about MacArthur’s generals, not Ridgway’s nor those of his successor, Gen. James Van Fleet.
There is room for minor criticism. First, although Taaffe supports his claims about the leadership, he never goes into much detail about what other general officers were out there who could have been plugged in quickly into the Korean leadership in the midst of combat. This second part is also problematic and mitigates what happened. As former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld once said, “You go to war with the Army you have,” and the same is true of generals: You go to war with the generals you have. The skill sets in peacetime are often different than those most valuable in war.
A second criticism involves the joint nature of the conflict. Simply put, it might have been nice to get a better feel for the role of the Navy’s flag officers and, especially, the Air Force’s and their relationships with their Army counterparts. Air power played an immense role in helping U.N. forces in Korea offset their numerical weaknesses on the battlefield, initially, and then again when the Chinese entered the fray. A similar critique also applies to the South Korean generals in the fight. There is far too little on their backgrounds and role in the narrative.
Finally, some of the portraits of these leaders are so compelling that the reader may want to see some photographs. But there are none. Even a dozen or so photographs would have added value to the book. On the other hand, the book is well-supplied with good maps, which are essential for a narrative that resides mostly at the operational level.
MacArthur’s Korean War Generals is an excellent operational study of the first year of the Korean War and the American generals who fought it. One hopes Taaffe might apply his considerable skills in doing a study of MacArthur’s World War II generals in a similar manner, another set of men who deserve a study such as this.
This book is highly recommended for any military professional’s reading list.
Cmdr. John T. Kuehn, USN Ret., is professor of military history at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. His newest book, to be published by Naval Institute Press, is America’s First General Staff: A Short History of the Rise and Fall of the General Board of the Navy, 1900–1950.
In the foreword of his monumental four-volume biography of Gen. Robert E. Lee, Southern historian Douglas S. Freeman pondered this question: “In holding the light exclusively on Lee, had one put in undeserved shadow the many excellent soldiers of his Army?” To answer that question, Freeman wrote Lee’s Lieutenants, a sweeping narrative of the high command of the Army of Northern Virginia. No comparable study of the Army of the Potomac, Lee’s major adversary through four years of bloody conflict during the Civil War, existed. Until now.
Acclaimed historian Stephen W. Sears corrects this imbalance by providing the most comprehensive analysis of the high command of the Army of the Potomac. With Lincoln’s Lieutenants and 15 other books to his credit, including campaign histories of Antietam, the Peninsula Campaign, Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, Sears cements his reputation as the pre-eminent historian of the Eastern Theater.
The task confronting President Abraham Lincoln at the beginning of the Civil War was more difficult than he and then-Secretary of War Simon Cameron imagined. Said Cameron: “I found the nation without an Army; and I found scarcely a man throughout the War Department in whom I could put my trust.” Yet an Army eventually emerged when General-in-Chief Winfield Scott prepared volunteers for battle under then-Brig. Gen. Irvin McDowell in defense of the capital. McDowell’s Army of Northeastern Virginia met defeat at First Bull Run in July 1861, which paved the way for a name change and a new commander, Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan.
The late historian Bruce Catton, to whom this book is dedicated, labeled McClellan’s tour of command as the Era of Suspicion. Given a relatively free hand by Lincoln, McClellan selected his senior commanders for his newly christened Army of the Potomac. With few exceptions, these corps-level commanders mirrored their chief and seemed reluctant to fight the aggressive Lee. Under McClellan, the Army of the Potomac commanders, from headquarters down to brigade level, “indulged themselves in the politics of war,” Sears writes. Intrigue, petty bickering, and what critics called “bad blood and paralysis” characterized the high command during the Era of Suspicion.
The Era of McClellan lasted until November 1862 when Lincoln replaced him with Maj. Gen. Ambrose Burnside. Though “the Army of the Potomac would see no more of McClellan … the mark he left on that Army proved indelible.” Following defeats at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, Va., the high command of the Army of the Potomac reached “comparatively sunny uplands” when Maj. Gen. George Meade took command of the Army and then-Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant assumed command of the war effort.
Lincoln’s Lieutenants is the best account yet written on the commanders of the Army of the Potomac. In short, Sears has produced a tour de force that is destined to be a classic of Civil War historiography.
Using an ends-ways-means analysis, Johnson frames the war from Libya eastward to Afghanistan and north into Turkey and the Caucasus as one that truly represented the imperial nature of World War I. The battles of the Masurian Lakes in present-day Poland or the Somme in France are better known, but to deny the strategic implications of the Middle East, Johnson argues, is to miss a broader context of the conflict.
Johnson’s writing focuses on British diplomatic and military calculations, as well as the need for empires to play to their colonial possessions and homefront audiences when it came to the Middle East. These often-conflicting interests came to a head, be it at Kut in modern-day Iraq or Gallipoli or in Palestine. Furthermore, the ever-lengthening war “produced differences or disputes between the civilian governments and the Generals in the field,” which impacted strategic objectives and operational planning. His inclusion of Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian and Russian strategic objectives is not as thoroughly explained but does help elucidate the choices these participants made.
Victory in the Middle East presented an opportunity for the Allies and the Central Powers to upset the balance of power and break the deadlock in the fields of France and Belgium. The British campaign in the Dardanelles and at Gallipoli, now maligned and “synonymous with defeat, futility, and incompetence,” when viewed in a strategic context of Russian weakness and German overreach, appear less hopeless and as posing more benefits than have been commonly echoed since then.
Johnson’s analysis astutely places Gallipoli as an opportunity for the Allies to defeat the Ottomans, expose the vulnerable Austro-Hungarians and provide a “chance to fulfill the common purpose against Germany by ‘knocking the props from under her.’ ” The Dardanelles, like much of the war in the Middle East, make more sense when viewed through a strategic lens rather than an operational one.
The result was a British Army that was “under-resourced, overextended and in too few numbers” but that nevertheless continued to pressure the Ottoman Empire, take up the slack left by the collapsing Russian forces and prevent German allies from bolstering armies in Europe in a meaningful way. Its activity played to military and imperial audiences, reinforcing the strategic importance of the Middle East. This British Army was in place at the end of the war to support post-conflict negotiations and delineations.
The imperial impact of World War I was perhaps no more clearly felt than in the Middle East where the British Empire lived on while the Russian and Ottoman Empires collapsed. The successor states to the Ottoman, Russian and British empires remain front-page news and the settings for the past 15-plus years of American military operations. The Great War in the Middle East does excellent work in framing the larger context for what is traditionally regarded as a tragic sideshow.
Maj. Timothy Heck, USMCR, is a graduate student at King’s College London in the Department of War Studies. An artillery officer by training, he is a graduate of several military command and staff schools.
The historian’s art—the historian’s duty—is to find untold stories and tell them well. There also must be professional and educational worth to the story, what it means for us today and how will it inform the performance of our duty.
Will Gorenfeld and John Gorenfeld mastered the art and fulfilled this duty. Kearny’s Dragoons Out West, named for Brevet Maj. Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny, is a superb story of the birth of American cavalry, the opening of the Western plains and of long, hard rides into unknown lands. There is mystery and majesty in the tales as well as the plain, hard life led by cavalrymen, known as Dragoons from the 1830s to the 1850s.
Will Gorenfeld is a writer who specializes in the pre-Civil War Regular Army in the American West. He and his son John, also a writer, have crafted a deeply researched book. Extensive notes cover a number of original source materials from which the Gorenfelds drew their history, including morning reports and scouting reports. The bibliography consists of 15 pages with information about where to find sources, from archives to university libraries. The similarly lengthy index assists any scholar who chooses to use this book as a starting point for more history of the American West. This thorough work alone recommends the book.
The Gorenfelds bring to life the months-long scouting missions undertaken by the First Regiment of Dragoons. This force had to explore new land—new to Americans, anyway. Each scouting party had to deal with different Native American tribes and express the will of Washington, D.C., without any contact with the government. There were shows of force and demonstrations of power, accompanied by talks through interpreters and exchanges of gifts.
Limited to what their horses could carry and dependent on pack trains facing equal difficulties resupplying the troops and squadrons of the regiment, the officers knew they could not engage in extensive combat. Officers looking for examples of “Phase 0” and “Phase 1” operations can find plenty of material in this book.
Of course, there is much more to the book. The stories range from experiments with the Grimsley and the Ringgold saddles to the alcohol consumption in the First Dragoons (no General Order No. 1 in that era). The Gorenfelds bring life to the soldiers of the First Dragoons, whose extensive reminiscences were clearly a treasure trove.
The First Regiment of Dragoons played a significant role in establishing the American West. The regiment protected settlers who were moving through truly uncharted lands. The Dragoons protected Native Americans from unscrupulous traders. Before the war with Mexico, the Dragoons protected Mexican traders from Texans who would raid into the U.S. The same regiment then participated in the war and fought those same Mexicans.
Complexity is in the eye of the beholder, and the privates through the colonels of the First Regiment of Dragoons faced situations no less complex in their age than our soldiers and troopers do today. This is a story well-told and worth reading. | 2019-04-18T22:31:41Z | https://www.ausa.org/articles/november-2017-book-reviews |
Generally, cyber relationship isn’t safe for adolescents, and this is a important reason for parents to think about using a mobile phone spy app to track their adolescents. We’re all conscious that there are lots of predators online only looking forward to their next victims, who are generally kids and adolescents. The adorable high school soccer player your teenager is chatting with could really be a 40 year old guy living just a couple of blocks from your home.
Individuals barely identify the truth online, and that is a fact. Although many dating sites prohibit teens from enrolling in their services, there are still many relationship chat rooms and dating sites that target adolescents.
Speak with your teenager about the dangers of cyber relationship.
It is possible your teenager already understands the risks of meeting people online. But since young people are risk takers by nature, they still do it. As a parent, you can not simply let your teenager participate in something that may place him or her in trouble, which is why many parents spy on a cell phone used by their kids. In addition, you need to try to speak to your teenager about the hazards of relationship online. Be certain that you simply do not seem overprotective and foolish.
The easiest way to speak to your teenagers would be to do it smoothly and without becoming upset. Request your teenager to stop from chatting with folks they have just met online. Although this dialogue might not actually get your teenager to quit online dating, it might make them think more about the dangers of such action.
Keep an watch on your own teenager’s behaviour online.
It is consistently recommended to install some kind of applications in your family computer to track what your teenager does on-line. And in case your teenager uses their smartphone to get the web, the best cell phone spy is what you need. Highster Mobile cell phone spy allows you to understand everything your teenager is doing online. In case you see that your teenager often checks out on-line relationship websites, it is better to use some software that can block such websites.
Learn more regarding the man your teenager is dating online.
If despite your reminders your teenager still pursues cyber relationship, the best thing to do is understand more about the man he or she’s meeting online. With the help of Highster Mobile cell phone spy, you’ll have the ability to understand who’s been phoning your teenager, what text messages are exchanged between them, and what they talk about when they are chatting online.
When we talk about the main innovations which have had the largest sway in the society, there is no doubt the Internet is on the very top of our list, which ought to additionally contain cell spyware. The Web is an enormous source of info that we can all have access to. Also, there are lots of things we can do online, making life a lot more suitable than before.
But, the convenience the Internet enables us to have is not consistently great, and one good example of this is online shopping. While grownups can get lots of advantages to having the ability to shop online, this is something kids aren’t supposed to do yet.
One kind of scam that frequently targets kids who are shopping on the internet is one that requires added subscriptions or fees to be able to finish a purchase. This type of scam is quite common particularly for all those sites offering free music downloads. To safeguard your kids from such scams, you should teach them the significance of assessing product reviews and comparison shops. In case you see through your cell spy software your kid has been buying things online, make sure you get this dialogue with them.
Among the greatest dangers of making purchases online is the risk of identity theft. When your kid stores on-line, he’ll be requested to supply private info, including his address, contact number, and even your credit card number. Although such details are naturally needed for purchasing stuff online, you cannot be sure your son or daughter is making trades with valid retailers or businesses.
You should spell out to your kid that private information must not be given away so readily to anyone online. To keep this from happening, you can block specific websites you do not trust on your family computer, or you can supply your youngster with a list of reputable online shopping sites. WIth the help of the best cell phone spy software, you’ll understand what websites your kid is often seeing or making purchases from.
Kids aren’t responsible enough to understand their limitations as it pertains to spending. They could be extremely impulsive, therefore it might be difficult for their sake to quit shopping even in the event the things they’re purchasing aren’t a requirement.
Shopping is among the very satisfying things you as well as your children can do online, but sadly, in addition, it includes lots of threats. For you to prevent such risks, you must establish rules on how your kids can shop online. Install the Highster Mobile cell spy software on your kid’s smartphone too, in order to keep track of all his purchases online.
What are you going to do to ring in the brand new year? A night out with friends, a quiet dinner at home, or will you bravely head to Times Square to observe the well-known ball drop live? However you decide to ring in the brand new year, you will need to do it safely.
Security is the number one reason that folks buy cell phone monitoring applications. A lot of folks believe they will never want it, and then abruptly, circumstances change.
You are a parent of a teenager now – a teenager using a mobile phone. Recall when you first gave your daughter her first cell phone? She reacted to all your calls and texts. She was such a great daughter. Now you are fortunate in case you get a text back one time a day.
You are an employer who stopped the year 2015 in the red, and it is your duty to determine the reasons why. Employee benefits overly pricey? Sales were low? Or perhaps it was that one rogue employee who’s abruptly slacking, and with a company-issued mobile phone to play Bejeweled Blitz. Any negative effect on the bottom line is only that – a negative effect.
Security is parents and companies number one concern. For parents, it is the love of their kid. For companies, a wholesome bottom line as well as the wellbeing of their workers make or break their companies.
A mobile phone spy app with a spy camera cell phone like Highster Mobile can help both parents and companies begin the year off safely. Everybody wishes to begin 2016 in a protected and productive way, and Highster Mobile can most definitely help.
Every text messages sent or received is saved even in the event the log history of messages is deleted. Text messages are extremely popular way of information exchange and children favor text messages over voice calls. Can you imagine any teenager not texting today? They live on their mobiles! In the event you would like to understand what is occurring in a teenager’s life, look at their text messages. Even the deleted texts may be looked at.
Any action on various the latest social networking websites, like Facebook, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Instagram and Twitter could be monitored. All the content, including status updates, pictures as well as videos, may be looked at.
GPS characteristic of Highster Mobile always gives out the place of phone every five full minutes. This is a useful tracking attribute that is helpful for parents worried about where their children whereabouts.
Highster Mobile’s incredibly complex control panel not only has enhanced features to monitor every part of the goal phone. Additionally it is designed with ease of use in your mind.
All incoming and outgoing amounts are monitored and logged along with its time and length of call. This strong characteristic of Highster Mobile is the most used function among the users. Observation and recording of outgoing and incoming calls from the target phone is one of the most basic expectations from a mobile phone tracking applications.
Cell phone monitoring is by no means a replacement for audio parenting. Nevertheless, such applications as Highster Mobile is among the most effective tools parents may use to better direct their kids and shield them against any injury. And since your kids have their mobile phones on a regular basis, you might also use their phone to keep them under your radar.
When you let your kids use their mobile phones without control, and you also do not track them with anything, there’s a chance that they’ll get into trouble. What is worse is that you might never understand about any of it. It is often seen, by research workers on CNN, a school’s test scores increased 6.4 percent when a prohibition on cell phones was applied. As a parent, you may be worried about a lot of matters too, including their location, that they’re being stalked, the sway of their buddies, their study habits, as well as the way in which they make use of the web; do not let their cell phone be one of those stresses.
By reading a few Highster Mobile reviews, you’ll see that lots of parents like you’ve got exactly the same concerns for their children. The great thing is that with the help of cell phone tracking applications, all your anxieties and worries will vanish. Using a spyware, you’ll understand wherever your children are, what they’re doing, who they’re with, etc.
All these are just a few of the key characteristics of a mobile phone spy software, and there are lots of other monitoring attributes accessible, but it’s going to depend on what package you may select. Read a Highster Mobile review to understand your choices.
So how are those monitoring attributes going to allow you to become a better parent to your children? Well, together with the help of Highster Mobile phone spy, you’ll understand who your kid is constantly speaking to or chatting with on the phone. This may provide you with a notion about the type of buddies your child has. Highster Mobile additionally provides you with access to the internet browsing history in your kid’s phone, which implies you can understand whether your son or daughter is seeing web content that is suitable for their age.
Text messaging is no doubt the most famous type of communication currently. Everyone who has a cell phone has access to it, which is quite affordable, too! That explains why even young kids can send and get text messages with other folks even minus the knowledge of their parents. Children adore this sort of independence, but parents ought to worry about how text messaging can impact their kids. Thanks to such applications as Highster Mobile, parents can maintain track of what their kids are doing with their telephones.
Cell phone monitoring using software applications like Highster mobile enables parents to spy on the text messaging actions of their kids. The attractiveness of the software is the fact that it gives users access to the text message inbox and outbox of the phone they may be monitoring, so they could read the messages, and all other significant details.
After reading a Highster Mobile review and buying it, Highster Mobilethe next thing to do is install it on the cell phone you want to track. Choose note this is the sole time you’ll need to get the device physically. Upon the conclusion of the setup, the complete monitoring will undoubtedly be performed remotely.
Highster Mobile phone spy will start the monitoring instantly. That means that all the actions occurring on the phone is going to be on record, determined by what monitoring bundle you opt for. Generally, parents select a monitoring bundle which includes features like text message monitoring and telephone monitoring. But of course, there are many other excellent attributes you’ll be able to use.
It’s possible for you to get the in-depth reports after you log in your accounts. It’s possible for you to use your cell phone, tablet PC, or notebook to look at the reports provided that you’re connected online. Your login details for your account will probably be transmitted to you personally via e-mail after you buy the application.
There’s nothing you need to worry about in relation to the security and privacy of the info monitored on the cell phone. You’re the only person who has access to see such advice.
Will Your Child Understand He/She’s Being Tracked?
Phone spy software applications like Highster Mobile are really useful and valuable because they give parents the capacity to track their children’s cell phone tasks without being found. All the monitoring occurs in the backdrop so there’s no means your kid will understand.
Before you buy any phone spy software, make sure you do your research. Read a couple of Highster Mobile reviews to get a notion about how it is possible to optimize its potential. Highster Mobile phone spy is among the leading names in the phone spying business.
Do you understand who your teen is conveying with? Cell phone tracking applications applications like Highster Mobile and Auto Forward Spy allow you to see just who your kid is texting, calling or receiving calls from. Teens are known to do some sneaky things while some might encounter content that could steal private information. There are various alternatives that offer added security and protection for mobile devices. Each choice changes depending on characteristics but the procedure in monitoring a device is comparable. Here are a couple of points that will help you realize ways to use cell phone monitoring applications in your teenager’s apparatus.
that tell you when action happens. These reports and alarms will likely be based on managements and details you set up for the monitoring. You are going to get all details about the cell phone through your distant web portal. This portal site may be accessed anywhere you have an internet connection when the apparatus is linked.
Create filters for websites and social media sites. In case your teen likes to browse the internet you’ll be able to select websites they aren’t permitted to see by setting filters. When they attempt to go to the website they get a blocked message. You may also restrict their capability to look for content on the web. Cellular Telephone spy software makes it simple that you set blockers for social networking sites. It’s possible for you to list internet addresses they’re allowed to use predicated on content.
Block communications from specific contacts. Does your teen contact individuals you feel is a poor influence on them? Perhaps your teenager was prohibited to speak or text someone. Now you can block info they send and receive. It’s possible for you to review text messages they create and get from others. It’s possible for you to block contacts from sending content including pictures, video and other content you do not need your kid participating in.
Access photos and video to review even after it gets deleted. Teenagers believe other folks don’t realize about unsuitable content that showed up on their cell phone since they deleted it. Parents may use their monitoring applications to recover and review this information easily. It’s possible for you to review this info and decide to save a copy for future reference. Determined by the applications you might be able to recover content including photos, e-mail, text messages, chat conversations and much more.
Review all types of communication including text messages, chats, email messages, program downloads, etc. It’s possible for you to review all types of communicating or focus on just a couple of attributes your cellular spy choice supplies. It’s possible for you to forbid downloading of specific programs and have a good notion of what your teenager is doing with their apparatus. You’ve got record of questionable content you’ll be able to ask them about. You can even monitor their place in case your applications choice contains GPS tracking.
Are you really concerned someone you know is spending an excessive amount of time on social media through their cell phone? It’s possible for you to learn what someone is doing when getting social media with their mobile apparatus methodical sure cellular telephone spy monitoring. There are alternatives that will help you monitor numerous kinds of action on popular social networking sites. You’ll have the capacity to see action as it happens and even block or filter websites to minimize or put a stop to getting content. Here are basic steps that will help you get started monitoring social media action on a target cell of interest.
Keep an watch on dialogues participated using target apparatus. After selecting your cell spyware of alternative and getting the distant web portal downloaded you can begin monitoring action. You are able to do this several methods including getting tellings or review report information the software supplies. The details collected will supply all kinds of info as it happens. Significance, you can review dialogues that took place, downloads or shares that happened, and much more. The cellular spy choice you choose will supply this advice so. You then will have choices to think about regarding content you’ve found.
Review individuals on pal and contact list. When you review action on social media using a mobile phone tracker, you can review folks on the contact list associated with the goal phone. This implies you’ll learn about folks being on the phone of interest. Applications applications that let you access social networking content in question is likely to allow it to be simple to acquire login details and you’ll be able to decide to get rid of a man from their contact list. You may also opt to remove the program completely if action is related to a social networking program when you have distant uninstall as a software feature.
monitoring service to another, you need to have a notion at this stage need you would like to do. After reviewing action you’ll be able to decide to do nothing if things look ordinary or what you’d anticipate affecting their action. In case you would like to block or filter content you’ll be able to follow the orders given by your applications. This might include restricting investigations conducted on the website and altering privacy settings for added security. These matters could be done without the goal phone owner understanding.
Back up information of interactions you discover questionable. When you start evaluating content and you also come across something which stands out as unusual or questionable, you can produce a file and maintain the record. Your applications service allows you to do this directly in your web portal. Remember that when tracking a cell phone with spy software subscription services might have different choices on just how much space you’ll be able to use together with the applications itself. It’s possible for you to decide to export reported tips from the program onto another type of storage. | 2019-04-20T07:04:41Z | http://www.realdealcormier.com/ |
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