What Kinds of Damage Can Auto Body Repairs Repair Help With?
When the car frame is badly damaged, this drastically reduces maximum disability, it poses a significant risk to both passengers and the driver on the road, and it reduces overall mechanical issues for the car. In addition to these obvious risks, poorly maintained frame damage may cause more serious mechanical issues for your car if not addressed quickly. Even if you are not experiencing any major mechanical problems with your car at this time, consider taking action for car frame repairs. Visit this link for more info.
If the frame has been severely damaged by an accident, there will be some visible damage around the entire perimeter of the vehicle. Depending on where the accident occurred, some of the damaged area may need some restoration work. Some areas may be easier to resolve than others, but even if you do not have all the money or tools needed to completely fix the damage, you can still take steps to lessen the impact. Many car frame repair kits are available, and a few simple repairs to a badly damaged frame should give you great results. You should consult with an expert before attempting any serious modifications to your frame.
The most common type of damage to a car frame occurs in two different spots: side seam damage and top jamb damage. Side seam damage often occurs when a vehicle comes to a screeching stop and rolls over, sometimes with a loud bang. When this happens, the frame rubs against the underside of the sheet metal, which in turn pulls on the side seams. These damages are extremely easy to repair, simply replace the damaged material with a new piece and apply glue to hold it in place. Most times this is all that is needed for the car frame repair. Click here to get started.
Top jamb damage occurs when a vehicle comes to a stop abruptly and rolls down the road in one of two ways: on the left or right side. In either case, the frame either pulls away from the fender or digs into the fender in order to get back in position. This is usually easy to repair, simply apply some metal shims to make sure the damage is level and use some caulk to fill any gaps to keep the new piece in place. After the repair is finished, inspect the damage for further signs of damage. If you notice rust or corrosion on any of the parts, these are best replaced before finishing the repair. This will keep the rest of the bodywork in good shape for longer.
All vehicles have the possibility of encountering a rollover, which is a highly dangerous situation where the body of your vehicle moves unexpectedly out of alignment with the framework. When this happens, the rollover will not only damage your vehicle but may kill someone if the accident is not stopped quickly enough. As far as prevention goes, it is best to avoid making sharp turns, weaving in and out of traffic, driving over bumps in the road, getting into collisions with large trucks, and watching for the signs of damage. If you notice any damage to your frame, you should take action as soon as possible. You do not want to wait until the accident has completely healed before taking action. A small dent can be quite sufficient to cause an accident, especially if you are not wearing the proper safety equipment.
Most damage to a vehicle's frame can be fixed with frame repairs. It is important to make sure that the repair is done by someone who is qualified and experienced to do so. Check with your local Department of Motor Vehicles to see who they recommend helping you with this important task.
Find more car maintenance tips at http://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-maintenance-tips-for-ke_b_12779620.
Car Frame Repair Tips
A car frame repair is a project that is very complex and has many details to be taken care of if you want to make sure that your project is a success. From there, a step by step guideline will develop and give you an estimate, detailing the cost of all necessary repairs. Many certified technicians are also skilled at doing all kinds of car body repair, regardless of what make or model of car you own, you will get the help you require here. In many cases, certified repair centers offer their customers a free consultation where they can come and look at your vehicle to determine the scope of their work. This will save you from having to pay extremely high prices for labor and start-up fees. See more here.
Auto repair experts will often use fiberglass reinforced plastics and iron in their auto repair work, as well as other metals and alloys. For most serious car frame damage, you may be looking at needing some kind of patching or restoration, which will require a trained technician to do. Metal is a great material for rebuilding a frame, because it is strong and durable and comes in a wide range of colors. If you have metal frame damage, then you may also have rust damage as well. To combat this, metalworkers often run a rust solution or paste onto the metal, and use a primer to seal and protect it.
There are lots of things that can cause damage to a car frame, such as accidents, extreme weather conditions, mechanical damage, and so many other things. If you have any doubt about the extent of your frame damage, don't hesitate to take it to a certified mechanic to determine the scope of damage. If you are not sure whether your frame is damaged, then you should take it to an auto repair center, where a qualified expert can determine the extent of damage, and give you some suggestions on how to restore your vehicle. They will probably suggest to you a few different options for fixing the damage, and give you information on how much the repairs will cost you. If you are unsure what to do, go with the suggested option most times, but keep in mind that sometimes these fixes can cost more than just repairing the damage. Click here to find a trusted car frame repair expert.
There are plenty of ways to find a good, state-of-the-art auto repair shop if you are in a bad car frame repair situation. Check with your state's Department of Insurance, or call the BBB (Better Business Bureau) to find out the names of certified car frame repairs in your area. Call several technicians, and evaluate their customer service, techniques, and methods of restoring vehicles. Ask them how long they have been in business, and whether they are affiliated with any larger organizations, like auto manufacturers.
Look at their website, and take advantage of the opportunity to see photos of their technicians. Find out how long they have been in business, and contact them with any questions you may have. Make sure that your technician is fully trained on auto body repair, and that they are using the proper factory specifications for your make and model. Look for guarantees, warranties, and free shipping. If they offer these things, then you've definitely found an excellent service center.
If your vehicle has rolled over or hit a tree, the chances are that there will be frame damage beneath the hood. These frames are made from sheet metal, which becomes bent when it is constantly hit hard, like a door knock. Rolled-over frames are not only dangerous, but they are very unsightly, as well. Repairs can be tricky and can potentially lead to bigger problems.
To know more, check out http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Car-Maintenance-and-Repair.
How to Repair Your Car's Frame
Many car owners wonder if they should consider car frame repair after an accident. The simple answer is yes. If your car frame is badly damaged, this greatly reduces maximum disability, it poses a definite danger to the driver and passengers on the road, and lowers optimal functionality of the vehicle itself. In addition to these obvious dangers, poorly-maintained frame damage may also lead to other mechanical problems for your car if not taken care of promptly. Here are some of the other reasons to consider car frame repair. To hire the number one car frame repair service, click here.
One of the more obvious reasons to consider car frame repair after an accident is sway damage. Swaying and affecting a vehicle's performance at high speeds, especially in wet conditions, is easily one of the most frustrating causes of auto accidents. Even the slightest jolt can have a huge impact on the handling of your vehicle, and the effects don't usually take away just because the vehicle is driven away. Sometimes, the damage is so severe that the only solution is frame replacement. But how does sway damage occur?
Severe frame damages are typically caused by accidents involving large vehicles such as trucks, SUV's, and sport utility vehicles. These types of vehicles are built sturdy, but they are not immune to damage. When large objects are to crash into them, they can experience major damage. Luckily, car frame repair is available in all sizes and types of vehicles, so you won't have any problem finding a company that can properly service your car frame. If your frame has sustained some serious damage, you may have to go to a body shop or other specialized repair facility. Find the best car frame repair now!
Another cause of frame damage is when they are hit head on by other vehicles. If your car or truck has side collisions with another vehicle that is moving in the opposite direction, the impact will push the frame into the air. The airbags installed on the vehicle can also contribute to this type of damage since they are designed to deploy at the first sign of a collision. Even if the airbags are activated, they won't be able to fix the frame on its own.
Most often, car or truck frame straightening services must be done after the vehicle has been damaged by a collision. It isn't possible for a body shop or specialty shop to re-shape a severely damaged frame without some type of assist, and often the only option is to install heavy alloy wheels, tires, and other modifications. This type of extra help is typically needed when the frame needs to be replaced after experiencing an accident. In addition, other car repair options are only available for those with a specific set of parts that must be replaced after a collision.
Fortunately, there are many different types of frame repairs that can be performed depending on the location of the damage, its severity, and the type of frame it is made from. These repairs vary from simple coatings and sealing to completely replacing the whole piece. Depending on what options are available, you might be able to return to driving your car as soon as possible. If a full frame repair isn't possible, consider contacting a local specialty repair shop that specializes in this type of automotive work. They will be able to determine if you need to have your vehicle further modified or if a simple coat of paint will suffice. If you choose to do this on your own, it is important to follow all recommendations and guidelines, as doing so could void any warranty coverage you have remaining.


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Witness the excellent masterpieces of famous artists i.e. Donatello's David and Michelangelo's Bacchus as you visit the renowned Bargello National Museum
Explore one of the oldest buildings of Florence and grab an opportunity to learn about the history of the prison made in the 18th century
Admire the magnificent artworks created by well-known artists i.e. Giambologna and Gian Lorenzo Bernini while strolling through the museum
Gain insight into Rome's ancient culture as you see various masterpieces like Portrait of Brutus and Tondo Pitti in this Renaissance museum
Activity Location: 4, Via del Proconsolo, 50122, Florence
Operational Timings: 8:15 AM- 1:50 PM
Activity Duration: 2-3 Hours (Approx)
About the Bargello National Museum Tickets, Florence:
Visit the famous Bargello national museum and gain some insight into ancient Rome’s history & culture by exploring this 13th century built museum in Florence. See a range of outstanding masterworks and art pieces made by renowned Italian artists like Cellini, Verrocchio, Luca della Robbia, Donatello, and more. Marvel at the amazing collection of furniture, textiles, bronzes, & waxes while exploring various areas of the museum. Book tickets for Bargello National Museum and know about the history of the city’s oldest building which was once a prison.
About the Bargello National Museum Tickets:
How to Reach?
Yes, the Bargello National Museum in Florence, Italy offers guided tours for visitors. The museum has several guided tour options available, including tours focused on specific art collections or historical periods, as well as general tours that cover the highlights of the museum's collection.
Yes, tickets for the Bargello National Museum in Florence, Italy are available for purchase online. Purchasing tickets online allows visitors to skip the queue at the entrance and save time.
Yes, you can book tickets in advance for the Bargello National Museum in Florence, Italy. It is recommended to book tickets in advance to avoid long queues and ensure availability, especially during peak tourist seasons.
Yes, there are several discounts available for tickets to the Bargello National Museum. You will avail great deals and discounts on every purchase. It allows you to avoid long queues and wait times that you may experience while purchasing the tickets on-site and gives you more time to enjoy your visit.
To skip the lines at the Bargello National Museum, visitors can purchase their tickets in advance online. There are also guided tours available that include skip-the-line access, allowing visitors to bypass the ticket queue and enter the museum hassle-free and without delay.
The time needed to explore the Bargello Museum largely depends on your personal interests and pace. However, it is recommended to allocate at least 2-3 hours to explore the museum and appreciate its art collections, especially if you are an art enthusiast. The museum also offers guided tours that provide a more in-depth experience, but these may require additional time.
The best time to visit the Bargello National Museum is during the early morning hours or in the late afternoon, as the museum tends to be less crowded during these times. Additionally, visiting during the shoulder season (April to June and September to November) may provide a more enjoyable experience, as the crowds are typically smaller than during the peak summer months.
The Bargello National Museum, also known as the Museo Nazionale del Bargello, is famous for its collection of Renaissance art and sculpture. The museum is located in the historic Palazzo del Bargello in Florence, Italy, and houses a diverse range of works from renowned artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello, and Cellini. The museum's impressive collection includes medieval and Renaissance sculptures, ceramics, and decorative arts, as well as notable works of art from the 14th to the 17th century, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers and history enthusiasts.
The Bargello National Museum houses a wide variety of art, ranging from medieval to Renaissance pieces. The museum's collection includes impressive sculptures, including some of the most famous works by Donatello, such as his bronze David and St. George Tabernacle, as well as works by Michelangelo and Cellini. The museum also features a vast array of decorative arts, including textiles, ceramics, and jewelry, as well as paintings by artists like Fra Angelico and Taddeo Gaddi.
The Bargello National Museum has a rich history dating back to the 13th century when the building served as the headquarters of the city's police force. The building was later converted into a museum in the mid-19th century to house a collection of medieval and Renaissance art. Over time, the museum's collection grew to include some of the most important works of Italian Renaissance art, making it a must-visit destination for art lovers and historians alike.
The Bargello National Museum is home to a significant collection of Renaissance art, with many famous works on display. Some of the most notable pieces include Donatello's David and St. George Tabernacle, Michelangelo's Brutus and Bacchus sculptures, and the bronze relief panels of the Gates of Paradise by Lorenzo Ghiberti. Other highlights include Andrea della Robbia's Madonna and Child, works by Benvenuto Cellini, and the delicate maiolica ceramics of Luca della Robbia.
The Bargello National Museum is open from 8:15 am to 2 pm every day, except on the first, third, and fifth Mondays of each month when it is open from 8:15 am to 7:00 pm. It is closed on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, as well as on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Yes, the Bargello National Museum is open on Sundays, except for the first, third, and fifth Sundays of each month when it has extended opening hours until 7:00 pm. On those particular Sundays, the museum is closed at 2:00 pm.
Yes, the Bargello National Museum is accessible to people with disabilities. The museum is equipped with elevators and ramps to facilitate access for visitors with mobility issues, and audio guides and Braille materials are also available for blind and visually impaired visitors.
Yes, visitors are allowed to take photographs inside the Bargello National Museum, but without the use of a flash or a tripod. However, photography may be prohibited in specific galleries or exhibitions, and visitors are advised to follow any instructions or signs posted in those areas.
The Bargello National Museum is located in the heart of Florence, Italy, and can be easily accessed by public transportation, including buses and trains. The museum is within walking distance of many of Florence's most famous landmarks, including the Duomo, and is also easily accessible by taxi or private car.
The customer receives a confirmation voucher via email within 1 business hours of successful booking.
In case the preferred slots are unavailable, an alternate schedule of the customer’s preference will be arranged and a new confirmation voucher will be sent via email.
Alternatively, the customer may choose to cancel their booking before confirmation and a full refund will be processed.
Thrillcash+ : All the refund in Thrillophilia wallet will be transferred in 30 Min.
Cash Refunds: Once initiated, usually take around 3-5 business days to get transferred to the same account through which the payment is made.

domain: history


‘Deep House & Tech Vol.1’ is now available for Ableton Live with much more new content including Custom Audio Drum Racks, Patches for Sampler & Simpler, Audio Loops and One Shots in WAV, AIFF & REX2!
This Ableton Live pack contains all you need to get your groove on. 10 Drum Construction Kits including Drums, Bass, Synth & FX. 79 professionally recorded Audio Loops have been broken down into component parts including: Full Loop, Kick, Clap, Snare, Hats, Percussion and many more. Loops are eight Bars long and can be looped with reverb and delay tails intact. Also included are old school synth chords, sound effects and deep analogue basslines.
Analogue Drum Computer Series
All drum sounds in the Analogue Drum Computer Series have been made using an Elektron ‘Analog Rytm Drum Computer’.The ‘Rytm’ features an 8 voice analogue drum machine together with sample playback, analogue compressor & distortion circuits which give these sounds a unique and full character!
10 Drum Construction Kits.
79 Eight-Bar Loops in WAV, AIFF & REX2 (Also includes 79 Four-Bar Rex2 Loops).
120 Analogue One Shots (Kicks, Claps, Snares, Percussions, Hats, Synths, Bass, FX).
10 Custom Drum Racks with audio effects and 16 Macros assigned.
10 Drum Kits with 8 Macros assigned.
10 Drum Kit Example Midi Files.
16 Custom Bass & Synth Racks with 8 Macros, Velocity, Mod Wheel and Aftertouch assigned.
16 Sampler Instruments.
16 Simpler Instruments
Custom Drum Racks include EQ, Bit Crusher, Filter and Reverb with Macros assigned.
Custom Bass Racks include EQ & Limiter with Macros assigned.
Custom Synth Racks include EQ, Delay, Chorus, Reverb and Limiter with Macros assigned.
10 Old School Synths in WAV & AIFF
10 Custom Old School Synth Racks with 8 Macros, Velocity, Mod Wheel and Aftertouch assigned.
10 Custom Old School Synth Sampler Instruments with Velocity, Mod Wheel and Aftertouch assigned.
10 Custom Old School Synth Simpler Instruments with Velocity, Mod Wheel and Aftertouch assigned.
6 Custom Drum ‘Hit Type’ Racks with 8 Macros Assigned.
6 Drum ‘Hit Type’ Kits with 8 Macros Assigned
Please Note: Ableton Live 9 or above & Ableton ‘Sampler’ required (not included).
Genre: Deep House, Tech House, House, Bassline House.
Format: Ableton Live Pack.
Pack Size: 1.10 GB. (download size: 895 MB)
Included File Types: .adg, .adv, rx2, .wav, .mid, .aiff.
Loops Recorded at: 122 Bpm.
Audio: 24 bit/44.1kHz.


The third Ark & Sea save the ocean long-sleeve tee in the series. With every tee sold helping to remove 1kg/2.2 pounds of plastic from the ocean, which is equivalent to 80 plastic bottles.
The conservations we work with help to protect our oceans and their beautiful wildlife. They help to increase habitat protection in key marine turtle areas, create one of the biggest havens for dugongs along the Great Barrier Reef, reduce plastic pollution in our oceans and work towards a national network of whale, dolphin and marine turtle sanctuaries.
This cotton long-sleeve tee has a classic cotton look and feel.
Crew neck, longer body, cuffed sleeves, split detail at sides, slight drop at back
Heavy weight, 200 GSM, 20-singles
100% carded cotton
Neck ribbing, side seamed, shoulder to shoulder tape, double-needle bottom hem, preshrunk to minimise shrinkage
Our clothing is hand-printed and may vary from print to print.
We use eco-friendly watercolour inks. While also using environmentally friendly screen printing techniques that don't involve chemicals, emulsions or other harmful materials.


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a beautifully written story,
Verified Purchase(What is this?)
This review is from: The Unmarried Mother (Paperback)
Amazing book about the difficult life of the author.
Given her circumstances she led a very remarkable life which was painfully difficult so often.
She has told her story beautifully without self pity or in any way miserable, but just in a sweet matter of fact way.
I am glad she found happiness and that finally knew love.
Her mother was a strange character who you almost found it difficult to realise she was true, and reminded me of someone.
I wondered if she omitted something about her ex husband and what became of him.
Remarkable book given the age of the writer

domain: literature


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I can’t get too worked up about the national election’s impact on Western land issues.
I don’t live in a state where oil and gas development is roaring through publicly owned lands the way it’s doing in Wyoming and Colorado. Democrats still have enough votes in Idaho’s Senate to stop legislation that fundamentally changes the way we protect our birthright.
Most of all, I see Westerners beginning to develop a new consensus on how they value the landscape we all share. The place that shapes my perspective is Owyhee County, Idaho.
This 4.9 million acres of rolling sagebrush, sharp and deep canyonlands and juniper-covered mountains is one of the most remote places in the Lower 48 states. Here, ranchers ran their cattle like it was open range well into the 1960s.
I first came to Owyhee County in 1996 to cover a hearing in its tiny courthouse. The Bureau of Land Management had proposed reducing grazing on a large chunk of the nearly 80 percent of the county owned by the federal government.
People were fighting mad. Angry ranchers and their families spilled out of the little courtroom to the edge of the desolate highway in front. The county commission was focusing opposition through its land-use committee, formed to assert what it considered was its right to be a direct party to BLM decisions. Its leader was consultant Fred Kelly Grant, a former Maryland prosecutor and defense attorney, who came home to Idaho to fight for private property rights.
Grant was arguing that ranchers had rights on federal lands, not just permits. He expected the federal government to recognize those rights and the value ranchers had developed on those lands through long hours, sweat and financial risks.
Banks and estate judges recognized those values, and Grant and others like him expected the federal government to as well. If not, Grant insisted, money was owed the ranchers.
During the Clinton years, men and women who shared Grant’s views fought the federal government all across the West. They were labeled the Wise Use movement, and most observers saw them as either a tool of the dying resource industries or a mirror image of the region’s environmental movement.
There is no doubt that these rural residents and many in the environmental movement had very different values and approaches to the land and government. And on either side of the great ideological divide, most people dismissed the idea that both sides could care equally about the wild land and wildlife legacy they shared.
In 2000, environmentalists pressed the Clinton administration to turn more than 2 million acres of Owyhee County into a national monument: Clinton almost did. That’s when Fred Grant came to a pivotal conclusion: Owyhee County’s awesome beauty would eventually get federal protection. It could be on Owyhee County’s terms or somebody else’s.
Three years ago, he recommended that the county seek federal legislation to address wilderness and grazing issues before a future president did so unilaterally. He told commissioners they would have to work with environmentalists to succeed.
In October, in that same courtroom, Owyhee County Commission Chairman Hal Tolmie and Shoshone-Paiute Tribal Chairman Terry Gibson handed Idaho Republican Sen. Mike Crapo a proposal for protecting 517,194 acres of wilderness and 384 miles of rivers protected as "wild and scenic." Every public-lands rancher in the county had individually signed off on wilderness creation in his area.
Conservationists and ranchers hugged. Then, they and motorized recreationists gave Grant a standing ovation for his remarkable mediation of a deal that gives ranchers additional peer review of BLM actions and a locally driven program for landscape management.
Sen. Crapo still needs to get it approved by Congress, a daunting task with ideologues on both sides of the debate skeptical and hostile. But this collaborative wilderness settlement reveals how much the debate has shifted since the 1980s.
Ranchers who bitterly fought environmentalists over a long line of issues for decades are walking the halls of Congress to lobby for the largest wilderness bill in a generation. How did this happen?
All conservationists had to give up was the idea that the ranchers have to go. Inez Jaca, a rancher who sat on the panel with environmentalists and others to negotiate the deal, said the key for both sides was finding common ground.
"So many of the folks we always thought were in opposition to what we believe were not," Jaca said. "What we learned is we all wanted to preserve the land."
I expect there will be enough fights in the next four years to keep an environmental reporter like me busy. But there also may be some celebrations. This time in Idaho, Westerners may get to celebrate together.

domain: sociology


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Is it time to reframe the assisted dying debate?
Several articles published by The BMJ today explore the debate around assisted dying, in which, subject to safeguards, terminally ill people who are near to death, suffering, and of sound mind, could ask for drugs that they would take to end their lives.
The views expressed are the authors' own and do not reflect the position of any organisation that they are associated with.
Lucy Thomas is a consultant in public health who also works closely with patients with life-limiting illnesses and their families. This experience has led her to question why assisted dying is framed as a medical solution to a medical problem and to propose radically de-medicalising the debate.
She points to studies showing that physical symptoms are not predictive, or only weakly predictive, of the desire to hasten death, whereas depression, hopelessness, and perception of being a burden are the strongest predictors.
She argues that responding to a patient's expressed desire to end life in a fundamentally different way depending on whether or not they have a serious illness or disability institutionalises discriminatory attitudes about the relative value of different lives.
She states that "with medical criteria for what constitutes an acceptable reason for ending life, and with doctors as the arbiters and administrators, medically-assisted dying extends medical authority rather than enhancing patient autonomy, with deeply damaging unintended consequences".
So what happens if we challenge this profoundly medicalised perspective, she asks?
She believes that moving outside the medical frame "brings the fundamental ethical and practical dilemmas into focus, facilitating serious discussion about how society should respond to those with mental capacity and a consistent desire to end life prematurely."
Discussions should include philosophical issues such as what constitutes a rational decision to end one's life, as well as more practical questions such as how could we judge whether an individual's desire to end life is a response to circumstances that should be challenged rather than accepted, how could we predict that someone's desire to end life could never be reversed and, if society were to legalise assistance to end life, who would be best placed to provide it?
As with any issue as complex as this, there are no easy answers or simple solutions, concludes Thomas. "Acknowledging this profound complexity may be the first step towards a more constructive debate."
In a second article, Paul Cosford, Emeritus Medical Director at Public Health England explains how incurable lung cancer has prompted him to consider again his personal views on assisted dying.
"I never wanted to be a supporter of changing the law in favour of assisted dying," he writes. "I have always thought that the law is too blunt an instrument to deal well with the complexities of such difficult moral and ethical issues."
He points to the dangers—that assisted dying becomes an expectation, not just an option in certain clearly defined circumstances, and that the lives of people who are seriously ill, who live with disability, or are just different from the norm might be devalued.
These are genuine concerns, he says, but he is convinced that it is time to look at this again. "We need to set aside entrenched positions on each side of the debate and look openly at the problems faced by people at the end of their lives," he writes.
"We need to understand why rational, law abiding people sometimes feel compelled to travel to Switzerland for such care, often not telling their families why they are going. And we need to understand why their loved ones are sometimes prosecuted afterwards for helping them."
"Surely this tells us that our current arrangements are inhumane," he concludes. "I, among others, would be happy to help with such a review."
More open-minded and constructive conversations about end-of-life choice is also something that general practitioner Dr. Zoe Norris calls for in a linked opinion article.
She acknowledges that doctors have expertise to offer on this important topic, but says "we must ensure the full breadth of opinion is represented, and we should not allow our contributions to the debate to drown out others' especially not those of our patients."
Regardless of our own personal views, "we cannot ignore the voices of those who have witnessed first-hand the horrific things that can happen when we deny people choice and control over their death," she writes. "I believe as doctors it is our duty to listen to them."
"The BMJ supports the legalisation of assisted dying," says Dr. Fiona Godlee, Editor in chief. "The great majority of the British public are in favour and there is now good evidence that it works well in other parts of the world, as a continuation of care for patients who request it and are in sound mind.
"We believe that this should be a decision for Society and Parliament, and that medical organisations should adopt at least a neutral position to allow an open and informed public debate."
More information: Essay: Demedicalisation: radically reframing the assisted dying debate, www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m2919
Essay: The bench: reflections on an incurable diagnosis and control at the end of life, www.bmj.com/content/371/bmj.m3716
Opinion: "Last Rights" makes the case for assisted dying, blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/10/01/z … e-for-assisted-dying


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In the process of putting stuff away, I found a length of fabric which I'd sort of forgotten I'd got. And then another. And another. So I hit upon the idea of photographing all my fabrics, printing off the result, and pinning it somewhere prominent so that when I'm tempted to buy more fabric I'll remember just how much I've already got.
How could this possibly not work (answers on a postcard please)? But in an attempt to increase the chances of success, I'm posting the evidence here. That way if I do buy any more fabric, I've got a whole lot of explaining to do.
I should explain that the photographs were just quick snaps taken as a record, so don't accurately reflect colour, are not always entirely in focus, and aren't to any consistent scale. But let's take a look at what we've got, shall we?
In no particular order:
This is a vintage fabric; 1920s, French. It's cotton, quite stiff, very narrow, and printed slightly off-grain. I've had it a while and am not sure what to do with it. Probably I'll use it for something very simple, from the period when it was made, and padded out with a matching plain cotton.
This is a modern synthetic fabric, but it always makes me think of eighteenth century wallpaper! It's destined for Butterick 6018, but I've not decided which version yet.
This is actually a georgette, and will need some sort of underlining. Ignore the shadow at the bottom. I'm thinking floaty, bias-cut, possibly 1930s?
The first of a great many dress-weight cottons. No idea yet.
This is going to become Vogue 2903 . . .
. . . this view.
This is a really fine cotton, so fine that it will need underlining. I'm planning a self-drafted 1950s dress from this, but first I've got to stop the colour from running!
Another print which simply begs to be made into a 1950s dress. And I have just the pattern, Butterick 6877.
Pale green with white spots. No idea.
More 1950s-inspired. It's actually a pale blue background, it got a bit washed-out in the photograph.
I haven't decided yet what to make from it yet, it's quite crisp.
Separates! I very rarely make separates, but found this lovely warm brown viscose in Venice (ooh, get me!), and bought enough to make a skirt. The top fabric is a printed silk, which was being sold off in a shop in Goldhawk Road for a mere £5 a metre. At that price it seemed rude not to buy some.
More dress-weight cotton. So 1970s that it can only be used for one thing.
Yes, it could be time to break out this.
If you wait long enough, you will find the perfect fabric eventually. I've had this Maudella pattern for several years now. Some pieces are cut on the bias, the rest on the straight grain, so it really needs a fabric which will show this off to effect.
On my most recent trip to Goldhawk Road last December, I found this. Matching the stripes down the centre front will be a challenge!
This incredibly complex print came from Fabrix in Lancaster.
I'm going to use it for Style 2170; a pattern which I've had for so long that it might, just, qualify for the Vintage Pledge!
This fabric is more green than the image suggests, and quite a thick cotton. I'm thinking 1960s boxy.
I've posted about this before, but not made it up yet. It's going to be Vogue 8875 (and it should look a lot more pink).
I want to make this remnant into Butterick 5707, but there's not quite enough, so I'm going to have to get creative somehow.
There's also not enough of this sightly bizarre viscose bird print remnant to make up the full-skirted version of New Look 6094, so I'm planning to include some contrast sections.
The only thing I've decided about this 1950s style print from John Lewis is that I'll use it for a dress with buttons, because I've got some vintage buttons in the same green.
I've had this fabric since, ahem, 1993. Yes, it's been in my stash for 23 years! The problem is, it's fallen victim to Special Fabric Syndrome - where you end up saving fabric for something really fabulous, but nothing is quite fabulous enough, so it never gets used.
This red/green shot silky fabric was really hard to photograph, but you get the idea. I'm going to use it for Vogue 9126, because I think that the gathering will really accentuate the shot effect.
This is another remnant, and quite a small one. However there should be just enough for the centre panels of New Look 6209.
This small flowery print will probably become another CC41 dress.
This was originally intended for Vogue 8850, but now I'm not so sure.
Finally, another remake. I really want to make Vogue 9546 again, this time in two different fabrics. I'd been eyeing the red and green print in my local fabric shop for some time, but couldn't think what I could make from it. Yes, this is occasionally enough to stop me! Then I found the plain red below, which was a perfect match, and it all became clear.
So that's the stash, in all its embarrassing glory. I don't expect to make up all of it, or even most of it, but at least now that I've put it all out there, I've got an incentive to get some of it made. Certainly I'm not short of ideas for this year's Vintage Sewing Pattern Pledge!

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General Electric, or General Eclectic?
General Electric Co. (NYSE: GE) was down close to 45% in 2017, and while it was the worst Dow stock of 2017 it got off to a great start. It’s way too soon to see a turnaround early in 2018, but later on in the year this may be more of a turnaround if some things can continue. If not, let’s just say that the pitch-story that newly appointed CEO John Flannery will have is to break GE up into pieces to start over.
Analysts were burned so badly by Jeff Immelt’s tenure, and the post-Immelt period was one in which Flannery simply has not been able to recapture the company’s narrative. It was just too easy to blast GE and its disappointing past. Now GE is valued at closer to 18 times earnings for 2017 and 2018, if the company lives up to these slashed expectations. And oil prices and gas prices have firmed up enough (over $60 a barrel oil) that the Baker Hughes situation (and ultimate exit) may be tenable again. And of course GE stands to win big in the world of jet engines with all of the new planes out in recent years and coming into the fleets in the next decade.
At $17.34 at the end of 2017, GE was trading at $18.28 after a week of trading in 2018. It has a 52-week range of $17.25 to $31.84, and it had a consensus analyst target of $21.99 at the end of the year. The market cap is $150 billion. GE still pays a dividend yield of 2.8%.
A montage of charts from Stockcharts.com for each of these stocks, versus the Dow and S&P 500, over the trailing months has been shown below.

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"The Internet is rife with unreliable Bali guides, but a good starting point is Bali Discovery Tours, www.balidiscovery.com, which offers a hotel search function, travel tips and news, and last-minute specials.."
Bali Pauses to Remember the 202 Who Perished on October 12, 2002.
On Thursday, October 12, 2006, thousands of local and foreign visitors gathered to pray and remember the 202 people who died in the heartless attack on two Bali night spots 4 years before to the day.
A 14,000 meter long piece of white cloth was stretched from Jimbaran to Kuta, symbolically joining the four terrorist targets of 2002 and 2005, while demonstrating the people of Bali's undying commitment to peace.
Speaking to the Press, Ida Bagus Anom, a local activist said: "In the months following the bombings, the Balinese and their friends showed exemplary emotional restraint and an equally commendable non-violent response to the brutal violence. We want to remind the world and ourselves of the nobility of such restraint and response."
The commemoration began shortly after midnight heralding in October 12th as the cloth was initially unfurled at the Menega Café on Jimbaran beach, site of the October 1, 2005 attack. From there the cloth was opened and walked the 14 kilometers past Bali's airport, past the former site of Raja’s Restaurant in Kuta to the "Ground Zero" monument marking the former location of the Sari Club and Paddy’s Bar.
Speaking at the commemorative ceremony, Australia's Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Bill Farmer told the mourners attending the Bali ceremonies: "We will not allow terrorists to spread disorder and dismay to drive people, faiths and neighbors apart. They have failed utterly and they will not succeed."
He continued: "The hunt for those responsible will continue, and authorities will ensure they are brought to justice." 3 of the perpetrators behind the 2002 bombing have been convicted and are awaiting execution while scores of others have been sentenced to terms in prison.
Government Calls Temporary Halt to Pecatu Golf Project
Community Expresses Concern Over 18-Hole Golf Course Being Constructed on Uluwatu Peninsula.
Following page-one coverage in the Bali press and growing protests from the public, a team of Badung government officials swooped down on the Bali Pecatu Graha Golf Course (BPG) project on Thursday, October 12, 2006, and ordered developers to cease all work until the necessary permits are in hand.
In their defense, the BPG developers claim that the basic permits and environmental studies required by law were in hand, dating from 1995 during the reign of IB Oka as Governor. Since that period, however, new rules on decentralization of authority now mandate the permits from local regencies (in this case, Badung) are now required.
A Growing Water Crisis
Speaking to the Indonesian language Bali Post, a local expert warned that the Ayung River provides most of the water needs of the South Island as well as the four regencies of Tabanan, Badung, Denpasar and Gianyar and that permits for project requiring large amounts of water should be carefully considered before they are granted.
The head of the local environmental authority, Made Adijaya, expressed a similar opinion to the Bali Post, reminding all involved of a warning in place since the mid-1990s urging that hotels and supporting elements be limited in the face of Bali's limited water resources.
The Bali Post also reports that the developers of the BPG project have drilled 4 wells to meet their water requirements and have established a large number of ponds to retain surface water to meet their needs. Drilling into the water table shared with other hotels, housing and a university campus on the peninsula - the 75-meter deep bore holes are reportedly producing water with a high alkaline content.
Outspoken and popular local environmentalist, Professor Adnyana Manuaba has also called into question the wisdom of proceeding with the BPG project given the heavy demand on land and water, two commodities under growing pressure on the island. The award-winning professor also questioned what studies have been carried out in connection with the new project in terms of the island's environmental carrying capacity.
The BPG project is being developed by PT Intra Golflink Resort (IGR), PT Internusa International and PT Dreamland Pecatu Golf.
The proposed 18-hole golf course will be designed by Ronald Fearm of the U.S.A. with members required to pay Rp. 155 million (approximately US$16,850) to join the club.
According to the Bali Post a number of high-profile Indonesians are already listed as charter members of the golf club, including Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Siswono Yudhohusodo, Murdaya Poo and Miranda S. Goeltom.
We Get Mail
Many Readers Offer a Surprising Response to Our Report that Many Bali Tourists are Avoiding Kintamani.
balidiscovery.com's coverage [Kintamani Tourism Suffering] blaming declining visitors to Bali's mountain-top tourist area on lower numbers generally, brought a somewhat surprising flurry of emails suggesting that Kintamani's problems may be more deep-rooted.
• A U.S.A. reader, Shirley Robb, wrote to say:
"Last year we were scheduled to stay at a Kintamani Hotel and Restaurant for two nights. We stayed only one. When we arrived at the resort we were accosted by the vendors in the parking lot. I am very familiar with Bali and know that most vendors are harmless but these were very obnoxious. I was almost afraid. . . The attitude of the people in the Kintamani region is anti-tourist. No wonder their business is faltering. It is too bad as the area is beautiful and the cooler temperature in the daytime is rather refreshing."
• Steve Davis sounded a similar vein :
"I wish the people of Kintamani no ill will, but they are reaping the rewards of their own greed. Word has got out I'm afraid that the area is not a pleasant place to visit due to the aggressive attitude of the street sellers and hawkers. Other areas of Bali should also be aware that people on holiday do not like to be hassled all day, I love Bali and its people but some areas are just too hard sell and drive customers away."
• Bob in Australia contributed:
"Kintamani is one of the best sights of Bali and one place I always recommend to first time visitors. Hope they can view it on a day when there is not too much cloud. However the over persistent and annoying sellers can make the visit unpleasant. A polite no thank you should be enough but this is not the case. Hope something can be done about it. I'm sure the vendors have some part in diminishing visitor numbers."
• Another reader, Alex, commented :
"If they really are interested in bring tourists to the incredibly beautiful Kitamani area, the banjar should re-educate the 'guides' and vendors on how to treat a guest. Virtual banditry and at minimum, intimidation goes on there every day. On the mild side you will be harassed en masse by vendors, chased down by motorbike (while you are in your car) and intimidated and sometimes out and out threatened by 'guides.' This is something that happens every time you go there. It doesn't make for a pleasant experience, and most people will only go through it once. It is a shame, as beauty of this area is a natural magnet for tourism, and would attract many more people but most people who have been to Bali before know about it. In times of weak tourism, this will be one of the first places crossed off the list for anyone who knows about it. I wish they would get their act together, I would go there regularly, but have only gone twice in the many times I've been to Bali (I tried 10 years apart hoping that it changed)...each time I say never again!"
• Christian de Saint Hilaire joined the chorus, adding:
"Some of the problems there are also due to the fact that as soon as you arrive by car your are taxed by 'locals' for passage on the road which is certainly illegal. Also the food on all the small restaurants with a view is to say the least horrible and expensive. Another racket, but not the last, I have been down on the lake, took a boat to visit the small village at the other end When we came back my tyres were punctured and an obliging man offered to repair it for a fee . . .any choice? Kintamani is the only place in Bali where such things happen
So sometimes it is difficult to feel sorry for them."
• And finally, a Balinese student from Australia, Luh Micke Anggraini, presents a slightly different view on the problems of Kintamani.
"This is the time for tourism planners in Bali to do more about what tourism planning is about. We should rejuvenate the major tourist attractions in Bali in this downturn periods while waiting for recovery. Resettle the restaurants and tourist amenities to other places in proximity so they will not interrupt the spectacular view of Mt Batur and the Lake. Walking paths should also be set up. Use the Regional Income of Bali and don't wait for the recovery funds which seem to be unattainable. Hi Jack, I really appreciate for all you have done on this website. I am studying tourism in Australia and keep informed with your updated Bali news. You are the real (online) ambassador of Bali. You belong to Balinese society! Thank you and wish you all the best . . .Rejuvenate Bali 2007."
Popular Former Chief of Police for Bali and Head of Indonesia’s Anti-Narcotics Squad Rushed to Hospital in Bali with Heart Anomaly.
In Bali to attend commemoration ceremonies for the October 12, 2002 Bali Bombing, Bali's former Chief of Police and Head of the National anti-narcotics squads was rushed to Bali's Sanglah General Hospital on Thursday, October 11, 2006.
Treated in the intensive care section of the hospital reserved for coronary cases, a hospital spokesperson told the Indonesian language Denpost that the popular policeman had suffered a "minor" disturbance affecting his heart that was effectively handled by a local team of doctors.
According to reports in the press, Pastika had no personal complaints of pain but was sent to the hospital as a precaution when, during a routine treadmill stress test, results revealed a coronary irregularity. After a brief visit to the Bali hospital, doctors were able to achieve normal parameters in Pastika's test results, permitting him to be sent back to Jakarta for further medical treatment.
Follow up press reports report that Pastika was allowed to return to his home following a 2 night stay at a Jakarta heart clinic.
Pastika, a four-star general in the Indonesian police, was named Time Asia's Newsmaker of the Year for his role in capturing the Bali bombers before being given front-line responsibility in Indonesia's war on drugs.
Improving the Balinese Smile
Mobile Dental Clinic Makes Dental Care Available for the First Time to Children Living in the Remote Hills of East Bali.
On October 6, 2006, the award-winning East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP) has embarked on a program of providing comprehensive free dental health care for the children of Ban village, Kubu Sub District, Karangasem Regency - one of the most isolated and under-served areas of Bali, with the introduction of a fully-equipped Mobile Denal Clinic.
The mobile clinic, owned by the Bali International Women's Association (BIWA) and Bali Hati Foundation, will visit Ban village every Friday and Saturday, staffed by a team of 10-15 dentists and dental students from the Dental Faculty of Mahasaraswati University, led by Drg Panji Triadnya. The operational costs of the visits are covered by EBPP, under an initial three-year joint operation agreement signed by the four parties on September 29, 2006.
The Clinic was officially inaugurated by Dr Ida Ayu Suci Astiti, Head of Karangasem Regency Health Department, representing the Karangasem Regent, Wayan Gredeg. The ceremony, held outside the primary school in Ban village, was attended by 200 school children, EBPP Chairman David Booth, Dental Faculty Dean Drg PA Mahendri, Bali Hati Director Yacintha E Desembriartista, BIWA President, Ms Mayke Boestami, Head of Ban village Ketut Karta and Head of Kubu Sub District Bapak Wayan Sutapa.
"The Mobile Dental Clinic program initiated by Yayasan Ekoturin's East Bali Poverty Project is very helpful for the people who don't have any access to dentists. The Karangasem Regency government thanks Yayasan Ekoturin for helping to improve the health quality of its people, especially children, with dental healthcare and hopes that Yayasan Ekoturin and Karangasem government can (continue to) improve their cooperation in helping more communities in the near future," said Dr. Suci Astiti.
On the first day, 194 children were treated, each receiving an average of one filling and one extraction. Earlier dental surveys showed that the 3,250 children in Ban village, between the ages of 1-12 years, need an average of 3 fillings and one extraction, with another 2,000 in need of treatment for severe gingivitis. As a result, the weekly visits by the mobile dental clinic are essential for each of the 13 schools and 27 community health posts in the village that will be served by this new project.
"When the clinic is not in Ban, it will be used by the other 3 organisations to provide dental health care supplied by the Mahasaraswati Dental faculty and also serve as a clinic for reproductive women's health care in other under-served areas of Bali," explained Dr. Mahendri.
Ekoturin Foundation's East Bali Poverty Project (EBPP), was established in July 1998 to improve the living standards of an isolated mountain area of Bali that is home to over two thousand families. Striving to achieve sensible, ecologically sustainable development, the EBPP avoids hand-outs of money, rice or any other short-term solutions; seeking projects that empower the local community and are in keeping with EBPP's 5 hamlet communities self-declared needs and aspirations.
Nick Deacock, Sydney-based Product Manager of Garuda Orient Holidays, Shares His Views on the State of Bali-Australian Travel.
As the leading wholesaler of travel from Australia to Bali, Garuda Orient Holidays (GOH) is well-positioned to provide an update on the state of Australian-Bali travel and the progress of current efforts to revive that business.
Balidiscovery.com recently caught up with GOH's Product Manager, Nick Deacock for the following exclusive interview.
Balidiscovery.com:Australia numbers are still down dramatically by more than 50% as compared to 2005. What do you see as the lead causes of this downturn?
Deacock: Although statistics show the Australian market languishing 50% down on 2005 levels, I am pleased to say that our (Editor: GOH’s) levels are well above the general trend. There are many reasons why consumer sentiment towards Bali remains soft in Australia, including the obvious terrorist attacks and string of arrests and subsequent court cases of Australian drug smugglers in Bali. Many in Australia do not understand the legal processes which saw the increase in sentence under appeal for some of the Bali Nine smugglers. Some people may have a misplaced fear for their personal security (i.e., their luggage) if they travel to Bali, which is hard to fathom considering Corby's defense was built around the premise her luggage was tampered with in Australia! The Australian DFAT Travel Advisory, which continues to suggest some kind of paranoiac expectation of a terrible future, deters those unfamiliar with Bali.
Recent natural disasters like the eruption of Mt. Merapi, Yogyakarta earthquake and Java tsunami - whilst tragic due to the horrendous loss of life, probably won't have any long-term impact on the tourism industry under normal circumstances. However, the Australian public are being force-fed a diet of 100% bad news - and most of the Australian media are having a field day reporting it.
If the Indonesian Government was serious about tourism, if a professionally managed and well-funded Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board existed, and if just one percent of the revenue raised by the Indonesian Government through tourism was channeled back into promoting Indonesia's ultimate diversity, I doubt Bali's tourism from
Australia would be in the dire predicament we see today.
In late 2005 the Government pledged US$7,000,000 for strategic tourism marketing. Most of those funds have already been spent, according to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Where and how? Considering Australia contributes a huge proportion of the tourist market to Indonesia and Bali, latest reports suggest only 5.7% of the total budget (i.e. US$400,000 out of US$7,000,000) has been earmarked for Australia.
However, more than a year since funds were first pledged, nothing has actually been spent here yet.
Balidiscovery.com:Do you see the Australian market coming back and, if so, in what time frame?
Deacock: There is no doubt Australians will return to Bali. Aussies love Bali and everything the island offers: the peace loving Balinese, the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, the climate, the culture, the history, the scenery, the diversity, the proximity, and the affordability. Garuda Orient Holidays continue to work closely with Garuda Indonesia and our retail partners to promote Bali at a time when other destinations are receiving the majority of marketing expenditure. If, when the promotional budget is put to use, all sectors of the retail/wholesale/airline industry work together, and there are no further 'disruptions' affecting Bali and/or the traveling public, we hope to see Australian tourist levels return to some kind of normalcy by the middle of next year.
Balidiscovery.com:What specific steps are Garuda Indonesia and Garuda Orient Holidays taking to revitalize the travel market to Bali?
Deacock : Our 100-page "Bali on ANY Budget" brochure, website and 'e-brochure' feature over 140 hotels and dozens of tourism activities in Bali, plus adventure sports, overland tours, cultural and historical destinations, Komodo and surfing cruises and much more throughout Indonesia. With Garuda in March we co-hosted 30 TAG (Top Achiever Group) travel agents on a luxury familiarization trip to Bali; in May we co-hosted over 100 travel agents for a week in Bali and other regions on our "Faces of Indonesia" MEGA Familiarization; and we have provided logistical support to Garuda Indonesia to send several media delegations to Indonesia including extensive itineraries through Bali as well as Java overland, Komodo cruised and Kalimantan eco-touring. Nearly every week we release new product flyers and we have invested heavily in both trade and general press advertising. Our monthly e-GOH News keeps the industry informed about developments and new product in Bali. We have also worked with the Indonesian Consulate to support a variety of fund and awareness-raising events.
Balidiscovery.com:There's much in the news about Garuda's debt restructuring, rationalization and efficiency drives. What is the approximate percentage of Garuda Australia's contribution to Garuda system-wide revenues and what will be the impact of the various changes and streamlining now underway on Garuda Australian operations?
Deacock: Garuda would be in a better position to answer this, but I recall just a few years ago South West Pacific, (Australia/New Zealand) operations were heralded as Garuda's most profitable region. Seat load factors were high, airfares were realistic, revenue/profit was healthy, and there were plans for additional services and new routes. Then global events turned everything upside down. Competition in the airline industry drove prices down, rather than the Bali market growing it was simply diluted by the competition, revenues and profits fell, plans for expansion had to be shelved, and Garuda is now having to consider unpalatable ideas just to see themselves through this difficult period. The temporary suspension of Bali services from Auckland/Brisbane will place additional stress on Garuda's Sydney services, but schedules can be resumed when demand picks up. Proposals to hub East Coast services through Jakarta from April next year are just that - proposals aimed at reducing operating costs. Whilst some market slippage would no doubt occur if Jakarta became a transit point for Bali from East Coast, Garuda's extensive Asia network would be opened up and we would expect growth in that area to offset some of the losses in Bali volume.
Balidiscovery.com:You've just attended the Tourism Indonesian Mart & Expo - TIME 2007 in Makassar? What's your general assessment of this annual marketing effort to promote Indonesian travel and what do you foresee for PATA Mart 2007 in Bali in September 2007?
Deacock: This year was my 8th consecutive TIME. Whilst I understand Indonesia's desire to showcase other destinations, and I commend the hospitality and tourism industry in Makassar for an excellent show, the sad fact is that participation at TIME has continued to fall over the past several years to the point where, this year, my primary reason for attending was because TIME was being held in Sulawesi allowing my first visit to Sulawesi. I was able to visit the culturally and historically significant region of Tana Toraja – which is a "must see" destination. At TIME, both Sellers and Buyers were in short supply. Some of the major business partners I meet with every year did not attend, and many of those I did meet with I see on a regular basis in Bali anyway. Greater effort is needed to attract more, new Buyers - but they will not come if there are not more, new Sellers - but neither will come if the Government doesn't invest heavily in promoting Indonesia's diverse attractions to create demand in the public arena and awareness in the travel industry! It is time the Indonesian Government took back the responsibility of promoting the country. There will be huge potential next year when both PATA and TIME are held in Bali, and hopefully the two organizing committees will work together to a mutually successful outcome for Indonesian tourism.
In an interview carried in the English language Bali Post on Thursday, October 12, 2006, Minister Jero Wacik addressed the controversy regarding his management of the tourism sector and mounting criticism from the Indonesian Tourism Thing Tank (MPI).
Bali Post:The Chairman of the Tourism Think Tank (MPI) Pontjo Sutowo appraises the Minister of Culture and Tourism work to date as lacking strategy?
Jero Wacik: That is not correct. I have spoken extensively with associations and the tourism industry on how to advance Indonesian tourism and I have worked to a maximum. If the figures are such (editor: the continuing decline in tourism arrivals), there's not much we can say. What's clear is that for the past two years since becoming Minister I have worked strategically and to a maximum.
Bali Post:What do you mean?
Jero Wacik: It's like this. I was appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism on October 21, 2004. The following day I met with tourism associations – the PHRI (Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association), ASITA (the Association of Indonesian Tour Agencies), and INNCA (Indonesian Association of Congress and Conference Organizers) – except for Pak Pontjo of the MPI, a much smaller organization. I sought input on what the industry needs. It developed that they complained that Chinese citizens who wanted to visit Indonesia had to travel 4 hours to Ghuang Zhoa to obtain a visa and that an Indonesian representative office needed to be opened in Ghuang Zhoa. They also ask that seat capacity on foreign flights be increased. Other issues included the need to create new markets outside the traditional markets of Australia, ASEAN and a handful of European nations. We agreed that these new markets would be China, India and the Middle East because these three countries were 'closed' by us.
Bali Post:The results?
Jero Wacik: I immediately spoke with the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Justice and Human Rights regarding opening a diplomatic office in Ghuang Zhoa to which they agreed. We also established a strategic plan for market development by undertaking promotion to three new markets that to date we had never done.
Bali Post:So, this includes strategic works?
Jero Wacik: To this needs to be added the meeting with 17 ministers with connections to tourism in Tampaksiring, Bali led by President Yudhoyono. Moreover, Pak Pontjo (MPI) personally came and witnessed this meeting. It should be noted that this is the first time the President has convened a working meeting on tourism issues. So, there was added value for our tourism industry. Is this considered non-strategic?
Bali Post:Sir, are you unhappy with these accusations?
Jero Wacik: Yes, that's right. Because I have worked for the people and I will report every year to the President. I am sure that my report and the synergy of my work over the past two years will not be coded 'red' because I have done much.
Bali Post:You been appraised as being non-strategic and for failing to make a scale of policy priorities for restoring a devastated tourism sector. How do you respond?
Jero Wacik: What scale of priorities? When an hotelier asks for reduced taxes, is that a priority? Sorry, I have not done that. I work in the interest of the people and not for the interest of businessmen.
Bali Post:If the accusations are not correct, do you have a plan to summon or reprimand those leveling these charges?
Jero Wacik: Why would I do that? Remember, the very existence of the MPI is based on a decision of the Minister of Culture and Tourism that has run for 6 years when, in fact, the term of office was only 5 years. I am able to revoke and dissolve (the MPI) on that basis. Nonetheless, I have not done this. The role of the MPI is to provide input for the Minister, although it is not clear who exactly sits on that body.
A Minister at Loggerheads with His Industry?
Criticism of Minister Wacik's Performance as Minister of Culture & Tourism Intensifies.
The criticism against Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, as reported by balidiscovery.com [ Tourism Minister to Be Ousted in Cabinet Reshuffle?
], is appearing to sharpen and steadily mount based on evidence of a growing chorus of critiques and a reply of sharp rebuttals from Minister Wacik.
The Indonesian language Bali Post reports that a distinguished list of "founding fathers" of Indonesian tourism including Sany Sumakno, Tuty Sunario, Pontjo Sutowo, Ahmad Zacky, Sirnadj and Didien Junaedy gathered together in a Forum for Tourism Dialogue (FDP) to exchange views on the current condition of the industry.
According to Pontjo Sutowo, Chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Think Tank (MPI), Indonesia managed to achieve its highest rate of development in 1996 when 6 million foreign visitor spent an estimated US$6 billion in foreign exchange. However, according to Sutowo, the advent of Indonesia's political reformation marked the beginning of a steady decline in the country’s tourism fortunes. On an internal level, he added, there is a difference of perception between professional in tourism and their counterparts in the public sector.
Sutowo, the former Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), admitted that a spirit to rebuild national tourism exists together with a political will to do so, as evidenced by the "tourism summit" of the Presidential cabinet convened by President Yudhoyono last year at the Tampaksiring palace in Bali. Sutowo did, however, express surprise at the lack of follow up on the decisions made at that meeting. Similarly, there has been little follow-through on Parliament's initiative to draft a new basic law on tourism.
While crediting Minister Wacik as a Minister who is spirited and enthusiastic, Sutowo says the tourism minister has fundamentally failed to prioritize his work and identify the major tasks at hand. To dramatize his point, the MPI Chairman points to the drastic drop in Australian arrivals to Bali and the diplomatic tensions between Indonesia and Australia following the refugee status extended to a group of Papuan rebels. "This (situation) should have created a scale of priority that stressed better relations through tourism," insisted Sutowo.
In a sterner mode, Sutowo told the Bali Post that the Minister has yet to form strategic policies to advance national tourism. Moreover, he insists there have been fatal errors, such as the sudden cancellation of the Asia Pacific Nation Tourism Organizations Conference and Exhibition scheduled to take place in Yogyakarta in November 2006. Sutowo explained that if the Tourism ministry had better communication with the Indonesian travel industry this event would not have been cancelled; bearing in mind how aggressively Indonesia had fought to win the right to host the event.
Nyoman S. Pendit
Balinese tourism figure Nyoman S. Pendit told the Bali Post of his concern on how tourism was on the retreat on several fronts. He cited the drop in tourism arrivals, issues of access, infrastructure and problems of human resources as emblematic of areas suggesting a lack of proper government attention.
Also saddening to the tourism observer is the lack of overseas tourism promotion offices. He explained that Indonesia has no overseas tourism representation while competing destinations maintain a strong foreign presence. According to Pendit, Singapore has 16 overseas tourism offices, Australia 17, Malaysia 22, Thailand 15 and the Philippines 12.
Tuti Sunario and Sani Soemakno
The Bali Post reports that Tuti Sunario and Sani Soemakno of the group Care Tourism expressed similar dismay, blaming the downturn in tourism numbers on the lack of cooperation and coordination between the private and public sector in addressing tourism development issues.
The Vice-chairman of the Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Ray Suryawijaya told the Bali Post that the government lacks a clear view of the role to be played by the tourism sector. As a result, he insists government policies in support of tourism from the tourism ministry or other government agencies are few and far between. This occurs despite the fact that an estimated 7.5 million Indonesians work in tourism creating a 9.4% contribution share to the gross domestic product.
While foreign tourism contributed an estimated US$5 billion in foreign exchange in 2005 and domestic tourism generated Rp. 70 trillion (approximately US$7.6 billion), a scant US$3 million was invested by the Government for the promotion of tourism.
I Gusti Kade Sutawa
Local tourism player I Gusti Kade Sutawa added his dismay to the dialogue, saying that his impression is that aid and assistance following the 2005 bombing was late in coming. Not only has funding been slow and difficult, he contends that critical momentum has been lost and programs now underway are non-contextual.
Putu Agus Antara
In a separate article in the Bali Post, the past-chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Putu Agus Antara, said that Minister Wacik, while initially fueling hopes of definitive action on behalf of tourism, has largely failed to make a difference. "Pak Wacik has yet to bring anything new to national tourism," explained Putu.
Putu told the Bali Post that the Minister's department has generally failed to inspire the tourism industry in a whole range of critical areas including branding, marketing and communication. In the current unhappy state of national tourism, Putu warned, don't be surprised that funding remains small, sluggish and lacking in direction.
Community Leaders and Tourism Authorities Question the Motives of Modern Tourism Practitioners in Bali.
A tourism dialogue conducted among leading authorities on Bali's tourism at the Udayana University on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, suggested that the island has no shortage of "robber barons" focused only on personal profit with little regard for the sustainability of local tourism.
Anthropologist I Wayan Geria suggested that Bali had entered into its present downturn and devastated state over the past twenty years, and is now badly in need of "recovery" efforts. In the current period, complained Geria, many tourism players are only interested in what they can "rob" and "steal" from Bali.
According to Geria, there are two distinct groups now operating in Bali tourism. The first group is comprised of those who make a meaningful contribution to Bali, while members of the second group are only concerned with how they can wrest from the island. Geria added: "The group who make significant contributions to Bali is relatively small while the majority (of tourism practitioners) only think what they can 'rob' from the island."
He explained that while the concept of "cultural tourism" was set out and elaborated in the local tourism laws promulgated in 1974, the principle, however, remains largely unachieved in practice.
A Crisis of Ethics and Morality Driven by Money
Geria pointed to a crisis in ethics in Bali tourism, claiming the crisis has its roots in tourism being rendered into little more than a commercialized commodity, as demonstrated in the increase in property sales; and the exploitation of water, land, forest and mountain resources.
At the same time there has developed an easy readiness to tolerate any changes demanded by tourism. This has resulted in an erosion of community ethics as regards environmental standards, economic standards and standards of human morality.
Another tourism and community leader, Professor Dr. Adnyana Manuaba, traced Bali's current problems back to 1986 and the increasing competition for natural resources, pressures on the environment, and the displacement of culture. The noted academic said there was a need for a common perception between the various elements of the tourism sector that provides for the interests of the agricultural and small industry sectors.
Missing Funds for Manpower Training
Tourism Industry Asks Where is the $100 Monthly Training Levy Charges Expatriate Workers.
The Indonesian language Bali Post reports that a number of national tourism organizations including the Indonesian Hotel & Restaurant Association (PHRI), the Association of Indonesian Tour Agents (ASITA) and ASPARINDO are all questioning the whereabouts of an estimated annual Rp. 4-5 billion (approximately US$435,000 – 543,000) reportedly parked at the Department of Culture and Tourism that is collected collected from every expatriate employed in Indonesia's tourism industry.
Every expatriate worker in Indonesia is levied a fee of US$100 each month paid into a special fund for manpower training for Indonesian nationals.
"We have repeatedly asked where these funds are (the training contributions) to the Department of Culture and Tourism, but have never received a definite answer," explained Iqbal Alan Abdullah, the Chairman of the Indonesian Association of Congress and Conference Organizers (INCCA).
The subject funds, an estimate of the annual amount that is collected from foreign workers in the tourism sector, is being claimed and querried by various tourism organizations as their rightful entitlement as those best able to undertake manpower training programs.
The Chair of the PHRI, Yanti Sukamdani, also expressed her concern at the failure of the subject training funds to materialize, pledging she would renew efforts to obtain an explanation from the Department of Culture and Tourism.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, told the Bali Post when asked about the location of the training funds, "I will check with my staff . . . we have to make clear where these funds are located."
The head of the Development Board for the Department of Culture and Tourism, I Gusti Putu Guna Laksana, admitted he did not know if there were any funds for training collected from expatriates working in tourism.
Seeking More Funds for Yogya and Java Relief
US$ 34 million Needed to Help Central Java and Yogya’s Culture and Tourism Recovery.
The Department of Culture and Tourism have forwarded a request to the government for a special additional allocation of Rp. 312.8 billion (approximately US$34 million) for Central Java and Yogyakarta cultural and tourism recovery following the recent devastating earthquake that struck that area.
The Minister of Culture and Tourism Jero Wacik told the Indonesian language Bisnis Indonesia that the preliminary allocation for the Department of Culture and Tourism in the State Budget stands at Rp. 801.7 billion (approximately US$87.14 million). This amount does not include the special funding requested for Java and Yogyakarta.
The Minister budget projections were made during a recent meeting with Commission X of the House of Representatives (DPR).
All Clear Declared
Tourism Official Surprises Island by Declaring Bali Tourism Back to Normal and Recovery Efforts No Longer Needed.
The Indonesian language Bali Post managed to surprise and startle many members of Bali's tourism industry when it published a statement by a leading national tourism official declaring arrivals to Bali were "back to normal" and the island's recovery was therefore complete.
Hengky H., Secretary of the Director General for Marketing of the Department of Culture and Tourism, accompanied by the head of the planning and law department of the Department Raseno Aryo, told the press: "Bali's recovery phase is completed and has now entered the normalization phase. Nonetheless, the Department continues to pay serious attention to Bali's tourism and other tourism destinations throughout Indonesia."
Hengky's comments were made on Sunday, October 8th, in Jakarta after declaring that foreign arrivals were back to normal levels and that the government could therefore stop dispensing recovery funds and divert funds to support the Pacific Asia Travel Association Mart (PATA Mart) scheduled for Bali in September 2007.
The tourism official went on to explain that the Rp. 67 billion (approximately US$7.2 million) taken from the State budget for Bali's recovery has been already spent to support special events, road shows and bring leading tour leaders and members of the press to Bali.
Hengky cited statistics claiming 103,700 foreign tourist arrivals to Bali in September 2006, a figure –14.3% down from the 120,978 (sic) foreign tourists who visited Bali in the same month in 2005. Saying the current September figures translate into a "normal situation" of an average 4,000 foreign tourist arrivals per day.
An Understated Decline?
The statistical picture provided by Hengky is, however, at odds with figures provided from local Bali tourism authorities who reported 162,102 foreign arrivals in September 2005. While September 2006 figures have not yet been officially released, if we accept Hengky's report of 103,700 arrivals for September 2007 and last year's figures as stated by Bali tourism office as correct the resulting picture paints a much more dramatic drop of -36%.
Balidiscovery.com will publish final figures for September 2007 arrivals when they become available.
Full Speed Ahead
Hengky was also confident that a recent road show to India and other key source countries for Bali tourism would help boost tourism arrivals even higher.
In addition to PATA Mart 2007, Bali has also been selected to host the Tourism Indonesia Mart and Expo (TIME) in 2007.
The links below provide access to the graphical version of the Bali Update.


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Nearest town – 4 km. The sea – 36 km. The mountains – 33 km.
This characterful Marche farmhouse is in need of complete renovation, although it is structurally intact. The location is perfect and can be found along a quiet lane surrounded by an endless panorama of Le Marche countryside. The house also enjoys being closed to a small village on the outskirts of Servigliano, a very charming town with all amenities as well as some good restaurants and also home to one Italy’s finest wines.
The main house, as there are two further annexes in the grounds, is built in the traditional local style using a mixture of brick and stone, and at some stage in its history was fashionably rendered in a typical Le Marche color. It is quite common during the renovation of this type of Marche property for it to be returned to its original stone and brick construction. The annexes would provide plenty of extra building volume for habitable accommodation and garden storage. Another benefit of this type of property is that you would have a wealth of original materials to use for the renovation project. This Marche property is offered in a plot of 4000 square metres, ample for a good size garden and a swimming pool.

domain: geography


Huawei Pocket S was launched recently with a dimension of 170 x 75.5 x 7.2 mm unfolded and once folded it measures 87.3 x 75.5 x 15.2 mm with weight 190 grams. The foldable phone is packed with 8 GB RAM with internal storage options are 128 GB, 256 GB and 512 GB.
The phone is packed with 4000 mAh non-removable battery + 40W wired, 52% in 20 min (advertised) + 5W reverse wired. It runs on HarmonyOS 3.0 operating system.
Under the hood the device is powered by the Qualcomm SM7325 Snapdragon 778G 4G Octa-core processor. For camera purposes, it has a 40 MP (wide) + 13 MP (ultrawide) and 10.7 MP (ultrawide) selfie camera.
Huawei Pocket S comes with the latest eye-catching wallpapers, and you’ll be glad to know that Huawei Pocket S wallpapers are now available for download in their full resolution.
Huawei Pocket S Wallpapers
There are five FHD+ wallpapers are available for the Pocket S. The resolution is 2790 X 2790 pixels. Check the download link below.
- Download the Huawei Pocket S Blue & Yellow Wallpaper
- Download the Huawei Pocket S Orange & White Wallpaper
- Download the Huawei Pocket S Wallpaper 3
- Download the Huawei Pocket S Wallpaper 4
- Download the Huawei Pocket S Wallpaper 5


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Car Parks near Hotel Chocolat
What's On Today
Near Hotel Chocolat
Father Christmas at the Royal Albert Hall
Kids Events | Until 24th December 2016
Royal Albert Hall 2.47 miles from Hotel Chocolat
Children can explore the grand Royal Albert Hall through an hour-long interactive festive adventure culminating in a visit to Father ...More
From cheap budget accommodation to luxury 5 star suites see our special offers for Hotel Chocolat hotels, including Courthouse Hotel Shoreditch from 58% off.

domain: travel


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|Oh my heaven! It's 107 in 2011!|
Oh my heavens!!!!! It's 107!
If Dr. Seuss was still alive today he would be 107 years old.
He’s not with us, but his books live on and on and on!
Come celebrate with us as we share the joy of reading and especially Dr. Seuss!
Get ready, Get set, READ!

domain: library


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The first two books of the Cy-Ops Sci-fi Romance series, Stranded with the Cyborg and Mated with the Cyborg, have progressed from the nomination round of The Romance Reviews’ (TRR) Readers’ Choice awards to the Voting Round. Both books are in the “Romantic Science Fiction – Futuristic” category.
Thank you to everyone who voted! Can I please ask you for vote one more time? During this final Voting Round, April 4-30, the winners, the Readers’ Choices, will be decided. If you enjoyed either or both books, would you please cast your ballot?
This is a new series for me, and one of the books was named Readers’ Choice, it will get a little extra publicity from TRR.
Stranded with the Cyborg description
Ten years ago Penelope Isabella Aaron had been a pain in Brock Mann’s you-know-what. Much has changed in a decade: “PIA” as he code-named her, has grown up and is about to attend her first Alliance of Planets summit conference, and Brock has been transformed into a cyborg after a near-fatal attack. Now a secret agent with Cyber Operations, a covert paramilitary organization, Brock gets called in, not when the going gets tough, but when the going gets impossible. So when he’s unexpectedly assigned to escort Penelope to the summit meeting, he balks at babysitting a prissy ambassador. But after a terrorist bombing, a crash landing on a hostile planet, and a growing attraction to his protectee, Operation: PIA may become his most impossible assignment yet.
Available in audiobook and ebook. Free with Kindle Unlimited.
Mated with the Cyborg Description
Kai Andros’s orders were simple. Get in. Gather the intel on the terrorist organization. Get out. Then he met her. Mariska. Beautiful. Innocent. Ignorant of her father’s atrocities. And marked for death. His orders said nothing about saving her. But he did. He went off-mission. Can a rogue cyborg outrun both Cyber Operations and the terrorists to save the woman he loves?
Mated with the Cyborg is an action-packed erotic sci-fi romance between a man with a mission and a woman with a secret that jeopardizes their lives and the fate of the galaxy.
Available in audiobook and ebook.


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One of the most overworked clichés in book publishing today is the quote, usually from some minor celebrity, "I couldn't put it down..." However, I have to admit that I recently had just that experience with Galileo's Daughter by Dava Sobel (Penguin Books, New York, NY. 2000). This enthralling biography of the great astronomer and mathematician Galileo Galilei is written with tremendous sympathy for him and his struggles with the hierarchy of the Catholic Church and the interrogators of the Roman Inquisition.
The book is subtitled "A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith, and Love," an unusual title for a scientific biography. Sobel weaves the historical narrative around excerpts from more than 100 letters written to Galileo by his eldest daughter, Virginia, who became a cloistered nun in her mid-teens. Virginia had been born out of wedlock to Marina Gamba when Galileo was teaching in Padua in the year 1600. Taking the name Suor Marie Celeste, his daughter wrote to him frequently and he, in turn, corresponded with her, although none of Galileo's letters to his daughter remain. It's thought that the abbess of the convent burned Galileo's letters on Suor Marie Celeste's death in 1634 for fear of their discovery by the ecclesiastical authorities following Galileo's condemnation for heresy.
The letters, beautifully translated from the Italian by Sobel, give not only an insight into the strong religious faith of both Galileo and his daughter but also a view into the everyday lives of these two very different people. Suor Marie Celeste never retreats from her love and support for her father even when he is called in front of the Inquisition for supporting the views of Nicolaus Copernicus in saying the Earth and the planets revolve around the Sun. When Galileo was found guilty of heresy by the Inquisition, he is reputed to have said, "But still it moves," a very unlikely utterance directly in the face of his accusers. As Sobel makes clear, Galileo accepted the verdict and punishment of the Inquisition, but he continued to hold the view that the Earth moves around the Sun.
The book that caused the Inquisition to summon Galileo to Rome from his home in Florence was entitled Dialogue on the Two Chief World Systems: Ptolemaic and Copernican, a work that took six years to complete and almost as long to publish. As Sobel describes, Galileo's book took the form of an animated encounter spread over four days, comparable to a play in four acts, with three principal characters who argue their respective theories. One character, called Salviati, spoke Galileo's own mind; a second, Sagredo, a perceptive man of means who generally took Galileo's side; and Simplicio, a pompous Aristotelian philosopher who argued for the geocentric view.
Well aware of the startling nature of his work, Galileo traveled from Florence to Rome to obtain permission to publish his book, a journey that was fraught with danger because of the plague that was widespread in Europe at that time. However, Galileo did obtain a provisional license to publish the work in exchange for the promise of a few corrections. In fact, partly due to the spread of the plague, Galileo then sought publication in Florence rather than Rome. The book was a huge success but when copies of the published work finally reached Rome, several leading Jesuit astronomers took violent exception to its opinions and the furor resulted in Galileo's summons and trial by the Roman Inquisition.
In 1633, the book was listed on the infamous Index of Prohibited Books where it was to remain until 1835. Amazingly, it was not until 1982 that Pope John Paul II issued a call for theologians to reexamine Galileo's case. The Pope finally publicly endorsed Galileo's philosophy in 1992!
The history of science is replete with stories of scientists who struggled to get their work published and accepted by both fellow researchers and the wider public. But no one faced greater obstacles of religious intransigence than Galileo. We can only speculate on the degree to which the constant love and support of his daughter played a vital role in Galileo's work. This book makes the reader realize how much we owe to others close to us.


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Michael L. Walters as
dame edna impersonator, dame edna look alike
When Michael Walters first donned the "wisteria" coif and rhinestone glasses in early 1999, he never dreamed he would still be performing the Character today- not to mention being chosen by Dame Edna's original creator, Barry Humphries or having the honor of appearing at a special event on Humphries' Birthday in 2010. Walters says he was equally surprised when he discovered that producers all over the world would be eager to present his impeccable impersonation.
Today, Michael's "One Dame" stage show gets rave reviews at venues the world over. His performances feature the outrageous comedy you'd expect from Dame Edna as well as an "Edna-graphical" narrative of show stopping Broadway numbers as only Walters can deliver.
"My 'life as Edna' started at a mystery dinner theatre in Orlando, Florida. The cast all performed multiple roles-- sort of in rotation. Everyone was having trouble with this new character they wrote; a psychotic Julia Child. They asked me to do it, and for some reason I thought 'DAME EDNA!' They got me a purple wig and a pair of rhinestone glasses- and off I went! Early on, my impersonation of The Dame was pretty tragic, but somehow or another it was a hit! I was having a blast and getting good laughs. Then strangely enough, audience members would approach me after the show and ask if they could have the character appear at their party or charity event. Always the starving artist, I leapt at the chance! The character has really evolved and become a part of me. It's always a wild ride and I'm so grateful to Barry (Humphries) for his genius."
Excerpts from www.Dame-Edna.com, the official website of Dame Edna Everage:
Dame Edna Everage is probably the most popular and gifted woman in the world today: housewife, investigative journalist, social anthropologist, talk show host, swami, children’s book illustrator, spin doctor, Megastar, and Icon. With Olivia Newton-John, Kylie Minogue and Nicole Kidman, she is one of a remarkable succession of female stars to emerge from Australia.
Her success Down Under was repeated in London with stage shows including "Housewife, Superstar",
"A Night with Dame Edna" and countless command performances for the royal family. Her hit Broadway show, "Dame Edna: The Royal Tour" received the Tony Award for Live Theatrical Event and was met with unanimous critical acclaim and sparked a huge tour of the United States in a production by the same name. Later US productions include "Back With a Vengeance" and "My First Last Tour"
Television credits include the now legendary UK special, “A Night on Mt. Edna” and two series of her own innovative chat show, “The Dame Edna Experience”, with special guests Cher, Robin Williams, Roseanne Barr, Sean Connery and Mel Gibson; as well as a popular Chat Show series entitled "The Dame Edna Treatment" which hosted the world's entertainment elite in 2007.
Her books include Dame Edna’s Coffee Table Book, Dame Edna’s Bedside Companion, and her seminal autobiography, My Gorgeous Life. Also of note are Dame Edna Everage and the Rise of Western Civilization by John Lahr, and Handling Edna by Barry Humphries; a scathing account of the personal and professional interactions between himself and his only client. Dame Edna is currently in litigation to stop the circulation of this book.
Possibly Jewish, Dame Edna is a widow, with three grown children. She spends her time visiting world leaders and jet-setting between her homes in Los Angeles, London, Sydney, Switzerland and Martha’s Vineyard. She is the Founder and Governor of Friends of the Prostate and the creator of The World Prostate Olympics.
In late 2013, Dame Edna, along with her manager Barry Humphries, completed their Final Farewell Tour of Australia and The UK, and bid the United States farewell in an acclaimed 2015 National tour. While Dame Edna insists she's bidding farewell to the touring life, she promises she'll continue caring and sharing with the world in television appearances and special theatrical events. DAME EDNA IS NOT RETIRED.

domain: celebrity


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Life at South Head tends to be governed by the ebbs and flows of the seasons. And there are often days that turn into weeks when the only person I see (other than my husband, Ben) is the Postie.
My head is frequently in a ‘writing’ space, while my heart tends to be ruled by the natural world. When you live far enough away from civilisation, the weather and the surrounding environment has a huge impact on each day.
As I sit here, updating my ‘About’ page, how can I not hear the chirps of baby sparrows nestling in the totara, or the rattles of kihikihi in the lilly pillies. How can I avoid breathing in the sweet aromas of manuka and harakeke flowers drifting through the open window behind me? How can I not sense the waves of heat pushing in through the open front door? And if the occasional vehicle drives past on the gravel road, I’m definitely aware of the drift of dust that floats annoyingly in our direction, ready to coat our solar panels.
Writing a blog is a personal thing. And I have to ask myself, “Who is it for? Is it for me? Is it for someone else to read? Do I have anything useful to say?”
I’m not sure about the answer to these questions but I’ll keep these pages up. And perhaps for 2018 I’ll be motivated to spend more time writing and less time in the garden, dreaming.


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21 industry associations, representing different modes of transport, cargo owners, freight forwarders, logistics and port service providers, shipyards, transport workers and equipment manufacturers have agreed to strengthen their cooperation in the framework of an Industry Alliance for Multimodal (IAM) Connectivity and Logistics for Growth.
The Alliance will express their positions and expectations with regards to EU policy initiatives that could boost and enhance European multimodal connectivity and logistics.
The Industry Alliance for Multimodal (IAM) is launched today (December 8) during the 2nd Annual FEPORT Stakeholders conference taking place in Brussels, where many of the Alliance members are gathering to engage with EU policy makers and regulators.
Lamia Kerdjoudj-Belkaid, Secretary General of FEPORT said: “In these challenging times, seamless, sustainable and resilient logistics chains are more important than ever before to Europe’s economic, environmental and social well-being.”
FEPORT, the Federation of European Private Port Operators, is one of the founder members of IAM, together with: AIVP – The worldwide network of port cities; BIC – Bureau International du Conteneur; CLECAT – European Association for Forwarding, Transport, Logistics and Customs Services; EBU – European Barge Association; ECASBA – European Community Association of Ship Brokers and Agents; ECG – The Association of European Vehicle Logistics; ECSA – European Community Shipowners’ Association; EFIP – European Federation of Inland Ports; EMPA – European Maritime Pilots’ Association; ESPO – European Sea Ports Organisation; ESC – European Shippers Council; ETA – European Tugowners Association; EuDA – European Dredging Association; ICHCA International – the global cargo handling NGO; IRU -International Road Transport Union; PEMA -Port Equipment Manufacturers Association; Sea Europe, the Ships and Maritime Equipment Association; UIP – International Union of Wagon Keepers; UIRR -International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport and UNISTOCK – European association of professional portside storekeepers for agribulk commodities.
The Alliance will provide industry input to EU decision-makers, TEN-T Corridor Coordinators and relevant EU agencies, operating on a coalition model, on topics where there is consensus.
Areas of mutual interest cover competitiveness, efficiency, reliability, safety, security and sustainability of supply chain, logistics, cargo transport, handling and freight services across the European region.
The news follows a spate of alliance-building activity in the shipping industry, which most recently saw THE Alliance announce its route plan for 2017.