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1703 North Beauregard St.
Alexandria, VA 22311-1714
Tel: 1-800-933-ASCD (2723)
8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. eastern time, Monday through Friday
Local to the D.C. area: 1-703-578-9600
Toll-free from U.S. and Canada: 1-800-933-ASCD (2723)
All other countries: (International Access Code) + 1-703-578-9600
Media Literacy in Every Classroom introduces the process of media literacy and powerful ways to use it in virtually any K–12 classroom. Written by two longtime leaders in media literacy education, this Quick Reference Guide addresses recent concerns about the effects of media on democracy, public policy, and culture by outlining an inquiry-based approach that teaches students how to think without telling them what to think. You’ll find key questions for teachers and students to ask when analyzing media messages and creating their own media along with nearly 50 classroom strategies to foster the development of media literacy in various subject areas—including specific applications for social studies, English/language arts, STEM, health, and the arts—and to integrate media literacy into research projects, exploration of real-word connections, and classroom assessment.
(ASCD Quick Reference Guide, 2017) 8 1/2" x 11", 3-hole punched, 3 laminated panels, 6 pages
This guide’s tips, strategies, sample questions and statements, and peacemaking tools will help teachers successfully use restorative practices in their classrooms.
In this guide, experts Susan M. Brookhart and Jay McTighe show how best to incorporate the formative learning cycle into everyday instruction. They offer techniques for sharing learning targets, assessment activities to use in the classroom, and strategies for providing student feedback.


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This property has been viewed 7369 times.
Paola House. Agios Stefanos N/E Corfu. Paola House is a tranquil, modernly designed property, located in the picturesque bay of Agios Stefanos North East Corfu, fully air-conditioned and really comfortable for a family or party of up to 6 people.
We loved our stay here. The location was wonderful and everything was on our doorstep, literally! The view from the balcony was amazing and we spent many a happy evening up there, enjoying the weather and the buzz from below.
Agios (Saint) Stefanos is a sophisticated coastal settlement of Sinies, nestling on the Northeastern coastline of Corfu, 42km from Corfu Town and only 6km from Kassiopi. Recently becoming a very popular elegant and premium resort with many stylish villas. The place is stunningly beautiful and lies within the shelter of hills sweeping down on either side of the resort, only 1.2 miles from the Albanian coast, spectacular views can be surveyed. Relaxing evenings can be spent in several of the waterfront tavernas or bars, lazily gazing across the Corfu Channel to mysterious Albania or simply idling around the pretty and quaint harbour watching the large cruisers passing by.
Agios Stefanos appeals to all guests from couples to larger families and groups, throughout the whole summer season. While away the hours watching the pretty sailing and motorboats interweave with Luxury yachts and Large cruisers
Whether you enjoy quiet holiday routines or love the idea of renting your own boat for some personal exploration of the unspoiled coastline, there is something for everyone in Agios Stefanos.
Two extended beaches are near Agios Stefanos, Kerasia Beach is approx. 2.5km to the south and Avlaki Beach 3km towards the north, just outside the ever lively Kassiopi.
We recommend renting a car to not miss out on anything and also renting an easy-to-operate small up to 30hp boat to get the best of this Coastline. You can use it to explore the fabulous small beaches that line the beautiful coast.
A selection of properties with high quality and services.

domain: geography


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Blackjack Loveland Au
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domain: game


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Genetic analysis of the contribution of LTBP-3 to thoracic aneurysm in Marfan syndrome.
ABSTRACT: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue, caused by mutations of the microfibrillar protein fibrillin-1, that predisposes affected individuals to aortic aneurysm and rupture and is associated with increased TGF? signaling. TGF? is secreted from cells as a latent complex consisting of TGF?, the TGF? propeptide, and a molecule of latent TGF? binding protein (LTBP). Improper extracellular localization of the latent complex can alter active TGF? levels, and has been hypothesized as an explanation for enhanced TGF? signaling observed in MFS. We previously reported the absence of LTBP-3 in matrices lacking fibrillin-1, suggesting that perturbed TGF? signaling in MFS might be due to defective interaction of latent TGF? complexes containing LTBP-3 with mutant fibrillin-1 microfibrils. To test this hypothesis, we genetically suppressed Ltbp3 expression in a mouse model of progressively severe MFS. Here, we present evidence that MFS mice lacking LTBP-3 have improved survival, essentially no aneurysms, reduced disruption and fragmentation of medial elastic fibers, and decreased Smad2/3 and Erk1/2 activation in their aortas. These data suggest that, in MFS, improper localization of latent TGF? complexes composed of LTBP-3 and TGF? contributes to aortic disease progression.
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4653215 | BioStudies |

domain: literature


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Have a question for “Coding Commentary”? Tweet it to us at
Retinal surgery is often needed to prevent permanent vision loss. The nature of retinal disease means retinal surgery is often urgent or, in the mind of the surgeon and patient, nonelective.
However, “urgent” doesn’t mean you can neglect documenting medical necessity. Payers expect your documentation to support medical necessity as well as the patient’s informed consent for treatment. It’s important you be familiar with any payer policies for the procedures you perform and apply the same documentation principles to procedures that don’t have policies.
Making sense of policies
You’re no doubt aware that payer policies vary widely. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services develops National Coverage Determinations (NCDs). Individual Medicare Administrative Contractors (MAC) have Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs). And commercial carriers develop policies that may be vaguely worded or that deem newer procedures “experimental.”
Some, like the Medicare NCD for vitrectomy,1 lack specific documentation requirements. The policy simply lists covered diagnoses and states the need to document medical necessity.
Commercial carriers can be even more challenging. Although a policy may seem quite extensive, the opening salvo can be unnerving, as you can see in this example, including the asterisks and all caps, from Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Illinois’ policy for photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization: “Coverage: *CAREFULLY CHECK STATE REGULATIONS AND/OR THE MEMBER CONTRACT*”2
Since you won’t be able to investigate every insurance contract your patients may have, the importance of standardized, comprehensive documentation is clear.
There’s some guidance if one reviews a policy like the one from CGS Administrators, the MAC for Region J15. CGS provides a local coverage policy, “Pan Retinal Photocoagulation (PRP) Documentation Requirements,” that provides a good starting point to standardize your surgical documentation.3 The policy states:
The patient’s medical record should include but is not limited to:
- The assessment of the patient by the ordering provider as it relates to the complaint (emphasis added) of the patient for that visit.
- Relevant medical history.
- Results of pertinent tests/procedures.
- Signed and dated office visit record/operative report.
Patient complaint is key
You might think the patient complaint is irrelevant for a procedure such as PRP, retinal cryopexy or vitrectomy. However, all payers require a chief complaint to support surgery. In the case of PRP, the chief complaint may be “poor vision for all activities due to episodic vitreous hemorrhaging, right eye.” If the patient has no subjective visual complaints, it’s important to document the severity of the disease, including likelihood of vision loss, due to the retinal condition.
The patient’s medical history should be relevant to the procedure under consideration. Thus, poorly controlled diabetes is significant for diabetic retinopathy; anticoagulation therapy may be relevant in determining the need to move forward with subretinal hemorrhage evacuation.
Recall that the new Evaluation and Management (E/M) exam code rules don’t require a full review of systems. (Avoid box-checking!) Conversely, the eye codes require a relevant medical history. Obtaining a concise, useful history will streamline the work-up, declutter your documentation and meet the payer policy for the majority of surgeries you perform.
Also, the impact of testing is important for determining medical necessity for surgery. Any ophthalmic imaging that demonstrates a worsening disease state or prior procedures that were ineffective or only partially effective will support additional treatments or surgery.
Use a checklist
Both simple and complex tasks, such as documenting a surgical admit, can benefit from a checklist. For your surgical admits, a documentation checklist should include:
- Patient chief complaint with history of present illness.
- Review of medical history relevant to the exam.
- Clear patient-stated effect on activities of daily living when there’s a decrease in vision or if the surgery is elective (e.g., epiretinal membrane peel, vitrectomy for floaters).
- Assessment clearly stating the impact of the disease on vision (e.g., “the vitreous hemorrhage is the cause of decreased vision OD”) if there’s:
- more than one reason for decreased vision, a clear indication justifying the surgery under consideration; or
- no current impact on vision (e.g., retinal hole or tear; neovascularization), which is the probable course if the disease isn’t treated.
- Clearly documented discussion of the specific risks, benefits and alternative treatments, including no treatment (a consent form doesn’t replace the surgeon-
- If applicable, the rationale for scheduling urgent or emergent surgery (e.g., “recommend surgery within 24 hours to prevent further retinal detachment and potential loss of central vision”).
Bear in mind that the insurance company paying the claim doesn’t share your expertise in retinal disease and surgery. Weak documentation can result in a payer considering a surgery unnecessary. The stronger your documentation, the less likely you’ll suffer retractions. Remember, as with all areas of chart documentation, if you didn’t write it down, you didn’t do it. RS
1. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. National Coverage Determination (NCD) Vitrectomy. Publication number 100-3; Manual section number 80.11. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/ncd.
2. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois. Medical Policies: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) for choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Number:OTH903.015 http://www.medicalpolicy.hcsc.net/medicalpolicy/activePolicyPage?lid=kx37biep&corpEntCd=IL1 Effective January 1, 2022.
3. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Medicare Coverage Determination: Billing and Coding: PANRETINAL (Scatter) Laser Photocoagulation. Article ID A56594. https://www.cms.gov/medicare-coverage-database/view/article.

domain: medical


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Taking its name from the lost black book of a famed Cambridgeshire witch, this book guides the reader through the traditional witchcraft of East Anglia, which teems with land wights, mermaids, giants, wort cunning, toad lore, folk magic, and witchcraft. Within these pages, you will discover the secr..
Join renowned witch Nigel Pearson as he shares the secrets of traditional spell craft, charms, chants, herbal magic, potions, oils, salves, creams, incense, rituals, and much more. You will also discover fascinating tips and techniques for connecting with the faerie folk, dryads, and familiars. This..
First published as Walking the Tides -- Seasonal Rhythms and Traditional Lore, this new edition of Nigel G. Pearson's popular book is presented with revised text and is complimented with photography from the author. Included is a new introduction for this edition alongside the original introduct..
Two books in one, this pocket-sized guide features an intriguing "double-fronted" format. The first side provides medicinal herbal information and recipes. The second side contains traditional magical uses for the same plants presented in the first. Wortcunning's effective and authenti..

domain: library


The events of the past 72 hours should reignite the same intense debates about the U.S. banking system that fed into Bitcoin’s growth after the global financial crisis of 2008. After the closure of three banks that suffered from a combination of mismanagement and bad market conditions, depositors in two of them got what looks an awful lot like a bailout.
It’s actually not a 2008-style bailout, as no taxpayer money is involved (at least not directly). Instead, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) – which is funded by banks themselves rather than taxpayers – chose to designate both Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank, which followed SVB into receivership on Sunday, as systemic risks.
Read more: George Kaloudis - The Banking Crisis Is Not Crypto’s Fault
That debatable classification conjures another charged term from the mists of crises past: “Too big to fail.”
The designation cleared the way for the Federal Reserve and Treasury Department to backstop all deposits at those banks, instead of limiting protection to the FDIC standard $250,000 per account. Stockholders in the failed banks, on the other hand, will see their equity go to zero, which the Treasury Department points to as another reason this isn’t a “bailout” per se.
The FDIC also announced it will make the backstop mechanism seemingly permanent, with the creation of the new Bank Term Funding Program. The program will offer loans for collateral, including Treasurys. This seems both practical and reasonable because the forced sale of underwater Treasury instruments played a starring role in the collapses of not only SVB and Signature, but also crypto-focused Silvergate Bank, which went under last Wednesday. As many have pointed out, the Federal Reserve’s own aggressive movement on interest rates contributed to the duration mismatch that forced those sales.
In the short term this all adds up to a reasonable-ish middle path between the horns of U.S. banking’s eternal dilemma. On the one hand, we don’t want the kind of emotional and fiscal damage that would result from big losses on boring checking account deposits. On the other hand, backstopping banks too aggressively creates a perverse incentive for them to take big risks, potentially feeding longer-term and more serious instability.
Viewed through a broader and longer-term lens, the balance of the weekend’s events would seem to affirm and even amplify the deeply held anxieties of Bitcoiners: that political influence helps determine who does and doesn’t get help from the Federal Reserve, and that a more neutral monetary system would be better for everyone in the long term.
My upside, your risk
A few details about the backstopping of SVB and Signature deposits could be lost in the coming debate about deposit risk. Perhaps the most important is that Silicon Valley Bank had not only been taking on excess risk with its deposit funds, but had actively angled to avoid rules limiting that exposure. (SVB also made arguably massive errors in strategic communication, but we’ll set that to one side for now.)
Specifically, Silicon Valley Bank was massively overexposed to interest rate risk. A good analysis of this is here from Forbes, but the essence is that SVB was betting against the Fed raising interest rates from their near-zero level early in the COVID-19 crisis. In retrospect, that seems like obviously poor judgment, not just because rate hikes were bound to follow COVID inflation, but because rate hikes had been a looming possibility for years.
The consensus among banking experts seems to lay considerable blame for this and other poor choices at the feet of SVB management. As Andy Kessler made the case in the Wall Street Journal, “The bear market started in January 2022, 14 months ago. Surely it shouldn’t have taken more than a year for management at SVB to figure out that credit would tighten and the [initial public offering] market would dry up.”
But there’s an even stronger case for that responsibility than 20/20 hindsight: Silicon Valley Bank also took proactive steps to avoid or rescind rules that would have forced it to take fewer risks. As detailed by the New York Times, Silicon Valley Bank CEO Greg Becker was an advocate for Trump administration rollbacks of certain stress-test and liquidity requirements for mid-sized banks like his.
While it’s unclear whether this was a direct factor in SVB’s unwind, it reinforces the perception that this is a replay of the same risk socialization that, in various forms, continues to feed American inequality. Rich, powerful people and institutions love to push back against government controls that prevent them from taking profitable risks when times are good. Then, when things turn, the same big players use their influence to get others to absorb the damage – influence often supported by the very same funds accumulated during high-risk periods.
The other thing almost certain to be lost in the shuffle is that even without the new backstop, SVB and Signature depositors would likely have been largely OK. In a normal bank failure, the FDIC oversees the sale of the illiquid bank. Depositors in this scenario can take a haircut, perhaps losing 10%-15% of their deposit value over the $250,000 FDIC insurance threshold. On Sunday morning before the backstop announcement, Bloomberg sources said 30%-50% of uninsured SVB deposits would be available Monday, with the rest available over time. (SVB was CoinDesk's bank.)
It’s possible, though, that the FDIC couldn’t find a buyer for SVB, and/or didn’t see one on the horizon for Signature. The auction for SVB started Saturday night and was expected to resolve by Sunday, but instead we got the backstop announcement. If it’s true that nobody wanted to buy SVB at any price, there might be even more reason to worry about the next few weeks – but also that much less justification for backstopping the bad decisions that left it worthless as an enterprise.
All in the panic room
Finally, any moral assessment of this moment must reckon with the panicky and arguably malevolent behavior of some of Silicon Valley’s biggest names.
As soon as Silicon Valley Bank was shuttered Friday, prominent voices in the venture capital world began explicitly demanding that all uninsured deposits be guaranteed by the government. If SVB wasn’t “bailed out,” these figures warned in dire, panicky terms, there would be a nationwide bank run, decimating mid-sized and community banks across the U.S.
Notably, these commenters largely ignored the existence of a receivership process, and went straight to demanding a “bailout” that would make all uninsured deposits whole. This included David Sacks and Jason Calacanis, prominent tech investors and co-hosts of the “All In” podcast. Some of Sacks’ foreboding tweets were so unconsidered that Twitter users flagged them with fact checks.
Calacanis’ behavior was even more deranged. On Twitter he posted images from the film “Mad Max: Fury Road,” while exhorting his more than 690,000 followers to stock up on food and fuel. By early Monday, Calacanis had deleted many of these tweets.
This theatrical tearing of hair arguably fueled the very panic Calacanis and Sacks were warning of – and did so by design. At worst, these inverse Cassandras were little more than rhetorical terrorists, using their massive platforms and the trust placed in them by still all-too-credulous Americans to stoke fear. At the very least, their behavior increased pressure on the Fed to quiet the fears they were feeding as much as warning about.
And they got what they wanted! So hooray for them, I guess. Now it’s an even more embedded doctrine of U.S. banking policy that you can deposit your funds with a bank with bad risk management, but if you have enough Twitter followers or other influence you’ll get it back no matter what.
Surely, that can’t lead to anything bad. Right?


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The Enduring Presence of Heinz Kohut: Empathy and Its Vicissitudes
This paper expands upon and further develops the centrality of empathy in psychoanalysis as offered by Heinz Kohut. Using clinical examples, it differentiates sustained empathy as the distinctive component of psychoanalysis, and it demonstrates some of the difficulties in determining the boundaries of empathy in the practice of psychoanalysis. A further distinction is from mind reading, a purely cognitive exercise, as is intuition (Carruthers 2009). To pursue a psychoanalytic perception of empathy one must confront its limitations and go beyond the somewhat simplistic claim of its unquestioned therapeutic effect. Empathy is more than a cognitive act, and as sustained over time it can be difficult to achieve, can be misunderstood, and can at times have no therapeutic effect.

domain: psychology


New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers said Tuesday that he’s “obviously, ahead of schedule” in his extraordinary attempt to return from a torn achilles tendon later this season, but added that it “makes absolutely no sense” to have a specific timetable for return.
The four-time NFL Most Valuable Player, who went down with the injury only four snaps into his New York debut and had surgery on 13 September, reasserted his desire to play again in 2023 while tempering expectations during his weekly appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show.
Rodgers, who turns 40 in December, surprised many onlookers by walking without crutches and throwing for five minutes before Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium, where the Jets upended the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles to improve to 3-3 on the year.
“You have to hit a bunch of different things and be found a certain way, but that’s the goal,” Rodgers said of the various markers in his recovery before he can move toward a return to the active roster. Those will be followed by “practicing and everybody signing off on it. Hopefully, we get to have those conversations.”
He added: “It’s not just going to be boom, boom, boom, boom, boom. There are critical markers that I have to hit as far as single-leg strength and being able to do heel raises and being able to do explosive movements. And these are all progressions that take time.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh is prepared to move forward with Zach Wilson under center, but acknowledged that Rodgers is “definitely one of those individuals that is fueled by doubt” and won’t rule anything out.
“If you doubt him, it only makes him stronger because he has this, ‘Oh, you’re telling me I can’t do something? Then I am going to show you I can,’” Saleh said. “He’s going to prove you wrong.”
Julio Jones signs with Eagles on one-year deal
The Eagles signed seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Julio Jones to a one-year contract on Tuesday afternoon.
Jones, 34, will be reunited with former Tennessee Titans teammate, AJ Brown, who campaigned for Tennessee to trade for him in 2021.
The surprise transaction comes on the heels of Philadelphia placing wide receiver Quez Watkins on injured reserve with a hamstring injury.
Jones is the Atlanta Falcons’ all-time franchise leader in receiving yards (12,896), receptions (848), single-season receptions (136), single-season receiving yards (1,871), 100-yard games (58) and 1,000-yard seasons (seven).
His 13,629 career receiving yards are the most of any active player in the NFL.


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Adele is a 22 year-old woman standing on a bridge overlooking the Seine. She’s had nothing but a string of bad luck with love, life and career. Gabor approaches her with the offer of becoming his partner in a knife-throwing act. She decides the water is the best choice but Gabor jumps in and saves her. She changes her mind and they are on their way to Monaco with their new act. This is an entirely different world for Adele, she gets a new fabulous hairstyle and they shop for unlimited make-up and clothing. She’s a bit nervous about the knives but her luck may have changed.
This is my first impression: Except for the concept of life versus death, this is just a shallow romantic piece of fluff that takes a lot of effort to like. I didn’t know if I would be able to finish this but it started to get better and there is a small twist at the end. 3 ½* (I liked this movie)
91 min, Drama directed by Patrice Leconte with Daniel Auteuil, Vanessa Paradis, Demetre Georgalas, Isabelle Petit-Jacques, Federic Pluger.
Note: Blockbuster 4*, imdb 7.4 out of 10, 90% critic 88% audience on Rotten Tomatoes.
Special Note: Vanessa Paradis is the ex-girlfriend of Johnny Depp.

domain: artistic


Quality and Process Control for Flat GlassFor flat glass production, dr. schwab offers the following standard systems (specific systems on request):
FPI float vision: Float Glass Inspection by Line-Scan Cameras
High-resolution high-speed camera inspection reveals all kinds of glass defects. Especially the critical ones like inclusions and optical distortions are classified safely by locating their position inside the glass via evaluation of the echo signal in the reflected light. Powerful data analysis tools supply the essential information to effectively improve the production process and increase the lines yield.
FPI float st & th: Glass Stress and Thickness Analysis for Float Glass
At the cold end of float glass production, the system measures glass stress, thickness, width and temperature. High density of measurement points in both directions is based on high traverse speed and sampling rate. The FPI float st & th supplies a substantial contribution to improve process uniformity and stability.
FSP G10: Edge plus Defect Inspection after Cutting
FSP G10 is an optical system assessing the contour and size of defects and edge imperfections as a result of scoring. It excels with durable camera calibration, homogeneous assessment through scan line shading, complete high pixel resolution defect images, and with a simple menu-driven operator interface.
FPI coat in-situ: Multi Station Coating Thickness plus Camera Inspection
Multiple layers are analyzed simultaneously by measuring at successive coating stations inside the glass coater (in-situ). dr. schwab's spectrometer technology enables high resolution thickness measurement. Signal multiplexing allows a high density of measurement positions to reach almost full surface analysis in one pass within production cycle. Defect inspection by a specific multi-colour line-scan camera solution may be added. The correlation of trend diagrams of various process parameters supplies a substantial contribution to improve process uniformity and stability.
dr. schwab teams up with a strong partner
New chances as member of the Grenzebach group


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A. Requirements Pertaining to Employees. To perform fumigation work, an employee of a licensee, permittee, or certificate holder shall:
(1) Be trained in fumigation practices;
(2) Have adequate knowledge of the fumigant; and
(3) Be provided with safety equipment necessary for the employee's protection.
B. Notification Requirement.
(1) Soil Fumigation. Before applying a soil fumigant within 300 feet of any residence, the certified applicator shall notify the occupant of the residence at least 24 hours before the application either by telephone, in person, or by written notice delivered to the residence. The notice shall include the following:
(a) Name of the certified applicator in charge and the applicator's telephone number where the applicator can be reached at any time;
(b) Name of fumigant; and
(c) Date and approximate time of fumigation and estimated length of fumigation period.
(2) Structural Fumigation. Before conducting any structural fumigation, the certified applicator shall give written notice to the local fire and health departments. The notice shall include the following:
(a) Pesticide business name, address, telephone number, and license number;
(b) Name of the certified applicator in charge and the applicator's telephone number or numbers where the applicator can be reached at all times;
(c) Name of fumigant;
(d) Location and type of structure; and
(e) Date and approximate time of fumigation and estimated length of fumigation period.
C. Posting of Warning Signs. The certified applicator shall post a warning sign on each side of the structure, container, or commodity to be treated. Each sign shall include:
(1) The skull and crossbones;
(2) The name of the fumigant;
(3) A warning statement, such as "keep out";
(4) The name of the company; and
(5) The name and telephone number of the pest control applicator.
D. Posting of Guard. With the exception of commodities fumigated in transit or soil fumigation, the certified applicator shall post a guard on the site during the entire fumigation period. A guard shall remain on duty at the site at all times to prevent unauthorized persons from coming into contact with the fumigant.
E. Required Inspection. The certified applicator shall clear a structure or area of all persons before the fumigation. The applicator shall inspect the structure or area before reoccupancy for safe reentry.

domain: law


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China announced that minors under 18 can only play video games for an hour on Fridays, weekends, and holidays. They are banned from playing during the school week. The new rule comes from China’s video game regulator.
Some game companies have already begun to use a real name-based registration system to limit playtime. Tencent said it supports the new rule and will make every effort to comply with it.
“While China’s government has recently been supportive of video games, promoting segments such as esports and cloud gaming as key growth areas, gaming addiction among minors is seen as a negative side effect of the industry’s popularity,” said Lisa Cosmas Hanson, president of research firm Niko Partners. China’s esports scene has grown considerably over the years, and players in esports typically train for hours a day at a young age, the firm noted.
The overall impact of the new ban is still unclear, as the government asks parents to help regulate their children’s gaming habits.
Source: Washington Post
Name of Author: Shannon Liao

domain: politics


text: I'm sorry that I didn't see this thread sooner. I have spent many MONTHS over the last 12 years or so in Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP. I know most of the backcountry Rangers as well as a couple of the Front-Country Rangers. If you decide to go back there, I can definattely point you towards some little- or seldom-seen places. Most of whcih are surprisingly accessible! I look forward to seeing your photos! SEKI is my favorite National Park.


US 5057099 A
A method for carrying out surgical procedures using a laser and a laser surgical tool includes the provision of a temperature control device associated with the laser which monitors the temperature of the surgical tool and delivery system and governs the laser power output to achieve a desired temperature level. The temperature control device may be used either to prevent heating of the surgical tool and delivery system beyond it structural tolerance, or to maintain a predetermined temperature level which is optimized for a particular surgical or medical procedure. The delivery system may comprise an optical fiber, and the surgical tool may comprise the output end of the optical fiber which is free of any additional surgical cutting implement.
1. A method for carrying out surgical procedures using a laser, having an output power, comprising the steps of connecting an optical fiber delivery system to the laser with the output end of the optical fiber at the surgical site, providing an infrared detector disposed to monitor the laser beam output path to receive infrared radiation from the optical fiber delivery system and generate an infrared detector signal, operating the laser and performing surgery with the output end of the optical fiber, and using the infrared detector signal to modulate and continue the power output by the laser to the optical fiber delivery system so that the output end of the optical fiber is maintained within a predetermined temperature range.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser is operated in a repetitive pulse mode, and the infrared detector senses the infrared radiation from the optical fiber delivery system during intervals between laser pulses.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the laser output power is reduced when the infrared radiation received by the infrared detector exceeds a predetermined threshold.
4. The method of claim 1, further including the step of forming the output end of the optical fiber as a bare end which is free of any surgical cutting accessory.
5. A method for carrying out surgical procedures using a laser, having an output power, comprising the steps of connecting an optical fiber delivery system to the laser with the output end of the optical fiber at the surgical site, providing an infrared detector disposed to monitor the laser beam output path to receive infrared radiation from the optical fiber delivery system and generate an infrared detector signal, operating the laser in a repetitive pulse mode and performing surgery with the output end of the optical fiber, and using the infrared detector to detect the infrared radiation from the optical fiber delivery system during intervals between laser pulses and generate a signal to modulate the power output by the laser to the optical fiber delivery system so that the output end of the optical fiber is maintained within a predetermined temperature range.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the laser output power is curtailed when the infrared radiation received by the infrared detector exceeds a predetermined threshold.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein a magnitude of the infrared radiation detected after each laser pulse is used to determine a duration of the subsequent laser pulse.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the difference between the magnitude of the infrared radiation detected after each laser pulse and a preselected magnitude level is used to determine the duration of the subsequent laser pulse, whereby a positive difference causes a reduction in duration of the subsequent laser pulse, and a negative difference causes an increase in the duration of the subsequent laser pulse.
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/265,565, filed Nov. 1, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,268 issued Aug. 21, 1990 to John Rink, which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/019,755, filed Feb. 27, 1987, for which priority is claimed.
In recent years the field of medicine has witnessed the application of lasers for therapeutic treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions. Laser energy conducted through a flexible waveguide such as an optical fiber has been used successfully for hemostasis, photodynamic destruction of some forms of tumors, removal of epidermal growths and abnormalities, and the like.
Lasers have also been adapted for use in surgical procedures, and surgical devices have been built, tested, and sold commercially. However, some drawbacks in laser devices for surgical use have been noted in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,693,244 and 4,736,743 discuss the use of a bare optical fiber connected to a laser and used to cut tissue. It is noted that if the bare fiber end contacts the tissue being cut, the fiber becomes fouled, the transmission efficiency decreases, more heat is generated in the fiber, thermal runaway ensues, and the fiber quickly heats to the point of material failure. One attempted solution to this problem in the prior art is to use the fiber end in a non-contact mode, thereby avoiding contamination of the fiber output end. However, contamination is difficult to avoid in practice, due to the fact that the fiber must be held very close to the tissue target, and tissue contact is unavoidable. A single contact with tissue will often result in fiber failure. Also, the smoke and vapor arising from the laser beam impact site can contaminate the fiber end without any contact with the tissue itself.
Another attempt to solve this problem has been the provision of a transparent tip secured to the output end of the optical fiber, the tip being formed of a material such as sapphire that is tolerant of extremely high temperatures. If the tip becomes fouled or coated with carbonized material, it will not be heated to the point of material failure. Several manufacturers make available surgical optical tips having differing cutting configurations. However, even sapphire can be fractured by the high temperatures and temperature transitions experienced at the optical fiber output end. Moreover, sapphire or any similar material is expensive and difficult to manufacture, and the surgical tips can be reused only a few times.
A surgical tip, as well as a bare optical fiber end, may be subject to a constant flow of gas or liquid to cool the heated end and to remove some of the inevitable contamination. In some procedures, gas cooling can create the risk of embolism in the patient, and liquid cooling can cause such problems as fluid distension, fluid absorption through the surgical wound, and the like.
The simplest practical solution available in state of the art surgical lasers is to limit the laser power to a level that cannot damage the optical fiber. Ironically, this approach requires that a laser capable of delivering high power; e.g., 120 watts of beam energy, must often be limited to 30 or 40 watts output to preserve the optical fiber integrity. Alternatively, the optical fiber output end must be constantly immersed in a laser-transparent liquid, such as water, during operation, or the tip must remain in contact with the tissue during operation so that the tissue cools the fiber tip. This conditions are difficult to achieve in practice.
The present invention generally comprises a method for carrying out surgical procedures using an optical fiber heated by a laser beam transmitted therethrough as the surgical tool. A salient feature of the invention is the provision of a temperature control device associated with the laser which monitors the temperature of the optical fiber and governs the laser power output to achieve a desired temperature level in the optical fiber. The temperature control device may be used to prevent heating of the optical fiber beyond its structural tolerance. Thus the problems known in the prior art associated with contamination of the optical fiber output end, and the resulting thermal runaway, are obviated, and the use of expensive laser surgical cutting tips is eliminated. The optical fiber output end may also be maintained at a predetermined temperature level which is optimized for a particular surgical or medical procedure.
The temperature control device may comprise a light sensitive diode or other photosensitive detector that is designed to respond to the infrared radiation that is emitted by heated bodies. The detector is preferably located within the laser and disposed to monitor the laser beam path. As is known in the prior art, the detector may be placed in the reflective path of a partially silvered mirror or beam splitter which is located in the laser output beam path. The laser output is typically delivered to a surgical site by a flexible optical fiber or an articulated tubular arm; the detector monitors the delivery system and senses any infrared radiation returning through the delivery system and the associated optical components.
For example, when the infrared radiation exceeds a predetermined threshold indicative of an unacceptably high temperature within the beam delivery path, the detector signal exceeds a threshold and trips a laser control circuit. This arrangement is described in application Ser. No. 07/265,565, filed Nov. 1, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,268, issued Aug. 21, 1990 to John Rink. The threshold temperature may be set below the temperature at which the optical fiber material is damaged. Thus, for example, if the optical fiber output end is used to cut, ablate, or coagulate, and becomes coated with debris or carbonized material, the contaminating material will cause absorption of laser radiation at the fiber end and a localized hot spot. When the hot spot temperature approaches the threshold of thermal damage to the optical fiber, the laser energy is reduced by the trip circuit before the fiber can be damaged. The laser power is cut back to a level which continues operation but does not damage the fiber. After a short time, the continued operation usually causes the contaminants to burn away, the infrared signal diminishes, and operation at the desired power level resumes automatically.
Alternatively, in a laser surgical apparatus having an optical fiber delivery system with an output end that is heated by the laser beam passing therethrough, the detector signal may be used to control the laser output power so that the output end is maintained at a preset temperature that is optimum for the procedure being undertaken.
The FIGURE is a functional block diagram of a method for laser surgery using a bare optical fiber output end as the surgical instrument and a temperature control device to control the surgical laser.
The present invention generally comprises a method for laser surgery. With regard to the Figure, the invention includes a laser 11 adapted for surgical use, such as a Nd:YAG, CO2, Argon, dye laser, or other form of laser known in the prior art for surgical use. The laser 11 typically includes a standard coupling device 12 through which the laser delivers a beam of laser energy to an optical fiber delivery system 13. The coupling device 12 is typically an SMA or STC releasable connector. The delivery system may comprise a hollow waveguide, or an articulated arm delivery system, rather than an optical fiber system. The delivery system 13 conducts the laser energy to a surgical cutting instrument 14 having a cutting tip 16.
In its simplest form, the delivery system 13 employs an optical fiber that extends through a hollow stylet comprising the surgical cutting instrument 14. The distal end of the optical fiber may comprise the cutting tip 16, with the distal end portion of the cladding of the optical fiber being stripped away to expose a small portion of the circumferential surface of the fiber adjacent to the distal end.
Alternatively, the distal end of the cutting instrument 14 may be provided with a laser surgical cutting tip optically coupled to the output of the delivery system 13. However, it should be noted that a separate cutting tip is not necessary, but may be provided to satisfy the personal preference of individual surgeons.
Interposed between the laser 11 and the coupling 12 is a beam splitter or partially reflective mirror 18 disposed in the laser beam path. The mirror 18 is configured to reflect infrared radiation, and is oriented to reflect infrared radiation from the delivery system 13 toward an infrared detector 19. The infrared detector generates a signal which is indicative of the magnitude of the infrared radiation received by the detector, and this signal is conducted to a laser driver and control circuit 21. The infrared detector 19 and laser driver and control circuit 21 are described in in application Ser. No. 07/265,565, filed Nov. 1, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,268, issued Aug. 21, 1990 to John Rink, which is incorporated herein by reference. As described in that patent, the laser is driven to deliver pulses of laser energy, and the infrared detector signal is monitored during the interval between consecutive pulses to obtain a temperature reading in the beam path, which includes the delivery system and surgical instrument. The detector signal is employed by the driver and control circuit 21 to determine the duration of the subsequent laser pulse; as the difference between the infrared signal magnitude and a predetermined level increases, the laser pulses are decremented in duration, and vice versa. In this manner the average power output of the laser is varied to provide a constant temperature reading. This system provides excellent results, both in maintaining a desired temperature in the surgical instrument and in limiting the temperature within the delivery path to a level which is below the threshold of thermal damage to any components. Other laser temperature control arrangements are known in the prior art, and the present invention is intended for general use with any laser having a temperature control feature that is functionally equivalent. (It should be noted that it is within the level of ordinary skill in the art to employ a continuous, or CW laser, and to periodically interrupt the laser output for a brief time while the infrared return from the delivery system is detected to determine the temperature level in the delivery system.)
The stylet 14 is wielded by the surgeon so that the optical fiber distal end 16 is drawn across the tissue to be cut, forming an incision 17. It may be appreciated that the temperature of the cutting end 16 is controlled in real time, so that, e.g., as the end 16 is removed from the incision and the laser is operating, the temperature of the end 16 begins to increase due to the cessation of cooling effect of tissue contact, and the power of the laser is reduced to prevent overheating of the end 16. Likewise, the end 16 may be used to coagulate blood or other bodily fluids without contacting the fluid or surrounding tissue, due to the fact that the temperature control system protects the optical fiber 13 and the end 16 from overheating. Furthermore, the system is capable of ablating or vaporizing plaque, such as atherosclerotic deposits. In all of these procedures, there is no need for fluid or liquid flow around or past the end 16 for cooling or cleansing effect. Moreover, the system may be used to cut or coagulate while immersed in liquid, such as transparent saline, Ringer's solution, or the like.


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Siena: Upstate still down on the economy
Upstate New York remains down on the economy according to the latest poll of consumer sentiment by the Siena Research Institute.
The poll released Wednesday revealed that while overall sentiment was up nearly three points across the state to 76.2, it was still below national opinions on the economy (77.5).
Upstate, the figure was 71.1. A number of 76 indicates equal levels of optimism and skepticism.
In particular, New Yorkers showed an increased desire to buy consumer electronics, furniture, homes, and make major home improvements, according to the random telephone poll of 811 New Yorkers 18 and older.
"Despite sentiment resting at the breakeven point — the score at which overall optimism and pessimism are balanced — New Yorkers are ready to go out and buy houses at a five-year record high and furniture at a rate 28 percent higher than last month," said Doug Lonnstrom, founding director of the research institute, in a statement.
While concerns over gas and grocery prices subsided in September, according to the poll, many New Yorkers are still worried about the impact those costs have on budgets.
Nearly 60 percent of consumers expressed a very serious or somewhat serious concern about gas prices, and 66 percent of New Yorkers had similar concerns about the price of groceries.
Break out the upstate area from the New York City area, and a slightly different picture unfolds. Sentiment in upstate New York, while increasing a fraction of a point in September, was roughly eight points lower than the New York City area in September.
Also, 71 percent of those surveyed in the upstate expressed a somewhat serious or very serious concern about gas or food prices. In the metro New York City area, 49 percent had a similar concerns about gas, 64 percent about food.
A gallon of regular gas has dropped to $3.72, down about 10 cents from a month ago in the Rochester area, according to AAA's fuel gauge report. A gallon of regular averages $3.79 in New York.
National sentiment fell by nearly five points in September, according to data collected by the University of Michigan. Overall, national sentiment was above New York's by more than a point.
"As consumers braced in September for this week's government shutdown, national sentiment feel by nearly five points while in New York confidence climbed back to the breakeven point," said Lonnstrom.
Democrats, those earning more than $50,000 and those younger than 55 were most optimistic in September, according to the poll. Those feeling the worst? Those in upstate, making less than $50,000 and Republicans. In fact, the Republicans' index rating at 66.4 was the lowest for any group, according to the poll.


RHS FP Gordon Burt has just published his new book. Football and Mathematics: Premier League and World Cup Paperback: £10 … or … Online book: free For more details or to download an online copy go to Gordon’s website. Paperback: £10 To order, email email@example.com; telephone 01908 611296. … or cheque payable to ‘Gordon Burt’, 28 Severn […]
We have two albums of photographs on Flickr; Gala Dinner Dynamic Earth Procession and Sponsored Walk Three videos created at the Gala Dinner. The three interviews were conducted by Tom Bacciarelli, and produced, directed and edited by Ian Cowie, current President of the RHS Club (with a very little bit of camera input from me). […]
From the Royal High School Twitter Feed – Our 50th gala concert is on Thursday 1st November at 7pm in the Assembly Hall. There is no formal ticket price to attend. On the evening, we will be inviting donations to help support the school community. Tickets are available from the School Office. Link to Tweet
Several members of the RHS Club in London attended the Barnton 50th Gala Dinner held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. Photos from that event can be accessed from our Event Photographs page. Our Happy Days feature has contributions from pupils dating from the 1930s up until the 1990s. There was a gap in the 1970s, […]
The London Club sponsors the school’s ‘Prize For An English Poem’ at the annual prize-giving ceremony. The poem by this year’s winner, Tom Campbell, “Roses” is published on our website.
The school as it looked in the summer of 1969. School leavers summer of 1969. First group to leave from Barnton.
Digital History Pamphlet Please note the Gala Dinner date has been moved to 5th October 2018 We ran out of hardback histories a few years ago, and decided go for a modern alternative, a digital version., including digitised versions of the five previous histories, along with a wide variety of other topics, including ‘Talking Heads’, […]


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Albuquerque is the most populous city in New Mexico, United States. It is largest city sits in the high desert. Albuquerque is hidden travel gem. It is famous for its scenic hot air balloon view, mountain biking, hiking through history and many more things.
Albuquerque, New Mexico is a attractive and fun destination for families and couples, offering multiple activities, excellent restaurants, outdoor adventures. Here are some best things to do and some places to visit in Albuquerque such as Albuquerque Museum of Art & History, Anderson-Abruzzo International Balloon Museum, Albuquerque Old Town, New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Sandia Peak Aerial Tramway, Explora in Albuquerque, ABQ Trolley Co., Albuquerque Biological Park, History & Ghost Tours of Old Town, Elena Gallegos Open Space, Farm & Table, Unser Racing Museum, Vinaigrette, Petroglyph National Monument, Budai Gourmet Chinese, Duke City Pedaler, The Grove Café & Market, Hinkle Family Fun Center, Albuquerque Little Theatre, The Artichoke Café, Routes Bicycle Tours, Cliffs Amusement Park and many more attractive places.
Best time to Visit
Best time to visit Albuquerque is from September to November. Fall season sees beautiful warm climate and it is a best time because many festivals take place during this season. Natural landscape is the perfect stage to a unique lifetime experience. City is absorbed with many natural beauties.
Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) is a public airport in New Mexico, United States. It is 5 miles far from downtown, New Mexico. It is the largest commercial airport in New Mexico. It is a hub for Cargo Airline. We (boomerangtrip.com) provide discounted deals for flight tickets from and to ABQ-JFK, ABQ-MIA, ABQ-IAH, ABQ-DCA/IAH, ABQ-BUR, ABQ-DEN and many more destinations within and outside United States.
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This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite
Barren is a work of fiction in the character-driven, LGBTQ+, adventure, and romantic fiction sub-genres, and was penned by author Yolanda Olson. As a novel that forms the first part of the Carnaval des Ténèbres series, the work does contain material suitable for more mature readers. Our central protagonist Yager is a young man who cannot feel, either physically or mentally, but this loss brings him turmoil and a sense of never fitting in. In his group of traveling performers, Yager finds comfort amongst other unusual people, but further heartache ensues when he encounters the mysterious Indigo. Can a man without feelings learn to feel, or will he tear himself apart in the process?
Author Yolanda Olson has created a sensory feast in this short but very effective novel, which sparks off an intriguing and immersive series. As a huge fan of the carnivalesque setting and atmosphere, I adored the introduction of a stylish, emotive, and larger than life ensemble cast. With such promise for the rest of the series, we then concentrate on Yager with some truly effective psychological development, and a speech and thought presentation that puts a deep, emotive focus on, perhaps ironically, someone who cannot feel, yet yearns to. The dialogue of the work was also engaging, developing plot and character relationships, but also providing wit and personality to the surrounding ‘family’ of the players. Overall, I would highly recommend Barren as a lavish and poignant emotional adventure, and a promising start to a very exciting series indeed.


The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as “food stamps
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credit card number over the phone to unsolicited callers.


I don't only work with superstars: Asin
New Delhi: Asin, who made a debut opposite Aamir Khan in 'Ghajini' and went on to work with Salman Khan twice, says it is a wrong notion that she only works with superstars.
The 28-year-old actress made a successful debut in the Aamir starrer and later starred in big budget films like 'Ready', 'Housefull 2', 'Bol Bachchan' and 'Khiladi 786' but has been missing from the screen for over a year.
"It is a wrong interpretation. I am happy that I have got to work with established actors. But apart from them I am open to do films with anyone. The script should be good enough," said Asin.
Explaining her absence from the screen, Asin said she prefers doing quality work over quantity.
"I like to keep a low profile. For me quality is more important than quantity or visibility," she said.
Asin would be next seen in 'All is Well' opposite Abhishek Bachchan. The film is directed by Umesh Shukla, who made his debut with critically acclaimed 'Oh My God'.
"I am doing a film 'All is well' with Umesh Shukla. I am looking forward to working with him. It will be too early to speak about the other projects that I am doing," she said.
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New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): Bollywood actor Rajkumar Rao, who impressed all with his performance of a Kashmiri lawyer in 'Shahid' won the Best Actor award at the 61st National Film Awards announced on Wednesday. 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' was named Best Popular film providing wholesome entertainment and Ganesh Acharya won Best Choreogr... More New Delhi, Apr 16 (ANI): Bollywood actor Rajkumar Rao, who impressed all with his performance of a Kashmiri lawyer in 'Shahid' won the Best Actor award at the 61st National Film Awards announced on Wednesday. 'Bhaag Milkha Bhaag' was named Best Popular film providing wholesome entertainment and Ganesh Acharya won Best Choreographer for his hit song 'Maston Ka Jhund'. Anand Gandhi directed 'Ship of Theseus' was named best feature film at the 61st National Film Award. 'Gulaabi Gang' won the award for Best Movie on Social Issues. Arshad Warsi's Jolly LLB won the Best Hindi film and Saurabh Shukla, who played a no-nonsense judge in the movie, bagged the Best Supporting Actor (Male).
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LONG WAY ROUND has recently been anti-fouled, polished, and has completed all mechanical services. She is ready for 2021!Bring all offers!
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BOLO Stolen Black 2018 Ford Pickup Truck
Source: Area OPP
Date: Tue Sep 25 03:49:55 MST 2018
The complainant reported a black, 2018 Ford pick-up truck was stolen from the property. The licence plates for the vehicle have been recovered. The vehicle remains outstanding.
Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or their nearest police authority.
Should you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or submit a tip online at www.londoncrimestoppers.com where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2000.


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The world faces a crisis of unprecedented proportions as COVID-19 (aka, coronavirus) rapidly spreads across the globe. As the numbers of infected rise, Facebook, Google, and other tech companies have come forward to lend their expertise and resources.
Here are some of the ways High Tech is helping:
Facebook is providing user data to help predict the next hotspot. Facebook is also donating $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for small businesses, and giving a $1,000 bonus to each of its 45,000 employees. Further, Facebook banned ads and commercial listings for hand sanitizer, surface disinfecting wipes, masks, and COVID-19 test kits. Rob Leathern, Director of Product Management at Facebook told NBC, “This is another step to help protect against inflated prices and predatory behavior we’re seeing.” Facebook is also combating the spread of coronavirus misinformation with accurate information from health organizations by putting the latest news and updates about the pandemic at the top of the news feeds. The new feature was built in association with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization and will include real-time health updates and offer resources and tips on how to stay healthy and support your family and community.
Google is offering location data from its Maps app, which may help understand social distancing requirements. Google also launched a website offering education, prevention and local resources related to Covid-19. The website has videos, a global map showing confirmed cases by country, and information about Google’s other relief efforts such as the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, which is raising monies to mitigate the virus’s spread by supporting medical facilities and personnel.
Amazon is significantly expanding its U.S. workforce, opening 100,000 new positions in its fulfillment centers and delivery networks to keep up with the surge of demand. They also prioritized household staples, medical supplies and other high-demand products coming into their fulfillment centers. They also stepped-up efforts to ensure no one artificially raises prices on basic need products during the pandemic. Their Whole Foods Market division adjusted store hours to accommodate customers who are age 60 and over, who are invited to shop beginning one hour before the store opens to the general public. Also, Amazon is investing $20 million to accelerate diagnostic research, innovation, and development to speed understanding and detection and other innovative diagnostic solutions to mitigate future infectious disease outbreaks.
ServiceNow has released emergency response Apps to help government agencies and enterprises manage complex emergency response workflows—these apps are available free of charge. Jennifer McNamara, Chief Information Officer of Washington State’s Department of Health told BusinessInsider, “By leveraging ServiceNow’s Now Platform, we were able to digitize processes that allowed us to quickly resource critical Incident Management Team positions. This automated a manual and labor-intensive process that was fraught with errors while also providing real-time visibility into resource allocations.”
Expanding Medical Coverage
The White House caught on to telemedicine’s potential to mitigate and contain by expanding Medicare coverage for digital doctor visits and basically removed privacy hurdles so doctors may use popular video apps such as Apple’s FaceTime, Google Hangouts, Microsoft’s Skype and Facebook Messenger’s video chat feature. But it prohibits doctors from using apps that have public broadcasting features such as Facebook Live, Twitch and TikTok.
“The reality is that clinical brick-and-mortar medicine is rife with the possibility of virus exposure,” Dr. Jonathan Wiesen told Time. “The system we have in place is one in which everyone who is at risk is potentially transmitting infection. That is petrifying.” Instead, he’s suggesting people could call telemedicine centers and describe their symptoms to doctors who could determine whether they need COVID-19 -testing—without exposing anyone else. The data could then be mined to predict the movements of the epidemic in a population.
Doctors and patients will have easier ways to connect, emergency responders better ways to communicate, scientists better data to analyze. New and better ways to combat the virus are here. But these High Tech solutions come with the risk that these services could be used without protection, that companies will keep data in insecure ways. Hackers, who are already preparing for a surge of digital doctor visits, could easily search medical records.
Everyone understands that this pandemic is unprecedented and calls for novel action. However, lawmakers want to protect consumers and customers from companies that seek to profiteer off people in desperate times, as well as protect public entities and private organizations from malicious actions such as ransomware attacks. If privacy can be protected and security assured, then big tech certainly has a big role to play in helping stop the crisis.


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- Famous Name
- Birth Name Gabriel dos Santos Magalhães
- Birth Place São Paulo, Brazil
- Famous Name Gabriel
- Net Worth $0.5 million
- Salary €336,000
- Position in Team Defender
- Current team LOSC Lille
- Nationality Brazilian
- Ethnicity African
- Profession Footballer
Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes, simply known as Gabriel is a Brazilian professional footballer who is currently signed to Ligue 1 side club Lille OSC and Brazilain National team. Earlier, he played for the FC Avia as well as enjoyed a loan spell with Troyes and Dinamo Zagreb.
Sao Paulo, Brazil native, Gabriel dos Santos Magalhaes was born on 19th December 1997, under the star sign Sagittarius. The Brazilain defender stands 1.90 m tall and weighs 78 kg.
How Much Is Gabriel's Net Worth & Salary? Know His Market Value
LOSC Lille's jersey No.4 defender, Gabriel dos Santos Magathaes annually makes €336,000 from the Ligue 1 team. Not to mention, the average salary in French football is quite low compared to other leagues. The median Lille player salary is around €696,000 per-year, since, Gabriel is yet to make big in his career, he is earning less than the average salary.
Besides his income from the club, Gabriel makes a decent sum from the national team. Also, he is currently endorsed by Adidas. Earlier, he was associated with Puma.
As of 2020, Gabriel's net worth is estimated at $0.5 million. Scrolling through his IG posts, the hunk seems to have a pretty lavish lifestyle. Earlier, he used to ride Ford Mustang now ride Mercedes.
On 8th March 2020, his market value is updated €17.50 million, before that it was recorded €22.00m, which also his highest value to date.
Reportedly, Everton front runners to sign Gabriel Magalhaes. The club continues to be linked with a host of players, as a manager, Carlo Ancelotti considers strengthening his team when the transfer window opens. Gabriel will make a decision regarding his future this week and the Toffees will be expecting that the player chooses them over the competition. However, they will face competition from an unnamed Premier League club. Apparently, another English club has submitted a late bid for the Brazilian defender, thought to be in excess of £22m.
Also, the Blues are now said to have joined this so-called 'race' for the prodigy, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Napoli also credited with an interest. Intially, Tottenham's launch £27m bid for Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes' as Jose Mourinho looks to snap up 22-year-old ahead of rivals Arsenal.
Relationship Status: Single
Brazilian defender, Gabriel lives a low key personal life. Information about his love life: affair, girlfriend, or break up is way farther from the media's eyes. Though the hunk is active on different socials such as Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook, he only posts his photograph related to his career and some with his family and friends.
With less to no information about his relationship, the twenty-two years old is possibly single as of now. Perhaps, he is more focused on his career advancement.
After spending four years at Avai youth system, Gabriel made his professional debut in 2016 with a Avai, a side who currently plays in the second tier of Brazilian football. Following, 21 appearances, he moved to Europe in January 2017, signing for Ligue 1 side Lille for a reported fee of £1.5m.
Intially, he struggled to adapt to senior football at Lille and went out on loan twice - first to Troyes (2017-2018) and then to Dynamo Zagreb (2018).
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The vice president of operations of North Manchester-based MPS Egg Farms says plans to partner with agbioscience company Hello Nature to produce natural fertilizer products are about four years in the making. The companies announced plans Monday to build and operate a $50 million fertilizer manufacturing operation in Wabash. Dan Krouse says the MPS leadership team traveled to Verona, Italy, where Hello Nature parent Italpollina has been producing specialty fertilizers for more than 50 years.
“We’re really impressed by the operation and their expertise in the fertilizer markets,” said Krouse. “They’ve been interested in doing something similar here in the United States for several years.”
The companies say the project involves the construction of two facilities totaling nearly 300,000-square feet and will employ 46 people when operational.
MPS has 11 million egg-laying hens on the job at four farming operations in northern Indiana and Illinois. Krouse says the Wabash County farms alone produce 80,000 tons of chicken litter (manure and bedding material)
“That all goes on to row crops right now [as] a great natural fertilizer. Our hope is that as our partnership, Bionutrients, ramps up production, we will eventually commit 100% of that litter production,” said Krouse.
While a majority of the chicken waste goes on row crops, like corn, Krouse says Hello Nature’s technologies create natural field nutrients for a variety of crops, including apples and blueberries.
“We believe that this new production facility will be a turning point for the North American market,” said Luca Bonini, Hello Nature’s chief executive officer. “Today the fertilizer industry undergoes multiple challenges such as rising prices, logistics issues and shortage of inputs, and there is a desperate need for innovative solutions to feed a growing population with less inputs and less land available.”
Krouse says the company evaluated several sites in two states, but decided Wabash was the ideal location for this new venture
“We have been so thrilled with the community’s engagement. A lot of community stakeholders have invested time and effort to understand this project and vet the project and make sure it’s right for Wabash County.”
The partnership purchased the ground from the Wabash County Redevelopment Commission and provided input about the project, ensuring it was a “good fit” for the community, said Krouse.
“Wabash County has always been a strong center for agribusiness and manufacturing, and this investment is the perfect marriage of the two, continuing the legacy of innovation in our community,” said Wabash Mayor Scott Long.
Based on the company’s job creation plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corp. has committed $490,000 in tax credits, based on job creation.
The partners will break ground this spring, with the facility fully operationally in the summer of 2023.
Editor’s Note: The proposed fertilizer facility is just a portion of MPS Egg Farms sustainability initiatives. In December, the company announced plans for a carbon neutral, cage free egg facility in northeast Indiana. Click here to read that story.


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You can’t catch the same pressured bass year in and year out with one lure, so unless we keep showing these fish different baits, they get wise to our tricks. Here’s a look at some of the new bass baits introduced at ICAST.
1. 13 Fishing Shadow Spin
Spybaits have recently exploded onto the bass scene, but 13 Fishing gives this stealthy technique a new twist by integrating elements of swimbaits to the spybaiting game. Like standard spybaits, the Shadow Spin sports a custom machined aluminum prop on its nose, but its back end features a wedge-tail paddle. The result is a subtle bait with flash and vibration, complemented by a kicking action. Balanced for an attention-getting shimmy on the fall, the Shadow Spin includes HD Holographic eyes, high-def finishes and VMC Premium PTFE coated hybrid treble hook. ($20; 13fishing.com)
2. A Band of Anglers Dartprop Pro SK A
Expanding the Hyperlastics line, renowned lure designer Patrick Sebile created this minnow-style bait with props at both ends for flashy, enticing motion throughout the water column. The proprietary Softough material provides a supple, buoyant profile that’s strong enough to stand up to aggressive bites. Fixed to a weighted EWG hook, the front prop steadily spins when the bait is in motion, while the molded-in rear prop spins erratically with various retrieves. At 5 1/2 inches and 5/8 ounce, the Dartprop Pro is available in six colors. ($10; www.abandofanglers.com)
3. Bagley Balsa Wake
Strengthened by Bagley’s exclusive heat compression molding process and fortified with a wire-through design, this shallow search bait is made to withstand the bumps and bruises associated with fishing through cover. Also, this highly buoyant bait includes a precision internal weighting system that optimizes casting accuracy. Made to run just below the surface, the Balsa Wake’s steeply angled square lip creates alluring wobble and allows the bait to crawl across various cover without snagging. This 2 1/4-inch, 5/16-ounce bait is sold in eight colors. ($10; www.tacklewarehouse.com)
4. Berkley Hit Stick
Taking the upside of balsa — that enticing roll — and eliminating its inherent fragility was Berkley’s objective with this floating minnow bait. The innovative bait maker did so by building the Hit Stick from durable Polycarbonate and ABS materials for strength and consistency, while embedding a proprietary FlashDisc into the bait. The FlashDisc makes the bait facilitates casting and creates the rolling action favored by balsa fans, while a high-pitch rattle hails attention and ultra-sharp Fusion19 hooks snare anything that bites. It is available in seven sizes and 22 colors. ($6-$8; berkley-fishing.com/)
5. Big Bite BFE
Taking the best of two common flipping forms, Big Bite created what looks like a cross between a beaver and a tube. The Best Flipper Ever (BFE) comprises a solid body with rings that increase the profile without the bulk that can impede hook sets. A thin tail and narrow appendages give the bait a gliding fall like a tube, while the bait’s overall durability and slim form make it effective at reaching into a variety of cover.
“The Best Flipper Ever is truly designed to flip coast to coast,” says bass pro Bradley Hallman. “From the grass mats of Florida to the tules of California and all the bushes in between. This is one bait I can travel the country with.”
Available in 10 colors. ($4; bigbitebaits.com/product/bfe/)
6. Chasebaits Ripple Cicada
Capitalizing on nature’s fascination with the periodically occurring insect, Chasebaits made this 1.75-inch, 1/5-ounce bait with a soft, hollow body wrapped in a ripped surface that creates enticing wave motion. UV enhancements, clear wings accented with glitter-flash and skeletal outlines, realistic antennae and strike point eyes present a fish-attracting image. The wide profile body stimulates immediate interest by hitting the water with the impact of a live cicada, while the the crawling wings create a low intensity “pop-n-roll” commotion. Use a stop-and-go retrieve and those wings help the bait hop across lily pads or other low-profile cover. Built with tow-point through-wire construction, the Ripple Cicada comes in seven colors. ($12.50; chasebaitusa.com)
7. Culprit Flutter Craw
Anglers who throw Texas rigs, swim jigs and articulated football heads often reach for creature baits, craws, or double tail grubs. Culprit’s thought: Why not combine something from each of these popular shapes into a single bait? That’s what the 4-inch Flutter Craw brings to the table. With appendages front, rear and middle, the bait creates constant motion. Even when stopped on the bottom, the Flutter Craw’s forward-facing legs appear to be reaching forward. ($5.50; culprit.com)
Read Next: 9 Bass Lures That Sell the Fastest
8. Gamakatsu Underspin Head
Anchoring this familiar form is the serious firepower needed to separate big fish from heavy cover and reel them to the boat. Giving anglers the ability to apply maximum pressure to big fish, Gamakatsu equips its new Underspin Head with a heavy wire, 60-degree hook made for heavy braid and fluorocarbon applications. A streamlined head glides easily through cover, while a Spring Lock holds your trailer in optimal position. The recessed eyes offer a target point, while the small, chrome Willow-leaf blade is a deal-closer. Available sizes, 3/16-, 1/4-, 3/8- and 1-ounce. ($4.86; gamakatsu.com)
9. Netbait Flex Worm
Strength with flexibility might sound like the title of a leadership seminar, but it’s actually a cool idea from Netbait, which designed its Flex Worm to firmly hold hooks and shaky heads, but also deliver the finessey, realistic looks that picky fish demand. Following a solid upper end (1.5 inch), the worm transitions into tapering ball & joint body design that delivers the convincing action. This mid-range motion complements the tail action for a steady motion that delivers the bites. Sold in 5- and 7-inch sizes, with 10 colors. ($4.30; netbait.com)
10. Rapala OG 6 Slim
The brainchild of professional angler Ott DeFoe, whose custom bait making dates back to his East Tennessee youth, Rapala’s OG Slim is a flat-sided balsa crankbait built for medium wobble and a tight lateral action. DeFoe wanted a thin, lightweight circuit board lip for the fish-tempting deflections that allow balsa baits to show off their enchanting rise. At 2.75 inches, the 1/2-ounce bait dives to 6 feet and comes equipped with No. 3 VMC Hybrid Trebles. Available in 14 colors. ($11; rapala.com)
11. Savage Gear 3D Bluegill
Playing on a bass’ well-documented taste for bream, Savage Gear bolstered its 3D Bluegill with enhanced movement and wrapped it in ultra-realistic photoprint finishes that closely resemble the real deal. A 4-segmented body gives the bait incredibly lifelike motion at low or high speeds, while the scent-infused body furthers the convincing. Featuring a heavy-duty jig hook, the 4-inch, 3/4-ounce bait comes in six colors. ($10; savagegear-americas.com)
12. Strike King Hybrid Hunter
No bait does it all, but Strike King conceived the Hybrid Hunter with the notion of building a bait capable of playing multiple roles. Designed with a fat body, flat sides and an L-Shaped 90-degree bill, this bait produces a hard thumping, exaggerated hunting action accented by loud rattle. With these performance characteristics plus a buoyant body stimulating aggressive strikes, the Hybrid Hunter plays the roles often tasked to a lipless crankbait, jerkbait, crankbait or swimbait. Available in 3- and 3.5-inch versions.
“This bait is the most buoyant, loud, crazy-hunting shallow water bait I’ve ever used,” says Texas bass pro Todd Castledine. “With its flat sides and unique bill, no other crankbait works through cover like this bait.
“The unique L-Shaped bill makes the bait run on a horizontal plane, instead of always digging down. That allows the Hybrid Hunter to run more level. Also, with minimal resistance, you can work this bait super fast.”
Read More Bass Fishing Tips
13. Z-Man Chatterbait WillowVibe
Input from Ronnie and Ron Davis, creators of the original ChatterBait, yielded a different take on the classic look with a stainless steel willow-leaf blade and an aspirin-shaped head; a combination that creates and intense vibration made with schooling fish in mind. Dressed with 3D eyes, the WillowVibe sports a 2/0 black nickel hook and wire bait keeper. Ideally paired with a finesse style trailer, this bait produces a tight action with a high frequency vibration that does the jobs often assigned to scrounger-style heads, small swimbaits and underspins. Available in four colors, the WillowVibe comes in 1/4- and 3/8-ounce sizes. ($5.99; zmanfishing.com)

domain: hobby


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By Richard Miscovich
In the past twenty years, interest in wood-fired ovens has increased dramatically in the United States and abroad, but most books focus on how to bake bread or pizza in an oven. From the Wood-Fired Oven offers many more techniques for home and artisan bakers—from baking bread and making pizza to recipes on how to get as much use as possible out of a single oven firing, from the first live-fire roasting to drying wood for the next fire.
From the Wood-Fired Oven offers a new take on traditional techniques for professional bakers, but is simple enough to inspire any nonprofessional baking enthusiast. Leading baker and instructor Richard Miscovich wants people to use their ovens to fulfill the goal of maximum heat utilization. Readers will find methods and techniques for cooking and baking in a wood-fired oven in the order of the appropriate temperature window. What comes first—pizza, or pastry? Roasted vegetables or a braised pork loin? Clarified butter or beef jerky? In addition to an extensive section of delicious formulas for many types of bread, readers will find chapters on:
This product is shipped from one of our warehouses in Northern California. Orders placed after 12 p.m. will typically ship the following business day. Click here to see an estimate of our delivery times with standard FedEx Ground shipping.
Returns & Replacements
Regularly stocked, non-special-ordered, and non-custom-built items can be returned for a refund within 30 days of receipt if unused and in original packaging. Returns of solar panels, inverters or other large ticket items will incur a re-stocking fee of up to 30%. Freight shipping is non-refundable.
For more, please read our full return policy.

domain: food


Client: Balle Brothers
Project Size: 9100m2
Products used: Radforce – Structural synthetic
iNFORCE concrete slab design at this Produce Storage in Matamata using Radforce a structural synthetic reinforcing fibre and Microforce poly monofilament fibre. We designed 25m x 25m pours with no saw cuts giving significant program and maintenance savings over conventional mesh slab design. Radforce was used as a structural element in the concrete slab as an alternative to steel mesh while Microforce poly fibre used to control plastic shrinkage cracking.
We understand that choosing the correct solution and type of product is essential for the success of any project. Inforce has a technical support team with many years of concrete industry experience and successful project applications and are ready to help you find the right solution for your application.
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I had the huge privilege of participating in the launch of Armas, the new national creative ageing festival in Finland on 1st October. This is part of Finland’s official celebration of its centenary of independence. It was a wonderful event with an older people’s brass band, dramatic poetry from a senior’s group and Muska Babitzin, who is known as Finland’s pensioner equivalent of Suzi Quatro. She certainly rocked the crowd.
Armas (hard to translate, but roughly an affectionate or tender term for a man, perhaps ‘darling’) is the hard-won creation of Raisa Karttunen who works for the Cable Factory in Helsinki. I am delighted to say she drew inspiration from Scotland’s Luminate festival which we fund and helped establish and which itself is based on Ireland’s Bealtaine. The exchange has been mutual of course and Luminate has played host to Finland’s self-styled Rock Grannies Riskiryhmä (‘Risky Business’).
The festival takes place over two weeks with a huge variety of around 250 events. There will be a beer tasting session combined with the music of The Beatles, guided tours of the National Art Gallery by current and retired staff, a photography project at the iconic Finlandia Hall curated by people living in a care home, and a performance by an older people’s choir organised by the Miina Sillanpää Foundation which provides services for older people.
Being in Helsinki brought back memories of the inspiring work I saw there in 2013 (Colder, Older and Wiser) where I learnt about an EU programme giving artists opportunities to work with older people in four Finnish cities and saw the impressive Comprehensive Service Centres of Kinapori and Roihuvuori where numerous services are co-located with care homes.
Since then, although Finland has not been immune to the pressures of public funding cuts, there has been further progress in creative ageing. A structural strength of the system in Helsinki is a post held by Jenni Räsänen for the last eight years which is jointly funded by the arts and culture and health and social care departments. This has achieved many things, including developing and professionalising the role of Activity Coordinators in care homes (renamed Cultural Coordinators) who now benefit from regular workshops and training across the City. There is now a National Network of Arts-based Elderly Care comprising 13 cities across Finland called Aili (an affectionate name for a woman, making the ‘Old Couple of Armas and Aili’). This infrastructure is underpinned by a strong philosophy of cultural rights – that we all have a human right to access culture and be creative.
I was very interested to hear of the many activities led by the Helsinki Music Centre, the magnificent new concert hall, which is home to two of Finland’s thirty orchestras. Groups of musicians regularly go to play in care homes on a voluntary basis. Concerts are sometimes streamed into care homes and they are frequently put online for a limited period to play again. Rehearsals for concerts (without singers) are often held during the day with the public able to attend for a small fee of three euros. Many of the 400 places are taken by older people. The Music House takes part in Helsinki’s wonderful Cultural Companion project which enables 100 volunteers to take someone who contacts the City Hall to a cultural event at very low cost. Although this isn’t age-specific, most of the seats are again taken by older people.
At a national level, there is a major research programme called Arts Equal which addresses cultural equity and rights including for older people. Finland’s major independent funder of arts and the sciences, Finnish Cultural Foundation, has recently had a grants programme to improve access to the arts including for older people.
Creative ageing in Finland is thriving. Armas is a major addition to the growing movement of arts and older people activity around the world.


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The substantial remains of Sweetheart Abbey can be found on the eastern edge of the village of New Abbey, five miles south of Dumfries. To its south-west lie hills climbing to the summit of Criffel while to its east lies the estuary of the Rive Nith.
The story of the founding of Sweetheart Abbey is held to be a testament to the enduring power of love. On 10 April 1273 Lady Devorgilla signed a charter establishing a new Cistercian abbey here in memory of her husband, John Balliol, who had died in 1268. Thanks to the Reformation her later endowment of a college at Oxford University in his name turned out to be a more enduring memorial.
Lady Devorgilla's love for her departed husband extended to carrying his embalmed heart around with her in an ivory box with enamelled silver trimmings. After her death in 1290 she was buried in the sanctuary of the abbey church she had founded, and on her instructions the casket containing her husband's heart was buried beside her.
The guide book tells us that in tribute to her love for her husband, the monks in the abbey she had founded chose thereafter to call it Dulce Cor or Sweetheart Abbey. The enduring power of love, certainly: but to squeamish modern sensibilities this is a love story with a distinctly gruesome edge.
Today a monument marks the original location of Lady Devorgilla's tomb, in front of where the altar would have stood. A much larger monument was erected here in the 1500s, but was destroyed after the Reformation. The surviving pieces, including part of an effigy of Lady Devorgilla were incorporated into a restored tomb-like structure in 1932 which can be seen in the south transept.
While the abbey became known as Sweetheart, the village that grew to serve it stuck with the original and more straightforward name of New Abbey. This was intended primarily to distinguish it from the not so distant Dundrennan, home of Sweetheart Abbey's mother house, Dundrennan Abbey.
For the next quarter of a millennium monks lived, worshipped and died at Sweetheart. Edward I of Englandstayed here in 1300 but Sweetheart didn't suffer the same fate of many Scottish abbeys further east at the hands of passing English armies. In the late 1300s it came under the protection of Archibald the Grim, Lord of Galloway and builder of Threave Castle.
The end of Sweetheart Abbey as an active religious community followed the Reformation of 1560, though the impact here was more gradual than almost anywhere else in Scotland. By this time Sweetheart was under the protection of Lord Maxwell, a Catholic. With his help the last Abbot, Gilbert Broun continued to reside at Sweetheart and to practice the unreformed religion in defiance of the new order.
In 1603 Abbot Gilbert was imprisoned in Blackness Castle for his obstinacy, but on release he returned to Sweetheart. In 1608 his belongings were publicly burned in Dumfries and the Abbot was exiled to France, where he died four years later.
Many of the domestic buildings associated with Sweetheart Abbey were then slowly dismantled to provide stone for buildings in the village. In a remarkably early act of conservation, local subscribers clubbed together in 1779 to preserve the shell of the abbey church and what was left of the remainder "as an ornament to that part of the country".
Their successors passed the abbey into State care in 1928 and it is now looked after by Historic Environment Scotland. In 1974 a plaque was unveiled commemorating Sir William Paterson, founder of the Bank of England and architect of the Darien Scheme, who was buried at Sweetheart Abbey in 1719.
Today's visitor approaches from the large car park to the north-west of the abbey and progresses to the entrance near what would have been the western side of the cloister. The site is closely hemmed in on its northern and eastern sides by a large graveyard, and it is possible to appreciate these little viewed aspects of the abbey from different parts of the graveyard without entering the actual abbey itself.
Once you do enter, your first port of call is the visitor reception, on the south side of the site, and you are then free to explore. Your first impression of Sweetheart Abbey is of just how overwhelmingly red it is, an impression that grows stronger if the sun is out. A large part of the shell of the abbey church is still standing, but little remains of the domestic buildings that would once have stood to its south, beyond wall lines on the ground.