text:
|Year : 2014 | Volume
| Issue : 4 | Page : 196-202
Surgical outcome in patients with cervical ossified posterior longitudinal ligament: A single institutional experience
Rao Kommu, BP Sahu, AK Purohit
Department of Neurosurgery, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India
|Date of Web Publication||10-Dec-2014|
B P Sahu
Department of Neurosurgery, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None
Objective: Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a complex multi-factorial disease process having both metabolic and biomechanical factors. The role of surgical intervention as well as the choice of approach weather anterior or posterior is ambiguous. The objective of this study was to assess the surgical out come and post operative functional improvement in patients with cervical OPLL at a tertiary care centre.
Patients and Methods: This prospective study included 63 patients of cervical OPLL who underwent either anterior and/or posterior surgeries in Department of Neurosurgery, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad between June 2009 to May 2011. Patient's data including age, sex, pre and post operative functional status, radiographic findings and OPLL subtypes were recorded and analyzed over a follow up ranging up to minimum two years.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 51.1 (range 30-80 years) involving 14 women and 49 men. Out of 63 patients, 14 patients underwent surgery by anterior approach (corpectomy and fusion) and all of them improved (P = 0.52). 49 patients underwent surgery by posterior approach where decompressive laminectomy was performed in 40, laminectomy with instrumentation was done in 5, laminoplasty was done in 3 and 1 patient underwent both anterior and posterior surgeries. Of those who underwent posterior surgery, 40 patients improved, 7 remained the same as their preoperative status (who were having signal intensity changes on T2W MRI) and 2 patients deteriorated in the immediate post operative period and then showed gradual improvement. All the patients were followed up for 24 months. The mean pre-operative Nurick grade was 2.82 which later on improved to 2.03 post surgery (P < 0.05). Minor complications included wound infections in two patients (1.26%).
Conclusions: Anterior cervical decompression and reconstruction is a safe and appropriate treatment for cervical spondylitic myelopathy in the setting of single or two level OPLL. Laminectomy or laminoplasty is indicated in patients with preserved cervical lordosis having three or more levels of involvement. Younger patients with good pre operative functional status and less than 2 levels of involvement have better outcome following anterior surgery.
Keywords: Nurick grade, ossified posterior longitudinal ligament cervical spine, surgical outcome
|How to cite this article:|
Kommu R, Sahu B P, Purohit A K. Surgical outcome in patients with cervical ossified posterior longitudinal ligament: A single institutional experience. Asian J Neurosurg 2014;9:196-202
|How to cite this URL:|
Kommu R, Sahu B P, Purohit A K. Surgical outcome in patients with cervical ossified posterior longitudinal ligament: A single institutional experience. Asian J Neurosurg [serial online] 2014 [cited 2022 Jun 26];9:196-202. Available from: https://www.asianjns.org/text.asp?2014/9/4/196/146602
| Introduction|| |
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) is a disorder of progressive ectopic calcification and ossification of the cervical and thoracic segments of the posterior longitudinal ligament (PLL) that results in a compressive myelopathy and/or radiculopathy. Its prevalence in Japanese and East Asian countries has ranged from 1.9 to 4.3%, while in white populations it has ranged from 0.01 to1.7%. , Although many clinical features of cervical OPLL are similar to those of cervical spondylotic myelopathy or cervical disc herniation, it also has several unique characteristics. Management of OPLL can involve either surgical or conservative treatments. Patients with severe progressive myelopathy due to OPLL have generally been considered definitive candidates for surgical treatment. We present a single institution experience in the surgical management of this complex entity where the overall functional outcome depends on variety of factors.
| Patients and Methods|| |
This prospective study included 63 patients with Cervical OPLL between June 2009 to May 2011 admitted in Department of Neurosurgery, Nizam's Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad. Cervical OPLL was defined as abnormal radio-opacity along the posterior margins of the vertebral bodies on lateral radiographic views/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)/computed tomography (CT) scans.
Patients who fulfilled the following criteria were included in the study:
- All patients with radiologically proven cervical OPLL along with clinical signs of myelopathy
- All patients with minimum follow-up of 2 years.
- Patients with inadequate follow-up
- Patients with spondylotic myelopathy not accounting to OPLL.
Apart from age, gender, occupation, socio-economic status, the duration of sensory and motor symptoms and the presence or absence of autonomic dysfunction was noted in all the patients. Neurological assessment included examination of tone and spasticity in upper and lower limbs (as per Modified Ashworth Scale). Functional disability was assessed as per the Nurick grade. All these grading systems were employed pre-operatively and post-operatively at the time of discharge and at all subsequent follow ups. The follow up period varied from 12 to 24 months.
All patients underwent X-ray of cervical spine in AP and lateral view. Wherever indicated dynamic lateral radiograph with flexion and extension studies were obtained. OPLL was identified on plain X-ray as an abnormal radio opacity along the posterior margins of the vertebral bodies (not only involving the disc spaces).
All patients were advised MRI of cervical spine. MR imaging was conducted on a 1.5 T-superconducting unit. Imaging included T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and spin-echo sagittal sequences using a 22 cm field of view, a 4 mm thickness with a 1-mm gap, and a 192 × 256 matrix. Various patterns of OPLL including conical or mushrooming types were identified on axial cuts along with T2-weighted cord signal changes on sagittal images. CT cervical spine was done as and when necessary.
Characterization of OPLL
We used the classification of the Hirabayashi et al. to characterize the varies sub-types of OPLL [Figure 1].
|Figure 1: Types of OPLL: continous (a), semental (b), mixed (c), focal (d)|
Click here to view
Diagnosis of OPLL
The diagnosis of cervical OPLL was made if following three conditions were met.
- Clinical symptoms consistent with cervical cord compression were responsible for presentation.
- MR imaging revealed evidence of cervical canal stenosis not predominantly due to any other degenerative spinal conditions.
- X-ray/MRI/CT scan demonstrated that the cord compression was primarily due to a calcified mass consistent with the morphology of OPLL.
Decisions regarding the type of surgery were based on clinical and established radiological findings.  Surgery was advised for patients with severe cervical myelopathy caused by OPLL. Cervical radiculopathy or neck pain alone was not considered to be surgical indications. In case of multi-segmental (>3 segments) involvement with preserved lordosis, posterior decompression (laminectomy) was performed. Patients with multilevel involvement and loss of lordosis or straightening were fused by lateral mass screw and rods after laminectomy, while two or lesser levels of involvement were approached anteriorly (corpectomy with fusion). ,
After induction of general anesthesia, the patient was intubated by the intubating laryngeal mask airway (ILMA) or awake bronchoscopic intubation technique. Later, the patient was placed in the prone position in a horse-shoe head rest with an indwelling bladder catheter. The abdomen was decompressed to avoid excessive venous congestion and epidural bleeding. After skin prepping and draping, a midline incision was given from the sub-occipital region to T1 level (depending on the extent of laminectomy). Sub-perioesteal dissection of the paraspinal muscles was performed. Laminectomy was performed by using rongeurs (or) a high-speed drill. Thecal sac was adequately decompressed. Instrumentation by lateral mass screws and rods was done wherever indicated by Magerl's technique under fluoroscopic guidance. Wound closure was done in layers. Post-operatively, patients were mobilized by physiotherapists with cervical orthoses at the earliest.
After endotracheal intubation and induction of general anesthesia, all patients were placed in the supine position with the head slightly extended. A right-sided approach was mostly employed. A transverse skin-fold incision was made, beginning medially at the midline and extending up to the anterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Sometimes, a vertical incision medial to sternocleidomastoid was given when a larger exposure was warranted. The appropriate surgical level was confirmed by fluoroscopy and discectomy was performed. After the necessary level of discectomies, median part vertebral bodies along with the OPLL were drilled out (Midas-Rex drill, Fort Worth, Dallas, TX). The residual OPLL close to dura was drilled with a diamond burr till it got papery thin. If it was found tightly adherent to the dura, it was separated all around from the vertebral body and left as it was (floating OPLL). Once the dura was decompressed well, hemostasis was achieved. Later, the interbody cage with an internal diameter of 10-12 mm was filled with bony chips and was placed to maintain cervical alignment. Plating was done by locking screw and plates. Wound was closed over a drain. The patient was mobilized with hard cervical collar on the first post-operative day and a check X-ray was done to confirm the implant status before mobilization.
Before discharge, patient's functional outcome was assessed by means of Nurick grade and a follow-up was performed initially once in 3 months and later once in 6 months till the 2 nd year. Patients were followed up with X-ray of cervical spine to check for the hardware status.
| Results and Analysis|| |
Patient demographics and presentation
Out of these 63 patients, 49 were males and 14 females (M: F = 3.5:1) [Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3]. Age of all the patients ranged from 35 to 80 years (mean: 51.1 yrs). However, the maximum numbers of patients were between 41 and 50 years (n = 26), followed by 51 and 60 years (n = 20). All patients presented with sensory disturbances (mean duration: 9.6 months), while two patients had neck pain without motor and sensory complaints. Out of 63 patients, 61 patients presented with varying grades of upper and lower limb weakness (mean duration: 7.1 months) and 13 presented with sphincter disturbances. Only seven patients had signal intensity changes in T2W MRI suggestive of myelomalacia.
Characteristics of OPLL
Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament morphology was determined based on X-ray and axial/sagittal MRI/CT images of cervical spine [Table 4]. The morphology of OPLL was continuous in 36 segmental in 17, mixed in 8, and others (focal) in 2 patients.
An anterior approach (corpectomy, fusion, and plating) was performed in 14 patients [Table 5], [Table 6], while the posterior approach was performed in 48 patients (decompressive laminectomy in 40, laminectomy with instrumented fusion in 5, laminoplasty in 3 patients). Both anterior and posterior approaches were done in one patient. Although the mean pos- operative Nurick grade was 2.03 (P < 0.05), the immediate post-operative Nurick grade in anterior or posterior approaches was 2.0 and 2.1, respectively. Two patients who underwent decompressive laminectomy with pre-operative Nurick grade of 4, deteriorated after surgery. Both of these patients had severe preoperative stenosis and MRI cord intensity changes. In seven patients there was no improvement in post operative Nurick grade and these patients were found to be having cord signal intensity changes on T2W images although this correlation was not found to be significant. Usually, the extent of laminectomy varied due to the extent of cord compression visualized on imageology. Surgical complications included wound infection or break down in two patients operated from posterior approach, dysphagia in five patients via anterior approach, whereas one patient required another surgery in the form of posterior decompression.
Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS-13 [Table 7]. The data was categorized into two groups based on the post-operative change in the Nurick grade: Group 1: improvement in the Nurick grade 1 or more grades; Group 2: with no change or deterioration in the Nurick grade. Continuous data such as age, duration were compared using the independent sample t-test, categorical variables such as sex, type of surgery were compared using the Chi-square test and ordered categorical variables such as the Nurick grade and levels of involvement were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. All tests were two-tailed and a P < 0.05 was considered as a significant difference between the two groups. There was no statistically significant difference in the age (P = 0.65), gender (P = 0.65), duration of motor (P = 0.88), sensory (P = 0.26), autonomic (P = 0.94) symptoms, preoperative Nurick grade (P = 0.35), number of levels of involvement (P = 0.82) type of surgery (anterior approach or posterior approach) (P = 0.52) between the two groups. The variables were compared between anterior and posterior approaches. Continuous data such as age, duration were compared using the independent sample t-test, categorical variables like sex, the presence of improvement were compared using the Chi-square test and ordered categorical variables such as the Nurick grade and levels of involvement were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. All tests were two-tailed and a P < 0.05 was considered as a significant difference between the two groups. The number of levels of involvement of OPLL were significantly greater (P = 0.00) in those who underwent the posterior approach. However, there was no difference in the age (P = 0.38), gender (P = 0.01), duration of motor (P = 0.83), sensory (P = 0.56), autonomic (P = 0.94) preoperative (P = 0.48) or postoperative Nurick grade (P = 0.33) and improvement (P = 0.84) between the two approaches.
The data was categorized into two groups based on the post operative change in the Nurick grade: Group 1: Those with the Nurick grade 2 or less; Group 2: Those with the Nurick grade more than 2. The correlation between postoperative Nurick grade 2 or less and the noted variables was tested using Spearmans correlation. Age < 60, lower preoperative Nurick grade, the absence of autonomic involvement had significant correlation with improved outcome (post-operative Nurick grade 2 or less) and had no correlation with MRI signal intensity changes in our study.
| Discussion|| |
OPLL is an important cause of spinal cord compressive disease. Chronic compression of the spinal cord is believed to be the mechanism for myelopathy and may contribute to significant neurological disability. It has been estimated that 70% of OPLL cases involve the cervical spine, while 15% involve the thoracic and remaining 15% affect the upper lumbar spine (L1-3). ,, Recent studies indicate that single-nucleotide polymorphism in the collagen 11A2 gene (COL11A) ,,,, located within the Class II histocompatibility complex region on chromosome 6, which encodes the α2 chain of the Type XI collagen, could be responsible. ,
Increased signal intensity of the spinal cord on T2-weighted MR imaging is often observed in patients with OPLL. ,, Takahashi et al. first reported the MR findings of intramedullary high signal intensity in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy. ,, We had seven patients with cord signal changes who did not show any significant improvement after surgery. Ischemia of the cord secondary to chronic compression has been postulated as one of the prime causes of deterioration not amenable to surgical decompression.
In our series, the clinical and radiographic presentation of OPLL was similar to the previously published data from East Asia. We found a varied distribution of OPLL morphologies, with a predominance of continuous and segmental forms, similar to that reported in the literature concerning the Japanese patients. In the present study, the sex ratio was 3.5:1 (male:female), which is in accordance with study of Matsunaga et al. where they found it be 2.4:1. Another study by Tsuyama et al. also registered a sex ratio of 2:1.  In Trojan et al.'s review of 73 cases of OPLL in non-Asians, several similarities with the Japanese literature were evident.  These findings included: (1) male predominance, (2) peak age of symptoms in the 5 th -6 th decade of life, (3) varied clinical presentations, and (4) predominance for the cervical spine. In the series of Jayakumar et al., 47 symptomatic Asian Indian patients of Caucasoid origin were studied.  Sixty-five percent of these patients were found to have continuous-type OPLL, and the disease predominantly affected the upper cervical spine. In our study, the majority was continuous type too. During the evaluation of patients with OPLL, preoperative planning is quintessential as this includes determining the extent of ossification and the direction of the surgical approach (anterior vs. posterior). Patient age and medical comorbidities also influence the decision to use either an anterior or posterior approach or whether to perform stabilization. The ideal surgical treatment option for multilevel ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament remains controversial and presents a significant surgical challenge. ,,, Ventral ligaments should be removed to obtain ventral decompression, when the canal narrowing ratio exceeds 60%, or the ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament involves less than three segments. The advantages of anterior spinal fusion were as follows: (1) excision of the ossified mass enables complete decompression of the spinal cord; and (2) anterior spinal fluid creates a solid spinal fusion that can relieve pressure on the injured spinal cord (1). The disadvantages of anterior spinal approach were: (1) more techniques required, (2) more bone grafts for fusion, and (3) longer postoperative immobilization of the neck, etc., No statistical differences were noted between groups preoperatively in any of the studies, specifically looking at Nurick scores. Chen et al. found that anterior decompression had significantly better results than laminoplasty in postoperative JOA score, but the differences of postoperative JOA score did not reach statistical significance when comparing anterior corpectomy with posterior laminectomy or comparing laminectomy with laminoplasty. , Also, the neurological outcome of patients who underwent laminectomy and fusion was better than that of patients treated with laminoplasty. The existence of cervical kyphosis can result in tethering of the cord over ventral ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament protrusions. However, Vaccaro et al. noted 9% failure rate for two-level ACF with plating and a 50% failure rate for three-level ACF with plating. , Wang et al. concluded that a longer length graft was directly related to an increased incidence of graft displacement.  A longer length autograft or allograft increases the duration required for osteogenesis and creeping substitution along the graft. Hee et al. reported incidences of plate-related problems in multilevel corpectomies.  Sasso et al. reported a 6% failure rate after fixed-plated 2-level anterior corpectomy decompression and fusion reconstruction and a 71% failure rate after 3-level fixed-plated anterior corpectomy decompression and fusion reconstruction. , To avoid these complications, discontinuous corpectomy with adjacent-level diskectomy has been successfully performed with no plate loosening or graft migration.  The advantages of segmental anterior decompression and fusion, included significantly improved Nurick scores and JOA scores, restoration of cervical lordosis, and maintenance of height in fusion segments. Good to excellent clinical outcomes can be achieved in segmental anterior decompression and fusion if indications are well controlled, with thorough decompression, autografts from the vertebral body, and reconstruction of the lordotic cervical posture.  Posterior decompression is an alternative choice for multilevel ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament when anterior corpectomy decompression and fusion threatens complications and poor fusion rate.  Lastly, the levels of corpectomies vary according to the surgeon's preference but the risks may outweigh the benefits in few. Our selection of surgical approach was based upon the guidelines of Hirabayashi et al., favouring posterior indirect decompressive approaches (laminectomy with instrumented fusion or laminoplasty) for longer segment and continuous-type OPLL, and anterior approaches for younger patients with more focal lesions because multi level cervical corpectomy has significant rate of instrument failure. Our results of the anterior approach are comparable to the study by Abe et al. where analysis of surgical results in OPLL patients was also done [Table 8]. ,
In our patients, out of 63 patients, 49 patients were underwent decompressive laminectomy ranging from C2 to C7 depending on extent of OPLL. ,, Five patients underwent laminoplasty. Although laminoplasty has advantages of widening the spinal canal with preservation of posterior elements for the sake of stability after decompression (i.e., to prevent the development of kyphosis) our institutional preference was more toward laminectomy than just laminoplasty. But improvement after laminectomy or laminoplasty remains the similar as shown by Kaminsky et al., where he compared two similar groups of patients treated with laminoplasty or laminectomy for CSM. , Results of our posterior approach were comparable to the study by Chen et al. [Table 9]. 41], After comparing the outcome in both anterior and posterior approaches, anterior approaches were found to have better outcome than posterior (P = 0.84). Also surgery at younger age had better outcome than older age patients (P = 0.65). Also patients with less preoperative Nurick grade had better chances of improvement (P = 0.33). The overall improvement from the study was 85% (54/63), while 11.1% (7/63) remained static and remaining 3.1% (2/63) deteriorated. Mizuno and Nakagawa reported their experience in treating 107 patients with OPLL who underwent anterior cervical corpectomy and direct removal of the ossified mass. Surgery-related outcomes were excellent or good in 89% and fair in 11%. Patients underwent follow-up for 6 months, and the overall fusion rate was 97%, with three patients requiring additional surgery for pseudoarthrosis. Kato et al. reported the largest series of patients treated with cervical laminectomy for OPLL. In their series, patients underwent cervical laminectomy with a mean follow-up of 14.1 years. The neurological recovery rate of 44.2% at 1 year after laminectomy was maintained at 5 years.
In the present study, the factors affecting the better outcome were: (1) age of the patient at the time of surgery, (2) pre-operative Nurick grade, (3) The presence of autonomic symptoms. The duration of motor and sensory symptoms, history of trauma, number of vertebral level involvement, and type of OPLL weres found to be adversely affecting the outcome although it never reached the level of significance. Our study had some limitations also. These included a follow up of only 1 year duration and inter-surgeon variability in terms of the extent of laminectomy. Also, due to financial reasons, all patients could not undergo CT cervical spine to diagnose OPLL conclusively.
| Conclusions|| |
Anterior cervical decompression and reconstruction is a safe and appropriate treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy in the setting of single or two level OPLL. Younger patients with good pre-operative functional status and less than two levels of involvement have better outcome following anterior surgery as more than two level corpectomy is associated with very high instrumentation failure rate hence posterior decompression has remained good option. Posterior decompressive surgery with/without maintained lordosis can be in more than three segments OPLL and preferably instrumentation can be done to obviate the sequelae. Overall, this complex entity needs careful assessment of the pre-operative imaging so that tailor-made surgeries for individual patients could be offered with due prognostification.
| Acknowledgment|| |
I thank Dr. Vijayasaradhi, Praveen A, Suchanda B, Vamsikrishna Y, Rajesh A, Ashish K, Dinesh S, and Dr. Padmaja Durga for the help in statistical analysis, Vamshidhar A, Kranthi S for their help in graphs and tables.
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[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6], [Table 7], [Table 8], [Table 9]


“The masses never revolt of their own accord, and they never revolt merely because they are oppressed. Indeed, so long as they are not permitted to have standards of comparison, they never even become aware that they are oppressed.”
― From " 1984 ", by George Orwell, 1949
Stationkeeping: I’m heading to Oahu for a week, and won’t be publishing anything while I’m away. Have been swimming two or three times a week here in Brooklyn, and am exciting to surf with my friends, if the weather permits.
I’ve attached a recent picture of one of my friends, the photo is East-side Oahu.
It’s January 2020, and great, epochal positive changes are underway at every level of our reality. They began in earnest in 2012 and have been increasing in speed and magnitude since.
I’ve subjectively concluded that those changes are being driven by untold thousands of simple, inexpensive Orgonite devices based on Wilhelm Reich’s work. Those devices are collectively unknitting and transforming the ancient Death energy matrix that’s been patiently built and expanded by our about-to-be-former Dark masters, well, all the way back to Babylon and before. And the Ether is returning to its ages-long natural state of health and vitality.
One of those changes is that Nature is booming and burgeoning to a level not seen in my lifetime.
Since that statement directly refutes our State Religion, which holds that " Poor Mother Gaia is Dying, Crushed by the Virus-Like Burden of Mankind ", I’ve appended numerous recent examples below to support it.
One current headline below, from Ukraine, reads “Farmers in Ternopil region set record in grain harvest.”
In the story, you’ll see how the words " gathered " and " collected " are used to imply that more assiduous harvesting effort led to the most grain ever seen in the history of agriculture in Ukraine.
The terse, general " set record" is a hedge, as is " 148.2 thousand tonnes more than last year."
They’ve done everything they could to minimize and obfuscate the margin. So I had to do the math.
It’s a 5.8% increase in grain production, in just one year.
The article does not offer any suggestion as to what drove that huge increase. Such records are usually broken by tinier and tinier margins.
Another current article below is headlined “Brazil’s Soybean Crop Poised to Break Another Record”
That article won’t tell us what the previous record was, or when it was set, or the margins between the records. We learn of a 4% increase in crop yield, year over year, driven by " sufficient rainfall across the region."
They say " sufficient ", with puckered lips. Sufficient to drive the most soybeans in the history of Agriculture in Brazil.
Then they close the article by blowing smoke to try to confuse you into thinking it was increased planted area :
"AgRural estimates that Brazil will plant soybeans on 36.4 million ha in the 2019-20 crop year, which started from September 1, up 1.6% year on year."
That’s the future they’re talking about. It’s pure sleight of hand, Black magic wordcraft, misdirection.
Another article below is headlined “Virginia farmer shatters his own yield record with 616 bushels of corn per acre.”
The headline has used the lurid but general " shatters" to hedge against providing a much more impactful, specific percentage. So I had to do the math.
It’s 13.6% higher than the previous yield record , set just two years previously.
So, what drove that quantum increase in yield, to the highest level in the history of agriculture?
" Despite adverse growing conditions that affected most farmers, improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices allowed corn growers to achieve many impressive yields across all categories again this year."
Well, if adverse growing conditions affected most farmers, how can this current headline from Kansas be true?
January 10, 2020 - 2019 Kansas Corn Crop Shatters Record
Adverse growing conditions did not affect most farmers. That’s “Poor Mother Gaia is Dying” propaganda. That’s a bald-faced lie, caught by me, and published here.
It’s not the technology, or the techniques, which are incremental, which are driving the quantum increases in yield and production. Those are plausible deniability excuses put forward by a controlled press, thin straws for your subconscious to grasp, in hope of denying and obfuscating the larger trend I’m documenting here.
In Kansas, 2019’s record crop was up 25 percent from last year’s. Cultivated acres were up 21 percent from a year ago, and yield was “up 4 bushels”. The author has used the more-general “up 4 bushels” to hedge against providing a much more impactful, specific percentage. So I had to do the math. Yield increased 3.1%.
They’ve tried to paint it that only corn-gymnasts like David Hula are seeing record yields, and everyone else is suffering. It’s pure sleight of hand, Black magic wordcraft, misdirection.
The positive changes are permanent. The tactics used to deny, rebut and refute them are static, and unchanging.
What do you think is going to happen to the propagandists, and their output, in the face of this unceasing positive change?
Please consider sending them highest love energy as you read this.
Jeff Miller, Brooklyn, New York, January 17, 2020
If you’d like to be added to the mailing list, please send me a note at [email protected]
December 17, 2019 - Virginia farmer shatters his own yield record with 616 bushels of corn per acre
The previous world record of 542 bushels per acre, set by Hula in 2017, was shattered this year on ground he strip-tilled with the SoilWarrior, a strip tillage and nutrient placement system from Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS). This is his second year of using the strip-till system.
David Hula, a Charles City, Va. grower, took home first place in the strip, minimum, mulch, ridge-till irrigated category while setting a new world corn yield record of 616.1953 in the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) 2019 list of national corn yield contest winners.
An advocate of no-till for 30-plus years, Hula is no stranger to breaking yield records. The Virginia farmer has topped the NCGA National Corn Yield Contest five times since 2003 in the strip, min, mulch, ridge-till irrigated category.
The previous world record of 542 bushels per acre, set by Hula in 2017 using Pioneer® P1197AM™ brand corn, was shattered this year using Pioneer® hybrid P1197YHR™ on ground he strip-tilled with the SoilWarrior, a strip tillage and nutrient placement system from Environmental Tillage Systems (ETS) — his second year using the strip-till system.
Despite adverse growing conditions that affected most farmers, improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices allowed corn growers to achieve many impressive yields across all categories again this year.
January 3, 2020 - Ukraine - Farmers in Ternopil region set record in grain harvest
Ukrainian farmers in Ternopil region gathered a record amount of grain crops in 2019.
“Farmers in Ternopil region collected a record amount of grain in recent years. In 2019, they threshed about 2.7 million tonnes of grain and leguminous crops, which is 148.2 thousand tonnes more than last year,” Stakhiv said.
(Where “gathered” and “collected” implies more assiduous effort led to the most grain ever seen in the history of agriculture in Ukraine. - ed)
January 10, 2020 - 2019 Kansas Corn Crop Shatters Record
Kansas corn farmers produced a record crop in 2019, according to the USDA/NASS Annual Crop Production Report released today. The Kansas 2019 corn crop was estimated at a record 800.66 million bushels, up 25 percent from last year’s production, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The previous record of 699 million bushels was set in 2016. Area harvested for grain, at 6.02 million acres, is up 21 percent from a year ago. Yield was estimated at 133 bushels per acre, up 4 bushels from last year. Kansas ranked sixth in U.S. corn producing states.
January 15, 2020 - Brazil’s Soybean Crop Poised to Break Another Record
Brazilian soybean production in 2019-20 crop year is forecast at 123.9 million mt, up 1.4% from December estimate due to better yield expectation, agricultural consultancy AgRural said Monday.
According to SP Globa, the soybean yield was expected to rise 4% year on year to 3.32 mt a hectare on sufficient rainfall across the region in the past few weeks , Brazilian national crop agency Conab said in its latest report.
(As if the largest soybean crop in the history of Brazilian agriculture could have been grown without “sufficient” rainfall throughout it’s growing period. “In the past few weeks” is a blatant hedge against the accurate picture of a world that has returned to balance, with generous, regular rainfall. It’s drought propaganda, pure and simple. - ed)


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As an eclectic, Charlotte Mason-inspired homeschooler, being outdoors has become a part of who we are and what we love. On my journey as a mother and educator to my children, I knew I wanted them to grow up appreciating and respecting our earth. Being outside exploring has allowed us to form a bond with our Creator and appreciate his gifts to us as we embark on our homeschool journey.
After years of prayer, my motivation grew enough to create Central Florida Explorers in 2017 to serve my local homeschool community. After a successful first year, our group has expanded to a second group, totalling 22 families (and over 50 kids!). Educating the next generation of environmentally minded children is of most importance to our group and we focus not only on nature itself, but also giving back by doing park clean-up days and holiday volunteer work.
CFE is a private group serving the central Florida homeschool community and while both groups are currently full, I would like to inspire others to spread the Word of nature in their community. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in forming a group of your own.

domain: sociology


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In different reason we can select the best option for us as selecting the camera of our choice, we mostly use the camera to capture the pictures as a complete shoot. Basic term selecting the camera and it will be useful if you need to capture only self-pictures or the family pictures as enjoying and celebrating. On the vocations are taken to relax and then go on adventures sightsee among the different reasons to carrying a dependable camera will make you easy to capture the things and will manage to give you the better result.
Sometimes it is very difficult for us to get ready for any solution related to our subjects and especially for the essay writing assignments.
Now we have the best way and sources for our all assignments at writemyessayonline.com
We Can Carry Easily
Must choose a camera having low weight and easy to carry. As a good thing and keeping the way to socialize for traveling the photographer over the last past time are also involved. Some of the non-flashy looking to avert and then unwanted eyes and taking the great photo so than not to break when bumped and above all the matters we can solve.
Quick Shooting and Better Result
The camera has actually as larger sensor than a typical point shoot and selecting a high-quality result of camera and has a digital sensor of the image allows to quickly saving the upload even bitterly. With the digital single lens as reflex camera, we are having and as given a multitude of the shooting options and perfect lens.
Dependable as camera produces the striking images right without a lot of options we may include into it. With the setting, camera should be user-friendly and then it will be the use for us and then be kept comfortable. Some of the multifunctional we can capture lots of pictures and videos even.
Getting a good way of quality to the digital single as reflex camera and then actually not required for breaking the travel budgeting. Although cameras come in many varieties and then with lots of advantages and selecting the ideal tools at the great price not needed. If the unfortunate situation occurs camera should become lost or stolen nicely so inexpensive is the must.
Advanced Compact Digital Cameras
Best thing is that it is advanced compact cameras are actually similar in size to the other mentioned on ones and then offer the complete mode in addition to auto mode. Cameras tend to be as slightly more expensive than the regular compact and then the cameras but on the other hand expensive than the DSLR or mirrorless. Advanced camera option we have and also including as built-in wifi and then megapixel so it is the complete way of mode option and captures the jpg, ISO, RAW, 12800, and 24-12mm equivalent F2-3.9 lens.
Now the modern mobile phones as a decent taking the pretty picture for memories and enjoying the life in beautiful moments. As traveling the cameras ongoing hand in hand and most of the time definitely accomplishment each other and then if you are going outside you have never been before and either alone or with the family or the friends.
Also Check: 10 Best Attractions of Bangalore (2018)
We have several types of cameras and then market advanced compact cameras and each one has its own list of benefits including.
Pointing and then shoot as advanced compact cameras and DSLR and then each one has the own lists of merits.

domain: hobby


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king bed with headboard storage size frame product detail modern leather upholstered super.
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cool bedside tables hospital table walmart unusual side.

domain: design


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Leo Addeo E Il Suo Complesso, Leo Addeo E La Sua Orchestra, Leo Addeo Orch. & Chorus, Leo Addeo Orchestra, Leo Addeo Y Su Or. Leo Adeo And His Orchestra. Marketplace 705 For Sale. Leo Addeo And His Orchestra. Hawaii's Greatest Hits (Album).
Hawaii's Greatest Hits. Heart & Soul Guitar. Mister Percussion (Mono Version). Terry Snyder and His Orchestra.
A1 One Paddle, Two Paddle 2:23. Conductor – Leo Addeo Orchestra – Leo Addeo And His Orchestra Producer – Ethel Gabriel. Great Standards With A Hawaiian Touch. All materials are provided for educational purposes. Tracklist of Leo Addeo And His Orchestra on this page
Leo addeo and his orchestra hawaii in hi-fi vinyl lp 1959 original excellent. New listing LEO ADDEO AND HIS ORCHESTRA HAWAII IN STEREO HAWAIIAN MUSIC LP VINYL ALBUM. Hawaii's Greatest Hits Leo Addeo and His Orchestra 1971 LP Record EXCELLENT COND.
Album: More Hawaii In Hi-Fi. Leo Addeo, Leo Addeo And His Orchestra: best 2 tracks. Leo Addeo - Song of India Hawaii Luau, 2013 03:09. Leo Addeo - Trade Winds Hawaii Luau, 2013 03:14. Artist: Leo Addeo Leo Addeo And His Orchestra.

domain: artistic


The Music - Take The Long Road And Walk It - Play this track here.
The Music burned like a short supernova. They were an English alternative rock band, formed Kippax, Leeds, in 1999. Comprising Robert Harvey (vox, guitar), Adam Nutter (lead guitar), Stuart Coleman (bass) and Phil Jordan (drums), the band came to prominence with the release of their debut album, The Music, in 2002.
The band released two further studio albums, Welcome to the North (2004) and Strength in Numbers (2008), before parting ways in 2011.
In January 2010, the band began demoing material for their fourth studio album. The album was due for release sometime 2011.
Harvey has since gone on to work with The Streets, collaborating on the album Computers and Blues. Mike Skinner of The Streets and Harvey also released a Christmas song in December 2010, called Scrooge And Marley – I Don't Want It To Be Me.
On March 31, 2011, The Music announced a series of farewell gigs on their website. The band will play three shows in Japan July 25–27. They are then scheduled for a show at Brixton Academy London, England on August 4, before bringing the curtain down on their career with two home town gigs at the O2 Academy in Leeds on 5 and 6 August.
On April 21, 2011 the band released the newest and final song of their career on their official website. "Ghost Hands" was recorded for their now scrapped fourth studio album sessions
This image is taken on the walk between Broadford and Elgol, just around Torin. The showers subsided just enough to grab this panorama shot with the reflections in the sea loch.
Checkout more Scotland from my photostream.
Keep in touch, add me as a contact www.flickr.com/relationship.gne?id=33062170@N08 so I can follow all your new uploads.


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#RBTL and #CBTL are probably two of the coolest yarn-related hashtags you need to know for the second half of 2017, and if you haven’t heard of them yet, let me bring you up to speed. You’re going to need to know all about them over the coming couple of months (at least)!
Back at the start of this year my bestie Tammy started talking about creating a shawl using the illusion knitting technique and was planning on using 2 balls of Scheepjes Whirl. I thought (and said) she was nuts. What sort of crazy person would want to knit – KNIT – a shawl using two kilometres of yarn?!
Then the progress shots started appearing. At first I was all, god no. That’s two kilometres of yarn on 2.5-3mm needles. I just couldn’t process the level of effort involved in knitting such a huge project.
As the shawl started to grow I began to think, oh, maybe I could knit that. The contrasting colours of the two whirls was beautiful (and it helped that it was the two rainbow colours) and the illusion technique is just so interesting.
By the time the shawl was finished, and Read Between the Lines (RBTL) was born, I was blown away. The look that illusion knitting gives me so much pleasure. It’s hard to describe the feeling properly, but it makes me feel a bit fuzzy around the edges when I look at the way the colours sort of slide. It’s soothing, soft. I get the same feeling when I play with that magic sand stuff. The way the sand moves gives the same effect as looking at the knit. Does that make sense?
The shawl first appeared in The Knitter magazine, and it’s been hugely popular. So much so that it’s pulling crocheters over to the dark side, learning to knit just so they can make their own RBTL, but a lot (and I mean a LOT) of people started asking for a crochet version.
So it was time for the RBTL to gain a sibling!
This week the Crochet Between the Lines was launched and the response has been so overwhelming that it basically overloaded Tammy’s website!
You can see why, right?
So now I’m busy putting together colour combinations for my own CBTL. I’m torn between two Whirls (Dandelion Munchies and Dark Grape Squish):
Or combining both mine and Tammy’s Our Tribe yarns!
I think using our two yarns would be a great idea, don’t you?
Now, some details on how to get your hands on everything you need.
The After Party booklets containing the patterns are available at Scheepjes retailers throughout the Netherlands (in both English and Dutch), plus Wool Warehouse for global shipping.
If you’re feeling impatient, you can download both versions from Ravelry here:
And what about the yarns? If you’re not one of the thousands of people with 15 balls of Whirl in your stash already to choose from, head to Wool Warehouse* globally, Black Sheep Wools in the UK, or to one of the many Scheepjes retailers in the Benelux. All those retailers stock Our Tribe too, so pick up a couple of those while you’re ordering!
Tammy is hosting a MAL (make along) in the Scheepjes CAL groups, and I totally recommend joining in! The English group is here, while the Dutch language group is here. There are already loads of people sharing their colourways and their progress, it’s going to be a fabulous team project!
Right, I’m off to swatch. I won’t see you again before Christmas, so I wish you all the very best, and catch you in 2018!
Those look amazing, I can definitely see why they have been so popular! I’ve seen them so much on Instagram 😊
Ohhh they’re both so beautiful!! That’s definitely going on my to-make list


Northern Powerhouse minister Jake Berry has unveiled the first brand new trains as part of a £500m investment for Northern Rail.
Almost 100 new diesel and electric trains will be rolled out across the Northern network, which spans the Yorkshire and the Humber and parts of the East Midlands, North West, North East, over the coming months. Replacing outdated Pacer trains, their introduction is in addition to the refurbishment and modernisation of all other trains on the network.
The Northern Powerhouse minister joined Northern CEO David Brown to mark the unveiling of the state-of-the-art trains, which is an important milestone in the government’s ongoing multi-billion pound investment in the north that will make journeys quicker, more reliable and more comfortable.
Mr Berry said: “These spacious, comfortable and modern new trains are a clear demonstration of both the government and train operators commitment to the Northern Powerhouse and putting passengers at the heart of everything we do.
“We are investing in the biggest modernisation of our rail network since Victorian times, ensuring people receive the faster, more reliable and more frequent services they deserve.
“Over the next few months we will see these brand new, state-of-the-art trains replace the out-dated Pacer trains, providing more seats and better journeys for passengers across the Northern Powerhouse.”
Mr Brown said: “I was lucky enough to see the trains in production in Spain earlier in the year, but it’s even better to see them here – just weeks away from entering passenger service.
“The quality of what has been delivered is a real landmark for Northern and our customers, and to be able to demonstrate that quality to colleagues and stakeholders today is an incredibly proud moment for me.
“Now it only remains for us to share these fantastic new trains with our customers, so that they can experience the comfort and the benefits all the new on-board features bring.”
The new Class 195 diesel trains and 331 electric trains have been built by CAF in Spain. They were delivered to Northern in the summer and have been going through testing since then.


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Different Not Less Magnet, Pin, or Pocket Mirror - Autism Awareness
The Different Not Less magnet or pinback button is all about being different. This autism awareness magnet or autism pin is a great way to show your support for someone with autism.
Different Not Less is available as:
- 1 inch magnets and pins (25.4mm)
- 1.25 inch magnets and pins (31.75mm)
- 2.25 inch magnets, pins, and pocket mirrors (57.15mm)
Different Not Less magnets, mirrors, and pins are made in my Annapolis, Maryland studio. I use high quality prints of my original art, professional button parts, and a hand cranked button maker. The design features a blue puzzle piece on a light blue background with confetti. The words Different Not Less are printed below the puzzle piece in a sans serif font. 1 inch magnets and pins are the same size as my magnet and pin sets. They are about the size of a quarter. The 1.25 inch size is my most popular size for pins. The largest size 2.25 inches is popular for decorative magnets for the fridge, large pins, and cute pocket mirrors.
Magnets are perfect for decorating your fridge, filing cabinet, magnetic white board, and more. Pin back buttons are fun to wear and collect. Pocket mirrors are great for your purse, desk, or give as a gift. All of them make great gifts for party favors, stocking stuffers, office and teacher gifts, thank you gifts, and more!
Please select all options.


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Plus, receive recommendations and exclusive offers on all of your favorite books and authors from Simon & Schuster.
Mark Di Ionno
E. Lynn Harris
John L. Parker Jr.
Tell us what you like, so we can send you books you'll love.

domain: literature


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Thousands of Russians, wearing white ribbons as a mark of pro-democracy protest, formed a human chain around Moscow‘s Garden Ring Sunday in a final warning against electoral fraud in presidential polls that will take place in a week.
Protesters displayed their trademark white “Russian Winter” balloons, scarves and ribbons, and smiled and waved to passing drivers, many of whom honked in approval. But since authorities had granted no permit for the rally, people mostly remained silent and carried few of the sharply-worded political signs and banners that have been prominent in previous rallies.
The mood was upbeat, even though opinion polls appear to show that Prime Minister Vladimir Putin looks set to win a first-round victory in the March 4 voting.
Some protesters said they blame Mr. Putin personally for Russia‘s endemic corruption, lack of media openness, and the system of “managed democracy” that critics describe as electoral flim-flam. But many said their purpose in expressing themselves publicly was to pressure for long-term change rather than merely to defeat Putin.
“We want changes, at last,” said Natalya Syomina, a former tour guide. “If not for us, then at least for our children. If people hadn’t begun protesting in recent months, the situation in the country would be different. We are sick and tired of this political stagnation, and when we come out into the street like this, the authorities cannot fail to notice that people are angry.”
It was difficult to estimate the numbers of protesters who lined the entire length of the 10-mile long road amid gusting snow, in the latest of a series of demonstrations that began after widespread allegations of vote-rigging in December parliamentary elections.
Police, who have habitually underestimated the size of opposition crowds, put the number at 11,000. But opposition leaders pointed out that it would take at least 34,000 people standing shoulder-to-shoulder to line the road, which girdles downtown Moscow. Similar disputes over numbers have attended three previous mass protests, including one that filled Moscow’s vast Sakharov Avenue two months ago.
Sunday’s event was organized almost spontaneously, flash-mob style, with people reserving their place in the chain over recent days on a special Facebook page devoted to the rally.
New election monitors
Up to 50,000 volunteer election monitors will blanket polling stations across the country next Sunday to watch for any signs of electoral cheating — a totally new phenomenon for Russia that was inspired by the protest movement.
Many were repeat protesters, and some said the experience of taking peacefully to the streets has invigorated them, changed their attitude toward Russia, and made them much more hopeful that the country can evolve a better political system if people keep the pressure on.
“I’m just sick and tired of all the lies and corruption we have to live with,” says Dmitry Levin, a self-described businessman. “The missing element, until now, has been public pressure on the authorities. It’s the only way to make change. As a businessman, I see corruption every day. You never know who’s going to try to take a bite out of your business next. It’s got to end. Maybe we can’t change things overnight, but we can’t tolerate this any longer.”
Putin faces four challengers from across the political spectrum in an election that appears to be a classic of the “managed democracy” system he designed. Most serious alternatives were weeded from the process long before ballots were printed, leaving a field comprised of familiar, lackluster also-rans, such as Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov and ultra-nationalist Vladimir Zhirinovsky, who are unlikely to win many votes beyond their well-established followings.
Protest candidate emerges
One exception is liberal billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, who can expect to gain little traction in Russia’s vast, working class and conservative hinterland, but whom some of the mainly middle-class protesters in Moscow Sunday said they viewed as a viable protest candidate.
“I’m not going to stay at home on voting day, so I’ll support Prokhorov,” says Tatiana Bozhenova, who works in an optician’s shop. “At least he’s already rich. I don’t want to see Putin come back. His insistence on returning to power did a lot to drive people into the streets to protest.”
About 100,000 Muscovites rallied in support of Putin last Thursday, another sign that Russian political culture is changing, and becoming more publicly expressive, in ways that will be hard for any future authorities to reverse.
Viktoria Sergeyeva, a lawyer, said that she will continue protesting after the elections, no matter what the outcome.
“The next wave of protests, after the election, will be bigger that ever,” she said. “They’re already being planned.”

domain: politics


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Welcome back to another Inkin’ Krew blog hop! Our very talented team is doing a blog hop featuring Stampin’ Up! products. This month our theme is “Love”. Here is the card I created:
The Painted with Love Specialty Designer Series Paper has sophisticated designs accented with Gold Foil on one side and brushstroke imagery on the other side. Each gorgeous paper can stand alone, but also pairs beautifully with the others in the collection.
This card layout was inspired by Hand Stamped Sentiments #280
Begin by adhering a 3″x 3″ panel of Painted with Love Specialty DSP to panel of Melon Mambo cardstock with Multipurpose Liquid Glue. Then cut a 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Painted with Love Specialty DSP and punch both ends with the Triple Banner Punch. Adhere the punched strip to the 1-5/8″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Melon Mambo cardstock with Liquid Glue and trim the ends with Paper Snips, leaving a 1/16″ border showing along the punched ends. Use Liquid Glue to adhere a panel of Whisper White cardstock to the front of the Melon Mambo card base with Multipurpose Liquid Glue. Using the heart die from the Sunshine Wishes Thinlits Dies, cut one heart from Gold Foil and two hearts from Melon Mambo cardstock. Stack the hearts together and adhere the layers with dabs of Multipurpose Liquid Glue.
Use the “love” die from the Sunshine Wishes Thinlets set to cut two from Melon Mambo cardstock. Stack the sentiments together and adhere the layers with dabs of Liquid Glue. Use Stampin’ Dimensionals to adhere the square layer to the left center of the card front. Add Dimensionals to the right end of the banner and liquid glue to the left side and adhere to the card front over the top of the square layer. Adhere the layered heart to the banner layer as shown with dabs of Liquid Glue. Then use Liquid Glue to adhere the “love” sentiment over the heart. Three Gold Metallic Enamel hearts add the finishing touch.
Use Multipurpose Liquid Glue to adhere a Whisper White panel to the card interior. Use the second to smallest curvy heart die from the Sweet & Sassy Thinlits Die set to cut one heart from Melon Mambo cardstock and one heart from Painted with Love Specialty DSP. Adhere the hearts to the lower left corner of the card liner, overlapping as shown.
*** You can find a complete list of supplies for this project, including card stock cuts, at the very bottom of this post.
- Jaimie Babarczy
- Julie Johnston
- Karen Finkle
- Mary Deatherage
- Sue Prather – You are here!
- Linda Richenberg
- Amy Koenders
2018 Occasions Catalog Mega Bundle Specials
I am currently offering Mega Bundles for the Sweet Soiree Suite, the Petal Passion Suite and the True Gentleman Suite.
The Mega Bundles are only available directly through me for a limited time only. For more information and all the details – CLICK HERE.
Sale-A-Bration is the biggest Stampin’ Up! sale of the year! You can earn free, exclusive products with every qualifying order. You can reap the rewards when you shop, host, or join during Sale-A-Bration! CLICK HERE for more information.
How Can I Help You?
Questions? You can Contact Me HERE,If you need any stamping supplies, I’d love to be your Demonstrator. Just click on the Shop Online With Me button on the top right side of the screen to go directly to my online store.
- You can Shop in my online store HERE.
- Ready to Join our team? Click HERE for more information.
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- Interested in my Events? Click HERE.
Stampin’ Up! products used to complete this project:
*** Cardstock cuts for this project:
- Melon Mambo CS – 5-1/2″ x 8-1/2″ panel scored at 4-1/4″ for card base, 3-1/8″ x 3-1/8″ panel for mat, 1-5/8″ x 5-1/2″ panel for mat, (cut 2) 3″ x 3″ panels for die cut hearts, 1-1/2″ x 3″ panel for “love” die cut, 2″ x 2″ panel for die cut small heart
- Whisper White CS – (cut 2) 4-1/8″ x 5-3/8″ panel for card front layer and inside liner
- Gold Foil Sheet – 3″ x 3″ panel for die cut heart
- Painted with Love Specialty DSP – 3″ x 3″ striped panel, 1-1/2″ x 5-1/2″ panel for banner


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Our hearts are breaking over this social media celeb split!
But, Miz Ballinger stressed that her former flame didn't wrong her in any way, adding:
Instead, the singer clarified that they ultimately weren't a good fit together:
Mark Ballas is such a pro…literally!
We got a chance to have an EXCLUSIVE chat with Mark at the OK! TV Pre-Awards Party last night at the Sofitel Los Angeles, and we learned so much!
Mark dished on why he thought Julianne Hough will do great in her transition from contestant to judge on Dancing With The Stars, and also talked about how mum's the word on who the pros will be paired with for next season!
SRSLY! This gets us so jazzed for the show to return!
Ch-ch-check out our interview (above)!!!

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- UNIQUE STACKING DESIGN – Dainty stackable ring featuring Peora Amethyst with vibrant deep purple hue, Round shape, 3mm each, 0.55 Carat total. The stones are set in between smooth beads of Sterling Silver. Ring band of 1.9mm is ideal for wearing as midi, thumb or pinky or layered stacked with favorite ring for a more personalized look.
- SUPERIOR QUALITY – Every Peora Amethyst is hand-cut by our skilled Craftsmen from rough materials, each facet is carved with mathematical precision enhancing the color and beauty of the stone that results to an extraordinary display of luster and brilliance. Experience fine jewelry by Peora – not only a heritage of authenticity, but a promise of superior quality. Sterling Silver Jewelry is hallmarked and stamped with 925.
- PEACE OF MIND – Each Peora jewelry comes with a Certificate of Authenticity for quality assurance and a satisfaction guarantee.
- DELICATE CRAFTSMANSHIP – Peora Amethyst stackable rings feature intricately cut stones for the most vibrant appearance. Bezel set and carefully crafted in Rose Tone Sterling Silver for durable and lasting wear. Sizes 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 are available for the most optimal fit.
- THE GIFT OF LOVE – Peora stackable rings come with Peora Signature Gif Box for your convenience. Give a thoughtful gift of elegance with this exclusively designed stackable ring. Amethyst is the birthstone for the month of February which makes it an ideal birthstone gift. Always in style and are perfect for a variety of occasions such as wedding anniversaries or weddings as well.


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ST. GEORGE — It’s Tuesday, with a reminder that “George, Streetfest on Main” is just three days away from lighting up the night in St. George. Grab your dance shoes and bring your friends and family to an event not to be missed.
GeorgeTV 2 above • with the mayor
• Ancestor Square Courtyard will be the place for wine, beer, appetizers to the background of live jazz music • Main Street Concert Stage at the top of Main Street will feature The Academy Show Band, Beans N Wheels and Soul What!? Emcees Chris and Larae of Planet 94.1 FM will get the party started followed by “No Filter Show” Co-hosts Paul & Grady of St. George News and St. George Mayor Jon Pike – he said he would dance, didn’t he? In GeorgeTV 2 above? • Park Place at the north end will be your spot for activities and giveaways from event sponsors • Little Soho in the center is where you’ll find your local artists and crafters, and a few buskers – buskers, you say? • Simister Ortho George Jr. Village at the south end is where kids and the like will play games and such • Foodtruck Village is going to fill you up at the corner of Main Street and St. George Boulevard •
For full schedule of happenings and venues, click here: Get your passports, just 5 days to ‘George, Streetfest on Main’
Passport: Print and collect stamps on this PDF: George Passport to the City | Turn it in with 10 stamps to enter the Mayor’s drawing Friday night.
Richens Eye Center is offering a scholarship for a few budding artists and entertainers to showcase and sell their work at the Streetfest. The scholarship will provide a tent, table and cover the participation fee for up to two different artists each month from June to November in the Little SoHo area of the Streetfest.
“Here in southern Utah, we have many vibrant artists that represent the best of who we are, and those who provide a significant contribution to our culture and community,” Dr. Sharon Richens said. “We are both honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to support artists in sharing their vision at George Streetfest on Main.”
To apply for the Supporting Artists with Vision Scholarship, complete a vendor application at stgeorgedowntown.com, and note you are applying for the Supporting Artists Scholarship. Artists may be awarded one scholarship only.
Partners and sponsors
“George, Streetfest on Main” is designed by Melynda Thorpe, managed and created by Emceesquare Media & Events in partnership with the City of St. George City, St. George Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Historic Downtown Merchants. Event sponsors include: St. George News, Canyon Media, Etched Magazine, The Independent, Richins Eye Center and Wingate Hotels.
Participate in future “First Friday” streetfests
- Become a featured artist, entertainer or street vendor at future George, Streetfests: Email [email protected]
- Become a sponsor: Email [email protected]
- George Streetfest Webpage | Historic Downtown St. George’s website
Email: [email protected]
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.


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Fact. Everybody loves vikings. Miniature vikings escaping dungeons? Even better. And there’s a lot to like about Utopian Games’ Little Viking Dungeon Of Doom [$0.99], but a bunch of small annoyances hold it back.
In Little Viking Dungeon Of Doom, you control the titular lil’ viking as he moves from room to room (100 total), collecting coins and keys to unlock doors to the next level. At the end of every level, the lil’ viking does a lil’ viking yell that is simply darling. Darling, I tell you!
A virtual controller moves the viking left and right and shifts gravity in four directions. You avoid spikes, monsters, guillotines and pits, and use boulders and pulleys and quick gravity shifts to get to those beloved golden keys. Levels start out incredibly simplistic, but gain in difficulty. Figuring out and finishing the later levels feels tremendously good, as that viking yell feels more and more earned.
This is the kind of casual game the iOS was made for. It’s got a nice, colorful art style reminiscent of Dungelot, the levels are quick and low commitment, and the concept is incredibly simple, but will have you constantly coming back as you further refine your technique- A similar impulse that classic puzzlers provide.
And yet there are so many issues that keep Little Viking Dungeon Of Doom from achieving casual bliss. All 10 levels need to be completed before gaining access to the next 10, meaning if there’s just one obnoxious stage that’s impossible to finish, tough luck. Keys don’t reappear after beating a level, meaning going back and replaying a level is useless. And there’s no Game Center support. So many little bummers.
The 100 stages are fun, and the gameplay gets more complicated and interesting as it goes along, but the look and music are stagnant. The visuals may be nice, but after 50 levels of the same color scheme, it’d be nice to see a change.
It was just released (with no IAP or ads), so hopefully Utopian Games could remedy some of this in an update. Bigger buttons alone would improve the experience immensely. As it stands, Little Viking Dungeon Of Doom is an imperfect but charming time-waster with lots of potential. And that viking yell. Seriously, someone needs to add that to a soundboard. So darling!
Watch Button Watch App

domain: game


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Mark LeVine: The Shaping of a New World OrderRoundup: Historians' Take
I remember the images well, even though I was too young to understand their political significance. But they were visceral, those photos in the New York Times from Tehran in the midst of its revolutionary moment in late 1978 and early 1979. Not merely exuberance jumped from the page, but also anger; anger fuelled by an intensity of religious fervour that seemed so alien as to emanate from another planet to a "normal" pre-teen American boy being shown the newspaper by his father over breakfast.
Many commentators are comparing Egypt to Iran of 32 years ago, mostly to warn of the risks of the country descending into some sort of Islamist dictatorship that would tear up the peace treaty with Israel, engage in anti-American policies, and deprive women and minorities of their rights (as if they had so many rights under the Mubarak dictatorship).
I write this on February 2, the precise anniversary of Khomeini's return to Tehran from exile. It's clear that, while religion is a crucial foundation of Egyptian identity and Mubarak's level of corruption and brutality could give the Shah a run for his money, the situations are radically different on the ground.
The following description, I believe, sums up what Egypt faces today as well as, if not better, than most:
"It is not a revolution, not in the literal sense of the term, not a way of standing up and straightening things out. It is the insurrection of men with bare hands who want to lift the fearful weight, the weight of the entire world order that bears down on each of us - but more specifically on them, these ... workers and peasants at the frontiers of empires. It is perhaps the first great insurrection against global systems, the form of revolt that is the most modern and the most insane....
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Paul Siff - 2/11/2011
Are the protesters in Cairo really bare-handed workers and peasants, or, rather, well-educated, savvy young people armed with smartphones?
Arnold Shcherban - 2/8/2011
<...the amalgam of social and political forces behind the revolutions in Tunisia, Egypt today - and who knows where tomorrow - actually constitute a far greater threat to the "global system" al-Qa'eda has pledged to destroy than the jihadis roaming the badlands of Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Yemen.>
Right on the money, Prof. LeVine!
- How Clinton Could Respond on Supreme Court Vacancy
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- A historian’s advice to students thinking of getting a PhD in a tough economic climate
- German historian Heinz Richter cleared of charges

domain: news


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Suddenly, the ocean was on the street.
This week’s king tides caused water to breach a seawall on Balboa Peninsula, flooding the streets late Wednesday. Swell with sizable surf and onshore winds in the region likely helped contribute to the flooding.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory through 11 p.m. Saturday, warning of minor coastal flooding that could happen during the high tide in low-lying areas like Sunset and Seal Beach, Newport and Oceanside.
The highest tide – about 7 feet – will happen in the evening hours between 8 and 10 p.m. through Saturday.
Devin Seaver captured images and video as the water flooded Newport near 38th Street Wednesday at about 6 p.m., hours before the highest tide level hit.
City workers quickly responded, and the water was pumped out within 30 minutes, he said.
“Today is going to be worse, I can guarantee it,” he said, noting an even higher tide Thursday evening than the previous night.
He said city workers left their pumps in the area. Damage was only moderate, he said.
“It doesn’t seem to happen enough to be a big concern. But if our sea levels continue to rise … these areas of Newport Beach will be underwater,” he said. “There won’t be a Newport Beach if that’s the case.
“I think right now, it’s not that big of deal. It just surprises people when you have a bunch of water and it’s going into your house.”
Local resident Mike Glenn, who first reported the flooding, said the city has been around since 1906, and city workers know where the low points are on the peninsula.
“Sandbags or similar should have been prepared to prevent this situation from unfolding the way it did,” he said. “I just hope nobody had permanent property damage.”
Marina Psaros, co-founder of the California King Tides Project, said king tides are described as the highest tides of the year, which happen in both winter and summer. Usually in the drier months, there’s not as much flooding because there are not other wet-weather factors like rain and big swells as frequently as in winter.
She said the kind of flooding experienced in Newport Beach is often called “nuisance flooding” by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
“As the sea rises slowly, we expect to see this nuisance flooding. We have seen it more and more,” she said.
According to NOAA, as sea level increases, it no longer takes a strong storm or a hurricane to cause coastal flooding. Flooding now occurs with high tides in many locations due to climate-related sea level rise, land subsidence, and the loss of natural barriers.
High tide flooding has increased in the U.S. on average by about 50 percent since 20 years ago and 100 percent since 30 years ago, reads the NOAA article.
Psaros’ project hopes to document those changes, asking people to submit images of flooding or noticeable changes during high tide cycles.
“It’s projected to be more and more of an issue. That’s what these king tides are showing us,” she said.
With the highest tide of the summer happening this week, low-lying areas with houses on the beach or roadways that can flood should be monitored closely, Psaros said.
“I don’t think we’ll experience too much damage right now, but there’s things we’re concerned about,” she said. “There’s a lot of really great scientific research happening right now looking at the different tolerances of different infrastructure at risk.
“California is a leader when it comes to potential impacts on sea-level rise.”
She noted some areas that have made infrastructure changes to adapt to the rising sea levels, like a marina in Germany she once lived where city planners rebuilt areas so pedestrian walkways were well above the high tide and flood mark, or areas in Northern California where homes are being built on stilts.
“We can’t stop the water, so how do we live with it,” she said. “It’s an interesting future we have.”


The U.S. Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has successfully completed a flight demonstration of an SM-3 missile equipped with a Japanese-built nosecone that opens like a clamshell to make room for the deployment of a kinetic warhead, the MDA announced March 8. Previous versions of the SM-3 missile had to maneuver so the nosecone could be ejected before deployment of the warhead.
The Joint Control Test Vehicle-1 demonstration, which MDA worked on with the U.S. Navy and the Japan Defense Agency, was launched by the Aegis BMD Weapon System onboard the USS Lake Erie in Hawaii.
The Aegis system successfully guided the SM-3 through its first, second and third stages. After the third-stage burn, the Japanese-built nosecone was deployed approximately 95 kilometers northwest of Kauai. Instead of a warhead, the demonstration missile was equipped with an instrumentation/telemetry package to record the temperature and shock readings during flight.
Cameras also recorded the separation of the nosecone.
The demonstration is part of the U.S.-Japan Joint Cooperative Research Project that began in 1999. Lockheed Martin Maritime Systems and Sensors of Moorestown, N.J., is the prime contractor on the Aegis Weapon System, and Raytheon’s Missile Systems unit in Tucson, Ariz., designs the SM-3 missiles.


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Ethan Conrad Properties Buys Sacramento-Area Shopping Center for $16.7M
CITRUS HEIGHTS, CALIF. — Citivest Commercial Investments has completed the disposition of four parcels of SummerHills Plaza, an approximately 135,000-square-foot, grocery-anchored shopping center in Citrus Heights. Ethan Conrad Properties acquired the parcels for $16.7 million, or $155 per square foot.
Originally constructed in 1967 and refurbished in 2020, the property is occupied by Raley’s, Dollar Tree, Round Table Pizza and Dutch Bros. Coffee.
Bill Rose of Institutional Property Advisors, a division of Marcus & Millichap, and Edward Nelson and Wyatt Figeroa of Marcus & Millichap represented the seller and procured the buyer in the transaction.

domain: economics


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In case you are in need of organic and natural pain treatment remedies, we could have precisely the product to suit your needs. Dependant upon the form of thing that you have problems with, we have a choice which will help to reduce your pains.
18 Amazing Home Remedies To Remove Tartar And Plaque From Teeth
15 Amazing Home Remedies To Remove Tartar : Brushing teeth every day, proper flossing, oral hygiene, regular dental checkups are important to maintain good oral health. Neglecting any of these can really create a havoc on teeth and gums.
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This infographic is NOT comprehensive, but certainly offers an understanding of the factors which are at play in migraine. Migraine headache infographic with the 4 stages and natural holistic remedies.

domain: medical


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The standard way to cook a stew – apart from a pale one, such as a blanquette – is to brown the meat, and then to submerge it in barely simmering liquid. The browning adds flavour, and the submerging ensures that the meat is not subjected to an overly aggressive heat.
If the liquid does not cover the meat, the exposed surfaces will brown while the stew cooks. In theory, this method should be less satisfactory, because a temperature that is high enough to brown meat will eventually dry it out. But you may find, particularly with cuts that have plenty of lubricating fat and connective tissue, that the result is perfectly tender anyway.
Serves 2 to 4
Sunflower or olive oil
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 onions, chopped
500g stewing steak
250ml red wine (I had a small bottle of Marks & Spencer Claret that I had received in a goody bag)
1 bay leaf
1/2 star anise
1 bay leaf
Salt to taste
1 carrot, diced
In a heavy casserole over a gentle heat, soften the garlic and onions in a couple of tbsps of oil, adding more oil if the vegetables threaten to stick. When the onions are soft, add the rest of the ingredients, apart from the carrot. Bring the contents of the dish just to simmering point, cover it, and put it in the oven at gas mark 2/150C. Turn down the heat to gas mark S/130C once the contents are simmering again. Stir from time to time. A cooking time of two and a half to three hours is usually about right.
In most stew recipes, you would soften the carrot with the onions. But I think that you get the best flavour from carrots if they are not overcooked. Throw in the dice half an hour before the end.
The next bit is slightly tedious. Tip the contents of the casserole into a sieve over a saucepan. Pick out the meat, return it to the casserole, cover, and return the casserole to the oven.
Press down on the vegetables in the sieve, and scrape the thick juice that adheres to the underside of the sieve into the saucepan. Discard the vegetables.
Put the pan on the hob on a medium to high flame, and boil until the sauce thickens slightly, has a rich flavour, and seems to be of the right volume to satisfy two or three people. Take the casserole out of the oven, pour the sauce over the meat, and serve.

domain: food


text: The Indian debt overhang issue is one of the major reasons that fresh investments are currently not being made in the scale required to promote higher growth and boost employment. Among banks the public sector banks (PSBs) are burdened with the bulk of net non-performing loans (NNPAs). These NNPAs are concentrated in long gestation projects, for example, in the steel, power and infrastructure sectors and most of the lending was to about 50 major borrowers. This paper details the approaches of other countries when their banking sectors were burdened with unsustainable levels of impaired assets. The paper examines the bad debt situation in India, the circumstances under which Asset Reconstruction Companies were registered and the changing regulatory requirements under which they have been operating in India. Till now, the extent to which ARCs have helped towards resolving the debt problem has been limited. Given that fixed costs in setting up ARCs have already been incurred this paper suggests how ARCs could play a catalytic and more significant role in addressing the debt overhang. The paper does not discuss the causal origins of Indian bad debt in any detail and is not intended to suggest comprehensive remedies to this debt problem.

domain: finance


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Change individual attitude for garbage-free cities
Jeffrey Gogo Climate
2019 started off rather positively for the environment sector. The National Clean-Up campaign of January 4 beguiled many, but it isn’t a fluke. It was the first such campaign — which will now be held every first Friday of each month — to mop up dirt off Zimbabwe’s environs since President Mnangagwa gave the node for the countrywide clean-ups in December.
Many such events are to come up in the future. They have become a permanent feature on Zimbabwe’s environment calendar. They needed to.
The amount of litter in the streets of cities like Harare is shameless and doesn’t require much introduction. But the abundant dirt also goes to show what kind of a people we have become — reckless lovers of dirt, if not by choice then by whatever means.
The problems can be traced back both to careless individual attitudes, but more importantly, to poor service delivery by municipalities, remarkably inept local governments whose inefficiency stinks — like the streets they run — to the high heavens.
These are the indisputable numbers: Zimbabweans in towns and cities produce an average 2 356 tonnes of garbage everyday or 859 940 per year — that’s enough waste to cover the surface of more than half a dozen football pitches.
All countries produce a certain amount of waste. Our problem is that it isn’t disposed of properly, in a way that is environmentally sustainable. Only 52 percent of the waste generated in Zimbabwe is ever collected and disposed properly by municipalities, according to a 2014 report by the Environmental Management Agency (EMA).
The rest is either burnt, buried underground or dumped anywhere, said the environment regulator, which puts Zimbabwe’s urban solid waste at 614 000 tonnes per year, 28 percent below the World Bank’s estimates.
Uncollected solid waste is usually a key contributor to flooding in cities and towns, and to air and water pollution. Such waste tends to clog waterways and canals, flooding streets and homes.
This is part of the dirt that was in focus throughout the country on January 4. And President Mnangagwa put his money where his mouth is. His pictures on TV in full clean-up gear at Harare’s Fife Ave shopping centre, broom in hand doing the actual cleaning, demonstrated leadership in environmental stewardship and protection. Elsewhere, his wife was due to lead a similar campaign in the second city of Bulawayo.
“Wacleaner chii nhasi iwe? (What have you cleaned today?)” President Mnangagwa engages a young boy, probably around five years old.
“Ndatsvaira mumba. (I have cleaned my room),” the boy replies, all smiles, overwhelmed by the occasion to have been chatted up by the country’s President.
“That’s good enough,” the President appreciates the boy’s efforts, as he proceeded to engage with other potential shoppers within the area.
One particular approach to ED’s clean-up gesture stands out. He wasn’t just sweeping the streets in silence, he was talking, engaging the public on the importance of maintaining litter and waste-free environments at all times.
So, it was action followed by a corresponding message, a call to action.
“If you don’t believe my word, then believe the work I’m doing,” he seemed to say.
Indeed, there is sufficient litter on the country’s pavements, alleys and other public spaces for each Zimbabwean to clean up. This is not something we are proud of as a nation. It is totally disgusting and humiliating. There are pleasant examples to follow, like Rwanda’s Kigali, arguably the smartest city on the African continent. Citizens take turns to clean up Kigali, a sort of mandatory duty. The results have been astonishing.
Here, the initiative is voluntary. Perhaps a need will arise in future to consider making that mandatory.
But until then, a lot of work will need to be done to engender such a sense of responsibility in a people who believe in municipalities being sole responsible authorities for keeping cities and towns garbage-free.
The World Bank report that produced Zimbabwe’s garbage statistics expects solid waste to more than double to 5 277 tonnes by 2025 here due to a steady rise in urbanisation and economic development.
By then, over 7,5 million people will be staying in Zimbabwe’s towns and cities compared to the current 4,4 million at the moment.
So, the job is essentially cut out for every citizen. This is crucial in light of the huge amount of methane, a potent climate change-causing gas, that the entire process of littering, collecting (and mostly uncollected) produces, and feeding the vicious cycle of climate change.


Automobili Pininfarina has taken a bold step toward the future by introducing the PURA Vision. This innovative design concept is not just a new model but a complete reimagining of what a luxury electric vehicle (EV) can be. The PURA Vision is a testament to Automobili Pininfarina’s commitment to sustainability, luxury, and performance.
Why It Matters
The unveiling of the PURA Vision is a significant milestone in the automotive industry. It signifies a shift in the perception of EVs from being merely eco-friendly alternatives to becoming symbols of luxury and high performance. Automobili Pininfarina is leading this change, demonstrating that sustainability and luxury are not mutually exclusive but can coexist harmoniously.
- This model is a luxury EV that combines sustainability and performance.
- It represents a new direction for Automobili Pininfarina, emphasizing its commitment to a sustainable future.
- The design of the PURA Vision is inspired by the beauty of nature, reflecting the company’s dedication to environmental preservation.
- Automobili Pininfarina aims to redefine the concept of luxury in the automotive industry with the PURA Vision.
Introducing the PURA Vision by Automobili Pininfarina is a game-changer in the automotive industry. It’s a bold statement that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand and a clear indication that the future of the automotive industry is electric. This innovative design concept is set to redefine the perception of luxury EVs, making them eco-friendly alternatives and the epitome of luxury and performance.


Recreational vehicles—barring some exceptions—are no longer allowed in Chesterfield neighborhoods.
The city council approved an ordinance Monday night that prohibits permanent parking of RVs on any residential lot or within 500 feet of any residential lot. To allow for visitors or loading and unloading, RVs can be parked on a paved surface on residential property twice a month for three days at a time. They can also be parked on the street twice a month for one day at a time.
Council members have discussed the ordinance in planning and public works committee meetings since September, when Fariba Zabetian presented to the committee a petition from residents asking that parking oversized vehicles be banned in neighborhoods. Zabetian said she was concerned that a parked RV in Ward Two lowered the sale price of homes in the area, according to minutes from the meeting.
“It’s in the mission of the City of Chesterfield that one of our duties is to protect property values, and that’s what this RV ordinance does,” Ward One Councilman Matt Segal said Monday night.
The ordinance went through several drafts before it went to council. In January, the committee heard a version that would have allowed RVs to be parked for only two days in a driveway. The decision to change it to three days was made after acting mayor Barry Flachsbart and Ward Four Councilman Bob Nation called for an extension to allow for weekend visitors.
Aside from RVs, the ordinance applies to boats, motor homes, jet skis and travel trailers. Lots larger than two acres are exempt from the ordinance; the exemption was added so that horse trailers and other similar equipment could still be parked on larger residential lots, particularly in Ward Four.
At the planning and public works Jan. 6 meeting, Ward Four Councilwoman Connie Fults said she’s heard of cases where an RV was parked on a private road behind a home, but neighbors behind the home still had to look out on it. The decision is about balancing rights: restricting RV parking may step on RV owners’ toes, but their neighbors have rights too, she said.
“Who shouts the loudest is not the issue,” she said.
Segal echoed those thoughts Monday night, saying as a boat owner he always viewed storage of the boat as part of the cost of owning it.
“While there might be an upset RV owner, if you take into account the four or five residents that look at the RV, those people will be happy,” he said.
The ordinance passed 5-2. Third Ward Councilman Randy Logan was absent. Both Nation and Flachsbart voted against the ordinance after expressing concerns that the ordinance felt too much like “big government.”
“I believe it violates the principle that better government is less government,” Flachsbart said.
City council also voted unanimously Monday night to:
- Install a stop sign at RHL Drive and Commons Frontage Road in the Chesterfield Commons development. Plans call for an in Chesterfield Commons West in the fall.
- Continue to allow signs advertising open houses from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. The ordinance in place only allows for directional signs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Council had previously approved a request from the Home Builders Association to allow the signs on Saturdays and extended that approval for another year.