text:
In the past year, the net asset value (NAV) of direct mutual fund plans and the returns delivered by these have been better compared to regular funds. In the case of equity (large- and mid-cap) funds, the NAV of direct plans stood at Rs 290.57 on February 5, while that of regular plans stood at Rs 288.45 (on the higher side); on the lower side, direct plans' NAV was Rs 3.51, while that of regular plans was Rs 3.48. In this space, one-year returns have fallen 4.39 per cent for regular plans, while the loss in returns from direct plans was lesser at 3.3 per cent.
The highest NAV for equity (mid- and small-cap) funds stood at Rs 340.99 for regular plans, against Rs 343.78 for direct plans; on the lower side, these stood at Rs 8 and Rs 8.04, respectively. The range of NAV is very wide, as some funds might have been launched later and/or might not have fared well due to the volatile market conditions. Again, the erosion in returns for direct plans was less (3.19 per cent) compared to that of regular plans (3.79 per cent).
In the case of equity-oriented hybrid or balanced funds, the highest NAV stood at Rs 358.98 for direct plans, compared with Rs 356.67 for regular plans. On the lower side, these stood at Rs 10.73 and Rs 10.71, respectively. These funds have returned 5.06 per cent in the case of regular schemes and 5.69 per cent for direct ones (Click for table 1).
Now, let's take a look at debt funds. For liquid funds, the highest NAV ranged between Rs 3,460.12 (regular plans) and Rs 3,085.38 (direct plans). The lowest NAV quoted Rs 13.05 for regular plans and Rs 13.88 for direct plans. At 8.87 per cent, returns were 0.46 per cent higher for direct plans.
In case of income funds, the highest NAV stood at Rs 1,558.51 and Rs 1,594.50 for regular and direct plans, respectively. On the lower side, these stood at Rs 9.76 for regular plans and Rs 9.79 for direct plans. For the latter, returns were 0.81 per cent higher.
For investors in fixed maturity plans (FMPs), the difference in NAVs and returns weren't substantial.
Direct plans came into existence after the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) asked fund houses to provide investors with direct access to mutual fund schemes, cutting distributors' costs. The total expense ratio of direct plans is lower than that of regular plans to the extent of distribution costs, which are ploughed back into the fund. Therefore, returns from direct plans are higher than that from regular plans.
According to Sebi rules, equity funds charge 2.5-1.75 per cent as annual expense ratio, while debt funds charge 2.25-1.5 per cent. One can save on this cost through direct plans.
Manoj Nagpal, chief executive of Outlook Asia Capital, says, "The benefit of investing in direct plans is around 40-50 basis points for equity. For liquid funds, it is lower at about five-10 basis points; it is 15-20 basis points for short-term debt funds and 20-30 basis points for long-term debt funds."
At a time when the National Stock Exchange's 50-stock Nifty has returned only 1.1 per cent through a year, a 0.5 per cent increase in returns could mean a lot, especially through the long term.
When does it make sense to opt for direct plans? Nagpal says in the long term, all investors - those who invest through systematic investment plans (SIPs) and lump sum - stand to record equal benefits. Only, benefit realisation will be recorded through a longer term in case of SIP investment. "A bulk investor will see the difference or benefits of direct investment in three-six months, while it will be apparent to an SIP investor in 18-20 months," says Pankaaj Maalde, head (financial planning) at Apnapaisa.
Say, you invest in debt funds through an SIP of Rs 5,000 a month. Your total annual investment will be Rs 60,000. This means you will save Rs 120 a year with direct plans. An SIP of Rs 10,000 a month will help you save Rs 240 a year, while an SIP of Rs 20,000 a month will help you save Rs 480.
"However, given the target returns for a debt scheme are eight-10 per cent, a gain of even 0.2 per cent looks better than a 0.5 per cent gain on equity. This is because the target returns on an equity fund are higher at 12-15 per cent," explains Hiren Dhakan, associate fund manager at Bonanza Portfolio.
If you take into account the smaller costs---the number of man-hours, travel costs, etc---in direct investments, a lump sum investment in debt schemes seem more sensible. If you invest a lump sum of Rs 1 lakh, you will save Rs 200; a lump sum of Rs 3 lakh will save you Rs 720 at a go. You will accumulate Rs 720 in savings through three years, in case you invest through an SIP of Rs 10,000 in a debt scheme. A lump sum investment of Rs 5 lakh will help you save Rs 12,000 a year. But through an SIP of Rs 10,000, it will take a very long time to record savings of Rs 12,000.
In comparison, as equity funds help you save more, investing through an SIP might not be a bad idea. An SIP of Rs 5,000 a month or a total investment of Rs 60,000 a year will fetch you Rs 300 more annually (as shown in table 2). An SIP of Rs 10,000 will fetch Rs 600 more a year. If you invest Rs 20,000 through an SIP, you will save Rs 1,200 a year.
Of course, a lump sum investment will fetch you much more than a lump sum investment in debt. However, even the small benefits over SIP investments will, in the long run, make a lot of difference to small investors.
The gains on equity-oriented hybrid funds will be similar or a tad lower than those on equity, as these funds include debt. And, the gains on debt-oriented funds will be similar or a little higher than on debt funds, owing to the equity component in it.
But not many individual investors have taken to direct plans. According to a study by CRISIL Research, direct plans, launched in January 1, 2013, are primarily attracting large investors, though average assets under management (AUM) of direct plans offered by mutual funds rose about 70 per cent to Rs 2.14 lakh crore during the June 2013 quarter from Rs 1.27 lakh crore in the March quarter. These accounted for 25 per cent of the overall AUM of the sector, against 15 per cent in the previous quarter. Debt-oriented mutual funds account for 98 per cent of the overall AUM under direct plans. In the debt category, liquid and ultra-short-term debt funds were the highest contributors to the average AUM of direct plans.
If you plan to switch to a direct plan from a regular one, you will have to pay an exit load, securities transaction tax (STT) and short-term capital gains tax, in case your investment is less than a year old. A number of fund houses have increased the exit load to three per cent. Therefore, if it is merely aimed at earning an additional 30-50 basis points, it doesn't make much sense to shift. If the investment in equities is more than a year old, there will be no capital gains tax or exit load; STT alone will be applicable.

domain: finance


text:
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL
The Saga of Baker Memorial Girls’ Higher Secondary School goes way back to the year 1816, with the arrival of Church Missionary Society on the Indian soil. The missionaries set about lighting the beacon of Education. Amelia Dorothea Baker, wife of Henry Baker Sr, realizing that a whole society can be developed if its women are educated, lost no time in starting Female Education.
The history of education started with the visionary effort of Colonel Munroe. The first College, CMS College Kottayam was started in 1817 and the grid of educational institutions in the same year including CMS College High School for boys education. Discussion were in the air about starting a similar institution for girls’ education and the efforts were realized in the year 1818. It is the pioneering institution in girls education in South India.
Mrs.Henry Baker Sr.and later, Mrs.Henry Baker Jr. persuaded parents to send their daughters to school to avail the far reaching benefits of education. Henry Baker Sr. visited many slaves markets and preached “Goodnews”. He paid the price of slaves and liberated them. He paid ‘6-12 panams’ for the girl children and included them in the journey of a great pilgrimage of love. The efforts of Mrs. Benjamin Bailey were also beneficial to these efforts.
The School grew in number and strength and in 1865, it was shifted to the present premises. It was accorded the status of a lower secondary by the Department of Education in 1894 and became ‘Miss Baker School- a memorial to the early Mrs. Baker. The school was further upgraded into a Higher Secondary School in1998 with Mrs. Ponnamma Jacob as its Principal.
The benefits of the school has been enjoyed not only by Christians but also by people of all class and creed in and around Kottayam. The school still stands as a beacon of light and model for other institutions.
In the initial years the text for learning were prepared as pamphlets in the CMS Press by Rev. Benjamin Bailey. The teachers were trained in modern methods and techniques. South Indian literature was translated into Malayalam and the introduction text enhanced the potential of Education. Craft training was also introduced. The girls were trained in embroidery, needle work, moral education along with the advanced curriculum.
On 27th September 1947 Church of South India was born as a continuation of the missionary efforts in the land of letters. At present the school is managed by CSI Diocese of Madhya Kerala.
The motto’ Love Never Faileth’ which has been the theme of the school for a century and more, remains unchanged and will continue to be so for ages to come.
Henry Baker Sr.
Mrs Henry Baker Sr.
Mrs. Henry Baker Jr.
Miss Isbel Baker
Miss M.E East
Miss Sara T Cherian
Smt.Suja Rai John
Head Mistress -2014-16
Head Mistress- 2016-2018
Head Mistress- 2018-19
Dr.Jegy Grace Thomas

domain: history


text:
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said police showed extreme patience during a clash with Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) in front of the National Press Club on Sunday.
The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at a programme marking ‘Police Memorial Day-2021’ at Police Staff College in the capital’s Mirpur area on Monday.On that day, leaders and activists of the JCD, a student body of BNP, engaged in a clash with policemen, as law enforcers prevented them from holding a protest rally.
“We have noticed how cruelly a policeman was beaten in front of the National Press Club. We observed the entire incident. At that time, police showed extreme patience. Two to three policemen entered the club as the JCD men continued hurling brick chips and stones at them from the inside of the club,” he said.
He said a big number of policemen die while discharging their duties every year. A total of 457 policemen died in various ways last year. Of them, 208 died while carrying out their duties.
In response to a question whether the National Press Club is insecure as police and outsiders were locked in clash inside it, he said the National Press Club is still secure.
“As the situation went out of control, police lobbed tear gas shells. It was a tactic of police,” he said.
He urged the authorities of the National Press Club to be alert to entry of outsiders. “The Press Club is yours (journalists). You have to think about its security.”Inspector General of Police Dr Benazir Ahmed presided over the programme.

domain: politics


text:
Harry and Daphne, sitting in a tree...
Harry Potter and the Marriage Contracts.
Chapter Three – Sharing Experience
September 05, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The School Grounds:
The waiting was the worst part. Harry found himself wondering if it was the same for all men, waiting to see if a woman was actually going to show up. He had arrived half an hour early for the picnic date, with a basket lovingly packed by the kitchen elves, who had fallen all over themselves to help him. The little beings were so deliriously happy to help, Harry found himself wondering why more picnics weren’t happening each weekend. From somewhere the elves had produced a bottle of wine. Harry tucked that down at the bottom of the basket and covered it with several bottles of butterbeer. He didn’t want Daphne to get the wrong idea.
“Hello Potter.” Daphne’s distinctive voice came from behind him. His early warning system had let him know she was there, but why not let her think she had succeeded in surprising him.
“Hello Daphne.” He looked up; she was clad in black denim jeans and a black jumper. Her clothing molded to her leaving no doubt as to her femininity. He found that his mouth had gone very dry. “I’ve never really done this before; let me know if I start acting like an idiot, ok?”
She actually smiled. “I think you can count on that Potter. So, are you ready to start your master plan to charm me?”
“The first step of my master plan is to get you to call me Harry.”
She considered that for a moment. “Perhaps after you earn it, Potter. Where are we going?”
“There’s a secluded spot by the lake. I like to study there on nice days, unless you know of a better spot?”
“The large stone near the lake? I’ve seen you there on occasion. No, I don’t know a better spot for a picnic, lead on.”
Harry led the way to the large stone that had become ‘his place’ since his falling out with the Weasley’s the previous year that had cost him Ron and Hermione’s company. “So, are you catching abuse down in the dungeons for knowingly associating with a filthy Gryffindor?”
“All of Slytherin knows that I am not to be trifled with Potter. Since you so skillfully neutered Malfoy, no one challenges me in my house. Have you gotten abuse for associating with me?”
“Nah, I’m fairly untouchable, that and they think I’d do to them what I did to Riddle. What do you mean I neutered Malfoy? I didn’t do anything to him.”
Daphne fixed him with a stare. “Oh yes Potter. Voldemort and his fools kill the son of the Head of the Goblin Nation, you defeat Voldemort and his marked minions die, the Goblins make no mention of any retribution for the death of the Goblin that has attempted to lead rebellions against Ragnak. You visit Gringotts the Friday before school starts and the goblins confiscate the fortunes of all marked Death Eaters. You obviously had nothing to do with it.”
“That’s all I’m saying.” Harry smiled. “Your intelligence gathering is excellent. I didn’t think anyone was paying attention to my coming and goings.” They had reached Harry’s ‘spot’. He spread a blanket (conjured on the spot) on the ground, placed the basket down, and offered Daphne his hand.
“You expect me to sit on the ground to eat?”
“Traditionally, that’s how a picnic works Daphne.”
“Oh.” She seemed surprised. “I’ve never actually been on a picnic before.” She said in a small voice. “I’ve read about them though, they always sounded like fun.” She smiled. “Now that I think about it the stories never mentioned chairs.”
Daphne took his hand and settled to sit upon the blanket. Harry folded himself to sit with his back against the stone, with the basket between them. “I’ve never been on a picnic either. I wasn’t allowed.”
“No, as ass of an Uncle who hated magic, Wizards, and me. Not necessarily in that order. Until I was eleven and Hagrid took me to Diagon Alley for the first time, other than primary school, and the occasional shopping trip when they wanted something carried, my entire universe was an eighth acre lot in Little Whinging Surrey.” Harry reaching into the basket he found a bottle of butterbeer and offered it to Daphne, which she accepted. He found another for himself.
“So. You got seven thousand Marriage contracts?”
“Yeah. I don’t know if that says something about Wizarding Society, or if it says something about me.”
“It says you are the insanely rich head of two ancient and noble houses, Potter. It says that making an alliance with you would profit anyone who could manage it. It isn’t really all that complicated.” She sipped at her butterbeer. “Why am I here?”
Harry studied her face. “I don’t understand.”
“You got offers of seven thousand women, me included. From what I could find out, you’ve declined almost all of them, again myself included. Why am I here? What is the purpose of this… date?”
Harry sighed. “Daphne, I’m seventeen years old. For my entire life I’ve been controlled, manipulated, guided and was expected, by those who claimed to love me, to die gloriously in defense of a culture that has abused and hated me since I was eleven. Well, I disappointed them by surviving and I’ve been free of all that for not quite four months. In those four months I’ve spent some money, I’ve traveled a bit, I bought a house and a company, and I’ve fired an employee. On my seventeenth birthday, I am offered seven thousand women, the vast majority of whom I’ve never met. Yes, I’ve declined most of them. All but fourteen to be exact and those fourteen I will be approaching as soon as I can to personally decline them.”
“Why did I ask you out after declining your hand in marriage? I am not ready to give up my new found freedom. This doesn’t mean I want to be alone. I would like someone to spend time with.”
“But why me?”
“Liked what you saw then?” her voice went ice cold.
“Of course I did. You are gorgeous. I wasn’t commenting on your body, exquisite though it is. I told you before, it was your eyes. I knew those eyes; I’ve seen them in the mirror. I wanted to get to know the person behind them. That’s why I asked you out.” He shook his head in frustration. “That came out wrong. It wasn’t the photos of you. I got hundreds of photos of women in various states of undress. Hell, the dorm is wall-papered with the stupid things. Only you can answer the question as to why you are here.”
Harry wasn’t surprised by the silence from the girl. He had definitely bollixed this up. She would no doubt be storming back to the castle any second; spreading the word that Harry Potter was a complete and utter idiot. He waited a ten count for her to bolt, and was surprised that she remained.
“If a copy of one of my photos is part of the ‘wall-paper’ in your dorm, no one will ever find your body.”
“None of the pictures in the dorm are of any classmate past or present. I pulled those and have personally returned all but one, and she will get hers back when I decline her family’s offer, just as you got yours.” That seemed to satisfy her; she remained sitting on the blanket. “I think this is where we get to know each other.” He said, breaking the new silence.
“Good idea. You first.”
“You never give an inch do you Daphne?”
Harry laughed, sipped his butterbeer and began to tell his story, his early life, the cruelty of the Dursleys and the odd things that happened around him. He told of his introduction to the Wizarding world at the hands of Hagrid and his tour of Diagon Alley, his first meeting with Draco, then seemingly fortunate meeting with the Weasleys outside platform 9 ¾ and his first real friendship with Ron. He told of meeting Hermione on the train, and the slow bonding of the trio that culminated that Halloween night first year with the troll.
During his story, they both began to eat from the basket, cold chicken, sandwiches of several types, hot sausages, and potato crisps. Daphne gasped at his description of facing the troll and later a Voldemort possessed Quirrel over the Philosophers Stone. She had heard stories, but never truly believed them. Harry’s tales of second year facing the Basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets chilled her. He showed her the scars on his right forearm where the fang had pierced completely through.
His tales of third year with the dementors, the Hippogriff, and the murderer Sirius Black, culminating in Black being cleared, at least in Harry’s eyes, and a rescue involving a time turner. Fourth year had the Triwizard Tournament, which she remembered well. She was surprised that he still denied entering, claiming that a death eater masquerading as Moody had plotted the entire episode. Her eyes teared when he told of the death of Cedric Diggory, of his escape from the Dark Lord and Harry’s struggle to return Cedric’s body to his parents.
Fifth year brought Umbridge, and the fight in the Ministry, his friends falling to their injuries one by one, until only he and a badly injured Neville Longbottom remained standing, the destruction of the prophecy, the loss of his godfather, the shame he still felt over using an unforgivable against Bellatrix LeStrange, the awe he felt seeing Dumbledore dueling Voldemort, and the horror of being possessed by Voldemort and asking Dumbledore to kill him.
Sixth year brought the discovery of the betrayal of Dumbledore and the Weasleys, the discovery that he had been carefully steered to this point, that they expected him to die and had taken steps to profit from his death. The loss of his friend Ron who though innocent of the deceit of his parents and sister, when forced to choose between Harry and his family went with family. The loss of Hermione who remained with the boy she had come to love. Harry’s discovery of allies willing, even eager to stand with him against the darkness. Of the final battle, of pain, blood, loss, and surprisingly survival, even victory.
Harry told her of his first summer of freedom, his discovery of his family properties, of his subtle quiet revenge against the Dursleys, and his first tentative steps toward making a life of his choosing.
Daphne pulled the bottle of wine from the basket and inspected the label. “A pedestrian vintage Potter. You’ve got the taste of a House Elf.” She said, decanting the bottle with a flick of her wand. She placed the open bottle under her nose and inhaled. “Not too horribly bad I suppose.” She put the bottle to her lips and took a long pull.
“Not using a glass?”
“We’re on a picnic Potter, which means we’re roughing it.” She then passed the bottle to Harry who hesitantly took a sip himself.
Daphne moved the basket from between them, and moved next to Harry. “I’m cold Potter. Put your arm around me. But don’t get any ideas.”
Harry’s first inclination was to cast a warming charm, then came to the startled realization what Daphne could have done that easily, but chose not to. She was actually asking for him to put his arm around her. Desperately trying to not get his hand tangled in her hair and to avoid touching anything he shouldn’t he lay his arm upon her shoulders. Daphne moved closer, almost molding herself to him. Maybe she really was cold.
Daphne retrieved the bottle and took another pull. Holding the trembling hand of the arm around her shoulders Daphne began to tell her own story, of growing up on the Greengrass estate. Of being lonely, so very lonely. She told of learning to ride a horse, of upsetting the house elves by insisting on caring for her horse herself. Being taught by tutors instead of going to school with other children. Both parents so very busy with ‘important’ things, leaving Daphne with her studies, the house elves and her horse. That pattern continued until her first trip to Diagon Alley, the first time she had seen more than a few people at a time. She told of her own trip to Platform 9 ¾ and the terror she had felt as she suddenly found herself in public without her parents in a crowd of strangers.
She told him of meeting Tracey Davis, and recognizing another frightened soul among the boisterous children, of begging the Hat to place her into Slytherin after seeing her friend go there, those first frightening nights in a strange dormitory, of joining Tracey in her bed to hold each other as each cried herself to sleep.
Daphne explained how she had built her Ice Queen public personae bit by bit until she was so intimidating that few would approach her. Of avoiding the hands of older boys until she was avoiding her own classmates. She told of watching the maelstrom what was Harry Potter from a distance as he inexplicably escaped death every single year, of the despair she felt as the Dark Lord built his power over the years, the terror that reasserted its self when those closest to ‘The Chosen One’ had seemingly abandoned him. (Harry choked when she used his nickname) And of the day last May when in the middle of a potions class Snape suddenly grasped his right forearm and began to scream, thrashing upon the floor until he died, then later that very evening, Harry Potter and Neville Longbottom, both broken and bloodied painfully hobbled into the Great Hall supporting each other and announced that Voldemort was dead. Then her anger and self loathing while posing for the photographs that Harry had returned to her.
When Daphne finished the pair were quiet for a moment. Then Daphne lifted the bottle and shook it, then raised it to her lips and swallowed the last of the wine. “We killed the entire bottle.” She said as she put the empty back into the basket. “That gives me the excuse to do this.” She rose to her knees, straddling him. She leaned over and sealed her mouth to his, her hands on the back of his head pulling him into the kiss.
Daphne had never kissed a boy before, but this seemed right somehow. She broke the kiss when she realized just how much she was enjoying it, smiled at the expression on his face and kissed him again. She then returned to her place beside him, pulling his right arm around her shoulder.
The couple spent the rest of the afternoon cuddled in quiet conversation, watching the antics of the Giant Squid playing with a floating log out in the middle of the lake.
Daphne rose to her feet. “It’s almost five. We should get back.” She smiled. “Tracey will be worried, and might come out her looking for us and hex you.”
“Well we wouldn’t want that.” Harry stood and tapped the picnic basket with is wand. It returned to the kitchens. He was going to have to go down tonight and thank the elves. He then vanished the blanket he had created earlier and together the pair began the walk back to the castle.
As they got to the entrance to the castle Harry said, “Thank you Daphne, I had fun. I hope the story of my pathetic life didn’t bore you too much.”
“I wasn’t bored Harry. You’ve shown me what kind of date you are on the grounds of the castle… Next weekend is a Hogsmeade weekend, I think I’ll give you a chance to really show me a good time.”
The Green eyed wizard smiled. “A second date?”
The girl sighed. “I suppose.” Her eyes hardened. “Don’t be getting any ideas Potter.”
“I’ll see what I can come up with in the way of plans. In case I don’t see you between now and next Saturday, meet here at 9am?”
“I don’t have to get up at dawn to milk the cows Potter, make it a civilized hour, and say 10am.”
“10am it is. Any requests for the day?”
September 06, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Gryffindor Common Room:
Hermione entered the Common Room. It was odd how little time she spent in the Common Room this year. She would have to work at that. She really didn’t want to lose touch with her friends.
In the chair nearest the fire she saw Harry quietly reading. Hermione sat down in the chair closest to him. “Hey stranger.”
“Hermione!” his face broke into a smile, then quickly glanced around the room. “How are you? Won’t this cause problems?”
“Relax Harry. Ginny is at Quidditch practice. No threats of problems with Molly.” Her smile dimmed. “How are you Harry? Ron and I miss you.”
“And I miss you ‘mione, both of you. It just doesn’t seem right to go through the day without you two. I’ve barely seen Ron at all. What are you doing to the poor guy? I don’t think he’s managed to get to bed since school started.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.
“I don’t know how to explain it Harry. I’ve never felt like this about anyone, I love him so much.” She blushed. “I hadn’t realized we were being so blatant about it.”
“If you don’t share a dorm with Ron, you wouldn’t know Hermione. You two just appear to be a normal couple. I doubt that anyone outside of the 7th year guys know for sure.”
“Harry, we’re in love.” She whispered desperately.
“Hermione, after all we’ve been through, you don’t have to justify yourself to me. I know you; Ron is the luckiest guy in this castle. You’ve done pretty well too.”
“How about you Harry? I’ve heard you went for a picnic with Daphne Greengrass.”
“Yeah, we had fun.”
“Ron is convinced she’s going to kill you.”
“Ron needs to relax. The War is over.”
“I wish we had been there at the end.”
“I don’t Hermione. Neville and I were luckier than we deserved, if anything had happened to either of you that would have killed me. I was deliriously happy that you two were out of the fight. Seriously Hermione, everything worked out for the best. Nev and I are closer than ever, I’m amazed, he and I are closer than Ron and I ever were.”
The portrait swung open and one of Gryffindor’s new beaters entered, covered in mud. Hermione’s eyes widened. “Ginny will be up soon. We’ll talk later Harry.” She stood and made toward the door.
“Good bye Hermione.” He said sadly. The three of them had faced Death Eaters, but their lives were being controlled by a vindictive 16 year old girl and her mother.
September 08, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Neville looked up from the clingvine he was repotting. These Nocturnal Carnivorous plants were a pain to work with, but he was at a point where he could stop.
“Back here Millie.”
Millicent Bustrode made her way back to the carnivorous section of the greenhouse followed by a Daphne Greengrass. Greengrass’s nervousness annoyed Millie. Like most of ‘The Gardeners’ (a small group of herbology students made up of students of all houses) she never really understood that the rest of the school was indoctrinated with the truism that you didn’t go into Greenhouse #6 unless you were very tired of living and you were interested in particularly slow and painful ways of dying.
“Greengrass wants to talk to you Nev. Where you at in this?”
“Got the primary root-ball repotted. I’ve got the nine secondary root-balls all staked and marked. I was sure that’s all we’d get to tonight; we’ll get to the tertiary root-balls tomorrow.”
“Has anyone got a census on them yet?”
“Su said that she thought that there were nineteen, but she hadn’t staked them yet.”
“Sweet. Ok, I’ve got this; you go have your talk.”
“Thanks Millie.” Neville inspected his clothing. He frowned. “Daphne, if you want to talk to me, we probably ought to get out of the greenhouse.” He edged around her, giving her as wide a berth as he could, then led them back to the exit. Outside he stood beneath a large shower head, and gestured with his wand, a torrent of a purplish liquid fell over Neville for more than a minute, he then stepped clear of the spray and waved his wand again cleaning and drying himself.
“Sorry about that, Clingvines have some nasty toxins, and I was covered in its sap. If I’d touched you, you’d wake up in a few days in the Hospital wing.”
“How bad could it really be? You were covered with it.”
Neville smiled. “We ‘Gardeners’ build up something of an immunity over the years. What can I do for you Daphne?”
“Is my picture wallpapering the 7th year Gryffindor dorm?”
Neville shook his head. “No. There is quite a collection of photos on the wall, most but not all coming from Harry’s collection of Marriage Contracts. None of the photos Harry allowed the others to see were of anyone we were or have been in class with, though he did get a few of those. I believe he has returned those to the ladies in question. You got yours didn’t you?”
“Do you know why he’s asked me out?”
“Ah a dilemma. Do I do what I think is right for Harry, or do I keep his secrets?” Daphne started in on the intimidation she used so effectively. “Daphne, quit it. We’ve known each other far too long, that isn’t going to work on me.”
Daphne blushed. Neville was one of the few playmates she had as a child. Her maternal grandmother and the Lady Longbottom were friends from their days at Hogwarts.
“Daphne, Harry’s a damaged guy. He was deeply in love with a girl who turned out to be the way you are supposed to be, but aren’t. When the vindictive little bitch didn’t get what she wanted, she went out of her way to take Harry’s best friends away from him, running to her mother every time they even speak to him.”
“Harry isn’t looking for a life time commitment just yet. He wants to have some fun with someone who doesn’t want anything from him. He doesn’t want anything exclusive from you. I believe he’s planning something very special for this weekend, and I’m not going to spoil it for you.
“Daphne. Trust Harry. He isn’t looking to use you. He isn’t looking to get anything from you. He wants to have fun and enjoy life, and he wants to do that with you.
September 11, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Great Hall:
Daphne had just sat down for breakfast when a small brown owl lit in front of her and offered its leg. She untied the letter, and thanked the bird as it flew off. Who might be writing her? Her mother’s weekly letter always came on Wednesday. This was the first time in her memory that she had ever received any post on a Friday. Most odd. She opened the letter.
Daphne: It read.
Your surprise is ready, dress casually.
See you at 10…
What was he up too?
September 12, 1997
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
The Entrance Hall:
“Just don’t be stupid Daphne.”
“I can handle Harry Potter Tracey. It’s just a little fun. Ignore Malfoy, no one has ever come back from a date with Potter and claimed rape. That isn’t something Malfoy can say. “
“Voldemort thought the same thing Daphne. Just be careful.”
“Voldemort never tried to handle Potter. He tried to kill him, a very different thing. This is nothing serious, just a little fun.”
They arrived at the Entrance Hall exactly 9 minutes late in the theory that waiting on a woman is good for a man’s soul. Together Tracey and Daphne exited the castle. Harry was waiting.
“Good morning ladies. Ready for an interesting day?”
“I prefer my days to not be all that interesting Potter.” Tracey said. “Your level of interesting tends to end in the Hospital wing.”
“You wound me Tracy. I haven’t been under Madam Pomfrey’s care for four months now. Granted that ‘s a new record, but still.”
“Quit teasing him Tracey. What do you have planned Harry?”
“You told me to surprise you; do you want me to ruin the surprise?” He offered Daphne his hand as she climbed up into the carriage for the trip to Hogsmeade; he did the same for Tracey, and then climbed in himself. “Will you be joining us today Tracey? There will be plenty of room.”
Tracey glanced to her friend. Her answer was in Daphne’s eyes. “No thank you Potter. I just need a few quills, and then I’ll be back at the castle.”
“If you’re sure. Is there anything special you’d like to do Daphne?”
“After three years I doubt that there’s all that much new to do in Hogsmeade Potter. I don’t know how you think you’re going to ‘surprise’ me.”
“Ladies, please. It’s Harry, just Harry. You asked to be surprised, so surprised you will be.”
The thestral drawn carriage pulled into Hogsmeade; Harry hopped down and assisted the girls out of the carriage.
“You’re sure you don’t want to come with us today Tracey?”
“No thank you Potter. Daphne?” The tall raven haired woman went to the shorter blond. “Be careful Daph. He’s up to something.” She said in lower tones.
“I know, he thinks he’s going to sweep me off my feet. I won’t be swept Tracey.”
Daphne returned to Harry’s side and together they watched Tracey make her way into the crowd of students in the town. Harry turned to face her, and startled her by putting his hands on her hips and pulling her close to him. Their faces were inches apart when he spoke.
“Do you trust me Daphne?”
Her Slytherin instincts made her want to laugh in his face, but when she opened her mouth to respond she was surprised by the words that came out. “Yes”
The green of his eyes burned into the violet of hers. “Hold your breath.”
Tracey looked back to her friend in time to see them disappear in a shimmer of color. Where had that arrogant Gryffindor taken her friend?
A/N2: Many thanks to tarkas1956, ralph.sch, wt4dave, rijl_kent, and meteoricshipyards for their input that improved the ‘first date’ scene immeasurably. Thanks guys.
A/N3: To answer some of the many many questions about this fic.
1. When I outlined the story, I had no intention of ever telling how Harry won, nor what went wrong between Harry and Dumbles/Weasleys/Remus. The readers have spoken so I will have to figure out where I can put the explanations into the story.
2. What is ‘wrong’ with Hermione? Nothing. She is young, healthy and horny. She has an itch and Ron scratches so very well. No potions, no compulsions, no blackmail. She loves the big lug. Who would have guessed that Ron was good at something other than chess?
3. Ron is NOT the bad guy in this story. In the aftermath of the falling out he had to decide between Harry and Family. Family won. Harry supports him in that. Hermione had to choose between being with the man she loves and being with Harry. Ron won, and Harry supports her in that. He doesn’t like it, he isn’t hostile toward Harry. The separation is enforced by Ginny running to mummy every time she sees them together. The same with Hermione.
4. The ‘story’ told to Dumbles (Harry from the future) was NOT real. Just my little dig at the gullibility of Wizards in canon, canon, and some fan fic clichés.
5. One or two people considered the prank on the Twins to be cruel. Of course it was, that’s what made it funny. Fred was of sound mind despite his change, and is fully capable of apparition to escape with only the taste of his brother in his mouth… If on the other hand he hesitated, well that’s what essence of murtlap if for…

domain: literature


text:
Money can't buy happiness, but in Ireland a hefty $11 million will buy you a fairytale-style Gothic Revival mansion that comes with its own chapel.
St. George's was built in the late 1870s by its architect/owner George Coppinger Ashlin – the home was a wedding gift for his new bride, Mary.
Read more: Galway and the West tours
The impressive red-brick Victorian home, located on George's Avenue off Dublin's Killiney Hill Road, is now on the market for €9.25 million ($11.1 million).
The towered and gabled mansion sits on one acre of terraced gardens, and comes with its own tiny chapel complete with detailed stain glass windows.
Read more: Dublin and surrounding areas tours
The home was also inspired by Mary's late father, the influential architect Augustus Pugin who designed the British Houses of Parliament and many significant Irish churches and Cathedrals.
It is believed that it took several years for the home to come to fruition, and that Ashlin modeled it on his bride's childhood home.

domain: artistic


- Six Inches
- Lightweight, High Grade, Airplane Aluminum
- Dull Blade
- Comes with 4 blades and 8 bearing housings
$129.95 Including Sales Tax
Crafted from lightweight, high grade, aircraft aluminum, these blades are designed to last while not weighing you down. Mixing together the gliding and maneuvering of a snowboard with the same trick capabilities of a skateboard. The blades are duller than a butter knife and can be used on synthetic ice, ice rinks, and frozen lakes, streets, and ponds.
|Dimensions||7 x 2 x 1 in|


Fireworks spark church blaze, damage set at $50k
Fireworks accidentally landed on the roof of a North Fairmount church, causing $50,000 in damage overnight, Cincinnati fire officials said.
No one was inside when flames broke out at Pentecostal Holiness Church on Carll Street just before midnight Tuesday, said District 3 Fire Chief Marc Monahan.
Crews put the fire out in about 15 minutes.
Enquirermedia partner Fox19 provided this report.


| BackDAT Online Backup - Enterprise-grade Server Infrastructure
99.999% reliability for all core systems
A solution is never more reliable than its underlying infrastructure. We build on the best available to ensure that our service is functional 24~7.
Tier-1, multihomed, route-optimized server Internet connections
Five Gig-E backbone links connect us to the rest of the world.
Redundant power feeds, on-site generators, and UPS systems
External and internal power failures will not affect our systems.
Redundant Liebert cooling systems
Proper cooling is critical to reliable equipment operation. Redundant cooling ensures equipment failures will not cause equipment to overheat. Sensors within our equipment continually monitor for unsafe temperatures.
Multilevel security including biometrics, surveillance, and 24~7 guards
Physical security is just as important as network security.
24~7 monitoring of all services for fast detection and repair
If problems do occur, our operations team is immediately notified and dispatched to resolve the problem.


Mens Oversize Wool Sweater
$ 78.00 USD
Name: Mens Oversize Wool Sweater
Brand: MAYL Wear
Designer: Piotr Kopertowski
Item ID: SS18SWE-MWXKKMOWS
Composition: 80% Japanese premium wool, 20% Others, softer feel and no pilling, double stitches, breathable fabric, extra thick for warmth.
Chest 144 cm / 56", Shoulder 73 cm / 28.7", Lenght 75 cm / 29.5"
Care Instruction: to avoid any damages in premium Japanese wool we highly recommend hand wash or dry clean, mid-iron 100C, gentle cycle with like colours, do not bleach with CL, iron on the left side.
Handmade with love and quality focus.
Copyrights MAYL Wear. All Rights Reserved.


text:
For the first time in decades, the Oregon Zoo’s signature winter festival – Zoolights – would open its doors without the attraction that for many Portlanders virtually defined the event: the Zoolights Train, offline because of an extensive remodel of the Zoo grounds.
So the Zoo faced a daunting challenge (to put it mildly): how do you get people to come to an event without that event’s signature draw?
As the Creative Director that lead the design team, I thought the solution was getting people to rediscover what makes the event amazing in the first place: sharing a stroll through a stunning universe of light with friends and family during the holidays. And maybe letting your imagination run a little wild… as the star of our spot does in “If I Made a Zoo.”
In addition to scripting and directing the spot, the project also included a new logo for the event, a suite of print and digital ads, and a MAX wrap. And maybe best of all, shooting the spot in the Zoo after hours, just our crew and the animals.
I’d have penguins that fly!
and swans that swim the sky
a hippo with the brightest smile
and dinosaurs that glow for miles
If I wish with all my might
It will all come true… tonight!


Do you guys ever get worried that Hollywood will suddenly start generating new material and that not every single movie will be some gently reheated nostalgic throwback property from yesteryear gussied up in a hot new outfit 3 tha kidz? I mean, that hasn’t happened yet, and they aren’t, and every movie is, but do you ever worry? Yeah, me neither. From the HollywoodReporter:
Point Break, the 1991 thriller set against the world of surfing, is getting an extreme-sports make-over, courtesy of Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros.
In the original film, directed by Kathryn Bigelow, Keanu Reeves starred as Johnny Utah, an undercover FBI agent looking for a gang of bank robbers, led by Patrick Swayze’s Bodhi, amid the Southern California surfing scene. The new version, with a screenplay by Kurt Wimmer (Salt), will be set in the world of international extreme sports and also involve an FBI agent infiltrating a criminal ring.
“The world of international extreme sports”? What the hell is that? Seriously, is international extreme sports even still a thing outside of Red Bull commercials? I hope that the FBI agent in the remake has to travel back in time to 1994 and stop Evil Dan Cortese. “Sick Shaun White cameo, bro!” And 100 Mickey Mouse Bucks says there is at least one “no gi” cage fight in this movie that ends in a gogoplata. So extreme. So booooooo! Tres le booooooo! (Very international.)


text:
FARMINGTON — Following an unexpected visit to the Franklin County Courthouse from a State Fire Marshal representative last Friday, the county has some projects to undertake over the next two years.
Based on compliance and previous work done at the courthouse, the Fire Marshal “politely requested us to address these issues,” said Greg Roux, courthouse custodian. The alternative would be a letter demanding the work be done to bring the courthouse closer to compliance with state fire codes.
The first priority is an alarm system, something that the state may be willing to pay half the bill on, he said.
A second wall needs to be erected to isolate the stairway leading up to the Superior Court room. A wall and door was previously created on the other end of the first floor hallway.
The third project includes replacing 14 office doors with fire doors, he said. The doors could be left open by a magnetic attachment that would release and close them when the alarm went off.
Providing what he called a high estimate of $50,000 for the three projects, Roux suggested the alarm system would cost about $25,000, the doors about $15,000 with another $2,500 for the wall and $8,000 for someone to help him complete the work.
If the state will pay half for the alarm system, it could bring the estimate down to about $40,000 for the county, he said.
While the projects can be done over two years, the alarm system should be done while the state is willing to help, he explained.
Commissioner Gary McGrane moved to recommend to the county budget committee that $15,000 should be added to the budget for the fire alarm system. Commissioners unanimously agreed.
The committee was scheduled to meet later in the day to work on the county budget for the coming fiscal year.


text:
Fresh foods are always better choices However, there are some cases where it is difficult, or perhaps quite impossible, to create fresh foods every night. For those pressed with time, you can create frozen foods that are just as healthy as fresh products as well. Frozen Dory Fish
Regardless of the diet type that you’re following, you can still find frozen meals available to meet your taste and nutritional needs. From low fat meals to those that are heart friendly – there are numerous frozen dinners that you can buy. While there is indeed no substitute to a well balance meal that cooked using fresh ingredients, you can also provide your family with the nutrition they need with frozen meals that are healthy. This is perfect for those who do not have time to start from scratch, but would want something that’s still wholesome for dinner.
Healthy foods can still have unhealthy ingredients in it which some people may have sensitivities to, so check them out as well. While there are plenty of frozen foods that are healthy, you should still keep an eye on unhealthy ingredients such as excess sodium. Soft shell crab supplier
With that said, also make sure that you understand the labels as well. These nutritional labels provide vital information regarding the amount of calories, fat, sodium and vitamin and mineral percentages in the food. When you choose between and among plenty of brands and varieties, make sure that you read the labels carefully.
Sometimes, a small frozen meal is already equal to two dinner sizes – and this can mislead you to think that it is only equivalent to one. You don’t want to end up eating double portions and calories. When you examine nutritional labels, make sure that you pay close attention to portion sizes as well. Frozen Food Company in Malaysia
Keep the total amount of your daily fat intake to just 30% of the daily calories. This shouldn’t be as hard since governments now mandate manufacturers to place these on the nutritional labels. This makes calculations fairly easy. When you look at the fat amount in your frozen dinner, make sure that you also follow the daily recommended allowance.

domain: food


Jul 27, 2015
An announcement is expected by the end of this year and a possible letter of acceptance in 2016.
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense confirmed that the MD500s are scheduled for retirement and that it was seeking a replacement.
Boeing triggered speculation about whether the US government would consider selling the aircraft it wants to retire when a company official told reporters there have been “early discussions” about international sales.
“It’s something we would be interested in, but again, it depends where the air force goes with retirements”.
Ankara, which called for a special NATO meeting on Tuesday to discuss its security concerns, said two soldiers were killed and four wounded in an earlier attack by PKK militants.
Long a reluctant member of the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State, Turkey made a dramatic turnaround this week by granting the alliance access to its air bases and launching air raids against both the jihadist movement and the PKK.
It has no plans to send ground troops into Syria and the air strikes there are meant to give support to moderate Syrian rebels fighting Islamic State.
Jul 22, 2015
Production of the PAK DA has been delayed in order to resume producing Tupolev Tu-160M2 bomber.
According to the plans, serial production of the [Tu-160] aircraft new version [the Tu-160M2] is to be implemented starting from 2023.
The PAK DA project will be somewhat shifted beyond [2023, when it is currently to begin entering service], otherwise there is no sense in it,” Borisov said.
As The National Interest previously noted, back in May Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that Russia had decided to resume production of the Soviet-era Tu-160 nuclear bomber, which NATO refers to as Blackjack.
Russia later revealed that the decision to restart production of the Blackjack bomber was made directly by Russian President Vladimir Putin. “The supreme commander [president of Russia] and the Russian defense minister have taken a decision on reviving production of the Tu-160M aircraft,” Col. Gen. Viktor Bondarev, the commander-in-chief of Russia’s Air Force, said in late May.
Since the Islamic State group began their rampage across Iraq last year, Baghdad has leaned heavily on Washington for military assistance.
Currently, the Royal Air Force (RAF) fields 53 Tranche 1 Typhoons and 87 Tornados which, when coupled with the Tranche 2 and 3A Typhoons now flying, brings its frontline combat inventory up to 192 aircraft. Although the loss of 140 aircraft by 2019 represents a 77% reduction in the current force strength on paper, it should be noted that this will be offset somewhat by the continued delivery of the Tranche 3 Typhoons, as well as the arrival of the first Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters.
Even so, while all 40 Tranche 3A Typhoons should be with the RAF by 2019, the United Kingdom is expected to have received only about 15 to 20 F-35Bs by this time (to be operated by both the RAF and Royal Navy). When the loss of the Tornados and Tranche 1 Typhoons is taken into account, the United Kingdom will be left with about 127 frontline combat jets at best when this happens (the lowest number that the RAF will have fielded since its creation in 1918).
The flight trials of the Aerodynamic Modification Kit (AMK) were part of the wider Eurofighter Enhanced Manoeuvrability (EFEM) programme.
The AMK comprises additional fuselage strakes and leading-edge root extensions that are designed to increase the maximum lift created by the wing by 25%.
Flight trials had yielded some better-than-expected results, with the angle-of-attack capability being 45% greater than that of the unmodified aircraft, and roll-rates up to 100% higher. The flight trials followed around five years of studies, with Eurofighter test pilots and operational pilots from Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom conducting 36 sorties from Manching, Germany, on the Instrumented Production Aircraft (IPA) 7.
In terms of expanding the Typhoon's air-to-air and air-to-surface capabilities, Eurofighter has recently undertaken a series of separate weapon trials that include the MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile (BVRAAM), the MBDA Storm Shadow/Taurus cruise missiles, the MBDA Brimstone low-collateral air-to-surface missile, and the Raytheon Paveway IV precision-guided bomb. Airbus has also revealed that it is looking to integrate a variety of anti-shipping missiles onto the aircraft to increases its maritime role. The goal is to have the full multirole Phase 3 Enhancements (P3E) package in place by 2018, to coincide with the retirement from UK service of the Panavia Tornado GR.4 strike aircraft.
The Euroradar Captor electronically scanned (E-Scan)/Captor active electronically scanned array (CAESAR) radar is currently in its Extended Assessment Phase (EAP), with an integration contract signed by Eurofighter and partner nations on 19 November 2014. The Captor-E/CAESAR is being provisioned for the Tranche 3 aircraft, and will be retrofittable to Tranche 2 platforms also. Once fielded, the new AESA radar should offer some electronic attack capability and simultaneous multimode operation, plus significantly expanded air-to-air capability (it will also have additional functions at the customer's request).
Part of the air base was evacuated as a precaution while teams retrieved the two detached missiles from the closed runway.
The Brimstone missiles became dislodged as the Tornado GR4 aircraft carrying them landed in poor weather conditions. It could have happened because of a high angle of attack..
Six RAF Tornado GR4 fighter bombers are based at RAF Akrotiri taking part in operations against Islamic State militants.
Jul 14, 2015
The helicopter was handed over to the Finnish Defence Forces during a ceremony at Patria's domestic production facility.
Finland signed its contract for the 20 NH90 TTH helicopters in 2001, as a part of a common acquisition programme with Sweden and Norway to replace its ageing fleet of Mil Mi-8 'Hip' transport helicopters.
The first helicopter for Finland made its maiden flight, in 2004. Deliveries were due to be complete in 2010, but were set back by programmatic delays.
In the meeting the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) was also referred to as a “strategic force” a title usually reserved for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Second Artillery Corps – Beijing’s “de facto strategic missile force,” according to China Daily.
The new bomber should be capable of striking targets as far as the “second island chain” – an area stretching from the Kurils in the North through Japan, the Bonins, the Marianas, the Carolines and Indonesia in the South – the paper further states.
The PLA’s definition of a long-range strategic bomber is a minimum range of 8,000 km (5,000 miles) without refueling and the capacity to carry a payload of more than 10 tons of air-to-ground ammunition.
This definition would correspondent to the sparse details available on China’s prospective subsonic stealth bomber – the H-20 (or H-X) – which could enter service by 2025 some analysts note.
H-20 is believed to be able to evade modern air defense systems and penetrate deep into the enemy territory. Some analysts argue that the primary mission of the new bomber will be do attack U.S. aircraft carrier strike groups.
The PLAAF currently operates approximately 15 H-6K nuclear-capable bombers, a locally built version of the Russian Tupolev Tu-16 Badger which can “reach Okinawa, Guam and even Hawaii from China’s mainland, depending on the bombers armament.
The Defense Ministry says the strategic bomber crashed on the morning of July 14 during a training flight 80 kilometers from the regional capital, Khabarovsk.
The plane did not have any bombs aboard and fell in a remote place. The plane's crew managed to eject from the aircraft before it crashed.
It is the second military plane to have crashed in the Khabarovsk region in the last eight days. On July 6, a SU-24M bomber crashed while taking off on a training mission, killing two pilots aboard.
The Defense Ministry launched an investigation into that crash and grounded all Su-24 bombers until the end of the inquiry.
The ORI for the first F-35B squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, is scheduled to begin today and will last four or five days..
In addition to that maintenance test, the ORI will also include assessments of five areas of flight operations with live ordnance at up to a division-level context.
The big question overhanging the shipment, though, is whether the Iraqis can fly them.
The Obama administration said Monday that the first group of Iraqi pilots has been trained.
Iraq purchased 18 F-16s in 2011 for $3 billion, and another 18 for $830 million two years later, for a total of 36 aircraft.
There have been numerous delays in getting the F-16s to Iraq, mostly because of the deteriorating security situation there.
How prepared they will be remains to be seen, and defense aviation experts voiced concerns earlier this year.
Jul 6, 2015
It is understood that the undisclosed order was placed in May 2014 during the Kadex exhibition in Kazakhstan, and the first Uzbekistan C295 completed its maiden flight on 17 June from the company’s site in Seville, Spain.
In February 2014 a delegation from Uzbekistan visited Airbus’s Getafe site in Spain to see the C295,.
The transport's emergence follows on from a separate deal announced during the Paris air show earlier this month, under which Saudi Arabia's interior ministry also order four winglet-equipped C295Ws.
All of the approximately 280 single- and twin-seat MiG-29s in the air force's inventory are subject to the order, which was imposed after the Head of Aviation Safety, Major-General Alexander Berzan, was forced to eject from his aircraft after one of the two engines caught fire near Rostov-on-Don in southwest Russia..
It is standard practise for the Russian Air Force to ground aircraft types following such incidents, and the MiG-29s will not return to flying status until the preliminary results of the investigation are known.
Fourteen pilots dropped 30 weapons last week over a restricted area in southeastern California, and all of the high-explosive weapons went off.
"The weapons employment went extremely well and validated the simulated procedures pilots have been training to and gave us confidence in the jet's ability to perform with real weaponry as advertised. These were the first ordnance expenditures by a fleet squadron in a nontest environment," said Major Brendan Walsh, a pilot and operations officer, in an emailed statement to IBD.
The airlifter arrived at its homebase at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, having completed pre-delivery trials at the Seville final assembly line in Spain, where it had been held up for some weeks following the fatal crash on 9 May of an aircraft destined for Turkey. There are currently three further aircraft at Seville, which are due to be flown to the United Kingdom in the coming days and weeks.
It is anticipated that the RAF will have received its first seven aircraft by the end of September, at which point the service will declare initial operating capability (IOC) for the type. All 22 aircraft are scheduled to be in service by 2022, to coincide with the retirement of the planned Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules.
Several dedicated national capabilities, such as UK parachutes and aerial delivery systems, that need to be cleared from a safety perspective will undergo testing at the end of July and continue through until March 2018, to clear their release to service.
The RAF is to roll out its A400M capabilities in a series of tranches, with Tranche 1 comprising basic strategic airlift (2015); Tranche 2 involving non-permissive operations and inter-theatre operations (from 2016), as well as deployable intra-theatre capability (from 2017); Tranche 3 will involve tactical transport, including airdrops (from late 2017); and Tranche 4 involving advanced capabilities and full support to the Airborne Assault Task Force (from 2018 to 2022).
The UK has so far received two of its 22 aircraft, with a further four undergoing pre-delivery trials at the company's final assembly line (FAL) in Seville, Spain. Initial operating capability (IOC) was due to be declared in March, but delays to initial deliveries had pushed this date back to September.
The RAF's 206 Squadron is currently testing the first A400Ms to arrive at RAF Brize Norton, with crews to be trained by 24 Squadron. Once trained, these personnel will be assigned to the first operational A400M unit: 70 Squadron. A second operational unit is due to be stood up in 2018.
Deliveries of all 22 A400M aircraft to the RAF are set to conclude in 2022, to coincide with the retirement of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules.
Jul 4, 2015
The pod carries the Lockheed IRST21 sensor, which traces its lineage back to the Grumman F-14 Tomcat and is now in operation on the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and international F-15 platforms.
Legion Pod is aimed at a USAF programme to provide the F-15C Eagle with a passive, long-range infrared sensor capability, and the service is also exploring options for its Lockheed F-16s.
Jul 1, 2015
In a statement posted to its website, Embraer announced Mali signed an order for six A-29s while the Ghanaian Defense Ministry agreed to procure five of the aircraft.
Both countries intend to use the Super Tucanos for advanced pilot training, border surveillance and a wide range of other internal security missions.
Airbus' A330 MRTT beat Boeing Co's KC-46A and Israel Aerospace Industries' MMTT for the tender, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said in a statement.


TORONTO — As if travel’s restart wasn’t enough of a story in 2022, Canada’s airline industry took things up a notch this year with brand new carriers, big expansions and even news of a possible acquisition.
Canada Jetlines took off in 2022, after years of waiting, and to cheers from travel agents who can earn commission with the new carrier. Lynx Air got off the ground too. Flair Airlines expects to have 27 aircraft, and 28 cities (including seven in the U.S.), by summer 2023. Porter Airlines is making good on its own expansion plans, with new 2023 flights to Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton all announced in recent days, and plenty more routes and destinations on the way, including more in the U.S. plus sun spots in Mexico and the Caribbean. Meanwhile Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, WestJet, Swoop, Sunwing and Transat are all ramping up capacity too, as Canadians rediscover the joys of travel.
Meanwhile the WestJet Group’s proposed acquisition of Sunwing Vacations and Sunwing Airlines is winding its way through the regulatory process. Will approval come in 2023? Or will it founder like Air Canada’s proposed acquisition of Transat?
In a recent interview with Travelweek, aviation expert John Gradek predicted that the WestJet-Sunwing deal will get the go-ahead. “Even with this duplicity of routes and the potential for significant service rationalization, the Canadian government approved the Air Canada-Transat transaction. The WestJet-Sunwing transaction has a great deal less duplicity and frequency impact and, in my opinion, should easily pass Canadian government approval,” said Gradek.
As Canada’s leisure air market takes on more capacity than anyone ever thought possible, the country’s corporate travel market is picking up too.
For this year-end look at Canada’s airline industry, Travelweek connected with Patrick Doyle, Vice President & General Manager at American Express Global Business Travel, the world’s leading business-to-business travel platform. Doyle also sits on the boards of GBTA and ACTA.
Travelweek: What surprised you – good and bad – about how airlines handled travel’s restart in 2022?
Doyle: “Without a doubt, the pandemic had an unprecedented impact on travel. It was the first industry to shut down and among the last to reopen. In our sector, the airline industry has struggled the most with recovery, initially through low demand and now through logistical and staffing issues. While the swift pace was something we couldn’t have predicted in 2021, what’s been most impressive to witness is how the people on the frontlines of the airline industry have deftly navigated the immense challenges faced this year. I applaud them.”
Travelweek: What could the airlines have done differently?
Doyle: “The world’s carriers are emerging from one of the most challenging periods in their history, so there are bound to be difficult lessons learned. Airline and airport labor shortages were a significant factor in reduced capacity during 2022. Looking back, we can now say that staffing shortfalls could have been addressed sooner. As well, more transparent communications with customers may have mitigated some of the chaos; positioning difficulties that peaked this summer as a short term disruption actively being addressed.”
Travelweek: Do you think Canada can handle all the capacity that’s coming – overcapacity concerns?
Doyle: “The research in this year’s Air Monitor report shows that new carriers in Canada are adding significant capacity, leading Canada to recover an impressive 97% of 2019 ASM (available seat miles) levels in Q1 2023. However, with their largely domestic focus and low-cost models, these carriers may be unlikely to meet the needs of corporate travellers, which is the audience we at Amex GBT are laser focused on.”
Travelweek: How is business travel’s recovery coming along?
Doyle: “Early reports of the death of business travel were greatly exaggerated. In fact, the reality is quite the opposite. Our latest earnings show business travel continuing to recover and companies continuing to invest in travel. A survey of our top 125 customers in October reported that 95% expect their 2023 business travel spend to increase or stay flat to 2022. Seven in 10 decision makers we surveyed believe increased remote work will lead to more, not less, business travel in the future fuelling demand. Remote and hybrid work are making business travel the new centre of company culture.”
Travelweek: Amex GBT’s Air Monitor report forecasts airfares to keep climbing. Do you think the market forces will keep fares from getting too high? Or are the days of reasonably affordable airfares behind us for a while?
Doyle: “Forecasting is always difficult. Forecasting air prices – after two years of disruption and volatility – is even more of a challenge, one that is compounded by the uncertain outlook for the world economy. Given significant price increases in 2022, fare rises in the competitive North American air sector in 2023 are expected to be more moderate, 3.4% in business class and 2.9% economy, than those forecast for Europe and Asia Pacific.
“Some factors, such as the cost of fuel, are beyond the airline’s control and will continue to impact prices. Since March 2022, fuel surcharges on a roundtrip business class ticket from New York to London have increased by $500 to $1,700, for example.”
Travelweek: What’s key for the airline industry as we head into 2023?
Doyle: “Sustainability is no longer a nice-to-have and it’s important that we keep making inroads as an industry. According to many surveys, including our own, sustainability is becoming more important to both companies and travellers when booking their trips. Four in five respondents or 80% say their organization takes sustainability into account when planning meetings and events. Of those, over three quarters (76%) say that their organization has a defined sustainable meeting program strategy. This is encouraging news.
“Here at Amex GBT, we recognize the risks posed by climate change, wasted resources, and loss of biodiversity. We have committed to set science-based and net zero emissions targets, and we were the first global TMC to become carbon neutral for our own travel activities. For clients and partners, we’re scaling sustainable solutions, including carbon calculations and reporting, credible carbon credits to offset travel emissions, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to decarbonize air travel. For me personally, this is one of the most exciting and rewarding advancements in our industry.”


text:
Updated: 07/17/2013 - This isn't good. TMZ reports that Emma Roberts was arrested on July 7 in Montreal after a "domestic violence incident" involving her boyfriend (and "American Horror Story" co-star) Evan Peters. The starlet, 22, is accused of "bloodying" the 26-year-old actor during a squabble in their hotel room.
Posted: 07/17/2013 - The Alamo will be getting some high-tech preservation help.
Posted: 07/17/2013 - A Central Texas woman charged with killing her husband allegedly had texted her plans to a friend hours before the fatal shooting.
Posted: 07/17/2013 - A coroner says 'Glee' actor Cory Monteith died of an overdose of heroin and alcohol.
Posted: 07/16/2013 - Tips to keeping your social media profiles professional.
Updated: 07/16/2013 - With the Hollywood Baby Boom, will Fergie and Josh have a boy or girl to join the Hollywood elite?
Posted: 07/16/2013 - Stevie Wonder says he won't perform in Florida and other states with a "stand your ground" law.
Updated: 07/16/2013 - An animal control officer equipped with hotdog bits has managed to rescue a 15-pound dog that somehow found itself stuck on the roof.
Updated: 07/16/2013 - Brooklyn Nets coach Jason Kidd pleaded guilty Tuesday to a misdemeanor drunken driving charge.
Posted: 07/16/2013 - There are so many books out there where the main characters go to boarding schools, and it has got me wondering, are boarding schools really that common?
Updated: 07/16/2013 - Not many people owned a copy of "The Cuckoo's Calling" before word leaked out over the weekend that author Robert Galbraith was, in fact, J.K. Rowling. But a handful who did have a signed edition.
Updated: 07/16/2013 - A fan on her way to a Dave Matthews concert pulled over to help a stranded bicyclist, who turned out to be none other than the singer himself.
Updated: 07/16/2013 - If you are willing to pay, AT&T will offer faster upgrades.
Posted: 07/16/2013 - U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry launched a new round of Middle East diplomacy on Tuesday.
Updated: 07/16/2013 - The capture of the notoriously brutal Zetas leader Miguel Angel Trevino Morales represents a serious blow to Mexico's most feared drug cartel.
Posted: 07/16/2013 - It was an oft-invoked image on last year's campaign trail: The typical American couple, sitting around the kitchen table making a budget to ensure their bills were paid and spending hadn't gotten out of control.
Posted: 07/16/2013 - Leonard Garment, a lawyer who was a friend and adviser to President Richard Nixon as the Watergate scandal unfolded and who urged him not to destroy tapes of his conversations, has died at age 89.
Posted: 07/16/2013 - The minions of "Despicable Me 2" squeaked out another win at the box office last weekend, beating out the debuts of the Adam Sandler comedy "Grown Ups 2" and sci-fi fanboy flick "Pacific Rim."
Updated: 07/16/2013 - Clashes overnight between police and supporters of Egypt's deposed president left at least seven people dead, authorities said Tuesday.
Posted: 07/16/2013 - As they began deliberating in George Zimmerman's murder trial, three of the six jurors wanted to acquit him while the other three wanted to convict him of either murder or manslaughter, one of the jurors said.

domain: news


text:
The March Book Club will discuss “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman on Thursday, March 26th from 5:30-7:00pm. All are welcome.
8998 Main St., Lisle, NY 13797, (607)692-3115
The November Book of the Month is Anne Tyler’s “Clock Dance”. The conversation has gone online! Join us for the online book discussion starting on Wednesday, November 20th through Sunday, November 30th on the Lisle Free Library Book Club group page. All are welcome to […]


text:
Ecko's game studio, Ecko Code, built the game in association with Lionsgate Films to coincide with the show's season premiere June 27. And you can probably already guess what you'll be up to in Weeds Social Club (its official title).
Admittedly, much of the game sounds like the Canadian Facebook ganja-grower Pot Farm. Players will have to grow and create their own strains of marijuana, and tend to the "crops" much like they would in the far more innocent FarmVille.
As you level up in the game, you will unlock advanced strains of the potent plant to sell above or below street value. With the cash, players can deck out their houses with tons of digital goodies, and buy even more with Favors, the game's paid currency.
This social tie-in is decidedly more mature than most, and Marc Ecko frankly doesn't care. "There has been this philosophy of don't offend anyone, be very broad-this Hallmark card philosophy," Marc Ecko told Business Week. "We believe there is a user out there that wants something with more teeth and more counter culture." Well, you can't get more "counter culture" than this--unless, of course, someone went and made a Breaking Bad Facebook game.
[Source and Image Credit: Business Week]
Will you give Weeds Social Club a shot when it launches? What do you think of these more mature-themed social games that have cropped up lately? Sound off in the comments. Add Comment.

domain: game


PGCIL recruitment 2017 notification for Field Supervisor govt jobs
Government jobs in PGCIL recruitment 2017 for occupying the position of Field Supervisor govt jobs. PGCIL Notification 2017 Academic background necessary is Diploma can contribute. Who are eager to do work in Jharkhand, they can apply for Field Supervisor government jobs.
Selected Aspirant can receive the earnings amount INR 23,000 per month for PGCIL recruitment 2017. The Aspirant should have some kind of qualification are educational background is diploma in any discipline of engineering from a recognized Technical board /Institute with minimum 50% marks for Field Supervisor government jobs in PGCIL recruitment 2017. Desirable for this PGCIL notification 2017 Candidate should apply on or before given the last date is 14th Fab 2017. For more details, official notification and apply online for this post links are given bellow.
PGCIL recruitment 2017 notification for Field Supervisor government jobs
Company Name: Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL)
Category: Government jobs
Job Role: Field Supervisor
Educational Qualification: Diploma
Job Location: Jharkhand
Salary Details: INR 23,000 per month
No. of Posts: 9 posts
Qualification: The applicant should have an educational background is diploma in any discipline of engineering from a recognized Technical board /Institute with minimum 50% marks.
Mode of Selection: In order to make the selection they are conducting a personal interview.
Important Dates: 14th Fab 2017
How to apply:
Stay tuned for Latest jobs, walkin jobs, government jobs, It jobs, fresher walkins, bank jobs, updates are available and Press CTRL+D to bookmark this page: mechfuture


Scott Jaschik of Inside Higher Ed reports:
Ken Burns, the documentary maker who brought the Civil War, the histories of baseball and jazz, and the biographies of the Roosevelts to film, had a chance Monday night to honor the National Endowment for the Humanities, which supported much of his work. He praised the NEH for both its grants and its standards, and thanked the endowment for naming him to deliver this year’s Jefferson Lecture, the nation’s highest annual honor in the humanities.
Burns used the lecture to defend the humanities from its many attackers, to describe how those who work on issues of race (as he has done in many projects) face particular criticism and to champion the art of the narrative as a tool to advance history and promote a common understanding of society.
In his talk, Burns repeatedly said the humanities — by helping us understand such a broad range of different topics and perspectives — in fact promote unity through understanding. But he freely admitted that the denigrators of the humanities don’t see it that way.
“In a larger sense, the humanities help us all understand almost everything better — and they liberate us from the myopia our media culture and politics impose upon us. Unlike our current culture wars, which have manufactured a false dialectic just to accentuate otherness, the humanities stand in complicated contrast, permitting a nuanced and sophisticated view of our history, as well as our present moment, replacing misplaced fear with admirable tolerance, providing important perspective and exalting in our often contradictory and confounding manifestations,” he said in the prepared version of his talk. “Do we contradict ourselves? We do!”
Yet Burns said he worried that so many people don’t see value in contradictions that are informed by knowledge and perspective. “Somehow, in recent times, the humanities have been needlessly scapegoated in our country by those who continually benefit from division and obfuscation. Let me make it perfectly clear: the United States of America is an enduring humanistic experiment,” he said.
Read the rest here.


text:
- This event has passed.
LEGO at Kimball Library
November 9, 2016 @ 2:30 pm - 4:30 pm
An event every week that begins at 2:30pm on Wednesday, repeating until December 18, 2019
Creators of all ages are invited to enjoy LEGOs® at the Library. Lego bricks will be provided for building during that time but players may bring their own if they wish.

domain: library


text:
Happiness is an expression of the soul in considered actions.
Happiness, not in another place but this place...not for another hour, but this hour.
Three grand essentials to happiness in this life are something to do, something to love, and something to hope for.
I never admired another's fortune so much that I became dissatisfied with my own.
Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.
He whose face gives no light, shall never become a star.
Happiness doesn't depend on any external conditions, it is governed by our mental attitude
All who would win joy, must share it; happiness was born a twin.
The lonely one offers his hand too quickly to whomever he encounters.
The purpose of government is to enable the people of a nation to live in safety and happiness. Government exists for the interests of the governed, not for the governors.
Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.
The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts.
Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.
Be joyful because it is humanly possible.
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.
There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophies. My brain and my heart are my temples; my philosophy is kindness.
A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special.
Money can't buy you happiness but it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.
Happiness can exist only in acceptance.
Seek not happiness too greedily, and be not fearful of unhappiness.


text:
5 edition of Collected poems, 1954-2004 found in the catalog.
|LC Classifications||MLCM 2005/00081 (P), PR6063.O67|
|The Physical Object|
|Pagination||xii, 355 p. ;|
|Number of Pages||355|
West Indies & Caribbean year book.
Sovereignty aspects in the roles of women in medieval Irish and Welsh society
Governance and risk management of the fast ferry project.
streak of madness
Machines in the cotton fields
ethical teaching of Jesus
Twentieth century thinkers
story of Hamilton
analysis of Canadian school bus accident records 1982-83 - 1984-85
style of the mods
KJV Ruby Text Bible Cream imitation leather 60VCG
English reader, or, Pieces in prose and poetry
The NOOK Book (eBook) of the Collected Poems, by Irving Feldman at Barnes & Noble. FREE Shipping on $35 or more. Due to COVID, orders may be : Irving Feldman. Genre/Form: Poetry: Additional Physical Format: Online version: Moraes, Dom, Collected poems New Delhi ; New York, NY: Penguin, Lee ahora en digital con la aplicación gratuita Kindle/5(12).
Dikter och prosa – book. Read 23 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. Med sitt särpräglade metaforrika språk har Tomas Transtr /5.
This video presents the concept and book design behind 2 books with and about Tomas Tranströmer. Collected poems and prose Exhibition catalogue from The Nobel Museum. Tomas Tranströmer has 90 books on Goodreads with ratings. Tomas Tranströmer’s most popular book is The Great Enigma: New Collected Poems.
Irving Feldman, Song 💞🌍🌎🌏💞Reference: Collected Poems,Schocken, Poem Quotes Poems Antlers Deep Thoughts Grief Enchanted Lyrics How To. Feldman, a longtime distinguished professor of English at UB, where he taught from toand a MacArthur Foundation Fellow, is the author of 11 collections of poems, including.
Booko search results for Dom Moraes. Booko United States. (You can change region by clicking the flag in the toolbar.).


|Validation of a confirmatory method for lipophilic marine toxins in shellfish using UHPLC-HR-Orbitrap MS|Orellana, G.; Vanden Bussche, J.; Van Meulebroek, L.; Vandegehuchte, M.; Janssen, C.R.; Vanhaecke, L. (2014). Validation of a confirmatory method for lipophilic marine toxins in shellfish using UHPLC-HR-Orbitrap MS. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 406(22): 5303-5312. https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00216-014-7958-6
In: Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. Springer: Heidelberg. ISSN 1618-2642; e-ISSN 1618-2650
Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution Orbitrapmass spectrometry; Lipophilic marine toxins; Okadaic acid; CommissionDecision 2002/657/EC; Azaspiracids; Yessotoxins
|Auteurs|| || Top |
- Orellana, G.
- Vanden Bussche, J.
- Van Meulebroek, L.
- Vandegehuchte, M.
- Janssen, C.R.
- Vanhaecke, L.
Lipophilic marine toxins are produced by harmful microalgae and can accumulate in edible filter feeders such as shellfish, leading to an introduction of toxins into the human food chain, causing different poisoning effects. During the last years, analytical methods, based on liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), have been consolidated by interlaboratory validations. However, the main drawback of LC-MS/MS methods remains the limited number of compounds that can be analyzed in a single run. Due to the targeted nature of these methods, only known toxins, previously considered during method optimization, will be detected. Therefore in this study, a method based on ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution Orbitrap mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HR-Orbitrap MS) was developed. Its quantitative performance was evaluated for confirmatory analysis of regulated lipophilic marine toxins in shellfish flesh according to Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Okadaic acid (OA), dinophysistoxin-1 (DTX-1), pectenotoxin-2 (PTX-2), azaspiracid-1 (AZA-1), yessotoxin (YTX), and 13-desmethyl spirolide C (SPX-1) were quantified using matrix-matched calibration curves (MMS). For all compounds, the reproducibility ranged from 2.9 to 4.9 %, repeatability from 2.9 to 4.9 %, and recoveries from 82.9 to 113 % at the three different spiked levels. In addition, confirmatory identification of the compounds was effectively performed by the presence of a second diagnostic ion (13C). In conclusion, UHPLC-HR-Orbitrap MS permitted more accurate and faster detection of the target toxins than previously described LC-MS/MS methods. Furthermore, HRMS allows to retrospectively screen for many analogues and metabolites using its full-scan capabilities but also untargeted screening through the use of metabolomics software.


text:
There is one thing that scares me more than anything. More than spiders or drowning or death. I am terrified of being forgotten. One day it occurred to me that, pending the destruction of all computer technology and internet servers, my grand, great grand, great great grand children and so on will simply be able to Google me or pull up my facebook page to find out practically anything they want to know about me. The internet never forgets. That idea in a way makes me feel more secure about not being forgotten. My memory lost to time. But Tom and Alice, Chris and Augusta, Willie Mae and Simon, William and Mertis; who remembers their names? Who tells their stories of joy and heartbreak? Who shares their pictures and tags their friends? I am who I am in part because of who these mysterious barely known people were and how they lived and died. Their stories are entwined with mine in so many ways I will never know.
My ancestors were not all good or all bad. Some fought hard to gain an education or keep their hard earned land, and some just fought each other. They loved and lost and struggled against the times and society they were raised in. Their stories are powerful and ordinary and they thrill me, make me laugh and hurt my heart. These are my people, my family. I do not want to be forgotten and neither should they.


text:
August 18th 3:30pm Central
presented by Chrisantha Anandappa, MD
Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist
Join our webinar on how to prepare your patients that are going off to or returning to college this fall.
We’ll explore how to determine if they’re ready, creating an outpatient plan, finding campus and community support, educating parents and families, and more!
This presentation is ideal for therapists and doctors who treat adolescents and young adults, and is also useful for parents of the same.
About Dr. Anandappa
Chrisantha E. Anandappa, MD is a newer addition to the SunCloud Health team, joining in January 2022 as an Adolescent and Forensic Psychiatrist. He previously spent time at Compass Health Center and Loyola’s campus wellness Center as the staff psychiatrist. Read Dr. Anandappa’s full bio.

domain: medical


text:
It may sound like some kind of prehistoric creature, but riparian refers to the strips of green vegetation alongside streams, creeks, rivers, lakes, sloughs and other bodies of water. Riparian areas are found across Alberta: in northern boreal forest, parkland, foothills, mountains and prairie grasslands. Although riparian areas make up a small percentage of the landscape, they are definitely a big deal. Riparian areas have far reaching benefits to water, land, livestock, wildlife and humans.
Healthy riparian areas act as filters to keep sediment and pollutants from entering the water, resulting in clean water for livestock and humans and quality habitat for fish. Healthy riparian areas will produce forage on a stable basis, which helps reduce the impacts of drought and acts as a buffer system during floods.
Riparian areas are good for land too, acting as a sponge to collect and slowly release needed moisture over the landscape. Vegetation in riparian areas helps prevent soil erosion on the banks of water bodies. Plant root systems reduce erosion and stabilize shorelines, and create an abundance of forage and shelter for livestock and wildlife.
Riparian areas are frequently part of the rangelands that livestock in Alberta graze upon. Rangeland is land that supports vegetation for animal grazing and is managed as a natural ecosystem. In Alberta, it is estimated that rangelands provide forage to about 14 per cent of the Alberta beef cattle herd.
- Did you know that there are about 8 million acres of grazing land in Alberta?
- The first domestic livestock arrived in Alberta with the fur trade and eventually ranching became established by the 1870’s.
- A cow eats about 12 kg of forage a day (measured as dry material) and requires 40 to 60 litres of water to digest that forage.
Maintaining the balance
An unhealthy riparian area may show the following symptoms:
- Slumped shorelines
- Absence of vegetation and wildlife
- Murky looking water with sediment buildup
These are indicators that the health of the landscape is not being maintained in a balanced way.
It is important to balance the health of the land, vegetation and water with grazing needs. Today, grazing is viewed as a natural process and tool for perpetuating rangeland ecosystems to be managed along with other factors like fire, disturbance, and human activity.
The Grazing Lease Stewardship Code of Practice has helpful information:
What can you do?
When it comes to grazing especially, there are several range management practices that can help protect natural landscapes and riparian areas.
- Don’t overgraze – this means leaving enough carryover vegetation to protect soil, conserve moisture and trap sediment;
- Distributing livestock evenly – not allowing livestock to linger and overuse an area;
- Rotational grazing – this means using several pastures for grazing, one of which is grazed while the others are rested before re-grazing;
- Planning for periods of rest on the landscape to assist in restoring and maintaining a healthy riparian area;
- Avoiding or minimizing grazing the area during fragile or vulnerable periods – for example, in late summer / early autumn grasses have dried out, while plants within the riparian zone are still green and looking mighty tasty to cows… making them vulnerable to overuse.
Cows and Fish is a non-profit organization that educates Albertans on the proper management of riparian areas. Looking for a more hands on experience? You can set up a workshop, presentation and/or training opportunity with Cows and Fish.
Off highway vehicles (OHVs), including quads, trikes and off-road motorcycles can also cause significant lasting damage to the landscape. Keep 100 m away from water in a Public Land Use Zone, or 30 m anywhere else. Keep OHV wheels out of streams, rivers and lakes by using established stream crossing bridges instead.
Don’t rip up riparian areas – keep the green zone healthy for long-term benefits!

domain: biology


text:
We don't play hunting games! We get out during every hunting season and get it done right. Whether it's a deer hunt, turkey or waterfowl we've got you covered!
Camo Bra with Pink Bow Mossy Oak Padded Underwire Best selling camo lingerie.Features Mossy Oak® Break-Up® pink bow camo bra. Scalloped lace trim leads to the black soft lace with a pink ribbon woven
You searched for ivy park - Page 2 of 3 - SportStylist
Mossy Oak Break Up Camo Padded Bra With Heart Charm & Thong Pantie Set Sizes
Great Selling Mossy Oak Pink Camouflage Bra with the Break Up Pattern available in all different sizes including 34 b,c 36 c d and 38 c and
I'm Tiffany Suzette

domain: hobby


text:
Compared to numerous cadenced instruments, the stringed instrument is a relative beginner geological dating from the Middle Ages. It's origins, go rear to longitudinal in the past the beginnings of recorded long-ago.
The original gizmo was likely nada much than a bow in the custody of a primeval hunter. One day, a number of unknown conceiver connected a depressed gourd to the raceway of a bow. By cuddling the bottle to his thorax and crooked the slide subsidise and away beside one foot (to alteration the antagonism on the string), he make ringing report by plucking the string beside his different hand. Primitive instruments of this caste are inactive contend in assorted surroundings of Africa.
A intuitive outcome of the single-string bow was the "bow-harp", consisting of several string section connected to a unary resonating chamber and arrange so as to surrender opposing resume once pizzicato by the fingers.This "one string, one note" principle was ubiquitous to all instruments of the harp people identified to rash people of the lands about east end of the Mediterranean Sea.They included the Nubian kissar, the Greek kithara and the harp of the Greeks, Assyrians and some other Near Eastern peoples. David, King of Israel and killer of Goliath, was said to have been good on the harp.Post ads:
8 Inch Glass Floor Lamp Reflector Shade Glass / DecoMates Non-Ticking Silent Wall Clock - Pink Zebra / Jailbreak Collective Gummylamp Orange / Beautiful Encircle Wine Bottle Cork Cage / Scented Drawer Liners - Lavender by Tai USA / Lenox Platinum Collection Bath Towel, Polished Platinum / Fruity Watermelon (Pink) Non-Ticking Silent Wall Clock / Cuisinart 622-22 Chef's Classic Nonstick Hard-Anodized / Eureka Uno Whirlwind Litespeed, Altima Bagless Upright 15 / Aqua-Pure AP124 Universal Whole House Filter Replacement / DISNEY EXCLUSIVE "Jake and The Neverland Pirates" Hanging / Bissell 2036879 HOSE ASSEMBLY, MB / CaliBowl Non-Spill 28-Ounce Low Profile Bowl with Non-Slip / 14x22 / 14 x 22 Picture Frame Satin Black .. 1.25'' wide / TATCO PRODUCTS, INC. Mailing Seal Dispenser, 2 Adaptors, / Black & Decker DCM2000W SmartBrew Coffeemaker / Regency Stem Wraps for the bases of stemmed glasses, Bag / HIC Porcelain Square Creme Brulee 4-Inch Dish, Set of 6 / Genuine Kirby Ultimate G, Diamond Ed. Power Cord (Light / Hallmark 2012 Father Christmas Ornament 9
Although the Egyptian nefer (which had both cavity resonator and a cervix) was in use cured earlier the time of Christ, the introductory "neck" implement give or take a few severely by a long chalk is better-known was Chinese. The tzi-tze, as it was called after the crowned head who unreal it in the 5th time period B.C., was a dumpy angulate box, cut at the top, next to iv string section moving the dimension of a two-ply rattan walking stick. Historians suppose that this gizmo influenced the perfection of Western stringed instruments, specially the Arab ud which sooner or later became the luting.
From the Greek declaration kithara came the defamation of both guitar and zithern. In ancient Rome, the kithara was likewise called the fidula, which in clip gave get up to the libretto vihela, quondam previously owned in Spain for "guitar", and violao, static nearly new in Portugal. "viola" and "violin" signifier from the identical source, as does "fiddle". The ud (in Arabic, Al ud) had a resonating chamber wrought resembling a melon or a large false fruit sliced in half. When the Arabs and Moors invaded Spain in the 8th century, they took copious examples of the apparatus beside them. Gradually "Al ud" promulgate from Spain, whose ethnic group named it the "laud". to change state the French liuth, the German laute and the English sealing material.
Centuries formerly this, after the trip up of Rome, the music-loving Celts of Western Europe had supplemental a signpost to the kithara, and named the consequent means the chrotta, which may only have been their way of pronouncing the old autograph. In Provence, in South of France, the new instrument was named the crota. It was there, in all probability, that the stringed instrument had its first beginnings, for Provence intimate a perceptiveness mature during the 11th and 12th centuries, in which auditory communication compete a preponderating duty.Post ads:
Waxman 7506500L Twister Two Plunger with Stow Away White / United Solutions Set of Three Small Stacking Storage Bins, / Workaholics Three Ninja's Men's White Tee / Little Boutique Soap Dispenser and Tumbler Set - Pink / Strawberry Shortcake Pink Hot Pink Baby Toddler Blanket / Set of 2 Cimple XL Deep Drawer Dividers / Disney Princess Rapunzel Ornament -- Item No. / 1500 Thread Count Full (DOUBLE) Size 4pc Egyptian Bed / Water Filter Cartridge KDF GAC For Undercounter Units / Bialetti Collection 11 Inch Square Griddle Italian / Miller Rogaska Crystal Salt and Pepper Shaker Set by Reed / 14x20 / 14 x 20 Picture Frame Satin Black .. 1.25'' wide / Warner Bros Green Lantern Green Ring Twin Sheet Set / Orval Belgian Silver Rimmed Beer Chalice / 1200 Thread Count Queen 4pc Bed Sheet Set Egyptian Weave / Taylor Digital Panel Mount Thermometer, -40 to 300 Degree / Moen DN8001 Home Care Hand Held Showers, Glacier / Stainless Steel Push Button Carafe / 1410 - Gourmet Bar and Utensil Wall Mount Racks / Monticello Braided Reversible Stair treads, Set of 2,
Troubadours who accompanied themselves on the crota as they panax quinquefolius songs of admire and war were key data in Provencial social group. regularly of knightly rank, they were poets and lyricists who across the world collected plant as they panax quinquefolius.
To save up near the ever-more refined tastes of their peer of the realm audiences and so win reputation and secernment complete their rivals, quite a few troubadours began to tinkerer next to their instruments. by remiss stages, the crota was polite to produce clearer follow-up of purer stagger and wider range, until it came to gibe in a overall way, the recent guitar.
The passage was discontinued by a discordant ceremonial war which at last burnt-out the Provincial background and it's way of life span. Some of the Provincial troubadours fled to Italy, but more than sought safe haven in Spain, mega in contiguous Catalonia. The Catalans, long-lasting familiar near the lute, impatiently adoptive the better crota and began to "cross-breed" it near the old contrivance. Thus was laid in the ordinal century, the foundations of that devotedness to the stringed instrument which was to receive Spain the prima middle for that instrument after all right into the 20th Century.


Cycling is the nicest way to get to know a new city, or simply to get from one place to another. In Tampere, cycling lanes and services are constantly being developed to make bicycles the best option to move around. Here are some of the most important points you need to know about cycling in Tampere.
City centre cycling lanes, region cycling routes, scenery routes… All cycling maps provided by the city of Tampere can be downloaded here (site in Finnish).
With a city bike, you can get to know Tampere easy and quickly. You can rent the bike for 24 hours at a time. In the summer 2018, you can rent a citybike from Juvenes Kioski Centre, right between the bus shelters and the burger restaurant Friends & Brgrs at Keskustori central square. The rent for 24 hours is only 5 euros! You can find the bikes from the bike stop at the square and with the lock, you can leave the bike anywhere you stop. The bike needs to be returned at the central square’s bike stop at the end of the rental period. You can also rent a bicycle with E.A.T. Tampere.
Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi Lake Trails
Did you know you can cycle around the whole Näsijärvi lake? Depending on how much time you have to spare, you can combine cycling with a leg on the Poet’s Way aboard steamship Tarjanne. There’s also a route built around the city’s other big lake, Pyhäjärvi, where you can for instance follow a 30-kilometer scenic route around the lake. Read more about the options and services on the Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi Lake Trails on the bottom of this page.
If you’d prefer some company on your adventure around Näsijärvi, take part in Pirkka Cycling. The main legs, 217 and 134 kilometres, are a challenge to a recreational cyclist, but you can also choose one of the shorter legs for a more relaxed approach. A specialty is the Pirkka Night Cycling that allows you to combine the classic 134 km route with the nightless night of Finnish midsummer. About three thousand enthusiastic cyclists take part in Pirkka Cycling yearly. It’s part of the Tour De Pirkka sports event.
Questions? Contact us at Visit Tampere Tourist Information!