text:
Astronauts have called Antarctica a great white lantern at the bottom of the world.
Anyone who imagines the place as an Alaska sunk at the bottom of the globe is in for a big surprise. The mountains, rather than resembling the Rockies, are volcanic, some still active, so that Antarctica looks more like a crystal Tahiti carved in ice and expanded to cover one-tenth of the earth's surface. It has the dubious honor of claiming 90 percent of the earth's ice, which imprisons 70 percent of the planet's fresh surface water. If Antarctica were to melt, global sea levels would rise 200 feet. The fossil record would advise caution in the purchase of beachfront property anywhere, for a temperate Antarctica once bore forests of ferns and 60-foot trees. In the Jurassic period, about 190 million years ago, it is thought to have been the core of a hypothetical supercontinent called Gondwanaland that may have included Africa, Australia, India, Madagascar, and South America.
Now Antarctica is alone, glacial, unpeopled, bereft of trees, necklaced in ice, dark six months of the year. It is the windiest, driest, coldest place on earth. How cold? The record is -128.6°F at the Russian scientific station of Vostok, on July 21, 1983. Antarctica is also home to the oldest rock yet found: 3.93 billion years old.
We were reminded that we were part of a privileged corps and that we were on an expidition, not a cruise.
I wrote in my journal: Thursday. We flew out of Miami on a night when the full moon turned red. Light refraction after a lunar eclipse created the phenomenon. All through that long night we droned toward Buenos Aires and on to Ushuaia, the snug harbor at the end of the world, on Tierra del Fuego. It was January, austral summer, yet the town shivered beneath Andean glaciers. Unlike other continents, which tend to dribble away into water, leaking and weeping in wet swamps and deltas, South America goes out in glory, in the baying toothy peaks of the Andes. Beyond this hunkered-down town lies the infamous Drake Passage, where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans meet.
Our ship was the Marco Polo, built in Germany to ply the ice-strewn waters of the Soviet Union, then refitted by Orient Lines as a four-star cruise liner. Over the next week, we would come to have great affection for its sturdy, proletarian qualities and its ability to negotiate treacherous waters and adverse weather with ease—all the while serving notable meals with never a drop of vichyssoise spilled, and staging cabaret shows with dancers strutting in sequins and feathers.
We headed out through the Beagle Channel into Drake Passage. Shipboard lectures by naturalists, explorers, and scientists who had wintered in Antarctica prepared us for our landings. We watched documentaries of early expeditions: the ships crushed by ice; the howling winds; the manic antics of men driven mad by cold, deprivation, and 24-hour darkness; the frozen remains of those who failed. We were reminded that we were part of a privileged corps and that we were on an expedition, not a cruise. Retired teachers, vacationing bankers, proverbial little old ladies in tennis shoes—all of us—suddenly walked taller, laughed more heartily. We were striding in the footsteps of heroes, brave and forsaken in the bitter cold, but with a good wine list and a nightly turndown.
Antarctica existed in the imagination long before any human eye beheld it. Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) postulated that the world was round and that a landmass must exist at the southern extremity to balance the known lands of the north. Polynesian oral history relates that a great explorer, Hui-te-Rangiora, sailing far south of New Zealand in about A.D. 650, discovered a beautiful white land. British explorer James Cook was the first in recorded history to sail south of the Antarctic Circle, on January 17, 1773. As he pressed farther south, his small ship Resolution became a toy of the tempests. Cook reported "the rigging and sails all decorated with icicles." Turned back by pack ice, he never saw Antarctica. Peevishly, he wrote in his journal about the still-theoretical continent, "If anyone should have resolution and perseverance enough to elucidate this point, by proceeding farther south than I have done, I shall not envy him the honour of discovery, but I will be bold to say that the world will derive no benefit from it."
Despite Cook's assessment, a few individuals managed to derive considerable benefit from it. Unnamed sealers, venturing southward in 1820, found "soft gold," fur seals. In a few short years of intensive hunting, the sealers nearly reduced to extinction a species that had survived for eons in the most hostile of environments.
Whales suffered a similar decimation. In 1904, a Norwegian company established the first Antarctic whaling station at Grytviken on South Georgia Island. They slayed 183 whales, triggering a massive hunt. Between 1925 and 1927, some 7,825 whales, including blues, fins, sperms, and humpbacks, were taken.
Assessing history and the potential for use and abuse, 12 nations with interests in Antarctica forged a unique agreement in 1959. The Antarctic Treaty suspends all sovereignty claims and ensures that the continent will be used "for peaceful purposes only." To date, 43 nations have signed on. All wildlife is protected, and the lusty roar of bull elephant seals with harems of 40 to 50 females again echoes across the icy half nights.
Saturday. Sunlight on the Antarctic Sea was hard and bright and slick, like gunmetal, not the color of liquid. The towering waves were turquoise and foaming white, beautiful to behold in their fury. Two humpback whales leaped across the bow of the ship. I peered through the mist for a first sight of the white continent. Not yet.
Deception Island was scheduled to be our first stop, but the sea was too rough, so we pushed on to Half Moon Island, home to a sizable colony of chinstrap penguins. All landings were made by motorized rubber boats called Zodiacs, each of which holds about 16 passengers.
Sunday. In our rubber boats, we zipped about the bay among small icebergs, like gnats in a strange cocktail. Some icebergs were an ethereal blue. Ice rose all around us. It was snowing. The penguins, so formal in their attire, smelled rather badly and sounded like shrill dogs. The wildness and desolation were overwhelming, like a sense of great regret.
When we came back on board, attendants helped us with our boots and handed us mugs of hot chocolate or hot toddy. I gathered myself into a big woolen blanket and sat in a deck chair as the anchor was hauled up and we cruised along the frozen shore. On the sound system, mournful Irish uilleann pipes played, floating out into the lovely, lonely space through which we were passing. A man from Dublin came and sat beside me, proclaiming it all "very grand, indeed." He said he booked this trip because Jacques Cousteau, when asked about his favorite place in the world, replied without hesitation, "Antarctica."
Antarctica is for people who like extremes, for continent counters and baggers of trophy destinations.
Monday morning the sun actually made an appearance. The captain went up in the ship's helicopter to assess the icebergs in the 7-mile Lemaire Channel, reputedly the most scenic part of Antarctica. He decided it was a go, and we went through the channel. The captain then turned the ship around and sailed back, to make up for the last two cruises when the passage had been too hazardous to navigate.
The passage was narrow and twisted. Its icy walls closed in around us so that it was like being in a crystal chalice. Large icebergs floated by in the currents. Seals snoozed on them, drifting and dreaming to the whoosh of the sea. Penguins laboriously climbed up a great glacier then tobogganed down on their stomachs, plopping in the water, then jumping out to begin again. The white volcanic mountain peaks appeared haunted—Bali Hai in deep freeze.
We were due to go ashore Monday afternoon at Port Lockroy, a former whaling site and now a British research station. The British, suffered by the 3,000 pairs of resident gentoo penguins, still maintain a small presence there. A few Zodiacs made it ashore, but before our landing party could be called, the weather turned decidedly nasty and everyone was hurriedly trundled back aboard while the captain sought shelter for the night. The waves were monstrous and the wind so strong it blew the hail sideways. We were consoled with afternoon tea and scones and a lecture on scurvy, the bane of the early explorers. That evening, I dined on consommé, grilled tuna steak with a light lemon sauce, and chocolate mousse with black currant coulis. My husband, Jim, had scallop tempura with ginger sauce, suckling pig, and cherries jubilee. Afterward we sipped brandy and watched the revue. Nicky Derrick, a fifth-generation marimba player, and her husband, Adam, sang "Baby, It's Cold Outside."
Back in our cabin, we sat cozily watching the storm. Snow piled up against the windows, shrouding the lifeboats. The wind was so intense it moved over the surface of the water like furious swarms of small fish. But we were warm and well fed, and we had music. By morning the tempest had passed and the captain returned to Port Lockroy, so those who hadn't gotten ashore could have a turn.
In wan sunlight the place was eerie. Huge icebergs in fantastic shapes loomed around us. One was shaped like Noah's ark with two seals curled on its deck. Others looked like Diamond Head, a fallen airplane, a cold, cold Sphinx. It was as if some great calamity had befallen the world, and in the night the frozen remnants had drifted silently southward.
As soon as our Zodiac was launched, a huge seal, probably a good thousand pounds, popped up right behind it, close enough to pet. It looked at us with big, sensitive eyes for a long time, then dove beneath the rubber boat and came up beside us. I was sure my Irish grandmother had sent a selkie (in Irish legend, a seal who can become human) to accompany me in this faraway place. Our nature guide said it was a leopard seal and it may have been perusing the menu. To them, people are enormous penguins, and they can kill and eat about six penguins an hour. At the same time, thousands of penguins waddled about like bemused prom dates on shore.
Another landing was scheduled, this one on the continent itself. Up to this point, we'd been messing around in the Antarctic islands. Katabatic winds, the notorious gales that swirl out of the South Pole, descended on Paradise Harbor, closing it. We sailed on to the more protected Neko Harbor, and in the teeth of the wind, the intrepid Zodiacs ferried ashore everyone who wanted to actually set foot upon the great white continent.
Antarctica casts a spell. It's like a magnet, a force field drawing you to itself, where you find that beneath the white snow, the ice, compressed by endless ages, is the purest blue. This is the allure.
Antarctica is for people who like extremes, for continent counters and baggers of trophy destinations. One man said, "I'm from Texas. When I started traveling, I vowed I'd see the other seven continents."
His friend laughed, "This is the perfect cruise for me—no museums, no malls, no cathedrals."
On our last day we were able to sail into the caldera of Deception Island, where the obsidian volcanic ash is streaked with white snow. Thermal activity heats parts of the bay to a simmer and we were invited to shed our parkas and swim. An older woman and a young girl hesitantly ventured in, and then the Japanese contingent stripped down and ran in with the enthusiasm of penguins, splashing and frolicking in the warm water while the air around them hovered just below freezing.
The next morning, we awoke safely moored in Ushuaia. The deck no longer rolled. We were back in the world of men and it was a big disappointment. We had ventured far and tasted the wildest wilderness, the place that drives people mad if it cannot drive them away.
Photos courtesy of Gilad Rom/Wikimedia
This article was first published in May 2000. Some facts may have aged gracelessly. Please call ahead to verify information.


By Ryan Clark | March 19, 2008
AdWeek.com is running an article about WWE tackling sites such as MySpace, Facebook and Habbo to promote their latest events. Tom Boland, director of interactive marketing said that the company is now looking at other social networking websites from other countries so they can have a presence there as well. "There are between 20-25 leading social networks, so what we are doing is designing all of our assets to be able to support all of the different platforms," he said. WWE has created 'Fan Nation' which are WWE-dedicated pages on YouTube, MySpace and Facebook where people from around the world can add to their profile. WWE also used Habbo - a social networking site aimed at teenagers - to promote both Royal Rumble and WrestleMania interactively.
WWE hall of famer Johnny Rodz's next independent wrestling show is 4/5 at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, NY. Bell time is 8:00PM, General Admission is $10.
As noted earlier here on the site, WWE developmental wrestler Matt Sydal is training Floyd Mayweather for his upcoming WrestleMania match with Big Show because the two are similar in size. Sydal is billed as 5 five foot nine, but he's really five foot seven.
Samoa Joe Talks When He Made Decision To Leave TNA, TNA's Identity During His Tenure, More
Today In Wrestling History 5/25: Jeff Jarrett Gets Owen Hart's Title Win, Chikara Debut Show, More
JTG On If There Will Be A Black WWE Champion Anytime Soon, Why He Changed His Bret Hart Screensaver
Seth Rollins In Arabic Cartoon, Roddy Piper Note, Local News Media For Tough Enough Audition
NJPW Battle Of The Super Juniors Night 2 & 3 Results: Alex Shelley Out, Current Standings
Ric Flair Talks Wanting To See Triple H In The Ring More, If He Will Return As A Manager, More
What President Obama Calls Dwayne Johnson, Seth Rollins And Natalya, Finn Balor Note
Triple H And Seth Rollins To Feud?, Samoa Joe Talks NXT Debut, Five Former WWE Divas Reunite
Mick Foley, Jim Ross, Natalya And Others Remember Owen Hart
Booker T Talks Wrestlers Like Dean Ambrose Not Lasting Long, Talent "Phoning It In", Daniel Bryan
WWE Superstars Crash Wedding After Live Event, Photo Of Reunited WWE Divas, Boogeyman Scares People
Backstage News On Samoa Joe's WWE Contract, Injured WWE Superstar Grows A Beard, Sami Zayn


About six months from now when a newly immortalized organization soaks in its Super Bowl celebrat
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.
ST. LOUIS — Now it starts to get intense for Michael Sam and the rest of the St.
DETROIT — It's been five years since Detroit drafted Matthew Stafford with the No.
MINNEAPOLIS — Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe is backing away from his threat to sue
ANDERSON, Ind. — Reggie Wayne wants the Colts to live this season in the fast lane.
The Patriots' full roster officially reports to Gillette Stadium this morning for the first d
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga.
Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski has been cleared to play, according to coach B
CINCINNATI — Training camp will be interesting with a few new faces trying to win starting


text:
Workshop Offers Students a Chance to Work with Motown Legends on “Song of Hope” for Detroit
During this time of social change, young people in Southeastern Michigan are getting the help of some Motown legends, and getting a one time opportunity to write their own lyrics and create their own music. Kris Johnson says “Everybody, no matter how successful they are, had to start with their very first songs at some point." That’s what Kris wants the young people to remember when they sign up for the Motown Museum Lyric project. We’re putting on a free two week Motown Museum online workshop. They are welcoming students at any skill level, so they have a means of self expression, to have a medium and platform, an opportunity to say the things that are on their mind and be able to cultivate their ideas.
Kris, who has worked on 5 Grammy nominated albums, and is an accomplished artist himself, is the lead instructor. He believes during this period of social change young people really need to learn how to express their ideas. These kids are looking at the way our world is being shaped, and it’s something they will be responsible for, so at this time this is a great opportunity to really start to tell their story.
Motown has always been about encouraging and empowering social change, and making voices being heard of the people and perspectives that need to be heard. Barry Gordy the founder of Motown Records helped during the Civil Rights movement by supporting Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. They want young people to know they can make a difference.
“If our youth have an opportunity to be part of the conversations that are helping to shape our collective futures, then it inspires something inside themselves and then will continue to inspire them as leaders,” she said. That’s why at the end of the workshop, some students will create a Song of Hope about these social issues for the City of Detroit -- collaborating with legendary Motown record producer and songwriter Brian Holland. “They actually will be creating a hit song for the City of Detroit,” Harper said. That song will be arranged by Motown Funk Brother and music arranger Paul Riser Sr. -- who worked on hits like My Girl by The Temptations -- then professionally recorded by award-winning music director Kern Brantley. “They have access to people that know how to do it. They can really start to understand the culture and the process,” Kris said.
This Motown Museum Lyric Project is part of Hitsville’s first phase of their expansion, the project is called Hitsville Next. Their plan is an entire campus which will be dedicated to bring innovative, educational, community and entrepreneurial programs. Support for this program is being provided by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and the Marjorie S. Fisher Foundation.
LOOK: 28 Modern Black History Makers & Moments

domain: sociology


30868 Used 2006 Bmw K-series K1200 R on mail.2040motos
BMW Other description
#30868 Custom Black 2006 BMW K1200R w/ Akrapovic Evolution full exhaust system, ANTI LOCK BRAKES, ESA, Warmed grips If you're not familiar with K1200R yet please do some research, and you'll find out that it's a BEAST of a bike. Tons of power (163 horsepower / 9... VISIT www.trumpetads.com for more info...
BMW Other for Sale
Moto blogSat, 25 Jan 2014 00:00:00 -0800
The third instalment of the Indian action blockbuster Dhoom became the highest grossing Indian film of all time. More interesting than that are the laughable bike scenes, with Dhoom 3 featuring one chase scene between a K1300R and a S1000RR. In the first Dhoom film a Hayubasu magically transformed into 125cc bike for a train jump.Fri, 02 Sep 2011 00:00:00 -0700
BMW will unveil an electric scooter concept model and an entry level Husqvarna streetbike concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The BMW concept, shown in the teaser sketch above, will likely be a version of the E-Scooter electric maxiscooter concept announced in July. BMW claimed the E-Scooter’s liquid-cooled electric motor offers performance similar to a 600cc combustion engine, while the battery casing itself will form the body of the frame.Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 -0700
BMW has unveiled the a new “near-production” prototype of its electric maxi-scooter. The German manufacturer has produced five operational prototypes of the BMW C evolution scooter which will be showcased at various events around Europe to prepare for the launch of the serial production version. The BMW C evolution maintains many of the styling cues from the Concept e scooter unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
BMW Other by State
BMW Other by City
BMW Other by Color


The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), a professional organization of doctors that controls the accreditation of U.S. sleep clinics, has officially called for the elimination of daylight saving time.
“An abundance of accumulated evidence indicates that the acute transition from standard time to daylight saving time incurs significant public health and safety risks, including increased risk of adverse cardiovascular events, mood disorders, and motor vehicle crashes,” AASM said in a position paper that will be published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine on October 15.
Stop breadboarding and soldering – start making immediately! Adafruit’s Circuit Playground is jam-packed with LEDs, sensors, buttons, alligator clip pads and more. Build projects with Circuit Playground in a few minutes with the drag-and-drop MakeCode programming site, learn computer science using the CS Discoveries class on code.org, jump into CircuitPython to learn Python and hardware together, TinyGO, or even use the Arduino IDE. Circuit Playground Express is the newest and best Circuit Playground board, with support for CircuitPython, MakeCode, and Arduino. It has a powerful processor, 10 NeoPixels, mini speaker, InfraRed receive and transmit, two buttons, a switch, 14 alligator clip pads, and lots of sensors: capacitive touch, IR proximity, temperature, light, motion and sound. A whole wide world of electronics and coding is waiting for you, and it fits in the palm of your hand.


why stainless steel works for indoor swimming pools
Just today, I visited two different health clubs, two very different indoor swimming pools.
The first is for laid-back home entertainment, and the other is for serious get-in-shape members.
One of them has colorful, luxurious lights that duplicate high on the surface of the water.
When the family was entertaining, the resort ended with no fuss.
The same is true for these types of swimming pools throughout the private and public sectors.
The hotel has a water park, an indoor wave pool, an indoor water slide and light fixtures, all of which are perfect for any taste.
But one aspect of these indoor swimming pools is common in two visited facilities (
Regardless of location, one size fits all)
The air temperature around this type of swimming pool is usually hot and humid, and it stays in this state in order to maintain a high level of chemical hygiene.
These chemicals are mainly chlorine.
It is located around the swimming pool area, sauna area, shower area, dressing room and so on. . .
This is why stainless steel is the best choice when building indoor water facilities. Let me explain.
When making swimming facilities, it is important to remember that water will be mixed with chemicals, humidity and high temperatures.
In this case, certain materials are cracked and corroded.
The high temperature increases the corrosion process of several metals, and the wet water droplets found in these areas create cracks inside these metals.
In addition, the cleaning and maintenance chemicals used change the state of the material in contact with water, chemicals and humidity;
Stainless steel, on the other hand, is still intact.
The key to keeping your aquatic facilities healthy, clean and durable is to choose good materials for the above applications.
The 304 and 316 steel grades are ideal for this environment.
You can also instill some other advice.
For example, ensure that the design prevents the occurrence of cracking hazards.
This is important when it comes to stress corrosion.
Ensure that the facilities maintain strict management and maintenance procedures and conduct controlled inspections on a regular basis.
Check the air temperature and humidity percentage.
Verify that the weight load and limit are adhered.
All of these factors differ between Success, effectiveness, and long run
You and your family may enjoy years of standing facilities compared to having shabby, unsafe, bacteria --
No one dares to put their toes into the place.


GILBERT, Ariz. -- (KNXV) -- A Gilbert man is facing charges after allegedly placing his hand and a pillowcase over the mouth of his girlfriend's 5-year-old son as punishment.
Gilbert police say they arrested 37-year-old Joseph Michael Garcia on Monday for child abuse.
Police in December received a report from the Arizona Department of Child Safety, saying that around 8 p.m. on December 4, the boy's older brother recorded an incident at their home near Higley and Chandler Heights roads.
In the video recorded from the hallway, police say, you can hear muffled screams and Garcia yelling at the 5-year-old to stop screaming.
Police say the boy's brother stopped recording when he looked inside the bedroom, and allegedly saw Garcia with his hands over the child's nose and mouth.
Garcia was reportedly using his body to pin the child to the bed, then removed his hand, grabbed a 'Ninja Turtle' pillow and placed it over the child's face.
At that point, police say, the brother pushed Garcia out of the way and took the 5-year-old out of the room.
Police later talked with the victim, who allegedly told them that Garcia was upset because, "he didn't want to sleep in his big boy room."
He also reportedly told police that he felt like he was about to throw up, until his brother saved him.


Jools Oliver revealed a glimpse of a previously unseen part of her family home in a sweet Instagram post on Thursday.
MORE: Jamie Oliver shares intimate new photo of wife Jools and their children
The mum-of-five showcased the family’s kitchen garden at their £6million country estate, and it is filled with herbs, fresh fruit and vegetables that no doubt come in very useful for her husband Jamie Oliver to use in his recipes.
WATCH: Jamie Oliver reveals incredible garden feature
The walled garden has shelves filled with pots lining the space, and a lemon tree on the floor. It is accessible via a set of double doors from the historic property, and appears to have been the backdrop for some filming featuring two of Jamie and Jools’ youngest children, River and Petal.
"Cheeky monkeys on set," Jools captioned the photo, which showed River, five, pretending to give his big sister a piggyback.
Jools Oliver revealed a glimpse at her kitchen garden
While Jools didn’t reveal what they were filming, Jamie has shot his past few Channel 4 cooking series at the family home with appearances from his wife and children, so it is likely he is working on his next TV project.
GALLERY: Jamie Oliver and wife Jools' country estate is idyllic - see photos
The sneak peek inside Jools and Jamie’s kitchen garden comes after the chef revealed he had restored an incredible kitchen feature that had been out of use for 100 years - a wood oven.
Jamie Oliver recently stored a 100-year-old wood oven
"Restoration of the old wood oven is complete. It hasn't worked for well over a hundred years and it works great now,” Jamie said on Instagram, before showing how they had used the oven to make fresh pizzas.
The family moved from north London to the 70-acre estate in the village of Finchingfield, dubbed as one of the most picturesque in England, in 2019. The £6million country property features ten bathrooms, two drawing rooms and a great hall, while the grounds also boast another six-bedroom 16th-century farmhouse, three-bedroom lodge and converted stables.
Like this story? Sign up to our newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.


text:
I’m officially in my last week of classes! I’m anxious for this week to go by with a quickness so I can begin my break and enjoy days of working on my book, hitting the gym, and playing videogames. It will be nice to just chill out for a few weeks, instead of be lost in a haze of school work. After next semester, I only have 2 classes to take in the summer and then I’ll officially have my degree.
With the impending break nearing, I’ve already begun to devote more time to working on my second book. It’s been coming along very well and by the end of this month I think it’s good to say it will be finally finished, published, and ready for everyone to read. It’s a hilarious book thus far, and the stories of bad dates, drama, zombie scenarios, and so many other witty topics are bound to keep you laughing. It’s really easy to sit down and just let the words flow, especially when I’ve got the sounds of house pulsating in my ears.
Last night I laid down and began listening to SS Radio UK’s Cabrio episode from December 2nd. I somehow got lost in this hypnotic state and began to just write about love and my opinions on superficial connections based solemnly on sex instead of good old fashioned meaningful connections. While I was writing this raw article about my opinions on men, sex, and love, a beautiful mashup of my favorite Knee Deep song, “All About Love” began to serenade my thoughts.
The track is by Funk D’ Void and it’s a mashup of Knee Deep’s song “All About Love” and The Timewriter’s track “Love is Beautiful.” You can actually download a copy of this lovely song for free from Funk D’ Void’s soundcloud by clicking this link http://soundcloud.com/funkdvoid/knee-deep-vs-the-timewriter
The song is such a beautiful edit, and it still keeps the original beat that makes “All About Love” such a remarkable song. The vocals of Cathy Battistessa are replaced with the vocals from The Timewriter’s track “Love is Beautiful.” The edit makes for a lovely song that will inspire you, especially if you happen to be writing a chapter about the lack of meaningful connections. Towards the end of my chapter I was beginning to feel sort of fatalistic about true connections, but then this song came on and it lifted my spirit. Love is beautiful. This song says it all with it’s magical instruments and soulful vocals towards the end. If you happen to be having one of those days or moments when you’ve given up on love and relationships because of all the foolishness and drama, then perhaps put on this track and it will ease your mind.
Through all the unpleasant men I encounter and connections that are disheartening, I still somehow have this belief that love isn’t antiquated. Come what may, I still have this lingering glimpse of hope that one day I’ll actually meet a considerate man that believes in genuine longevity, instead of brief connectivity based upon self-seeking desire. Perhaps I’m a fool, but I still believe that love is beautiful and one day I’ll have that magical moment that changes everything. Love is beautiful, so why stop believing in it? Even if it’s a dream or perhaps a fantasy, at least it’s a beautiful one that has splendid soundtracks to match.
Below are the original tracks which are used in this lovely mashup.
Knee Deep Feat. Cathy Battistessa – “All About Love (Knee Deep Vocal Mix)”
The Timewriter – “Love is Beautiful”
©Jasmine McGee.ThinkSoul25. http://thinksoul25.com

domain: artistic


Four will become three tonight as another pop hopeful bites the dust in ITV1's Pop Idol search for a star.
Tension will be at a premium as the final four bid to avoid the chop.
Zoe Birkett, from Darlington, Gareth Gates, William Young and Darius Danesh are the last contestants left from 10,000 original hopefuls.
Having whittled them down this far, the judges and the public have three weeks left to see who will emerge as the nation's new Pop Idol.
This week's episode differs slightly from previous weeks with each contestant required to sing two songs, with the theme of former number ones.
The judges, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Simon Cowell will then rate their performances but the final decision is down to the public in a phone vote.
The final show to unveil the winner will be broadcast on February 9.


AUBURN, Ind. (WFFT) - Construction for a new DeKalb County Community Corrections Center and DeKalb County Jail is delayed.
DeKalb County Commissioner Don Grogg said the delay is needed because it took longer than expected to find a spot to build the justice complex.
The complex will be built on the county farm, on County Road 40 outside Auburn.
However, people who live near the county farm are still upset the project is moving forward.
"I'm disgruntled about the whole situation," said Gary Williams, who lives next to the county farm. "I do hunt this property. I also run a small gun business out of my home. What is the sheriff going to think about me, or anybody for that matter think about me shooting my weapons?"
Grogg told WFFT August he hoped to break ground on the corrections center in November. Now that's pushed back to Spring 2018.
The county is securing land to build a road connecting the campus to State Road 8.
Williams still wants to see the jail in downtown Auburn.
"Why can't it be extended, the existing jail? As far as structural wise or whatever the case maybe," he said.
The community corrections center will be built before the jail.
The facility will be used for a work release program, instead of contracting out the service to other counties.
However, the work release program is one of the many concerns Williams has about the complex being built on the county farm.
"We are so disgruntled about this whole situation. Where it's taking place, right beside us, there's nothing we can say or do to make any difference what so ever," said Williams.
Williams said he's not sticking around to see the project finished, instead he's moving his family to another county.
"My wife and I spent our whole adult life working hard for everything we have and what we've built here. It doesn't mean much anymore."
The DeKalb County Commissioners will discuss if they will move to the design phase for the community corrections center Monday.
The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. in the DeKalb County Courthouse.


text:
Home Cooks > Recipes > Minestrone Pasta Salad
Yield: Yield: 6 to 8 servings 2 cups uncooked corkscrew pasta
or 1-1/2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
12 cherry tomatoes, halved
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
1 medium cucumber, cut in half lengthwise,
seeded and thinly sliced
1 can (8-3/4 oz.) kidney beans, drained (optional)
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
1/4 cup grated Romano cheese
1/4 cup Kikkoman Soy Sauce
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon sugar
- Cook noodles or macaroni according to package directions omitting salt; rinse, drain and cool.
- Combine noodles with tomatoes, celery, cucumber, beans, parsley and cheese in large bowl.
- Combine soy sauce, oil, lemon juice and sugar in screw-top jar. Cover and shake well; pour over noodle mixture. Toss lightly to coat all ingredients well.
- Cover and chill 3 to 4 hours for flavors to blend; toss occasionally.

domain: food


text:
The AwakeningDVD - 2013
They say, the boy was scared to death. When the death of a child at a boarding school is blamed on a ghost, hoax exposer Florence Cathcart is certain that science and reason can explain it. But the truth she discovers is more terrifying than she could ever imagine, and soon the ghost hunter becomes the hunted.
Publisher: [United States] : Universal Studios Home Entertainment, 2013
Edition: Spanish subtitled version
Branch Call Number: DVD AWA
Characteristics: 1 videodisc (108 min.) : sd., col. ; 4 3/4 in
From the critics
AgeAdd Age Suitability
trevordunfordswife thinks this title is suitable for 14 years and over
SummaryAdd a Summary
There are no summaries for this title yet.
There are no notices for this title yet.
QuotesAdd a Quote
There are no quotes for this title yet.

domain: library


text:
A very different Spring
I have been lacking the words or it is so stirred up in experiential terms that it is difficult to know where to start and it takes time to digest everything that is happening in the world right now.
The truth is that for some years now I expected a profound world revolution to happen, but in reality I did not expect anything like this: a pandemic.
Just access the internet to realize that theories are immense about what this virus is, why this is happening, where and when this situation started and will end.For many theories that exist, whether they come from mental or loving contemplation or even factual, I decided to follow the heart with logic in the mix.What does it mean?
Today it means that I wake up in a simple way, very early (5:20), I enjoy the dawn, wrapped in a mountain filled with a sawn fog. A mountain that rests from a rainy night, from water that watered the plants of the vegetables that I put on the ground this week, that refreshes the seeds of other vegetables, the trees that burst into bloom ready to give fruit and more fruit. And that refresh the spirits of the Portuguese who bubble in a fire of impatience, fear and so many other emotions.
I hear the owl and the water that flows in the stream (immense and strong).I remember last night's dream: I was walking in the empty streets of Italy.
I light the stove to heat water, in a decoction of anti-inflammatory roots and citrus juice.And I get ready for daily meditation.It all seems normal, doesn't it?
But the truth is that the world is different. We are in a period of profound turmoil that moves so much that has to be dealt with, that has to be seen, that has to be eliminated and dropped. And, at the same time, it is a period of stopping, of being inside, of using all the senses to be.
It is a period of absolute and profound worldwide change.
That each of us is daily changing is true, but a virus that affects all people in the world in such a profound and radical way calls for a different posture and is having effects in the present moment that I have never seen in my 41 years of life.
I feel privileged, blessed and deeply grateful to be where I am, with whom I am and for so many other things. For a comfortable and loving home, for food available in the pantry and outside on the ground, for being in a giant family full of love and togetherness (with my husband, my blood family in Porto, my English family so many kilometers away and my spiritual family that is here 7 minutes away and many others that are scattered in neighboring villages, other corners of Portugal and countries of the world), for the internet and for the phones that allow us to communicate with everyone, for the will of not to survive, but to live in deep joy and availability for what wants to happen, to be at the service of this immense Universe.
A Universe, God(dess), Light, Love that act in a mysterious way and to which we can only surrender, prostrate.In this way, the best and the worst of each one comes to the forefront. And like this, so many opportunities to choose the path of (re)volution and transformation.
Of course, there is fear in this mix and insecurity, but my attention is not there.
I embrace all the emotions that arise (a huge range!) And I make a constant choice to be, with curiosity and with the unfolding of the true human essence.I embrace the pain of physical distance, radical change and death.
I embrace confusion and incomprehension.I embrace the acceptance of what is happening.
I embrace the love that I am and the desire to express it.
I embrace the stopping and the action that is requested.
I embrace darkness and light.
I embrace uncertainty.
We only have the present moment and I answer to that.In a spring that came rainy and fresh and full of uncertainty, but with lots of light and immensity of love.
For now, in Portugal, we have a state of emergency. Thus was declared by the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.
What to do?
What to be?
How to respond?
I just have my experience to share with you.
This is what I have done and will continue to do.
These times call for communication and sharing.
And deep surrender.
We are together, now and forever!
In love, gratitude and surrender.
P.S. - These podcasts (in english by my teacher Cynthia Bampton) have been wonderful and this one (in portuguese) has brought me a new perspective as well.
P.S.2 - Follow me in social media to know how I have been responding to these times.

domain: literature


text:
This object is from the collections at the Museum of Hartlepool.
'The Fishermen Hung the Monkey' postcard. Sepia illustration of the hanging of the monkey. Printed on front 'The fate which fell on innocent monkey, captured many years ago by the fishermen for a French spy'.
Accession Number: HAPMG : 1978.9.3


Production Line Quality Control
Increase quality and efficiency.
Whether you need to operate a single printer on a single production line or multiple marking systems across many lines, MPERIA provides centralized control. You get unmatched visibility of your marking and coding process that yields significant improvement in quality and Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).
Eliminate costly rework and product scrap by removing the potential for human error. MPERIA automates code and message changeovers from a central location by seamlessly integrating with your enterprise system (PLC, ERP, WMS, WES, MES), ensuring marking accuracy and product compliance.
Let’s face it, the speed of business combined with the challenges in supply chain management necessitate an agile approach to maintaining production line productivity. Quickly and easily adapt to customer changes and regulatory requirements with consolidated marking and coding line control.
Scalable Line Control Made Easy
From easy message creation to marking automation, MPERIA gives you seamless integration with your backend business systems (as well as PLCs) and reliable operation day in and day out. Connect third-party printers or vision systems for tracking and code validation without hassle; MPERIA is as simple or as sophisticated as you need — it really does it all so you don’t have to.
Solid data drives sound business decisions and direction. Reliably get the data you need to at the time you need it to make informed decisions about the current state of your production line(s). Manage control of your production line from product to pallet with marking and coding at peak efficiency across primary, secondary, and tertiary packaging lines. MPERIA is the solution you’ve been in search of.
Production Line Control Made Easy
Consolidated control over all marking and coding across primary, secondary and tertiary packaging lines just got easier. MPERIA seamlessly integrates with virtually any coding equipment, data file or enterprise system. It’s so adaptable, you’ll never need to re-engineer existing data systems or modify current workflows.


text:
Wabi Sabi: Finding Perfection in the Imperfect
According to legend, the definition of Wabi sabi was never written down; only shared through spoken word, evolving as it was passed between teachers and students. Although it is difficult to pinpoint an exact definition, the Japanese concept of Wabi sabi has come to reflect an understated elegance that takes pleasure in the imperfect.
Wabi sabi is a Zen Buddhism aesthetic philosophy that has its roots in the Japanese tea ceremony. The term is the result of merging the two independent meanings of Wabi and Sabi together. Wabi means “simplicity, humility and living in tune with nature” and Sabi “refers to what happens with the passage of time."
Zen philosophy outlines seven aesthetic principles involved in achieving Wabi sabi:
- Kanso — simplicity
- Fukinsei — asymmetry or irregularity
- Shibumi — beauty in the understated
- Shizen — naturalness without pretension
- Yugen — subtle grace
- Datsuzoku — freeness
- Seijaku — tranquility
The philosophy rejects the pursuit of perfection that is often present in modern advertisements and social media for a simplistic, everyday approach to beauty. Leonard Koren the author of “Wabi-Sabi: for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers” describes it as “the beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete, the antithesis of our classical Western notion of beauty as something perfect, enduring, and monumental."
Wabi sabi is found throughout nature. For instance, as the seasons change and the leaves turn different colors in the Fall, they capture the fleeting beauty created by the passage of time. The irregular way that fruits and vegetables grow in a garden also embodies the natural imperfections celebrated by the concept.
The Japanese art form of kintsugi traditionally encapsulates Wabi sabi. In kintsugi, “cracked pottery is filled with gold-dusted lacquer as a way to showcase the beauty of its age and damage rather than hiding it.” This style of art draws attention to the faults of a piece and embraces the idea that even when something is flawed it still retains its value.
Examples of Wabi sabi can easily be found in daily life. Secondhand décor and pieces passed down by family have developed their own story over time and can invoke the concept in your home. Furniture and materials that continue to be well-loved as they age, like wood, linen, or stone, showcase simple and changing beauty. The next time you find yourself appreciating the shape of seashells on a beach or your favorite well-worn pair of jeans, know that at that moment you are embracing the ancient concept of Wabi sabi.
- Japan's Unusual Way to View the World
- Perfectly Imperfect - The Japanese Concept of Wabi-Sabi
- Exploring the Simplistic Beauty of Wabi Sabi
- Wabi-Sabi: How to Embrace This Ancient Japanese Philosophy at Home And Life?
- Wabi Sabi Your Life: Six Strategies for Embracing Imperfection


Vern Bala – Mortgage. The Bank of Canada has lowered the rate used by mortgage stress tests. Is the mortgage stress test making Toronto’s housing crisis worse
Canada is in the grip of a housing crisis more severe, by some measures. while a new stress test for mortgages issued by regulated banks has tightened. This week the Toronto Real Estate board said that sales in.. Bad credit?. “The housing market is crazy high so even people making relatively good.
1963 Eastern Hills Highschool EHHS Highlanders 1963 Eastern Hills High School EHHS Highlanders: EHHS Class of 1964. 1963 Eastern Hills High School EHHS Highlanders: EHHS Class of 1964. Elementary School. In another episode, Conrad and Patridge attended cutest bikini: whitney port bikini big thanks to Julie Rapp who organized my visit from start to finish.Homebuyers will pay a price’ if the builders get a rise The smaller the monthly payment, the more "affordable" a loan is to prospective homebuyers; this fact can increase the size of the mortgage for which homebuyers are eligible to get which, in turn, might drive up property prices.
The united states housing bubble was a real estate. real estate turmoil was the worst.. subprime mortgage crisis was not an isolated event and would.
. 33, are on the hunt for a detached house in Toronto’s west. tighter mortgage rules and increasing housing. the mortgage stress test-making it harder to.
Famous for his prescient call against the United states housing market before the 2008 global financial crisis, one of the fantastically. a detailed riposte to the short narrative. “We stress-test.
How tough is the mortgage stress test across Canada today?. that will affect your finances and how to prepare for them (MSN); 30 Dec 2018 – Crash?. CMHC moves to make it easier for self-employed to get a mortgage (CBC news).. 29 sep 2017 – Why the 'worst may be yet to come' for Toronto housing (BNN); 21 Sep.
Business & Real Estate Lawyer | Fitness Enthusiast | Interested in law, small business, real. Is the mortgage stress test making Toronto's housing crisis worse?
Are You Checked out of Your Relationship because Youre a Caregiver? – ATC Long Term Caregivers: For Better and For Worse. No one plans on spinal cord injury. "No one" includes you, the spouse, the family, the person who provides care-as well as the survivor. Yet you’ve been there, all this time. And by now you know that there’s not much out there in the way of support for spouses, friends, and family.
In theory, this would protect Canada from experiencing a financial crisis similar to the. This government initiative is meant to cool the highly expensive housing markets in Canada. Especially in hot markets like Toronto and Vancouver.. Since the stress test is designed to ensure you can make your payments even in the.
home builders in ga – rpsmarine com Toll Brothers Announces Expansion into Atlanta, Georgia Market with Acquisition of Sharp Residential How Pools in Arizona Increase Property Values | No Limit Pools Save Now On Hersheypark Tickets. Kids Stay, Play & Eat FREE. Save big on your getaway to The Official Resorts of Hersheypark with our sweet packages, like our guest favorite kids stay, Play & Eat free package! view All Packages. Save Big With Season Passes.HORSHAM, Pa., May 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Toll Brothers, Inc., (NYSE:TOL) (www.tollbrothers.com), the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes, today announced its expansion into the Atlanta, Georgia market through the acquisition of Sharp Residential, one of the largest private home building companies in Atlanta.10 Foolproof Tips To Get Your House Sold Fast For Megabucks : The Saturday Weekend Review #280 – Canadian Budget Binder NEW YORK – Ampex is it concluded its Bob Mersey- By NAB, RIAA By LEE ZHITO stepping up its multimillion- cyclone records deal as exclu. dollar drive for hot independent sively rBrilliant Launches National Builder Program | RazzleTazzle Jared Harris and Emily Watson star in this hard-hitting Sky Original exploring the truth surrounding chernobyl – a story of incredible heroism and sacrifice, but also shocking lies and conspiracy. “OFFICIALLY the greatest television series of all time “. “on Sky Atlantic” – Metro Nicole.
2019-06-10 · Is the mortgage stress test making Toronto’s housing crisis worse?. Mortgage renewals aren’t stress tested unless the borrower switches to another.
Canada’s largest banks are better prepared to weather a homegrown housing crisis than they were two years. The larger expected losses in the latest stress test are mostly because the banks’.
The findings are the result of a recent data release by Statistics Canada, as part of the federal government’s new Canadian Housing. that Toronto condo prices rose significantly since the federal.


text:
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continu...
Paperback: 132 pages
Publisher: Nabu Press (September 25, 2011)
Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 0.3 x 9.7 inches
Format: PDF Text djvu ebook
Download Link Mirror
She is the one person that he always wanted to spare from his absolute destruction. except to Louie's regulars. Download book The High Cost Of Living, Changes In Gold-Production And The Rise In Prices Pdf. In this book that second love story was the hero's mother finding a second chance at love, well technically the first as her first marriage was a loveless one. In the first part of the book you learn that Adam and Eve never existed. If you like to invest in small growth stocks then I would suggest you read both or either one. He is basically recounting the more interesting confrontations and traffic stops of his career. Das Buch eignet sich für Kinder im Alter zwischen 1 und 3 Jahren, aber auch für Kinder, die einfach sehr gerne mit Farben umgehen und die die Grundlagen auf eine spielerische Art erfahren wollen, ist dieses Buch genau richtig. In the 1850s, two failed Senate bids, one against the legendary Stephen Douglas, established Lincoln as one of the leading voices against slavery, the expansion of slavery, and slave power. This was by far the worst, and my last. ISBN-10 1246712423 Pdf. ISBN-13 978-1246712
Robin Jones Gunn is incredible. I have a Taschen print retrospective on Marc and wanted something portable for the Kindle that would use the HD capabilities. It tells the story of a young girl who gets a nutcracker for a gift. This, of course, is James Arthur's research/thoughts/experiences, but the diction used is almost ironic.
- The High Cost Of Living, Changes In Gold-production And The Rise In Prices pdf
- Download The High Cost Of Living, Changes In Gold-production And The Rise In Prices epub
- The High Cost Of Living, Changes In Gold-production And The Rise In Prices txt
- 978-1246712421 epub
- Download Kautsky Karl 1854-1938 pdf
- Download Kautsky Karl 1854-1938 books
- Download epub ebooks
Download This time is different eight centuries of financial folly pdf at allsukabosiss.wordpress.com Download The first book of tenor solos pdf at distersuistat.wordpress.com Joel sheher siral wars
What a great book to have! Written like a case file, this book dives in the details of the H. H. Hol...
A reader can never go wrong with George MacDonald, as I discovered in childhood with my marvellous d...


Urban Agriculture Policy Needs Support
The Urban Agriculture Topical Plan that community advocates and I have been working on for months may be in trouble.
This plan is a key recommendation of the Homegrown Minneapolis initiative and an important step towards creating a more sustainable, healthy, and community-based economy in Minneapolis for the future.
Last week, the Zoning and Planning (or Z&P) committee postponed the Plan for two weeks, to give committee members time to craft amendments that threaten to weaken it. The Plan will come back before Z&P on April 7th, at 9:30am.
Judging from the questions and comments from committee members, it appears that some Council Members might be aiming to undermine the Plan, and erect unnecessary barriers to the growing more food in Minneapolis.
- Continuing to prohibit Market Gardening on residential parcels. One of the key recommendations of the Plan is to allow commercial, or market, gardens of the same small size and low intensity as community gardens to be put on residential parcels. Some Council Members appear to be interested in deleting this recommendation, which would mean that small-scale commercial food growing would be next to impossible in Minneapolis.
- Keeping the price of land sold by the City to community gardeners higher than its actual value. When the City sells land for green space, we often put a “conservation easement” on the property, which means that it can’t have a building built on it. This reduces the value of the land. But the City still charges a buyer the price without the conservation easement. The Plan recommends using the fair market value for the land with the easement. Some Council Members questioned this.
- Continuing to prevent City staff from even considering farmers markets or community gardens when selling City land. The Plan contains a recommendation to give City staff the option to do requests for proposals on City-owned land for urban agriculture uses like farmers markets and community gardens. Some Council Members questioned this.
Anyone who cares about creating a vibrant local-food economy in our city should call or email Council Members before April 7th and urge them to pass the Urban Agriculture Topical Plan in its current form, without amendments that will hurt the local food movement. You should also plan to attend the April 7th Zoning and Planning committee meeting, at 9:30am in room 317 of City Hall, 350 S 5th St.
To find your Ward and City Council Member go here.


Unless Boston builds proper defenses against global warming-driven sea level rise
January 17, 2018
BY JASON PRAMAS @JASONPRAMAS
So, Boston’s Seaport District flooded early this month during a bad snowstorm in the midst of several days of arctic temperatures. And nobody could be less surprised than me. Because I’ve spent a lot of the last quarter century closely following developments in the science of climate change. And the “bomb cyclone” that caused the flooding, and the polar vortex that caused that, are both likely to have been caused by global warming. Yale University Climate Connections just produced a great video that features several luminary climate scientists explaining why at yaleclimateconnections.org. Definitely check it out.
No question, though, that it’s good to live in a region where local government at least recognizes that global warming is a scientific reality. The city of Boston is certainly ahead of most municipalities in the US in terms of laying plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions enough to become “carbon neutral” and to deal with some of the anticipated effects of climate change. Particularly, flooding from inexorably rising sea levels and increasingly powerful and frequent storms. Which the more reactionary Boston TV newsreaders still insist on calling “wild weather.” But its plans are largely just that… plans. And they are still incomplete and, frankly, woefully inadequate to deal with the magnitude of the crisis facing us all.
Boston city government has initiated an array of climate change initiatives, including Greenovate Boston, a section of the Imagine Boston 2030 process, and—most germane to this discussion—Climate Ready Boston. They are all producing very nice reports grappling with some of the challenges to humanity presented by global warming in the decades to come. But the reports are written by planners and experts who are clearly pulling their punches for reasons that remain somewhat opaque. And in doing so, any good that might come out of the reports and the policy actions that will result from them is essentially undone.
A look at metro planning on global warming-induced flooding is a good way to illuminate the problem in question. The Climate Ready Boston program released a 340-page report in December 2016 that was meant to be a comprehensive assessment of the threats presented to the city by global warming—with plans for possible correctives. It does mention the idea of building giant dikes, storm barriers, and retractable gates (which they call a “harbor-wide flood protection system”) across Boston Harbor as the method with the most potential to save much of the city from major flooding. Which makes sense since Mayor Marty Walsh signed a 2015 agreement with Dutch officials to work together to manage rising sea levels, according to Boston Magazine. And the Dutch are recognized world experts on giant storm barriers and hydroengineering in general, lo, these last few hundred years.
But there’s no firm commitment for harbor-wide defenses in the report. Yet it should be obvious that they are absolutely necessary if Boston is going to continue as a living city for even a few more decades. At least Amos Hostetter of the Barr Foundation—who is a major player in Boston’s climate efforts—put up $360,000 for the UMass Boston Center for the Environment to study their feasibility last year, according to the Boston Globe.
More concerning than its waffling on building big dikes, the big Climate Ready Boston report chooses to focus on the possibility of sea level rise of no more than 3 feet by 2070—although it allows that a rise of 7.4 feet is possible by 2100:
The highest sea level rise considered in this report, 36 inches, is highly probable toward the end of the century if emissions remain at the current level or even if there is a moderate reduction in emissions. … If emissions remain at current levels, there is an approximately 15 percent chance that sea levels will rise at least 7.4 feet by the end of century, a scenario far more dire than those considered here.
Similar caution is on display with an October 2017 Climate Ready Boston report called “Coastal Resilience Solutions for East Boston and Charlestown”—focusing on tactics to protect two Boston neighborhoods on Boston Harbor at high risk for flooding caused by global warming. Once again, the authors’ assumption is that global warming-related sea level rise in Boston will be no more than 3 feet higher than year 2000 figures by 2070. Even though such estimates—which we have already seen are conservative by Climate Ready Boston’s own admission—also indicate that we could face 7-plus feet of sea level rise or more by 2100. And even higher rises going forward from there. Because sea level rise is slated to continue for generations to come.
What’s weird about such methodological conservatism is that a 2016 paper in the prestigious science journal Nature co-authored by a Bay State geoscientist says the lower figures that all the city’s climate reports are using already look to be wildly optimistic.
According to the Boston Globe:
“Boston is a bull’s-eye for more sea level damage,” said Rob DeConto, a climate scientist at UMass Amherst who helped develop the new Antarctica research and who co-wrote the new Boston report. “We have a lot to fear from Antarctica.” … If high levels of greenhouse gases continue to be released into the atmosphere, the seas around Boston could rise as much as 10.5 feet by 2100 and 37 feet by 2200, according to the report.
What’s even weirder is that the same UMass scientist, Rob DeConto, co-authored a detailed June 2016 report for Climate Ready Boston called “Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Projections for Boston: The Boston Research Advisory Group Report” with 16 other climate scientists that look at an array of possible outcomes for the city—and include a discussion of the higher sea level rise figures mentioned in the Nature paper. The report concludes with an admission that current science doesn’t allow for accurate predictions of climate change in the second half of the century. All the more reason, one would think, that models predicting higher than anticipated sea level rise should not seemingly be dismissed out of hand in other Climate Ready Boston reports.
The Globe also reported that a study by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) says Boston can expect a sea level rise of 8.2 feet by 2100. Both 8.2 foot and 10.5 foot estimates are higher than the 7.4 foot estimate that Climate Ready Boston says is possible by 2100, and well above the 3 feet that it is actually planning for by 2070.
The same team that produced the larger Climate Ready Boston report authored the East Boston and Charlestown report; so they are doubtless quite well-aware of all this. Which is evident in this sentence about the (insufficient) extensibility of their proposed neighborhood-based flood defenses: “If sea levels rise by more than 36 inches, these measures could be elevated at least two feet higher by adding fill, integrating structural furniture that adds height and social capacity, or installing deployable flood walls. With this built-in adaptability, their effectiveness could be extended by an additional 20 years or more.”
The point here is not that the Boston city government is doing nothing about global warming-induced flooding. It’s that the city is potentially proposing to do too little, too late (given that most of the flood defenses it’s proposing will remain in the study phase for years, and many will protect specific neighborhoods but not the whole city when finally built), for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. Though it’s probable that those reasons are more political and economic than scientific. Avoiding scaring-off the real estate developers and major corporations that provide much of the current city tax base, for example. The kind of thing that will make life difficult for politicians who then make life difficult for staffers and consultants working on global warming response plans.
Regardless, if experts like the Dutch are basically saying, Boston really needs to build the biggest possible harbor-wide flood protection system to have any hope of surviving at least a few more decades, then we can’t afford to do one of the more half-assed versions of the big cross-harbor storm barrier plan mentioned in the original Climate Ready Boston report—or, worse still, fail to build major harbor-wide defenses at all. If major studies by climate experts are saying that 3 feet of sea level rise by 2070 and 7.4 feet by 2100 are overly optimistic figures, then we need to plan for at least the highest reasonable estimates: currently, the NOAA’s 8.5 feet or, better yet, the Nature paper’s 10.5 feet for the end of the century. It’s true that we could get smart or lucky and avoid those numbers by 2100. But what about 2110? Or 2150? Or 2200? Sea level rise is not just going to stop in 2070 or 2100.
Are city planners and researchers willing to gamble with the city’s fate to avoid sticky political and economic fights? Let’s hope not. For all our sakes. Or the recent Seaport District flood—and numerous other similar recent floods—will be just the start of a fairly short, ugly slide into a watery grave for the Hub.
Apparent Horizon is syndicated by the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. Jason Pramas is BINJ’s network director, and executive editor and associate publisher of DigBoston. Copyright 2018 Jason Pramas. Licensed for use by the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and media outlets in its network.


text:
Drug Policy Action works to pass new drug laws and policies grounded in evidence, health, equity, and human rights — and undertakes a wide range of activities including political advocacy and electoral work to support these principles. Drug Policy Action is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit 501(c)(4) organization, and is the advocacy and political partner of the Drug Policy Alliance.
Punitive drug laws in the United States serve as one of the sharpest tools of oppression. The drug war—and the elected leaders who uphold it—are often misaligned with the will of the people. Our communities want justice, freedom, community safety and healthy communities. Our drug policies run counter to those needs.
From the marijuana reform movement to decriminalizing drugs, we are leading efforts across the U.S. that end drug prohibition and invest in communities.


text:
Which city is cheaper, San Francisco or Chicago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Chicago and San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Chicago is a vibrant, multicultural, and edgey city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the theater, nightlife, and live music.
San Francisco is a one-of-a-kind, scenic, and beautiful coastal city. Visitors will also find so much to do here because it's a large city with many sights and attractions. The famous beauty of this place is one of the main draws. Other popular activities here include museums, theater, and nightlife.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between San Francisco and Chicago. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
For an educational experience, head to a museum or a notable sight in either Chicago or San Francisco.
You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Chicago on the map. Some of the most famous are the Art Institute of Chicago, Adler Planetarium, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Notable landmarks include the famous Willis Tower - formerly the Sears Tower, Buckingham Fountain, and the iconic Cloud Gate (the bean).
Travelers visit San Francisco from around the world to see its many world-famous attractions. The city's landmarks are as diverse as the people who live there. The most recognizable landmark is the famous Golden Gate Bridge, but visitors also enjoy seeing Alcatraz Island, the Legion of Honor, the Palace of Fine Arts, as well as the small but fascinating Cable Car Museum.
Overall, Chicago is considered to be a more popular choice for theater-goers.
The theater scene in Chicago is world-class. Theater is big here with many of the major Broadway productions visiting the city. There is also an endless list of smaller, local theaters to choose from.
If you have some extra time in San Francisco, take in a show. The city has around a dozen theaters where you can enjoy musicals or plays.
There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at great restaurants in both Chicago and San Francisco.
Chicago has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. While you're in town you have to try the famous deep dish pizza, Chicago style hot dogs, and Italian beef.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, San Francisco is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. There are local dives as well as five star restaurants, with everything in between. Popular local dining experiences include sourdough bread bowls and Dungeness Crab at Fisherman's Wharf, and dim sum in Chinatown.
Chicago has the better options when it comes to nightlife.
Chicago is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. Popular bars and clubs include the Smart Bar, Beauty Bar, and Le Nocturne.
If you're looking for night time activities San Francisco has a few options to choose from. Popular clubs in the city include Temple San Francisco, Monarch, and Audio Nightclub.
Chicago generally offers more live music options than San Francisco.
In Chicago you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is the birthplace of such interesting styles as modern gospel and the Chicago style blues.
The music scene helps keep San Francisco active and fun. Well known music venues include the Great American Music Hall, Slim's, and The Chapel.
Chicago and San Francisco are good choices for a beach vacation.
Many people head to Chicago to enjoy the beach. While you don't immediately think of beaches when you think of Chicago, there are some nice beaches by the lake.
You'll have a great beach vacation in San Francisco. Whether you're interested in surfing or simply taking in the dramatic views, the beaches of San Francisco will take your breath away.
Shopping is a popular activity in both San Francisco and Chicago.
Chicago is a world class destination for shoppers. The most famous shopping area is Michigan Avenue and the famous Magnificent Mile.
People travel from around the world to go shopping in San Francisco. The city has excellent shopping from local vendors to recognizable brands. Union Square, Embarcadero, Fillmore Street and Haight Street are some of the best neighborhoods for shopping.
You'll find kid-friendly activities in either Chicago or San Francisco.
Chicago is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a large number of activities for kids, including zoos, Shedd Aquarium, impressive children's museums, and large and elaborate playgrounds in Millennium Park.
San Francisco is a very family-friendly destination. With its many outdoor parks, hiking trails, beaches, and kid-friendly museums, this city makes a great family-friendly destination.
Both Chicago and San Francisco are good destinations to visit as a couple.
Chicago is a good city for couples to visit. Couples will enjoy exploring the city's vibrant theater scene and diverse neighborhoods.
San Francisco is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples enjoy the romantic backdrop of this beautiful city. There are world-class restaurants and plenty of spas that couples can enjoy during a honeymoon or romantic getaway.
Chicago and San Francisco are comparable places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.
Chicago is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The city doesn't have a huge backpacker vibe, but it does have a number of hostels that help keep costs in check.
It's common for backpackers to visit San Francisco. The city is one of the more backpacker friendly cities in the United States. There are a handful of hostels throughout, many concentrated in the popular Union Square and Downtown neighborhoods of the city.
Chicago and San Francisco are comparable places to visit for students.
Students come from all over the world to visit Chicago. The city has a large number of universities that bring in students from around the country and around the globe.
San Francisco is a great city to visit as a student. As a large and dynamic city, the area is popular with international students who want to experience this unique side of the United States. Major universities in the area include University of San Francisco, San Francisco State University, and nearby, the University of California, Berkeley.
You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Chicago and San Francisco.
Chicago has a great public transit system. There's a subway (the "L"), a commuter well, as well as buses and countless taxis available.
Public transit in San Francisco is top-notch. The transit network includes a subway (the BART), trams, cable cars, ferries, and buses.
Chicago and San Francisco both are comparable when exploring on foot.
Chicago is a very walkable destination. The city has many restaurants, sights, and hotels that are easily accessible on foot.
San Francisco is very walkable. It is compact enough to explore on foot, but given the large hills, it's a bit of a challenge, even for the most fit among us.
Both Chicago and San Francisco have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in San Francisco than Chicago.
The ideal length of time for a trip to Chicago is 3-5 days, and the ideal length of time for a trip to San Francisco is 3-7 days.
Chicago is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.
In San Francisco, you'll find food and shopping. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This coastal city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Chicago. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.
In San Francisco, you'll find shopping and museums. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.
Chicago is a bustling city that offers something for everyone. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.
San Francisco is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that San Francisco has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.
You'll find theater and nightlife around the city of Chicago. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in San Francisco. In San Francisco, you'll find theater and nightlife. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Chicago is $221, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $175. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Chicago and San Francisco in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Chicago or San Francisco? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both San Francisco and Chicago change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, The Best Museums in Chicago, The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chicago and San Francisco, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is San Francisco much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to San Francisco would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in San Francisco and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago than you might in San Francisco.
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Both San Francisco and Chicago during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chicago this time of year. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Chicago is a little warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The temperature in Chicago is usually 77°F (25°C) in July, and San Francisco stays around 63°F (17°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Chicago. Chicago usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Chicago gets 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chicago and San Francisco. Many travelers come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Chicago is cooler than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Chicago in October are around 56°F (14°C), and San Francisco is about 63°F (17°C).
In October, Chicago usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Chicago gets 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Chicago as well as San Francisco. Many visitors come to Chicago in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Chicago can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Chicago is generally much colder than San Francisco. Temperatures in Chicago average around 25°F (-4°C), and San Francisco stays around 50°F (10°C).
Chicago usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Chicago gets 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
Both San Francisco and Chicago are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Chicago is cooler than San Francisco in the spring. The temperature in Chicago is usually 52°F (11°C) in April, and San Francisco stays around 58°F (14°C).
It's quite rainy in Chicago. In April, Chicago usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Chicago gets 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
|Temp (°C)||Rain (mm)||Temp (°C)||Rain (mm)|
|Jan||25°F (-4°C)||1.9 inches (47 mm)||50°F (10°C)||3.8 inches (96 mm)|
|Feb||29°F (-2°C)||1.4 inches (35 mm)||54°F (12°C)||2.7 inches (69 mm)|
|Mar||41°F (5°C)||3.7 inches (93 mm)||56°F (13°C)||2.7 inches (69 mm)|
|Apr||52°F (11°C)||4.3 inches (108 mm)||58°F (14°C)||1.2 inches (31 mm)|
|May||63°F (17°C)||3 inches (75 mm)||60°F (15°C)||0.2 inches (5 mm)|
|Jun||73°F (23°C)||3.9 inches (100 mm)||62°F (17°C)||0.1 inches (3 mm)|
|Jul||77°F (25°C)||3.9 inches (100 mm)||63°F (17°C)||0.1 inches (2 mm)|
|Aug||76°F (24°C)||3.5 inches (90 mm)||64°F (18°C)||0.1 inches (1 mm)|
|Sep||68°F (20°C)||3.8 inches (96 mm)||66°F (19°C)||0.3 inches (7 mm)|
|Oct||56°F (14°C)||2.2 inches (56 mm)||63°F (17°C)||1.3 inches (33 mm)|
|Nov||44°F (7°C)||2.2 inches (56 mm)||57°F (14°C)||2.8 inches (71 mm)|
|Dec||31°F (-1°C)||2.8 inches (71 mm)||51°F (11°C)||2.7 inches (68 mm)|
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.

domain: geography


text:
but not much of this... :o(
Holidays are wonderful but they do require some work and for me, that usually means some tidying up. So I've been busy, cleaning and shopping for our Thanksgiving meal. Tonight I have my pumpkin pies in the oven but I have a pumpkin-pie-eating monster so I'll be surprised if I have one left on Thursday. Good thing my niece is bringing one and my daughter is baking another dessert.
Before I am gone off the blog for a few days, I thought I would share a few crafty pics. Last week on craft night, I made this big mess making some of the little acorn favor boxes for Thanksgiving shown here from my daughter's Stampin' Up! party. I guess that fix will have to hold me over for a little while since I'll be in the kitchen for the next few days.My sister asked me to post a picture of a card I helped my friend Nora make on craft night. The card was very simple, using white cardstock in a 'gatefold' style and embossed with dots by running it through the Bit Shot machine. We added a band of decorative cardstock around the card and then a stamped image. Very quick card, especially using just two colors. Here is a great tutorial on gatefold cards if you'd like to try one. I have a paper cutter with scorelines marked for the gatefold which makes it easy to do without the measuring.
Someday I'll change that old fruity shelf liner...... Off to go clean up the kitchen from making my pumpkin pies. I hope I have some playtime tomorrow after I get my veggies cut up fo rmy stuffing and another dessert made. I miss my sewing room and Christmas is just around the corner. Ack!!


text:
The directors of the Office of National Intelligence and the National Security Agency testified on Wednesday that they have not been pressured by President Trump on the ongoing Russia investigation, undercutting recent reports that they were.
Dan Coats, the director of national intelligence, and Adm. Mike Rogers, the director of NSA, largely declined to discuss details about their interactions with Trump when pressed on the matter during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing.
According to news reports published last month, Trump asked both Coats and Rogers to rebut stories that Trump was under investigation as part of the Russia probe.
Both Coats and Rogers reportedly felt uncomfortable with the requests from Trump.
Read the entire article

domain: news


Hi I have only after signing up to my isp (talk talk) realised that they do not actually allow you the full use of the internet connection i.e. they block certain traffic and in a sense spy on you by using deep packet inspection techniques.
I have found a site that tells you which isp's do this so as to ensure you do not fall for this.
It seems many major uk ones do this except sky.
Feel free to comment/critisize as my knowledge on this topic is very limited will appreciate any feedback. http://www.azureuswiki.com/index.php/Bad_ISPs#United_Kingdom


Details about the John Deere 260 specs are listed below. When looking at the technical specs of the John Deere 260, we suggest keeping the model year in mind. The manufacturer’s manuals were used to list the John Deere 260’s weight, horsepower, lifting capacity, and other specifications. Before you buy the John Deere 260, check with the seller about the technical specs. We will soon add a review of the John Deere 260 to help you with your purchase.Transporting a John Deere 260 Skid Steer Loader is a process that involves multiple steps, each requiring careful attention and expertise. First, the John Deere 260 Skid Steer Loader is prepared for transport, which may involve disassembling larger components and securing fragile parts.During the loading phase, special equipment like forklifts or cranes may be used to safely move the John Deere 260 Skid Steer Loader onto the transport trailer. The equipment is then secured to avoid any movement during transit. Hauling a John Deere 260 Skid Steer Loader over long distances often involves navigating various routes and complying with specific transport regulations. Once at the destination, the John Deere 260 Skid Steer Loader is carefully unloaded and inspected for integrity. The process concludes with the reassembly of the equipment, if required. This comprehensive approach ensures the safe and efficient transport of your John Deere 260 Skid Steer Loader, regardless of the distance.Heavy Haulers specifications database is where you find specs and dimensions of skid steers manufactured by John Deere. Here, you’re able to compare specs and dimensions of John Deere skid steers with similar models from other manufacturers at the comfort of your home. To find specs and dimensions of any John Deere skid steer on our specifications database, search for its model, manufacturer or industry. To ensure that the John Deere skid steer you get suits your jobsite, the first step should be to survey your jobsite. Consider factors such as accessibility, terrain, moving distance, lift height and capacity and workload.Heavy Haulers offer trustworthy and reliable transportation services for all varieties of freight including shipments of individual, commercial, and heavy machinery.Our trained logistics professionals make sure your load arrives on time, and in the same shape in which it departed. See recent customers who’ve shared their move with us!John Deere skid steers are used for road work, material handling, debris and snow removal, loading, demolition, trenching and digging among others. They’re versatile and can be used in many ways with the right attachment. When buying a used John Deere skid steer, inspecting it thoroughly is important to ensure that its performance will meet your needs. Heavy Haulers specialists recommend the most suitable trailers for transport based on size and weight of a John Deere skid steer.
If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.So it’s no wonder our large platform skid steer loaders are on average 24% more serviceable than competitors’ machines, based on SAE Service Audit Scores. And there’s more too.We’ve designed our range of skid steer loaders to be serviced easily, ensuring minimum downtime. Firstly, we mount our engines longitudinally for easy access to the drive belt and associated components. There are also 30% fewer grease points than average vertical lift twin arm skid steers.
JCB skid steer loaders are more fuel efficient than competitive machines. Equipped with the JCB Dieselmax engine the 4.4 litre turbocharged unit provides incredible power at low engine revs, thus reducing fuel consumption and exhaust emissions whilst supplying enough torque for even the toughest of jobs. By using the JCB Dieselmax engine and the hydraulically driven thermostatically controlled fan JCB’s skid steer loaders provide 16% better fuel economy than the competition*. Try out the JCB Fuel Efficiency app to find out how much you could save with one of our skid steers.We’ve installed front and rear chassis clean out plates, with a fluid drain point in the rear one, as well as durable O-ring face seals on all hydraulic fittings. There’s excellent service access through the rear service door and gas strut-assisted tilting radiator.Keeping your operators fresh, focused and productive is paramount, which is why we’ve designed our 260 model of skid steer loaders with a 33% larger cab than the nearest competitive machine. Our standard seat has mechanical suspension and there’s also a 12V charger, easily readable control panels and an electronic hand throttle.
In a time where people can be more connected than ever, John Deere compact machines helps A to Z Field Services get it done on cell-tower and fiber-optic projects.Whether you’re acquiring your first machine or adding to a fleet, there’s a John Deere skid steer that’s perfect for you. Weights range from the smallest skid steer at 2788 kg (6,140 lb.) to our largest model weighing 4540 kg (10,000 lb.). Even our compact skid loaders are built to bring the power 48.5 – 74.6 kW (65 – 100 hp) and performance you need to your jobsite. Here’s a look at our most popular G-Series skid steer models:From highways and farms to construction sites and even backyards, it seems like skid steers are everywhere. They’re little machines with big possibilities, compact and incredibly useful for so many tasks. Let’s take a closer look.Learn all about the ins and outs of John Deere’s skid steers and attachments and why they’re the right piece of equipment for your construction job.


Swindon ‘cowboy builder’ given eight-month suspended prison sentence
A ‘cowboy builder’ who carried out sub-standard building works and left some work incomplete has been given an eight-month suspended prison sentence.
Published: Tuesday, 27th February 2024
Raj Kumar Bagga, of Woodside Avenue, Old Walcot, was sentenced at Swindon Crown Court on Friday (23 Feb) following an investigation by Swindon Borough Council’s Trading Standards team.
The 59-year-old admitted three charges under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations which took place during 2022.
The offences were committed by Bagga when he was trading under the name of R and L Building Solutions. He undertook work which was substandard and left incomplete after taking money in advance, leaving each of his victims grossly out of pocket.
He undertook work for house extensions, renovation work, and a loft conversion.
A surveyor’s report on the loft conversion concluded that work was unsafe and that there was a real possibility the structure could catastrophically collapse.
The eight-month prison sentence was suspended for 18 months and he was given 200 hours of community service, and 25 days of rehabilitation activity.
He was also handed a criminal behaviour order, prohibiting him from undertaking any building work in his own capacity, or any business operated by him, for 10 years.
In his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge Townsend told the defendant he was not of good character. He added that he was a cowboy builder who was highly reckless and had caused his victims suffering and misery.
Councillor Jim Grant, Swindon Borough’s Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Joint Working, said: “This individual’s actions were reprehensible as he showed complete disregard for the trust his customers placed in him.
“They thought he was carrying out work to improve their homes, yet he destroyed their hopes and dreams leaving behind a trail of shoddy sub-standard work, often incomplete.
“We will not tolerate this type of behaviour from traders in the Borough and will continue to take action to clamp down on rogue traders when reported to us.”
Members of the public can report a rogue trader by using the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or via its website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/get-more-help/report-to-trading-standards/
Picture: Raj Kumar Bagga began work on this loft conversion which a surveyor said could have catastrophically collapsed


AOPA will be closing at 2:30 p.m. EDT, August 29th, in observance of the Labor Day Holiday. We will reopen on 8:30 a.m. EDT, Tuesday, September 2nd.
July 11, 2012
By Dan Namowitz
The FAA has published a final rule requiring helicopters operating along the north shore of Long Island, N.Y. to use a published route one mile offshore for noise reduction.
The rule, to be effective Aug. 6, 2012 through Aug. 6, 2014, requires helicopter pilots to use the New York North Shore Helicopter Route, which was added to the New York Helicopter Route Chart in 2008 as a voluntary routing option.
In the final rule published July 6, the FAA said that the route was made mandatory in response to “continued concerns from a large number of local residents who are disturbed by the level of noise from helicopters operating over Long Island.” The rule is set to lapse Aug. 6, 2014 unless the FAA determines that a permanent rule is merited.
When the mandatory route was proposed, AOPA questioned the wisdom of requiring helicopters transiting Long Island to fly a loosely-described offshore east-west route as a reaction to local noise complaints -- instead urging “a more refined and thought-out approach to mitigating” the issue.
The association also pointed to data indicating that 85 to 90 percent of area traffic already uses the route, rendering further noise reductions almost negligible.
The final rule allows pilots to deviate from the route for “safety, weather, or when transitioning to or from a point of landing.”
The FAA also agreed to publish additional educational guidance for pilots using the route before the rule’s effective day.
Dan Namowitz is an aviation writer and flight instructor. He has been a pilot since 1985 and an instructor since 1990.
A new steakhouse on Chicago’s North Shore is decorated with more than 200 vintage aviation photographs.
The DeSoto Heliport is officially open for business. But don’t look for it in your GPS. The Texas facility is so new that it doesn’t yet have an identifier.
Television personality Robin Roberts swung the champagne and took a ceremonial maiden voyage Aug. 23, christening the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. airship Wingfoot One.
VOLUNTEER AT AN AOPA FLY-IN NEAR YOU!
SHARE YOUR PASSION. VOLUNTEER AT AN AOPA FLY-IN. CLICK TO LEARN MORE >>>
VOLUNTEER LOCALLY AT AOPA FLY-IN! CLICK TO LEARN MORE >>>
BE A PART OF THE FLY-IN VOLUNTEER CREW! CLICK TO LEARN MORE >>>