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Unibake News
A silent success
Schulstad has worked to reduce the noise from their bread delivery. Much noise has to do with the driver's behavior so Schulstad has put a lot of effort into training their drivers in low-noise delivery.
Did you ever wake up much too early in the morning because of noise from delivery trucks? In many cities, noise complaints from residents have prevented retail suppliers from delivering fresh goods during night hours. Dialogue and noise-reducing measures have made our great colleagues in Schulstad so successful in solving the problem that Schulstad now delivers fresh bread in the City of Copenhagen during the night hours – without a single complaint from residents.
Due to complaints from residents in the neighborhood, many supermarkets do not accept delivery before 7 in the morning. However, the bans on delivery of goods to stores at night and in the early hours of the morning creates a huge problem for both retail suppliers and the local community because it limits the delivery timing to two hours says Niels Holm, Supply Chain Manager at Schulstad.
Traffic is heavy in the cities between 7 and 9 and causes delay for the drivers. This means that they cannot deliver to as many stores as they can, when traffic is low, and many suppliers must therefore run several cars to be sure to handle the deliveries they have committed to. It is expensive, but cost is far from the only challenge, says Niels Holm, Supply Chain Manager at Lantmännen Unibake Denmark Fresh that owns the Schulstad brand. Among other things he highlights the many serious accidents where bicyclists are involved when trucks turn right and the increased CO2 emission of trucks queuing up in morning traffic.
For a number of years Schulstad has worked to reduce the noise from their bread delivery. Much noise has to do with the driver's behavior so Schulstad has put a lot of effort into training their drivers in low-noise delivery.
The truck as such is of course also an important element. For example, it makes a big difference whether the bottom of the truck is made of the right material, and if a rear camera replaces the rear alarm.
On this background. Schulstad has systematically changed to trucks that are noise reduction certified (PIEK) and today 85 per cent of their fleet has a PIEK certification.
Schulstad's efforts have paved the way for an agreement with the City of Copenhagen, which means that Schulstad can now deliver during the night hours as long as there are no complaints from residents. This scheme has been working for three years without a single complaint.
Schulstad is currently running trials with three hybrid trucks that can run on electricity at speeds below 30 km / h. This effectively removes the last engine noise. - Hybrid cars are the ultimate solution, but they are expensive and not an option for every business. PIEK certification, on the other hand, is a much more manageable investment, especially in relation to the many benefits you get by being able to deliver at night, says Niels Holm. - If the effort for quiet delivery means that we avoid just one serious right-turn accident during peak hours, then I believe it has been worth it," he concludes.
Unibake News, Career
Carsten Lyngsø Thomsen appointed new President of Lantmännen Unibake
Unibake News, Romania, Investment
Lantmännen Unibake makes significant investment in South-East Europe
Natalia Yasneva: "Today I have the smell of bread when I go to work and it brings back my childhood memories."


Bathroom : How To Build A Japanese Bath Japanese Bathroom Decor How Do You Say Toilet In Japanese Traditional Japanese Bath Japanese Bath House Photos. Japanese Bathroom. Extra Deep Soaking Tub. Japanese Ofuro Tub. Japanese Soaking Tub For Sale.
By BiSmiLlahmyriadlit. Bathroom. At Thursday, September 20th 2018, 22:22:55 PM.
70 out of 100. Rated by 927 users.


Things are progressing here at home with unpacking, and setting up house. It is a long process trying to find out where things will go, and how furniture will be arranged etc. I have a lot of square footage to cover, and I want it all to look nice! We haven't even started outdoors yet! I have gardens to plan and flowers and sitting areas to construct. It's a lot of work, but so worth it.
Because of the sale of our home, the move, and being so busy, my workout plan and eating clean has been spotty at best. I am finally starting to get back into the groove of things, by starting with walks and runs around my neighborhood.
It was so hot out! We kept the walk relatively short, and were out only 45 minutes at most. I usually like to go for an hour or so. We only walked today due to the heat, and I am not 100% back to health yet. This cold is just lingering! I hate it.
Coming back down our street. Today was recycle day. I am so glad my city has a program! Because for the last 6 years I lived in a city that DIDN'T! You had to pay a private service to pick up your recyclables! LAME.
When we got home it was time to eat some breakfast. It was kashi waffles with strawberries, 1 tbsp of real maple syrup, 6 sliced strawberries, 2 boiled eggs and my english breakfast tea.
My husband is still working on putting the garage together…AKA his workshop and also our home gym. He just needs to shuffle a few more things around, and then I can finally use my treadmill and weights! YAY!
Tonight I hope to go for a walk with the family again. I absolutely love our new neighborhood, and walking around it is nothing but a pleasure. When we go for our evening walks after dinner, it gives us a chance to totally unwind, relax and reconnect as a family.
The sun sets on another great day in the neighborhood!
My son always has fun when we go on our walks. He loves to run and laugh, and tease his sister, trying to get her to play with him. It is funny to watch.
Here he was taunting both his sister and dad…he wanted them to chase him!
I am about to go into the kitchen and whip up some "butternut squash macaroni and cheese". My son requested it yesterday. It is so yummy! It is a light recipe, and can be found on my Pinterest "clean eats" board HERE.
After dinner I hope to get that walk in, before the rain hits!! I can hear thunder in the background…the storm is coming closer!!
Done with dresses, on to skirts and pants, and changes to this blog.


It's been a long time coming, Calgary! We're pleased to present #EddyFest, a four-day music showcase to celebrate our official grand reopening.
A Calgary match made in heaven: our city's very own folk-pop troubadour and the legendary King Eddy stage come together at Eddy Fest. See Michael Bernard Fitzgerald with opener Ann Taylor and a post show performance from hip-hop artist Sinzere.
Michael Bernard Fitzgerald (MBF) is a singer and songwriter from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A touring troubadour, most of his time is spent on stage playing clubs, theatres and festivals across North America, and the UK. He is a dog man with a good plan and two hands.
MBF has shared the stage and toured with Bryan Adams, Joel Plaskett, Michael Franti and Spearhead, Steve Winwood, Third Eye Blind, Sam Roberts, Stars, K-OS, The Wallflowers, Elliott Brood, Lights and many more. He's also played Firefly Festival, Mountain Jam, Calgary Folk Music, Ottawa City Folk, Summer Fest at Sunshine, Festival, X Fest, Virgin Fest, Winnipeg Folk Festival, The Calgary Stampede, Rifflandia, BreakOut West, and Capital Ex.
Sinzere is a Canadian born; singer-songwriter and rapper re-defining hip-hop music. Sinzere defines herself by her charismatic, daring, witty, powerful, and unapologetic lyrics, creating what some call style of its own. Sinzere mixes elements of, Funk, Jazz, R&B, Hip-Hop, Pop, and Reggae together; creating a groovy, melodic, bass driven sound – rich in originality. Some of Sinzere's accomplishments include opening for the likes of Rick Ross, Raekwon, Rakim, KRS-one, Obie Trice, Mavado; and securing a spot as a top 10 finalist with CBC Searchlight 2018.


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Random March 8, 2020
The classics and "challenging language" – in praise of friction – @AndrewGregory
Classic works of literature by William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens and other great writers can boost your brain and relieve depression, chronic pain and dementia.
Andrew Gregory, The Sunday Times, The Pick-me-up Papers: Dickens better for mental health than self-help books
Here's a thought-provoking piece from last week's Sunday Times. Mental health is improved by reading classic works of literature because…
Unusual phrases and unfamiliar words in great works of literature command the undivided attention of readers, provoking moments of self-reflection and helping shift brains into a higher gear.
And, the approach seems to be having a positive impact in clinical scenarios…
There is no evidence bibliotherapy, or reading therapy, can cure mental health disorders, but medics have reported dramatic results in those with poor mental health. Dr Helen Willows, a GP, said she had seen reading "transform the lives of the people that we see day after day at our surgery — those that are stuck, perhaps with low mood or who are socially isolated."
Dr David Fearnley, executive medical director of the Betsi Cadwaladr University health board and one of the longest- serving medical directors in the NHS, goes further. Reading aloud with others in particular, he says, is "the most significant development in mental healthcare in the past 10 years".
It's interesting that, in all areas of life, we pursue ease and a reduction in friction, whether that's making writing simpler, our background music less intrusive or our daily lives less exercised. But, like resistance work in the gym, or fibre in food, it's the push-back, the friction that has greatest effect.
Photo by Max van den Oetelaar on Unsplash
Filed under: Books, Organisational Humanity
Downtime: Happy by @DerrenBrown
The success of any year – @execupundit

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Predicting awards and winners of the 2015 MLB season
Shawn Ramsey @ShawnPRamsey
Oct 20, 2016 at 4:49p ET
Break out the peanuts and ice the beers, MLB's Opening Day is just around the corner! Sure, spring training is just now ending and the regular season has yet to commence, but it's never too early to attempt some bold predictions for the 2015 season.
Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports Chris Humphreys
National League MVP: Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton, owner of the current largest deal in sports history after agreeing to a 13-year, $325 million extension with the Marlins in the offseason, is entering his fifth year in the majors and has taken the step to become one of the brightest stars in the league. An All-Star in 2012 and 2014, Stanton just needs an MVP to complete his resume, something that should be within his reach in 2015.
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports Steve Mitchell
American League MVP: Mike Trout
Despite arguably being the best player in the American League -- if not in all of baseball -- two years in a row prior, Trout finally took home the MVP award in 2014 in a unanimous decision. While it might be difficult to keep up the high level of play, Trout has shown year after year he is a superstar, and is a favorite to win the prestigious award in back-to-back seasons.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Spor Jayne Kamin-Oncea
National League Cy Young: Max Scherzer
While Clayton Kershaw might be the easy choice to pick at the start of the season to win his third-straight and fourth-overall NL Cy Young Award in 2015, this season could see another winner in Scherzer, who won the award on the AL side in 2013. Signing a seven-year, $210 million contract in the offseason with the Washington Nationals, Scherzer has pitched exceptionally well in spring training for his new team, even getting the nod to start Opening Day over Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann.
Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports Scott Rovak
American League Cy Young: David Price
Price's 2014 season started off rocky while still a member of the Tampa Bay Rays as the pitcher sat with a 4.00-plus ERA until June, and his win-loss total for the entire season wasn't up to his usual standards either (15-12 between the Rays and Detroit Tigers). Signing a massive $19.75 million, one-year deal with the Tigers in the offseason, Price enters the season without the talks of a looming trade, with all focus going toward the mound, unlike one year prior. Price won the award already in 2012, and signs point to the pitcher having a great year on the mound with a full season in Detroit.
Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports Andrew Weber
National League Rookie of the Year: Kris Bryant
Bryant should be starting on Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs after leading both spring training leagues by hitting .425 with 15 RBI. Instead, GM Theo Epstein will have the top prospect make his debut after the start of the season. Despite the controversy, the Cubs can't and won't leave Bryant off the major-league roster long if he continues to play like he did in spring training, and he will likely be the runaway favorite to win Rookie of the Year in the National League.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports Mark J. Rebilas
American League Rookie of the Year: Rusney Castillo
While the outfield in Boston is currently crowded entering the 2015 season, Castillo has shown he has the capability to be a play-maker for the Red Sox. After signing him to a seven-year, $72.5 million deal in August, the richest contract to ever go to a Cuban signee, the Red Sox are envisioning Castillo to be an immediate star in the majors. There's no reason why he shouldn't be after playing well down the stretch in his short time with the Red Sox last September -- going 12-for-36 with two home runs.
Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports Bob DeChiara
National League Manger of the Year: Joe Maddon
Maddon's new club, the Chicago Cubs, may miss out on the playoffs playing in the tough NL Central, but this season's lovable losers should see improvement thanks to several roster moves and the addition of the new manager. Maddon always had the Tampa Bay Rays in contention despite a lack of big-name talent. Who knows what the ceiling is with Cubs willing to spend a bit of cash.
American League Manager of the Year: Lloyd McClendon
In his first season with the Seattle Mariners, McClendon had his team knocking on the door of the team's first playoff appearance in 13 seasons despite what looked like a grim outlook to start 2014 with the rotation decimated with injuries. In 2015, McClendon has a roster full of weapons, and will like use the firepower to make the Mariners a legitimate threat in the American League.
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports Joe Camporeale
National League Wild Card: Pirates over Padres
The Padres' roster overhaul added some much-needed bats to the lineup, backing up what was an already good pitching staff. While San Diego has the ability to make it back to the playoffs in 2015, the often underestimated Pirates, with a solid lineup and a good pitching rotation, should be able to get past a tough NL Central en route to one of the two wild-card positions and is our pick to win the Wild Card Game. Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports
American League Wild Card: Mariners over Orioles
The Mariners have an excellent pitching staff and showed in 2014 that they have the potential to be a good team in a tough AL West. While it can be considered a longshot, Seattle could make at least a decent showing in its first playoff appearance since 2001. The Orioles will be good enough to reach the playoffs once again as a wild-card team, but we predict this team will exit the postseason early at the hands of Seattle. Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports
NLDS: Dodgers over Cardinals, Nationals over Pirates
Yes, we predict the World Series-champion Giants to miss the playoffs entirely in 2015, with the high-spending Dodgers expected to take the NL West. The Cardinals' NL Central pennant will be no cake walk with all teams in the division having the potential to be over .500. Washington won the most games in the NL (96) in 2014, but fell short once again in the playoffs;. However, 2015 should bring the Nationals even better odds after improving the roster even further in the offseason. Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports
ALDS: Angels over Mariners, Red Sox over Tigers
In 2014, the Angels took the AL West in dramatic fashion from the Oakland A's. Expect this season's Angels team to gel early and roll all the way to the playoffs. The Red Sox had a down season in 2014 one year removed from their improbable World Series win in 2013 due to relying too heavily on young hitters. Boston in 2015 will have a re-tooled lineup that should produce more runs on a consistent basis. The Tigers have the potential to win it all, but the pitching rotation has potential flaws after Max Scherzer's departure and Justin Verlander looking as if he has lost a step from his previous dominance. Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports
NLCS: Nationals over Dodgers
Both are favorites to win the NL, but the Nationals should have the edge after winning home-field advantage with a superior regular-season record. Sure, we've been down this road before predicting Washington to come out of the NL, but this squad has more overall experience to make it farther in the playoffs. Our guess? Seven-games of high-powered baseball will decide this NLCS. Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports
ALCS: Angels over Red Sox
Led by the potential-MVP Mike Trout, signs point to the the Angels being the AL's representative in the World Series, taking out the Red Sox quickly in a five-game series. Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports
World Series: Nationals over Angels
With three-straight seasons ending in crushing disappointment for Nationals fans, 2015 is Washington's year to bring home the Commissioner's Trophy and the franchise's first World Series title. Expect the Nats to win it all in five games over the Angels in the Fall Classic.
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports Brad Mills


I can make a nice microfoam with both brands of soy milk I use (Earth Balance unsweetened and Organic Valley unsweetened) but when I pour to make latte art, it is too thick and floats, creating poorly defined shapes at best.
I heard about a Pacific brand soy milk made specifically for making lattes called Barista Series, Soy Blenders. I looked it up on amazon.com and start reading people's comments. People seemed to really like it and pointed out that it was able to withstand higher temperatures than other soy milk. I found the information and photo below on the pacific foods web site and they too claim that it can withstand high temperatures.
Specially formulated to withstand high temperatures and deliver consistently smooth, velvety microfoam. It performs as well as (or even better than) dairy – perfect for latte art.
I did further research on the subject of soy milk curdling at high temperatures. There was a a difference of opinion on the cause. Some said that it was due to excessive heat while others claimed that it was caused by acidity. I researched further and found this study that showed that it was acid alone that caused curdling un-influenced by heat!
On Barista Exchange.com I found this useful comment by Jacoby Steele. Soy doesn't have the same consistency as milk, or the nutritional make up- so it really shouldn't be treated exactly like cow's milk… I've had success with keeping the tip of the wand to a 45* angle like you'd do for a capp, and barely submerge the tip. You want to have constant texturing until about 100* and then barely submerge it to keep everything moving. Soy foam has a bad habit of separating quickly if you don't let it mix (or swirl) under the wand as long as possible. and don't steam it over 130*. I'm lactose intolerant and i can pour decent latte art with the technique i just described without curdling.


Google have discovered that there are more people than ever before, searching online to find products/services nearby. Their research shows that the number of search interest in the "near me" term has doubled since last year – 80% coming from mobile devices.
This shows that even more people are wanting to find certain things closer to their own location, so convenience is becoming more important when looking to buy a product and/or service.
Last year Google enhanced the location extensions in order to show up to three different locations for a business in a single ad, giving consumers more of a choice and the flexibility to choose the most convenient location for them.
They also recently created another update for location-relation searches, by showing up to four different businesses for searches like "nearby auto repair". The closest businesses to a user's location will show, along with a click-to-call and directions feature.
In this article there is also guidance and information on how to get the best out of your ad extensions; with a successful case study talking about the positive affect it had on their conversions.
Looking at this screenshot, the purpose of this test could be to highlight products that have been heavily discounted. The alert clearly doesn't appear on products that have the lowest price as the product in question is $55, and the best price is $24.99 from another seller.
There have not been any details on what exactly this alert does, so it would be a case of waiting for Google to make an announcement; as they are clearly still in their early stages of testing.
A few days ago Twitter launched an upgrade to its analytics tool in the US (soon to be coming to the UK!) which gives marketers more information about their audience on the network. The enhanced tool drills into demographics, interests, lifestyle, purchasing behaviour, TV viewing preferences and mobile/device usage.


3 Bedroom Apartment with Terrace. Located in St. Julians, walking distance to Balluta & the Seafront.
Apartment consisting of a 50sqm open plan kitchen, living and dining area further leading onto the front terrace. Additionally, this property comprises 3 double bedrooms a box room and the guest bathroom. The master bedroom is complimented with en-suite facilities and a back balcony.
This Apartment is great for residential use but also perfect as a rental investment as it can be split into two units.
Offered finished excluding bathrooms and internal doors.


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Q: Detecting whether or not device support phone calls? Is the below code reliable to be used to determine whether a device can support phone calls or not?
My concern is if apple changes the iphone string to anything else let's say they decide to have "iphone 3g", "iphone 4" etc.
[[UIDevice currentDevice].model isEqualToString:@"iPhone"]

A: Simply checking if a device "supports" phone calls might not be the best way to go about things depending on what your trying to accomplish.  Believe it or not, some people use old iPhones without service as if they were an iPod Touch.  Sometimes people don't have SIM cards installed in their iPhones.  In my app I wanted to dial a phone number if the users device was able to, otherwise I wanted to display the phone number and prompt the user to grab a phone and dial it.  Here is a solution I came up with that has worked so far. Feel free to comment and improve it.
// You must add the CoreTelephony.framework
#import <CoreTelephony/CTTelephonyNetworkInfo.h>
#import <CoreTelephony/CTCarrier.h>

-(bool)canDevicePlaceAPhoneCall {
    /*

     Returns YES if the device can place a phone call

     */

    // Check if the device can place a phone call
    if ([[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"tel://"]]) {
        // Device supports phone calls, lets confirm it can place one right now
        CTTelephonyNetworkInfo *netInfo = [[[CTTelephonyNetworkInfo alloc] init] autorelease];
        CTCarrier *carrier = [netInfo subscriberCellularProvider];
        NSString *mnc = [carrier mobileNetworkCode];
        if (([mnc length] == 0) || ([mnc isEqualToString:@"65535"])) {
            // Device cannot place a call at this time.  SIM might be removed.
            return NO;
        } else {
            // Device can place a phone call
            return YES;
        }
    } else {
        // Device does not support phone calls
        return  NO;
    }
}

You'll notice I check if the mobileNetworkCode is 65535.  In my testing, it appears that when you remove the SIM card, then the mobileNetworkCode is set to 65535.  Not 100% sure why that is.

A: I don't think your method is reliable, as device names may change in the future. If your concern is to prevent the app from running on non-iPhone devices, you may add the 'telephony' to the UIRequiredDeviceCapabilities dictionary in your Info.plist. That will disallow devices other than the iPhone to download your app from the App Store.
Alternatively, if what you need is checking for 3G connectivity at a particular moment, you can use Apple's Reachability utility class to ask about current 3G/WIFI connection status.

A: I think that generally it is. I would go for a more generic string comparison (just to be safer in case of a future update). I've used it with no problems (so far...).
If you want to be more certain about whether the device can actually make calls, you should also take advantage of the Core Telephony API. The CTCarrier class can tell you whether you can actually make a call at any particular moment.

A: This UIApplication.shared.openURL((URL(string: "tel://\(phoneNumber)")!)) will not say if it has SIM or Not this will just say, if the device has options to make a call. For example : A iPhone with or without SIM it'll return true, but in iPod Touch it will always return false, like wise if an ipad doesn't have sim option it will return false.
Here is the code that checks everything comprehensively ! (Using Swift 3.0)
if UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(URL(string: "tel://\(phoneNumber)")!) {
            var networkInfo = CTTelephonyNetworkInfo()
            var carrier: CTCarrier? = networkInfo.subscriberCellularProvider
            var code: String? = carrier?.mobileNetworkCode
            if (code != nil) {
                UIApplication.shared.openURL((URL(string: "tel://\(phoneNumber)")!))
            }
            else {
                var alert = UIAlertView(title: "Alert", message: "No SIM Inserted", delegate: nil, cancelButtonTitle: "ok", otherButtonTitles: "")
                alert.show()
            }
        }
        else {
            var alert = UIAlertView(title: "Alert", message: "Device does not support phone calls.", delegate: nil, cancelButtonTitle: "ok", otherButtonTitles: "")
            alert.show()
        }

By this way, we can make sure, device supports calling or not.

A: I need to make sure that incoming phone calls cannot interrupt the recordings that my clients make, so I prompt them to go to airplane mode but still turn on wifi. The method above from AlBeebe didn't work for me on iOS 8.1.3, but If found this solution which should work in iOS 7 and later:
You must add and import the CoreTelephony.framework.
#import <CoreTelephony/CTTelephonyNetworkInfo.h>
#import <CoreTelephony/CTCarrier.h>

Define the property on your class if you want to track changes
@property (strong, nonatomic) CTTelephonyNetworkInfo* networkInfo;

Init the CTTelephonyNetworkInfo:
self.networkInfo = [[CTTelephonyNetworkInfo alloc] init];
NSLog(@"Initial cell connection: %@", self.networkInfo.currentRadioAccessTechnology);
[[NSNotificationCenter defaultCenter] addObserver:self selector:@selector(radioAccessChanged) name:CTRadioAccessTechnologyDidChangeNotification object:nil];

And then you will receive callback when it changes:
- (void)radioAccessChanged {
    NSLog(@"Now you're connected via %@", self.networkInfo.currentRadioAccessTechnology);
}

The values for currentRadioAccessTechnology are defined in
CTTelephonyNetworkInfo.h and you'll get back null / nil when there is no cell tower connection.
This is where I found it: http://www.raywenderlich.com/48001/easily-overlooked-new-features-ios-7

A: The iPhone supports the tel:// URI scheme. So you could use:
[[UIApplication sharedApplication] canOpenURL:[NSURL URLWithString:@"tel://"]];

canOpenURL: explicitly checks whether there's an application capable of opening that URL scheme, not that the URL is correct. So it doesn't matter that no phone number is specified. The method returns a BOOL, so check that for YES or NO.
That should literally answer whether there's any application present capable of making a telephone call. So it should be okay against any future changes in device segmentation.

A: Based on @the-guardian's response, I have come up with the following (in swift):
import CoreTelephony

/**
 Indicates if the device can make a phone call.

 - seealso: [Source](http://stackoverflow.com/a/11595365/3643020)

 - returns: `true` if the device can make a phone call. `false` if not.
 */
final class func canMakePhoneCall() -> Bool {
    guard let url = URL(string: "tel://") else {
        return false
    }

    let mobileNetworkCode = CTTelephonyNetworkInfo().subscriberCellularProvider?.mobileNetworkCode

    let isInvalidNetworkCode = mobileNetworkCode == nil
        || mobileNetworkCode?.count == 0
        || mobileNetworkCode == "65535"

    return UIApplication.shared.canOpenURL(url)
        && !isInvalidNetworkCode
}

This code has been tested on an iPad Air 2 Wifi, an iPad Air 2 Simulator, an iPhone 6S Plus, and seems to work appropriately. Will determine on an iPad with mobile data soon.

A: In case you are asking in order to call a phone number and show
an error on devices that have no telephony:
void openURL(NSURL *url, void (^ __nullable completionHandler). (BOOL success))
{
    if (@available(iOS 10.0, *)) {
        [application openURL:url options:@{} completionHandler:^(BOOL success) {
            completionHandler(success);
        }];
    } else
    {
        if([application openURL:url]) {
            completionHandler(YES);
        } else {
            completionHandler(NO);
        }
    }
}

usage
        p97openURL(phoneURL, ^(BOOL success) {
            if(!success) {
                  show message saying there is no telephony on device

            }
        }

A: Based on @TheGuardian's answer, I think this might be a simpler approach:
   private final func canMakePhoneCall() -> Bool {
       guard UIDevice.currentDevice().userInterfaceIdiom == UIUserInterfaceIdiom.Phone else {
        return false
       }

       let mobileNetworkCode = CTTelephonyNetworkInfo().subscriberCellularProvider?.mobileNetworkCode
       let isInvalidNetworkCode = mobileNetworkCode == nil || mobileNetworkCode?.characters.count <= 0
                                                        || mobileNetworkCode == "65535"
                                                        //When sim card is removed, the Code is 65535

       return !isInvalidNetworkCode
    }

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Tag: Hemingway
"The essence of pleasure is spontaneity."
Germaine Greer.
At the end of the encierro in Pamplona the adrenalin's edge softens and the sense of relief, satisfaction, fulfilment and even disappointment takes its place. At the same time, amid the Kaiku y cognacs, coffees and conversation, thoughts turn towards breakfast.
There was a time when groups of runners would take the short stroll down Plaza del Castillo, crossing Estafeta and up to Calle de la Merced where they would find a few spare benches outside La Raspa and sit down. The crowd would vary day to day but ultimately it would be a relaxed affair where a group of friends could eat a simple breakfast, share a few bottles of tinto with gaseosa and chat away in a mood of contented camaraderie. The odd jota would meanwhile float over from a nearby table. It was always the perfect way to ease into the day and to transition between the drama of the encierro and the rhythm of fiesta.
Now the tables are all reserved: booked up in advance for the "right people" and the impromptu breakfast has been replaced by a stage-managed event. The very concept of spontaneity has been sacrificed because the breakfast "event" is so popular that everyone wants to join in. Everyone wants a piece of the action and to be seen to be there. When the essence of a thing vanishes what is left is an artificial facsimile of the original.
We have seen it before in so many ways. If you have ever dreamed of visiting a famous monument or notoriously beautiful site then you will be aware that the truth does not match the dream. That amazing view across to Niagra Falls, across the Grand Canyon or up The Mall to Buckingham Palace is not something you can enjoy in the way you imagined. This is because of the sheer mass of humanity getting in the way of the view. The forest of selfie sticks, or ego poles as someone else has described them, has to be waded through and any photograph has to be captured in that split second when a group of Japanese tourists, British schoolchildren or American coach tour is not right in the optimal place.
Popular sites are popular for a reason – people believe they are worth seeing "in the flesh". Their essence is something that is worth enjoying in person. Yet in doing so we end up killing them through popularity. Pumphrey described it as the "devil's bargain", and that experience is greatly diminished not just because it has to be shared with dozens of Antipodean backpackers but because that sense of intimacy, that personal connection, is compromised.
It is very easy to leap up and blame the very modern phenomenon of social media for much of this. After all the attitude that drives so many of us to share our lives with the rest of the world has found a natural home in the digital age. Not only that but there is an accompanying theme of the need to prove how amazing our lives are while sharing them with the world. As a result the selfie stick pervades and every visit to a famous monument or site has to be captured as evidence not only that we were there, but that we were having the most amazing time while we were at it.
Yet it wouldn't be fair to blame this solely on the rise of social media. As long as humans have been able to travel for leisure and been able to share that experience so the complaints of over-crowding and spoiling have existed.
The famous European Grand Tour was an expected trip for wealthier members of British society, particularly between the 17th and 19th centuries. Yet even as far back as then there were complaints that the circuit was getting too crowded and too rowdy. As Professor Kathleen Burke writes; "The undisciplined and sometimes violent behaviour of young Englishmen was often commented upon; certainly, for the staff of British embassies abroad, the activities of English visitors, 'each vying with the other who should be the wildest and most eccentric', were a major preoccupation. 'Even Russians were impressed by the cohorts of wild English youth they found in the cities of western Europe.'"
Hemingway too acknowledged the down side to the popularity of something so beloved. "Pamplona was rough, as always, overcrowded… I've written Pamplona once, and for keeps. It is all there, as it always was, except forty thousand tourists have been added. There were not twenty tourists when I first went there… four decades ago."
Social media has merely exacerbated this and contributed to it on a global level. Take a trip to San Sebastián, home of the most wonderful pintxos and tapas, and you will see what popularity has done to this culture. The principle of tapas, how tapas traditionally works in Spanish towns and cities, has been erased. In its place there is a much more stage-managed, tourist-friendly version where the bars do not want people to pop in for a mini and a single pintxo. Now they hand you a plate and encourage you to stay long and spend deep in order to keep the cash registers ringing. (This is not to denigrate the gastronomy of San Sebastián, which is outstanding).
This is not how tapas works elsewhere, but San Sebastián has become popular on a mercurial scale. When this happens a critical mass is reached and something has to give. As Hassan Bougrine points out; "…the essence of the capitalist economy is the need to 'make money'." No wonder that tradition is distorted. Though perhaps some would say that it is actually more positive – an evolution that gives the customers what they want. Given that a high proportion of those present in the Basque city are foreign travellers, that evolution to 'Tapas Tourism' is not surprising.
The intense beauty of Cornish fishing villages is such an allure that those with enough income have been buying holiday homes there for many years. This has had such a negative impact on the communities, effectively destroying the villages outside the holiday seasons, that bans on purchasing second homes now exist in a number of Cornish locations.
The essence of a thing is so fragile, so precious and so difficult to grasp that when we reach for it, it vanishes. Like grasping a handful of sand on the beach, the tighter we hold on the less we are able to keep a grip on it and the sooner it slips through our fingers and is gone. We rarely aim to destroy the essence of a thing intentionally, we merely realise that it has happened almost by stealth and the truth of our impact has crept up on us, seemingly out of nowhere. Yet, destroy the essence of something we most certainly do.
With something fragile and something so desirable the answer, surely, is to handle with care. We want to reach out and grasp something that shines and yet, like ice crystals, the very touch itself can destroy the thing. In this case it must be wiser to enjoy a thing in the moment and be prepared to walk away, to change and to sacrifice the very thing we love so as not to destroy it. This is not easy for, in the moment, we are normally overtaken by the desire to sink ourselves into the experience. Similarly we often destroy one small cut at a time and may not recognise it until it is too late.
Surely as soon as we feel a thing we love is at risk of being stage-managed or that its essence has been compromised or killed by popularity we should be prepared to walk away. Perhaps we should even be prepared to walk away long before then. Take the post-encierro breakfast as an example. If we attend every single day are we expecting too much from it? Are we forcing the fun to fulfil an expectation or are we merely contributing to the destruction of its essence. Once something becomes routine it is no longer special.
That is not to say that such things should cease and many people find enjoyment in routine. Some would even claim that they are able to hold onto the essence of something even when it is a routine.
One of the most common complaints is that the encierro has been destroyed through being too popular. Complainants point to the crowded streets and the high proliferation of non-Spanish runners (estimated to be 45% in 2017) as contributing factors. Talk to any "old timer" and they will generally yearn for a time when the streets were quieter, when you had space to run and when you could actually see the bulls. The essence of the encierro has gone, replaced by backpackers, beginners and wishful thinking.
The evidence does not totally support this view.
The encierro has been popular for a very long time and crowding is most certainly not a modern phenomenon. Old black and white photographs and even film reels show crowded streets, a crowded Plaza de Toros, pile ups and packed barriers going back many decades – all seemingly without killing off the soul of the encierro.
Additionally, the modern crowding is not getting any worse according to figures released by the Ayuntamiento of Pamplona. An article published on sanfermin.com highlighted the fact that some years, such as 2012, saw over 20 thousand runners take part across the 8 days, while others much less. 2017 was estimated to have had around 16 thousand runners. Volumes also vary dramatically from day-to-day. It would appear that a patient and determined runner can find space on the right day if he bides his time and takes his chances.
So while it is true that we often smoother the thing we love and destroy its essence, sometimes the thing we love is not actually dead and we just need to look at it slightly differently. Perhaps, as in San Sebastián, we need to experience it differently and re-learn what the essence now is. Ultimately we need to acknowledge that the essence of a thing is fleeting, transient and that we should enjoy what we can of it while it lasts.
Matt Dowsett, Sanfermin Bloggers
Face to face with Lucinda Poole, "Guiri" of the year
Tuesday June 6th, 2017 Monday June 12th, 2017
Picture by José Luis Larrión
American journalist, Lucinda Poole, will be awarded during Sanfermin 2017 with the XIV Premio Guiri del Año, an award which is given each year by Kukuxumusu and Sanfermin.com to a foreigner who has stood out for their love of the Sanfermin fiestas. This year, in its fourteenth edition, the winner of this award is the versatile journalist and translator, Lucinda Poole, who will follow in the footsteps of last year's winner, Englishman Tim Pinks.
Lucinda Poole is a 60 year-year-old woman, from Chapel Hill (North Carolina) and she has been associated with the Pamplona fiestas for more than three decades now. Indeed, her first writing on the fiestas was a guide book published as "Don't Be a Foreigner in Sanfermines"(1982).
News about the running of the bulls, Sanfermin by Kukuxumusu
Kukuxumusu awards American journalist Lucinda Poole with the "Guiri Del Año" award of Sanfermin 2017
Tuesday June 6th, 2017 Tuesday June 19th, 2018
Photo by José Luis Larrión
American journalist, Lucinda Poole, will be awarded during Sanfermin 2017 with the XIV Premio Guiri del Año, an award which is given each year by Kukuxumusu and Sanfermin.com to a foreigner who has stood out for their love of the Sanfermin fiestas. This year, in its fourteenth edition, the winner of this award is the versatile journalist and translator, Lucinda Poole, who will follow in the footsteps of last year's winner, Englishman Tim Pinks. Continue reading…
Practical information, News about the running of the bulls, Sanfermin by Kukuxumusu
¿Qué haces aquí, Hemingway, sin tunearte de blanco?
Monday July 6th, 2015 Tuesday October 10th, 2017
Estos días por Pamplona se dejan ver unos cuantos dobles de Hemingway, barbiblancos, con generosas carnes y aspecto de abuelo de Heidi. Hoy hemos pillado a uno de ellos in fraganti, sin tunear, el que sale en la foto. Bueno, a lo mejor es el mismísimo Hemingway, que se ha reencarnado para pasearse de incógnito y revivir su fiesta preferida.
A Hemingway Pamplona le debe mucho: sus escritos y reflexiones sobre la fiesta pusieron esta ciudad en el mapa del mundo. Miles de personas vienen cada año atraídas por lo que se cuenta de los Sanfermines. La mayoría nunca ha leído "Fiesta", ni lo hará nunca, pero les suena que aquí pasan cosas increíbles, como que todo el mundo se viste de blanco.
Hoy ya estamos en pleno follón festivo. Una parisina de origen navarro ha encendido la mecha del Txupinazo. Su abuelo, Honorino Arteta, logró escapar a Francia, con un balazo en la pierna. El resto de sus 21 amigos y compañeros, todos republicanos, como él, no tuvieron tanta suerte. Era el 23 de agosto de 1936, en plena guerra civil.
Honorino formaba parte de la peña La Veleta, fundada en 1931 por gente de origen humilde y de clase obrera. Ese año Hemingway también vino a los Sanfermines. Los de esta Peña querían distinguirse de alguna forma durante las fiestas, y eligieron vestirse todos igual, con un sencillo atuendo blanco, popular, asequible para todos.
Desde entonces, Pamplona por Sanfermin se viste de blanco y rojo. La mayoría de los visitantes también cumple casi a rajatabla con el ritual. Si llegas a Pamplona en medio de las fiestas, te metes en la parte vieja y no vas tuneado de Sanfermin, cantas mogollón. Te sientes como un marciano. Y no te queda otro remedio que pillar camiseta, pantalón y pañuelo.
Durante muchos años, el traje era blanco impoluto. Hasta que un día a tres amigos se les ocurrió una majadería: diseñar una camiseta, hacer una tirada y venderla por las calles durante las fiestas. Así conseguirían pagarse sus kalimotxos. A la gente le gustó… y aquello marcó el comienzo de nuestra marca, Kukuxumusu, el beso de pulga 'cocido' entre kalimotxos.
Hoy en Pamplona por Sanfermin conviven los atuendos blanco impecable con una gran variedad de estilos, dibujos, frases, ocurrencias.
Este año cumplimos 26 Sanfermines reinventando la fiesta con los lápices. Y para celebrarlo hemos resumido el recorrido del Encierro en la camiseta del año, con todos los puntos de interés. Para que la gente de Pamplona pueda chulear del Casco Viejo y para que los turistas sepan lo que no deberían perderse. Así cuando se la lleven de aquí podrán contar sus historietas sin tener que poner el dedo sobre un mapa.
Sanfermin Bloggers, Sanfermining
60 years since Ernest Hemingway was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature
Tuesday October 28th, 2014 Wednesday June 15th, 2016
On this day, exactly 60 years ago, Ernest Hemingway learned, while he was residing at the Finca Vigía (CUBA), that he had been awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature by the Swedish Academy. This award ensured his eternal fame and the appreciation of his written work and, in consequence, the image of Sanfermin and the fiestas of Pamplona. We celebrate that date with this drawing from Kukuxumusu.
A Hemingways "Bullrunning" at Sloopy Joe´s in Key West
Tuesday July 22nd, 2014 Tuesday May 16th, 2017
Photo: Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO
These days they are celebrating in Key West what would have been the birthday of Hemingway (21st of July, 1899). If he were still alive he would probably be just getting over a tough Sanfermin hangover or he would be in this edition number 34 of the Hemingway Days – a party they hold in his honor there every year on these dates.
The Hemingway Days are celebrated each year in the bar Sloppy Joe´s in Key West, which used to be frequented by Ernest Hemingway during the long period that he spent living in Key West. This image comes from the typical collection of "lookalike" Hemingways who dress up in Sanfermin gear and who take part in a "bullrunning" and in a quiz show in a competition to find the person who does the best caricature of Ernest Hemingway. All the finalists earn the right to be called "Papa" at Sloppy Joe's Bar.
Images from the Tourism Office in Key West.
Andy Newman/Florida Keys News Bureau/HO
The 2014 "Papa" Hemingway is Wally Collins, the man who stands up the "Look – Alike" award.
Wally Collins, 2014 "Papa" Hemingway, "Look- Alike" contest's winner of Sloppy Joe's bar sloppyjoes.com/index.php/look-alike/photo-gallery/
Just to show how important this event is in Florida, a lawyer who was representing a man charged with a plot to commit murder requested an adjournment of the court case so as to be able to participate in the Hemingway Days.
The judge in charge of the court case refused to grant the adjournment because "having the option of going to a murder court case and a lookalike competition , for sure Hemingway would have chosen the court case". However, he wished the lawyer good luck in the lookalike competition if he entered the competition in the future, and Frank Louderback, the defence lawyer, accepted the decision of the judge and pointed out that at least in the way, "he was getting another year in which to get a bit older, a bit fatter and a bit more gray in the head".
Amazing news about the running of the bulls
Hemingway writes a new Fiesta and rescues the memories of Orson Welles's daughter
Saturday June 21st, 2014 Tuesday October 10th, 2017
Hemingway has written "FIESTA", again – well, almost. This time it is, in fact, John (Hemingway) who, incidentally, was chosen as Kukuxumusu Guiri del Año 2011 (Fiesta Foreigner of the Year)– and he has now written this book with the idea of explaining to all would-be runners from the Anglo-Saxon countries just what the bullrunning entails. In addition, he has the help of a trio of Joe Distler, Bill Hillmann and Alexander Fiske-Harrison while photographer Jim Hollander, provides the accompanying images. Perhaps the most curious contributor of all is Beatrice Welles, who provides some unedited memories of when she came to Pamplona for the first time in the company of her father, Orson Welles. (Orson Welles first came to Pamplona back in the 1940s, when he was in Spain filming El Quixote, and he returned again in 1963.)
The book costs six euros and it is being sold by Amazon for Kindle and for smartphones. All four writers are men who have both literary experience as well as experience of running the bulls in Sanfermin. While some have had more experience in running than others, all of them write well about their initiations in the bullrunning and their love for the annual event. And now they have transmitted in well-written narratives their experiences and viewpoints for all those who might find themselves in a similar situation of wishing to take on the experience of running in the bulls.
The book has been published by Mephisto Press just a few days ago and it is published in English under the title "How to Survive the Bulls of Pamplona." The text is distributed by Kindle and it consists of 217 pages. One of the authors tells us that if anyone shows him the book in their smartphone during these coming Sanfermin fiestas, he will put his signature on the back and invite the person to a glass of wine. However, for the moment, we will not reveal the identity of this particular author.
Una postal de Ernest Hemingway a Gertrude Stein desde Pamplona el 13 de julio de 1924
Wednesday November 27th, 2013 Tuesday May 16th, 2017
We have come across yet another proof that Ernest Hemingway was indeed to be found at least once in the Pamplona bullring arena immediately after the Running of the Bulls during fiestas. At Sanfermin.com we have already pinned up two earlier photos; one that we discovered in the archives of the Ernest Hemingway Photograph Collection from the John F. Kennedy Library in Boston (Here). The second comes from a publication from Harper Magazine and which is contained in the book – The Letters of Ernest Heminway: Volume 2, edited by Sandra Spanier. This current image is a photo/postcard, typical of the period of the 1920's, which was sent from Pamplona on the 13th of July, 1924 to Gertrude Stein and Alice B. Toklas who were both living together in Paris at that time.
In the postcard missive, Hemingway identifies himself along with some of his colleagues, within the arena of the Pamplona bullring, sporting with the young bulls which were let loose immediately after the Running of the Bulls had finished. EH describes the event as a "Novillada" and gives a brief account of what where his second Sanfermines in Pamplona.
The image comes from the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library at Yale University by way of the Press Department of the University of Cambridge.
Cuando Hemingway salvó a Alexander Fiske-Harrison en el encierro
Tuesday November 5th, 2013 Wednesday June 15th, 2016
We recently learned an intriguing story about the Running of the Bulls –one of those little anecdotes that get lost amid the heady days of July and the fiestas but which eventually surface with the passing of time. The fact is, John, the grandson of Ernest Hemingway, helped an English writer get out of a tricky predicament during the 2013 Running of the Bulls. And the anecdote features three characters in all, viz., Ernest Hemingway, John Hemingway (grandson of the famous writer) and Alexander Fiske-Harrison (an English writer and regular participant in the bullrunnings). Alexander Fiske-Harrison just recently published a literary criticism in the The Spectator magazine which dealt with the second volume of Ernest Hemingway's letters which is edited by Sandra Spanier . In this article, Alexander Fiske-Harrison describes the work of the writer and his opinion of the author – from the point of view of a literary critic – and here he confesses that in one of his runs during the Sanfermin 2013 Bull runnings, Alexander Fiske-Harrison trip up and found himself being stampeded on by the panicky "runners" that lead the way forward well ahead of the pack of bulls approaching at some distance behind.
Alexander Fiske-Harrison describes how he was stepped on by an "overwhelming crowd of 5.000 drunken tourists". And he goes on to say, "in July this year, while participating in my 19th 'running of the bulls' in Pamplona, I was tripped and trampled by a rampaging herd of drunken tourists, 5,000 of whom were crowded into the half-mile that comprise the world's most famous encierro. After I was dragged to safety before a group of bulls could add their weight to the melée, I discovered that my saviour was none other than John Hemingway, Ernest's grandson. As we later shared a drink, I half-jokingly remarked: 'You know it's you Hemingways' fault that all of us idiots are here in the first place.' There are more than a few novelists — Norman Mailer and Elmore Leonard spring immediately to mind — who could say the same thing."
The book edited by Sandra Spanier is on sale at Amazon and other such sites and the title is: The Letters of Ernest Hemingway: Volume 2, 1923-1925 (The Cambridge Edition of the Letters of Ernest Hemingway).
You can read Fiske-Harrison and his article on the running of the bulls and his article on the running of the bulls in a piece he wrote for Sanfermin.com
HEMINGWAY and the DUKE of WELLINGTON
Tuesday February 1st, 2011 Wednesday September 21st, 2016
Photo: Hemingway and Duke of Wellington in 1924 at Sanfermin´s Livestock Fair
It's strange to think that a little over 150 years before the monument to Ernest Hemingway was unveiled in front of the bullring (on July 6th, 1968, with his widow, Mary present), there could already have been a statue of the Duke of Wellington in Pamplona.
Had they commissioned it, I have no idea how long it would have lasted…not very long, I imagine…longer perhaps than the one ofTeobaldo the 1st, whose statue was in Taconera Park, Pamplona, and disappeared in 1936, and certainly longer than if they had constructed one in San Sebastian! (Even today, if you dared put one up there, I doubt it would last a minute!). One of the differences between the two cities while Wellington was in Spain is that, whereas San Sebastian was besieged, Pamplona was only blockaded.
For those who want to know a little European history, Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, (born in Dublin), was in charge of the British and Spanish forces, (and yes, some Basque) and mercenaries who were ordered to rid Spain of Napoleon and his French and allied forces, including his brother, Joseph Bonaparte, who Napoleon had made King of Sicilly and Spain. Known in Britain as the Peninsular War, it lasted from 1808 (when they invaded via Portugal) until 1814. In Spain it's known as the War of Independence, and it caused Napoleon such problems that he called it his "Spanish ulcer".
The French garrison at Pamplona finally surrendered on 31st October, 1813, and the starving town was free. And the statue to Wellington? Well, more of that later.
Fast forward nearly 200 years, and this year sees the 50th anniversary of the death of Ernest Hemingway.
He had already prepared for his visit to Spain for the summer of 1961. He had his bullfight tickets reserved for the corridas in Pamplona, and his accomodation was arranged. He was ready, like so many of us foreigners are every July, to make the return to a city that is like no other.
But was he really ready? Or had he been deluding himself? Although he was only 61 (and would have been 62 years old on July 21st of that year), he was an "old" 61. The years of drinking and partying, and of, yes, action and accidents, had taken their toll. Not to mention the demons that were having their own particular fiesta inside his head and were tormenting his very soul.
Now, if you have depression it's a serious thing. For example, for the few of you who may understand the next two words…remember Gavilan. Depression can kill.
Hemingway was being treated for many things, and depression was one of them. He was depressed about his inability to write, he was depressed about his health, and I have little doubt he was depressed that, if he returned for fiesta in Pamplona, a city without equal on this planet of ours, he would be unable to enjoy it. Not just to write about it, to party in it, but to participate in it.
And for so many of us guiris, the beautiful thing about the fiesta of San Fermin is that we can join in. We are not only spectators, but participants. We are part of it, and it's a wonderful feeling.
Whether he was ready for Spain or not, one thing is certain. At about 7 in the morning of Sunday, July 2nd, 1961, at his home in Ketchum, Idaho, Hemingway woke up, and went downstairs to the kitchen where there was a special key. Outside it was a bright and cloudless day.
The key was for the storeroom in the basement, where among other things he kept his guns. He chose an English one he had bought from Abercrombie and Fitch, a Boss double-barrelled shotgun. He put two cartridges in it and went back upstairs, and crossed the living room to the oak-pannelled entrance foyer. It would have been quiet, so quiet, fifty years ago on that early sunday morning. Then he put the gun to his head and pulled both triggers.
And so ended, by his own hands, the life of an extraordinary man. Whatever you think of him, or his books, he was a huge figure of the 20th century. Depending on your view, and knowledge of him, he was either a great writer, or an awful one. He was a good man, or a bad one. He was a genius, or a devil, fun to be with or a pain in the ass. He was a drunk, a liar, a boaster and a bully. He was also, to quote his original biographer, Carlos Baker, "the perpetual student, the omniverous reader, the brilliant naturalist, the curious questioner…" One thing he never was though, whatever your opinion, is boring.
By all accounts, if you were lucky enough to be at a table with him, you were in for a rollercoaster ride of a party. He was a thousand different things, some good, some bad. Human then, just like the rest of us, except most of us aren't multi-million selling authors.
So, for bringing this wonderful town of Pamplona, and it's extraordinary inhabitants, to worldwide attention (and hence bringing people like me to it every year), thank you, Ernest Hemingway. I can't say that Pamplona or it's fiesta wouldn't have been world famous anyway, even without his help, for I truly believe that Pamplona and Navarra, and it's inhabitants, are somehow blessed by some special spirit that runs through their blood, so that when it comes to fiesta time, or indeed anytime…magic happens. Pamplona and its' fiesta would have been famous whatever the case.
But without Hemingway kickstarting the process, it's doubtful I, or any of us, would know of San Fermin or of Pamplona in quite the same way that we do, or have the best friends on the planet that we do. Oh, and Pamploneses? I've always said that there is something beautiful about you, algo bonita, and yes, something impeccable. And there is.
Every year before fiesta a red scarf is placed around the neck of Hemingways' statue, which I always think is a nice touch. It's as it should be. Old Papa Hemingway is ready for San Fermin. I've never seen it done, and can't honestly say if there is a special ceremony or not, or even who started it. My guess is it was done at the unveiling in '68, and the tradition carried on every year after that. Maybe someone out there knows, or was even there…
So, finally, what of the statue of the Duke of Wellington?
Well, thanks to a book I bought about 10 years ago, I know a little bit about this. The book is by Carlos Santacara, a writer born in Bilbao but of Navarran parents, and is called "Navarra 1813", and is a factual account of the British soldiers (and the foreigners who fought with them, such as the Germans or, if I remember correctly, even an American),and their experiences during the Peninsular War, and the letters they sent home.
Apparently, the people of Pamplona were so happy to see their liberators, that as the British marched into town they were greeted with cries of "Viva los Ingleses, viva los Ingleses!" (Can you imagine!)…I don't know if there were any cries of "Gora ingelesak" though…
So happy were the townsfolk to be free again that the Town Hall wrote to Wellington asking him if they could erect a statue of him, to show their gratitude. The Duke of Wellington, who hadn't actually entered the town, but had been many times on the outskirts, wrote back declining their offer, while at the same time expressing his gratitude for the sentiment.
So, there was to be no statue to that famous Englishman, the Duke of Wellington. Silly, really, to think that Pamplona would erect a monument to an Englishman. Why, that's as silly an idea that they would erect one to an American…
¡Ya falta menos! ¡Viva San Fermin!
Tim Pinks


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SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEMES
The prime objectives of Panchayati Raj Institutions as defined in the Article 40 of the Constitution of India are to promote economic development and social justice. These are intended to secure for the citizens adequate means of livelihood, raise the standard of living, improve public health, provide free and compulsory education for children etc. In particular, Article 41 of the Constitution of India directs the State to provide public assistance to its citizens in case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want within the limit of its economic capacity and development. It is in accordance with these noble principles that the Government of India on 15th August 1995 included the National Social Assistance Programme in the Central Budget for 1995-96 .The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) then comprised of National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) and National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS). These programmes were meant for providing social assistance benefit to the aged, the BPL households in the case of death of the primary breadwinner and for maternity. Subsequently, the National Maternity Benefit Scheme was renamed as Janani Surakshya Yojona and the implementation of the scheme was transferred to the Health and Family Welfare department with effect from 1st April,2001.
Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme
Under the scheme, financial assistance is provided to the selected beneficiaries as per the following criteria :
Age of the applicant (male or female) is 65 years of more,
The applicant is a destitute in the sense of having little or no regular means of subsistence from his / her own sources of income or through financial support from the family members or other sources.
The amount of Old Age Pension was increased four fold i.e. from Rs. 100/- per month to Rs. 400/- per month during the financial year, which is shared equally by the Central & State Governments. Previously the Central Government contributed Rs 75/ per person and the balance Rs 25/ was contributed by the State Government. In order to improve delivery of services the Gram Panchayats were conferred sanctioning authority, previously vested in the S.D.O. During the year 2006-07, an amount of Rs.23 9.68 crores has been spent for payment to 4,74,106 beneficiaries. Year-wise number of beneficiaries and amount disbursed during the year is shown at Table below :
Table: Performance under National Old Age Pension Scheme
No. of beneficiaries
Expenditure in crores
From November, 2007, the National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) has been renamed as Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS). The benefit of pension has been extended to all individuals who have attained the age of 65 years as on November,2007 and are enlisted in the list of Below Poverty Line (BPL) families . The list of additional beneficiaries covered under IGNOAPS is available in this web site.
National Family Benefit Scheme
This scheme provides a one time financial assistance to the families living below the poverty line, which have lost their primary bread-winner, while aged between 18 & 65 years. During the year 2006-07, an amount of Rs.17.77 crores has been spent for assistance to such families. A statement of performance under the scheme during the last five years is given at Table below :
Table 3.10.2
Performance under National Family Benefit Scheme
In the earlier years benefit of the schemes did not reach all the eligible families. With closer monitoring and taking up special drives in increasing awareness about the scheme the coverage has improved in the last two years. In order to reduce the time taken for sanctioning and disbursement of the due amount the responsibility of sanctioning the cases was devolved on the Panchayat Samitis, which was earlier entrusted with the SDOs.
Provident Fund For Landless Agricultural Labourers (PROFLAL)
The Scheme was introduced from 1st April 1998. All landless agricultural labourers within the age group of 18 to 50 years who are recorded holders of up to 50 (fifty) decimal of land including homestead land and major source of earnings are derived from their work as agricultural labourers are eligible for the scheme. The eligible subscribers to the scheme have to deposit at the rate of Rs.10/- (ten) per month and the State Government contributes equal amount till such time the subscribers attain the age of 50 years. On attaining the age of 50 years, the accumulated amount along with usual interest is paid to the subscribers. If for some reason the subscriber does not find it possible to continue with the scheme, the amount saved by him along with the matching contribution of the State Government against the amount saved are refunded to the subscriber concerned. The scheme is administered by the Gram Panchayats at the village level. The Block Development Officer and the District Magistrate concerned have supervisory role in implementing the scheme.
As on 31.03.2007 a total of 9,13,901 subscribers have deposited Rs.20.52 crores on which interest accrued to date is Rs.4.29 crores.
SCHEME GUIDELINES
Provident Fund for Landless Agricultural Labour (PROFLAL)
Annapurna Yojona
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You can find them easily at South African football stadiums, French finance ministry and the local post office branches. Within 20 years a small plant, producing chairs at Krosno in South-East Poland, has become one of the largest furniture corporations in Europe – Nowy Styl Group.
- When we first started our business, we simply wanted to have something to make our living - recalls Adam Krzanowski, founder and co-owner of Nowy Styl Group. He established the company in the early 90's, along with his younger brother, Jerzy. Adam brought the business idea from the US, where he had gone to make some money. He worked at a small furniture factory in New York, owned by Henry Stern. There he got into the secrets of chair production and decided to give himself a chance and start up a similar business in his home town in Poland. The plant in Krosno lead off in 1992 offering 3 chair models. Adam was 25, and Jerzy - 22 years old at that time. In the beginning their whole family used to be engaged in the production, as they had to supervise everything from the beginning to the end: montage, upholstery, loading, delivery coordination. They decided to reinvest all the profits and live modestly. Belt-tightening brought results: Nowy Styl Group has been developing year by year. Now it produces about 6 million chairs per year, employs 4000 people (2700 of them in Poland). Beside chairs, it offers furniture and the wooden parquet sold under 4 brands: Nowy Styl, BN Office Solution, Forum Seating and the Baltic Forum Seating Wood. Half of Nowy Styl's production is exported and is sent to 60 countries, including Australia, Namibia, South Africa, Japan and most of European.
Recently Nowy Styl took over a German furniture company, Sato Office, which produces chairs dedicated to offices, cinemas and theaters.
There were several critical moments in the history of the Nowy Styl Group. Krzanowski brothers took their first lesson on how to deal in the furniture business at the trade fair in Moscow. They had to learn how to develop business contacts and present their products. Another milestone was when they tried to start to export chairs to the West. They started with France and soon realized that Western customers are much more demanding and that their company needs to compete with a number of experienced and well established local companies. – We had to improve the quality of our chairs, their packaging and delivery accuracy. And we had to catch up very fast - says Magdalena Tokar-Cyran, marketing director at Nowy Styl Group. Another revolution came with the financial crisis of 2008-09: orders fell dramatically, exchange rates have been jumping up and down like crazy. For the company, which sold 65 percent of the production at the foreign markets, it was a drama. - We were forced to reduce production and cut jobs. It was a very difficult period for our company - says Roman Przybylski, member of the board responsible for trade relations in Nowy Styl. The crisis has also halted company's plans to enter the Warsaw Stock Exchange. - We have done a lot of work and we can reactivate these plans at any time if we believe that it is necessary - added Przybylski.
Poland's re-exportation is booming, with high exports of salmon, coffee, cocoa and exotic fruits, even though the country does not produce such products, the Gazeta Wyborcza daily said on Tuesday.
According to the paper, the Polish market is large enough to safely buy more than needed and then sell the surplus with profit.
Gazeta Wyborcza said that Poland is Europe's third-largest fish processor and re-exporter.
Annually, more than one million tonnes of fish are imported to Poland, where they are processed for export, the paper said, adding that the market provides 20,000 jobs, and is worth EUR 10 billion (PLN 43 billion).
Polish firm Ursus on Thursday signed a USD 100 million deal to supply Zambia with thousands of tractors and agricultural machines.
The Polish producer signed the agreement for 2,694 tractors and 2,506 agricultural machines such as trailers and ploughs with Zambia's Industrial Development Corporation.
Under the contract, an assembly plant will be built in the capital, Lusaka, along with 10 service points throughout Zambia.
"The project is expected to be completed within a year of the start of its implementation," Ursus said in a statement sent to Poland's PAP news agency.


Ubisoft comes out with a new trailer for the fourth installment to popular Assassin Creed franchise and be warned, it's got lots of pirates.
The year is 1715. In the Caribbean, desperate sailors with ideals of true freedom assemble to establish the Republic of Pirates. But far from idyllic, their life is brutal, filled with betrayal and debauchery. Here at last are their true stories.
I thought to myself while playing AC3 that the ship levels were one of the best things I've ever played in a game. So this is the only thing that could really interest me in another AC game. I am really excited for this, but I'm really disappointed that the next assassin doesn't have a giant beard.


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'Light in darkness': UK Jewish community adapts for pandemic-hit Hanukkah
Archive image by Chabad Islington
By Max McLean, PA
The coronavirus pandemic means Hanukkah celebrations will look very different this year but the message behind the Jewish festival remains "exactly the same", a rabbi has said.
Hanukkah – known as the festival of lights – is an eight-day celebration involving food, prayer and the lighting of a menorah.
This year it runs from December 10-18.
Usually the celebrations involve gatherings with family friends, but people such as Rabbi Mendy Korer – co-chief executive at Chabad Islington in north London – have been forced to change their plans this year to accommodate social distancing.
"On a communal level, we're usually organising the big festival on Islington Green," he told the PA news agency.
"We (would) have 700-odd people there every year with a programme, activities, crafts, challenges, musical entertainment. I can't do any of that."
Rabbi Korer said he had been working "very closely" with the council and local health teams to organise a Covid-friendly menorah lighting with "restricted, limited numbers, non-amplified sounds and no installations".
To avoid overcrowding, attendees of this menorah lighting will only be given the address once their place is reserved, while face masks are a condition of entry.
The celebration will include less entertainment than in previous years, as well as fewer people and no stage, although singing and food will remain a part of the event.
Across the UK, Jews are making various other changes to accommodate the rules.
One synagogue in Manchester is hosting nightly Zoom calls where candles will be lit, while health and social care provider Jewish Care has launched a Hanukkah appeal to help support the elderly in the community.
Rabbi Korer meanwhile has been working with organisations such as the Barbican to create activity packs for people to open every day, blending science, religion and art with crafts such as home-made candles.
Around 250 of the boxes have been prepared and will be delivered free of charge to members of the community.
"Each day there will be a challenge or activity for them for eight days," said Rabbi Korer.
"I guess there is an underlying message in this box of finding partnerships across different genres.
"The message and the idea of what Hanukkah celebrates is exactly the same. The underlying theme of Hanukkah is survival through all types of ordeal – light in darkness."
EMA 'hopeful' Oxford/AstraZeneca jab will be given EU green light this month
Imams to use Friday prayers to dispel Covid-19 vaccine myths
One Brazilian coronavirus variant detected in UK before travel ban – virologist
Snow and ice warning in place for much of England and Scotland this weekend


"Management of Newborn Infections in Primary Care Settings A Review of " by Zulfiqar Ahmed Bhutta, Anita K. M. Zaidi et al.
Management of Newborn Infections in Primary Care Settings A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Policy?
Background: Long-term, sustainable programs to address high incidence and death rates from neonatal infections are required for improving child survival. There is an urgent need to define the role of community-based management for neonates with serious bacterial infections-both at home and at first-level facilities. Methods: We reviewed available evidence for community-based antibiotic management strategies for serious neonatal infections. Results: Nine distinct studies contributing data for community-based management of neonatal pneumonia and sepsis were identified. In a pooled analysis of 5 controlled trials of community-based management of neonatal pneumonia (4 using cotrimoxazole, 1 ampicillin, or penicillin), all-cause neonatal mortality showed 27% [95% confidence interval (CI): 18%-35%] reduction and pneumonia-specific mortality, 42% (95% CI: 22%-0 57%). Substantial reductions in neonatal mortality have been demonstrated in a nonrandomized controlled study in rural India (62% reduction, P < 0.001) and in a cluster randomized trial in rural Bangladesh (34% reduction, 95% CI: 7%-53%). Reduced case fatalities (0%-3%) with community-based management of neonatal sepsis were observed in 2 small uncontrolled studies from India and Guatemala and a recent randomized trial from Pakistan. Conclusions: Although methodological limitations preclude estimating the precise contribution of antibiotics toward neonatal mortality reduction in community settings in low income Countries, available data suggest substantial benefit of case management approaches using antibiotics for neonatal sepsis in such settings.
Bhutta, Z. A., Zaidi, A., Thaver, D., Humayun, Q., Ali, S., Darmstadt, G. (2009). Management of Newborn Infections in Primary Care Settings A Review of the Evidence and Implications for Policy?. Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal, 28(1), S22-S30.


One of the things I've been most passionate about on my own work for many years is focusing my energy toward the emerging paradigm of work, one where financial generatively (making money) is only part of the whole and not, as in the conventional paradigm, the central bottom line...or even the only driving bottom line. The new paradigm has multiple bottom lines; multiple ways of creating and engaging; and includes new ways of being and interacting as well as doing and acting. It requires an entirely new foundations, not just new ways to "succeed" in the old foundational landscape.
There is a larger movement of integration underfoot, and more and more people are committed to helping bring this new life-giving work paradigm forward. It is already happening. We can focus on creating/unfolding a better future - leaving that which no longer serves, "yes-anding" what does - or we can carry the baggage of the past and be limited by what worked then. We get to choose where we put our intention, attention, creativity and action. In the new work paradigm, we can bring more of who we are into the structuring of our work, our collaborative partnerships, our companies and our service in the world. We don't have to silo oursevles or our company missions.
We can create work, businesses and organizations that are alive, creative, adaptive, resilient and holistically generative by establishing new foundations; integrating the isolated parts of ourselves and our lives; questioning the assumptions underneath our current beliefs and our value systems (including our current relationship with money and set of accompanying beliefs); engaging the creative unknown to go beyond what we currently hold as "the way it is"; forming life-giving collaborations based on resonance and aliveness; giving conscious space, time and attention to our creative imaginations; developing generative practices and rituals to help us "live into" our visions and embody new ways of being; listening to what calls to us from within; and expanding the conventional bottom line to include more of our creativity, humanness, connection and deeper contribution..
Related post: 27 Elements fo the New Work Paradigm - shifting our ways of working to ways that are expanding the notion of what work and business is and can be.
Thanks so much for your comment and kind words, Camille. I believe that one way to transform negative beliefs and judgements around money is to integrate it with life-giving work that is not separate from serving the greater good nor from our inspired creativity. If we align generating income in ways that express our passion, our creative expression, and our gifts to others and the greater whole, then money becomes part of the larger generative process - neither the main driver of it (as it's been in the conventional business paradigm), nor rejected by it (and it often is in service-oriented circles).


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Home > Massachusetts > Bristol County
Top Swansea Public High Schools
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For the 2021 school year, there is 1 public high school in Swansea, MA, serving 535 students. Swansea, MA public high school have an average math proficiency score of 77% (versus the Massachusetts public high school average of 68%), and reading proficiency score of 92% (versus the 78% statewide average). High schools in Swansea have an average ranking of 6/10, which is in the top 50% of Massachusetts public high schools.
The top ranked public high school in Swansea, MA is Joseph Case High School. Overall testing rank is based on a school's combined math and reading proficiency test score ranking.
Swansea, MA public high school have a Graduation Rate of 95%, which is more than the Massachusetts average of 88%.
The school with highest graduation rate is Joseph Case High School, with ≥95% graduation rate. Read more about public school graduation rate statistics in Massachusetts or national school graduation rate statistics.
Minority enrollment is 7% of the student body (majority Hispanic and Asian), which is less than the Massachusetts public high school average of 39% (majority Hispanic).
The student:teacher ratio of 11:1 is less than the Massachusetts public high school average of 12:1.
Top Swansea, MA Public High Schools (2021)
Joseph Case High School Math: 75-79% | Reading: 90-94%
School by Type (MA):
Blue Ribbon (55) Charter (80) Special Education (11) Vocational (38) Alternative (22) School districts (407)
Private schools in Bristol, MA Boarding schools in Massachusetts
Massachusetts Dept. of Education website
Massachusetts Top Ranked Public Schools
10 Advantages to Public Education
How Does Bullying Affect a Student's Academic Performance?


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text:
The President Awards the Medal of Honor to Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter
President Obama awards Corporal William "Kyle" Carpenter the Medal of Honor for his courageous actions while serving in Afghanistan.
Remarks by the President at Presentation of The Medal of Honor to Corporal William Kyle Carpenter
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you, everybody. Please be seated. On behalf of Michelle and myself, welcome to the White House.
The man you see before you today, Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, should not be alive today. Hand grenades are one of the most awful weapons of war. They only weigh about a pound, but they're packed with TNT. If one lands nearby, you have mere seconds to seek cover. When it detonates, its fragments shoot out in every direction. And even at a distance, that spray of shrapnel can inflict devastating injuries on the human body. Up close, it's almost certain death.
But we are here because this man, this United States Marine, faced down that terrible explosive power, that unforgiving force, with his own body -- willingly and deliberately -- to protect a fellow Marine. When that grenade exploded, Kyle Carpenter's body took the brunt of the blast. His injuries were called "catastrophic." It seemed as if he was going to die. While being treated, he went into cardiac arrest, and three times, he flatlined. Three times, doctors brought him back.
Along with his parents, who call Kyle's survival "our miracle," we thank God they did. Because with that singular act of courage, Kyle, you not only saved your brother in arms, you displayed a heroism in the blink of an eye that will inspire for generations valor worthy of our nation's highest military decoration, the Medal of Honor.
Now, Kyle and I have actually met before. During his long recovery at Walter Reed, he and some of our other wounded warriors came to the White House to celebrate the World Series champion, the St. Louis Cardinals. Some of you might be aware, I am a White Sox fan. (Laughter.) Kyle likes the Braves. So it was a tough day for both of us. (Laughter.)
But after the ceremony, Michelle and I had the chance to meet Kyle. And at the time, he was still undergoing surgeries. But he was up and he was walking, and he was working his way toward being independent again, towards the man you see here today. And, Kyle, the main message we want to send is, welcome back. We are so proud to have you here.
We just spent some time not just with Kyle, but also with his wonderful family. And anybody who has had a chance to get to know this young man knows you're not going to get a better example of what you want in an American or a Marine. Despite all the attention, he's still the same humble guy from Gilbert, South Carolina, population of about 600 -- I guess today it's only population 590-something. (Laughter.)
These days he's also at the University of South Carolina, "just a normal college student," he says, cheering for the Gamecocks. You'll notice that Kyle doesn't hide his scars; he's proud of them, and the service that they represent. And, now, he tells me this, and so I'm just quoting him -- he says, "the girls definitely like them." (Laughter.) So he's kind of -- he's working an angle on this thing. (Laughter.) I wasn't sure whether I was supposed to say that in front of mom. (Laughter.) But there's a quote there.
In addition to our many distinguished guests, I want to welcome those who made this man the Marine that he is -- Kyle's father, Jim; Kyle's lovely mom, Robin; and his brothers, Price, and Peyton, one of whom is going to be joining Kyle at South Carolina, another Gamecock, and then we've got one who's going to be at The Citadel. We also have Kyle's Marine brothers who served with him in Afghanistan and through his recovery. And I also want to welcome the members of the Medal of Honor Society, whose ranks Kyle joins today.
Kyle and his fellow Marines served during the surge of forces that I ordered to Afghanistan early in my presidency. Their mission was to drive the Taliban out of their strongholds, protect the Afghan people and give them a chance to reclaim their communities.
Kyle and his platoon were in Helmand province in Marja, pushing their way across open fields and muddy canals, bearing their heavy packs even as it could heat up to 115 degrees. In one small village, they turned a dusty compound into their base. The insurgents nearby gave their answer with sniper fire, and automatic weapon fire, and rocket-propelled grenades.
That morning, Kyle said, "our alarm clock was AK-47 fire." Some of the men were by their bunks, gearing up for another day. Some were heating up their MREs. Some were in makeshift ops centers -- a simple mud building -- planning the day's patrols. And up on the roof, behind a circle of sandbags, two Marines manned their posts -- Kyle, and Lance Corporal Nicholas Eufrazio.
The compound started to take fire. Seeking cover, Kyle and Nick laid down low on their backs behind those sandbags. And then the grenade landed with a thud, its pin already pulled. It was about to explode.
And Kyle has no memory of what happened next. What we do know is that there on that rooftop he wasn't just with a fellow Marine, he was with his best friend. Kyle and Nick had met in training. In Afghanistan they patrolled together, day and night, a friendship forged in fire. Kyle says about Nick, "He was my point man, and I loved him like a brother."
When the grenade landed, other Marines in the compound looked up and saw it happen. Kyle tried to stand. He lunged forward toward that grenade, and then he disappeared into the blast. Keep in mind, at the time, Kyle was just 21 years old. But in that instant, he fulfilled those words of Scripture: "Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends."
They found Kyle lying face down, directly over the blast area. His helmet was riddled with holes. His gear was melted. Part of his Kevlar vest was blown away. One of the doctors who treated him later said Kyle was "literally wounded from the top of his head to his feet."
And for a moment, Kyle was still conscious. His eyes were open but he couldn't see. Kyle remember "everything went white." And yet, even then, his thoughts were not of himself. One of the Marines who was there remembers how Kyle kept asking one question, and that was whether Nick was okay. And then, as Kyle's strength drained away, he sensed the end was coming. So according to Kyle's memories, "My last thought [was to] make peace with God. I asked for forgiveness. I was trying to make the best and most of my last few seconds here on Earth."
The Medal of Honor is presented for gallantry on the battlefield. But today, we also recognize Kyle Carpenter for his valor since in the hard fight for recovery. Eventually, Kyle woke up after five weeks in a coma. I want you to consider what Kyle has endured just to stand here today -- more than two and a half years in the hospital. Grueling rehabilitation. Brain surgery to remove shrapnel from his head. Nearly 40 surgeries to repair a collapsed lung, fractured fingers, a shattered right arm broken in more than 30 places, multiple skin grafts. He has a new prosthetic eye, a new jaw, new teeth -- and one hell of a smile. (Laughter.)
And Kyle is the first to give credit elsewhere. His doctors at Bethesda, he says, "put me back together well." Today is also a reminder that in past wars, somebody with injuries as severe as Kyle's probably wouldn't have survived. So many of our wounded warriors from today's wars are alive not just because of remarkable advances in technology, but primarily because of the extraordinary dedication and skill of our military and our VA medical professionals.
So we need to keep doing everything we can in our power to give our wounded warriors and those who treat them the support that they need. And I think this is a wonderful opportunity to ask doctors Debra Malone and Lauren Greer, and the rest of Kyle's medical team who are here to please stand. I see their amazing work every time I visit Bethesda, every time I visited Walter Reed. It's pretty rare where you've got a job where you just know you're doing God's work every single day. And they do an incredible job, so thank you. (Applause.) Thank you for the miracles you work for our wounded troops and veterans.
Now, Kyle says he'll wear this medal for all who serve and for those who didn't make it back, and for those who struggle still. So today, we also honor two members of his team who made the ultimate sacrifice in that deployment: Kyle's friends Lance Corporal Timothy M. Jackson of Corbin, Kentucky, and Lance Corporal Dakota R. Huse of Greenwood, Louisiana.
And our thoughts are also with the Marine who Kyle saved that day, his brother, Nick. I had the opportunity to meet Nick as well nearly two years after the blast on one of my visits to Walter Reed. Nick also suffered grievous wounds. As a result of traumatic brain injury, he couldn't speak for more than a year. He also endured multiple surgeries. Today, his recovery continues. He lives at home with his family in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where he is watching this ceremony. So, Nick, on behalf of all of us, I want you to know we honor your sacrifice as well. Your perseverance is an inspiration. And just as Kyle was there for you, our nation will be there for you and your family as you grow stronger in the years ahead.
If any of our wounded warriors seek an example -- let me amend that -- if any American seeks a model of the strength and resilience that define us as a people, including this newest 9/11 generation, I want you to consider Kyle. After everything he's been through, he skis, he snowboards, he's jumped from a plane -- with a parachute, thankfully. (Laughter.) He trudged through a 6-mile Mud Run, completed the Marine Corps Marathon, says he wants to do a triathlon. He's a motivational speaker, an advocate for his fellow wounded warriors. He's thinking about majoring in psychology so he can use his own experiences to help others. He got stellar grades. And, by the way, he's only 24 years old, and says, "I am just getting started."
In other words, Kyle is a shining example of what our nation needs to encourage -- these veterans who come home and then use their incredible skills and talents to keep our country strong. And we can all learn from Kyle's example.
As we prepare for the reading of the citation, I'd like to close with his own words -- a message, I think, for every American. "It took a life-changing event to get me to truly appreciate the precious and amazing life I have been blessed with. Please take it from me, enjoy every day to the fullest, don't take life too seriously, always try to make it count, appreciate the small and simple things, be kind and help others, let the ones you love always know you love them, and when things get hard trust there is a bigger plan and that you will be stronger for it." Pretty good message.
Corporal William Kyle Carpenter should not be alive today, but the fact that he is gives us reason to trust that there is indeed a bigger plan. So God bless you, Kyle. God bless all who serve and protect the precious and amazing life that we are blessed with. May God continue to bless and keep strong the United States of America. Semper Fi. (Applause.)
MILITARY AIDE: The President of the United States, in the name of the Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lance Corporal William Kyle Carpenter, United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving as an automatic rifleman with Company F, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, Regimental Combat Team One, 1st Marine Division (Forward), 1st Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom on 21 November, 2010.
Lance Corporal Carpenter was a member of a platoon-sized coalition force comprised of two reinforced Marine rifle squads, partnered with an Afghan National Army squad. The platoon had established Patrol Base Dakota two days earlier in a small village in the Marja District in order to disrupt enemy activity and provide security for the local Afghan population.
Lance Corporal Carpenter and a fellow Marine were manning a rooftop security position on the perimeter of Patrol Base Dakota when the enemy initiated a daylight attack with hand grenades, one of which landed inside their sandbagged position. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Carpenter moved towards the grenade in an attempt to shield his fellow Marine from the deadly blast. When the grenade detonated, his body absorbed the brunt of the blast, severely wounding him but saving the life of his fellow Marine.
By his undaunted courage, bold fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death, Lance Corporal Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.
(The Medal of Honor is presented.)
(Prayer is offered.)
THE PRESIDENT: Well, that brings us to the conclusion of this ceremony, but not the reception and party. And so I want to thank everybody again for being here, especially Kyle's wonderful family and his parents. And I understand that the food here at the White House is pretty good -- (laughter) -- so I already told Kyle's brothers that they should be chowing down. But that goes for everybody else as well -- and I think the drinks are free. I don't know what -- although it's still early in the afternoon.
Thank you very much, everybody.