text:
Hope College Department of Physics and Engineering
Research Experiences for Undergraduates
Trace Elemental Analysis Of Glass Via PIXE
|Student Name:||Derek Padilla (with Chris Hall)|
|Student's Home Institution:||San Diego State|
|Research Advisor:||Dr. Paul DeYoung and Dr. Graham Peaslee|
|Source of Support:||National Science Foundation under Grant Numbers 0452206, 0354920 and 0319523.|
Using the Hope College Ion Beam Analysis Laboratory (HIBAL), protons with an energy of 2.3 MeV are accelerated towards the prepared samples in an evacuated target chamber. Resultant x-rays are detected at 45º with a Si(Li) detector. The x-ray spectra are analyzed with the GUPIXWIN peak-fitting software which outputs relative concentrations of trace elements. With these relative concentrations, ratios between trace elements are used for the comparative aspect of the statistics. This use of ratios eliminates much systematic error that arises when trying to acquire absolute concentrations. Specific ratios between samples are compared using Z-score testing which gives a scale of the difference between the two samples for that particular elemental ratio. When comparing two hits on the same sample, there still remains a difference in the trace elemental concentrations of that same sample due to statistical errors. This difference is used as a control in our evaluations of unknown sample concentrations. To obtain reliable statistics, multiple spectra are always obtained on each sample.
*This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under NSF-REU Grant No. 0452206.
Publications and Presentations:
“Forensic Analysis of Tempered Sheet Glass by Particle Induced X Ray Emission (PIXE)” L. J. Jisonna, P. A. DeYoung, J. Ferens*, C. Hall*, J. M. Lunderberg*, P. Mears*, D. Padilla*, G. F. Peaslee, and R. Sampson*. Nucl. Instr. And Meth. B, Nucl. Instr. And Meth. B (2011).
"Comparison of Glass Fragments Using Particle Induced X-Ray Emission (PIXE) Spectrometry." P.A. DeYoung, P.J. Mears*, C.C. Hall*, D.J. Padilla*, R.A. Sampson*, and G.F. Peaslee. Scheduled for publication in the Journal of Forensic Sciences, (2011).
"Development of an Ion Beam Analysis Method for Forensic Analysis of Glass", Richard Sampson*, Graham F. Peaslee, Paul A. DeYoung, Christopher Hall*, Derek Padilla*, and Patrick Mears*. American Academy of Forensic Sciences 2008 Annual Meeting, Denver, Colorado, (2008).
"Development of an Ion Beam Analysis Method for Forensic Analysis of Glass." Richard Sampson*, Graham F. Peaslee, Paul A. DeYoung, Christopher Hall*, Derek Padilla*, and Patrick Mears*. American Academy of Forensic Sciences 2008 Annual Meeting, Washington D.C. 2008.
"Production of Nuclei in Neutron Unbound States via Primary Fragmentation of 48Ca", G. Christian, W.A. Peters, D. Absalon*, D. Albertson*, T. Baumann, D. Bazin, E. BreitbachI, J. Brown, P.L. Cole*, D. Denby*, P.A. DeYoung, J.E. Finck, H. Frank, A. Fritsch*, C. Hall*, A.M. Hayes, J. Hinnefeld, C.R. Hoffman, R. Howes, B. Luther, E. Mosby*, S. Mosby*, D. Padilla*, P.V. Pancella, G. Peaslee, W.F. Rogers, A. Schiller, M.J. Strongman, M. Thoennessen, and L.O. Wagner*. Nucl. Phys. A801, 101, (2008)
"Breakup of 6He Incident on 209Bi Near the Coulomb Barrier", J.J. Kolate, H. Amro, F.D. Becchetti, J.A. Brown, P.A. DeYoung, M. Hencheck, J.D. Hinnefeld, G.F. Peaslee, A.L. Fritsch, C. Hall*, U. Khadka*, Patrick J. Mears*, P. O'Rourke, D. Padilla*, J. Reith*, Tabatha Spencer, and T. Williams. Phys Rev. C 75, 031302 (2007).

domain: chemistry


text:
Health Desk- June 17, 2020: Scientists are to test whether an experimental drug can prevent potentially deadly blood clots associated with Covid-19.
The trial, funded by the British Heart Foundation, will test the theory the clots are caused by a hormone imbalance triggered by coronavirus infection.
It will become one of several drugs currently being trialled to prevent the disease's worst effects.
A third of hospitalised coronavirus patients develop dangerous blood clots.
The drug, TRV027, works to rebalance hormones involved in blood pressure, water and salt.
Scientists from Imperial College London, involved in the trial, think that when the virus enters the body, it uses an enzyme as a "handle" to enter the cells.
Many of the treatments being trialled to treat Covid-19 focus on the body's inflammatory response.
But the hormonal imbalance is a "quite distinct problem" which may provide clues to the question of why some people get severely ill why others do not, says Dr David Owen, one of the study's leads.
Blood clotting could also explain why Covid-19 seems to particularly affect people who already have cardiovascular disease despite being a respiratory illness, according to the British Heart Foundation.

domain: medical


text:
Barack Obama DVD & Book Collection
SKU ID #367318
You Save: $17.37 30% off
To Order by Phone Call 1-800-933-6249
Barack Obama Inaugural Edition DVD - When he called himself ''a skinny kid with a funny name'' at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, his star was already rising. By the time he triumphed in the 2004 Illinois Senate race, he was the golden child of a Democratic party in desperate need of a charismatic leader. And in November of 2008, he was the first African-American to be elected President of the United States.
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream (Hardcover) - Barack Obama is the first African-American President-elect of the United States. He outlines his political philosophy, grounded in a belief that America's future can be better. His experiences on the campaign trail and early days in the Senate have shaped an ideological road map for the improvement of America, domestically and internationally. He details his vision in a book that is far more than a memoir.
- An optimism about America's future rings throughout.
- Senator, father, lawyer, and President-elect Barack Obama shares a philosophy grounded in tolerance.
- Discover the experiences that shaped his world view.
By the People The Election of Barack Obama DVD - Millions saw history made as Barack Obama took the podium on election night. But few witnessed his unguarded moments in the hours and days before he greeted the nation … until now.
Meet the man who would be president and the dedicated campaign workers who helped get him there in this unprecedented documentary trailing their history-making odyssey to the White House.
Witness never before seen footage of Obama behind the scenes, as well as interviews and candid moments with family, senior campaign staff, volunteers, reporters, supporters and even opponents.

domain: library


Canada’s Liberal government is prepared to overhaul the country’s laws governing broadcasting, media and cultural industries, with Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly announcing Saturday a public consultation on how to “strengthen the creation, discovery and export of Canadian content in a digital world.”
“Canada’s cultural and creative industries are important drivers of innovation and a vibrant part of our economy,” says Joly.
“As we adjust to the realities of rapid technological advances and changing consumer behaviour, I am launching consultations to better understand the challenges and opportunities brought on by this transformation.”
Happy days are here again for Canadian broadcasters (chiefly the CBC) now that The Natural Governing Party is back in office. And the CBC is not about to let a bunch of malcontent comment forum contributors spoil its party.
Let’s get started.
Quoting “Liberal Big Brother and Dear Leader Justin will decide what you can and should watch. Now “revenue streams” (formerly citizens) get filling out that Census Long Form and start (enjoying) your new life under C-51!!!” C-51 is exactly why I, as a lifetime conservative voter, disavowed and repudiated the Harper Regime. Obviously many conservatives fel the same way or Justin wouldn’t be our Dear Leader.
It’s pretty bad when the CBC has to resort to memory-holing history. But more than likely, ICUC’s censors are too stupid to understand.
Quoting “OH god more censorship from the all knowing liberals. Oct 2015 election was such a huge mistake.” The question is: who would go further when it comes to censorship and the unconstitutional clamp-down on our basic freedoms? The “Conservatives?” Or the Liberals? I voted NDP. And I’m a life-long conservative voter. One thing’s for sure. The censorship around this place (i.e. “content disabled” and “your comment is awaiting moderation) was ramped up big time on October 20, 2015
Prolific comment section blogger Doug McKenzie (right) pontificates about fellow commenters not using their real names.
The Canada Revenue Agency’s long-dormant court action against accounting firm KPMG, which appeared to have been resurrected last September after media reports exposed delays in the case, won’t go to court anytime soon, CBC News has learned.
A judge first ordered KPMG in February 2013 to hand over to the CRA the names of all the multimillionaire Canadians caught using an offshore tax dodge set up by the accounting firm in the Isle of Man, a scheme the agency alleges was a “sham” and “intended to deceive” the treasury.
Your humble correspondent here at LettersToTheBeast is catching up after being on hiatus for a month…


HARD REBOOT: When nothing bounced his way one night early in the Bridgeport Sound Tigers’ season, Kieffer Bellows talked about his confidence in his ability, his confidence as a goal-scorer.
When it took 43 shots to beat a goalie this year, did that confidence ever waiver for Bellows, who was scratched from two games last weekend?
“No. I’m confident in my ability, confident in my goal-scoring ability,” the second-year forward said. “I’m always working hard, always shooting the puck. I’m confident pucks are always going to go in for me at some point. If it’s streaky, it’s streaky. I’m looking to be more consistent right now.”
Consistency was one thing Sound Tigers coach Brent Thompson mentioned when Bellows sat out (Thompson said it was going to be one game, but it turned into two when the team played too well to change the lineup).
“It was strictly a reboot,” Thompson said, adding praise for Bellows’ work ethic. “Playing more away from the puck was probably the big thing, not being worried about a referee. His mental focus shift-to-shift, what he has to do to help the team.
“I thought he did a great job coming back, responding, and not because of the goal. He was doing the right things with the puck and got rewarded with a goal going to the net.”
Bellows scored goals in both games this past weekend, giving him three (the first was into an empty net) on 53 shots.
“I think I just stuck to what I was doing, stuck to my play, Bellows said, “kept shooting the puck like I was before. Shooting percentage will come around. It just happened to come around this week.”
BREAK ON THROUGH: The Sound Tigers scratched nine players with injuries in Saturday’s 5-2 loss at Wilkes/Barre/Scranton, which ended a four-game winning streak. Bridgeport has lost 147 man-games to injury, matching last year’s 76-game total in just 24 games.
Thompson, as usual, wasn’t specific with injuries, and he didn’t have clear timetables on most of them, either, but he went through the litany. It sounded as if rookie forward Simon Holmstrom (upper body) and forward Cole Bardreau (lower) were closest, day-to-day, than most of the others, and goalie Linus Soderstrom (lower) was in that group, too.
Rookie forward Bobo Carpenter is back in full practice after offseason shoulder surgery. Thompson put him in the “week-to-week” crowd with the likes of goalie Christopher Gibson (lower body), veteran defenseman Thomas Hickey (upper) and forward Steve Bernier (lower).
Tanner Fritz and Erik Brown are both out with what appear to be long-term lower-body injuries.
TURN AROUND: Forward Travis St. Denis sees his Sound Tigers starting to play with confidence, a big reason for that four-game winning streak.
“We’re trying to keep the atmosphere light in the room,” St. Denis said. “We have a lot of young guys. It’s a long season, so the main focus is playing with confidence.”
Thompson credited “puck management and compete level.”
“You have to manage the puck in this league. Teams thrive on turnovers, as do we,” Thompson said. “You turn the puck over against us, we can control the zone time. Puck management is probably the biggest improvement, then compete, the second and third effort, desperation in the (defensive) zone.”
ALUMNI COACHES: Good week for onetime Sound Tigers alternate captains. On Sunday, Greg Moore was named coach of the Toronto Marlies. He replaces Sheldon Keefe, who was promoted to take over the Maple Leafs on Nov. 20. Moore, who played for Bridgeport in 2009-10, had been coaching the Chicago Steel of the junior USHL.
Moore joins Stockton’s Cail MacLean, Providence’s Jay Leach and Laval’s Joel Bouchard as former Sound Tigers who are AHL head coaches. Onetime Sound Tigers captain Richard Seeley is Ontario’s general manager.
Then on Tuesday, Alain Nasreddine became interim head coach of the New Jersey Devils. Nasreddine had been an assistant under John Hynes, as he’d been with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton for five years before the two moved to New Jersey. Nasreddine played most of two years for Bridgeport, 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Chicago’s Jeremy Colliton is another Sound Tigers alumnus serving as an NHL head coach.
RESPONSE: With the Sound Tigers’ First Responders Night coming up Dec. 27, players visited the Fairfield Police Department, Bridgeport Fire Department and Bridgeport AMR this week, getting tours and handing out caps. For more information on the game, honoring first responders, see soundtigers.com.
Friday at Utica, 7 p.m.
Much like the three in a row that Bridgeport played against the Springfield Thunderbirds over the past couple of weeks, the Sound Tigers will meet the Comets three times in eight days. It’s three games out of four for the Sound Tigers, three out of five for the Comets, who have a game Wednesday against Toronto while Bridgeport sits idle. PLAYER TO WATCH: Reid Boucher led the AHL with 15 goals going into Wednesday.
Saturday at Syracuse, 7 p.m.
One of the low points of the Sound Tigers’ early going was their Nov. 1 visit to Syracuse, which turned into a 5-1 loss after they allowed three goals in a team-record 57 seconds in the third period. Bridgeport has cleaned up a lot since then. Maybe this is a chance to see how much. PLAYER TO WATCH: Alex Barre-Boulet, last year’s AHL rookie of the year, had 19 points in 21 games going into Wednesday’s game.
Monday vs. Utica, 7 p.m.
A day late to avoid a three-in-three, this becomes the 11th regularly scheduled Monday home game in three history (plus three games rescheduled to a Monday), the fifth at night and the first that wasn’t during Christmas week. PLAYER TO WATCH: Former Providence goalie Zane McIntyre is with the Comets and has played 10 games.
“All these kids battling an injury, we want to make sure they can give us 100 percent. I get that hockey players in general have to play through injuries, but right now we have numbers and the ability to play these other guys. We want to make sure we put these guys in the best position to succeed.” —Bridgeport coach Brent Thompson
Lorito scored two goals and two assists in three games last week, snapping a 10-game streak without a goal in Friday’s win over Springfield and scoring again Saturday in a loss at Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Maxim Letunov, San Jose Barracuda (AHL)
The former UConn forward leads the Barracuda with 15 points in 18 games, though the team is 7-11-0-1. Letunov carries a six-game scoring streak into the weekend, with a goal and eight assists in a stretch in which the Barracuda went 3-3.
Forward Travis St. Denis
Favorite team and player growing up: “Pittsburgh Penguins, Sidney Crosby.”
Favorite vacation spot: “Probably Osoyoos, in (British Columbia). (Where’s that?) It’s in the Okanagan, by Penticton, Kelowna. I always used to go there when I was younger. It’s a little town, and there’s a big lake. We’d go camping and stuff there.”
Favorite movie: “Happy Gilmore.”
Funniest guy you’ve ever played with: “Probably Helgy (Bridgeport defenseman Seth Helgeson).”
Favorite TV show: “Seinfeld.”
The New York Islanders had a two-game winning streak snapped Tuesday night with a 4-2 loss in Montreal. Otto Koivula, who played just seven shifts and 4:26 in a 4-1 loss Monday at Detroit, was scratched. Forward Tom Kuhnhackl, meanwhile, had resumed practice on his way back from a lower-body injury. The Islanders were at the full 23-man roster Tuesday night with Kuhnhackl on injured reserve.
— MICHAEL FORNABAIO


The Prime Minister accepted the resignation of Immigration Minister Mark Harper "with regret", Downing Street said.
Harper announced his resignation over his employment of a cleaner who was not permitted to work in the UK.
"Mark Harper offered his resignation after he was informed that his cleaner did not have indefinite leave to remain in the United Kingdom, despite having shown him documents claiming she did," a Downing Street statement read.
"He immediately notified the Prime Minister - who accepted his resignation with regret. There is no suggestion that Mr Harper knowingly employed an illegal immigrant."
More top news
British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon is in the Middle East to gather support for the international military campaign against IS.
Beware! The super-sized spiders are coming. And they seem to be everywhere! But why? A warning - this story is not for the faint hearted!
Homes around London are being invaded by spiders with rising temperatures helping the creepy crawlies grow bigger than usual.


text:
Anti-Slavery and Empire in Victorian Britain
Publication Year: 2012
After Britain abolished slavery throughout most of its empire in 1834, Victorians adopted a creed of "anti-slavery" as a vital part of their national identity and sense of moral superiority to other civilizations. The British government used diplomacy, pressure, and violence to suppress the slave trade, while the Royal Navy enforced abolition worldwide and an anxious public debated the true responsibilities of an anti-slavery nation. This crusade was far from altruistic or compassionate, but Richard Huzzey argues that it forged national debates and political culture long after the famous abolitionist campaigns of William Wilberforce and Thomas Clarkson had faded into memory. These anti-slavery passions shaped racist and imperialist prejudices, new forms of coerced labor, and the expansion of colonial possessions.
In a sweeping narrative that spans the globe, Freedom Burning explores the intersection of philanthropic, imperial, and economic interests that underlay Britain's anti-slavery zeal- from London to Liberia, the Sudan to South Africa, Canada to the Caribbean, and the British East India Company to the Confederate States of America. Through careful attention to popular culture, official records, and private papers, Huzzey rewrites the history of the British Empire and a century-long effort to end the global trade in human lives.
Published by: Cornell University Press
Title Page, Copyright Page
List of Illustrations
...I like libraries. Much of this book was written in them. David Smith was a fantastic host at St. Anne’s, Oxford, while John Pinfold and Lucy McCann helped me navigate Rhodes House Library. I also benefited from the advice of librarians and staff at the Bodleian libraries (in all their many locations), Yale University’s libraries, the National Archives, the British Library, Columbia University’s libraries, Anti-Slavery International, Cambridge University Library, the Gilder Lehrman Archive, the New-York ...
Prologue: Freedom Burning
...The painter captured the fire burning. It happened in West Africa, on the banks of the Gallinas River. On 4 February 1845 sailors advanced from their ships in small boats to reach the African settlement and burn it to the ground. The flags of the vessels and the flames of the fire reflected on the surface of the water, as the moment was recorded by an unknown artist. As the village burned, he captured the smoldering sky and the assembled vessels, the flaming houses and the raiding party. ...
1. An Anti-Slavery Nation
...Dawn on the morning of 1 August 1834 brought a kind of freedom to the enslaved women, men, and children of the British West Indies. As the sun rose, the Emancipation Act of the previous year made them free—legally free, at least. Patriotic prose, images, and poetry depicted the dawn of their freedom. Composed by the anti-slavery publisher Josiah Conder, the above lines are typical of the celebration and self-satisfaction expressed by British abolitionists, politicians, and newspapermen...
2. Uncle Tom's Britain
...into Victoria’s reign, Britain was enthralled with “a remarkable and very exciting story by an American lady, whose purpose is to exhibit the evils of slavery.” Harriet Beecher Stowe’s Uncle Tom’s Cabin created a phenomenon that amazed contemporaries and has intrigued cultural historians. From 1852 the book racked up countless editions thanks to lax transatlantic copyright laws. Ten different editions came out in one October fortnight and forty were on offer by the end of 1853...
3. The Anti-Slavery State
...from reformist crusade to national policy was a curious and complicated process. After centuries of supporting the slave trade, the British state was transformed, in stages, from the patron of slavery to its determined enemy. How and why did international suppression of the slave trade become an objective for successive Victorian governments? Various strands of government policy responded to the challenge and the relationship between anti-slavery and the state was transformed as anti-slavery evolved from a question of imperial morality to a cause for moral imperialism...
4. Britons' Unreal Freedom
...political struggles over anti-slavery in Victorian foreign policy, it would be surprising if anti-slavery did not cast long shadows over domestic policy. Having looked at the politics of anti-slavery abroad, we now turn to the ways anti-slavery sentiment affected domestic Britain. Although Britons had broadly agreed that slavery was incompatible with national freedom, they struggled over which rights and protections should subsequently be advanced or rejected...
5. Power, Prosperity, and Liberty
...a painful truth for Victorian Britons, as the Earl of Clarendon observed in 1846, that “for our necessaries and luxuries of life, for the employment of our people, for our revenue, for our very position in the world as a nation, we are indebted to the production of slave labour.” As an anti-slavery pioneer, it was not clear how much Britain could or should isolate itself from other countries’ surviving (and often thriving) slave systems. Debates over economic sanctions for the importation of slave-grown products and the use of violence to suppress the international slave trade burned brightly in the years before the American Civil War...
6. Africa Burning
...between anti-slavery and British imperial power was complex. Before 1838, anti-slavery campaigning promoted imperial morality, reforming governance in the empire. After West Indian emancipation, this impulse contributed to a moral imperialism, a forceful quest that pried into societies across the globe. With British slave-trade suppression on the west and east coasts of Africa came racial contempt and massive territorial expansion across the continent in the last quarter of the nineteenth century...
7. The Anti-Slavery Empire
...see too far” was the verdict of some Africans living near the River Gambia when they encountered the electric searchlight of HMS Racer in January 1887. According to Edwin Parker, who recorded his service aboard the ship in a private journal, the new light was useful for the sailors’ regular attempts to intimidate African societies along the west coast of Africa. On this occasion, the Royal Navy was intervening to enforce peace between local African communities at Swarra Cunda Creek...
8. Ideologies of Freedom
...The Royal Navy’s self-righteous arson epitomizes the di- lemma of Victorian anti-slavery in the question of whether freedom burned bright. Having looked at various theaters of politics and culture, high and low, touched by this same problem, it is appropriate to return to the metaphor. Comparisons between fire and freedom are not just a fanciful conceit. Buxton hoped that Africa would, in the future, follow Britain’s development away from the afflictions of similar superstition, rude intellect, and slavery to become...
List of Abbreviations
Page Count: 312
Publication Year: 2012
MUSE Marc Record: Download for Freedom Burning

domain: history


text:
|Your fall planting strategy:|
|Gardening in the fall can be much more challenging than spring planting, because you are in a race to get your crops mature and harvested before the winter frosts begin, around November 7. This means you need to consider how much time each variety needs between planting and picking. Those numbers vary widely between different varieties of the same kinds of plants! Usually the "Days to Harvest" are present on the seed packet.
Most tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, for example, require around 100 days to harvest, therefore you'd want to transplant those into the ground around July 30. Anyway, it's important to remember that the numbers in this fall planting guide are only a starting point for you! Good luck and good gardening to you.
Fall is the time to plant garlic. Around September 23, take your cloves apart and plant the toes about 3 to 4 inches deep. This may not be accurate! Garlic dates vary wildly around the country. The way to be sure is to use a soil thermometer. When the soil temperature is 60° at a depth of 4 inches, then plant your garlic.
Cole crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage can be direct seeded into your garden around August 29, but because of the heat during that time of year, it's better to start them indoors around July 10 and then transplant them into the garden around August 19. Do the same with lettuce and spinach.
Sow peas directly around August 24.
Now, for all the usual hot weather veggies like beans, cowpeas, corn, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, watermelons, gourds and sunflowers, you should plant those seeds directly into the ground around July 25.
Okay, now here are the cold, hard numbers, along with specific plants:
|Crop||Sow seeds indoors||Transplant seedlings into the garden||Direct sow seeds|
|Beans||n/a||n/a||Jul 25 - Aug 24|
|Beets||n/a||n/a||Aug 24 - Oct 8|
|Broccoli||Jun 13 - Jul 28||Jul 25 - Sep 8||n/a|
|Brussel Sprouts||Jun 13 - Jul 28||Jul 25 - Sep 8||n/a|
|Cabbage||Jun 13 - Jul 28||Jul 25 - Sep 8||n/a|
|Cantaloupe||n/a||n/a||Jul 10 - Jul 25|
|Carrots||n/a||n/a||Aug 9 - Oct 8|
|Cauliflower||Jun 13 - Jul 28||Jul 25 - Sep 8||n/a|
|Chard||n/a||n/a||Jul 25 - Oct 8|
|Collards||Jul 10 - Aug 24||Aug 9 - Sep 23||n/a|
|Corn||n/a||n/a||Jul 25 - Aug 9|
|Cucumbers||n/a||n/a||Jul 25 - Aug 9|
|Eggplants||May 29 - Jun 13||Jul 10 - Jul 25||n/a|
|n/a||n/a||Aug 24 - Oct 8|
|Gourds, Squash and Pumpkins||n/a||n/a||Jun 25 - Jul 25|
|Kale||Jun 13 - Jul 28||Jul 25 - Sep 8||n/a|
|Kohlrabi||Jun 13 - Jul 28||Jul 25 - Sep 8||n/a|
|Lettuce||Aug 9 - Sep 8||Sep 8 - Oct 8||Sep 8 - Oct 8|
|Mustard||n/a||n/a||Sep 8 - Oct 8|
|Okra||n/a||n/a||Jun 25 - Jul 25|
|Onions||n/a||n/a||Oct 8 - Oct 18|
|Parsley||Jun 25 - Aug 9||Aug 9 - Sep 23||n/a|
|Peas (English)||n/a||n/a||Aug 9 - Sep 8|
|Peas (Southern)||n/a||n/a||Jun 25 - Jul 25|
|Peas (Sugar Snap)||n/a||n/a||Aug 9 - Sep 8|
|Peppers||Jun 3 - Jun 18||Jul 15 - Jul 30||n/a|
|Potatoes||n/a||n/a||Aug 9 - Sep 8|
|Radishes||n/a||n/a||Sep 8 - Oct 8|
|Spinach||Jul 25 - Sep 8||Aug 24 - Oct 8||Aug 24 - Oct 8|
|Tomatoes||Jun 3 - Jun 18||Jul 15 - Jul 30||n/a|
|Turnips||n/a||n/a||Sep 23 - Oct 23|
|Watermelon||n/a||n/a||Jun 25 - Jul 25|

domain: agronomy


text:
If you’re looking for a quality Thai restaurant that has all your favorite Asian food, come to Thai Princess Restaurant! Our menu is filled with dishes made with fresh ingredients and always served hot. Make sure to stop by our restaurant and pick up an order today!
At our restaurant, we have the authentic Thai food you’re craving, fresh and delicious. We offer pad Thai, curry, and so much more. Everyone will find something to enjoy here. Leaving you full and happy is our mission, so visit us today!
Our goal is to serve the tastiest Asian cuisine in Sacramento, CA. Whether you are in the mood for noodle soup or fried tofu, we can offer you excellent service with authentic and fresh ingredients. Sit back, relax, and grab a bite!
If you’re craving authentic Thai cuisine in the comfort of your home, Thai Princess Restaurant offers Thai take out service. We recommend you try our broccoli dish or our shrimp tempura. Call (916) 696-2195 to place an order today.
My husband and I just ordered food here and OMG! The food here is delicious. I ordered the Chicken Pad Thai, Chicken Basil, Garlic Chicken, Green Bean Chicken and Thai Fried Rice.
If you live nearby, this place is a must try. Thank you!
I have never been disappointed with their food. Always fresh and full of delicious, bold flavors. Service is prompt. Love their red curry and drunken noodles. Pad thai is a must try if it's your first time here.
This restaurant is different than many Thai places in Sacramento. It's very peaceful and welcoming when you walk in along with great service. The food was amazing as well. I would recommend the Sweet and Sour Shrimp plate. It was really good.
Select language to translate this page:

domain: food


Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s statement regarding the scrapping of Niti Aayog smacks of pique rather than prudence. This certainly doesn’t cover him in glory.
He recently tweeted, “If voted to power, we will scrap the Niti Aayog. It has served no purpose other than making marketing presentations for the PM & fudging data. We will replace it with a lean Planning Commission whose members will be renowned economists & experts with less than 100 staff.”
Just because somebody believes that an institution is abused by the government, doesn’t mean they should do away with it. Going by that logic, every institution ought to be dispensed with, for the incumbent regime and the previous ones have been accused of messing up with important institutions.
This is not to say that all institutions, however unnecessary and archaic, should be perpetuated at the expense of the exchequer; they should be shut down, but on the grounds of irrelevance, and not because the big man, or big woman, has developed some kind of aversion for them.
Unfortunately, the Planning Commission was closed primarily because Prime Minister Narendra Modi didn’t like it. It needs to be mentioned here that his dislike was not because the plan panel was a champion of big state and Modi wanted to do away with all the vestiges of socialism in the policy framework.
Quite the contrary, Modi has proved to be a statist: public sector undertakings (PSUs) and banks (PSBs) continue to bleed the taxpayer; there have been no labor reforms, so essential to galvanize manufacturing and employment generation; agriculture remains a laggard because of the absence of liberalization; price controls are back in the reckoning; an abomination called the National Anti-Profiteering Authority, which militates against the spirit of reforms, was constituted by this government; welfarism is on the rise. In essence, Modinomics is Nehruvian socialism with a saffron tinge and Sanskritized acronyms.
Modi didn’t scrap the Planning Commission because he wanted to open up the economy and do away with everything Nehruvian; he did it because the panel was regarded as the symbol of socialism in the pre-liberalization era; and he wanted to remove every symbol reminiscent of Nehru even though he kept the policy framework of the first prime minister unchanged.
Not many noticed in India that in 2016, after the completion of two years in office, he said to a journalist from Wall Street Journal, “There is no reason to change India’s non-alignment policy that is a legacy and has been in place.” Non-alignment, it may be recalled, was Nehru’s child.
Modi, so fascinated with symbolism and tokenism, dispensed with the Planning Commission because it was symbolic and, as such, gave the impression that he was a post-Nehruvian leader. The reality, of course, was very different, as we saw, but what matters in our country are impressions and perceptions. Besides, symbolism and tokenism are far easier than substantive change.
The Planning Commission, being the embodiment of socialist policy, had become anachronistic and regressive after 1991—this is a myth that needs be debunked. There has not been a single case when the commission play spoilsport in the roll-out of a reforming measure; even the boldest reform, privatization of PSUs, received the fullest support from the plan panel.
In fact, in the last 10 years of its existence (2004-14), it was headed by a votary of liberalization, Montek Singh Ahluwalia.
The critical difference between the erstwhile Planning Commission and the Niti Aayog is that the former was involved in the allocation of development funds to states — a function that Finance Ministry mandarins carry out today. There are many similarities too: the Prime Minister was and is the ex-officio chair of both; both provide policy inputs to the government.
Further, the plan panel website said, “With the emergence of severe constraints on available budgetary resources, the resource allocation system between the states and ministries of the Central government is under strain. This requires the Planning Commission to play a mediatory and facilitating role, keeping in view the best interest of all concerned. It has to ensure smooth management of the change and help in creating a culture of high productivity and efficiency in the government.”
Similarly, Niti Aayog, the official website says, “Acts as the quintessential platform of the government of India to bring states to act together in national interest, and thereby fosters cooperative federalism.”
The Planning Commission website had discussed its own “evolving functions”. It said, “From a highly centralized planning system, the Indian economy is gradually moving towards indicative planning...” It was not just a claim; it did evolve.
In a similar fashion, Niti Aayog can also evolve according to the requirements of the time and the government in power. There is no point in killing an institution just because it was created by somebody you don’t like.(The author is Editor, Power Politics. Views expressed are personal)


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Jan. 21, 2003
By Kelly Spencer
The Santa Clara
For Santa Clara students, the months of November and December usually offer a welcome time of rest. For the Santa Clara men's basketball team, on the other hand, November and December involved everything but that.
The payoff - entering Saturday's 2003 West Coast Conference season opener against the University of San Diego with the confidence and cohesiveness developed by winning nine of 13 preseason games, the WCC's best preseason record.
Withstanding the loss of three starters from the 2002 season and injuries to seven players during preseason training and games, the men's basketball team (10-4, 1-0) entered Saturday's game with the poise of a devoted team that worked hard during Santa Clara's November and December holidays.
With five of the nine preseason wins determined by a six-point differential or less, the team's dedication proved invaluable as the Broncos beat San Diego 67-65, propelling the team to their seventh win in eight straight games.
This is no small feat considering the nominal experience of players such as walk-on sophomore guard Ethan Rohde, who scored 22 points during a preseason game against Princeton or freshman guard Brandon Rohe, who led the victory over San Diego with 20 points.
"[Brandon] has a good shooter's mentality," said Associate Head Coach Steve Seandel about the freshman's contribution to the team. "He likes to play and there's really no substitute for that."
Seandel was eager to point out the importance of dependable preseason performances from a variety of players, including the senior brothers Cord and Brad Anderson, both forwards, and junior center Jim Howell.
Rohde considers the team's young makeup a constructive asset that has influenced the preseason energy level of the team.
"We have a lot of talent." said Rohde. "This year guys are returning wanting to prove themselves and the young players can help them do that."
Howell agreed that being a young team factored into preseason success.
"People are so eager to learn," said Howell. "When you get older guys they think they know enough and tend to be less focused."
Head Coach Dick Davey attributes the preseason success to a unique team dynamic that places tremendous emphasis on each player's contribution and the team's passion for the game.
"This is a team, it's not controlled by any one or two individuals," commented Davey when asked what the team's greatest strength was.
"Our assistant coaches do a great job of preparing our guys for the opponent," commented Davey.
Howell agreed, "I think people overlook how much work our coaches put in."
Additionally, Davey implemented minor modifications to the preseason schedule to facilitate the needs of such a young team. Reducing the physical and mental demands of the preseason schedule gave the team time to establish a healthy team dynamic.
"In the past we've tended to play an awful lot of road games," said Seandel. "This year we played eight of 13 games at home."
Davey hopes that the preseason exposure the players had to each other and to the overwhelming environment of college-level athletics will solidify their familiarity with each other and enhance their comfort level when playing in front of a crowd.
After losing All-League guard Kyle Bailey - a league leader in points, assists and three-point field goals - for the season due to foot and back injuries, the coaching staff has been placed in unforeseen territory. Seandel, who describes the team as refreshing and resilient, recognizes the team's preseason ability to make the necessary adjustments.
"There's not many teams that have gone through what we have," said Seandel referring to the list of injuries that plagued the preseason.
But the team has seemingly recovered utilizing the depth of their lineup.
With each preseason injury the list of players willing to step up and do what is necessary for the team to win continued to grow.
"We're so deep right now," said Howell. "So if you're off that night someone will step up and get it done."
As the regular season tips off, be prepared for exciting league play full of youthful energy and an ambitious Bronco future.

domain: news


Published by Decca, London, UK, 1987
CD in Jewel Case. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. Decca 417 406-2. __, here performed by Mr. Tuckwell with the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields, conducted by Iona Brown. CONTENTS: See my accompanying scan image of the Track List. Total Time: 61:27. CONDITION: A Fine unscratched CD with Fine jewelcase, booklet, and tray insert. The CD was played twice and plays beautifully. Complimentary upgrade to securely-packed First Class shipping on domestic (USA) orders.
Published by London, W.T. Gilling, 1822., 1822
Art / Print / Poster
4to. Late 19th century three quarter calf with marbled boards. Spine gilt decorated and with title and author in gilt on title label. With 29 (of 30) beautifully hand-coloured plates of costumes. 28 pp. Collection of Swiss costumes with 29 fine engraved plates, very nicely hand-coloured. The text is in French and English. - Very nice copy. Lacking English title and one plate. Swiss costumes in full colour. Colas 2530; Hiler 742; Lipperheide 907.


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The Call of Duty League and Overwatch League will no longer have a maximum salary cap and competitive balance tax, according to a report by the Sports Business Journal. Activision Blizzard has likely made the change due to an open antitrust investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice that was opened earlier this year.
The Department of Justice investigation is mainly focused on whether or not the soft salary cap violated the 1890 Sherman Antitrust Act as league players aren’t under the protection of a players union. No player union or association exists in either league. Activision Blizzard has said that they are complying with the investigation when Dot Esports originally broke the news in July.
OWL and CDL have no players union, but still enforce salary caps
The competitive balance tax punishes teams that spend over a certain limitation, which reportedly amounted to $1.6 million in the 2020 season, on their roster each season. Taxes placed on teams that exceed that threshold are then re-distributed equally across the rest of the league.
The 1965 U.S. Supreme Court case Amalgamated Meat Cutters v. Jewel Tea Co. said that “union-employer agreements” are outside of the scope of the Sherman Act, meaning that traditional sports leagues like the NBA and MLB are limited by a salary cap because those leagues negotiate with player unions and associations.
Some players have voiced concerns over the lack of a players union in both leagues, but little movement has happened on either front to make one happen. Esports as an industry, including both Call of Duty and Overwatch, is incredibly young though. The Major League Baseball Players Association didn’t form until 1966, even though the league it operates in was founded in 1869. Some leagues, like the LCS, do have fledging groups like the NALCS Players Association.
Activision Blizzard has not responded to Upcomer’s request for comment at the time of this writing.


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The Philippines is the country with the highest average housing prices in the region, with a median house price of $1,054,931, according to an annual survey by real estate data firm Redfin.
This year, the average house price has jumped by 11.4% over last year, and the median house value has increased by $6,400.
But the median home price in Davao City, the largest city in the Davao Region, has been on a steep decline, according the study.
The median house rent in Davaão City is $1.18 million, down nearly 12% from last year.
The city’s median home value is down 7.3% from 2015.
The average house in Davadome, the region’s most expensive area, is worth $1 million, but it is the second most expensive among the five most expensive areas in the country, with the median value of $2.4 million.
According to Redfin, the Davadomes median house sale price is $2,073,000, up 4.6% from the year before.
The Philippines is home to the largest number of people in the Americas and the second largest number in the World, according Redfin’s report.
The average income of the DavaO, a region comprising the cities of Davao, Cebu, and Visayas, is $45,619.
The Philippines’ median household income is $34,902, according their data.
The top five most affordable cities in the Philippines are Davao and Davao-Barangay Davao.
Davao is home the largest percentage of the country’s poor population.
Its median income is more than $5,000 per month, while Davao Barangay has the second highest median income of $9,854.
The poorest areas in Davapos highland, where poverty is rampant, are Davap, Davao Negros, Cibola, and Baguio.
Davap Negros is the poorest area in the Philippine Islands.
Davay Negros has a median household median income $15,826, compared to Davap Barangays median income, $23,000.
The Davao region has seen a steady increase in poverty over the years, and now accounts for nearly one in five of DavayO’s population.
Poverty has reached an all-time high in the city, as the percentage of Davayan households with incomes below $8,000 has more than doubled over the past 20 years.
Davayan residents also spend the most time in jail, with nearly 70% of DavayaO’s incarcerated population in jail.
The city of Davadores poverty is particularly dire.
Its poverty rate is the fourth highest in the entire Philippines.
More than 80% of the city’s residents live in poverty.

domain: geography


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November 11, 2017 @ 4:30PM — 6:00PM
Join us for a donation-based All-Levels Adaptive Restorative Yoga class to raise money for the non-profit Warriors at Ease, which brings yoga and meditation into military communities and helps service members, veterans and their families with their post-traumatic growth and healing.
Please click "purchase" for your free ticket to this event, and consider donating what you can on the following page! This class is asking for a minimum donation of $20.
This class is open to the public as a fundraiser for Warriors at Ease and is appropriate for those who do and do not have physical disabilities. The studio will provide mats, props and water, so students just need to bring themselves!
This all-levels adaptive restorative yoga class will be taught by Kayla Rodenheiser. Kayla took her first yoga class 11 years ago and has been enamored by the art and discipline of yoga ever since. She earned her 200-hour certification in 2006 and for the past ten years has taught a variety of classes that have given her the opportunity to influence a wide range of students. Kayla has enjoyed working with seniors, athletes, active duty military members, wounded veterans, and children with special needs. Apart from being an E-RYT 200, Kayla has experience working as a rehabilitation technician, in-home caregiver, child care provider for foster children and physical therapy aid for children and adults with cerebral palsy. Her previous work experiences have highly influenced her teaching style. She places a strong emphasis on individual care. Through shared techniques and philosophies, Kayla gives students various tools to cultivate a personalized practice that provides mental and physical strength, balance, flexibility and most valuable of all, self-gratitude.
There are two main spaces at Inner Balance, where classes and services are offered. The Mind Body Room is a spacious and inviting area where all of the group classes are held. There is also a Pilates room for private and small group training on a variety of state of the art Balanced Body equipment as well as a variety of massage offerings. They also offer monthly workshops and trainings on a variety of wellness topics, such as meditation, the chakras, yoga asana instruction, healing back pain, and breaking down the barre! Come a few minutes early to class and peruse the retail area where you can stock up on the latest fitness apparel (choose from a variety of brands like Alo Yoga, Onzie, PrismSport, Lukka Lux, Jiva Active and more), barre socks, yoga mats, jewelry, and candles.
For more information on Inner Balance Mind Body visit http://innerbalancemindbody.com/about-us. For more information on this class, please contact Iana Malcolm at 786-383-3088 or email@example.com.
You can support us by making a donation!

domain: health


INDIANAPOLIS – All teachers authorized to carry guns in school would be forced to first undergo a personality screening and take firearms training under a bill that passed the Senate 32-14 on Tuesday.
School districts already can allow teachers to carry under state law. But House Bill 1253 goes another step and requires 38 hours of specialized weapons training to do so, as well as recurring training each year.
The personality inventory is meant to weed out teachers or staffers who might not have the right temperament to carry a firearm in school.
“A vote against this bill is a vote for allowing teachers to carry guns in school without proper training,” said Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown.
But Democrats focused on rethinking whether to allow guns in schools at all. At least three districts have authorized guns in schools, including Jay County.
“There should never be a gun in a classroom, never,” said Sen. Greg Taylor, D-Indianapolis. “This is a bad bill. We are going to be on the wrong side of history.”
Sen. J.D. Ford, D-Indianapolis, asked his colleagues to think about the possibility of a student overpowering a teacher and wrestling the gun away. Or teachers having to shoot students they have taught all year.
Several Democrats said not enough has been done on mental health and access to guns by youth.
Six Republicans joined Democrats to oppose the measure. All northeast Indiana senators voted yes.
The bill now goes to conference committee, because the House author doesn't support the training mandate.
The Senate also approved a second bill Tuesday that would allow guns to be carried at churches that are connected to schools. Currently, state law prohibits this. The bill allows the owner of the property to decide whether guns are allowed.
House Bill 1651 also strengthens current provisions allowing police to take guns away from those considered to be dangerous.
And the state's four-year firearms permit would expand to five years, with a more stringent initial background check. But Hoosiers with this permit would be exempt from background checks during the five-year period when purchasing from a gun dealer. The cost of that license also is being eliminated.
That measure passed 36-10 and likely heads to conference committee. All area senators supported it.


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The Confederation of African Football – CAF has revealed the Draw procedure for the qualifiers of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The Black Stars who have picked ticket to play at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November, is in pot 1 with AFCON winners Senegal, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, Dr. Congo, Burkina Faso and Mali. Other countries include host Cote D’Ivoire, Algeria, Tunisia, and Cameroon.
The official for the qualifiers will take place on Johannesburg on Tuesday, April 19, 2022 at exactly 7:30pm.
Find the details of the various pot below.


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Risk enablement and capacity
As you have seen, balancing people’s rights to choice and control against the risk of harm when people have impaired decision-making capacity is complex. The challenges posed can also create another risk — that some groups of people, for example those with learning disabilities, dementia, or other mental health problems, may be excluded from the benefits of personalisation initiatives like self-directed support.
However, this does not have to be the case, as this example from Alzheimer Scotland featuring Michael and Mary’s story, ‘How self-directed support worked for us shows:
Michael and Mary’s story explains how self-directed support can work well for people with dementia. Their example shows how SDS can work with people with dementia, carers and people who support individuals with dementia, its ideas are equally relevant to other people in society.
Yet it is wiser to remember that risk is ‘a matter of balance’ – risks have potentially beneficial and potentially harmful outcomes, and sometimes both
Activity 4.6 Benefits and risks of employing a personal assistant
Risk in relation to self-directed support is often raised in relation to the employment of personal assistants (or PAs). The next activity will explore the risks and benefits of employing someone to provide support.
Try to identify some of the risks and benefits for someone who chooses to employ their own personal assistant (PA). Use the document below to record your thoughts, and include the document in your learning log .
When you’ve finished, compare your notes with those listed in the discussion.
The responses listed in the document below are not all the possible responses – you may have thought of other risks and benefits. The balance of risks and benefits will depend on the individual person and what outcomes they are aiming to achieve.

domain: psychology


Cornelio the Crocodile is part of the WWF Plush Cub Club collection. He is super soft and cuddly and filled with 100% PET bottle filling, making him eco-friendly.
The WWF plush collection is designed in the Netherlands for the World Wide Fund for Nature – WWF.
This collection is designed to introduce the concept of environmental responsibility to little ones, and aims to do its part in ensuring nature is preserved for generations to come.
WWF Plush commits to the Blue Angel Eco standard, which sets the highest Eco standards in the industry, is independent and has proven itself over more than 35 years as a guide
for selecting environmentally-friendly products. For every sold Plush Cub toy, a donation is made to the local WWF office. This will support them in their conservation efforts.
Size: 29cm approx
Suitable age: From 1 month
Official Licensed product, CE certified
Material: Exterior polyester, filling 100% recycled PET bottles
Care Instructions: Hand/surface washing with water not exceeding 30 degrees celsius.
By Buying a WWF plush toy you are making a donation to WWF
Note: Remove labels before giving to children.
About WWF Plush Cornelio Crocodile
Introducing Cornelio the Crocodile, the newest addition to the WWF Plush Cub Club collection. This super soft and cuddly crocodile is not only a great companion for your little one, but also a symbol of environmental responsibility. Made with 100% PET bottle filling, Cornelio is not only eco-friendly, but also supports the conservation efforts of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The WWF Plush Cub Club collection is designed in the Netherlands specifically for the WWF, a global organization dedicated to protecting the natural world and its inhabitants. This collection aims to introduce the concept of environmental responsibility to children at a young age, instilling in them the importance of preserving nature for future generations.
In line with this mission, WWF Plush commits to the Blue Angel Eco standard, which sets the highest eco standards in the industry. This certification is independent and has been proven over 35 years as a guide for selecting environmentally-friendly products. By choosing a WWF Plush toy, you can be assured that you are making a sustainable and responsible choice.
Not only is Cornelio the Crocodile a great toy for children, but it also supports a good cause. For every WWF Plush Cub toy sold, a donation is made to the local WWF office, helping them in their conservation efforts. This means that your purchase not only brings joy to your child, but also contributes to the protection of our planet.
Measuring at approximately 29cm, Cornelio is the perfect size for little hands to cuddle and play with. Suitable for children from 1 month and up, this officially licensed product is CE certified, ensuring its safety for your child.
Made with an exterior of soft polyester and filled with 100% recycled PET bottles, Cornelio is not only environmentally-friendly, but also easy to care for. Simply hand or surface wash with water not exceeding 30 degrees celsius to keep him clean and fresh.
By buying a WWF plush toy, you are not only getting a high-quality and adorable companion for your child, but also making a positive impact on the environment. So why not bring home Cornelio the Crocodile and join the WWF Plush Cub Club today? Just remember to remove the labels before giving it to your child to play with.


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Brown's Wood Neighborhood
Brown's Wood in Lincoln, Massachusetts, is a cooperative, "do-it-yourself" neighborhood, incorporated in 1954. The homes in Brown's Wood were built according to the principles of the modern movement, yet like many mid-century modern buildings, are often unrecognized for their contribution to New England's architectural history. In order to preserve the historical development of this important neighborhood, Historic New England partnered with the Friends of Modern Architecture Lincoln (FoMA) and the Town of Lincoln Archives and Library to collect oral histories of the individuals who live in Brown's Wood. After the material was collected, copies of the oral histories were deposited both at Historic New England and the Lincoln Library.
For more information, e-mail community engagement at Historic New England.


Electeds and Advocates: Tappan Zee Needs Transit From the Start
Support for transit on the new Tappan Zee bridge — built up over a decade of consensus building and 280 public meetings — runs deep and broad in the Hudson Valley. Though Governor Andrew Cuomo is already rushing forward with plans to build the bridge without any transit option, 11 local elected officials from both parties and a coalition of 16 environmental, labor, social justice, and transportation organizations have now come together to say that Westchester and Rockland County residents need transit on the Tappan Zee. In a statement released today, the coalition argues that Cuomo can’t leave transit to be built later; the Hudson Valley needs transit now.
The electeds include the state senators representing both ends of the bridge, Democrat Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Independent Democrat David Carlucci, as well as both county executives, Republicans Rob Astorino and C. Scott Vanderhoef. Three state assembly members, three mayors and a town supervisor also signed on.
“A new Tappan Zee Bridge must contain Bus Rapid Transit from the start, otherwise economic growth, cleaner air and commuter concerns will all at be risk,” said Astorino in the statement. “The bridge needs to be built and built quickly, but the design must look forward, not back to the 1950’s.”
The environmental community is strongly represented in the coalition, with multiple organizations arguing that excluding transit will commit New York to more air pollution, more carbon emissions and more sprawl. “Since the state and federal government are already planning to spend the time and money to build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, why not get it right the first time?” said New York League of Conservation Voters president Marcia Bystryn. “We strongly encourage Gov. Cuomo not to miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity and to show the rest of the nation how forward-thinking our state can be.”
The coalition is also emphasizing the economic importance of reducing congestion and the social equity imperative of ensuring that car-free households can still access job opportunities.
The Amalgamated Transit Union signed on to the statement and is working to convince fellow labor unions to use their power as potential investors to put transit back on the Tappan Zee.
The full statement and list of signatories is below:
Senator David Carlucci (38th District), Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35thDistrict), Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti (92nd District), Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (88th District), Assemblyman Kenneth Zebrowski (94th District), Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino, Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, Tarrytown Mayor Drew Fixell, Nyack Mayor Richard Kavesh, Elmsford Mayor Robert Williams
Amalgamated Transit Union, Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester & Putnam, Community Voices Heard, Empire State Future, Environmental Advocates of New York, Environmental Defense Fund, Federated Conservationists of Westchester County, Good Jobs New York, MTA Labor Coalition, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York Bicycling Coalition, New York State Transportation Equity Alliance, New York League of Conservation Voters, NYPIRG, Transportation Alternatives, Tri-State Transportation Campaign
Transit-less Tappan Zee Bridge Would be Obsolete from Day One
Elected Officials, Good Government, Labor, Equity and Environmental Advocates Call on State to Restore Transit to the Tappan Zee Bridge Plans
A bipartisan group of eleven elected officials and sixteen labor, environmental, equity, good government, and transportation organizations issued a joint statement today to request that the Tappan Zee Bridge be rebuilt with transit, specifically bus rapid transit. They said that the Tappan Zee Bridge must be replaced, but that a bridge without public transportation would gridlock the Hudson Valley’s economy and do nothing to prevent rising traffic congestion and air pollution.
The diverse group said it is not enough to design the bridge so that transit can be accommodated at a later date. They indicated their belief that the bridge must accommodate bus rapid transit across the corridor the day the new bridge opens.
The New York State Department of Transportation had already selected an alternative for rebuilding the Tappan Zee Bridge that included public transportation, with bus rapid transit across the I-287 corridor and a future NYC-bound rail line from Rockland County. Over a ten year study period, a regional consensus developed that public transportation was necessary in the corridor. State studies repeatedly found that a Tappan Zee Bridge with transit was necessary to reduce increasing traffic and pollution and give Hudson Valley residents more transportation options. According to the state’s own estimates, over 50,000 people would ride bus rapid transit across the corridor per day. A rail line from Rockland to New York City would attract an additional 29,000 riders. During every morning rush, a cross-corridor bus rapid transit line would save commuters 4,400 hours of travel time.
“It is essential that we include in any plan going forward a public transportation component that will ease the heavy congestion that plagues thousands of commuters each day,” said Senator David Carlucci (38th District). “Working together with the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, Governor Cuomo and my colleagues in the legislature, I am confident that we can continue to move forward and make this critical project a gem for the Hudson Valley.”
“Building a new Tappan Zee Bridge is a great opportunity to create jobs, develop our region’s economy and bring our infrastructure into the 21st century. It is also an opportunity to make a tangible commitment to get people out of their cars, reduce traffic congestion, cut carbon emissions and foster sustainable economic growth in the Hudson Valley. Bus rapid transit offers a more affordable way to maximize the potential of this important project,” said Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (35th District).
“We need to move more people, not more cars,” said Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti (92nd District). “Moving more cars across the bridge faster will just increase the traffic congestion in Westchester and degrade the environment and quality of life in our Westchester communities.”
Assemblywoman Amy Paulin (88th District) stated, “Let’s do this right from the beginning, and incorporate rapid bus transit into the Tappan Zee Bridge plans from the very start.”
“A new Tappan Zee Bridge must contain Bus Rapid Transit from the start, otherwise economic growth, cleaner air and commuter concerns will all at be risk. The bridge needs to be built and built quickly, but the design must look forward, not back to the 1950’s. In an iPad world, an 8-track bridge will be hopelessly obsolete before construction begins,” said Westchester County Executive Robert Astorino.
“It is important for the region that a new Tappan Zee Bridge advance the construction of both transit and highway alternatives concurrently. Any alternative must preserve and enhance the quality of life of County residents for the next century, ” said Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef. “While we recognize that important timing factors demand our focus on the basic construction of a new bridge, nonetheless, I feel the scope of the project needs to provide for a dedicated bus/BRT/HOV lane on the crossing, as well as a direct BRT connection from the crossing to the Tarrytown station.”
“It doesn’t make sense to replace a 1950s bridge with a 1980s bridge that is outdated before it even opens,” said Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.
“It’s crucial that the new Tappan Zee Bridge has a component for public transportation. We need to encourage people to get out of their cars.”
“While it is encouraging that the State’s proposal for the TZB contains the capacity for future mass transit, the plan is incomplete without a solid commitment guaranteeing the near-term implementation of a true BRT system,” said Tarrytown Mayor Drew Fixell. “If the project is to be a true engine of future economic growth, it is imperative that it include this vital infrastructure improvement, as it is the one feature that will significantly reduce traffic congestion and therefore speed the flow of goods and people and increase efficiency.”
“It is imperative for mass transit to be an integral component of the Tappan Zee II project — from the beginning,” said Nyack Mayor Richard Kavesh. “Building the bring without transit might be more economically expedient, but without transit the new bridge will be obsolete from the very day that it opens.”
“The Village of Elmsford is grateful to the President and the Governor for fast tracking the Tappan Zee Bridge project, but we still respectfully request the state try harder to find funding for mass transit on the new bridge,” said Elmsford Mayor Robert Williams. “This is essential to decreasing vehicle traffic, which is better for the environment and will prolong the lifespan of the bridge. Further, we believe that transit will bring more business to both sides of the river by enabling people to get to places on both sides more easily.”
“Governor Cuomo must listen to the desires of Hudson Valley residents and put transit back in the Tappan Zee Bridge project,” said Kate Slevin, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. “In particular, bus rapid transit can serve as a focal point for transit-oriented development in the Hudson Valley and prevent sprawl.”
“Since the state and federal government are already planning to spend the time and money to build a new Tappan Zee Bridge, why not get it right the first time?” asked Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “Sustainable and affordable mass transit is more critical than ever to New York’s labor market and economy. By incorporating mass transit features now, New York State can lead the way in design excellence and innovation. We strongly encourage Gov. Cuomo not to miss this once-in-a-generation opportunity and to show the rest of the nation how forward-thinking our state can be.”
“Anyone who says they want to fight for and represent middle class New Yorkers and communities of color in Westchester County needs to be in support of accessible, rapid public transit so that those communities can continue to have their opportunity to experience the American dream in the great state of New York. That means supporting bus rapid transit with dedicated lanes on the Tappan Zee Bridge. It’s the equitable thing to do to get all New Yorkers moving,” says Cecil D. Corbin-Mark, steering committee member, New York State Transportation Equity Alliance.
“Excluding or delaying public transit from a rebuilt Tappan Zee Bridge is an insult to hard working New Yorkers that don’t have or can’t afford cars,” said Bettina Damiani of Good Jobs New York. “Governor Cuomo must keep a public transportation component part of this development to ensure everyone living and working in the region benefits.”
“Every investment New York makes in rapid transit is a wise one,” said David Gahl, associate director of Environmental Advocates of New York. “Public transportation reduces the pollution that causes climate change, takes cars of the road, and cuts air pollution.”
“How can Governor Cuomo propose to not include public transportation in a plan to rebuild the Tappan Zee Bridge?” said Darlene Griffin, Newburgh chapter leader of Community Voices Heard. “We need those jobs, we need that transportation for people to see their families. We do not support a plan that does not include jobs and transportation!”
“Robert Caro won a Pulitzer Prize describing how Robert Moses had made Long Islanders lives comparable to those of “19th century Russian peasants,” by building highways that excluded transit,” said Larry Hanley, international president of the Amalgamated Transit Union. “Governor Cuomo should consider his legacy when contemplating issues that are really this large—in the long term. This is about how New Yorkers will live, perhaps for the next 100 years.”
“Public transportation across the corridor will encourage smart growth and sustainable development near transit and protect the Hudson Valley from more sprawl,” says, Rich Kassel, senior attorney at Natural Resources Defense Council.
“We urge the Governor to take a step back and include mass transit in the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement and pursue a process that is more open, transparent and responsive to the desires of New Yorkers,” said JP Patafio on behalf of the MTA Labor Coalition. He also urged the state to make sure that biking and walking are accommodated on the new bridge.
“A ‘Fix-it-First’ policy for infrastructure is not a license to speed. Nor does it convey justification to use public (or public-private) funds sub-optimally,” said Peter Fleischer, executive director of Empire State Future, a coalition of 52 business, civic and environmental groups statewide. “If New York State is going to rapidly spend billions on a bridge that we will need for decades, a proper consideration of drivers, public transit passengers and future regional land uses is required. Without that, congestion will undermine the improvement. Resultant sprawl will create new suburban and urban problems. Non-drivers’ needs will be neglected. That new bridge will be a monument to what we could have, and probably should have, done.”
“Including a robust transit service in the new Tappan Zee Bridge will provide great improvements in safety and mobility to Hudson Valley bicyclists,” said Brian Kehoe, executive director of the New York Bicycling Coalition. “Bicycle commuting is increasingly popular and cost effective. Properly equipped buses will allow workers to ride their bicycles from home to the bus stop and to then ride the bus to work. More people will therefore utilize transit in the corridor which will further reduce congestion and wasted time.”
“We need to plan for both the present and the future. We need to ensure the new Tappan Zee Bridge can serve a growing population, and address the issues of higher fuel costs, and global climate change,” said Steven J. Levy, president of Federated Conservationists of Westchester County. “BRT shouldn’t need to be discussed at this point as it should automatically be included on any new bridge. We need to set our sights on including rail mass transit to connect to the MTA New Haven line. The time to implement the capacity for multi-modal solutions is now, and not as a possible future expansion that may not occur.”
“Bus rapid transit lanes on a new Tappan Zee crossing are key to solving the region’s congestion woes,” said Gene Russianoff, mass transit coordinator for the New York Public Interest Research Group.
“Building the Tappan Zee without public transit access is unacceptable,” said Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “A rail or bus-link would cut down on congestion and promote sustainable growth from the Hudson Valley to New York City.”
“Transit on the Tappan Zee is essential for the development of our multi-modal transportation system,” said David Wilson, executive director of the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester & Putnam. “A bridge built without it will be obsolete the day it opens.”


AMD first announced its Project Quantum PC back in 2015, and while it didn't materialize, it was marketed in a huge way as the "best possible system for VR" when AMD had all of its blood going to its head for VR.
Anyway, the awesomely-designed AMD Project Quantum system was based on an Intel CPU and what would've been a freaking wicked dual Fiji GPU design. The system was shown off during E3 2015 if you can believe that, after the company had internal discussions about using the dual-GPU solution, but later designs of the never-released Project Quantum system had better internals (AMD's new Zen CPU + Vega GPU with HBM2 memory).
But now... now a fan-made 3D project has breathed a massive breath of fresh air into AMD Project Quantum. A new system was crafted by the amazing hands and work of "stand_up_g4m3r" who used an ASRock DeskMini X300W PC on the AM4 platform, slotting in an AMD Ryzen 7 5700G APU that packs an integrated GPU and 32GB of DDR4 memory.
- Read more: AMD's Project Quantum might return with Zen CPU, Vega GPU with HBM2
- Read more: Remember AMD's custom Project Quantum PC? It might become a reality
In the video embedded below, the modder walks through everything he did from printing, preparing parts, installing everything into the "AMD Project Quantum" system, and the painting job completed on it. There's even a fully custom liquid cooling loop installed into the system, which means it's about as close as you can get (with more powerful internals) than what AMD teased back 7 years ago now.
The original ASRock chassis was tested, but stand_up_g4m3r noticed it wasn't good enough... using 3D-printed parts and liquid cooling. Not that performance improved for gaming, but that's because there's no dedicated graphics card inside. The APU itself is limited in multiple ways, but the GPU temperatures did drop by around 7C with the work that stand_up_g4m3r put into the system, and its custom liquid cooling system.
- Read more: This emotional AMD commercial invites you to join the Radeon Rebellion
- Read more: AMD teases Vega with its 'After the Uprising' teaser
As our friends at VideoCardz point out, ex-Alienware CEO and now AMD's new Chief Architect of Gaming Solutions & Marketing at AMD said that the company is already working on new form factor PCs. Some of these systems included the Corsair ONE and Falcon Northwest Tiki gaming PCs (which I love both of, and would love to have them in-house for some testing) so let's hope that AMD builds a new Zen 4 + RDNA 3 system for a next-gen Project Quantum PC.
The full video is above, you should really check it out... stand_up_g4m3r, you put some awesome work into this PC, mate!


WINNIPEG -- The Big Blue were hit with a double whammy Thursday.
First, Lyle Bauer resigned as president/CEO of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at a press conference in the morning. Then, the Bombers fired the man Bauer had hired as head coach, Mike Kelly, at a second, hastily-called evening press conference.
"It's a tough decision," said Bomber board chairman Ken Hildahl. "But I've been saying repeatedly to you folks for the last six weeks that we were reviewing the on-field performance, the associated performance of the head coach over the last 12 months and we came to the conclusion (last night), based on that assessment, that it's time to move on and find a new coach."
The announcement came after an emergency board meeting when reports emerged that Kelly was arrested for domestic assault at his home near Philadelphia Thursday. It was a unanimous decision, Hildahl said. However, he denied that the decision was based on Kelly's legal problem.
"We have to respect the fact that an incident did take place," he said. "But in the eyes of the law, these are allegations and allegations only. Our review was based strictly on last year's performance."
Under Kelly, the Bombers finished out of the CFL playoffs with a 7-11 record and his rookie campaign was fraught with clashes with both fans and the media.
"There's no question there's been some damage done to the football club brand this year," admitted Hildahl, who added that the club will seek replacements with "solid moral backgrounds."
The Bombers gave Kelly a chance to resign but he declined.
Kelly did not return either e-mail or text messages.
The board will meet tomorrow morning to discuss plans to find replacements for both Bauer and Kelly. No decision has been made on the futures of the assistant coaches yet.
Meanwhile, Bauer told the board he planned to resign on Tuesday.
"We’ve accepted Lyle’s resignation with a lot of reluctance," Hildahl said.
Jim Bell, Bomber vice-president of finance and administration, has become acting president.
Although Bauer claimed "it is time to move on after a decade," he could join the Calgary Stampeders as their new president.
"I guess I’m a free agent," Bauer responded by telephone from St. George, Utah. "I guess, right now, we’d be in a position to entertain those opportunities. We’ll see where the cards fall in the next while."
Bauer also admitted that the controversies swirling around Kelly influenced his decision.
"There are challenges and, I guess, probably more challenges in that regard than anyone anticipated," he said. "There are good things and then, not so good things. It’s a combination of everything. I wouldn’t say that situation was the (last) straw."
But Bauer indicated that he was not forced out.
"This is my decision," he asserted. "It’s not one made by or influenced by the board of directors. And my decision does not have any financial impact on the Winnipeg Football Club … This is a personal decision I’ve made in the interests of my family."
The Bombers will start the search for a new president/CEO with the help of Creswin's David Asper, who is expected to take over the club.
Former Bomber GM Brendan Taman was not surprised by the resignation.
"He’s had a great run," Taman, now director of football administration for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. "A really good guy to work with."
Taman, by the way, would be willing to return to the Bombers as a personnel director if the opportunity presented itself.
"I’ve always had a special place in my heart for that place," he said.
— With files from Paul Friesen


text:
One of a kind, original painting by Lily Duk.
This fashion illustration is inspired by the Delpozo runway show.
Created on heavy quality artist paper (200 grams)
Watercolor, pastel , pen and gouache.
Size: 21,0 X 29,7 cm / 8,3 X 11,7 inch
Colors may vary slightly due to screen settings, shadows etc.
Sealed in plastic but please handle with care and frame as soon as possible.

domain: artistic


text:
An article by Subversion examining the employment service workers' strike of 1995-1996, and arguing for benefit claimants to support the strike.
Since the end of November 1995, a small selection of Employment Service Workers in various offices around the country, have been on indefinite strike against a miserable national pay offer and a further extension of performance related pay systems. This was before the recently announced budget cuts with their implications for jobs in the Service.
Up until February `96, the number of offices called out on strike, was being slowly increased alongside short "all out" regional strikes as part of the CPSA unions strategy of escalating action. Of course at this rate, it would have taken a further 12 months at least, to build up to anything really effective. Although the employers marginally increased the pay offer just prior to the first strikes, they haven't budged since. This is hardly surprising since the government, driven by the needs of a profit orientated economy in crisis, is determined to reduce the burden of state expenditure on profits. That means attacking the unemployed and the employed simultaneously. The connection between the two attacks is no more starkly shown than in this particular dispute.
In order to reduce the number of unemployed claimants and the amounts of benefit paid out, the state needs to force them in to any old crap, low paid job or else into the cut-throat competition of `self-employment'. By doing this, the state also, at the same time, increases pressure on those in work to moderate their demands and do as they're told.
To be effective, the new Job seekers Allowance and associated regulations need to be strictly enforced by ES workers at minimal cost. This means attacking basic pay and the collective action in support of general pay claims and introducing more individual incentive pay, based on targets for `benefit disallowances', `suspensions' and so on. Ironically, the `states' ability to do this, is strengthened by ES workers own fears of becoming unemployed themselves!
Ludicrous as it may seem, the state has sought to develop the ideology of a "customer based service" even though the unemployed "customer" clearly has no `choice' to go anywhere else. One small reflection of this has been the revamping of offices on a more `user friendly ` layout. Given the shit `service' the unemployed get - and despite some bastards who get a kick out of humiliating the unemployed, this isn't the fault of ES workers - it's inevitable that some will occasionally lash out and not just with a few verbals! This in turn, helps promote a "hate the punters" mentality amongst some ES workers and a greater willingness to go along with their employers need to screw the unemployed even more. The unions are happy to enter into the fray at this stage, arguing for a return to screens and high level security etc, avoiding any serious confrontation over the real causes of the problem.
The `Customer Service ` ideology, is clearly an attempt to weaken existing or forestall the emergence of collective action by both ES workers and the unemployed - to get both to see their problems and the `solutions' in individual terms, at the same time reinforcing the division between the two groups. This whole process forms a vicious downward spiral that can only benefit the employers and their state.
Such a spiral cannot be broken by Labour Party type reforms to the system or moral appeals to be nice to each other. The `system' may not have been created by ES workers, but part of their job within the system involves `policing' the unemployed whether they admit it or not. In normal every day circumstances, when unemployed claimant meets employed ES worker, there is a real and immediate conflict of interest which cannot be wished away by abstract appeals for class unity, however much the interests of both may be the same in the long term.
It is only in the abnormal circumstances of a strike, when ES workers are no longer carrying out the states function, that a small opening appears through which divisions can start to be broken down. That still won't happen if the real differences between the situation of the employed and unemployed are simply glossed over. It can only come through face to face confrontation of ideas and the building of mutual support based on an understanding of each others situations. It requires the building of common objectives and common `demands', not just moral support for each others `demands'.
In this process, the trade unions are a barrier. They have their own interests to pursue within the established order that require them to maintain sectionalism and parochialism within our class. This they typically `appeal' to the employers on the basis that a contented work force will do the employers bidding more enthusiastically. They actually reinforce the division with the unemployed by pointing out to employers and the `public', that failure to settle the strike is resulting in `over payments' to the unemployed. A good reason,if for no other reason, where it's true, for the unemployed to support the strike in our opinion.
Since the unions really do want to get back to `normal' working as soon as possible, they do their best to avoid any really effective action. The CPSA, under pressure from its members to extend the strikes, has decided to call a ballot whilst at the same time stopping the existing strikes! - effectively enforcing its own `cooling down' period. We'll see if ES workers fall for that one! - or decide to take control of, and extend the strike themselves through their own direct action (both within the Employment Service and to others in the public sector threatened with performance related pay).
A move outside the control of the trade unions and an opening out of the strike to other workers, employed and unemployed, would be the most positive thing that could happen. In this situation, opportunities for some real class unity might emerge.
We are not saying that understandings and links forged in such a situation between ES workers and the unemployed are going to create any permanent basis of solidarity, but they can demonstrate what might be possible within the framework of a much more widespread escalation of class struggle in the future. Even in the shorter term, a victory for ES workers won in this way, with the support of the unemployed, could be beneficial to unemployed workers by making ES workers less reliable agents of the state for a time.

domain: sociology


< back to articles
Fondness for animals is a big asset to anyone who works in the home service business. That's because we encounter many pets in our work, and it really helps if we can relate to them.
On the other hand, all of us have stories that just go to show...it's a real zoo out there!
*Bats in the boiler. About midnight on a very cold winter evening, a Pennsylvania firm got a call from a homeowner without any heat. The service technician tried the boiler when he arrived at the house. He could hear the ignition buzz, but no heat was coming on. He checked the oil level, which was fine, and the filter, which was not clogged.
Then he checked the electrodes, and found the problem. The electrical connection had shorted out. But why then did he hear the ignition buzzing?
A dead bat was positioned with one foot on each electrode. When the electricity from the transformer came on, it buzzed through the bat, sounding just like the ignition.
*"Watch out, you big oaf!" A plumber was on a ladder working on an overhead water line in a big arena where the circus was performing. A co-worker suddenly heard his cries for help. Rushing to the area, the helper saw a toppled ladder but the plumber who had been working on it was nowhere in sight.
"Up here!" yelled the desperate man, dangling from the overhead pipes after an elephant had knocked over his ladder.
*Cats everywhere. Cats are known for finding unique hiding places. One plumber in South Carolina was called to rescue a kitten trapped underneath a dishwasher. Apparently the kitten had been chased under the house by a dog. The animal tried to escape through a small hole under the dishwasher left by the original plumber, only to become hopelessly stuck.
The plumber removed the dishwasher panels and bent the rear support legs, but still couldn't reach the kitten. With two nervous children looking on, a helper went under the house to support the cat while the plumber made small cuts with a jigsaw around the kitten's head. After 40 minutes of chipping away at the floor, they got the kitten released unharmed. Lesson learned: "To close all holes no matter how small or hidden they may seem," said the plumber.
On another occasion, a worker for the same plumbing firm was opening up a tile wall in an upstairs bathroom to replace a tub and shower valve. No one was home while the work was being done, and during the course of the day the plumber made several trips to his truck. He finished the job by day's end and closed up the hole in the wall.
Next day the plumber returned to the same home to remodel a different bathroom on the first floor. There was a note waiting for him: "PLEASE LET MY CAT OUT OF THE WALL!" The cat had crawled into the open wall the previous day while the plumber was on one of his sojourns to the truck.
Plumbers hate when that happens!
*Ralston-Purina would pay millions for the recipe! An apprentice was doing a piping job in a home and had just opened a can of pipe dope - a pasty substance used to help seal pipe connections. He left it upstairs while he went down to the basement to shut off a valve.
Just minutes later he came back upstairs to find the pipe dope can empty. He stood there scratching his head wondering what was going on. Just then a great big dog came wandering in with a satisfied look on his face and a big glob of pipe dope on his nose!
The apprentice ran to the woman of the house to tell her the dog had eaten some pipe dope. She immediately called a veterinarian, while the worker called his office, which in turn contacted the manufacturer to find out what kind of chemicals were in the pipe dope.
It turned out that there was nothing harmful in it. The manufacturer recommended, however, that the lady follow the dog around with a bushel basket for about a day!
*"No, you idiot, you don't rod drains with THAT kind of snake!" A resident of an apartment building in Hamilton, Ontario, lost a pet boa constrictor when it escaped down his toilet. A month later it was discovered by a downstairs neighbor when the snake stuck its head out from her toilet. The horrified woman screamed, which apparently frightened the creature into retreating down the trap. It subsequently reappeared several times.
The toilet was removed and several attempts made to lure the snake out of the pipe by placing a dead rat in the bathroom, without success. "I can't handle this," the shook-up lady told a UPI reporter covering the story.
Word reached the Hamilton Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who arranged to take pipe apart in the unit below trying to get at the pet snake. There they found it dead, apparently from suffocation or drowning.
Strangely, the terrified woman whose home became the boa's final resting place reacted with remorse. "I didn't want the snake dead," she said. "I hate snakes, but I wanted them to take him out alive."
Oh yeah? Hey, lady, if you hadn't scared the poor thing half to death with your screams, he might still be slithering! You'll have that on your conscience for the rest of your life.
Thanks to Plumbing & Mechanical magazine for sharing these tales.


Haylee Becker and Megan Legates (right) of Food not Bombs feed the homeless… (Jim Rassol, Sun Sentinel )
FORT LAUDERDALE — Feeding the hungry: On its face, it seems a well-meaning activity that should invite commendation, not condemnation.
Yet two Florida cities, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando, are wrestling with the thorny issue of how to restrict people from meting out meals to the homeless. The practice, officials say, draws undesirable types to public parks, encourages littering and repels free-spending tourists from downtown — and downtown businesses.
A recent appellate court ruling has reignited the issue, leading to a score of arrests, claims of police harassment and a protest rally planned for Friday. On Tuesday, for the second time in as many weeks, computer hackers who support homeless feeding targeted Orlando-related websites.
At the center of the storm is a 30-year-old national group called Food Not Bombs. It's made up mostly of young social activists whose goal is to expose what they view as a flawed economic system by sharing vegetarian meals with the homeless.
Its logo: a clenched fist brandishing a carrot.
"It's to bring attention to the fact that we have a huge population of down-and-out people," said Haylee Becker, an earnest 19-year-old Fort Lauderdale woman with the words Respect, Teach, Learn and Peace tattooed on her ankle.
"The political statement we're making is that we want the people who have the ability and the power and the funding to do something about it."
The people with the power did do something. Both cities enacted laws against feeding the homeless in public parks. Fort Lauderdale's law was overturned in 2002, and Food Not Bombs has been feeding dozens of homeless twice a week in Stranahan Park for about five years.
The loosely structured group also feeds homeless people in West Palm Beach, Hollywood and Miami.
Orlando's 2006 law against public feeding was also struck down at first, but in April a federal appeals court upheld the city's right to regulate the practice. Food Not Bombs kept to its twice-weekly feeding schedule in Lake Eola Park, so this month police began arresting its members, labeled "food terrorists" by Mayor Buddy Dyer. About 25 have been jailed so far.
The arrests have reverberated internationally, with 80,000 postings on Facebook in early June, a PR gaffe for a tourist-dependent city. "Good Samaritans ARRESTED and facing jail … for handing out food" read a headline in Britain's Daily Mail.
In light of Orlando's court victory, Fort Lauderdale officials are crafting a similar ordinance to curtail Food Not Bombs' feedings.
"We're trying to figure out how to regulate the time, place and manner of the feeding within the structure of the … Orlando case," City Attorney Harry Stewart said. "We're in the planning stage at this point." A law could be enacted by year's end, he added.
But Fort Lauderdale doesn't intend to duplicate Orlando's misstep. "I'm aware of what's happening up there," Mayor Jack Seiler said. "Our goal is not to go out and start arresting people for feeding the homeless."
Still, the mayor, who has been known to swing a serving spoon at assistance shelters, says the approach taken by Food Not Bombs is only a short-term remedy.
"Just simply taking a homeless person and feeding him so he can remain on the street, are you really doing what you're supposed to be doing?" he said. "My end game is not just the feeding. I want to turn their life around."
Seiler said structured assistance such as temporary lodging, substance abuse treatment and job training could better channel the homeless toward permanent homes and employment.
Food Not Bombs, however, views the problem on a grander scale. "I like how the city is taking steps to help people, but are they really helping people?" said Becker, who has spoken before the Fort Lauderdale City Commission. "It's really an issue with our social, political and economic system. It should be changed to help these people."
While arrests may not result from any new Fort Lauderdale law, Food Not Bombs members say they have already been harassed by police.
In February, they said, a Florida Power & Light inspector arrived unannounced at the "Swamp," a house five members rent in the South Middle River neighborhood, and shut off the power after declaring the place unsafe. Within hours, they said, a squad of Fort Lauderdale police arrived, frisked residents, told them the house was uninhabitable and demanded to know if they were "terrorists."
Police returned to the blue, tumble-down house several times over the following days to question them, residents said.
Police reports detail how earlier this year, officers responding to "citizen complaints" put the address under surveillance, and several times tried unsuccessfully to buy drugs from house residents.


text:
THE OWNERS of a cafe business on the West Port say the economic climate has forced them to close their day time cafe.
Tomorrow (Saturday), OBs will close its doors for the last time after opening in July 2004 as a cafe during the day and a youth drop-in at night.
However, a fall in sales has meant the business cannot carry on operating during the day and a decision has been taken to close.
A spokesperson for OBs said: “Over the last almost nine years we have tried to offer good food at reasonable prices as well as volunteering and work experience placements to a variety of people, some of whom have gone onto paid employment with us.
“Unfortunately the economic climate has had its effect on us like so many others and with a drop in sales we have found that we can no longer continue with the daytime cafe.”
But despite the closure during the day, OBs will be continuing their drop-in sessions on an evening.
The spokesperson continued: “We will continue to run our youth work activities in the evenings, this includes a girls’ group on Monday nights and a youth drop-in on Friday and Saturday evenings, all of which are aimed at secondary school aged young people.
“Our Hot Chocolate work will also continue with us giving out hot chocolate around the streets of Arbroath on Saturday evenings to young people congregating on street corners and parks.
Should anyone be interested in renting the premises from us during the day please ‘phone Sheila on 07752467654.”
At Christmas 2010 the premises suffered severe flooding when a burst pipe sent water gushing everywhere. However, OBs managed to clean up the shop and continue to trade until now.
And their spokesperson added: “We want to say a huge thank you to the many loyal customers that we have had, many of whom have been coming in since we opened in 2004.
“Our thanks also go to staff and volunteers present and past who have made OBs the cafe it has been.”


text:
Address: 3415 Luke Powers Rd Lake Charles, LA 70615, USA
$26,000: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms in Lake Charles
Single Family Home for sale by owner in Lake Charles, LA 70615. This home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and nearly 2000 square feet! Combine that with the huge lot and rural setting, it makes this an AWESOME opportunity for investors & homeowners alike! With some TLC, this home could DOUBLED in value in no time... This surely will not last long, but our loss is your gain. Considering we MUST sell this home by the end of the month, we are considering ALL cash offers!!! Bring a contract, and close ... See site for full property details.
Click to enlarge
Address: 3415 Luke Powers Rd, Lake Charles, LA 70615, USA

domain: finance