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Dalvin Cook’s stock is rising after the Minnesota Vikings placed veteran running back Latavius Murray on the PUP list to open training camp.
— Minnesota Vikings (@Vikings) July 24, 2017
Now, this doesn’t mean Murray won’t still be a big part of what Minnesota does offensively in 2017. But every rep Cook takes as a rookie out of FSU puts him one step closer to securing a role as the team’s starting running back.
Murray has been out of commission all offseason. He underwent ankle surgery back in March (was supposedly going to be healthy for training camp) and has yet to take a single rep in practice as he’s been stuck rehabbing the injury. Both he and Cook are newbies in Pat Shurmer’s offense, so their on equal footing as far as that goes.
Furthermore, it’s already been reported that Cook will likely start while Murray takes over as the team’s short-yardage and goal-line back.
In terms of all-around talent, there’s no doubt the Florida State product has an edge over his veteran counterpart. Blessed with breakaway speed and the power to make tough yardage in between the tackles, Cook could be setting himself up for a dominant rookie season.
Every practice that Murray misses is one more reason to believe Cook is going to be the lead back in Minnesota this year — something we’re getting more and more comfortable embracing as reality.


The test rides of the Safari and Harrier facelifts have been spotted on numerous occasions across the country.
Tata Harrier And Tata Safari Facelift: Tata Motors has released teasers of the upcoming Harrier and Safari facelift. The company can launch both SUVs in this festive season. Their booking will start on 6 October. After the update, the price of the new Tata Safari and Tata Harrier may be kept higher than the existing models.
The test rides of the Safari and Harrier facelifts have been spotted on numerous occasions while doing test runs across the country. When we talk about design, both SUVs will get updated front and rear bumpers, revised grille, full-width LED light bar, connected taillights with sequential turn indicators, and redesigned alloy wheels.
Tata Safari And Tata Harrier Price
Currently, the ex-showroom price of Safari ranges between Rs 15.85 and Rs 25.21 lakh. The new Safari will compete with MG Hector Plus, Mahindra XUV 700, and Hyundai Alcazar.
At the same time, the current ex-showroom price of Tata Harrier is between Rs 15.20 and 24.27 lakh. In the segment, Tata Harrier facelift will compete with Mahindra XUV700, MG Hector, and Jeep Compass. Apart from this, it will also be compared with the top variants of the Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos.
First Look Revealed In Teaser
The teaser shows the front profile of the Harrier facelift, which looks completely changed. Its front has a newly designed vertical split LED headlight setup, sleek grille and indicators, and LED DRL strip spanning the entire width of the bonnet.
New Grille And New Bronze Color
The second teaser shows the front fascia of the new Tata Safari. It includes a new grille with an end-to-end LED DRL setup, a newly designed bumper as well and new vertically stacked LED headlamps. A new bronze color has been shown for the Safari facelift. However, this is yet to be confirmed.
All the changes in both the cars are similar to the new Tata Nexon and Tata Nexon EV. The trend of full-width LED DRLs started with Mercedes-Benz cars like the EQS and is now seen in mainstream models as well.
The company has not shown the cabin details of the new Harrier and Safari. It is estimated that its cabin will be brand new like Nexon. It can be given a newly designed dashboard layout and a new 2-spoke steering wheel with backlit Tata logo.
The 2023 Tata Safari and Tata Harrier will be powered by a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder diesel engine, which generates a maximum power of 168 hp and a peak torque of 350 nm. With this, the option of a 6-speed manual and automatic gearbox will be available.
Tata’s new 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine can also be provided in it, which generates power of 168 hp and torque of 280 nm. The option of manual and DCT gearbox can be available with this engine.
According to sources, a few selected authorised dealerships across the country have also started accepting “unofficial orders” for the Tata Safari facelift and Harrier facelift. Interested customers can book the SUVs for a token amount of Rs. 25,000 and Rs. 21,000, respectively. It is not yet confirmed.


What can you do in the unhappiest place on Earth? Smeerensberg, a cold Nordic land that's covered with bitterness brought upon by generational feud is where Klaus, Netflix's first full-length feature animated film, sets in. "The battle bell? What kind of town has a battle bell?" says postman Jesper (voice actor Jason Schwartzman) in the movie. In a town where fighting and hating on each other is a norm, can there be such a thing as holiday cheer?
The film gives its own take at the origins of Santa, told through the lens of Jesper, a postal-academy student who is sent to the icy, lonesome Northern land so he can start a postal service. He then realized that the service can be so challenging for townspeople who are harsh and unhappy towards each other to the point that they have daily battles in the main square (thus the need for a battle bell); everyone is just not keen on writing and sending letters to each other or to anyone in this dark atmosphere.
Jesper was given this difficult task because he dropped out of the Royal Postage Academy. This sentence was given by his father, a business tycoon who also runs the academy. The goal is to have a functional post office in the most hated land. In one year, Jesper should be able to manage 6,000 letters to come to the postal office he has set up so he will not be cut off from his family's riches. And in his pursuit of this, he stumbles upon Klaus (voice actor J.K. Simmons), a huge man who is a skilled woodworker. He lives a solitary life, and he avoids people. Through Jesper's insisting nudges, Klaus is convinced to use his talent in the woodwork to make toys for the youth of Smeerensberg. The children will get the toy they want under one condition: they will have to send Klaus a letter of request stating what kind of toy they want plus a story of how they performed a selfless act of kindness in the recent day. This soon started a change in the town, but that does not end the conflict right away. (We'll just have to leave the rest of the story to Netflix viewers for now.)
This new film by the mentioned streaming service is entirely 2D animated, but it does not look like the old animated movies because it utilized technology that is normally used in CG (computer graphics) features. Volumetric lighting and texturing made the film look like a rich, modern storybook. Despicable Me creator Sergio Pablos is the director of the movie. He says in a phone interview with Polygon, "How do you bring high-end 2D back to the front lines essentially is my question. Klaus seems like a good opportunity to do that." Pablos also revealed during the interview that they imagined a Santa origin story, "picking up where traditional animation left off and what the future of his medium holds."
Klaus is not like any other Santa Claus Christmas story, where there is always an element of magic. It is cynical, and it is grounded in reality. For instance, the reindeer don't actually fly in this film, but the essence of all the Santa Claus origin stories is still felt.
"What if all that's good about Santa came about through the actions of the worst human being I can conceive of," says Pablos. Is this the making of a new Christmas classic?
Klaus is currently streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer here:
ALSO READ: Seeing Ads On Netflix? Here's How To Opt-Out


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Issue Date: May 14, 2007
Clariant Exits Custom Chemicals
Swiss specialty chemicals producer Clariant is selling, for an undisclosed sum, its custom manufacturing business to International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG), formed in 2004 by a team led by Achim Riemann. The unit supplies intermediates and active ingredients for the agrochemical, pharmaceutical, and polymer industries from sites in Germany and the U.S. Last year, it had sales of about $180 million and about 490 employees. The divestment follows Clariant's June 2006 sale of its pharmaceutical fine chemicals business to the private equity firm TowerBrook Capital Partners. It put the custom manufacturing unit up for sale in September 2006. Clariant expects to record a book loss of just under $60 million on the deal, which is expected to close by midyear. ICIG's Riemann says the deal will make his company an important player in the nonregulated custom manufacturing sector, where it will have annual sales of about $270 million (C&EN, April 9, page 28). ICIG plans to combine the Clariant operations with its other fine chemicals manufacturing activities, particularly WeylChem, the former Rütgers Chemicals business that ICIG acquired in 2005.
- Chemical & Engineering News
- ISSN 0009-2347
- Copyright © American Chemical Society

domain: chemistry


Cure Your Coachella Hangover with N3BULA’s Remix to Big Sean’s #IDFWU
Now that the first weekend of Coachella is in the books, we have a cure to the disappointment of heading back to reality. Norwegian producer N3BULA is locked in the studio working on his Album dropping this Spring and wanted to give away something to the fans. With a massive remix of Big Sean’s “#IDFWU”, it’s safe to say the transition to the States will be a cinch. Let’s see if he can get another Platinum plaque like he did over in Europe. Enjoy!


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It's time for another installment.
Regency Silk and Scandal is a unique 8 book author generated Regency continuity, featuring an ongoing mystery murder plot that runs through the whole series. It's about three friends, two scandalous affairs, and one secret code that leads to murder, disgrace and revenge. The stories will captivate the reader as they travel from the Cornish Coast to the heights of Hertfordshire, and from the ballrooms of London to the battlefields of Belgium.
Kari: What was it like for you in brainstorming an 8 book mystery plot?
Julia: I’ve always enjoyed brainstorming with author friends, but usually it was done in the car (referred to as the “Mother Ship,”) or aboard an airliner on the way to some writer event, or in the hotel room over too many glasses of wine. It was also previously a group effort designed to help one fellow writer work out a plot or character or motivation problem in her story. This was the first time I’ve participated in a group brainstorming effort for what would become a series of interconnected stories. But it was just as fun, exciting and energizing! Since I don’t normally write primarily-mystery plots, it was also good to have lots of input into creating a believable scenario, with suggestions how to resolve the mystery.
Kari: Can you tell us about your book in the series?
Julia: My book 3 of the series, THE SMUGGLER AND THE SOCIETY BRIDE, out in August, features the eldest daughter of one of the three main series families, Lady Honoria Carlow (whose brother Marcus is the hero of Louise Allen’s Book 1, THE LORD AND THE WAYWARD LADY, brother Hal the hero of Louise’s Book 7, THE OFFICER AND THE PROPER LADY and sister Verity, heroine of Christine Merrill’s Book 8, TAKEN BY THE WICKED ROGUE.)
Earl’s daughter Lady Honoria Carlow flees London after a scandalous disgrace to take refuge with her aunt in Cornwall and try to figure out who engineered her ruin and why. There, she encounters handsome Irishman Gabe Hawksworth, known locally as “the Hawk,” who is temporarily captaining a smuggling vessel as a favor for the army friend who saved his life. Though her family would be appalled at her attraction to a “low-born free trader,” there’s something about the well-spoken Gabe that calls out to the free-spirited Honoria.
For his part, Gabe wonders about the unexpected appearance of the mysterious “Miss Foxe.” At the height of the London Season, why is such a beautiful young woman not in town, dazzling suitors? Gabe scents a scandal. And if “Miss Foxe” is less a lady than she should be, Gabe is just the man to tempt her into indiscretion!
Kari: Is this something you would ever do again, and any tips for authors thinking about co-writing a book or contributing to a connected series such as this one?
Julia: Absolutely, I would do it again! Especially if the editorial team were brave enough to allow the authors, as they did with REGENCY SILK & SCANDAL, to come up with the story arc and characters themselves. There’s such a sense of ownership with characters you yourself have created, and you know so much more about them; in fact, lots of background info about them never ends up in the book at all. But knowing it helps you create a richer, fuller person.
As for tips for anyone working on a connected series, if you don’t have a“bible,” create one. If you do, follow it carefully; establishing a co-author loop where you can keep in touch and ask questions when you must use a character not solely your own is also helpful, and don’t forget to add anything you’ve created to the “bible” so your co-authors can be aware of it.
Kari: Thanks so much for joining us, and I look forward to following this unique and interesting series. And to reading your books. They sound awesome. Good luck to you all.

domain: artistic


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Trailblazing institutions like the Massachusetts Virtual Academy prove that a brick-and-mortar building isn’t necessary for expanding the brain.In 2008, Susan Hollins had a strange idea. She had just been named superintendent of the school district in the western Massachusetts town of Greenfield, where times were tough for the town and tax rolls low. In an effort to save money, there had been talk — often heated — among some of Greenfield’s 18,000 residents of closing the district.
But the new superintendent had another thought: Why not open a K–12 public school that needed no building but instead operated exclusively online? Such a school could increase revenue — since, with the pesky issue of transportation no longer a factor, any child in the state could attend for a $5,000 enrollment fee (for enrolling in a district other than his or her own), which is paid by the child’s resident district.
Aside from that, though, Hollins wanted to find a way to serve kids who have physical limitations, debilitating diseases or behavioral problems — the kids for whom cancer is a reality or bullies a terrifying threat — or even the kids whose parents work in far-flung locations for months at a time. All these children have needs, Hollins knew, that precluded them from a typical classroom. So, she reasoned: Let them learn in an online one.
Eventually, the concept began to trickle down from the ranks of higher education into the primary and secondary levels, with full-time online-only elementary schools, junior highs and high schools cropping up across the country as early as 2000. According to Allison Powell, vice president of state and district services for the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, there are now roughly 220 schools in 27 states that offer a class or entire curriculum online. Most of these, Powell notes, are charter schools, which by their very nature seek out new ways to teach children and aren’t beholden to many of the restrictions and guidelines that public schools are.
Those restrictions are what made Hollins’ proposal for an exclusively online public school so radical. After a months-long, meeting-intensive approval process with the state’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the plan was passed, and last September, the Massachusetts Virtual Academy at Greenfield opened its doors. Its virtual doors, at least.
“I’ve always had an interest in complementing public schools, and that’s what [the Virtual Academy] is,” Hollins says. “But somebody’s got to be the first one to do it.” In its inaugural year, the Virtual Academy received applications from roughly 800 students from across the state. Many of them had developmental needs. Some had life-threatening illnesses. Some acted or modeled or had other pursuits that kept them from being able to maintain a normal schooling schedule. In the end, more than 300 students, representing all 14 of Massachusetts’ counties, were admitted.

domain: sociology


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Phase into the heart of Africa and enable your senses to be captivated by the untamed splendor of Uganda. This enchanting nation is a haven for safari fans, providing a actually immersive encounter like no other. Embark on a thrilling Uganda safari tour, in which you will have the incredible opportunity to witness a mesmerizing tapestry of wildlife and immerse your self in the amazing landscapes that determine this East African gem.
1 of the highlights of a safari in Uganda is undoubtedly the captivating gorilla trekking journey. Venture deep into the lush rainforests of Bwindi Impenetrable Nationwide Park, where you will have the exceptional privilege of coming experience-to-encounter with these majestic creatures. As you trek via the dense foliage, guided by skilled rangers, the anticipation mounts with each phase. And then, all of a sudden, you capture a glimpse of a household of gorillas, likely about their everyday actions. It is a humbling instant that leaves an indelible mark on your soul.
Uganda's diverse ecosystems give a thrilling backdrop for your safari journey. Discover the huge savannahs of Murchison Falls Countrywide Park, the place 8 days Uganad safari enormous herds of elephants roam freely and mighty Nile crocodiles bask lazily along the riverbanks. Witness the exhilarating spectacle of a lioness stalking her prey, pouncing with a display of uncooked power and agility. Or marvel at the swish actions of giraffes and zebras as they graze peacefully in opposition to the backdrop of panoramic vistas.
No matter whether you are a seasoned safari fanatic or embarking on your quite very first experience, Uganda delivers an enchanting safari journey that will leave you awestruck. Immerse by yourself in the vivid culture and warm hospitality of the Ugandan folks, savor the flavors of classic cuisine, and let the rhythmic heartbeat of Africa guidebook you as you unravel the untamed elegance that lies inside of this exceptional country.
###1. The Wonders of Uganda's Wildlife
Uganda, a land of untamed beauty, is home to some of the most charming wildlife on the planet. From the lush savannah plains to the dense rainforests, this East African nation features an extraordinary array of species that will leave any safari fanatic in awe.
Safari Uganda, and you will uncover your self immersed in a entire world in which lions roam freely, elephants gracefully traverse the plains, and hippos lazily bask in the solar alongside the riverbanks. With in excess of ten nationwide parks to explore, every with its possess exclusive ecosystem, Uganda really provides a wildlife encounter like no other.
A single of the major highlights of any Uganda safari tour is the prospect to have interaction in gorilla trekking. Venturing into the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest or Mgahinga Gorilla Nationwide Park, website visitors have the opportunity to arrive face to confront with these majestic creatures in their normal habitat. It truly is a humbling and awe-inspiring experience that will permanently be etched in your memory.
But Uganda's wildlife adventures go much over and above just gorilla trekking. In Queen Elizabeth Countrywide Park, you can witness the spectacular sight of tree-climbing lions, a rare phenomenon that is exclusive to this location. For chicken enthusiasts, the various avian species located in Murchison Falls Nationwide Park will leave you spellbound with their vivid hues and melodious calls.
Embarking on a safari journey in East Africa is not just about witnessing the incredible wildlife but also about taking part in conservation efforts. Uganda has made substantial strides in safeguarding its wildlife, specifically through neighborhood-primarily based initiatives that empower nearby individuals to grow to be the guardians of their organic heritage.
In summary, an unforgettable safari experience awaits you in Uganda. From gorilla trekking to encountering lions and checking out assorted ecosystems, this East African gem guarantees a wildlife adventure like no other. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to be captivated by the untamed elegance of Uganda's wildlife.
two. Gorilla Trekking: A As soon as-in-a-Lifetime Expertise
Venturing deep into the heart of Uganda's wilderness, the captivating expertise of gorilla trekking awaits avid adventurers. This impressive activity permits you to immerse oneself in the all-natural habitat of these majestic creatures, producing memories that will undoubtedly very last a life span.
Uganda, known as the "Pearl of Africa," is renowned for its excellent wildlife conservation initiatives. The country's lush countrywide parks, this kind of as Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla Countrywide Park, supply the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable experience with these light giants.
Embarking on a Uganda gorilla trekking tour gives an personal and awe-inspiring expertise. As you navigate via dense vegetation alongside skilled guides, the anticipation builds, fueling your enjoyment to observe these spectacular creatures up close. Each and every phase is loaded with anticipation, as you anticipate catching a glimpse of the endangered mountain gorillas in their organic habitat.
The experience by itself is undeniably magical. Viewing the gorillas in close proximity, you become captivated by their human-like habits, as they display a variety of feelings, interact with 1 another, and very carefully treatment for their young. The exceptional opportunity to observe these extraordinary creatures in their normal atmosphere is a privilege and an expertise that defies description.
In conclusion, gorilla trekking in Uganda is an unmissable journey that makes it possible for you to hook up with character and witness the untamed elegance of these remarkable creatures. By embarking on a safari journey to East Africa, you open oneself up to the possibility of encountering a when-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will go away an indelible mark on your soul.
three. Checking out the Untouched Landscapes of East Africa
In the heart of the African continent lies Uganda, a country teeming with untamed elegance and mesmerizing landscapes. Embarking on a safari tour in Uganda is an prospect to immerse by yourself in the fascinating wilderness of East Africa.
1 of the highlights of a Uganda safari is without doubt the likelihood to embark on a thrilling gorilla trekking journey. The dense forests of Bwindi Impenetrable Countrywide Park are property to endangered mountain gorillas, providing a exceptional come across with these wonderful creatures in their organic habitat. As you trek by way of the lush vegetation, the anticipation and thrill build up, until the second you arrive confront to confront with a gentle big. It is an encounter that will depart an indelible mark on your soul.
But Uganda's scenic miracles increase significantly beyond its gorilla-inhabited forests. The country offers an array of national parks and protected areas, every with its exclusive allure. From the large savannah landscapes of Queen Elizabeth Countrywide Park, the place lions silently prowl and elephants roam freely, to the enchanting wilderness of Murchison Falls National Park, with its thunderous waterfall and assorted wildlife, Uganda's untamed beauty understands no bounds.
Safari outings in this East African gem also provide the prospect to investigate lesser-acknowledged but equally mesmerizing locations, this sort of as Kidepo Valley National Park. Nestled in the remote northeastern corner of Uganda, this concealed paradise unveils gorgeous landscapes, with rugged mountains, expansive plains, and picturesque valleys. With its prosperous abundance of wildlife, such as lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes, Kidepo Valley Nationwide Park is a genuinely off-the-overwhelmed-route haven for character enthusiasts.
In conclusion, embarking on a safari adventure in Uganda enables you to unravel the untamed splendor that lies inside of the coronary heart of East Africa. From thrilling gorilla trekking encounters to exploring the untouched landscapes of national parks, Uganda offers an enchanting journey into the wild. So, pack your luggage, put together your senses, and get all set to immerse yourself in the captivating wonders of Uganda's safari offerings.

domain: travel


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Looking for great food in/around Magnificent Mile good for solo diner...oh, and cheap
Hi all, I am coming to Chicago for the first time next week for a conference, staying at the Hyatt on Wacker, near the Magnificient Mile and travelling each day up to Northwestern Unviersity.
I would really appreciate some recommendations for interesting places nearby either of these locations...I am an adventurous diner, looking for interesting, unique and/or fun places with very good food, where I won't feel totally out of place as a solo diner, and that won't break the bank. I would hope for lunches under $20 and dinners under $50, if that's any guide... Any advice or recommendations would be really appreciated. If the place featured some music, even better!
Some quick, moderately-priced recommendations near Northwestern's downtown campus...
Cafe des Architectes ( www.cafedesarchitectes.com ) is one of our best contemporary American restaurants. Go for lunch, or go for dinner on a Sunday through Tuesday when they feature the "neighborhood friends" dinner special, 3 courses for $29.
Emilio's Sol y Nieve ( www.emiliostapas.com/solynieve.htm ) for tapas.
Cafe Spiaggia ( www.cafespiaggia.com ) for Italian food.
Quartino ( www.quartinochicago.com ) for Italian "small plates".
Sayat Nova ( www.sayatnovachicago.com ) for Armenian.
Frontera Grill ( www.rickbayless.com/restaurants ) for Mexican.
Boston Blackie's on Grand ( www.bostonblackies.com ) for burgers, don't miss the cole slaw.
Just to make sure you understand the location of things... The Hyatt Regency Chicago is just south of the river and right off Michigan Avenue. So it's right near the south end of the "Magnificent Mile" stretch of North Michigan Avenue. It's also roughly at the northeast corner of the Loop, Chicago's historical and commercial downtown area. So many restaurants in or near the Loop, and River North (the neighborhood just north of the river and west of Michigan Avenue) may actually be closer to the Hyatt than those at the far end of the Mag Mile. The downtown campus of Northwestern is a different story, since it's east of the Mag Mile near its midpoint, so you'd definitely want to look for places near Michigan Avenue for proximity to that campus.
You'll find lots of recommendations for inexpensive dining near the Hyatt Regency Chicago in the discussion at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/387291
If you're referring to Northwestern's main campus in Evanston, you'll find lots of recommendations for inexpensive dining in Evanston in the discussion at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/586184 A post mentioning which moderately-priced places in Evanston are open for lunch on a Saturday is in the topic at http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/610379

domain: geography


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“Cara, do they have cows in the streets like I have seen in the movies?”
“Not where I was in Delhi, but here in Jaipur where I am today, they are all over the place!”
My mom let out a sigh, I know she was wishing she could be with me, just to see some of the sights for herself. “But I’ll find out why mom, it’s really something to see!” The phone fizzled and the connection went dead as it so often does…one of the many prices of living overseas and calling home.
The following blog is about my experience in India…from the truly sweet to the extreme repugnant. I thought I did just about the craziest thing last year by moving half way across the world to Abu Dhabi, to where I knew no one, and although using my 8 years of professional teaching experience, I would feel like I was starting over. Travelling alone, in a country like India, is a completely different risk in itself.
Each section starts off with a quote from my itinerary from the ITL travel agency located in Abu Dhabi. As days went on before I took off, I would often read the itinerary and get real excited for this experience that was to come. After the daily description from the itinerary, I’ll try and give you the play-by-play and see if it matches up to what was expected. Thank you for your time to read!
“Arrive in Delhi, you will be met and assisted by a Tamarind representative and will be transferred to your hotel. India’s capital and major gateway to the country, Delhi is contemporary and a bustling metropolis which successfully combines in its fold of the ancient and the modern. Its strategic location was one of the prime reasons why successive dynasties chose it as their seat of power. New Delhi also reflects the legacy the British left behind. Overnight in Delhi.”
I felt terrible for the representative that I had met in India. I was told in Abu Dhabi that should anything happen to the flight with respect to delays, that the Tamarind company would be informed. The plane waited in Abu Dhabi an extra hour due to baggage delays and late passengers. I am sure that if I were that late, the plane would take off without me. We have learned here that not all passports are created equal. So…I knew that I was going to be late from the start. Landing in India things seemed fine until I was at passport control. Like the UAE, this country seems to be full of meaningless lineups with no one waiting their turn and every piece of paper is ruled by the ‘rubber stamp’. There was another hour wasted. When I met the representative, I was all smiles to see my name in black in white in the sign that he was holding. Not that it was any of my fault, but I apologized for the delay (he wasn’t informed of any of the delays)…he was more than understanding. I was looking forward to getting in the car. Going outside, the heat hit me. It was almost as hot as Abu Dhabi, but with a very sticky humidity. The driver found us shortly and we were off.
I was taken aback by the driving on the other side of the road. I also noticed that on the large city roads on which we were driving on that there were usually 4 lanes paved. Nothing strange until you grasp that there were 6-7 lanes of active traffic! I knew better than to panic. My driver knew the roads…and he maneuvered with the best of them. I had never seen even so much as a fender bender while I was in the country, I was very surprised! Some wore helmets on their motorcycles while others didn’t. I perhaps didn’t realize that I was really out of my familiar territory until I saw a Sikh gentleman riding his motorcycle with a bandit-like bandanna wrapped around his nose and mouth, while being neatly tucked into his turban.
Around the city streets, you would see the odd cow in the road, apartment dwellings, areas of extreme riches, and areas of extreme poverty. I have been in impoverished countries before, but not quite like this. Even in the city core of Puerto Plata or Santo Domingo, you might seem groups of homeless individuals in varying states of health and clothes on their back. Here, there seemed to be communities of homelessness wherever there was space to be had: out in the open, under bridges, along the river shorelines. If the children had clothes on their backs, they seemed to be lucky compared to others.
I was comfortable…that was until we stopped for a red light. Two women of extreme poverty knocked on my window at different times…they were able to see that 2 Indian men were escorting a white tourist. Not knowing the area…and I wasn’t getting any advice from them…I had to keep the window up. I felt terrible turning them away, but I just froze. I once thought that I came from humble beginnings, now I know that I was born into privilege.
Even though the flight was only three and a half hours (not including the delays), I was exhausted and was thrilled to see that my hotel room was similar to the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (Abu Dhabi) when it came to the style and quality of the bed. Alone in the room, the implications of travelling alone had begun to sink in. I was still high on adrenaline of the venture, but second guessing my choice of destination based on my car ride from the airport. Feeling the need for familiar food, I went down to the coffee shop to order a small dinner. I was thrilled to see that they had all-day breakfast on the menu. To those of you who know me well, this was big. When finished, I was asked if I would like anything else. I asked, “do you have tea available?” “Tea madame? Yes of course I have tea!” Cara, you are in India. It was a bit of a “face-palm” moment. Tomorrow we would be driving to Jaipur. I was happy to be leaving Delhi.
“Today morning drive to Jaipur (252 kms/5.5 hours) check into your hotel. Jaipur is the gateway to the magnificent and vibrant state of Rajasthan. Evening take a stroll in the markets of Jaipur for the traditional dresses and shoes, curio shops, blue pottery, etc. Overnight in Jaipur.”
At exactly 8:30am as planned, my driver was there in front of the hotel lobby to pick me up to travel to Jaipur for the next few days. I was thrilled to have the same driver throughout my whole experience. We were able to build up a rapport, and I knew I was safe with him. I learned that he had a daughter and a son, as well as “one expensive wife” as he put it. His children were in their teens, and his wife worked in the home. They lived in the countryside. He has an apartment in Delhi so that he can work in the city. His wife has no education or job. Things are very simple still in the countryside.
As we drove on, it was very clear that each area and region of the country can differ greatly from one end to the next. Although being from the simple countryside, my driver, Mr. Palakdhari, knew every inch of his route. If the land was changing in value he would let me know. At the site of industry, it would mean that rent has just risen for the residents. Before long we were in between major cities and in the long path of rural India. Cows of course, are a holy site. I asked about the farmers. Unfortunately, their lives are like farmers elsewhere. They cultivate the land, take care of the livestock, and feed the country. The fruits of their labours are exploited at the market place by clever businessmen and they are left to make ends meet…maybe. This has gone on, and will continue for generations.
We came upon one town that had a monorail system above us as we drove under its bridge. It was as if the area tried to modernize itself, but it left the people behind. Also on our route I discovered the first of many toll booths that we would have to pass. I asked if the tolls collected from passengers were used in any way to help the citizens. Although Mr. Palakdhari had limited English skills, his laughing response told me the answer. I asked the same question later on with one of the tour guides. His answer was more positive, but it felt scripted.
Other than the main roads, there really is nothing around in the country areas. That means that if traffic stops, you are stopped indefinitely. Drivers were stopped within their lanes and in between them. Now…all of these people had to somehow turn around in this mess. It was like watching clever tetris pieces; somehow the drivers were careful around each other and we were able to turn and go back (yes, driving in the opposite direction we should have been driving). On-coming traffic slowed and turned with the rest of us. Off to our right, we noticed a car stuck on a shallow median. The car was trying to cross over onto a slip road to try and get around the traffic. My driver got out and guided the others. Their small sedan was just too small to take it. Sizing up the SUV we were in, my driver got back in his seat and took on the median himself. Slowly and carefully we made it onto the slip road and we were again on our way.
“Look madame, see that milk truck? It says ‘milk not for sale’.”
“Why would there be a milk truck with milk that isn’t for sale?”
“I don’t know madame, it makes no sense to me at all! It’s very strange!”
Looking back, I don’t know why this was so funny to me at the time. Perhaps you had to be there. It was as if Mr. Palakdhari, a lifetime citizen of the country had no idea of some of the logic in his own country. For those of you with me in the UAE, I’m sure you can relate to a number of similar examples here. I just had to share this part.
I was looking forward to this walking of the nearby markets in Jaipur as the itinerary suggested. I was met at the hotel with one of the travel agent’s representatives to make sure that my check-in went okay. I was told that I probably had another hour or so of proper daylight to be out of the gates of the hotel area. After that, I was told to be sure that I was in the hotel. After the long drive and traffic from Delhi, I was happy to stay in the hotel, get on wifi, and call home.
“Today, enjoy a full-day sightseeing trip of Jaipur, also known as the “Pink City”. The city of Jaipur is the capital of the state of Rajasthan, famous for its colourful culture, forts, palaces, and lakes. Jaipur owes its name to the founder of the city, warrior king Sawai Jai Singh II. Visit the Amber Fort. The best way to explore the fort is to ride up to in on elephant back. Prominent structures inside the fort are Diwan-i-Aam, adorned with latticed galleries, the Ganesh Pol, with a beautiful printed image of Lord Ganesh, and the stunning Sheesh Mahal, a hall decorated with thousands of tiny mirrors. Later, stop to photograph the beautiful Hawa Mahal, also known as the “Palace of the Winds.” This beautiful façade with its ornately carved latticework was designed so the ladies of the palace could look out onto the streets unobserved. Later you will visit the City Palace…again, a synthesis of Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The museums here showcase rare and ancient manuscripts, arms dating back to the 15th century, and costumes of erstwhile royalty. Later, visit the Jantar Mantar Observatory, comprising of geometric devices for measuring time, and tracking stars in their orbits. Evening at leisure. Overnight in Jaipur.”
Elephant ride? Yes please! The driver picked me up at exactly the time he said he would with my tour guide, Smer. The Amber Fort was a truly magnificent sight to see. I was equally impressed with the knowledge of my tour guide, and the way he would make sure he was close enough but without making me feel uncomfortable, in order to show that I was his client, a signal that kept most of the locals selling souvenirs from hassling me. I appreciated it! The queue was long, but soon I was on the back of the elephant that would take me up to the entrance of the fort. I had never heard of the Amber Fort, and I think it’s one of the most underrated sites to see in Northern India. The fort contains numerous examples of Hindu, Islamic, and Turkish architectural styles. The purpose of this was to keep everyone at the time of its construction happy. If something was constructed in only Hindu architecture, it ran the risk of being destroyed by those of opposing faiths, particularly the Moghuls who were Muslim. My favourite parts of the Amber Fort were the animals embedded in the hand carved architecture, and the palace of the mirrors…thousands of tiny mirrors displaced in splendour. Coming out of the fort, things got very crowded. I asked the tour guide to slow down. He was a quick and tiny person! He reminded me that I was his responsibility and that he wouldn’t lose me. I told him he had an easy job as I’m the one who sticks out, and I lose him quickly!
Getting back into the car, we quickly realized we were going nowhere fast. I had come to India during their holidays, so people from all over were coming to see their nation’s beloved wonders. You had the same traffic with the cars as before, but now you have elephants from the tour, cows, dogs, and goats walking among the traffic. They didn’t seem to mind being in between the cars and among the people, and the humans were being just as patient!
If travelling in India (or I assume in many other parts of the world), your tour guide is going to try hard to take interest and get to know you. Just be cautious. A few moments after I was asked if I liked to read, I found myself within a bookstore. I said I liked the semiprecious stones of the area, I found myself in front of a jeweler. Don’t be afraid to say no. I was happy, however, to find out in the book I purchased just why in the world the cows insist on remaining among traffic! (1. The cow is a sacred animal, the people of India are not allowed to tie them up; should they do so, they have to repent at all temples throughout the country! 2. The exhaust fumes from the traffic act like a bug repellent 3. The exhaust fumes cause them to get high!!!!) I couldn’t wait to give my mother these answers on the next phone call.
That day we saw a few other sites including the “Palace of the Winds” and the Observatory. It was incredible to see their instruments from hundreds of years ago being accurate on the time and position of the planets and their orbits. Afterward, we were to see another palace, however, I was beat. My tourguide seemed to have taken a little offense but I was exhausted from the walking and the heat. I thought it must have been close to 4pm..the day felt long and I was getting hungry. When we got back to the car and I saw it was only 12:30pm! It was time to rest in for the day.
“Today, drive to Agra enroute visit Fatehpur Sikri, which was build by Emperor Akbar and is home to many historical buildings. Akar wanted to make Fatehpur Sikri his headquarters; however, he had to abandon it due to shortage of water. The Tomb of Sheik Salim Chisht 1 enshrines the burial place of the Sufi saint who lived a religious life there. Today, Fatehpur Sikri is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your sightseeing, proceed to Agra (235 kms/5 hours). On arrival in Agra, check in to your hotel. Later visit the Taj Mahal…a mausoleum built as a symbol of Emperor Shah Jehan’s devotion to his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. Considered an architectural marvel, its construction took thousands of workers over 21 years to complete. Return to hotel. Overnight in Agra.”
Once again, my driver was right on time. He would take me from Jaipur to Agra, picking up the next tour guide at Fatephur Sikri. On the way, he asked me if I would like to see how they make carpets in the countryside. I was intrigued, of course! The gentleman in the humble building draped with linens to keep the sun’s strong rays out was on his knees on top of a loom, almost unaware of our presence. He was kind, allowed me to take some pictures and showed me his work. I got to feel the material and ask him questions. Although happy to have been there, I realized I was just taken for a shopping trip. I told the driver that I was sorry, but I wasn’t about to purchase a carpet! Neither man was pushy and I thanked them for their time…I was happy to be on the road again.
We pulled over to the side, and before I knew it, my hand was being shaken by the next tour guide from his seat in the front with the driver. We were very close to the gates of Fatephur Sikri. I was about to discover another wonder of this country. The driver let us off at the main area, and then we had to actually take a shuttle into the inner gates as it was restricted to automobiles. We waited in the heat for a little while before the bus had come. The passengers were numerous coming off. I had some space for about a minute after I got on. All spaces were full, people were standing all along the aisle, and a few were hanging from the door rails. Not uncommon.
My tourguide and I made our way into the gates, and he gave me time on my own to wander about. As I began to step away from him, we were approached by a young gentleman with a camera. He had said that his friends had a wager, that he should try to get his picture taken with me. I was flattered and then found it completely humorous when my tour guide had told me that in the Indian culture, they enjoyed having their picture taken with people of different colours. Whether or not that is true, or he just said that to make me feel better, I wasn’t sure. It was going to happen a few more times along the way. I never minded. All my life these people were exotic to me, and now the tables have turned!
After this tour, we were on our way to the main part of Agra so that I could check into my hotel. It was 4:30pm, and they were going to pick me up an hour later. In the meantime, I needed to check in, charge my phone and camera battery, inquire about the wifi, and manage to eat something. Unlike the other hotels, this one didn’t have a ‘coffee shop’. I needed something fast. I asked the representative and she explained that a Costa coffee shop was near the hotel… “just outside the gate, go straight and go left”. As soon as I passed the guard, four rickshaws, some motarized and some not, stopped to ask me where I was going. I suddenly felt very claustrophobic! I changed my mind as I couldn’t think how I was going to cross a road! I quickly ran back to my room and ordered a small pizza from room service. With 2 minutes to spare, I gobbled down what I could, and met the tour guide and driver for the very anticipated Taj Majhal.
From the gold and semi-precious stones to the finely in-scripted Quar’an verses shining in glory, the Taj Mahal mesmerized myself and thousands of other tourists within moments. I was quiet for most of this tour, taking it in. My tour guide thought there may have been something wrong, lol, but I assured him I was just appreciating the moments. Before we left, I was in a few more photos for other tourists. I have to wonder in all of the social media and networking, if I’ll ever see those pictures!
“This morning after breakfast explore the city of Agra. Visit the Red Fort, which was commissioned in 1565 by Akbar. The beautiful yet forbidding structure is a handsome example of Mughal architecture. You will then visit Sikandra, which is also a mausoleum of the great Emperor Akbar. Akbar designed his own mausoleum as a perfect blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddist and Jain designs and motifs, in keeping with his religious tolerance and secular views. Later drive to Delhi (203 kms/5 hours) and check in to your hotel. Overnight in Delhi.”
Now, I wouldn’t want to sound bored at this point…but another fort and another mausoleum. Both in the form of palaces like the rest. A few pieces really came together during these tours. From the Red Fort, you can see the majestic Taj. This fort was of particular interest when it came to its protection from enemies. As we walked across the drawbridge, it was explained that down below in the wet mote, there used to be alligators to warn off enemies…that is, if the lions, tigers and bears from the dry mote didn’t get them first. The Wizard of Oz moment made me giggle, but the tourguide didn’t understand the reference. We continued through the gates after the drawbridge (sorry, no portcullis!). I wish that I could have all of my students I’ve ever had through our medieval times unit come through with me. Once inside, we were on quite the grooved incline. I learned the grooves were there for the horses, or else they would slide (something Tara and I learned the hard way in our tour of Petra, Jordan). The steeper slope along the way was again to ward of enemies. Had they gotten through the lions, tigers, bears, and alligators, the guards would be able to see them from the top and roll large stones down on them, Indiana Jones style!
Almost as intriguing as the Taj, the next mausoleum, Sikandra stood in grandeur of it’s unique blend of the marble and sandstone. Designed by himself, Emperor Akbar, a true example of tolerance with all religions, lays peacefully.
Our last stop was an embroidery museum. I was to be shown masterpieces by a man named Shams (Arabic for sun). He was a master of embroidery, that is for certain. The following link is to my favourite piece. It was said that he had a dream of Jesus as a shepherd with a number of sheep around him. Although he was Muslim, his vision was surely that of Christ. The work took about 9 years to complete, and after doing so, he went blind. No patterns, no instructions. Pure work that was only complete when he was satisfied:
We said goodbye to our tour guide. It turned out that he was originally from Jaipur, so we were able to converse about some of the sights that I had seen. He had moved to Agra 5 years prior and loves it so much more as there are more tourists for his business. Soon, Mr. Palakdhari and I were on our way back to Delhi. Considering my first night in Delhi, I was a little nervous to be spending a full day outside with a tour guide.
“This morning after breakfast, proceed for a full day combined city tour of the Old and New Delhi, the modern capital of India. This fascinating city has been in existence since the 6th century BC. Visit Jama Masjid, which is the largest mosque in India, commissioned by Emperor Shah Jahan. The courtyard of the mosque can hold about 25,000 worshippers. Enjoy a rickshaw ride in Chandni Chowk, the busiest market in Old Delhi…noisy, chaotic and uniquely Indian. Drive past Red Fort, President House, India Gate and several other government buildings in Edwin Lutyen’s modern Delhi before you head to Rajghat, the memorial to Mahatma Ghandi that marks the spot where he was cremated in 1948. Later visit Humayun’s Tomb, commissioned by Humayun’s wife Hamida Banu Begum in 1562. It was the first garden tomb built in the Indian sub-continent where the Persian architect used red sandstone on a large scale. Evening at leisure, overnight in Delhi.”
OK, I was surprised. This day was my favourite! I was called over the phone by my guide. It was striking to hear a woman’s voice on the line. Today was going to be much different than I had thought. She spoke to me in such a way that she wanted for me to not only know about her city, but to know her city as a woman. She was dressed in Indian cultural wear, but without a bindi. She explained her family circumstance, and unfortunately, although only 25, she was a widow. Widows were forbidden to wear their bindi. Despite her circumstances, she was cheerful and happy to be working with tourists. We did everything on the itinerary and then some.
First, we visited the Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. I shuttered as I walked up to the set of stairs leading into the place. Although intrigued by the mosque as all the other monuments, I was getting tired of the monuments. I was looking forward to getting into the markets with the tour guide. The rickshaw ride was noisy, unbalanced, nerve wracking in traffic…but I loved it just the same. We went through the old market place where you could find just about everything on wholesale. Indians and expats alike were walking the streets and going about their business. There were those who were juicing fresh fruit to customers, while others were strapping new HP printers onto the back of a mo-ped. Some businesses had glorious fabrics for sarees, jewelry glistened in the windows of others.
We drove back into New Delhi. If New Delhi was chaotic, Old Delhi was chaotic with no rules or regulations, and no laws enforced!
New Dehli suddenly seemed calm. We drove past numerous government buildings, all under tight security as terrorism is a national threat. Down the main road was the India Gate. The driver offered for me to get out and take a proper picture, but when it is very busy, I’m not one to feel comfortable to get out of the car, so I apologize for many of the in-car pictures. I’m not sure why, but I was surprised for a moment when my tourguide told me that the India Gate was actually a WWI memorial with 85,000 names of Indian men inscribed reflecting their service and sacrifice in the Great War. You don’t read about the Indian contribution from our Canadian textbooks. Of course, I quickly realized; as India was a colony of Britain, the country was very active in making their contributions.
The next site had my driver and tour guide shocked and disappointed for it was closed. Neither of them had seen it like this and there didn’t appear to be a reason why. It wasn’t busy so we were able to walk along the gateway and took pictures from outside the property. This was the site of where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated. She had asked if I had heard about him. I may not have heard of the Indian contribution in the Great War, I said. But yes, Gandhi I’ve heard of.
Next we were off to lunch. I had asked her to take me to whichever she recommended. There were the odd American restaurants, but nothing like the UAE. I had requested to eat something local as long as she promised to keep it mildly spicy. She had promised that she would protect me from “Delhi Belly”. The butter naan bread and lentils were still spicy to my taste buds but were delicious just the same. I had a mango lassi drink to help put out the flames (it had the consistency of a smoothie). The restaurant was very modern, very air conditioned, and the staff was very pleasant. I had the leftovers wrapped up. There was another monument to see, but she had an alternative for me. She knew my trip was full of monuments and that I was ready to see something a little bit different. Something that I wanted to become more involved in, rather than be an observer.
She had taken me to the 2 most beautiful places of worship that I had ever seen. If you can imagine what it might be like inside Aladdin’s lamp, you could be close to what it was like to be in the Sikh temple of Delhi. Plush carpet welcomed our washed feet, and our eyes were dazzled by the gold plated walls and the luxurious tapestries along the other walls. A service had just ended, and we were welcomed to sit with the other worshipers as the book of the Gurus was still being read aloud. I was stunned. She took me all around. I knew I stuck out even more than before, but it didn’t bother me much. Not only being whiter than anyone there, I was also required to wear a bright orange bandanna. We came around to the outside where water was poured into my hands and we were to drink. The Sikh temple and its congregation not only welcomed me, but also my tour guide. She was also a tourist in their temple as she was Hindu. I quickly took a few pictures of the outside (photography was prohibited on the inside) and we were off to our next stop.
Bright, beautiful, and full of life were the idols and worshipers inside the Hindu Temple. Photography of the idols were forbidden. My camera and phone had to be locked up before entering. They were stunning. Each idol’s significance was explained. I was even welcomed to be adorned with a bindi by a kind man in the middle of the temple.
In one day…I was in a mosque, a Sikh temple, and a Hindu temple. The religious historian in me was very happy. Full from lunch and exhausted from walking, we got back in the car and headed toward the hotel. My driver would then pick me up at 1am late into the night. I had a chance to pack, sleep, and shower before taking off again for Abu Dhabi.
“Today you will be met and assisted by our representative to the International airport to board the flight for your onward destination.”
Another representative met me in the hotel in the early morning after check out and we left for the airport. He was able to stay with me until just before check-in. The airport in Delhi is very large and modern. I was thrilled to find out that the kind lady behind the desk upgraded me to business class but loathed the fact that I was stuck in security for an extra 40 minutes waiting for a baggage tag for my purse (NO other airport has EVER requested a baggage tag for my purse). I was thrilled to find a Starbucks but then 3 people took advantage and cut their way in front of me. I didn’t have the strength to mention anything. Business class made up for it. Although the flight was short, I basked in the glory of being able to recline my seat completely into a bed with a nice comforter and supportive pillows. Breakfast was made fresh and a la carte.
Now back in Abu Dhabi and into the routine of school with my colleagues (students start next week), I am able to enjoy my trip to India in photos and in telling stories more than I was while there. I am no longer worried about being on time for the driver or getting lost in the streets on my own. I can tell people how amazing the sites and sounds were, and how invigorating it was to travel as usual. Especially here in the UAE, where many colleagues are not able to travel on their own…anywhere, I am blessed to be able to continue to enjoy the world. Who might join me next?
This entry has been shortlisted for Holidify’s Travelogue Writing Contest in association with Linger. The content and pictures may not be used without prior permission of the author.
Submitted by: Cara Tabron
The original post can be found here.


text:
I am currently working on drinking the last few portions of a Winter 2020 pick of this tea. Storing in jars must be the way to go, because this tea is still flavorful! The first time I bought this tea, I bought a smaller amount first, realized I would want more, and immediately bought about 150g, hoping it would last me a year. It sure did, with plenty to spare!
This was one of the first oolong teas I ever tried. At the time, I was a green tea junkie and just wanted something new and different, but still definitely green tea, around. This fit perfectly. It has the staple buttery, boiled spinach green tea taste up front, with a tone of something floral in the mid and after taste. It’s the right amount of floral, not so much that I’m drinking perfume, but enough that I can almost tell what flower it is. Unfortunately, I live in succulent land, and the amount of flowers I can recognize is slim. My immediate thought is jasmine tea. This has a similar, milder floral property as jasmine scented green tea my family likes to order at dim sum restaurants.
I’ve had this tea for a while, and experimented with different temperatures. I like 185F (85C) which is the “white tea” setting on my electric kettle. (Side note, so far I prefer boiling water for white tea.) I brew 20 seconds to start, plus 5 seconds per infusion, this tends to be perfect and lasts me up to 6 infusions. I could go longer, but I don’t like to push my green tea until it’s flavorless…
The wet leaf smells like cooked and salted zucchini, boiled spinach, and flowers. The liquor smells exactly the same. It has a slippery, buttery body, and an accompanying flavor of a lightly salted stick of butter. Afterwards, there is some astringency, but no bitterness. A taste that reminds me a lot of eating or licking raw dark leafy green vegetables (swiss chard?) lingers on the tongue.
I’d say this is definitely one of my favorite green teas of last year. I will treasure every bit of it, until it’s time to rotate it out for something new. I leave here a stunning review in hopes that you might try this tea, because it’s delicious and deserves to be known.
Flavors: Astringent, Butter, Jasmine, Salty, Spinach, Umami

domain: hobby


text:
Down here in my garden, where the things are growing,
We, the royal we, fill our hands in the soil.
Sometimes our plants fail, sometimes they grow green,
(though never in-between)
And we, the royal we, get our hands back in the soil.
When the weather comes, it’s ice or boil.
Even we, the royal we, can’t change it.
But the garden grows best in shit,
So it’s up to me, royally me,
To put my hands back in the soil.
Alright, that’s egotistical, I’ll admit.
So sue me, the royal me.
Gardening is hard when I can’t control the weather
(though I sure can blame it).

domain: agronomy


The Wildlife Conservation Board's new policy outlines the rules for the public disclosure of appraisals for land acquisitions and conservation set asides.
The board oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in voter-approved bond funds, most of which are handed over to nonprofit conservation groups to purchase and manage land.
Until now, while all appraisals for purchases are subject to review by the Department of General Services, only "major" land purchases – those exceeding $25 million in state funding – are subject to an independent review before the deal is closed. The review is available for public viewing, but the appraisal itself is kept secret until after the deal is closed.
Under pressure from legislators and residents concerned about government spending, the board is now going to require independent review of purchases exceeding $5 million or 5,000 acres.
"I think this may be the most open and transparent process that we know about," said Dave Means, assistant executive director of the Wildlife Conservation Board.
But some land trusts and conservation groups are worried the new policy, approved Thursday, adds too much complexity and bureaucracy to an already cumbersome process. However, others are questioning why any of these deals should remain secret when the state is facing a $16 billion deficit and services to children, veterans and the elderly are being cut.
"If the stakes were not so high, this would be comical," said Sandy Dean, president of the Mendocino Redwood Company and critic of the board's recent acquisitions of three properties in Mendocino County totaling more than $90 million.
The board has spent more than $1.2 billion in the past 12 years securing more than 460,000 acres of land for conservation purposes throughout California. It works by providing grant money to land trusts and conservation groups to acquire title or conservation easements, which are essentially permanent promises to never develop the land.
In a letter dated May 30, 12 land trusts and conservation organizations wrote to the Wildlife Conservation Board's director, John Donnelly, applauding the board's proposed policy and past decisions.
"Of the hundreds of projects WCB (Wildlife Conservation Board) has completed over the past twenty years, there is no documented evidence that a deep, broad or systematic problem exists with the state's appraisal process," wrote the group, which includes the Conservation Fund, the Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land. "There is no widespread concern being expressed by the general public, land owners, local communities or others."
The group worries that the 5,000-acre limit will hinder the board's purview to secure land and may scare off land owners.
Before finalizing the new policy, the board held two stakeholder meetings that included land trusts, landowners and appraisers. The board also looked at the policies of seven other states and two federal agencies.
In every case the board looked at, except one, the agencies withheld appraisals from the public until after closing the deal.
California Watch did its own small survey, and in three of the five states surveyed -- Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin -- appraisals are available for viewing before closing, but only after the government has decided to provide the grants.
Oregon releases the appraisal after closing on escrow, and Wisconsin doesn't release them at all.
The California agency says it keeps appraisals private to prevent the release of proprietary and confidential business information and to protect the state's negotiating power.
"If the appraisal got out, and other competing interests were able to see what the state was going to pay, they could come in and outbid the state," said Darla Guenzler, executive director of the California Council of Land Trusts. "It could put the state at a real disadvantage."
But critics say the new policy – and the old – may violate California's Public Records Act.
In a case last year, the board granted $1.9 million to San Mateo County to purchase a parcel of land, called Pillar Point, from a land trust.
Assemblyman Brian Jones, a member of the Water, Park and Wildlife Committee, asked to review the appraisal before the property went into escrow, and he was denied. The board claimed a statutory exemption from California's Public Records Act, arguing it didn't have to release appraisals contracted by the state.
Jones then referred the case to the Office of Legislative Counsel, which wrote an opinion in Jones' favor.
It said because the appraisal was contracted by the landowner, and not the state, the exemption didn't apply.
"In summary, because we are not able to identify a public interest in not disclosing the real estate appraisal for the Pillar Point property that clearly outweighs the public interest in the disclosure of that appraisal, it is our opinion that the board may not rely on the public interest exemption," wrote the office's counsel.
"The board's new policy is a step in the right direction to provide more transparency," said Douglas Haaland, chief consultant for the Assembly Republican Office of Policy. "But because the board serves as a banker, the exemption does not apply."
Colin Mills, legal counsel for the Wildlife Conservation Board, said the Pillar Point case was unique and could not be applied to other land deals.
Means, of the Wildlife Conservation Board, said the board will review the new policy in 12 months to see how it is working. He said the board will adjust the policy at that time if needed.
View this story on California Watch
Story courtesy of our media partners at California Watch (A Project of the Center for Investigative Reporting)


|the oppressive existence of deadline monkey
||[Jun. 25th, 2010|02:40 pm]
|||||J. Ralph, "Kansas City Shuffle"||]|
One of the things about nerd culture that has always mystified me is the generally conservative atmosphere. As a general rule, the silent majority of science fiction fans seem to want more of what they already have: familiar characters, new takes on old scenarios, etc. For these people, nerd media - even with its heavy focus on fantasy, possibility and wonder - doesn't function to challenge, inspire, or innovate; instead, it's something like a warm bath in a familiar room.
I suppose that's fine as far as it goes; it's a big, weird world, and whatever gets you through it sane is probably a good thing.
What's frustrating is that the silent majority is where the money comes from, and they tend to recoil, hissing, from anything they don't already know. (That is, unless they're hit with a multimillion-dollar, multimedia ad campaign, on the level where it's less a marketing initiative and more the PR equivalent of the Visigoths sacking Rome.) You see a lot of this just about everywhere; the examples that come readily to my mind are "Firefly," Beyond Good & Evil, and the recent Sarah Polley movie Splice.
( and now we talk about comic booksCollapse )


text:
Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium colonized in the skin (as normal human flora) and the mucous membranes of humans and animals. Upon overcoming the skin barrier, the bacteria can cause multiple systemic infections with fever, acute and chronic infections, and various syndromes ( 1 ). In Livestock bacterial contamination, depending on the sanitary conditions of the environment and the equipment used, bacterial contamination often occurs during the milking process.
Bovine mastitis is caused by a variety of microorganisms, such as S. aureus and Escherichia coli. This infection can be controlled by improving farm management practices ( 2 ). Many factors are involved in the pathogenicity of this bacterium, including the ability to produce biofilms and antibiotic resistance. A biofilm can be defined as an aggregate of microorganisms stuck to biotic or abiotic surfaces. Its phenotypic and genotypic structures adapt themselves to environmental conditions ( 3 ).
Biofilm expansion enhances bacterial viability in the environment and is an important factor in the failure of antibiotics. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has now turned into a serious challenge and has adverse effects on therapeutic interventions. These traits are carried by specific genes on bacterial chromosomes, plasmids, transposons, and/or integron gene cassettes and can be transferred from one bacterium to another ( 4 ).
The present research investigated the icaABCD and icaR genes involved in biofilm formation and the resistance and susceptibility of S. aureus to antibiotics used to control it. The icaABCD genes are synthetic genes, and the synthesis of polysaccharide intercellular adhesion occurs after the related enzyme is expressed by the icaA and the icaD genes. The icaB gene is responsible for the deacetylation of polysaccharides before they bind to cell membranes, and the icaC gene encodes a membrane protein.
Moreover, the icaR gene plays a regulatory role and inhibits the expression of the icaABCD genes, and prevents biofilm formation. However, a protein named Rbf protein prevents this process by suppressing the icaR gene ( 5 , 6 ). In addition, it identified methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolates in human and animal populations through detecting the presence of the mecA genes that are a component of SCCmec (a mobile genetic element of Staphylococcus bacterial species) ( 7 - 9 ). This research aimed to study biofilm production in vitro and the presence of icaABCD genes in MRSA S. aureus isolates in both human and animal groups and investigate disease transmission between human and animal strains.
2. Materials and Methods
In this study, 85 animal and 80 human samples were obtained. Livestock samples were collected from cows suspected of mastitis, and human samples were collected from blood, infectious secretions, and endotracheal tubes. The bacterial samples were first enriched by culturing them in Brain Heart Infusion Broth. They were then transferred to a blood agar medium and incubated for 24 h at 37°C. Biochemical tests, such as Gram test, catalase, coagulase, mannitol salt agar, and deoxyribonuclease tests were then performed. It should be mentioned that several samples were discarded.
2.2. DNA Extraction
Extraction of the S. aureus genome was performed by the extraction kit (GeneAll, South Korea) according to the protocols of the manufacturer. At the end of the extraction, the DNA concentration was measured with a nanodrop device.
2.3. Identification of Staphylococcus aureus in Humans and Animals by Genotypic Method
The identities of the samples were confirmed by using the nucA gene (Figure 1) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with forward and reverse primer sequences of F: CTGGCATATGTATGGCAATTGTT and R: TATTGACCTGAATCAGCGTTGTCT and a number of isolates were removed. S. aureus ATCC25923 was used as the positive control for the identification of the nucA gene and Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC12228 was used as the negative control ( 10 ).
2.4. Phenotypic Investigation of Biofilm Formation Using Congo Red Agar
For this experiment, the powder formulation of Congo red agar medium was obtained from Merck, Germany. After preparing the medium on plates, single colonies of the bacteria were cultured using the streak plate technique and incubated aerobically in an oven at 37 ˚C each for 48 h. The matte black colonies produced strong biofilms and the reddish transparent black colonies produced moderate biofilms. The red colonies were considered biofilm-negative strains ( 5 ).
2.5. Genotypic Eevaluation for Identifying the mecA Gene in Human and Livestock Isolates
The presence of the mecA gene was assessed by PCR using the specific primer for each gene as specified in table 1. The PCR (final volume 25 μl) was performed for each tube in a PCR device (Eppendorf, Germany). Each Tube contained 10x PCR buffer (2.5 μl), dNTP (150 μmol), MgCl2 (2 mmol), 10 pmol of F and R paired primers, Tag DNA polymerase (1 unit), and DNA (2 μl). The thermocycler temperature regime is shown in table 1 and finally, PCR products were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis.
2.6. Genotypic Evaluation for Identifying the icaABCD and icaR Genes Involved in Biofilm Formation
All isolates were evaluated by PCR to examine the presence of biofilm-forming genes. Specialized primers were used for each ica genes. Each PCR reaction solution was 25 μl of this amount, buffer (2.5 μl), dNTP (150 μmol), MgCl2 (2 mmol), 10 pmol of F and R paired primers, Tag DNA polymerase (1 unit), and DNA (2 μl). The PCR products were examined by agarose gel electrophoresis, and the thermocycler temperature regime is summarized in table 1.
|Target Gene||Primer sequence||Annealing temperature||PCR product size||Reference|
|mecA||F: AAAATCGATGGTAAAGGTTGGC||52°- 30s||553 bp||( 11 )|
|icaA||F: AAAATCGATGGTAAAGGTTGGC||55°- 60s||188 bp||( 12 )|
|icaB||F: AGAATCGTGAAGTATAGAAAATT||52°- 30s||900 bp||( 9 )|
|icaC||F: ATGGGACGGATTCCATGAAAAAGA||52°- 60s||1100 bp||( 9 )|
|icaD||F: ATGGTCAAGCCCAGACAGAG||55°- 30s||198 bp||( 12 )|
|icaR||F: TACTGTCCTCAATAATCCCGAA||54°- 30s||453 bp||( 7 )|
|PCR: polymerase chain reaction|
2.7. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Assay
Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the standardized Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar (Figures 2 and 3). The antimicrobial agents tested included Chloramphenicol (30μg), Ciprofloxacin (5 μg), Erythromycin (15μg), Gentamicin (10 μg), Oxacillin (1 μg), Penicillin (10 Units), Rifampin (5 μg), Trimethoprim (5 μg), Vancomycin (30 μg), and Nitrofurantoin (300 μg). The S. aureus ATCC 25923 was used for controlling the sensitivity of the test.
2.8. Statical Analysis
The data were statistically analyzed using cross-tabulation and the Chi-square tests in SPSS software.
The mecA gene frequency was observed to be 64.1% and 36.8% in 39 human and 35 animal isolates, respectively (Figure 4). Based on the PCR results, the frequency of ica operon genes is presented in table 2 and figures 2, 3, 5 and 6. There is a significant relationship between icaAD and mecA genes (P≤0.05) based on statistical analysis. In the phenotypic study of the biofilm production by congo red agar method, as shown in figure 7 69.2%, 15.4%, and 15.4% of the human isolates resulted in strong, moderate, and weak biofilm productions, respectively. In livestock isolates, 57.9%, 21.1%, and 21% resulted in strong, moderate, and weak biofilm productions, respectively.
|Gentamycin||48.7 %||52.6 %|
|Chloramphenicol||38.5 %||52.6 %|
|Penicillin||43.6 %||52.6 %|
|Rifampicin||56.4 %||47.4 %|
|Vancomycin||58.2 %||89.5 %|
|Ciprofloxacin||59 %||63.2 %|
|Nitrofurantoin||41 %||63.2 %|
|Oxacillin||56.4 %||52.6 %|
|Erythromycin||71.8 %||84.2 %|
|Trimethoprim||61.5 %||73.7 %|
The results of the antibiogram for both human and animal groups are summarized in table 3 and presented in figure 8. Based on these results, there was a significant relationship between icaA in rifampicin antibiotic susceptibility in human isolates (P=0.016). Moreover, a significant relationship was observed among icaC, chloramphenicol (P=0.046), and penicillin (P-value = 0.016). In animal isolates, there was a significant relationship between mecA and the sensitivity to trimethoprim (P=0.047), and also a significant relationship was observed between icaR and the sensitivity to rifampicin (P=0.033).
|Gene Frequency||Clinical (S)%||Livestock(S)%|
|icaB||64.1 %||31.6 %|
|icaC||30.8 %||26.3 %|
|icaD||64.1 %||36.8 %|
|icaR||10.3 %||10.5 %|
The widespread prevalence of MRSA is one of the most important factors that has turned S. aureus into a dangerous pathogen that poses a serious threat to healthcare worldwide. The MRSA can easily adapt to and evolve in different environments, just as the community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) and LA-MRSA strains are the results of HA-MRSA evolution. Epidemiologically, HA-MRSA was first reported from hospitals and is endemic to hospitals; moreover, CA-MRSA is also prevalent in the general population, and LA-MRSA is endemic to farms ( 13 ).
LA-MRSA and HA-MRSA are drug-resistant pathogens and cover a wide range of infections. High prevalence of LA-MRSA infection has been reported in farmers, ranchers, and people in direct contact with animals, with symptoms, such as sepsis, pneumonia, and joint infections ( 14 ). S. aureus is currently one of the leading causes of infection in cattle and causes severe economic damage to the dairy industry.
A report stated that certain strains of S. aureus, such as CC130, ST425 ( 15 ) have been observed only in cows. In farms, most antibiotics are used as feed additives to enhance livestock growth, which increases antibiotic resistance and the development of LA-MRSA strains. According to a report, in the United States, approximately 80% of all produced antibiotics are used in agriculture, and a significant portion of this amount is used for non-therapeutic purposes and to enhance livestock growth ( 16 ).
The antibiotics used for livestock are from the same group of human antibiotics, which can transmit the antimicrobial resistance created in livestock to the human population ( 17 ). In a study conducted on veterinarians, 12.5% of them were infected with LA-MRSA strains ( 18 ). The spread of contamination may occur through slaughterhouse workers, farmers, and butchers, who have direct contact with contaminated meat, or through hospitals and health centers, or the environment, such as water and air ( 19 ).
The occurrence of common human-animal infections can be directly related to the prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in animals used for food ( 20 ). According to research, the mecA ( 21 ) and mecC ( 11 , 22 ) resistance genes are of animal origin. The domestication of animals, as well as the globalization of the livestock industry, have facilitated and significantly increased the exchange of bacteria between humans and animals ( 23 , 24 ).
A report by Weese, Caldwell ( 25 ) stated that MRSA can be transmitted between horses and humans and that veterinary hospital staff is more exposed to infection. There is also evidence that livestock can act as a reservoir for the emergence of S. aureus in humans ( 26 ). Moreover, the results of several studies have shown that MRSA is more of a human origin in pets ( 27 ). Price, Stegger ( 28 ) demonstrated in their study that a human-derived MSSA strain could spread to livestock and induce antibiotic resistance to methicillin and tetracycline in livestock.
A study performed by de Boer, Zwartkruis-Nahuis ( 29 ) aimed to isolate MRSA from animal feed in several countries. Based on their results, the highest contamination of meat products was reported from the Netherlands; accordingly, the contamination rates of raw meat were 11.9%, 6.10%, 2.15%, 6.2%, 10.7%, 16%, and 35.3% in retail stores, beef, veal, lamb and mutton, pork, chicken, and turkey, respectively.
Animal source foods are usually prepared for human consumption, and LA-MRSA isolates found in live animals may also be detected on animal carcasses. In addition, slaughterhouse staff may contaminate the carcass with CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA during slaughter or processing. In a study conducted in the United States, 22 out of 120 meat samples prepared from 30 meat retail centers were reported to be infected by CA-MRSA and HA-MRSA ( 30 ).
In a study, fish meat was reported to be infected with MRSA ( 31 ). This means that the global fish trade could increase the possibility of intercontinental transmission of multidrug-resistant and enterotoxigenic S. aureus ( 32 ). Biofilm is one of the most crucial pathogenicity factors in S. aureus. When bacterium attaches to surfaces and accumulates, they form biofilms, which is one of the key and most essential factors in spreading infectious diseases. The ability of bacteria to produce biofilms and adhesions makes them more resistant to antibiotics.
According to various theories, if antibiotics penetrate the biofilm, the biofilm can inactivate the antibiotics by producing enzymes. The effect of antibiotics is only on growing bacteria. Bacteria in biofilms grow more slowly, reducing the effect of antibiotics on biofilms ( 32 ). Furthermore, the high density of bacterial populations in biofilms increases the likelihood of genetic exchange in the bacterial population, which leads to the transfer of resistance genes between bacteria, resulting in increased antibiotic resistance due to horizontal gene transfer.
In addition, once the biofilm is formed, it will be easy for it to escape the immune system and cause chronic infections ( 33 ). Although some genes and other conditions are responsible for biofilm production, results of a study performed by Arciola, Baldassarri ( 34 ) showed that icaD and fnbA genes play key roles in biofilm formation. In a study conducted by Piechota, Kot ( 35 ), there was a significant relationship between ica operon and MRSA strains, which is consistent with the findings of the present study.
In a study carried out by Bimanand, Taherikalani ( 36 ), 95.8% of the isolates formed biofilms, and a significant relationship was found between icaD and fnbA genes. Ghasemian, Najar Peerayeh ( 37 ) reported that the prevalence of icaABCD genes in isolates was high, but there was no significant relationship among ica operon genes, MRSA, and MSSA. They also found that all MRSA strains contained icaABCD genes. However, in the present study, in addition to the presence of ica genes in MRSA strains, there was a significant relationship between the frequency of icaAD and mecA genes.
Serray, Oufrid ( 38 ) found a significant association between MRSA and the icaD gene. In a study conducted by Nourbakhsh and Momtaz ( 39 ), the frequency of icaC and icaB genes were 67.3% and 63.2%, respectively, and 92.2% of 188 isolates contained the mecA gene, but no significant relationship was found. Results of another study carried out by Ohadian Moghadam, Pourmand ( 40 ) reported that all MRSA isolates contained icaA and icaD genes. According to the results of a study performed by Mirzaee, Najar-Peerayeh ( 41 ), the frequency of icaABCD genes was 51.6%, 45.1%, 77.4%, and 80.6%, respectively. Moreover, they found that only 38.7% of the samples contained all four genes and that there was no significant relationship.
Based on previous studies, the expression of 100% of all operon ica genes does not prove biofilm production. However, this does not mean that it is not important in biofilm production. Each icaABCD gene plays a different role in the biofilm production process and the amount of gene expression in different samples of S. aureus can be different. According to the results of the present study, icaAD genes were significantly associated with mecA gene expression.
Besides, icaR gene expression was the exact opposite of icaABCD genes, which could indicate the importance of the icaR gene in inhibiting biofilm production. That is, the lower the icaR expression, the higher the biofilm production in the bacterium. Based on the results of the present study performed on the transmission of S. aureus strains between humans and animals, it is not possible to express a definite conclusion. However, recent research shows that bilateral transmission of S. aureus strains between humans and animals is not rare Smith ( 19 ).
Livestock-associated S. aureus is an emerging group of S. aureus worldwide, and it seems that these strains cause less infection in humans and spread from person to person than typical familiar human strains. However, this conclusion should be made with caution since good prospective studies have not been performed so far, and more extensive and accurate studies are needed in both human and animal populations.
Study concept and design: Y. A.
Acquisition of data: C. M. M.
Analysis and interpretation of data: J. S.
Drafting of the manuscript: Y. A.
Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Y. A.
Statistical analysis: J. S.
Administrative, technical, and material support: C. M. M.
The present study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.
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domain: biology


COVID-19 fight on - Countries, candidates work to provide safe, equitable access to vaccines
One hundred and Seventy-two economies are now engaged in discussions to potentially participate in COVAX, a global initiative aimed at working with vaccine manufacturers to provide countries worldwide equitable access to safe and effective vaccines, once they are licensed and approved.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COVAX currently has the world’s largest and most diverse COVID-19 vaccine portfolio – including nine candidate vaccines, with a further nine under evaluation and conversations underway with other major producers.
COVAX, the vaccines pillar of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, is co-led by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the WHO – working in partnership with developed and developing country vaccine manufacturers. It is the only global initiative that is working with governments and manufacturers to ensure COVID-19 vaccines are available worldwide to both higher-income and lower-income countries.
In order to be able to secure enough doses of vaccines to protect the most vulnerable populations, such as health workers and the elderly, the next step for the partnership is to confirm potential self-financing participants’ intent to participate by August 31 and to turn these into binding commitments to join the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX Facility) by September 18, with first upfront payments to follow thereafter, and no later than October 9.
KEY TO BEATING VIRUS
“Equal access to a COVID-19 vaccine is the key to beating the virus and paving the way for recovery from the pandemic,” said Stefan Löfven, prime minister of Sweden. “This cannot be a race with a few winners, and the COVAX Facility is an important part of the solution – making sure all countries can benefit from access to the world’s largest portfolio of candidates and fair and equitable distribution of vaccine doses.”
The COVAX Facility is a Gavi-coordinated pooled procurement mechanism for new COVID-19 vaccines, through which COVAX will ensure fair and equitable access to vaccines for each participating economy, using an allocation framework currently being formulated by WHO. The COVAX Facility will do this by pooling buying power from participating economies and providing volume guarantees across a range of promising vaccine candidates, allowing those vaccine manufacturers whose expertise is essential to large-scale production of the new vaccines to make early, at-risk investments in manufacturing capacity – providing participating countries and economies with the best chance at rapid access to doses of a successful COVID-19 vaccine.
The success of COVAX hinges not only on countries signing up to the COVAX Facility, but also filling key funding gaps for both COVAX R&D work and a mechanism to support the participation of lower-income economies in the COVAX Facility.
“COVID-19 is an unprecedented global health challenge that can only be met with unprecedented cooperation between governments, researchers, manufacturers and multilateral partners,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of WHO. “By pooling resources and acting in solidarity through the ACT Accelerator and the COVAX Facility, we can ensure that once a vaccine is available for COVID-19, it’s available equitably to all countries.”
CEPI is leading COVAX vaccine research and development work, which aims to develop three safe and effective vaccines which can be made available to countries participating in the COVAX Facility. Nine candidate vaccines are currently being supported by CEPI; seven of which are currently in clinical trials. Governments, vaccine manufacturers (in addition to their own R&D), organisations and individuals have committed US$1.4 billion towards vaccine R&D so far, but an additional US$1 billion is urgently needed to continue to move the portfolio forward.


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Because of the evil and turmoil happening in the world, many Christians have asked me if the time of the tribulation has come. Most believers understand we are living in the last days. The increase of evil, lawlessness, fear, deception and natural disasters are all mentioned in the Bible. We see the anti-Christ agenda trying to come in before the time through the global lockdown.
However, God is not finished with our nation. He is not finished with His church. For the Christian, this is an exciting time to be alive! This is not a time to be asleep, to live in sin or to retreat. This is a time to arise to God’s call on your life, walk in the fear of the Lord and be led by the Holy Spirit as never before!

domain: literature