text:
Posted by - Posted on 04/17/2016 22:40:48 Retina and Uveitis
78 year old presents with 20/200 vision in the right eye. OCT of the macula is shown. OCT of the left eye suggest normal retina with vitreomacular separation and 20/20 vision. What is the risk of this patient loosing vision in the left eye?
Diagnosis: Stage 4 macular hole
Idiopathic macular holes are caused by the tractional forces associated with perifoveal vitreous detachment, an early stage of age related posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). Left eye has minimal if any risk of developing macular hole since the vitreomacular separation.
Fun facts about Idiopathic macular holes
More common in women
Caused by the tractional forces associated with perifoveal vitreous detachment
Stage 0 - Premacular hole have normal vision, loss of foveal depression with perifoveal vitreous detachment. Most patients donot progress beyond this stage
Satge 1: Loss of central vision loss (2025-20/60), metamorphopsia.
Stage 1A: Yellow spot in fovea (OCT with psuedocyst or schisis with PVD from perifoveal retina but not from foveal center. Stage 1B: Yellow ring in fovea (OCT with break in outer foveal layer).
50% resolve spontaneously with complete PVD and resolution of vitreomacular traction.
Satge 2: Tractional break in the inner layer of pseudocyst with the opening in the inner layer < 400 microns.
Stage 3: 20/200 vision. Fully developed Hole >400micron diameter with posterior hyaloid detached from fovea but still attached to optic disc.
Satge 4. Full thickness hole with complete PVD (Weiss ring)
FA in stage 2,3,4 - transmission defect from loss of xanthophyll
Goldstandard in diagnosis: OCT
Stage 0 and 1 : Observation
Satge 2-4 : vitrectomy

domain: health


A perennial herb of open habitats; it is most frequent on trampled paths and tracks, disturbed field edges and roadsides, and in gardens, but it also occurs in some closed grasslands. It grows in a wide range of soils, avoiding only very acidic sites, and can produce a large and persistent seed bank. 0-625 m (Knock Fell), with an exceptional record at 845 m on Great Dun Fell (both Westmorland).
The distribution of this ubiquitous species is stable. Subsp. major occurs throughout the range of the species, subsp. intermedia is mapped separately.
Eurasian Wide-temperate element, but naturalised in N. America so distribution is now Circumpolar Wide-temperate.
Light (Ellenberg): 7
Moisture (Ellenberg): 5
Reaction (Ellenberg): 6
Nitrogen (Ellenberg): 7
Salt Tolerance (Ellenberg): 0
January Mean Temperature (Celsius): 3.5
July Mean Temperature (Celsius): 14.5
Annual Precipitation (mm): 1102
Height (cm): 15
Perennation - primary
Life Form - primary
Clonality - primary
Count of 10km squares in Great Britain: 2766
Count of 10km squares in Ireland: 975
Count of 10km squares in the Channel Isles: 14
Atlas Change Index: 0.09
Weighted Changed Factor: -27
Weighted Change Factor Confidence (90%)
Atlas text references
1988. Comparative Plant Ecology.
1974. The biology of Canadian weeds. 4. Plantago major and P. rugelli. Canadian Journal of Plant Science. 54:383-396.
1986. Atlas of north European vascular plants north of the Tropic of Cancer. 3 vols.
1978. Vergleichende Chorologie der zentraleuropäischen Flora. Volume 2. 2 vols.
1964. Biological Flora of the British Isles. No. 95. Plantago major L. (pp. 189-205), Plantago media L. (pp. 205-210), Plantago lanceolata L. (pp. 211-218). Journal of Ecology. 52:189-221.


text:
January 10, 2020
Completed Engagement – Texas Automobile Dealers Association – President
Allen Austin recently completed a retained search engagement for the Texas Automobile Dealers Association and Darren Whitehurst was selected to serve as the Association’s next President. Darren is joining TADA after spending fifteen years at the Texas Medical Association. Darren’s career has been dedicated to leadership roles where, time and time again, he has led organizations to new heights.
Prior to joining TADA, Darren enjoyed a 15+ year career in senior leadership with the Texas Medical Association. Darren’s first job at the Capitol in 1991 was a clerkship for the Texas House of Representatives Transportation Committee. Darren earned a BBA in Accounting from Baylor University, a Master of Public Affairs from The University of Texas at Austin, and a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Trinity University.
“TADA conducted a thorough search considering dozens of candidates before narrowing on the sole finalist for the job. Darren’s long-standing reputation of leadership was exciting to the TADA board,” said Nancy Harper, TADA 2020 Board Chairman.
The retained search was managed and completed by Jackie Gorman, Senior Partner at Allen Austin.

domain: news


text:
Paranoid and unpredictable, J.T. With the firebase attacked, the patrol remains to help defend it. Critic Reviews for The Siege of Firebase Gloria All Critics (1) | Fresh (1) An intense man's action marine war movie, that is surprisingly good for all its cliches about war and the marines. Tracking down a streaming service to buy, rent, download, or view the Brian Trenchard-Smith-directed movie via subscription can be a huge pain, so we here at Moviefone want to take the pressure off.
This product uses the TMDb API but is not endorsed or certified by TMDb. Now, before we get into the nitty-gritty of how you can watch 'The Siege of Firebase Gloria' right now, here are some details about the International Film Management, Fries Entertainment, Eastern Film Management Corporation, Bancannia Holdings Pty. While Dona Betina, owner of a very famous bordello in Rio de Janeiro,... "Miss World 1970: The launch of a revolution", "If it chooses you, nothing can save you.
", "Everyone ends up in the same damned place. With Wings Hauser, R. Lee Ermey, Robert Arevalo, Mark Neely. Released January 27th, 1989, 'The Siege of Firebase Gloria' stars Wings Hauser, R. Lee Ermey, Robert Arevalo, Mark Neely The R movie has a runtime of about 1 … A tough sergeant and his sidekick roll into a demoralized firebase and proceed to rebuild morale and fortifications in advance of the climactic battle with the VietCong. What, so now you want to know what the movie’s about? When the Emperor of China issues a decree that one man per family must serve in the... "Against all odds they went to hell and back.". The Marines barely hold off the VC (Viet Cong), but in the end, hold the base." Directed by Brian Trenchard-Smith. 'The Siege of Firebase Gloria' is currently available to rent, purchase, or stream via subscription on VUDU, and Tubi . Ltd. action flick. Below, you’ll find a number of top-tier streaming and cable services - including rental, purchase, and subscription options - along with the availability of 'The Siege of Firebase Gloria' on each platform. Need to watch 'The Siege of Firebase Gloria' on your TV, phone, or tablet? Here's the plot: "A Marine patrol stops at Firebase Gloria at the start of the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam war. Released January 27th, 1989, 'The Siege of Firebase Gloria' stars Wings Hauser, R. Lee Ermey, Robert Arevalo, Mark Neely The R movie has a runtime of about 1 hr 37 min, and received a user score of 57 (out of 100) on TMDb, which assembled reviews from 28 well-known users. ", "The Helen Reddy story and the song that inspired a revolution", 'The War With Grandpa' Interviews with Robert De Niro and Jane Seymour.

domain: entertainment


text:
| I myself like to do a 'personal growth-type' workshop
every year, to refresh myself, try something new, and generally
get some new stimulus in my life.
Unfortunately no-one puts on the workshops I'd like to do in
the way I'd like to do them - they all seem to be 'enlightenment
intensives' or 'shamanic energy sessions', whereas I'd like something
less intense and more fun - something that helps me without taking
my life over completely for 3 days.
So, I had a brainwave, and I thought I would try and create what
I wanted myself !
This weekend workshop would take place in a large city, and would
- Friday evening, 2 hours. Introductions, and purposes.
- Saturday afternoon. Preparation for vision quest, 1 hour.
Then, set off in small groups on Vision Quest - to help each
other in small groups to find the thread for each of your next
steps - the object or place or person which "has a message
for you", or represents your next step (or even, represents
what you want to stop doing or being) The time for this is open
- enough for each small group to 'find it' for all their members,
and drink coffee or beer together, etc.
- Sunday afternoon. Report back, integration excercises, 3 hours.
- Tuesday evening. Completion and celebration.
I think this would give excellent 'stimulus' and new direction,
without overwhelming anyone, and with lots of potential for people
to make new contacts and friendships in their own city
I am open to offers from existing groups to run this for you
in your city, and from co-workers who are interested in working
with me to develop this.

domain: hobby


Solent Stevedores provide the first choice for handling UK project cargo imports and exports. Based alongside deep water at the Port of Southampton, we operate in a key strategic position for international shipping lanes. Located within a short distance of the UK motorway network, we enjoy excellent road links to the rest of the UK.
With a wide range of equipment and a fully trained, experienced and flexible work force, Solent Stevedores is well placed to meet the lift-on, lift-off requirements of all types of project and general cargo.
Project Cargo Lifts
Using high capacity Port Harbour mobile cranes, Solent Stevedores regularly transfer yachts and other pleasure craft from vessel deck to quay/water or vice-versa. Similar cargoes have included hovercraft and passengercraft for the Red Funnel Ferry Company.
Our modular spreader lifting frame has a capacity of 100 Tonnes at lengths of up to 11m - ideal for Yachts and Heavy LoLo lifts.
Solent Stevedores successfully loaded two large Catarmarans previously used to transport passengers between Portsmouth and Ryde on the Isle of Wight which were subsequently sold to a Russian company operating passenger services on the Black Sea.
The Catarmarans which had been laid up in Southampton Water for several months, were sailed over from Marchwood, and loaded direct from water to the vessel "OXYL Fantasy" which was berthed in the King George V Dock.
Heavy machinery loading
Working in close co-operation with local Port Agent, Denholm Barwil, Solent Stevedores loaded 18x40 tonne Terex excavators onto the deck of 'Atlantic Regine'
The machinery, built in Scotland, was safely loaded and secured ready for despatch to the port of Bata in Equatorial Guinea
Heavy Plant loading
Most of Solent Stevedores cargo handling work is undertaken within the confines of the 20 acre bulk terminal. However the company’s experienced staff were called upon to load three pre used CAT manufactured earth moving machines and 4 pieces of rock crushing machinery, with a total weight of 221 tonnes, at berth 41 in the Eastern Docks using the heavy lift cranes aboard the UAL Angola
Heavy equipment loading
Beer drinkers in Lithuania were no doubt raising their glasses to toast Solent Stevedores, as the company loaded a cargo of monster brewing vats to the MV Moana in the King George Dock. The vats, which came from a redundant brewery in Reading, were so large that specialist transport had to deliver them in under the plumb of the Port's 100 tonne Harbour Mobile Crane from where they were lifted and stowed safely on board.


text:
Public schools are on the sidelines as private schools pioneer the state's opportunity scholarship program in its first year, but public school officials aren't ruling out their participation in the program next year to offer students of low-achieving schools more education options.
Despite the state Legislature opening the program to public schools, the list of more than 700 schools accepting students on opportunity scholarships this year contains public schools from only four districts - none in Blair County.
"One reason we don't participate is that we don't want to overload classes," Bellwood-Antis Superintendent Brian Toth said.
Bellwood-Antis School District added a sixth kindergarten class this year, he said.
There also may not be a reason for high-achieving schools to join the program in areas where there are no low-achieving schools designated by the state on a basis of standardized test scores. In Blair County, there was just one low-achieving school and only a dozen students transferred to private schools.
Adding just a few students to classrooms on scholarships of $8,500, for regular education or $15,000 for special education could be problematic, Hollidaysburg Area School District Foundation Director Linda Russo said.
"It would wind up costing our district a lot of money if we receive just three or four students. We would have to add another teacher and that cost would be greater than the funding we receive from the program," Russo said.
But a superintendent of one of the districts receiving opportunity scholarship students is hoping to attract students from all over the state to enroll in the district's cyberschool, eliminating problems of class size and transportation.
"I'm a forward thinker, and I believe in helping kids," Superintendent Mary Todora of Neshannock Township School District in Lawrence County said.
But no students have applied to attend Neshannock schools this year. Todora said she and the school board don't know if the opportunity scholarship program will be a viable option as businesses have been slow to donate to back the scholarships.
Education foundations accepting eligible students report parents are seeking opportunity scholarships for their children, but have no money to back them.
Department of Community and Economic Development Spokesman Steve Kratz expects business donations for the second year of the program to pick up.
"We anticipated the program would take some time to get up and running," he said.
Legislature approved $50 million in tax credits in August and $40 million are still available to businesses in exchange for a donation to fund students' opportunity scholarships.
From the beginning, the Pennsylvania School Board Association was not in support of the scholarship program, PSBA spokesman Steve Robinson said.
"In the end, private schools are reimbursed by the state. It's a voucher system," he said.
But the association did not dispense information to members as to whether they should or shouldn't join, he said.
Robinson said public schools "are sitting out," this year because the law was passed in the beginning of July, too close to the start of school.
"Districts had to make a quick decision. There wasn't enough time to look fully at the program and consider the ramifications," he said. "I think there will be more districts considering it for next year."
Mirror Staff Writer Russ O'Reilly is at 946-7435.


There’s a reason why readers usually refer to the Toshiba Qosmio X70-ABT3G22 as an all-around entertainment laptop rather than a hardcore gaming rig. That’s because it’s actually lighter than most gaming laptops and it doesn’t have that extravagant pimped-up facade often found in Dell Alienware.
Simply because gaming isn’t emphasized explicitly, doesn’t mean it’s bad. In fact, it’s a powerful gaming laptop with an 4th generation Intel Core i7-4700QM processor and a whopping 3 GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M graphics card.
The following segments will dissect and detail the advantages and disadvantages of choosing the Toshiba Qosmio X70-ABT3G22.
Powerful Gaming Performance
There’s no stopping the Toshiba Qosmio X70-ABT3G22 . It’s as powerful as it can get without being such a burden on the wallet- an immediate contrast to what the Toshiba brand is known for, high prices. Also, it’s far cheaper than Alienware.
Where speed plays an important role on the virtual life and death situations gamers often encounter, this Qosmio X70 will easily breeze through Max Payne 3, Hard Reset, Stalker and Dirt 3 at 1920 x 1080 resolution (in the highest settings).
Though perfectly playable at mid-level to low settings, gamers might have to deal with stumbling fps rates on Batman: Arkham Asylum, The Witcher 2 and Metro 2033.
Still, that’s a lot better compared to Asus’ G75VW which wasn’t able to handle The Witcher 2 at all.
The Toshiba Qosmio X70-ABT3G22’s dedicated graphics card is no push-over. It’s 3 GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M GPU that’s capable of going through those graphic-intensive processes such as Photoshop. The same goes for programming, video-editing and computer-aided design.
The 17.1″ Full HD 1920 x 1080 screen makes watching movies or playing games a most memorable experience.
Enough about processing prowess! It’s time to focus on its physical attributes. To say at the least, the Toshiba Qosmio X70-ABT3G22 is a whole kilo lighter than the Asus G75VW. At 3.5 kgs, it’s a no brainer that the Qosmio easily beats Dell’s Alienware M17x which is at 5.3 kgs.
Great Listening Experience
It’s not exactly Hansen or Naim, yet the Harman/Kardon quad speakers of the Toshiba Qosmio X70-ABT3G22 proves to be one of the loudest speakers a gaming laptop could have. SRS Premium Sound 3D further helps in providing a more realistic audio experience.
It’s not just about the 4 USB 3.0 ports or the Sleep and Charge functionality. This Qosmio X70 has been commended, through customer reviews, for its great Wi-Fi connectivity.
Bad Battery Life
Perhaps one with the poorest battery life among its competitors, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M video card just sucks the life force out of the Toshiba Qosmio X70-ABT3G22 (even when it’s armed with Optimus Technology). Its battery life expectancy is at 3.9 hours.
There’s no point in loading games that gamers won’t probably touch. It would seem odd to expect that a person who’s after a powerful Toshiba gaming rig would care about these pre-loaded games.
The Toshiba Qosmio X70-ABT3G22 customizable laptop is a competitive gaming rig with heavy specifications. With a little of everything, it can turn into an entertainment system without breaking a sweat.
More importantly, it’s a desktop replacement that transforms into the powerful gaming laptop that’s expected of it.
While bad battery life is a trend for Toshiba laptops, the Qosmio X70promises to be a purchase that’s well worth the cost.
Up to 4th gen. Intel Core i7-4700QM Processor
Up to Windows 8.1 Pro
Up to 256GB SSD (Solid State Disk, Serial ATA)
3GB GDDR5 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 770M with Optimus Technology
Up to Blu-Ray disk rewritable drive
Weight 7.6 Lbs.
Battery life: up to 3.9 hours
How to upgrade a Hard Drive to SSD on the Qosmio X870-BT3G23
Dell Alienware 17: A Bang for the Buck Monstrous Gaming Rig
Alienware 18 Gaming Laptop – The Best from Dell
Lenovo IdeaPad Y500 Gaming Laptop: A Beautiful Powerhouse


text:
Staunton, November 15 – The nationality issue together with “the crisis in the political economy of socialism” destroyed the Soviet Union a generation ago. “Today in Russia, we observe almost the same picture,” with the growth of Russian nationalism trigger “the responsive growth of the nationalism” of the non-Russians, according to the editor of a Tatarstan weekly.
Non-Russians are responding in this way because, under current circumstances, it is the only way that they can hope to block “cultural assimilation,” Rashit Akhmetov of “Zvezda Povolzhya” says. Moreover, “the smaller the people, the more it has to do so because the loss of national culture leads to the disappearance of the ethnos.”
Were it what he calls “’elevated’ Russian nationalism,” a nationalism committed to democracy and freedom, that might not be the case, but what is now being promoted is not that but rather “great power Russian nationalism which is hostile” not only to democracy but to the best traditions of Russian culture (“Zvezda Povolzhya,” 42 (722), 13-19.XI.14, p. 1).
As three decades ago, he continues, one can only be shocked by the Kremlin’s approach to nationality issues: its proclivity to see the correct response to any and all challenges being the use of force and the celebration of a single nation rather than recognizing that a democratic requires negotiation and compromise with all its peoples.
And that single nation is not nearly as predominant as the Kremlin believes, something that adds to the dangers of acting in this way, Akhmetov says. There are at least 10 million immigrants in the Russian Federation, and there are “approximately 20 million” non-Russians and “approximately 40 million ‘half Russians,’” people of mixed ethnic background.
That means, the Kazan editor says, that “there are not so many pure Russians in Russia, perhaps they represent even less than half of the population.”
This is “well confirmed” by elections, he continues. A maximum of 20 percent of the population votes “for the ideas of Russian nationalism.” At the very least, 70 million residents of the Russian Federation are cautious about or even negatively inclined to the slogan “’Russia for the ethnic Russians,’” as a result at least in part of their own ethnic background.
Among elites in the country, opposition to this slogan is even higher, perhaps as much as 90 percent, given that the most members of the elites are in fact not ethnically Russian and fully understand the importance of a democratic and European choice for the country.
Thus the slogan “Russia for the ethnic Russians” can’t work for very long. The only slogan that can work is “friendship of the peoples,” something that is impossible if the regime in Moscow keeps proclaiming that only one people, the ethnic Russians, are “a state-forming people” and all the others are somehow only hangers on.
A failure to recognize this reality can lead to serious, potentially fateful mistakes. Moscow’s current push to deprive Tatarstan of the office of presidency is an example of this, Akhmetov says. Indeed, it “could be a historic Rubicon,” the crossing of which will involve “the subconscious alienation” of the Tatars from Moscow, an alienation that even flexibility on other issues won’t overcome.
What should happen is a referendum on the matter, and the outcome of that referendum must be respected. If that does not happen, then the danger to the Russian Federation, the Kazan editor suggests, could be really dangerous indeed.


text:
She's only in her second season in the league, but 28-year-old point guard Anna Cruz already has played a bigger role than expected in Minnesota's run to the WNBA Finals.
Oct 1 1:16 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
The WNBA on Monday acknowledged that the foul that helped decide Game 2 of the West finals should have been a no-call. It was the right thing to do, but sadly, the error was costly for Phoenix.
Sep 28 6:41 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
Maya Moore not only had 40 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals, she came up with key plays down the stretch to sweep the Mercury and send the Lynx back to the WNBA Finals.
Sep 27 11:42 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
The Phoenix Mercury will need to rebound from their Game 1 loss as they return home with their backs against the wall in the Western Conference finals.
Sep 26 3:28 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
The pregame talk was all about the Brittney Griner-Sylvia Fowles matchup, but it was Rebekkah Brunson who commanded attention in a grind-it-out Game 1 victory for Minnesota.
Sep 25 1:16 AM ET | By Michelle Smith
The duel between 6-foot-6 Sylvia Fowles and 6-foot-8 Brittney Griner will be the marquee matchup in the Western Conference finals.
Sep 23 11:31 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
Minnesota and Phoenix meet with a trip to the WNBA Finals on the line for the third consecutive season. The Lynx, coming off a balanced and complete performance Tuesday, have the upper hand.
Sep 23 6:58 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
It was the kind of win Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve has been waiting for all year: Maya Moore had plenty of help -- five players hit double figures -- as Minnesota eliminated Los Angeles in the West.
Sep 23 3:40 AM ET | By Michelle Smith
Facing elimination, in a gym they hadn't seen all season, against a No. 1 seed? It wasn't exactly an ideal situation for the Sparks. But it's also one they overcame, thanks to Candace Parker.
Sep 20 10:21 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
After accepting the defensive player of the year award, Brittney Griner said she wants "to get better and I want to win." The center was at her best Thursday, blocking 11 shots in Game 1.
Sep 18 2:17 AM ET | By Michelle Smith
Bill Laimbeer, who went from being fired last fall to leading the New York Liberty to the best record in the WNBA for the first time in franchise history, was named the WNBA's Coach of the Year.
Sep 17 9:56 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
Phoenix knows it's not the favorite to repeat as the WNBA champion. But the Mercury are riding some momentum into the playoffs and have home-court advantage in the first round.
Sep 16 1:54 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
Lisa Leslie, who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame this week, was an unstoppable center who thrived under pressure. There hasn't been anyone like her since.
Sep 9 10:17 AM ET | By Michelle Smith
After going from having the worst record in the WNBA to clinching a spot in the postseason, L.A. wants even more. "I feel like we are contenders to win the whole thing," Nneka Ogwumike says.
Sep 7 2:20 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
The Storm probably won't make the playoffs, but that doesn't mean Jewell Loyd's rookie season in Seattle hasn't been a success.
Sep 3 7:38 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
Whichever WNBA team gets the No. 1 draft pick for 2016 knows it will get an immediate game-changer in UConn's Breanna Stewart. But which teams are we most likely to see in the draft lottery?
Aug 26 5:36 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
Veteran guard Cappie Pondexter, traded to her hometown Chicago this offseason, has given friends and family plenty to cheer about and given the Sky's offense a boost.
Aug 21 8:50 AM ET | By Michelle Smith
When Los Angeles had just three wins at the All-Star break, people might have thought the Sparks "were light-years away." But coach Brian Agler and L.A. are still clinging to a playoff spot.
Aug 13 10:52 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
Can Phoenix keep its winning streak alive -- and keep West-leading Minnesota in its sights -- when the Mercury take on Erika de Souza and the Chicago Sky on Sunday (ESPN, 2 ET)?
Aug 8 | By Michelle Smith
Minnesota is the WNBA front-runner at the All-Star break, but where does every other team fall in? We hand out grades for the first half of the season and look ahead at what's next for each team.
Jul 28 10:54 AM ET | By Michelle Smith
The WNBA has made three additions to its Western Conference All-Star roster: Tulsa guard Riquna Williams, Los Angeles center Jantel Lavender and San Antonio guard Kayla McBride.
Jul 24 2:18 AM ET | By Michelle Smith
Three of the best backcourt players in WNBA history and a group of impact young post players headline the WNBA All-Star reserves, which were announced Tuesday by the league.
Jul 24 2:19 AM ET | By Michelle Smith
The debate around Caitlyn Jenner's "worthiness" in receiving the Arthur Ashe award shouldn't be a debate at all. Worthiness, and courage for that matter, is not exclusive to one thing.
Jul 17 11:03 PM ET | By Michelle Smith
On her third team in seven seasons in the WNBA, Indiana's Marissa Coleman is finally "having fun again." The guard/forward is tied for the team lead with Tamika Catchings at 13.1 points per game.
Jul 17 | By Michelle Smith
After an opening loss, Tulsa has reeled off eight wins in a row to take over first in the West, quite a turnaround for a team that went 12-22 last year. And their confidence is building.
Jun 29 4:32 PM ET | By Michelle Smith


text:
I am an associate professor in the Department of Architecture - School of Architecture and Planning at the University at Buffalo - SUNY, and project director in the Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access (IDeA.My research focuses on design education and inclusive design, especially the empowerment of underrepresented groups through design. My primary professional goal is to encourage universities to include courses in their general education or core programs that address the relationship between design and diversity issues.
Please be sure to set your email preferences and check the new member guide,community guidelines and FAQs. Thanks for adding your profile photo! It is great to "see" you here. Let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for the site.
I will look forward to learning from you as you share what you know here
: ) Please introduce yourself in the Welcome - who are you? forum so we can get to know you a little better. I would love it if you would share more about your interests and experiences. Maybe also a little about what you are looking for in this community, or anything else you want us to know.

domain: design


text:
Our Buttafuoco Storico Vigna Sacca del Prete is one of the 15 wines of the Buttafuoco Storico Club. The club is an association of winegrowers whose mission is to promote the historical crus of Buttafuoco, a red wine from indigenous grapes produced in only 7 towns in th easter part of Oltrepò Pavese.
GRAPES: Croatina (60%), Barbera (30%), Uva Rara (5%) and Ughetta di Canneto (5%) grown in an estate vineyard named Sacca del Prete and located in Canneto Pavese at an altitude of about 250-300 m AMSL. Planting of the vineyard started in 1990 and was completed in 1997; in 2007 the grapes were used to produce this buttafuoco Storico for the first time.
VINEYARD MANAGEMENT: sustainable farming practices, grass cover crops in the vineyard, no use of herbicides or chemical fertilisers. The vineyard is not irrigated.
TRAINING SYSTEM: Guyot
YELD: about 7 tons per hectare (juice yield: 45%).
HARVEST: the grapes are hand-harvested in the last week of Spetember.
VINIFICATION: the grapes are destemmed and crushed. The alcoholic fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled concrete vats and is started using indigenous yeasts. The must is pumped over and punched down every 2 days until the end of the fermentation. After a long maceration (45 days minimum), the must is racked in 225 liters and 500 liters Massif Central oak barrels. The malolactic fermentation is dome in the barrels. Finally, the wine ages for 3 years in oak and for a minimum of 6 months in bottle.
TASTING NOTES: deep ruby red colour; complex nose with notes of boozy red fruits, spices, coffee and balsamic hints; full-bodied and warm on palate.
SUGGEST PAIRINGS: excellent on game, wild boar, grilled red meat, boiled and stewed meat. It can be successfully tried also on mild aged cheese.
SERVICE TEMPERATURE: 18°C
ANALYTICAL DATA AT BOTTLING:
Alcohol: 15.0% vol.
Residual sugar: 3.0 g/l
Total acidity: 6.5 g/l
Added sulphites: 45 mg/l
FIRST VINTAGE: 2007

domain: agronomy


text:
How to flip homes with little money out of your pocket. Team Thayer Oregon Real Estate Advice
Flipping and refurbishing houses has become all the rage over the past decade. Almost everyone has become an expert on mortgages, refinancing, and remodelling.Introducing the 203K loan. It’s officially known as Rehab Mortgage Insurance; but that’s putting the cart before the horse. Simply, it’s an insured home loan. With the 203k FHA loan you have the ability to buy that spec house knowing that your pre-approved loan is going to come with some extra money for repairs. The restoration costs are at least $5,000. Spending that is not a problem these days,
It’s an FHA backed loan that is insured, so the lender is more inclined to approve it; especially if you have done your homework and have all the paperwork showing the remodeling estimates. Remember, the 203K loan is designed to cover the present value of the house plus the cost of the rehabilitation, or 110% of the appraised value of the property after rehabilitation; whichever is less.
You can also acquire the 203K loan as refinancing for your current dwelling; and you can even convert your property to multiple attached single-family units. That’s right, you can build duplexes and condominiums with this loan, even if there is only a foundation and slab showing at time of underwriting. That’s exciting for the seasoned contractor and weekend carpenter alike!
This loan was designed to help the average home-owner. As we all know, repairs are costly; and putting your house on the market is often thwarted by not being able to modernize it properly. Here is a way to either get out from under an aging property and move forward, or feel refreshed in the home you plan to stay in. It’s a win-win situation for the lender and the loan recipient. It’s good for communities, and it’s good for your peace of mind.
There are some minor variations of this loan, such as the 203(b); however, the 203K loan is the full version that covers all aspects of rehabilitation financing. If you are interested, you can contact an FHA approved lender and explore all of your options. HUD requires that properties financed under this program meet certain basic energy efficiency and structural standards; but that’s part of your plan anyway, right?

domain: finance


text:
DOH: Super 8 employee may have exposed customers to COVID-19
PIERRE, S.D. — South Dakota State Health Officials announced Saturday, May 16, that an employee at Super 8 on 2520 Tower Road in Rapid City has tested positive for COVID-19.
The individual worked while able to transmit the virus to others during these specific days and times:
- Wednesday, April 29th – 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Thursday, April 30th – 3 p.m. – 11 p.m.
- Saturday, May 2nd– 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.
- Sunday, May 3rd – 7 a.m.- 3 p.m. and 11 p.m- midnight
- Monday, May 4th– 12 a.m.- 7 a.m.
State Health officials remind all South Dakotans to:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Refrain from touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
- Individuals at higher risk for severe COVID-19 illness, such as older adults and people who have chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease, should take actions to reduce your risk of exposure.
- Create a family plan to prepare for COVID-19 and develop a stay at home kit with food, water, medication, and other necessary items.
If you develop symptoms:
- Call your health care provider immediately.
- Individuals who are concerned they have COVID-19 should contact their healthcare provider via phone before going to a clinic or hospital to prevent spread in healthcare facilities.
- Avoid contact with other people.
- Follow the directions of your provider and public health officials.

domain: medical


text:
MLK Day Commemoration
"Life’s most persistent and urgent question is:
What are you doing for others?" -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To commemorate and take action upon Dr. King’s vision for peace and justice, Stetson University’s Center for Community Engagement and Office of Diversity and Inclusion are partnering with local organizations to host a series of events - both on- and off-campus - coinciding with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in mid-January.
All events are open to students, faculty, and staff. Email firstname.lastname@example.org with questions.
Saturday, January 13
The State of the Dream Address
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center, Bethune-Cookman University
698 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
Sponsored by the Volusia MLK Planning Committee, this event will feature local civic leaders and change-makers who commemorate the legacy of Dr. King through direct action in our local communities. The keynote speaker will be Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, a professor of Sociology at Georgetown University who is the author of several books focusing on the intersections of civil rights, culture, race, and politics, including The Black Presidency: Barack Obama and the Politics of Race in America (2016). Entry is free, but tickets are required. For more information, visit www.volusiamlk.com.
Sunday, January 14
Countywide Community Praise and Worship Celebration
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
The Sanctuary Church
401 E. Taylor Road, DeLand
Sponsored by a collective of local religious organizations, this nondenominational service will focus on themes related to social justice and community empowerment - echoing the integration of religion and the civil rights movement during the 1960’s under the leadership of Dr. King. The event is free and open to the public.
Monday, January 15
MLK Annual Breakfast
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
A tradition in Stetson and DeLand for decades, the MLK Annual Breakfast is the signature event of the week for the entire Stetson and Volusia County community, drawing more than 600 guests. The Breakfast features powerful performances and speakers who share their views on Dr. King’s legacy and the future of our community. The keynote speaker for this year's Breakfast will be the Honorable Judge Hubert L. Grimes, President of Bethune-Cookman University.
Tickets are required to attend, but Stetson students can obtain tickets for free by contacting Kevin Winchell (Center for Community Engagement, email@example.com) by Friday, January 13. Breakfast will be served. Cultural Credit event.
Note: Following the Breakfast, attendees will be able to participate in the annual MLK Civil Rights March from Stetson to Earl Brown Park.
12:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Earl Brown Park in DeLand
750 S. Alabama Avenue
Get free resources from local businesses and non-profits, find volunteer and internship opportunities, and enjoy family-friendly live entertainment, sports, and arts activities with other members of the DeLand community. The event is free and open to the public.
Monday January 15, 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the MLK Breakfast (Hollis Center Rinker Fieldhouse)
Volunteers are needed for setting up and checking guests into the Breakfast. If you are interested in volunteering, email Kevin Winchell at firstname.lastname@example.org.
Monday January 15, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., at the MLK Community Expo (Earl Brown Park, DeLand)
Volunteers are needed for setting up booths and running entertainment, sports, and arts activities throughout the day. If you are interested in volunteering - or having your organization request a booth to host an activity - email Kevin Winchell at email@example.com.


text:
Anavar, a widely used steroid around the world, has many medical and off-label uses. Doctors administer it to their patients to treat a multitude of diseases and disorders while many athletes and bodybuilders use it for off-label purposes like building lean mass and performance enhancement. Many of you may be surprised to know that Anavar is the brand name of Oxandrolone. After a series of clinical trials, it was introduced in the US market by a pharmaceutical company in 1964. Its production was stopped in the late 1980s but resumed again later on. It has been sold under different trade names across different countries.
Anavar, an artificial form of anabolic steroid, is a controlled substance in many countries including the United States. It can be bought over the counter on the basis of a doctor’s prescription. It is often used in treating patients of severe burns, osteoporosis, HIV/AIDS, etc. Despite it being a controlled substance, it is obtained by many from the black market to draw benefits in performance enhancement and muscle building.
How does it work?
Anavar belongs to the anabolic steroids family. It operates by increasing protein synthesis in the body. Since it has less masculine qualities than many of the other steroids, it is often used by both the genders. As you may know, some steroids are associated with giving masculine qualities to the consumer while many are considered neutral for both the genders. Men and Women in athletics and bodybuilding profession, often resort to the use of Anavar for building muscles. It is one of the most well tolerated steroids.
It helps in gaining lean muscle mass. Obese people have fluffy muscles while fit people have lean muscles. A high lean muscle mass would mean more strength and endurance. If you are expecting to put on weight then this steroid may not be of much help. This is because it reduces the ability of muscles to retain water thus reducing its weight but increasing its density. Women find it very effective as their expectation of weight increase is just a small percentage of the male expectation. Though the gain in weight is relatively not much, it is more than if you do not take this steroid.
For those looking to shed weight, this steroid would be very useful. It works best in the cutting phase with a properly planned diet. Anavar helps in retaining muscle mass while shedding off the unnecessary fat. If you go for the cutting cycle without Anavar, you will lose muscle mass as well along with fat. It is always better to supplement your cutting phase with a steroid that can give you best of both the worlds.
Many athletes and bodybuilders like Anavar because of its ability to give strength in the muscles. Strength helps you deliver and perform better. It enhances your stamina as well. It increases a person’s healing ability and nitrogen retention ability. Nitrogen itself plays a vital role in our body’s mechanism. The more nitrogen you can retain in body, the more benefit you will draw from it.
Is Anvarol an alternative to Anavar?
Anvarol can get you all the benefits you want from Anavar. First of all, it is safe and legal. You don’t have worry about the FDA when buying Anvarol as it is an alternative to Anavar. It can get you explosive strength and power while burning unnecessary fat in the body. You don’t even need any prescription to buy this product. The dosage is three capsules per day. The consumption should be about 15 minutes after workout every day and you can take it with water. The timeline for dosage is two months followed by about 10 days off. You can stack Anvarol with other supplements as well. These include Winidrol, Trenorol and Clenbutrol. The ingredients of Anvarol include Soy Protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, BCAA, Wild Yam Root, ATP, gelatine capsules and magnesium.
To draw the most benefit, you should keep a regular check on yourself and diagnose your body’s response to the supplement you take. If you find anything abnormal with your body, you should immediately refer to a medical practitioner. Many buyers claim that they saw the results in the first 30 days itself. However, your body’s response to Anvarol may vary and depend on many other factors. As you must know, different body types show different response to each substance. So don’t bother if you don’t see result as fast as your neighbour does. Keep faith and you too would benefit from it.
Don’t try to bring all the changes overnight. You have to be patient with the usage of Anvarol. If you take overdose or extend its consumption beyond the suggested timeline, you may suffer several side-effects. These include increased risk for strokes, heart ailments, liver disorders, etc. However, if used as advised, you too can derive enormous strength and power from this source.


text:
6061 West 9860 South, Suite A
West Jordan, Utah 84081
This all black wedding ring is custom made to order in the USA. It is a 7mm wide pipe-cut Black Zirconium band that is expertly crafted and hand finished by Jewelry Artisans in the USA. The Black Zirconium wedding ring features an off-centered groove with a mill-grain design carved into the groove. A hand polish finish perfectly completes this comfort fit Black ring. The black wedding band is durable, scratch resistant, hypoallergenic, edgy, and extremely comfortable to wear!
Tips for Determining Your Ideal Size
Understanding Our Sizers
Our ring sizers cover sizes 0-15 in both full and half sizes. Each size includes two rings: a positive and a negative number. The positive number represents the full size, while the negative number signifies the half size. For example: 6 (size 6), -6 (size 6.5).

domain: artistic


text:
Dir: Adolfo Aristarain. Arg-Sp. 2002. 113mins.
A graceful, intelligent and humorous portrait of a sixty-something couple forced to rebuild their lives, Common Places (Lugares Communes) confirms the director-actor team of Adolfo Aristarain and Federico Luppi as San Sebastian favourites. Very warmly received at the festival, the film, which opened in Argentina earlier this month, will find its most appreciative audiences in Spanish-speaking territories. Elsewhere the low-key subject and classical style - which some audiences will find old-fashioned - make it unlikely to ride on the cult status of Argentine cinema. However, further festival exposure could guide it towards upscale older viewers, especially greying 1960s survivors, if bolstered by critical support and awards recognition. In Argentina, where it opened on Sept 12 and is now playing on 36 screens it has taken just over $53,000.
Fernando (Luppi), a university professor in his early sixties, is a left-wing intellectual full of mild melancholy at the cynicism afflicting his country. Still, he and his beautiful Spanish-born wife, Lili (Mercedes Sampietro) lead a contented, affluent lifestyle until Fernando receives brusque notice of compulsory retirement. Despite their anxiety, the couple takes a long-planned trip to Madrid, where they were political refugees in the 1970s and where their son, Pedro (Carlos Santamaria), still lives with his wife and family. The visit is painful. It brings home Fernando's sense of permanent exile and the chasm between Europe's First World prosperity and the chaotic world back home. It also triggers a bitter quarrel when he accuses his son of selling out and the two part on bad terms.
Back in Buenos Aires, he receives an intriguing proposal: an acquaintance wants to part-exchange his remote farmhouse for an apartment in the city. Reluctantly, Fernando is persuaded by Lili to take up the offer. With its pantiled roof and lavender fields, this farm might have come straight out of one of Peter Mayles' books and indeed the couple looks set to live out an archetypal modern fantasy, as they plan to distil flower essences for French perfumiers. Ever faithful to his ideals, Fernando names the place 1789 (the house sign is painted on a tricolour background) and establishes a collective whose workers will share the profits.
What makes Common Places (the Spanish title contains a similar double meaning) more than commonplace is the humane, elegant screenplay. Fernando's ironic narration comments on the proceedings and instils them with the source novel's intellectual edge - the story loses some of its energy after his character falls ill and moves to the sidelines. Subtly set within the political context of Argentina, the film portrays both a particular culture and a universal dilemma. The director states he is trying "to reproduce the conversations that might take place at my house after three bottles of wine" and his characters and situations will be instantly recognisable to viewers from a certain tranche of society worldwide.
The relationships are drawn with comedy and restraint, with many excellent individual scenes: in one of the best, the sexagenarian demonstrates world-class flirting technique with an attractive librarian, while finally affirming his profound unspoken love for his wife. Performances, headed by Luppi (familiar to international audiences from The Devil's Backbone and John Sayles's fine Spanish-language drama Men With Guns) are all top-drawer.
Prod cos: Tornasol, Shazam, Pablo Larguia Producciones
Sp dist: Altafilms
Arg dist: DC
Int'l sales: Tornasol Films
Exec prods: Mariela Besuievsky, Carlos Andrada
Prods: Gerardo Herrero, Aristarain, Javier Lopez Blanco
Scr: Aristarain, Kathy Saavedra, based on the novel Rebirth by Lorenzo F Aristarain
Cinematography: Porfirio Enriquez
Prod des: Abel Facello
Ed: Fernando Pardo
Main cast: Fernando Luppi, Mercedes Sampietro, Arturo Puig, Carlos Santamaria

domain: library


Originally Posted by Dart
Or ask him to cock it just once for you because you love that sound and try and take a quick peak in the ejection port.
Why take a peek? If brass flies out it's real. If nothing flew out, then he either just chambered some brass or double stuffed his inner barrel (try another method at this point).


text: Demographic, clinical, biological and personal data were obtained from patients hospitalized with symptoms of leptospirosis in the Hospital of Pointe à Pitre, Guadeloupe, French West Indies from 1994 to 2001. Of the 897 screened patients, 212 were acute cases, 607 were non-infected and 78 were undetermined cases. There was no predominant age group. Leptospirosis transmission followed the rainfall cycle and was greater in rural areas. Jaundice and conjunctival suffusion were significantly more frequent in cases than non-cases. Males, professions considered to be at risk and contact with swine or bovine were associated with infection. Serogroups Icterohaemorrhagiae, Cynopteri, Australis, Sejroe, Pomona and Ballum were serovars presumed responsible for acute cases.

domain: literature


text:
With a chance to earn a top postseason seed now gone, the Bakersfield Condors have to regroup quickly after the wheels fell off in Henderson Thursday.
Henderson took a 2-0 lead into the third period then doubled it in the span of 26 seconds, clinching the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Pacific Division Playoffs with a 5-0 win over Bakersfield.
The Condors entered a three-game series against the Silver Knights still having a chance to capture the top seed, but needed to win all three to secure it. With the loss, they will open the postseason against San Diego.
The Silver Knights took the lead for good on their first shot of the game, as Zack Hayes found the back of the net to give Henderson a 1-0 lead they'd hold deep into the second period.
With 2:40 to play in the second, Pavel Dorofeyev provided Henderson with an insurance goal before the floodgates opened in the third period.
Danny O'Regan scored 1:12 into the third, then Jake Leschyshyn made it 4-0 26 seconds later, causing the Condors to pull starting goalie Stuart Skinner.
Tomas Jurco added the final blow with 11:40 to go.
Bakersfield has hit a snag heading towards the end of the regular season, dropping their last two games by a combined score of 9-1.
However, they still have an opportunity to clinch the No. 2 seed with one win or one San Diego loss this weekend. The Condors and Silver Knights play at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in Henderson, with San Diego taking on Colorado on Friday and Saturday.

domain: sports


text:
I’m starting to write this whilst sat on the plane, above South Sudan. Almost 6 months after spontaneously booking a trip to visit my friend Georgie in Tanzania, and 5 months after spontaneously deciding to climb Kilimanjaro, I am around 2 hours away.
I like to think of myself as someone who goes to seek great adventures, but in reality, this is the largest.
I had always wanted to climb a “real” mountain. As a child, I would tie a skipping rope around myself, Barbie, Ken and Action Man and we would scale the peaks (the stairs). Sadly, Ken and his sparkly black suit would often die. Possibly because he wasn’t dressed appropriately to climb a mountain…? Possibly as I was just an evil child…?
As a teenager I joined the Sea Cadets and started expedition training, map reading and getting out on Dartmoor. Not that intrepid in comparison to Kilimanjaro, but it started my love of the great outdoors and I consider myself a mountain fiend now. I went from being someone who couldn’t read a map, or use a compass, to someone who now feels confident enough to head off with nobody she knows, to climb the worlds highest free standing mountain… on a different continent.
I had no plans to climb Kilimanjaro initially, but as the time got closer and I realised how close Georgie lived to the mountain, I knew I had to do it. It would have been silly not to.
And so here I am, 884 miles away from Kilimanjaro International Airport and the start of a great adventure…
Day One: Machame Gate to Machame Camp
We set off from Springlands Hotel on the 10th October and after a briefing with our guides, Mzui and Frankie, loaded all of our kit on to the bus. We drove from Moshi to the Machame Gate, where we signed our names away to register that we were about to begin our ascent. The Machame Gate is at 1,738 amsl, and so the air was already thinner prior to our 11km climb to the first camp.
It was very hot, and I had packed far too much in my daysack, meaning this first day was a struggle. I found it difficult as if there’s one climate I hate walking in, it’s the heat. Our porterson the other hand, were all but running up the mountain carrying huge packs. Super humans, I swear!
Frankie, one of our guides, took some of my kit in order to lighten my daysack, and we then continued through the forest. He told me about the plants surrounding us and pointed out items of interest, as well as telling me all about his brother, who was a rapper in Dar Es Salaam.
We reached the Machame Camp, took the standard photo under the sign and headed over to our campsite. The porters brought us a bowl of warm water to wash off and we then went in to our mess tent in time for tea and popcorn before dinner. We Brits had a quick game of shithead, before a briefing on plans for the next day from Mzui, our other guide, and then bed.
I felt very nervous about the days ahead based on Day 1, but actually all was to be well.
Day Two: Machame Camp to Shira Camp
I slept like a baby and before I knew it, I was woken with a cry of ‘dada (sister) would you like coffee?’
After breakfast, we set off and began our steep climb through the heath and moorland zone. This was a tough day, but probably the one I enjoyed the most. We were climbing for the entirety, it was very warm, but I had packed much less in my daysack today, the pace was good and the route was stunningly beautiful. The only issue I faced was forgetting to put suncream on, leaving me a little pink when we reached the Shira Camp!
We all found it a tough, but enjoyable morning and we had so much respect for the porters, managing to walk the same route as us, at a much quicker pace, whilst carrying our duffel bags, tents, chairs etc… Their fitness levels were just incredible.
Day 2 was fuelled by a lot of Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake. A favourite of my guides and porters!
We had lunch at the Shira Camp (3850 amsl), before heading out on a mini acclimatisation walk to a higher altitude. It was at this camp that the temperature really started to drop, hence the additional down jacket layers being thrown on, and the effects of altitude were a little more prevalent for some of the guys I was walking with.
At this point my Diamox had kicked in (though I only took half of one) and I had pins and needles for an hour, which was fun… However, We were treated to the most beautiful sunset over camp, above the clouds. The mountain in the distance is Mt Meru.
Once again we had dinner, a briefing for the next day and then went to our tents, where I promptly passed out again!
Day Three: Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
Today was warm, but with a fresh wind when the clouds rolled in. We set off once more after breakfast and walked through the alpine desert region to the Lava Tower (4630m amsl). It was barren and how I imagine some far off planet in space to look!
On our way to the Lava Tower, we were lucky enough to see the start of a glacier melting as water began to run down one of the gullies. The start of the water flow was just as we crossed, so it was really good timing on our part. As we crossed over, we saw a man being helped down the mountain by one of the porters, he looked very unsteady on his feet and ghostly white. Hopefully this was not a sign of things to come when we reached the same altitude…
When we arrived at the Lava Tower Camp, we stopped for lunch in order to acclimatise to the altitude. A few of the guys I was climbing with were suffering from headaches, but I was very lucky and still did not have any altitude sickness symptoms.
I am putting this down to drinking copious amounts of water!
We all had Diamox with us, but were told not to take it unless we needed to. The Machame route gave us the opportunity to climb high and sleep low, in order for our bodies to adjust. Diamox doesn’t prevent you from getting altitude sickness, but it can help with the symptoms. I took half a tablet a day on the last 2 days, as a precaution, but I was lucky and didn’t get so much as a headache. I think it’s luck of the draw with how your body will react.
After lunch, we descended again and headed for the Barranco Camp (3,972amsl) through scree and dried up river bed. Unfortunately, it was the walk this afternoon where my foot went out from beneath me, and I twisted my knee, leaving myself in agony for the rest of the walk to camp. I could climb up, I could walk normally on the flat and hills, but as soon as I thought about stepping/walking down a slope, I was in agony. I hobbled on down and collapsed in my tent pre dinner in tears. I stuck ibuprofen gel on it, took some anti-inflammatories and then post dinner passed out in my tent again. It was starting to feel chillier here, but my Rab sleeping bag was just the warmest.
The only part of me to feel cold at any point on the entire climb was my face!
Day Four: Barranco Camp to Barafu Camp
We left camp after breakfast and headed towards the intimidating Barranco Wall. 800ft high and almost vertical.
At this point I was feeling a little nervous (not the greatest fan of heights). Thankfully, though it is a steep incline, there is a path… I strapped my hiking poles to my daysack as I needed my hands. How the porters managed to climb it with bags on their head, hands free, I don’t know. Again, I think they may be super human!
This path up the wall involved some rock climbing, and was single file for the entirety. My knee was holding up well going, so I felt optimistic…
The below photo is from around 1/3 of the way up the wall.
We got to the top, the view was superb and it definitely made up for the near death experiences*
*I may be over-exaggerating a little here. Ok, a lot.
Unfortunately, as with most things… what goes up must inevitably come down, and as we started our descent through the valley, laced with yet more loose sand and scree, my knee was in pieces. I used my poles as much as possible, adamant that I would get to the Karanga Camp (where we were stopping for lunch), Barafu Camp (base camp) and then the summit.
My knee was totally fine on the flat and uphill segments, so I knew that summit night would be painful, but manageable. We stopped at the Karanga camp for lunch, where we said goodbye to the South African contingent walking alongside us, as they were taking an extra day to acclimatise before reaching the summit.
After lunch, we continued down the valley and eventually headed up the other side and on to Barafu Camp. The wind had turned at this point and the cloud was starting to roll in, making it very chilly.
We arrived at the open, very barren Barafu Camp and the cloud rolled in, the wind was picking up and there was no sign of green life anymore (except those with altitude sickness)
We had a couple of hours to get our kit ready for the night ahead, before eating dinner and heading to bed at 1900, ready to wake up at 2300 and begin our final ascent to the summit…
We woke up at 2300, cold, tired and shuffling over to our mess tent for warm tea and biscuits. We took our Diamox and made sure we had enough water for the night ahead, before setting off in the dark, to howling and bitterly cold winds.
The climb was tiring, partly because it was the middle of the night, partly thanks to the cold, and because at this point I had managed to get the start of a chest infection as well (I think due to the dust). The three fellow Brits I was climbing with wanted to go on ahead as I was struggling with my knee, so I carried on alone with Mzui. We spent what seemed like hours singing to take my mind off the fact that I couldn’t see anything but the zig zag of headtorches head of me and my knee was being a dick.
I have never seen skies as clear as I did whilst walking up the mountain that evening, but, eventually the sun began to rise, and so did the temperature. We continued on to the summit and reached Stella Point, before heading on round to Uhuru Peak – 5,895m amsl!
I had reached ‘The Roof of Africa’ – the highest point on the African continent!
I was so ecstatic when we got there that I gave Mzui the biggest hug ever and got a bit emotional and teary. I even managed to get the HMS Victory white ensign to the summit on behalf of Portsmouth Historic Dockyard and the NMRN – Read more about that here!
Tragically, much like the last 2 days, my knee decided that it did not want to play ball on the descent, despite being strapped up. Every step downhill I took was agonisingly painful. Unfortunately, the only way down was, well, down through scree, ash and rocks. Mzui took my daysack and had my arm over his shoulder to take some of my weight and we all but ran down, it was so, so sore and this only made it worse, and we spent most of the descent sliding through rocks and sand, before eventually reaching Barafu Camp once more. I had some lunch, spotted the South African team who were summiting that evening and wished them luck. They had cycled from Johannesburg to Kilimanjaro and then climbed the mountain! Read about their story here!
About one hour later we started walking down towards the Mweka Camp and my knee collapsed. At this point my guide arranged for a stretcher on wheels to take me down, manoeuvred by himself and some other porters. This took a number of hours, down a very precarious path, which at some points ran out, meaning I needed lowering vertically whilst strapped in. Not at all petrifying in the dark… They had one headtorch to do all of this and when we reached the bus back to the hotel at around midnight I was exhausted, but so grateful to Mzui and all of the Zara guys who helped me down. Since getting back to the UK I’ve been told I actually dislocated my kneecap, tore the cartilage and buggered some ligaments.
That being said, it was the best experience, despite that, and I can’t wait to go back one day uninjured, haha!

domain: travel


text:
Nauticam NA-G7XIII Pro Package
SKU # 17330P
The Nauticam NA-G7XMKIII Housing
The Pro Package Includes
- Right handle
- Two mounting balls
- M14 vacuum valve
- Shutter extension
NA-G7XIII is the latest iteration in a lineup of advanced housings for very capable compact cameras supported by Nauticam. Many features found on professional DSLR systems have been integrated into this system, and the result is an underwater housing that allows the user to harness the full potential of this advanced compact camera in the water.
The basic functions and ergonomic enhancements that Nauticam users have grown to know and love are incorporated in NA-G7XIII. The housing is machined from a solid block of aluminum, then hard anodized to seal out corrosive salt water. It is closed via a simple, yet secure locking rotary latch. The right side of the housing is sculpted to fit the palm of the user’s hand, and Nauticam’s two-stage shutter release lever provides clear differentiation between the half press and full press shutter release positions. All functions are clearly labeled.
The Nauticam leak alarm and vacuum monitoring system is installed as standard equipment. This system provides an audible and visual alert to any water entry in the housing, and when combined with an accessory M14 Vacuum Valve (#25624) the watertight integrity of the system can be tested before ever entering the water and monitored during every dive.
Expert product design, modern manufacturing techniques, top quality materials backed by a two-year warranty, and a critical focus on the user experience combine to produce the premier system for Canon Powershot G7X Mark III. The Nauticam NA-G7XMKIII.
Additional Housing Specifications
|Flash Triggering||Fiber optic bulkhead pre-installed|
|Vacuum System||Electronics pre-installed|
The N50 Port System
The NA-G7X Mark III ships with the “Standard” Port but other ports are available from the N50 system. Supplied with the housing, this port allows full zoom through and features a 67mm threaded front for attaching accessory macro lenses or a flip-adapter. This port is ideal for mid-range fish portraiture or close-up and macro work with add on wet-lenses.
Integrated Vacuum Check and Leak Detection System
The Nauticam vacuum check and leak detection system is shipped with NA-G7XMKIII as standard equipment. Combined with an accessory vacuum valve (PN 25624), this monitoring system provides constant updates on the watertight and safe-to-dive status of the housing. A simple color-coded LED lighting system lets the user know that the vacuum is solid, or that the housing is losing vacuum. Leak detection is built into the same circuit, so if there is water intrusion, an audible and visual indication will occur.
The Nauticam system is temperature compensated, eliminating false alarms caused by a change in outside temperature, or from a camera heating up on an action-packed dive.
The Nauticam NA-G7XIII Underwater Housing PRO Package
The NA-G7XIII sets a new standard for compact camera housing design. It is the ultimate refinement of the models that came before it, and proven in the field.
Nauticam designs are always improving, and new features integrated into each new release. The ergonomic experience has been tailored for a photographer's right hand on the side of the housing, placing key controls literally at the user's fingertips. Some users, especially those wearing cold water gloves, prefer shooting from handles such as the Nauticam Flexitray and Easi-tray. A set of stainless steel handle brackets and a mechanical shutter release trigger extension is included with every housing to better support this style of shooting. This PRO package includes the Flexitray with the right handle and two mounting balls for the handles.
The G7X Mark III has HDMI output for video, allowing for the use of external monitors which make judging exposure, focus and composition easier than using the built-in LCD of the camera. Nauticam has included an m16 port on the NA-G7XIII to take advantage of HDMI connectivity. By adding the optional 25028 Socket Extension and 25032 Custom HDMI bulkhead, the NA-G7XIII is compatible with external monitor housings such as the NA-502B-H or NA-Ninja V (HDMI 1.4 connection only).
What's In The Box?
- NA-G7XIII housing
- N50 Standard Port
- Instruction manual
- Spare silicone rubber housing o-ring (90135)
- O-ring remover
- CR2032 battery (for moisture alarm)
- Set of Allen keys
- Set of handle brackets with shutter release trigger
- Right handle
- Ball Mounts
- Vacuum Valve (PN 25624)
- 25123 LCD Magnifier attachment rails for NA-S110/S120/TG3/G7X/G7XII/G7XIII
- 25106 LCD Magnifier with Dioptric Adjustment
- 38022 Diffuser for NA-G7X/G7XII housing (for production version)
- 38702 N50 3.5'' acrylic Dome Port
- 38703 N50 Short Port with Bayonet Mount (To use with WWL-1)
- (*zoom range 24-65mm)
- 83201 Wet Wide Lens 1 (WWL-1) 130 deg. FOV with compatible 28mm Lenses
- 83214 Bayonet Mount Adaptor for SMC/CMC
- 81301 Compact Macro Convertor 1 (CMC-1, 4.5X Magnification)
- 81302 Compact Macro Convertor 2(CMC-2, 2.8X Magnification)
HDMI Connectivity Accessories
- 25028 Socket extension for 25032 HDMI bulkhead with M16 thread *1
- 25032 Custom HDMI bulkhead to use with a socket extension
- 25076 HDMI (D-D) Cable in 200mm Length for NA-XT2/XH1/A6400 (for internal connection from HDMI bulkhead to camera) *2
*1 M16 extension ring is required, which is included in NA-058/502H/FHD5/502B-H monitor housing.
*2 The pop-up flash needs to be in up position in order for the internal cable to work (flash up lever is disabled when using an external monitor)


National Recycling Awards December 2021, London Hilton – New-U were finalists
Around 500 people were brought together by MRW’s National Recycling Awards on Wednesday night to celebrate the industry’s successes.
Hundreds of entries were submitted from across the UK’s resources spectrum, making the judging a tough process. The judges were heartened to see so many excellent ideas and initiatives, and they were particularly pleased by the number of collaborations taking place throughout the supply chain to find solutions.
Finalists and industry figures also gathered earlier at the daytime conference. This included panel discussions on how the industry could achieve net zero and what needs to happen post-COP26. The audience also heard from former National Recycling Award winner Borough Market and from University of Southampton’s professor Ian Williams.


text:
Halloween Spooktacular Family Party
Boo! Scotland's biggest and best family Halloween party is back at Glasgow Science Centre on Friday 25th of October!
About Halloween Spooktacular Family Party
Sorry, but this event has been and gone!
The biggest, best family Halloween Spooktacular is back for 2019 and bigger than ever! With a petrifying Planetarium show, Escape mission in the Tower base, monster mash disco and dissections galore, there's something for the whole family.
So don your best freakishly fancy dress, block out your diary and visit us at Glasgow Science Centre for a night to remember. Our Spooktacular family party sells out every year so get those terrifying tickets bought soon and we'll see you in Spooksville.
While we take every opportunity to ensure the details for Halloween Spooktacular Family Party are accurate, we always advise that you contact the event organiser before setting out for the event to avoid disapointment.
Other Events at Glasgow Science Centre
Family and Kids Events you might like...
Halloween Events you might like...
Nights Out Events you might like...
24th January 2020
Tron Theatre, Glasgow City Centre
Before is a celebration of Boo Hewerdine & Gustaf Ljunggren's musical relationship, recorded using rare and unusual instruments!
24th January 2020
Stravaigin, Glasgow West End
Heading to Celtic Connections this year? Well, why not join the team at Stravaigin on Friday nights for their rip-roaring post-gig jigs!
Find other events in Glasgow
The Summer Nights at the Bandstand festival returns to Kelvingrove Park for a seventh year in July and August 2020!
Glasgow will host one of motorsport's most iconic and world-renowned events, the Monte Carlo Classic Rally when it departs from George Square on Wednesday 29th January!
Direct from London, the acclaimed production of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is coming to the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February 2021!
Glasgow Central Tours offer you the chance to explore behind the scenes of Glasgow's most iconic and busiest landmarks, Central Station!
The annual National Whisky Festival of Scotland will once again descend on SWG3 in January as part of Celtic Connections 2020!
Advertise With Us
Looking to reach new customers? We offer a variety of advertising options with prices starting from just £30 per month!
Click here to find out more »


text:
Naked Bars Invite Only
- Naked Bars are finally here! After extensive research, development and selfless taste testing, we’ve perfected two delicious Naked Bars packed with 15 grams of American Grass Fed Whey Protein each.
- You never knew a healthy protein bar could be so good. We’ve taken the nutrition you love to sip and transformed it into a perfectly packaged, easy to enjoy snack or meal replacement.
- Naked Bars ensure you never have to choose between sweet and smart. With a focus on premium ingredients and meticulous formulation, Naked Bars leave you satisfied and energized for hours.
- Available in Peanut Butter Crunch and Chocolate Fudge, each is under 200 calories and high in soluble fiber. Despite their indulgent taste, Naked Bars are low in fat, carbs and sugar.
- Naked Nutrition continues to be dedicated to pure ingredients and transparency. Naked Bar is the latest way we’re shortening the steps between our farms and you.
- 15 g of Grass Fed Whey Protein
- High in Fiber
- Under 200 calories each and low in fat, sugar and carbs
- Convenient single serving meal replacement or snack
- Great taste with nutrition to provide lasting satisfaction and energy
The Naked Difference
- Premium Grass Fed Whey Protein from the US
- No artificial sweeteners, flavors or colors
- No sugar alcohols
- Gluten Free, Soy Free

domain: food


On March 11, President Biden signed House Resolution 1319, the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which provides nearly two trillion dollars in federal aid for relief and recovery from the COVID-19 global pandemic. The bill includes direct payments to states, counties and local governments throughout the nation. What does this mean for Wisconsin? Well to answer that question, we turn now to the nonprofit Kids Forward, which, under various names, has been analyzing the Wisconsin state budget since 1881. Tamarine Cornelius, a Kids Forward Research Analyst joins us once again with the details.


- Easy-to-use readout
- Includes a guide to watering more than 100 plants and flowers
- Probe length: 6.75 in. (171mm)
- Weight: 1.8 oz. (50g)
- 10 x 2.2 x 1.1 in. (255 x 55 x 28mm)
Can the soil moisture meters be used on sand or a soil/sand mixture?
Our moisture meters will not work on the silicon. Since sand is mostly composed of silicon, our moisture meters will not work on sand or soil containing sand.
Will soil moisture meters work in sand or sand-based soil?
The soil moisture meter will not work very well in sand or aggregate texture. This applies to soil containing sand or similar aggregate such as loamy soil. It really meant to be used is loose soil suc...
- Prop 65
⚠ WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including di2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), which is known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.


In a recent filing, billionaire investor George Soros has made some strategic moves in his portfolio, showing a keen interest in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). Soros has significantly increased his holdings in AI chip-makers Nvidia and AMD, signaling his confidence in the future growth and potential of this technology. This move comes as no surprise, given the increasing demand for AI-driven solutions across various industries.
Nvidia and AMD have been at the forefront of developing advanced AI chips that power the next generation of computing devices. These chips are capable of handling massive amounts of data and executing complex algorithms, making them essential for AI applications such as machine learning and deep learning. By investing in these companies, Soros is positioning himself to benefit from the continued expansion of AI technology and its widespread adoption across sectors like healthcare, finance, and autonomous vehicles.
Interestingly, Soros has also made some notable sales in the cloud software space. He has divested his stakes in Salesforce and Snowflake, two prominent players in the cloud computing market. This move suggests that Soros may be reallocating his resources towards companies that are directly involved in the development and deployment of AI technology, as opposed to those providing infrastructure and services for cloud computing.
Overall, Soros’ recent portfolio adjustments reflect his astute understanding of the evolving tech landscape. By increasing his holdings in AI chip-makers and reducing exposure to certain cloud software names, he is positioning himself to capitalize on the accelerating AI revolution. As AI continues to reshape industries and drive innovation, Soros’ investment choices underscore the immense potential and lucrative opportunities that lie ahead in this transformative field.


text:
DUBAI 5 March 2018: Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, has officially inaugurated Badia Farms, the GCC’s first commercial vertical farm, which will enhance crop production and lowers their costs.
He toured the farm and explored the latest hydroponic technology and vertical farming techniques.
Applauding the work at the farms, Dr. Al Zeyoudi said, “Badia Farms is an exceptional example of how the UAE’s agricultural industry can thrive while protecting our environment for future generations. The initiative reflects the nation’s commitment to becoming more sustainable and helps us achieve our goal of food security.”
He pointed out that hydroponic technology will be a major contributor to agricultural sustainability and food diversity and security, as it enhances crops production and lowers their cost. This is evident in the successful production achieved by Badia Farms in a very short time since its inception in December 2017. “We commend the successful endeavour of Badia Farms, which reaffirms the UAE’s position as a leading incubator for innovation,” he added.
Omar Al Jundi, founder and Chief Executive Officer at Badia Farms, said, “We set up Badia Farms in the UAE with a vision to provide a sustainable solution for food and to reduce the region’s reliance on imports. Growing crops in the region has always been a challenge due to the hostile climate, and this is where Badia Farms offers a viable solution. Not only can we grow the freshest greens, with no pesticides or chemicals, but we actually do this in the most eco-friendly way possible, using minimal recycled water. This is our way to give back to the UAE and start the new wave of farming in Dubai – the home of innovation.”
The farm began production in December 2017 with ambitious plans to pioneer the region’s “green revolution” with innovative agri-tech methods that optimise growing conditions within a controlled indoor environment. Using the latest hydroponic technology and vertical farming techniques, the farm produces nutritious and pesticide-free leafy greens without the need for sunlight, soil or chemicals.
The eco-system created by Badia Farms uses 90 percent less water than open field farming and recycles the water it uses. The farm also combats the carbon footprint of food imports that typically travel an average of 3,000 miles to reach restaurants in Dubai.
The farm produces an extensive range of lettuces, micro-greens, baby leaf herb varieties.
Badia Farms has been established by Saudi Arabian entrepreneur Omar Al Jundi and British agricultural expert Grahame Dunling, with a vision to develop sustainable and innovative solutions to growing food. By 2030, global food demand is predicted to increase by 50%, putting pressure on governments to find a solution that provides food security. The region’s hostile growing environment remains a major barrier to the agriculture industry, resulting in heavy reliance on food imports, with the UAE currently importing more than 80% of its food requirements.
Omar Al Jundi, founder and Chief Executive Officer at Badia Farms, said: “Our mission is to provide fresh, nutritious and chemical free produce that is bursting with flavour and grown right here in Dubai. The UAE is one of the most popular places in the world for fine dining and hospitality, yet most of our food is imported, travelling thousands of miles before it reaches our plate. Through vertical indoor farming methods we can dramatically reduce the carbon footprint and grow leafy greens that are fresher, tastier and delivered from farm to table within hours.”
Leading the new wave of farming, Badia Farms uses high-tech indoor farming techniques that allow crops to grow throughout the year. Co-founder Grahame Dunling, a fourth-generation grower with more than 40 years’ agricultural experience, plays a fundamental role in the farm’s operation. The highly controlled environment, with technology and systems refined by Dunling, uses the most advanced hydroponic technology, chemical free nutrient-rich base and bespoke LED lighting system, to create the optimal quality and yield. The sustainable eco-system created at Badia Farms uses 90% less water than in open field farming.
Al Jundi added: “As a region that has struggled to grow crops due to largely hostile desert landscapes, our farm offers a viable solution to farming that produces harvests 365 days of the year. Importantly, we are able to do this sustainably, using minimal water that is recycled, maximizing space, and with no chemicals or pesticides. Our first crops are leafy greens, but we are already in advanced stages of growing crops of other fresh produce through different farming models. This is the future of farming.”
For the first time, customers in the UAE can access the freshest greens, delivered from the farm to fork on the same day, providing a solution to the carbon footprint of imported food that travels an average of 3,000 miles to reach restaurants in Dubai.
The farm produces an extensive range of micro-greens and baby leaf herb varieties which adds complex flavours to salads, main dishes, sandwiches and soups. The micro-greens, including arugula, kale, radish, red cabbage, basils, and mustard, are packed with antioxidants and rich in nutrients.


text:
Northern New Mexico College now has both of its engineering technology programs nationally accredited, providing career opportunities for students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Northern offers two engineering technology bachelor’s degrees: Electromechanical Engineering Technology (EMET) and Information Engineering Technology (IET).
The EMET program received its first accreditation this year, while the IET program was first accredited in 2014 and renewed this year by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) on the six-year cycle.
Northern Engineering Chair Sadia Ahmed said electromechanical engineering has more to do with mechanical parts and electrical parts, including robotics, fluid mechanics and hydraulics. Information engineering technology includes computer networking, programming, database applications and cybersecurity.
Ahmed said the College applied for accreditation last year and submitted a self-study report about the program. An ABET team then visited the campus to see the programs and talk to faculty members, students and alumni.
ABET then submits a draft of the report, and after editing and processing gives a final report and the accreditation status.
Ahmed said it was a rigorous process. She compares it to an organic certification on a food. There are criteria, including number of graduates and enrollment in classes and courses offered.
Ahmed said there were 30 people in the EMET program last school year, and 57 in the IET program. The EMET program has one full-time faculty and two half-time, and the IET program has three full-time faculty.
“Employers want to see that the students graduated from a solid program,” Ahmed said. “When they see it is ABET-accredited, that means the student went through a very rigorous program or a standard program, and the student will be able perform what they’re supposed to perform in their professional field.”
The IET program began in 2015, she said. They have an advisory committee meeting every year and incorporate changes.
For the EMET program, which was re-accredited this year, Ahmed said they need to show continuous improvements, with lab updates and course changes.
The programs now have an additional challenge in having to transition to remote learning.
“I love the interaction between students,” Ahmed said. “When I ask a question, I need something to come from the students. Students ask questions, yeah you can do that over Zoom, you can do that, but it’s not the exact environment.”
Students do not have the normal hands-on labs. Ahmed said some labs can be run on the computer, but internet connection is a struggle for many students.
Ahmed teaches programming and database classes, and said these classes and most of the IET program is easier to do online because most of the material is already on the computer.
The EMET courses would normally have physical labs with equipment needed, but can’t with the campus closed. Instead, Ahmed said, those students are using software computer simulations for labs.
According to a press release, many EMET students began as interns at Los Alamos National Laboratory and now hold full-time positions, while others have gone to pursue graduate degrees.


text:
Train ride to Berlin Rise and shine, 530am, in the morning was the way the day started, however, this is a good. My daughter was celebrating her 20th birthday on the cruise. What an awesome way to spend your birthday. Great memory maker. The weather in the morning was foggy, drizzle, and very cool, jacket weather. Our port was Warnemunde, Germany.
Just an interesting point, about 90% of Berlin was total destroyed during WWII bombing. It is amazing how they have rebuilt after so much destruction.
Today was to be a long day, leaving at 645am and arriving back at the ship at 8:00pm. After eating breakfast at 6:15am, we met for our tour at 645am and then proceeded to the port area. From there we walked about a ½ mile to board a charter train. The train was scheduled take 3 hours. Thank goodness the temperature was cool because the train was not air conditioned. The four of us boarded the train (regional train DB in German) and were very fortunate to find our own compartment to sit in where we could close off our door. The compartment was a 5 seater, however only the four of us sat there. We had hot
Berlin Wallwater for coffee and tea waiting for us. Later during the train ride our host provided muffins and additional drinks. We also we received a map and guide for Berlin. This gentleman was very accommodating and friendly. We really enjoyed looking at the countryside from the port to Berlin, however we also noticed there were several building empty and not taken care of. Very run down. During our tour, we were scheduled to see the following areas; Berlin Wall, Checkpoint Charlie, photo stop of the Charlottenburg Palace, eating lunch at Opernpalais Opera House for lunch, a Pipe Organ Recital, and Pergamon Museum.
Visiting part of the one mile length of the Berlin Wall left is incredible and hear about its history is mind boggling. At one point, before the dismantling of the wall in 1989, the wall was over 800 miles long. The wall separated east and west Berlin and on either side they knocked down. Much of the remaining wall has been decorated with paintings. Where the wall used to be is marked on the ground surface with two bricks side by side. Some of the areas where the wall used to be now have either
Check Point Charlieroads or buildings in those areas.
This is one of three checkpoints used during WWII. It was manned by US Forces. According to our tour guide, there were actually three checkpoints and they were associated by A, B, and C. Checkpoint Charlie was C. Allied forces were the only ones allowed through there. Although the site still remains, the checkpoint is not controlled by anyone, rather there are two people dressed in military gear posing for pictures and charging 2 Euro’s.
Opernpalais Opera House
For lunch today we visited an old opera house, Opernpalais. We entered the building and went to the second floor which looks a small concert hall; similar to an actual concert hall we saw a concert in back in March while in Vienna. Our menu included a soup, Poulard Breast filled chicken with young spinach, vegetable variations with fresh herbs and rosemary potatoes, and a vanilla ice cream tarlet with homemade red fruit jelly dessert. Since my daughter was celebrating her birthday, I said something to the tour guide. Before dessert was served the waiter staff brought out the dessert with a sparkler (representing a candle) as her birthday cake. We spent
Former location of the Berlin Wall a little less than an hour here.
Pipe Organ Recital
When I heard we were going to visit a cathedral, which is actually a Lutheran church, they were going to hear a pipe organ recital I knew I would be in heaven. This is one my favorite things to do when in Europe is visit churches with pipe organs. It is very rare I ever get to hear the organ play. They played 4 numbers which included, Toccata d-Moll (Bach), Prince of Denmark’s March (Jeremiah Clarke), Suite goithique op. 25 >>Priere a Notre Dame>Toccata<< (Leon Boellmann) . I was lucky that I brought along my iTouch. My son showed me how to record sounds. I ended up putting the iTouch on the balcony ledge and recorded the 13-minute recital. This was totally awesome.
I had no expectation of this island museum. I know my father-in-law heard it was a great museum, however I had no idea. We had one hour to explore this museum of antiquities. It is probably the best museum I have ever seen which displays and demonstrates ruins from Greece, Turkey, and now Iraq. Although
Berlin Wall not all the stones were original, many of them were. They represented Pergamon Altar Hall, Hellenistic architecture, Roman architecture, Babylon, and archaeological finds from Assur. Since we only had one hour at the museum, we were able to take the highlights tour with our audio player.
At about 5:15pm in the afternoon we heading back to our train for the 3 hour journey back to our ship. We were able to sit in the same compartment. During our trip back to the ship, we received a tray of food which was pretty interesting. It included a pimento/relish/cheese sandwich (yuck), some type of beef jerky, peanuts (something finally good), tic tacs, yogurt, pudding, and some mystery bar with cream. What a combination of stuff…
We did not arrive back to the ship until 8:15pm. After cleaning up we ate a late dinner in the dining room at 9:00pm. This is a very dinner, but worth the wait. After dinner my wife and I went to one of the lounges and danced for a bit and then off to sleep.
Our next day is a sea day, so there will not be a travel blog for this day. It is


Barclays' Diamond hails success of Lehman buy
Cheerful: Barclays boss Bob Diamond is happy with the company's decision to acquire Lehman Brothers
The top brass at Barclays were today toasting the decision to snap up the U.S. arm of hobbled rival Lehman Brothers after investment banking profits doubled.
Profits at Barclays Capital leapt from £524million in the first half of 2008 to £1.05billion this time around after another bumper performance in April, May and June.
The unit benefited from the bold $1.75billion acquisition of the U.S. arm of Lehman Brothers following the dramatic collapse of the Wall Street bank in September last year.
At the time, Barclays Capital boss Bob Diamond said it was 'a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Barclays'.
It certainly appeared that way today. Diamond said: 'The Lehman acquisition was clearly a strong, strategic move. We are getting the benefits already.'
Barclays chief executive John Varley said: 'It is working well. We have saved four to five years of organic development. It is a very high-quality business.'
The Lehman deal doubled the size of the Barclays Capital business in the U.S. and it now does 40 per cent of its business in America.
City commentator David Buik, of BGC Partners, said: 'The brave decision by the management of Barclays to buy a trashed and downtrodden Lehman Brothers U.S. operation was inspiration personified.
'Barclays inherited a very strong equity operation in New York and at the same time enhanced its reputation in bond issues, foreign exchange and fixed-interest dealing. Profits from Barclays Capital were outstanding.'
They were driven by 'excellent results' in fixed income, currencies and commodities.
Ralph Silva, banking analyst at Tower Group, said that not accepting Government money contributed to Barclays Capital doing so well. 'Investment banking is back,' he said.
'If you are a big company you are going to gravitate towards the banks that have not received Government funds.'
Most watched Money videos
- Range Rover races through the 99-turns of the Tianmen Road
- Should you buy a petrol or diesel car: Here's how to decide
- Tips to invest your Isa - and why it is worth doing
- New Jaguar I-Pace takes on Tesla in race against the clock
- Take a look at the brand new Jaguar I-Pace prototype
- Jaguar I-Pace prototype smart cones driving test in Geneva
- Where are the best places to invest in 2018?
- Can emerging markets continue to climb? We ask a top manager
- Big Money Questions: What is diversifying?
- Big Money Questions: Does tax have to be so complicated?
- Jack Whitehall stars in Jaguar I-PACE promotional video
- Why has the FTSE hit record highs and can they continue?


text:
Novelist Lois Gould pulls off an impressive balancing act in her memoir of life as the daughter of pioneering American fashion designer Jo Copeland. She unsparingly depicts Copeland as a distant, self-involved, critical parent ("I never perspire," she tells Lois. "Why must you?"), yet Gould is also sympathetic to her mother's point of view. The daughter of a garment jobber who nurtured her gifts but appropriated her earnings to pay for her brother's education, Copeland could escape only through marriage to a handsome cigar manufacturer. Unfortunately, Ed Regensburg found the talent and ambition he had admired in his fiancée irksome in a wife. He saddled Copeland with two children she didn't want, then moved out, leaving her to support them. Gould conveys the black humor implicit in her mother's horror of having her glamorous life spoiled by childish messiness--in one hilarious scene, Lois and her brother, sent to visit a friend's equally neglected son in the country so they won't spoil a fancy party, erupt into the living room, bedraggled from a long train ride, to announce indignantly, "Stevie Sondheim cheats!" She also appreciates Copeland's importance as one of America's first and best female designers (active from the 1920s through the mid-'60s). She was a pioneering career woman out of necessity and desire doing her best in a society that neither appreciated nor offered any help to working mothers. Gould's memoir is all the more poignant because it is clear-sighted and unsentimental. --Wendy Smith
From Publishers Weekly
Sixteen years after her mother's death, Gould (No Brakes) takes an intimate retrospective journey into her life as the daughter of Jo Copeland, America's first famous female fashion designer. Gould's smooth-talking, handsome father was the heir to the Regensburg & Son's cigar business, but her parents' marriage was deeply flawed and they would divorce when she was just three. According to Gould, in Copeland's "value system, a man like anything a woman was to be seen with, ought to enhance the ensemble." Her mother, who was famous for her elegantly seductive designs, felt that "sexy was wonderful, sex wasn't." There were reasons why Copeland feared intimacy, that distaste extended not only to her husband, but to her children as well. Gould's childhood reads like the proverbial poor-little-rich-girl story: although she appeared to have every possible advantage?beautiful home, cultural opportunities, travel and the best that money could buy?at heart this was a sad, confused, misunderstood and achingly lonely child. Neither of her parents ever attended a school play, assembly, PTA meeting or birthday party. While Joan Crawford and Tyrone Power were frequent guests at her mother's parties, Gould spent those glittering evenings alone. "[M]ostly I was confined to my room, supper at my school desk, facing the wall. While far away... my mother dined and lived with passing strangers." Gould's autopsy of a sad childhood on the outer fringes of that elegant world is portrayed with painstaking honesty that will be difficult for readers to forget.
See all Editorial Reviews
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.


The Nigerian Army Resource Centre, in partnership with Peace Building and Development Foundation, an indigenous non-governmental organisation with expertise in peace building and advocacy, organized a 5-day training programme. The course titled “Leadership in National Security” took place from Monday 13 to Friday 17 February 2017. The course drew participants from the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police, Department of States Services, paramilitary agencies, religious organizations and civil servants. It was designed to provide participants the opportunity to understand the challenges and dynamics of National Security leadership, with a view to enhancing their capability in the discharge of their assigned roles.
Resource persons for the course were experts with several years of experience drawn from Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Nigerian Airforce (NAF), Nigerian Police, Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and other governmental organizations.
The DG NARC, Maj Gen JGS Hamakim, represented by the Director Training and Consultancy, Brig Gen ON Ugo, described the training as timely, especially with the current security challenges confronting Nigeria. He emphasized that national security has become an issue of concern not only to the military and other security agencies but for everyone. He further stated that in order to create necessary synergy that would allow for maximum success in tackling National Security challenges, it is necessary for all stake holders in the security sector to understand their individual roles, as well as those of other parties. The DG welcomed the participants and hoped that the course would expand their knowledge and equip them with the requisite leadership skills in the discharge of their duties. PHOTO NEWS CLICK HERE