text:
For cruise passengers visiting Vietnam during their voyage, cruise excursions are one of the best ways to explore Hanoi. Hanoi is an indispensable destination for those who genuinely want to be immersed in Vietnamese culture and history. Hanoi is considered by many to be the cultural heart of northern Vietnam, which beautifully encapsulates the country's history.
The city has a quaint mix of the old flair that it retained from the dynasty times and the period of French colonization with the younger, more active, and multicultural environment that comes with globalization. It could be quite an extraordinary feeling, to walk from a complex of historic buildings into a bright and bustling metropolis.
Hanoi is the perfect city to visit on an excursion as lots of activities and tourist attractions are grouped tightly in the center of the city. Here are the things you must do on your journey in Hanoi, according to the experts at My Cruise Excursion.
1.Visit the Old Quarter
The city's famous Old Quarter, named the 36 streets of Hanoi by the locals, is a must-see for tourists who visit Vietnam. This is where a lot of the ancient essence of Hanoi is preserved. According to the locals, each street symbolizes one specific craft back in the days; some examples include handcrafted items and traditional herbal medicine. Craftsmen from villages around the city used to gather in one area of their guild to sell their wares to merchants. The streets are named after the wares that are usually sold there.
A word you will regularly find in the street name is "Hang", which means "wares". For example, in "Hang Bong" you will find cotton wares; in "Hang Bac" you'll discover silverwares. Some of the oldest traditional crafts and trades remain to be admired by visitors in the Old Quarter.
There are old temple grounds and spiritual sanctuaries oddly placed in the middle of busy commercial streets. Amongst them are some of the most famous religious grounds of Hanoi, such as Tran Quoc Pagoda and the Lotus Pagoda, which is considered by many to be the symbol of Hanoi during dynasty times. Many of the 36 streets of Hanoi previously had a temple dedicated to worshipping mythical founders of the craft. Unfortunately, a lot of these temples have been ravaged and destroyed over time. Some remain, such as the Mã Mây and Kim Cổ temples. These attractions give you an insight into ancient architecture and the worship practices of Vietnamese people.
2.Take a Cyclo Tour Through the Narrow Streets
For first time visitors, the traffic of Hanoi could be very daunting, with thousands of motorcycles weaving in and out of hidden streets and unseen corners. The locals have gotten used to this since it is a part of their daily routine, but to untrained eyes, the swarm of traffic along with its noise could prove to be very disorienting and intimidating.
Cyclo tour is an alternative way to join in the crowded, lively stream of people without the stress.
The streets and lanes of the Old Quarter are best accessible with smaller vehicles, such as the unique Cyclo. The Cyclo is a very signature vehicle and used to be very popular in the city, an upgraded version of the hand-wagons during the French colonial time. This vehicle offers a very relaxed and authentic ride through the matrix-like streets of Hanoi. Enjoy the view of the streets and stop to buy a souvenir or enjoy some tasty snacks from the street food vendors whenever you feel like it.
3.Visit Hoa Lo Prison
For tourists who are a bit more curious and want to know more about the brutal side of Vietnamese history, there's the Hoa Lo Prison, sarcastically named the "Hanoi Hilton".
Hỏa Lò, commonly translated as "fiery furnace", is the name of the prison that is used by the French when Vietnam was still a part of French Indochina. It was initially used to contain Vietnamese political prisoners who were activists in the liberation movements of the Vietnamese people, and later for the American POWS during the Vietnam war. The prison is notorious for American prisoners for being overcrowded and its prisoners being subjected to torture and execution regularly.
The prison was mostly demolished in the 1990s; only a part of it was maintained, now serving as a museum with items, documents, and statues depicting life inside the prison. The claims of its ex-inmates profoundly contradict the museum's depiction of its treatment to prisoners.
4.Enjoy the Real Taste of Vietnam
The delightful culinary culture of northern Vietnam has a solid presence in Hanoi. The traditional side of Vietnamese cuisine maintained its signature flavors, while the younger generation keeps on renovating the cuisine, creating new trends and wonderful additions to an already colorful culinary culture.
Some must-try Vietnamese food includes Pho, Bun Cha, Cha Ca, and much more. Another great thing about Hanoi is its street food culture. The street food there is everchanging to adapt to the trends created by younger generations of food lovers, making it an enjoyable part of Hanoi to explore.
You are guaranteed to find something you have never seen or tasted before, just by wandering around Hanoi for a few hours.
Ready for more inspiration? Find out more interesting shore excursions in Asia.
About the author
Jasmine has worked in the cruise industry for many years and loves sharing her passion for all things travel.

domain: geography


- H.R. 3826 Provides Reasonable Alternative to Greenhouse Gas Control -
WASHINGTON – Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, issued the following statement regarding his vote in favor of the Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2014, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives:
WASHINGTON – Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, praised the passage of several bills as part of Stop Government Abuse Week in the House of Representatives.
No one is denying that our nation’s immigration system is broken and needs to be fixed. Unfortunately, the immigration proposal recently unveiled by House leaders bears an uncanny resemblance to a “piecemeal” repackaging of the disastrous Senate plan. If it talks like a duck and walks like a duck, it’s a duck.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Lou Barletta (PA-11) announces the nomination of students from Pennsylvania’s 11th District to the United States service academies.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Lou Barletta, PA-11, today issued the following statement regarding the House passage of legislation to suspend the debt ceiling through March 15, 2015.
“With our national debt now well over $17 trillion dollars, I could not in good conscience vote for a bill that would extend our borrowing limit without reductions elsewhere.
WASHINGTON - Yesterday, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued final regulations regarding the Employer Mandate Provision of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), including a section on our nation’s volunteer firefighters and emergency medical personnel.
The State of Our Union
A week ago, President Obama tried to convince us that our economy is better off today than it was when he first took office. However, our national debt is 18 trillion dollars and growing, the roll-out of the Affordable Care Act has proven disastrous, and executive overreach has become the new normal in Washington.
WASHINGTON– This afternoon the House Ways and Means Committee passed Rep. Barletta’s Protecting Volunteer Firefighters and Emergency Responders Act by a unanimous vote of 37-0.


text:
Dec 3, 2018
This chapter is headed with the symbol for our first mystery metal. An allomantic metal that is not yet identified, and whose use is a mystery. Mistbornspoilers is looking forward to the big reveal which will invariably be in the as of yet unreleased Era Three of the series. Kelsier is embroiled in manipulating the politics of the war among noble houses. We'll give you a run-down of all the information we have about it including the tidbits Hoid gives Kelsier in this chapter with a healthy dose of wild speculation. There will be a quite a bit about Hoid and a general cosmere over-view in this one going all the way back to the shattering of Adonalsium. This chapter is also our first mention of the word 'Kandra' although a casual reader would not yet know what it meant.
MistbornSpoilers is a twice weekly book-club, and you can join the conversations that make the podcast on Discord
Please remember, Seth and Patrick are two nerds in a basement who would rather be creating podcast content full time, than working our 9-5s. You can help us create the content you love, become full time podcast creators, and make our dreams come true by donating on Patreon

domain: literature


City releases committee recommendations for old Aspen Art Museum Space
The city has released the names it is recommending for the resident committee that will help the Aspen City Council narrow the list of potential suitors for the riverside space being vacated by the Aspen Art Museum.
The city staff picked Peter Louras, Kathryn Koch, Catherine Lutz and Robin Hamill from a list of 26 people who had interest in the committee. At today’s work session, the City Council is expected to decide the final selections, who will be joined by three recommended city employees on the committee, including Assistant City Manager Barry Crook, Community Development Director Chris Bendon and Parks Director Jeff Woods.
Louras is a longtime Aspen volunteer. Lutz is a local journalist. Koch served as Aspen city clerk for 40-plus years before retiring this spring. Hamill is the president of the Aspen Education Foundation’s board of directors.
Also interested in joining the committee are Georgina Levey, Stan Clauson, Nina Zale, Lara Whitley, Rachel Goodman, William Carpenter, Lee Mulcahy, Marie Kelly, Shae Singer, Oliver Sharpe, Stacey Gardener, Soraya Hanak, Lucas Franze, Barbara Conviser, Charles Curtis, Jim DeFrancia, Michael Regan, Torre, Karen Wenzel, Anita Rayburn, Pam Moore and Roger Moyer.
Those applying for the space — which has been dubbed the Old Power House — will submit general information through a request for qualifications, including any request for city subsidies involved in their plans, their vision for the space and their willingness to share the building.
The resident committee will narrow the field to five or fewer applicants, with the council reserving the right to review any discarded parties during the final decision.


text:
In less than a month, it will be time to propose New Year’s resolutions. Unsurprisingly, the New Year’s resolution that finds itself at the top of Americans’ lists, year after year, is to lose weight. However, for many, weight loss is an insurmountable task. The mindset many seem to possess is a roadblock that inhibits them from reaching their weight loss goals.
Many Americans immediately point accusing fingers at fast food restaurants and junk food advertisements, but they have no one to blame but themselves for their dissatisfactory health or less-than-optimal weight.
There seems to be a fundamental problem in many Americans’ mindsets, and it is echoed in a statement by Mindy Greenfield, a certified family life educator at Sanford Health. She suggested setting “a limit for total daily screen time, including television and Internet,” in order to reduce exposure to junk food marketing. A study conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health echoed Greenfield’s logic, asserting that “exposure to food ads, rather than watching television itself, contributes to obesity.” Greenfield’s solution to the problem actually generates more problems. She implied that Americans are not strong-willed enough to resist advertisements. Therefore, Americans must limit their exposure to advertisements as much as possible. Greenfield was essentially encouraging people to run away from the problem rather than to confront it. She essentially placed Americans at the mercy of marketing by implying that they are not strong-minded enough to resist the lure of Pizza Hut’s tempting advertisements. Though Americans may be under the impression that they are powerful because of their incessant blaming of others for their own problems, they actually have made themselves more vulnerable to advertisements because it is evident they do not possess personal responsibility. By shifting the blame from themselves to other factors, Americans have adopted an unacceptably complacent attitude when it comes to weight loss.
It is clear that the problem lies not in junk food marketing but in the consumer’s susceptibility to flashy advertisements. Likewise, the problem lies not in the existence of fast food; the problem lies in the consumer’s demand for fast food. One may be under the impression that the demand for fast food is high because of its inexpensive prices. However, it has been proven that healthy food is equally affordable. Mark Bittman from The New York Times compared a typical McDonald’s meal, which consists of “two Big Macs, a cheeseburger, six chicken McNuggets, two medium and two small fries, and two medium and two small sodas,” to a healthy, unprocessed meal consisting of “a roasted chicken with vegetables along with a simple salad and milk.” The healthy meal, which can feed a family of four, costs $14, while the typical McDonald’s meal for a family of four costs $28. For double the price, possibly more than the double the calories, and the great risk of arteriosclerosis, diabetes and heart attacks in the (near) future, a family can eat at McDonald’s. It may initially seem like the practical, rational choice to purchase cheap fast food, but in-depth analysis says otherwise. Even if many fail to understand that healthy food is, in many cases, more affordable than unhealthy food, a multitude of Americans failed to realize that the net cost of buying healthy food is lower. In other words, the net cost of buying healthy food is lower because they will not have to pay for a triple bypass surgery or diabetes treatment years (or months) later. The demand for fast food is driven by the misconception that affordable healthy food is a rarity and that trying to find inexpensive healthy food is an insurmountable task.
The overarching problem of the United States is the refusal of many Americans to take personal responsibility in their health choices and their unfortunate obliviousness to the fact that healthy food can be cheaper than fast food. Americans need to stop accusing others and hold themselves accountable for their own choices.
Olivia Deng is a freshman political science major at Drexel University. She can be contacted at [email protected]

domain: news


• Amazon apparently hopes that diamonds are forever. Or close to it.
Bloomberg reports that Amazon "is teaming up with a unit of De Beers Group to grow artificial diamonds, betting that custom-made gems could could help revolutionize computer networks.
"De Beers’s Element Six division will be working on the project with Amazon Web Services’ Center for Quantum Networking, a unit that’s seeking next-generation ways to transmit data securely over longer distances.
"Quantum networking uses subatomic matter to deliver data in a way that goes beyond today’s fiber-optic systems. The diamonds would be part of a component that lets the data travel farther without breaking down.
"Conventional signal repeaters can’t handle information in this form, known as qubits. Ultimately, this equipment could wind up in networks used by AWS, a provider of cloud computing services that accounts for the majority of Amazon’s profit."


Legendary Philadelphia Eagles safety, Brian Dawkins, once said, “I will never have my best season”. Dawkins served as a model of dedication, hard work, and leadership during his ten-year career with the Eagles.
Dawkins was a staple in Philadelphia, not only as one of the best defensive players to ever play the game, but as one of the most influential leaders as well.
Brian Dawkins played in nine Pro Bowls, received all-pro honors six times, and is one of ten players to record 20 sacks and 20 interceptions. Ever since Dawkins’ signed with the Denver Broncos in 2009, the Eagles have been searching for a replacement at safety.
They may have found it in Malcolm Jenkins.
On the first day of this year’s free agency, the Eagles signed former New Orleans Saints safety, Malcolm Jenkins, to a three-year contract worth $16.25 million.
Jenkins has yet to exceed his expectations as an NFL defensive back. However, he has yet to disappoint them either. Jenkins was a two-time captain during his playing days in the Nola and has proven to be both a durable and intelligent player.
Since being drafted in 2009, Jenkins has only missed seven games and started 15 games in only his second year as a pro. Jenkins is replacing Patrick Chung, who had trouble remaining healthy and struggled in coverage situations.
What makes Jenkins a great fit for the Philly defense is the versatility that he has gained from playing as a cornerback in college and then during his rookie season in the NFL. In 57 games as a Saint, Jenkins recorded 275 tackles, 6 interceptions and forced 6 fumbles.
The Eagles were the worst team in the league at stopping opposing quarterbacks from picking apart their defense through the air. They ranked 32nd against the pass, not because of a lack of pass rush or defensive play calling, but because of a secondary that was susceptible to big plays down the field. That is where the Eagles’ front office is hoping Jenkins can make a difference.
The last time the Eagles signed a free agent defensive back to a sizeable contract, it eventually turned out to be one of the worst free agent signings in franchise history.
In 2011, the Eagles signed cornerback, Nnamdi Asomugha, to a five-year contract worth $60 million with $25 million guaranteed. Asumugha dramatically under-performed and did not play up to his reputation as one of the top lockdown cornerbacks in the league.
However, it would be unlikely for Malcolm Jenkins to fail in improving the Eagles’ defense, considering how they performed last season without him. Jenkins is undoubtedly an upgrade, and at 26 years old, can still reach his first round draft pick potential.
The question that the Jenkins signing presents is whether or not this affected General Manager Howie Roseman’s desire to go after former Tampa Bay Bucs’ cornerback, Darrelle Revis, who is highly regarded to be the best cornerback in football.
Roseman expressed interest in signing Revis, and also cut Patrick Chung on the same day that the Eagles signed Jenkins, which cleared up cap space. However, the Eagles were not aggressive during the second day of free agency, and the New England Patriots signed Revis to a one-year deal worth $12 million.
Nonetheless, with an offense that is gearing up to be one of the best in the league next season, Chip Kelly and the Eagles management decided to instill their faith in Malcolm Jenkins to amp up a defense that is simply lacking talent in the secondary.


text:
A felony charge was reduced to a misdemeanor in a plea agreement in Anoka County District Court involving a Coon Rapids man, accused of assaulting and injuring a woman.
Thomas William Miller, 60, entered guilty pleas April 14 to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and domestic assault charges after originally being charged with felony third-degree assault and misdemeanor domestic assault.
Miller, who remains free on his own recognizance, will be sentenced May 12.
According to the complaint, the incident occurred Jan. 23 when Miller yelled at the woman, threw some water on her head, then struck her head and hand with a glass.
The woman went to the hospital where she was diagnosed with a concussion and cut tendons on multiple fingers, which required surgery to repair.


Title: Robust active vision industrial CAD parts recognition system
Authors: Tushar Jain; Meenu; H.K. Sardana
Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, NIT Kurukshetra, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, NIT Kurukshetra, India ' CSIO, Chandigarh, India
Abstract: In automated assembly systems the machine parts identification is entirely different from simple object recognition; moreover the ability of humans to differentiate between correct and not correct machine parts is better but it is a difficult task for a machine. In general, with fast moving machine parts on the conveyor manual defect detection by human inspectors is impractical. Also it is expensive, inaccurate, subjective, eye straining and causes other health issues to quality control inspectors. A computer vision-based non-contact inspection technique is developed with image processing methods by considering these problems, for defect detection in industrial machine parts. The present work will help the industrial robot used in assembly process and industrial inspection systems. In this paper features-based industrial object detection techniques are implemented in MATLAB to recognise the presence of the industrial CAD parts in the query image. In the end the actual industrial tool images are also used to show the accuracy and robustness of the proposed machine vision system for industrial manufacturing automation.
Keywords: active vision; industrial CAD parts; image processing; parts recognition; feature-based algorithms; intelligent systems; robotics.
International Journal of Intelligent Machines and Robotics, 2018 Vol.1 No.1, pp.16 - 33
Received: 14 Jan 2017
Accepted: 08 Feb 2017
Published online: 04 Apr 2018 *


text:
Cyclone Nanauk has weakened twice during the last 24 hours into a well-marked low-pressure area over west-central Arabian Sea.
It has been put on a track, headed back towards the west coast of India, model updates suggested this afternoon.
The well-marked ‘low’ has shifted track from north to northeasterly, which puts it in the line of sight from the Gujarat-Konkan coasts.
Weakening of the cyclone will help re-direct monsoon flows from the Equator to the west coast, leading to onset over the Konkan coast during the next two days.
Seasonal rains are also expected to break over Mumbai - which had missed the bus on the due date of June 10 - soon afterwards.
In other developments, monsoon winds have set up a enhanced cloudiness over the central Bay of Bengal, where an upper air cyclonic circulation is already in place to rally them around.
This circulation is widely thought to prepare the ground for the all-important low-pressure area over Bay of Bengal which will preside over monsoon play over north India.
Tropical storm Hagibis
Meanwhile, some of the flows from the Bay are now going to feed tropical storm Hagibis that has just formed over the South China Sea/West Pacific next door.
This development had been predicted by US agencies a couple of days ago. They had suggested that the storm would move northeast towards east of Taiwan.
Normally, this track for a storm forming during this stage of the monsoon should affect the play-out of rains over upstream Bay of Bengal and India.
But the storm is now forecast to die out over the next 12 hours over the China coast along Shantou-Yunxiao. Honk Kong may also get hit by the system.
The projected short shelf-life of Hagibis would mean that the Indian monsoon system would remain unscathed by its ‘diversionary tactics’ to spirit away incoming flows and moisture.


text:
Green Grieving: Eco-Therapy, Coping with Loss and Finding Solace in Nature
By: Team Earth
Feb 17, 2024 | Grief Resources5 min read
Have you ever gone outside to clear your head?
Then you already understand, to some extent, the healing power of eco-therapy. Whether you’re hiking on a dirt trail or sitting on a park bench, time spent outdoors can be a powerful treatment for all kinds of mental health hurdles, from work anxiety to grief.
Ecopsychology is a growing field that examines our connection to nature as not only nice but necessary in supporting our emotional and physical well-being. Eco-therapy refers to a variety of nature-based healing practices, rooted in ecopsychology.
When it comes to mental health, eco-therapy is an increasingly popular form of treatment. In coping with grief specifically, eco-therapy can offer profound relief.
What is Eco-Therapy
Also known as nature therapy, eco-therapy refers to a variety of healing methods based in nature. Whether self-led or guided by a therapist, in a forest or on a beach, eco-therapy asks participants to reconnect to the bigness of the natural world and embrace our role in a greater ecosystem. It can offer calm in times of stress and comfort in times of sadness, like after the loss of a loved one.
Eco-therapy reminds us that we are all important parts of the natural world. We are connected to nature and we are a part of nature. Just as a flower needs sunshine, water, and nutrition from the soil, humans rely on the natural world, too.
Types of Eco-Therapy
There are many ways to enjoy the benefits of nature, and there are many methods for harnessing its healing power. But if you’re experiencing grief, it can feel hard—impossible, even—to find the motivation to get outside.
Many people who have grappled with grief find it helpful to speak to a therapist, and an increasing number of therapists are now using ecotherapy in their practices. If you’ve enjoyed outdoor activities in the past, or think you might, then simply learning about eco-therapy can be a step in the right direction.
The following are just a handful of the different types of eco-therapy. As this field continues to grow, the methods and styles are branching out, too. But you can also speak to your therapist about getting outside in whatever fashion feels most supportive in what you’re going through.
Often geared towards young adults and teens, participants in wilderness therapy hike and learn wilderness survival skills as a group. It is often used to treat behavioral issues and substance abuse. Wilderness therapy encourages teamwork while developing coping mechanisms and problem-solving techniques.
The practice emerged in Japan in the 1980’s as a response to the widening disconnect between humans and nature. Forest bathing involves moving through a forest and connecting to your surroundings, paying close attention to the details like the sound of birds singing or the smell of wet moss. It can be done solo or with a guide who may offer meditation exercises for a more structured experience.
Meditating outside looks a lot like forest bathing, but relies more specifically on meditative practices like focusing one’s attention on one thing, which could be your breath or a repeated mantra. This guided outdoor meditation from the New York Times asks you to scan your body for any pain or tension and think of three things you’re grateful for.
The mental health benefits of gardening were first documented by Dr. Benjamin Rush, known as the father of American psychiatry. Gardening therapy, or horticulture therapy, embraces the calming practice of tending to plants and is used to help patients learn new skills, regain lost ones, and improve memory and socialization.
In animal-assisted therapy, people interact with animals, typically horses or dogs. Petting and playing with animals promotes the release of serotonin, prolactin, and oxytocin, which all help reduce anxiety, loneliness, and stress. Animals may also act as an ice breaker for talk therapy, allowing someone to relax and maybe laugh at a dog’s playful antics before digging into a conversation.
Similar to gardening therapy but on a bigger scale, conservation therapy invites patients to care for a piece of protected land. This combination of hard work, fresh air, and doing something good for the planet can have a positive effect on one’s mood and broader outlook.
Get a quote in seconds.
For many generations, humans have been drifting further and further from the natural world. As the conveniences of technology have developed at a dizzying pace, the barriers between ourselves and the sources that sustain us seem to be spinning out of control, too.
We still need food that grows from the earth and water that comes from the sky to survive, but the way we access these things (big box stores, faucets, fridge filters) rob us of our connection to the source. Very few people touch the ground from which their food grows. Often, it comes from thousands of miles away.
This disconnect between humans and nature has serious health implications. And a disconnect from nature isn’t the only modern reality to blame. We’re also stuck to gadgets that can seriously harm our mental health. The average screen time in America is now 7 hours a day—hours that increase stress, overload our sensory system, and deplete mental energy. The glow of our scrolling at bedtime is disrupting our sleep patterns by suppressing melatonin production and reducing REM sleep, which makes us more irritable and less focused during the day.
Studies show that “heavy users” of technology like computers and cell phones are twice as likely as “light users,” to experience depression. In 2023, depression rates reached an all-time high in the U.S. at 29% of the population being diagnosed with depression at some point in their lifetime.
Simply going outside can have the opposite effect of our ever-present screens.
One study of 20,000 people found those who spent at least two hours a week in green spaces reported significantly better mental and physical health. Other studies show evidence that spending time outside can lower stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, strengthen the immune system, increase self-esteem, and reduce anxiety.
There have always been people who intrinsically understand the positive effects of being surrounded by nature. But in just the last decade, scientists and doctors have collected a wealth of data on the connection between our health and nature. The evidence is so strong that doctors are now treating patients with prescriptions for park visits and outdoor activity.
One defining feature of depression and grief is a sense of hopelessness. If you’re grieving the loss of a loved one, you might experience a sense of hopelessness in their absence—like you’ll never escape the sadness of this loss.
Contrary to what you see while doomscrolling, hope exists all around us—in ways that are hard to ignore when you go outside. Seasons change. Trees lose their leaves and then grow new ones. Certain trees only release seeds after the intense heat of wildfires. In nature, there is always growth and something to be hopeful for. Eco-therapy can lead the way towards recognizing that hope.
Grief and Green Funerals
We all know that death is part of nature. While so many natural systems have been altered and interrupted by humans’ impact on the planet, dying is a natural process we can’t escape.
Eco-therapy encourages us to intentionally incorporate nature into how we care for our mental health. Now that we’ve examined the benefits of strengthening that connection for the living, let’s consider how death, too, can be more intentionally braided with the natural world.
Green funerals, like eco-therapy, are growing in popularity. They both reconsider human life as not adjacent to nature, but an important part of a healthy ecosystem. This belonging to nature is a great comfort to many, in living and in death.
For those who feel strongly about their role in the natural world, green funerals and eco-therapy can go hand-in-hand as helpful ways to prepare for and grapple with the enormity of death.
To learn more about eco-therapy, talk to your doctor or therapist about your options. If you’re not already seeing a therapist, many primary care providers can help you find one who specializes in eco-therapy.
To learn more about green funerals and human composting, give us a call at Earth Funeral. We’re here to help you navigate the planning and details of embracing our natural connection to the earth and returning to nature after death.
Get a quote in seconds.

domain: psychology


text:
These hand thrown bowls made of natural terracotta clay are accented with an intricate rattan weaving around the rims that is all done by hand. The Mesa Bowls are the perfect sizes to display plants or throw a mix of decorative balls together to create a statement boho look.
-Style with a mixture of deco balls or display your favorite plant.
-The handcrafted quality and natural material combination make these bowls a great decorative infusion for the boho living space
-Hand thrown bowls made of natural terracotta, accented with intricate hand woven rattan pattern around the rims.
-Made from natural terracotta and hand thrown by artisans in India. No two pieces are exactly the same.
-Not food safe, decor use only.
-11 x 11 x 5"H, 8 x 8 x 4"H

domain: design


Future is moving forward with the fam—where he was the original Don Dad-Dad (around the time he first met his ex-singer: Ciara).
Not to be outdone by the “I Bet” singer, who (within the same week) was linked then unlinked to NFL player Russell Wilson when rumors were swirling the guest list for tonight’s White House Correspondents Dinner listed Ciara as Wilson’s date.
By day’s end however, Russell posted a video (taped Christmas 2014) of himself cutting the rug and putting the moves on the lucky young lady who (according to his post’s caption) was going to be his date for tonight’s White House Correspondence Dinner:
Tonight did occur:
And meanwhile back over in the hills, Ciara’s estranged ex-fiance (slash) baby-daddy, rapper: Future was seen on the scene taking a hike of a different kind [than chirping birds hoped he was taking]: Alone, while Ciara rode off into new relationship bliss.
Not so fast-as, it’s back to the Future for his baby’s mom Brittni Mealy: a former Atlanta based stripper who (at the time he first hooked up with Ciara) bore a one year-old son with Future.
“I found me a workout partner with shades” she captioned the pic taken of she and Future taking a hike at Runyon Canon in L.A.
During an interview, Russell was asked about Ciara and he blushed:
“Aw’no all I can say is you guys can get..you have to go check out her new concert. That’s all I can say.”
Although outside of bit of a smile squeezed out of the 15 sec moment, honestly, there is nothing “cute,” flattering, or telling about deflecting the question (regarding his dating Ciara or no). But hold your horses [on considering it being a diss from it rumored Ciara would be his date then not].
Last year, Russell took his mom to the White House Correspondents Dinner so it would only be right that Grandma got to meet the president too!
Media Maestro .
Writing Rhinoceros .


The vast majority of matter in the universe is made up of dark matter, a mysterious non-luminous substance. Even though scientists have been observing the gravitational effects of dark matter for decades, they are still perplexed as to its true nature.
WHO DISCOVERED DARK MATTER?
Astronomers started to speculate about an unseen material in the late nineteenth century, where electro dim stars or gas and dust scattered throughout the universe. According to a 2018 review in the journal Reviews of Modern Physics, researchers had even begun to estimate its mass. Most people assumed that this enigmatic substance was a minor component of the universe’s total mass.
It wasn’t until 1933 that Swiss-American astronomer Fritz Zwicky noticed distant galaxies spinning around each other much faster than should be possible given their visible matter as seen through telescopes. “If this is confirmed, we will get the surprising result that dark matter is present in much greater quantities than luminous matter,” he wrote in a paper published that year in the journal Helvetica Physica Acta.
Many in the field, however, remained skeptical of Zwicky’s findings until the 1970s, when astronomers Kent Ford and Vera Rubin conducted detailed studies of stars in the neighboring Andromeda galaxy. These stars were orbiting the galactic core far too quickly, almost as if some invisible material was gravitationally tugging on them and propelling them forward — an observation that scientists quickly noticed in galaxies all over the universe.
Researchers did not know what this unseen mass was made of, with some astronomers hypothesizing that dark matter comprised small black holes or other compact objects that emitted too little light to be seen through telescopes. As per NASA, the results started to appear even stranger in the 1990s, when Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP), a space telescope discovered that dark matter outweighed ordinary visible matter by a factor of five.
Telescope surveys could never find enough small compact objects to account for this massive influx of material. Dark matter, according to most modern astronomers, is composed of subatomic particles with properties distinct from protons and neutrons. A WIMP, or Weakly Interacting Massive Particle, is the current candidate for dark matter. These speculative entities are not described by the Standard Model of particle physics, which encompasses almost all particles and forces.
WIMPs would be more like ghostly neutrinos, weighing 10 to 100 times more than a proton. (Although the exact mass of neutrinos is unknown, they are significantly lighter than electrons.)
WIMPs, like neutrinos, would interact with only two of the universe’s four fundamental forces: gravity and the nuclear weak force, which mediates the decay of radioactive atomic nuclei. These particles of dark matter seem to be electrically neutral, which means that the axioms would not interact with electromagnetism, which is NA the basis of light, and thus would remain invisible.
In an attempt to detect WIMPs, physicists have built massive detectors and buried them deep underground to protect them from interfering cosmic rays, but no experiment has found evidence for them. This failure has led some in the field to wonder if they’ve embarked on a wild particle chase with no real end in sight.
According to the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, some scientists are turning their attention to a newer dark matter candidate called the axion, which would be a millionth or can be a billionth the mass of an electron. These hypothetical particles are particularly appealing to researchers because they have the potential to solve another unsolved physics problem by interacting with neutrons and explaining why they can feel magnetic fields but not electric ones.
In the month of June of the year 2020, members of the Laboratory based in Italy, Gran Sasso National Laboratory, XENON1T experiment, announced the discovery of a small but unexpected signal that could only be explained by the presence of axions. The findings stunned the scientific community, but they have yet to be confirmed by other experiments.
IS DARK MATTER EVEN REAL?
This means that scientists are still puzzled as to what Dark Matter is. Also, some of the theorists have speculated that there is a whole dark sector of the universe having electrons, so many particles and even dark forces that only affect dark matter, similar to the subatomic complexity seen in the visible universe.
At the same time, a small number of scientists believe that dark matter is a figment of their imagination. They believe in a theory known as a modified version of inertia, or MOND, which proposes that gravity behaves differently than expected on large scales, accounting for observed rotations of stars and galaxies. Most experts, however, are skeptical of the need for such a radical departure from known physics, which would also necessitate changes to our understanding of large parts of reality.
As per the information available and our knowledge, dark matter is not associated with dark energy, another mysterious phenomenon responsible for accelerating the expansion of the universe. The two simply share the word “dark,” which scientists frequently use as a placeholder for things they don’t fully comprehend.


Soon, for the sake of the kids living in Chicago`s high-rise public housing projects, we must come to a hard decision. For too long, and at great human cost, we have turned a blind eye to the harsh reality that living conditions for the great majority of the Chicago Housing Authority families are, and will continue to be, intolerable. Are we ready for Chicago`s most important planning task of the 1990s: determining the fate of the high-rise public housing projects like Cabrini-Green, Henry Horner and others? As the number of CHA families with children decreases each year, can we find ways to house elsewhere the families that still remain in these decrepit high-rises?
A bold thrust to unblock these gigantic concentrations of helplessness and deep poverty is long overdue. Families in CHA high-rises deserve the opportunity of better housing elsewhere in Chicago or the suburbs. Private landlords set much higher standards of occupancy, screening out drug pushers and their ilk. Six reasons stand out why options for improved housing must become more available:
1. Even though similar living conditions prevail in large high-rise projects across the nation, federal funds to extend the life of public housing are shrinking annually-and ominously. For more than a decade, Congress has evidenced scant confidence in large housing projects to provide low-income families with safe, sanitary and decent shelter. But it is increasing the number of subsidies that enable the needy to lease privately owned and managed apartments.
Thanks to these newer federal initiatives for low-income households, the occupants of 75,000 privately owned apartments in the Chicago area now have their rents subsidized. This total now outnumbers, by two to one, CHA-owned apartments for rent.
CHA officials estimate that nearly $1 billion would be required to repair and modernize Chicago`s dilapidated public housing; the dollar cost of deferred maintenance rises every year by $10 million or more. Even to think that Washington will furnish Chicago with such gigantic sums to rehabilitate its family high-rises is a delusion.
2. In recent years Chicago`s civic leaders have urged the CHA to find improved housing elsewhere for its families and to phase out its high-rise dinosaurs. In 1988, for example, Mayor Harold Washington`s Advisory Council on the CHA called for ''the orderly disposition of family high-rise units, with a goal, for example, of razing 8,000 units over a 10-year period.'' The Advisory Council also urged the CHA to establish a ''fund for replacement housing'' to be ''augmented by the sale of land, buildings and units'' so that the CHA could produce ''a more varied housing stock, a greater mix of income-eligible tenants, more geographic diversity. . . .''
In the 1990s, were it to respond to such recommendations, the CHA would start fostering, in the city and suburbs, more mixed-income residential developments. Most of these would be privately owned, many sponsored by not-for-profit groups.
3. Thousands of CHA tenants have demonstrated their eagerness to escape public housing for an apartment in the private market. Annually, the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities designates a day to register CHA families who want to relocate to private apartments in the city or suburbs. On a sign-up day last January, an estimated 13,000 CHA callers jammed the phone lines. From those who got through, 2,000 names were added to the council`s roster of CHA families to resettle. And each year thousands of residents leave public housing projects on their own initiative.
4. Dramatic changes in the CHA`s demography make relocation less difficult today. Apartments in the private real estate market are easier to find for smaller families and adult-only households than for large families with single parents and young children. In 1984, the last year for which official CHA statistics are available, more than 30 percent of the occupied family apartments-those designated for families with children-housed only adults. All subsequent evidence points to a swelling tide of occupancy of CHA family units by adults, whether elderly or non-elderly.
Child population in CHA high-rises for families has declined precipitously. At the three public elementary schools serving primarily Cabrini-Green-Byrd, Jenner and Schiller-the total enrollment plunged from 2,817 in 1976 to 1,374 in 1989, a 51 percent decrease. This trend is welcome, for there will be fewer families on a CHA treadmill into the second and third generation.
5. One reason the CHA waiting list is so long is that eligible families balk at moving into high-rise projects troubled by violence, preferring to wait for a vacancy in a CHA low-rise.
6. The new CHA leadership is committed to professional management and demonstrates a compassionate concern for the families it serves as landlord. Vincent Lane, CHA chairman for the last 25 months, has striven to upgrade life in the projects and to restore pride of place by empowering residents.
But how can any citizen, Lane included, overlook that he is the noble captain of the CHA Titanic? Lane has the talent, ability and public support to steer the CHA in new directions. How best can the CHA do this? It can take seriously the recommendations made by one of its own consultants in 1986:
Leverage its own resources with those of the private sector by making wider use of public/private partnerships to increase the supply of low-income housing. The consultant urged the CHA to establish a ''public/private sector housing production task force.'' It would include state, county and city officials, community leaders, real estate brokers, builders and rehabbers of apartments (both for profit and not-for-profit), lawyers experienced in housing production and representatives of local foundations. That was an excellent proposal in 1986. It still is.
Finally, the CHA and the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development together could support, under the guidance of the Leadership Council for Metropolitan Open Communities, the creation of an active network among public and private agencies that specialize in finding affordable housing for low-income families. Among other things, the network would hitchhike on existing programs that have relocated public housing families into private apartments and would help expand the supply. Such a network would also gather and share information about how CHA families have succeeded, on their own initiative, in moving into privately owned apartments.
The network also would sponsor programs to orient public housing residents on the routines and responsibilities of renting in the private housing market-teaching about security deposits and paying one`s own utilities, for example.
The CHA`s purpose in the 1990s should be to help steer its residents-and other low-income families-back into the urban mainstream. Public housing for families was originally designed and built to be a way station, not a way of life. No one should assume, especially the CHA, that a family stuck in poverty today will be there for evermore.


text:
Lowe Lintas has unveiled a poster campaign for the Olympus digital camera, which highlights the camera's ability to pick up fine detail.
The double-page spread ads will launch next week in national and specialist press with a spend of pounds 400,000.
They all show a newspaper clipping laid next to an innocuous looking photograph of urban skyscapes. On closer inspection, the contents of the story are shown in the photos.
The idea is that these stories could only have been uncovered using the Olympus camera, as the quality of the photos is so high. Each ad has the strapline: '4 million pixels mean you won't miss a thing.'
One ad shows a picture of a tenement block with a story from a newspaper: 'Local photographer captures Mafia murder.' Close inspection reveals a tiny gunman shooting a hostage in one of the 48 windows.
A second shows Illinois skyscrapers, with a newspaper story: 'Congresswoman spotted taking drug money.' In the distance, two figures can be seen on a rooftop exchanging a package.
The final ad first appears to be a typical holiday snap with a couple in the foreground, but in one of the apartment windows can be seen a cry for assistance from a kidnap victim. A 'Help me' sign is pressed against the glass.
Jeremy Bowles, the deputy managing director at Lowe Lintas, said: 'Olympus has had a 25-year history of great advertising and this work continues this tradition.'
The campaign was written by Adrian Lim and art directed by Steve Williams.
The photographer was David Preutz. Media will be bought by Western.


text:
The first sloppy joe I ever ate sticks out in my mind as one of the culinary highlights of my life, just as brightly as the first time I tasted really great fresh pasta or the first time I cooked a salmon filet sous-vide. It was summer camp, 1985. I'd just finished working in the wood shop, poured myself a wax paper cup of bug juice, and got in line for what looked like sauce sandwiches, which is exactly what sloppy joes are. I distinctly remember having to lick off the drips of the sweet, ketchupy sauce from my fingertips, which were still caked with wood glue.
I can't say that I've eaten tons of sloppy joes since my childhood, but I've been known to open the odd can of Manwich from time to time, and to be completely honest, it's usually a disappointment, much in the way that watching re-runs of He-Man makes me realize that cartoons weren't actually better when I was a kid—I was just less discerning. Tasted now, I find them a bit cloying and one dimensional.
Still, the concept is sound. What could be wrong with a saucy sandwich with a sweet and savory flavor in a soft toasted burger bun? Seeing as I still had a ton of chorizo leftover from making tacos, I wondered if it'd make a good base for some homemade sloppy joes.
Man, does it ever!
I started by sloppy joes off by deeply browning some onions and poblano peppers in a cast iron skillet, which is the *only* pan that I currently have in my kitchen; the rest have already been put into boxes for my upcoming transition cross-country.
Fortunately, as my good friend Jeffrey Steingarten discovered, the cast iron skillet is the only real pan you need. I tend to agree.
Once browned, the chorizo goes in. My recipe is loosely based on this recipe from Josh Bousel, though his is designed to be stuffed into casings and cooked whole, while mine is meant to be a quick, loose sausage. It's flavored with ancho chili powder, oregano, cumin, cloves, coriander, cinnamon, and black pepper, along with plenty of garlic and a dash of vinegar.
It covers the savory bases quite nicely, but a sloppy joe isn't a sloppy joe without a bit of sweetness and extra sauce. A can of crushed tomatoes, a spoonful of brown sugar, and a dash of hot sauce complete the flavor profile.
To top the sandwiches, sliced avocado and white onion work, along with a pile of hot pickled peppers on the side. You are hot, you are spicy, you are sweet, you are delicious, and I shall name you chori-joe.
Oh, and of course, you should be using Martin's Potato Rolls, the only hamburger bun I've ever considered getting romantically involved with.

domain: food


text:
I recently photographed my first set of triplets ever! They were surprisingly very content for the session and loved being swaddled up. Each one of them had a unique personality and were so adorable! I am so happy their parents chose me to photograph their precious gifts. See some of their adorable photo below.
A special thank you to my sister for providing an extra hand during the session.

domain: artistic


text:
They hope someone can identify the men in this picture. Over the last few weeks vandals have spray painted graffiti on several buildings and electrical boxes. The Ford Center, CMOE, the former McCurdy Building, and the Hadi Shrine have all been targeted.
Investigators hope anyone who may have information on the case contact the police department or the WeTip Hotline. That number is 1-800-78-CRIME.


text:
Board of Directors
The approval of a nomination to sit on the Board is based on the needs of the organization. Directors govern the ethical, financial and legal operations of the charity. Directors also approve strategic plans for the organization.
John Paul Corrent
John guides the organization and serves as Legal Counsel. He successfully negotiated leases and the 2008 fire insurance settlement. He Chairs the A Life Worth Living Finance Committee.
John Paul Corrent, LLP, Business and Entertainment Lawyer, is Senior Partner in Corrent & Macri, LLP, Barristers and Solicitors. He specializes in Business Law which includes Corporate, Commercial and Real Estate law serving sole proprietorships, partnerships and business corporations of local, national and international scope. A former musician, John is pursuing his interests in the arts by his additional practice in Entertainment Law representing local talented artists in the advancement of their careers including singers, songwriters, literary authors and film producers.
Kim A. Girard
Kim took on the position of Treasurer in 2018. She is Cashier for Friends of A Life Worth Living Bowling events. She oversees all financial aspects, prepares budgets, reviews yearly financial statements and plans for future revenues.
Kim A. Girard, BCom, is an Administrative Accountant for the Windsor Public Library Board. Her financial background with charities and non-profits extends to the Sandwich Community Health Centre and the Children’s Rehabilitation Centre of Essex County (renamed the John McGivney Centre).From 1983 – 2004, Kim volunteered as the Girl Guides of Canada Kanata Division Co-Commissioner/Leader. Among her responsibilities, she prepared the Annual Budget for United Way and assisted in the development of Training Programs.
Nicole is assisting the A Life Worth Living Team in the preparation of accessibility documentation.
Nicole is a member of the Windsor Public Library Accessibility (Special Needs) Task Force. She has extensive community outreach experience including working with diverse groups of people from a range of ages, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. In this role, she works with community organizations and gathers input from the community to make recommendations for improved services. Her planning and delivering the Adult Sensory Reading Circle for adults with special needs and their caregivers has been an excellent preparation for helping customers with unique abilities and needs. She plans and carries out a variety of children’s programs and events.
D. Keith Mastromatteo
Keith sits on the Friends of A Life Worth Living Bowling Committee.
D. Keith Mastromatteo, BA, worked with special needs children prior to starting his computer-focused career. He has been self-employed as a Computer Technician and Tutor since 1993. Presently, he works as an Infrastructure Field Support Technician at Windsor Mold.
William M. McRae
Bill is actively involved in the day-to-day operations. While Rotary President, he secured $20,000 in seed money from the Windsor Rotary Club of Windsor (1918). He also serves as Bingo Co-Chair and participates in the Friends of A Life Worth Living Bowling events.
William M. McRae, MEd, served eleven years as Director of Education for the Windsor Roman Catholic School Board. He was a member of the Design Committee for the Ontario Ministry of Education Secondary Schools Review Project; and serving on the Ministry Advisory Committee on Community Use of Schools. At the present time, Bill is a member of UNI-COM, a Senior Resource Centre for people over fifty who wish to serve their community in research, advocacy, and mentoring.
Robert G. Motruk
Robert advises on financial aspects, preparation of budgets, yearly financial statements reviews and plans for future revenues. He participates in the Friends of A Life Worth Living Bowling events.
Robert G. Motruk, Chartered Accountant and Business Analyst, served for 11 years as an Internal Auditor, Senior Business Analyst and Client Program Manager with the world’s second largest Spirits & Wine company, Allied Domecq PLC. He is currently a self employed contractor offering Project Management services in the Information Technology and Finance fields.
Bettyann coordinates the hosts for our bingo sessions and oversees the Cash Room for the Annual Friends of A Life Worth Living Bowling FUNdraisers.
Bettyann Rankin brings with her a lifetime of varied volunteer experiences. She was a Girl Guide Leader for 25 years, works the gate at the Harrow Fair for the Knights of Columbus, volunteers at events for the Windsor Lawn Bowling Club and serves as a Bingo host for local charities.
Judy M. Robinet
Founding Executive Director
Judy is the driving force behind ALWL. She promotes the ALWL vision and directs the strategic planning for A Life Worth Living and the Online Resource Centre. In addition to managing the day-to-day operations she builds awareness of A Life Worth Living’s vision, serves as Bingo Co-Chair and sits on the Friends of A Life Worth Living Committee.
Judy M. Robinet, MSpEd, O&M, ECE, an Early Childhood Educator, Parent Effectiveness Instructor, Child and Family Counselor, and Orientation and Mobility Specialist, was a Child and Family Counsellor for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind from 1989-1994, Board Member for a provincial parent organization, VIEWS – For the Visually Impaired (served the maximum term of seven years) and a member of the Association for Education and Rehabilitation. Her achievements include authorship of the book, A Life Worth Living, contributor to the Parent Information Kit, guest lecturer at post-secondary institutions, and presenter at national and international conferences. Along with Jeff Beach, an Honours Psychology graduate, and Dr. Julie Hakim-Larson, Assistant Professor of Psychology at the University of Windsor, Judy co-authored research on self-esteem and independent living which was published in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, Nov-Dec. 1995. Recognized for her contributions, Judy has received the Lions International President’s Certificate (1998), Ontario Community Action Award (2000), Helen Keller Award (2001), 2017 St. Clair College Alumni of Distinction Award and a Melvin Jones Fellowship (2019).

domain: library


Today, President Obama outlined his plan for deficit reduction. He again called for a balanced approach to reducing the nation’s deficit through both spending cuts and raising revenue by asking the top 3% of the wealthiest Americans to pay the same rate middle class Americans already pay. Of course, Republicans used the last few days to get their talking points out, calling the President’s proposal “class warfare.”
But President Obama had an answer for them;
It comes down to this: We have to prioritize. Both parties agree that we need to reduce the deficit by the same amount — by $4 trillion. So what choices are we going to make to reach that goal? Either we ask the wealthiest Americans to pay their fair share in taxes, or we’re going to have to ask seniors to pay more for Medicare. We can’t afford to do both.
Either we gut education and medical research, or we’ve got to reform the tax code so that the most profitable corporations have to give up tax loopholes that other companies don’t get. We can’t afford to do both.
This is not class warfare. It’s math. The money is going to have to come from someplace. And if we’re not willing to ask those who’ve done extraordinarily well to help America close the deficit and we are trying to reach that same target of $4 trillion, then the logic, the math says everybody else has to do a whole lot more: We’ve got to put the entire burden on the middle class and the poor. We’ve got to scale back on the investments that have always helped our economy grow. We’ve got to settle for second-rate roads and second-rate bridges and second-rate airports, and schools that are crumbling.
That’s unacceptable to me. That’s unacceptable to the American people. And it will not happen on my watch. I will not support — I will not support — any plan that puts all the burden for closing our deficit on ordinary Americans. And I will veto any bill that changes benefits for those who rely on Medicare but does not raise serious revenues by asking the wealthiest Americans or biggest corporations to pay their fair share. We are not going to have a one-sided deal that hurts the folks who are most vulnerable.
But explaining simple math to a group who thinks teachers are the enemy and wants to eliminate the Department of Education, may not be the easiest thing to do, but based on the President’s attitude today, I think he’s up for the challenge.


text:
Make a difference in the life of a child with Autism near you.
In honor of National Autism Awareness Month, Panera Bread is hosting its annual “Pieces of Hope for Autism” campaign.
Stop by one of the 11 Panera Bread locations the week of April 13-19 and purchase a specialty puzzle-piece shortbread cookie. One-hundred percent of the proceeds from the puzzle-piece shortbread cookies will be donated to Dayton Children’s Hospital!
“The growing number of children who are being born with autism in the United States today gave us cause to take action. Since April is National Autism Awareness Month, it seemed an appropriate time to focus on autism and raise funds in support of research,” said Ashley Bates, marketing coordinator for Panera Bread.
Panera is taking pre-orders now for their specialty puzzle piece shortbread cookies.


text:
England touch down in Auckland
August 31, 2011
England captain Lewis Moody is greeted by supporters © Getty Images
England have arrived in Auckland ahead of the World Cup and were greeted by a rousing reception from about 100 fans.
Martin Johnson's men progressed into the Auckland Airport's arrival lounge at approximately 5.30am (NZ) on Wednesday and were immediately faced with a typical Maori welcome -the Haka. But as well as the traditional Kiwi welcome, they were welcomed by a hoard of expat supporters who had arrived in all manner of face paint and red rose embroidered clothing.
And England coach Johnson was delighted with the reception. When addressing the crowd he said: "Just what we need to wake us up after a long flight. We're finally here; it should be a great turnout."
England open their World Cup campaign against Argentina in Dunedin on September 10 but Johnson announced that England would stay in Auckland until Sunday to recover from their jet-lag. And the Auckland faithful will have another chance to see their heroes when England return to the City of Sails for their final Pool B clash with Scotland on October 1.
In other arrivals on Wednesday, Japan touched down just after England with France appearing through the arrival gates later in the afternoon.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Huw Richards profiles French forward Walter Spanghero, a man who even rugby's hard men thought was a tough nut
"To be part of the Commonwealth Games, I'd wear anything. I'd wear a clown suit." Tom Hamilton talks to Scotland's Sean Lamont
Scrum Sevens looks back at how rugby has fared in both the early Olympics and the past four Commonwealth Games
"Cheika's been phenomenal. He gives you an incredible level of mental strength." Tom Hamilton talks to Waratahs star Jacques Potgieter


Thursday, November 8, 2012
Call the Midwife
One of my regular patrons came into the library couple of days ago, and she was so excited to tell me how much she loves Downton Abbey. I had recommended that she watch it the week before because I can smell a soon-to-be Masterpiece junky a mile away. (It’s my superpower.) As she handed over season one in exchange for season two, she says to me, “Everything you recommend is so good. What am I going to do when you’re gone?” (Oh yeah, did I mention I moved to Chicago? We’ll get to that in a second.) In answer to my patron’s question, I gave her the web address for my recommendations blog. I told her that I sometimes write about my favorite things on Masterpiece Theater. Then it dawned on me… when was the last time I updated said blog?? The answer: May. Yes, it’s been a while.
I’ve just been incredibly busy. I moved this summer, and since the move I’ve been commuting to Kankakee every week and sort of living in two places at once. Hopefully, my continuous job hunting will pay off soon because my life is completely crazy right now!
BUT, I’ve still managed to make time for PBS on Sunday nights. (Of course.) Originally, I was really excited about the second season of Upstairs Downstairs that started this fall, but it was a new show, Call the Midwife, that I was most impressed with. That’s not to say the new season of Upstairs Downstairs has been completely awful, but Call the Midwife has been so wonderful, it’s managed to greatly overshadow Upstairs.
Call the Midwife is based on the memoirs of Jennifer Worth, a nurse who moved to the East End of London in the 1950s to work in a convent as a midwife. She had no idea what she was getting herself into. She didn’t realize the kind of poverty she’d be exposed to. But she forms relationships with the people she cares for and overcomes her fear and prejudice.
I have fallen in love with this show. If I were telling you about this in person, I’d be holding my hand over my heart and sighing. It’s just that kind of show. I love all the colorful characters and the beautiful costumes and every episode makes me cry. (In a good way.) It’s not technically a Masterpiece drama, but it could be. So if you love Masterpiece as much as I do, you’ll love Call the Midwife. And the episodes are still available on pbs.org, so you should definitely check it out!


text:
Crazy Go Nuts 2
Shoot the squirrel and collect nuts to move on to the next level. Use the mouse to aim and shoot, collect bonuses and stars for higher score. Go crazy for nuts!
Play Crazy Go Nuts 2 Online Game. One of many Shooting Games to play online on your web browser for free at KBH Games. Tagged as Crazy Games, Go Games, Nuts Games, and Shooting Games. Upvoted by 20 players. Other games you might like are Beach Crazy and FNF vs Crazy Girlfriend. No download or installation needed to play this free game. Hope this game brings a little joy into your daily life.

domain: game


text:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Global personal finance comparison website finder.com/uk has compared Britain's favourite Easter eggs to find out which ones are best tasting and value for money
14 milk chocolate hollow eggs, roughly 150g in size, were chosen from 8 supermarkets and specialty stores including:
- Hotel Chocolat
- Marks & Spencer
The differences in cost were considerable, with the most expensive egg at £10 for the Hotel Chocolat Mellow 40% Milk Egg with Six Molten Caramel Bunnies (200g), and the cheapest was just £1 for the Sainsbury’s Milk Chocolate Egg with Chocolate Caramels (155g) – that’s 10 times the cost of the cheapest egg. These 2 eggs were also the cheapest and dearest per 100g out of the selection
The average cost out of these eggs was £3.84
While all 14 eggs were milk chocolate, the cocoa quantity varied from 20% for Cadbury Milk Chocolate Egg with Creme Egg, and up to 45% for the vegan Moo Free Original Organic Egg with Buttons
Interestingly, the vegan Moo Free egg also had the least amount of sugar (of 33.7g per 100g) and the highest calories per 100g (583)
The egg with the highest quantity of sugar per 100g was the Nestle Milk Chocolate Egg with Smarties (61.2g)
The egg with the lowest calories per 100g was the Sainsbury's Milk Chocolate Egg with Chocolate Caramels
Full Details: https://www.finder.com/uk/best-easter-eggs
Which egg was the tastiest?
We conducted a blind taste test with 5 kids and 18 adults and asked them to score each egg on their taste as well as texture. We also asked them to guess which egg they think tasted the dearest, cheapest and which was vegan.
Overall, the M&S Beatrice Bunny scored the highest for taste and texture, followed by Tesco Finest Belgian Milk Chocolate Egg and the Lindt Gold Bunny Egg with Three Bunnies
All three of these eggs were among the highest cost out of the 14 eggs in the comparison
Interestingly, the vegan egg (Moo Free - Original Organic Egg with Buttons) scored the worst for overall taste and texture by our 23 taste testers. It also had the highest percentage of cocoa (45%) and highest calories (583 per 100g)
It was followed by Green & Black's Organic - Milk Chocolate Egg and Favorina - Milk Chocolate Egg
The cheapest eggs – Sainsbury's Milk Chocolate Egg with Chocolate Caramels 155g (£1), Nestle - Milk Chocolate Egg with Smarties 122g (£1.25) and Maltesers Milk Chocolate Egg with Packet of Maltesers 127g (£1.25) – were mid range for their overall taste and texture
Full Results: https://www.finder.com/uk/best-easter-eggs
Which eggs taste the cheapest and dearest?
The egg which scored the most votes for tasting the dearest was Morrisons The Best Hand Decorated Belgian Milk Chocolate Egg (200g), with 11 of the 23 votes. However, it was priced about average, at £4, and was ranked 9th for overall tastiest
The top 3 eggs which were voted the dearest in taste were also among the most expensive (Morrisons £4, Green & Black’s £6, M&S £5)
Our tasters guessed correctly the least expensive tasting eggs, with the Cadbury Milk Chocolate Egg with Creme Egg (138g) scoring the most votes for least expensive tasting and costing £1.25. It was followed by Maltesers (£1.25) and Sainsbury’s (£1)
It was easy for our blind tasters to guess the vegan egg, with more than half the votes (12 of 23) choosing the Moo Free Original Organic Egg with Buttons
Kids vs. Adults
Interestingly, kids and adults all agreed on the worst tasting eggs, scoring the same for the bottom 3 least favourites (Moo Free, Green & Black’s and Favorina) But they disagreed on their top 3 favourites
Adults’ top 3 were:
- M&S Beatrice Bunny
- Tesco Finest Belgian Milk Chocolate Egg
- Thorntons - Milk Chocolate (personalised)
While kids’ top 3 were:
- Maltesers - Milk Chocolate Egg with Packet of Maltesers
- Cadbury Milk Chocolate Egg with Creme Egg
- Sainsbury's Milk Chocolate Egg with Chocolate Caramels
Bringing Australia’s #1 Comparison Site (finder.com.au) to the UK. www.finder.com/uk helps people make an informed decision about their banking, insurance, travel and online shopping. www.finder.com.au has been leading the comparison site industry in Australia for 10 years with its head office in Sydney. www.finder.com is already making waves in the US with new offices in New York and Santa Monica and the UK is the next market we plan to shake up. Privately owned and independent finder.com is on a mission to provide the world with genuine advice from a team of experts who care about helping consumers find better.
For more information on JournoLink and how to receive more content like this, please visit https://journolink.com/journalists.


More cash for low-carbon community building fund
Fund top-up is good news for community facilities
27 March 2017
The successful Thrive Renewables Community Benefit Programme, which funds low carbon improvements to community buildings - such as low energy lighting, insulation, new windows or doors, has been topped up.
"This is great news for community facilities who need energy efficient refurbishments," said CSE's Dan Stone. "But the fund has been popular, so we'd advise anyone interested to apply as soon as possible."
Find out more, and download the paperwork here.
CSE administers this fund on behalf of Thrive Renewables (formerly Triodos Renewables), helping community buildings install LED lighting, insulation, draught-proofing, improved heating controls etc.
Funding is available for renewable energy installations in cases where all reasonable energy efficiency improvements to the building have already been made.
The fund is open to community buildings in the immediate vicinity of Thrive Renewables wind turbines and hydroelectric installations. A map of where these are is on this page.
Photo: Ian S, reproduced under creative commons


text:
Office to rent
7,900 to 28,933 sq ft
POINT 3 is a modern selfcontained, three story offi ce building set around an enclosed, landscaped, courtyard area. Opus 40 is a prestigious office campus development with supurb access to the national motorway network and near historic Warwick Town Centre.
|Telent Ltd||59,858 sq ft|
|National Grid||28,933 sq ft|
This office to rent is located in Warwick.


The Pleasant Valley High baseball team”s annual southern spring trip may end with a championship being brought back to Chico this year.
The Vikings won their semifinal contest at the Cherry Field Classic on Friday evening. The 11-8 victory over event host Tucson High vaulted Pleasant Valley into today”s tournament title game.
The win came in wild fashion. The Vikings (11-2), the home team for the game, broke ahead 6-5 after a five-run rally in the second inning. But they were trailing 7-6 before scoring four more runs against the Badgers (6-9) in the fourth.
Catcher Sean Ryan helped pace the offensive success by going 2 for 2 with a double and a triple. Brad Lohse, Casey Hughes, Luke Barker and Kurt Laver all also had two hits.
Pleasant Valley will play the winner of the late semifinal between San Marcos of Santa Barbara and Green Mountain of Denver. Green Mountain beat the Vikings 7-2 in pool play earlier this week.
Marysville 7, Oroville 5 (4)
Caty Iverson hit a two-run home run in the top of the first inning for the Tigers (5-6), who came up short in a time limit-shortened game at the Lindhurst tournament in Olivehurst.
Alex Andoe pitched a four-hitter and hit a double for Oroville, which committed six errors.
PREP BOYS VOLLEYBALL
Chico 3, Grant 0
The Panthers (11-5) celebrated their move into the ESPN Fab 50 rankings with a 25-12, 25-12, 25-20 road victory over Grant-Sacramento.
Drew Hogan had 35 assists and seven aces, and Sebastian Brady and Cody Kreitzer each had 11 kills.
Read the “E-R Sports Show” blog, or download the podcast on iTunes.


text:
Having a vacation in this fast paced city life is nothing lesser than finding a hidden treasure, especially in a heaven like Pattaya in Thailand. To get a full experience of Thailand's most popular tourist destination, Pattaya Pass offers the boldest nightlife here. There are numerous reasons to visit Pattaya, surely the lively nightlife tops the list with the exclusive night bars, karaoke clubs, and more. But the Pattaya Walking Street is what brings magic into the city. The Walking Street can be explored with friends only as you’ll find several beer bars, discos like Candy Shop, Lucifer, Insomnia, Mixx, and more.
Grab your Pattaya attraction tickets to explore the popular Tiffany Show exhibiting a lively family-friendly cabaret show, the Elephant Village which is popular for being a safe sanctuary for elephants, and of course, the delicious Pattaya food. There are countless bars and restaurants in Pattaya where you can find affordable and lip-smacking meals. You can also find several meatball vendors, food markets, food carts, and stalls selling appetizing snacks. If you happen to be a foodie, then add Pattaya in your bucket list for an apparent number of compelling reasons.
Grab your Pattaya Day Pass for the exclusive trip to the Ramayana Water Park, Thailand's largest water park which offers an entire day of nonstop enjoyment for the whole family. On the other hand, from admiring the beautiful Coral Island by Speed Boat to exploring one of the biggest artificial floating marketplaces in the world, your Pattaya Day Pass is definitely a treat.
You can also escape your Pattaya City pass for a day and head straight to the pristine beaches from Koh Lanta where you get to spend an exotic morning with your loved ones. Make sure to purchase your Pattaya attraction tickets for the exclusive and one of a kind experience in this beautiful city of Thailand.
Take an exciting decision to go scuba diving and snorkeling and spot exotic marine life like Hawksbill turtle, Batfish, Scorpionfish, Sweetlips, and more. Grab your Pattaya pass and head straight to the exotic locations of Koh Larn.
Also, enjoy the steepest and farthest zip line cable rides at the Flight of the Gibbon, Thailand. On your Pattaya pass, enjoy a thrilling bungee jumping experience to capture unforgettable moments.
Scuba diving, snorkeling, flyboarding,bungee jumping and other activities are available with your Pattaya attraction tickets for a unique experience the next time you visit with your Pattaya Pass.
If you acquire your Pattaya City pass, then you must explore the famous Alcazar Cabaret show. You will be astounded by the captivating and exotic set designs as soon as you enter the scene. Also, all the more reasons to visit Pattaya are the famous Tiffany Show The first transvestite cabaret show in Pattaya and a wholly Thai creation that has been going on for 40 years.
Apart from this, you get to enjoy an incredible journey with the KAAN Show Pattaya and the unique dramatic and visual productions. Colosseum Show Pattaya is pretty much unlike any other cabaret performance in the kingdom, as it's the newest, biggest, and most impressive production in Thailand.
While on your Pattaya Day pass for a wonderful trip, you can select from a variety of seats, from premium to VIP, and watch the shows. Get tickets to these shows and treat yourself to a lavish experience.
The best way to spend your Pattaya Pass with your kids is to take them to the Sheep Farm for a fresh exploring experience amid the sheep. On the other hand, to make fresh, lifelong memories with your kids, go to the Sriracha Tiger Zoo in Pattaya, or grab a chance to allure your kids to the finest Teddy Bear Museum in Pattaya.
Also, a visit to the Thailand's European Dolphin Show where amazing, observant, acrobatic, and adorable marine creatures is definitely the best use of your Pattaya pass. Your Pattaya Pass for all these attractions will give you an experience of a lifetime.
The best time to visit Pattaya is from November to February as the weather remains moderate and pleasant; neither too hot nor too cold.
A few things that you should keep in your backpack to Pattaya are- hand sanitizer, Covid-19 travel insurance, N95 masks, touch-less thermometer, and disinfecting wipes. Furthermore, you should pack comfortable clothes, shoes, scarves, sunglasses and sunscreens, insect repellent, rain gear (in case it starts to rain), chargers or adapters, and a tourist sim card.
- Make sure you have your travel insurance before coming to Pattaya.
- Show respect to the royal family of Pattaya just like the locals.
- Pay respect to the National and Royal Anthems in public.
- Respect the Banknote and coins. Do not stand on them.
- Respect Thailand’s cultures, traditions, and customs. Greet people whenever you visit an attraction or restaurant. Blend in with the local Thai people.
Do dress appropriately in public.
- Do not touch the locals on the top of their head as it is considered disrespectful if you pat it.
- Do not point directly at your feet. It’s rude and disrespectful. Use your hands instead.
- Do not use your left hand to give something or shake hands as it is considered to be offensive in Thailand.
- If you are invited as a guest, then do not wear shoes inside their house. It’s always better to remove your shoes before entering the premises.
- Women do not sunbathe topless in public. It’s advised to cover properly before sunbathing.
- Do not wear a hat inside a temple and women should not pass anything directly to the monks.
Some of the best attractions to see in Pattaya are Jomtien Beach, Nong Nooch Tropical village, Walking Street, Sanctuary of Truth, Pattaya Beach, Underwater World Pattaya, Tiffany Cabaret Show, Pattaya Tiger Park, and more.
Pattaya uses the official currency of Thailand, which is Thai Baht.
A trip to Pattaya could cost around $394 or 14K Baht per person for a week.
Some of the famous amusement parks in Pattaya are- Cartoon Network Amazone Waterpark, Dream World, Ramayana Water Park, Pattaya Park beach Resort, and more.
Pattaya is famous for its delicious authentic Thai cuisine, the exotic nightlife which coined the name Sin City to Pattaya, the Floating Market, Pattaya Walking Street, The Tiffany Cabaret Show, Central Festival mall, Sanctuary of Truth, Tiger Park Pattaya, the Elephant Village, and so much more.
To explore the whole of Pattaya, you may require at least 3-5 days. You can explore the beaches, parks, temples, and significant edifices in under a week.
Pattaya attraction tickets can always be purchased online in advance and you can avail exclusive offers as well, along with easy cancellation policy.
You can buy cheap Pattaya attraction tickets online with discounted offers and best combo packages.
To get a full refund on your Pattaya attraction tickets, you need to cancel your tickets less than 24 hours after booking. You won’t be entitled to any refund should you choose to cancel after the time period of 24 hours.

domain: entertainment


text:
| Hector Curto|
| Musical Artist · hectordelcurto.com|
Chris Carroll, Carlos Paucar, Shakira, Lester Mendez
Héctor del Curto is an Argentine tango bandoneon player. Born in Buenos Aires, he began to study tango music at a young age, winning the Best Bandoneon under 25 when only 17 years old. Following that honor, he played with the late tango giants Ástor Piazzolla and Osvaldo Pugliese among many others. During this time, he played at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.
He currently resides in New York City where he founded the Eternal Tango orchestra and quartet.
A Evaristo CarriegoEternal Tango · 2007Héctor del Curto Wikipedia
EscualoEternal Tango · 2007
MeridionalEternal Tango · 2007


The Double Oak Town Council will have a vacant seat toward the end of the July, and is seeking applicants to fill the position.
On Monday, Councilman John Maynor submitted a letter of resignation because he has sold his home and will be moving out of town. On July 20, the town council will consider and take formal action to accept his resignation.
Applications will be accepted from residents who would like to be considered for appointment to the vacant council seat starting today through 4 p.m. on July 31.
Maynor’s term will expire in May 2016.
Applicants are asked to attend the regular council meeting on August 3 to be introduced and to take questions. The council will consider and take action at a future meeting.
For an application and information, please contact Town Secretary Charlotte Allen at (972) 539-9464.


text:
Housing affordability showed signs of easing in the first quarter, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
The NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI) improved by 38.1% from the Q4 2022 reading, the lowest level since 2012, thanks to lower home prices and solid wage gains. HOI data showed that the national median home price declined to $365,000 in the first quarter from $370,000 in the previous quarter. Additionally, long-term mortgage rates averaged 6.46% in Q1, down from a series-high of 6.80% in Q4. The US median family income jumped 7% from $90,000 in 2022 to $96,300 in 2023.
The quarterly HOI increase brings the share of new and existing homes affordable to families earning the US median income of $96,300 to 45.6% of all homes sold in Q1. However, the index remained significantly lower compared to the first quarter 2022 reading of 56.9%, a reminder of ongoing building material supply chain issues and other affordability challenges.

domain: economics


text:
The New Zealand Council of Trade Unions’ (NZCTU) annual Mood of the Workforce Survey shows the vast majority of kiwi workers do not have the financial resources to survive a period of unemployment.
“The latest research shows that New Zealand’s relatively low wage economy means our workforce is incredibly vulnerable to external economic shocks,” says CTU President, Richard Wagstaff.
The Mood of the Workforce Survey, an annual survey of over 1500 union and non-union workers, shows 65% of New Zealanders said they had “poor or very poor” financial capability to manage a three month period of unemployment.
“With the cost of living rising, and petrol and housing costs rising at record levels, too many New Zealanders are still living paycheck to paycheck, unable to put enough money aside to see them through a rainy day,” said Mr Wagstaff.
“Going through the responses from workers, it’s clear that even workers on good salaries are finding it all but impossible to build up any sense of financial security – leaving them at real risk when a crisis strikes.”
Survey responses included:
- “There’s just such a lot of uncertainty, even in a ‘secure job.”
- “Living paycheck to paycheck is just so stressful with both food and rent prices soaring.”
- “Uncertainty has become endemic.”
“This isn’t just a dangerous situation for workers and their families – it puts our whole economy at risk. When recessions or economic shocks hit, if skilled our workers aren’t able to survive a period of unemployment while they find a new job, what happens is they move into less skilled positions, and our economy loses the benefit of the skills they’ve built up,” the CTU President said.
“Economists call this economic scarring and it deepens recessions, makes it harder for businesses to find skilled workers in the future and lowers our productivity in the long term. It means we’re stuck on the hamster wheel – forever unable to get ahead of the next economic shock, be it a recession, a financial crisis, a natural disaster or a pandemic.
“This is why its so important the Government progresses it’s plans for a Social Unemployment Insurance programme – an ACC-like scheme to support workers who lose their job. It would mean people would be paid 80% of their wage for a period if they are out of work – giving them time to find a job in their industry where the skills they’ve developed can be used.
“If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that major economic shocks are never too far away and we need to build an economy where it’s easier for workers to bounce back,” Mr Wagstaff said.

domain: sociology


Jun 20, 2014, 6:05 PM EST
Outfielder Grady Sizemore, designated for assignment by the Red Sox on Tuesday and released the next day, has cleared waivers according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Sizemore is now a free agent, and he is already drawing interest from other clubs. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports that the Phillies are one of several teams expressing interest in the nine-year veteran.
Sizemore, 31, made his return to the big leagues after a two-year layoff due to injuries. He got off to a hot start with the Red Sox, posting a .966 OPS over his first ten games. Between April 15 and June 15, however, Sizemore mustered a meager .187/.263/.267 with no home runs and 11 RBI in 167 plate appearances.
The Phillies don’t have room for Sizemore in the outfield currently, with Domonic Brown in left field, Ben Revere in center, and Marlon Byrd in right with John Mayberry, Jr. serving as the fourth outfielder. However, if the Phillies fall behind in the NL East over the next month, it’s likely they would explore trading Byrd and/or Mayberry, which would open up a spot for Sizemore. CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury recently reported that the Yankees and Red Sox had scouts at Phillies games looking at Mayberry.
Announcement: Hardball Talk’s partner FanDuel is hosting a one-day $40,000 Fantasy Baseball league for Friday night’s MLB games. It’s $25 to join and first prize is $6,000. Starts at 7:05pm ET on Friday. Here’s the FanDuel link.
- Merry Christmas from HBT! 37
- THE YEAR IN REVIEW: HBT’s most commented-upon stories of the year 83
- The Yankees are treating Alex Rodriguez differently than they treated Derek Jeter. So what? 36
- Braves sign setup man Jason Grilli to two-year contract 13
- My Imaginary Hall of Fame Ballot 120
- Phil Hughes signs a three-year extension with the Twins 27
- The Padres have talked to the Phillies about Cole Hamels 23
- Why is John Smoltz a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame? 63
- Bud Selig will get a $6 million a year pension. Which is obscene. (145)
- My Imaginary Hall of Fame Ballot (119)
- Today’s specious anti-Mike Piazza-for-the-Hall-Fame argument (94)
- St. Petersburg City Council votes down deal to allow Rays to look for new stadium site (90)
- Phillies GM told Ryan Howard they’d be better off “not with him but without him” (85)


Save MGS of IPOH,Perak,Malaysia 100 year old Rain Tree from being Chopped down
0 have signed. Let’s get to 7,500!
This petition is to save a 100 year Old rain tree in Methodist girls school in the city of Ipoh in the state of Perak,Malaysia from being Chopped down and in its place a hall will be built .The tree is beautiful and iconic and need to be preserved . Hopefully with a petition the school will stop their plans to remove the tree and look for an alternative site to build the new hall.
Today: Edwin is counting on you
Edwin Seibel needs your help with “Methodist Girls School ,Ipoh: Save MGS of IPOH,Perak,Malaysia 100 year old Rain Tree from being Chopped down”. Join Edwin and 5,820 supporters today.


text:
CUHK Held Naming Ceremony of the Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building Today
The naming ceremony of the Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building at The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) was held today (15 April). Officiating guests included Dr. the Honourable Lui Che Woo, GBM, Founder and Chairman of K. Wah Group; Dr. Vincent H.C. Cheng, Chairman of the Council, CUHK; and Prof. Joseph J.Y. Sung, Vice-Chancellor and President, CUHK. In 2012, the Lui Che Woo Foundation made a generous donation of HK$100 million to CUHK for the establishment of the Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine which integrates multiple disciplines in clinical medicine and combines the strengths of basic research and clinical studies, with the aims of exploring innovative methods of diagnosis and treatment, and bringing new hopes to patients. In appreciation of Dr. Lui’s munificence and long-term support to CUHK, the Clinical Sciences Building at the University’s teaching hospital (the Prince of Wales Hospital) is named Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building.
Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine
In recent years, the Faculty of Medicine at CUHK has been actively developing the Innovative Medicine project to provide the highest quality of clinical service and patient care in the region. Innovative Medicine emphasizes inter-disciplinary collaboration and joint research to develop innovative diagnostic or therapeutic methods and devices, to advance clinical service through translational research and to promote health through community and professional education programmes. The Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine is dedicated to the advancement of three focused initiatives, namely BRAIN (Brain Research And Innovative Neuroscience), SMART (Sports Medicine And Regenerative Technology) and CARE (Cardiovascular Advancement, Research and Education).
BRAIN (Brain Research And Innovative Neuroscience)
The Lui Che Woo Institute of Innovative Medicine has been developing novel interventions against neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases including stroke, dementia, neurocognitive disorders, language impairments, dyslexia and autism. The novel techniques include counterpulsation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, robotic arm therapies, as well as innovative behavioural interventions. Animals and human models will be used to conduct researches in identifying biomarkers and to evaluate novel compounds for these diseases. The Institute will also employ state-of-the-art multi-modal imaging and electrophysiological techniques, coupled with genetic testing and the study of new peripheral biomarkers, to unravel the mechanisms of these diseases.
SMART (Sports Medicine And Regenerative Technology)
The Institute pioneered the introduction of minimally invasive surgery in the treatment for sports injuries, especially applied to the knee joint, shoulder joint arthroscopy, expanding to a more narrow hip, ankle, and elbow surgery. Combining computer navigation technology and operation, the treatment brings out the best results. The application of regenerative technologies on some challenging sports injuries, such as cartilage and ligament repair, will enable tissue healing after surgery and athletes can regain performance quickly.
On the prevention of sports injuries, CUHK is the first to apply biomechanical technology to the predication of foot and ankle sprains, and develop an intelligent system for micro-current stimulation of muscle in response to correction of excessive distortions in the joints. It is expected that the intelligent equipment to prevent ankle sprains can be developed in the near future.
CARE (Cardiovascular Advancement, Research and Education)
The Institute will focus on heart failure, coronary heart diseases and cardiac arrhythmia in developing innovative treatment. It aims to improve technology of ultrasonic imaging of the heart and major blood vessels, so that predictive markers in heart failure could be detected at an early stage to raise the survival rate of patients. It also actively optimizes coronary angioplasty, with the introduction of innovative optical coherence tomography scan to assist in coronary artery intervention therapy, and assist in stent implantation in patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans. The Institute will also continue to improve the ‘hybrid’ operating room, so that minimally invasive interventional treatment and traditional open heart surgery can be done in the same operating room.
Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building
The Lui Che Woo Clinical Sciences Building located at the Prince of Wales Hospital is equipped with comprehensive research, administrative and teaching facilities for students, staff and teachers. The building houses the Li Ping Medical Library which provides round-the-clock access to a rich collection of biomedical resources, as well as a collaborative learning space and individual study areas to accommodate students of different learning styles. The lecture theatre and seminar room in the building have recently been enhanced with advanced clinical teaching and audio-visual facilities to cater to the flexibility needed under the new 3+3+4 curriculum reform.
Dr. Lui’s Distinguished Contributions to CUHK
Dr. Lui has been very supportive of the development of higher education in Hong Kong, and has been an ardent benefactor of CUHK. He has been on the Board of Trustees and the Endowment Fund Committee of United College since 1995, and played a vital role in the establishment of CUHK’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management. In 2002, the Dr. Lui Che Woo Awards for CUHK/Cornell Student Exchange Programme in Hospitality Management was established to facilitate academic exchanges between the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at CUHK and Cornell University. With the generous support of K. Wah Group, CUHK organized the ‘K. Wah Hotel and Tourism Forum’ in 2005 for professionals and scholars to exchange their expertise and views. Dr. Lui has also participated in the forums and talks organized by CUHK’s Business School and shared his business management insights with all students, alumni and the public.
About K. Wah Group
K. Wah Group was founded in 1955 by Dr Lui Che-woo, who transformed the company into a multinational corporation. Core businesses include property development and investment, entertainment and leisure resorts, hospitality and construction materials. The Group has a business presence in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Southeast Asia and major cities in the US. The Group includes two Hong Kong-listed flagships: K. Wah International Holdings Limited (“KWIH”; HK stock code: 0173) and Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited (“GEG”; HK stock code: 0027). Other major subsidiaries include Stanford Hotels International Limited and K. Wah Construction Materials Limited and, in the US, Stanford Hotels Corporation and Cresleigh Homes. To date, the Group has over 200 subsidiaries and 20,000 staff worldwide.
For more photos, please visit:

domain: medical


text:
Choosing The Right TV Wall Mount By Level MountThe Level Mount Store has assembled a versatile series of Wall Mounts that include: Fixed Mounts, Full Motion Mounts, Tilting Mounts, Cantilever Mounts and Motorized Mounts. Each of these TV Wall Mounts carries its own unique set of properties that can greatly enhance the television watching experience. The Level Mount brand excels in offering owners a convenient approach to maximizing the amount of space surrounding their television. TV Wall Mounts also include an unparalleled compatibility range that expands the entire genre. Consumer favorites such as Sony, Samsung, Visio, Panasonic, LG, Toshiba and a myriad of other television brands are all readily compatible with Level Mount TV Wall Mounts.
Benefits Of Mounting Your Flat Screen TVThe benefits of utilizing a TV Wall Mount designed by the Level Mount brand are incredibly vast. TV Wall Mounts will allow television owners to enjoy their favorite shows from an entirely new perspective, while maximizing their surrounding space. TV Wall Mounts such as the Level Mount LM50DJ Full Motion VESA TV Wall Mount for 10-50 Inch TVs up to 70 LBS will allow owners to pivot their television to their preferred direction. This creates a wealth of scenarios to explore. If you're interested in hosting a party that affords you the option of adjusting your television's screen to match your guest's movement, you've found the definitive answer. TV Wall Mounts also include a Cord Management System that neatly gathers and routes cords for a cleaner and more polished look.
Fixed and Tilting TV Wall Mounts
Fixed Mounts are renowned for their simplicity and place a heavy emphasis on centering a television's position parallel to the wall. The Level Mount XL Screen Low Profile Fixed TV Wall Mount for 37-85 Inch TVs up to 200 LBS is an excellent addition for those searching to fasten their television against a flat wall. While Fixed Wall Mounts cannot be adjusted, they do offer superior protection in securing your television against any flat surface. Tilting Mounts allow for increased flexibility and vertical angle adjustment. This is an excellent selection for those searching to reduce screen reflections caused by windows or in room lights. The Level Mount HE600FT Tiltable VESA TV Wall Mount for 37-100 Inch TVs up to 200 LBS includes a tilt mechanism that allows TVs to be spaced a bit further out from the wall. Typical installation spots include the area above a fireplace and bedroom walls.
Full Motion, Motorized TV Wall MountsFull Motion Mounts such as the Level Mount Full Motion Dual Arm VESA TV Wall Mount for 10-50 Inch TVs up to 70 LBS will open the door for owners to pivot their television to their preferred direction. This creates a wealth of scenarios to explore. If you're interested in hosting a party that affords you the option of adjusting your television's screen to match your guest's movement, you've found the definitive answer. The availability of Cantilever Mounts and Motorized Mounts rounds out the Level Mount Store's selection of TV Wall Mounts.
All TV Wall Mounts feature a near effortless and do-it-yourself installation process. TV Wall Mounts come equipped with all of the necessary hardware and include a Built-in-Bubble that simplifies the method of measuring and locating the ideal installation spot on your wall. A minimal number of basic tools and a few short moments is all you need to begin your Level Mount experience! For additional information on TV Wall Mounts, be certain to visit the Level Mount Store.