text:
Messier 5 and its Variables
by Leos Ondra
`A noble mass, refreshing to the senses after
searching for faint objects'
Admiral Smyth
The oldest known stars have survived chiefly in the rich and wonderfully symmetric formations called globular star clusters. Unlike open clusters or loose associations of hot and massive OB stars, that are apparently being created even today, globular clusters were born along with or just shortly after the Galaxy itself some 16 billion years ago. This is not a general rule, since there are also galaxies, like the Large Magellanic Cloud or bizarre NGC 1275 in Perseus, where blue, luminous and thus young clusters of this type are observed. In the Milky Way, however, they are living fossils and as such quite rare beasts. Although astronomers have been discovering them since antiquity (Omega Centauri was recorded, as a star, by Ptolemy), only about 150 examples can be found in today's lists.
One of the jewels coming with spring constellations is my favorite, Messier 5 (NGC 5904). It is at least equally bright as the famous M13 in Hercules, is more attractive in larger telescopes, has a richer history, and among its stars one finds a few bright variables, the most prominent of which is easy to spot with 25x100mm binoculars.
First nights' honors
All begins with a small indiscretion. It is certainly improper to look into a lady's diary. But if it were not for historians of astronomy who have ventured to do it, we would never know the real discoverer of M 5.
The cluster was naturally entered in the Messier catalogue. In its last version [1] it states: "Fine Nebula discovered between Libra and Serpens, near the star in Serpens, of sixth magnitude, no. 5 in Flamsteed's Catalogue: it contains no star, it is round and can be seen very well in a clear sky with an ordinary [i.e. nonachromatic refractor] telescope of one foot [focal length]. Mr. Messier reported it on the Chart of the Comet of 1763 - Mem. Acad. year 1774, p. 40. Reviewed 1780 September 5, 1781 January 30 and March 22." [2]
Charles Messier revealed the globular cluster on May 23, 1764. The royal comet hunter of King Louis XVth was not, nevertheless, the first mortal to see the object. The credit for discovery has to be given to the German astronomer Gottfried Kirch (1639 - 1710). Kirch began his astronomical career as an assistant of Hevelius, but then worked independently and eventually even became the director of the Berlin Observatory. Well-known is his addition to the list of variable stars (very short in that year of 1685), namely the mira variable Chi Cygni, as well as the discovery of the spectacular Comet of 1680.
Regarding what are now called deep-sky objects, Kirch found the open cluster M 11 in Ganymede (now Scutum). This discovery got a wide publicity and was mentioned in subsequent compilations of nebulous objects. The original paper, including a sketch, was reprinted and discussed in an excellent series of articles by Kenneth Glyn Jones. [3]
In contrast to this fame, it seems that Kirch's priority in discovering the globular cluster M 5 was not recognized for a long time. This was most likely due to the intimate nature of the source from which the notice about the discovery came - the diary of Kirch's wife Maria Margaretha (it was first quoted by Dreyer in his supplement to John Herschel's General Catalogue [4]). She had just discovered the Comet of 1702, which was watched afterwards closely by Gottfried. Looking for it on May 5, he came across a `nebulous star' near 5 Serpentis. Next night, the existence of this object was verified by Maria Margaretha, and she made a sketch of its environs. Her original account (in German, of course) can be found in an article by Helen Sawyer Hogg. [5]
Painting the portrait
The fifth object of the Messier catalogue is easy to find in Serpens Caput, halfway from Arcturus to Antares, and about 0.5 degree north of the bright star 5 Serpentis. Various sources, including the most recent papers, differ in total visual (V) magnitude of the cluster. Webbink, in his compilation of many original sources [6], gives 5.69 mag, van den Bergh and Morbey [7] suggest a slightly different value 5.58 mag (for comparison, the same sources have 5.68 and 5.82 mag for M 13, respectively). Under clear and dark skies the cluster M 5 should be therefore visible with the naked eye, although I must confess that I am not aware of any such report.
With a pair of giant binoculars (25x100mm) the globular is too splendid to describe and strikingly brighter towards the middle. About one third of the total diameter (as is visible with averted vision) is occupied by a bright central part that suddenly changes into much fainter, diffuse lacy edges. Individual stars, with a single exception, are not discernible. The brightest members are about V magnitude 12.2.
To enjoy more details of Messier 5, I used, together with my friend Jirka Dusek, a 6-inch Carl Zeiss refractor, a telescope that already enables one to notice many charming forms of this stellar gathering. At small power the double star 5 Serpentis (ADS 9584) appears in the same field. It is easy to split because the angular separation of the very unequally-bright components (a bright yellow-orange mag. 5.2 star accompanied by a mag. 11 one) is as large as 11 arc seconds. Wilhelm Struve's remark about his seeing the main component elongated, that has handed down to posterity thanks to Admiral Smyth [8], is only a historical curiosity. Micrometric measurements of the pair have not shown any relative motion since the discovery, but the common and fairly large proper motion is a proof of the physical connection between both stars.
The globular cluster itself is magnificient and granular at 60x. Individual small stars are scattered around the edges, and one or two of them can exceed the others in brightness. The cluster proper is circular, but an extended halo spreads first of all to the northwestern quadrant and makes the entire globular to be rather triangularly shaped (under the best skies it was so seen by some observers in large binoculars).
At 90x, the field gets still darker and crowds of faint stars, bordering the soft edges of the cluster, appear. A few of the brightest stars, when seeing is good, are glimpsed even in front of the disk. The highest power diminishes the central brightness allowing you to see a number of stars in the middle part and a small, nearly stellar nucleus in the center. Tens of widely scattered outliers form tiny groups and short chains.
To continue a journey into the depths of this springtime globular cluster would require considerably larger instruments that unfortunately are not at my disposal. I have therefore visited astronomical libraries. One of the most remarkable papers was published at the end of the 19th century by Emerson E. Barnard [9], who visually studied variable stars in M 5 with the largest refractor ever made, the 40-inch one at the Yerkes Observatory.
Barnard cared not only about behavior of variable stars, but in the course of the research looked at the whole cluster. According to him, it is "much finer than M.13 Herculis, which is more suitable for smaller apertures." The giant refractor revealed some very remarkable details as well: "A striking feature of Messier 5 when seeing is good, is a number of inky black spots or holes, not in the densest part, but close south-preceding and south-following. Under best conditions these look almost like black occulting masses." At another point Barnard wrote: "Apparently near the middle of the cluster is a group of six or seven small bright stars which in a small telescope give the appearance for nucleus to Messier 5." It was most likely this false nucleus what we spotted in the 6-inch refractor.
The story of the cluster variables
Some observers scrutinizing Messier 5 with 25x100 binoculars report a bright solitary star wrapped in its soft edges and lying some 3 arc minutes southwest of the center. On other occasions there is, however, no trace of its existence. This is due to its variability, when the visual magnitude of the star - designated Variable 42 at the Harvard Observatory - changes between 10.6 and 12.1. It is, as far as I know, the easiest variable star in a nothern globular cluster to estimate. There is still one variable within M 5 that would be worth watching if it were not for one drawback. Variable 84 (visual magnitude 10.8 - 12.3) is unfortunately placed at the edge of a dazzling central part of the cluster, and thus is lost in it at low power needed to fit comparison stars in the field of view. For this reason we estimated only Variable 42 - the results are to be seen in a diagram.
Both these details were added to the cluster's portrait by D.E. Packer, who observed M5 with a 4.5-inch dialyte refractor at the end of the last century. Comparing records of April 22 and May 14 in the spring 1890, he noticed a small changing star (#42), and subsequently he found still older observation of it, dated May 31, 1889. [10] One year later Packer announced the discovery of Variable 84. [11]
A nice, well-founded, and thorough paper on both our acquaintances was published by Coutts and Sawyer Hogg of the David Dunlap Observatory. [12] The variables belong to the W Virginis stars, otherwise called the Cepheids of Population II, a sort of evolved luminous supergiant. Light changes of these stars reflect their pulsation, and a gradual shortening or lengthening of a period, if detected, can tell us much about stellar evolution. As concerns Variable 42, the Canadian astronomers showed that its pulsations have been keeping the strict regularity of 25.738 days since the year 1895, when the first suitable pictures of M 5 were taken by Solon I. Bailey. In contrast, the period of Variable 84, today at 26.42 days, has changed dramatically. For instance, it increased sharply by about 0.2 day during the 1950s. This behavior does not seem, however, to be associated with ageing of the star.
Fruit of the Tree of Knowledge
To learn something about the evolution of stars in a globular cluster, it is very useful to plot the relation between the visual magnitude (V) and the color index (B-V) for individual members. If you do it for Messier 5, you will obtain a picture that resembles an old distorted apple tree with only two branches left (see figure).
The lower part of the leaning trunk is formed by the main sequence stars (A) that perform the basic alchemic transmutation in the Universe, namely the conversion of hydrogen into helium, in their cores. Hydrogen is a very caloric fuel in thermonuclear reactions, so the stars manage with it for a long time. But nothing lasts forever. Once a burned-out core reaches about one tenth of the total mass, the star embarks on a rebuilding of its interior hoping that also helium ash can be ignited. The core shrinks and its temperature increases, while a shell of burning hydrogen produces the energy, also expanding the star's envelope. In the color-magnitude diagram the star leaves the main sequence and climbes first through the region of subgiants (upper part of the trunk, over the bend) and later along the right nearly vertical bough of the apple tree, called the red giant branch (B).
More massive stars, which evolve faster, conclude their stay in this part of the diagram by an explosive ignition of the helium core (at C), but this explosion is well hidden inside the star. A plentiful crop of still more evolved stars, which are already changing helium into carbon, can be found at the left branch called the horizontal branch (D). The continuous sequence of stars on this branch is interrupted by the Schwarzschild space (E), where we find only the variable stars of the RR Lyrae type, which cannot be represented by just one dot, and are therefore usually omitted.
Eventually, the helium core is used up as well and the star becomes a giant once again. At this moment, thermonuclear reactions go on in two separated shells surrounding the inert carbon core: the old hydrogen-burning shell and an inner helium-burning one. In the diagram, the star finds itself at what is called the asymptotic giant branch (just left of the red giant branch and parallel to it). These stars lose mass at a remarkable rate and are believed to be ancestors of planetary nebulae. However, the delicate bubble of a planetary is a very short episode in the life of star. It gets out of CCD's, gets out of mind, and what remains is only a cooling nucleus of the former nebula, a hot subdwarf quickly changing into a degenerate white dwarf, too faint to be included in our figure (below the arrow F).
Wandering through the color-magnitude diagram, a star may happen to come in a well-defined region dubbed the instability strip. Then, its outer layers acquire a remarkable property: the continuous flow of energy from the interior makes them pulsate, changing diameter as well as the effective temperature of the star. RR Lyrae stars in the Schwarzschild space mark the place where the instability strip crosses the horizontal branch, and the W Virginis variables are nothing but stars that got into the pulsational wonderland at a still more advanced phase of evolution. The length of the pulsation period depends on the average density of a variable star. This gives astronomers a fine tool for studying the evolutionary directions and rates, for a period can be determined much more precisely than the V or B magnitudes.
A fast intruder and a doomed cluster
I would like to round out this article by a few sentences about the surprising results that I have found in a paper sent to me recently by Kyle Cudworth of Yerkes Observatory. [13]
In the sky, there is another globular cluster nearby to M 5, named Palomar 5, first noted by Walter Baade on plates taken with the 48-inch Schmidt camera still before the famous sky survey. Nevertheless, Pal 5 is quite similar to the other clusters found in the POSS: it is sparse, has a very low surface brightness and a low mass. One would expect that the relatively nearby (25,000 light years from the Sun), rich, and dense Messier 5 is confined to the inner region of the galaxy, while the distant (70,000 light years), poor, and ghostly Palomar 5 comes from the periphery and is around its perigalacticon now.
However, refined proper motion studies that Cudworth took part in show quite the contrary. Messier 5 moves, relative to the center of the Galaxy, at an extremely high speed, about 500 kilometers per second, which is comparable with the escape velocity. "It appears", remarks Cudworth, "that M 5 may be an outer halo cluster briefly visiting the inner halo." Palomar 5 turned out surprisingly to be near its apogalacticon and is very likely on its last, or nearly last, orbital cycle before dissolution by tidal forces of the galactic disk.
[1] Messier, C., 1784, Connoissance des Temps for 1787, Paris, p. 239
[2] Glyn Jones, K., 1969, Journal of the BAA 79, 359
[4] Dreyer, J. L. E., 1878, Trans. Roy. Irish Acad. 26, 397
[5] Sawyer Hogg, H., 1949, Journal of the RASC 43, 45
[6] Webbink,  R. F., 1985,  in Dynamics of  Star Clusters, IAU  Symp.
113, ed. J. Goodman and P. Hut (Dordrecht, Reidel), p. 541
[7] Van den Bergh, S. and Morbey, C., 1991, Astrophys. J. 375, 594
[8] Smyth,  W.  H.,  1844,  The  Bedford  Catalogue, John W. Packer,
London, p. 339
[9] Barnard, E. E., 1898, Astron. Nachr. 147, 243
[10] Packer, D. E., 1890, Sidereal Messenger 9, 381
[11] Packer, D. E., 1891, Sidereal Messenger 10, 107
[12] Coutts, C. M. and Sawyer Hogg,  H., 1977, Journal of the RASC 71,
[13] Cudworth,  K.,  1992,  preprint   (to  be  published  in  Galaxy
Evolution: The Milky Way Perspective, ASP Conf. Ser., ed.
S. Majewski)
M5's position in Hevelius' atlas, Firnamentum Sobiescianum sive Uranographia (1690)
Finder Chart for Variable 42 in M5
Central part of M5 with Variables #42 and #84
CMD of M5
Variable 42 light curve.
(Version: June 15, 1994)
Appendix -- notes and open questions:
There are no colorful photos of Messier 5 among the figures. This is because I have no ones at my disposal. By the way - I noted that globular clusters in general are blue (with overexposed parts in white) at most pictures, though one expects them to be reddish. Why?
I don't know (but would like to) if there are reports about naked-eye observation of the globular cluster.
The most recent (July 1993) compilation of data on galactic globular clusters appeared as ESO Scientific Preprint No. 932 (Appendices and Tables, to appear in Structure and Dynamics of Globular Clusters, ASP Conference Ser. #50, ed. Djorgovski & Meylan). In particular, total visual (V) magnitudes of 5.68 and 5.84 are given for M5 and M13, respectively, by Charles Peterson (Univ. of Missouri). According to the proceedings, Messier 5 is 7.6 kpc away.
Does anyone knows about the constellation Mons Menalus more than is is given in Allen's unreliable, confused, and dated 'Star Names' ?
It may be that the discoverer of Var #84 in Messier 5 is A. A. Common (what's his full name ?). Before Packer's announcement, he published a short article 'Note on some Variable Stars near the Cluster 5 M' (MNRAS 50, 517, 1890). While each of five 'variable stars' noted by him was captured on a single plate only (and was most likely just plate fault), the sixth star ('about 3 s f [i.e. 3 sec in right ascension east of] the centre of Cluster', which agrees well with the position of Var #84) appeared on all four plates. It was 'an unmistakable object' on the plates taken on April 22 [1890], May 15 and June 9, but 'possibly two magnitudes less' on the plate of May 9. This also is consistent with character of Var #84's light changes and its period, though I haven't check the phase yet.
Where is Margaretha Kirch's diary today ? Dreyer, writing about this source in the supplement to General Catalogue, noted that it was in the possesion of Lord Lindsay; later, preparing the New General Catalogue, he noted Lord Crawford as the owner of the diary. Here is the original text (in German), as quoted by Dreyer and Hogg (remarks are Dreyer's):
"Durch  solches  Suchen  [for the comet then visile] fand mein Mann
durch  eben  diesen 3 Sch. Tub. hoch ueber mu [Serpentis, mentioned
in  the  foregiong] em neblicht, aber doch deutliches Sternchen, es
hatte  viel  feine  andere  Sternchen  um  sich,  doch  eins  stand
sonderlich  per  Tubum  ueber diesen ungefaehr also [then follows a
rough sketch of a star and the 'nebulous star' below it]."
"Das  nebliche  Sternchen  haben  wir  deutlich  auf seiner vorigen
stelle gefunded."
What is DIALYTE refractor used by Packer ?
I would much appreciate receiving of a photocopy of Packer's original articles, or info how to get them. Until now, I have failed to find Sidereal Messenger in libraries.
Also, I'm searching for the last edition of the catalog of globular-cluster variables by H. S. Hogg (Publ. David Dunlap Obs. Vol. 3, No. 6, 1973). Could someone possibly made me a copy of pages related to M5 ?
Speaking about variables in globular clusters, Messier 5 is the only object of this type which (most likely) hosts a dwarf nova. It was spectroscopically confirmed by Margon et al. (ApJ Lett. 247, L89, 1981) and its long-term photometric properties were discussed by Shara et al. (Astron. J. 94, 357, 1987). I haven't consulted the papers yet, but dwarf novae are quite faint, and this one is moreover 24,800 light years away ...
Any report about amateur observation of Palomar 5 is welcome!
Thanks in advance for any help, info, comments and correction, and clear skies!
Leos Ondra (leo at sky.cz)
Last Modification: February 10, 1998


My story 'With her Head on his Chest' is published in Issue 24 of Northwords Now in the spring of 2013. It was the first story I set in the far north of Scotland. The twice-yearly magazine prints fiction, poetry, essays and interviews, with a focus on the Highlands and all aspects of Scots and Gaelic culture.
Gordy watched Sheila wind a strand of hair round her finger. They were listening to Black Sabbath in his room, the bedside lamp at her back.


The senses are the essences of Brahma Consciousness – listening the music, looking at beauty, tasting it, smelling it. These things directly impact the heart and the soul. For example, you hear the most melodious music. You're hearing through your ears, it's touching your heart, you're starting to cry. You're seeing some beautiful amazing scenery, your heart starts to melt. Then automatically your heart doors open. When it touches your heart and your soul door opens, then your tears will start. What is happening there? It is nothing but pure consciousness melting with your heart. This type of sensitivity you need to learn and create – the caring nature. Once you start to have a caring nature, automatically your consciousness will start to grow unbelievably. These two major things –– seeing and hearing - are the top two qualities in our spiritual growth. Once if you taste something most delicious then it touches you, 'Ah, such a beautiful taste.' It's called the essences of Brahma Consciousness.
We are all so grateful that you came with peaceful loving hearts to sing for us.
I feel healed and calmer.
We'd love to have bhajans again.
Bhajans are devotional singing to God.
Skill and capacity to play an instrument are not necessary to sing bhajans. The purity of the singers love and intention creates the special fragrance of Kaleshwar Bhajans. Sri Kaleshwar taught that the Divine provides the energy, and the lead singer uses this energy to guide the song through phases; starting quietly, building into climax, and finally dissolving into silence.
Before I come to start any program, I have the people sing a song like 'Om Nama Shivaya' When they keep on singing and listening, their mind comes in one certain frequency, and everything settles down. It brings a huge relief. Then, when you bring the energy higher, easily they can understand (deeper level teachings). If I start immediately without doing the bhajans, it takes a huge energy for everyone to understand.
Bhajans are one of the most powerful ways to develop unconditional love. Experiencing devotion through bhajans opens and heals the heart, and gives a direct experience of God's love and bliss. Bhajans help develop our divine qualities such as humility, gentleness and openheartedness.
Whoever kills egoism, 'I did this, I am a great healer;' who kills this, will know who he is. Whenever you surrender with an open determined heart for the Almighty work, the Almightly will make you (into) a beautiful nectar.
Kaleshwar Bhajans are prayers sung in ancient Sanskrit and Telugu. These prayers are made up of 'bijas', or seed sounds, high divine vibrations. Bijas are so powerful that God created the universe with them. When we sing Bhajans, we are connecting through sound to the vibrations that give Creation form. When bhajans are sung with pure love, the capacity to merge with God is experienced by singers and listeners alike.
If you would know what you sing, you would already be on a different level.
The best way to experience bhajans is to listen and sing along with them! If you would like to receive more information and support on how to start your own devotional bhajan practice, please contact us. Here are some helpful links and resources to begin or deepen your bhajan practice today.
For more about Sri Kaleshwar's teachings about bhajans and the 'Penukonda style' of singing them please see Shiva Sai Mandir Music.
Our Healing Center's 'Baba's Bhajan Band' gives live concerts to bring healing and upliftment to the local community of Mendocino county, California. We also stream concerts via live webcasts for our global community.


text:
Robert Durst, the Jinx, and DA Devon Anderson
Posted on March 18, 2015 by Don Hooper
Appearance of impropriety between Robert Durst's attorney, Chip B. Lewis, and Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson
2520 Robinhood is home to a small high rise blocks away from Rice University. This address is also the location of Robert Durst's safe house. Durst is a registered voter in Harris County and in the Conductor's Circle level of giving to the Houston Symphony. In Houston, Durst's security consists of Chip Lewis, not a registered voter; but, an attorney with special influence at the Harris County Criminal Justice Center.
If you turned on your television Sunday evening, you could not get away from Lewis. He seems to be using Durst's latest misfortunes as his personal press junket. So, who is this opportunist?
Lewis spent the last half of the 1990s as a Harris County Assistant District Attorney. During 1999, his last year at the District Attorney's office, Lewis represented the State of Texas in the prosecution of three Second Baptist School students alleged of aggravated sexual assault. For months, Lewis worked with fellow prosecutors Terese Buess and Lisa Andrews to prosecute these cases.
On the eve of trial, Lewis convinced the victim and her family to bless off on a plea bargain that dismissed the rape cases. In return, one of the three defendants, represented by Dan Cogdell, pled no contest to unlawful restraint and received deferred adjudication. This plea assured Cogdell that his client would not be labeled a sex offender because the plea bargain relieved the defendant of the sex offender registration requirements. Devon Anderson's husband, Mike, accepted the plea bargain as judge of the 262nd District Court.
Following the conclusion of this deal, Lewis left the DA's office and went to work for Cogdell. Meanwhile, the victim and her family were forced to file a civil lawsuit to recover restitution for her medical treatment
Lewis knows the media. Weeks after her husband's passing, Devon Anderson was appointed to serve as Harris County District Attorney. Lewis served as a backchannel telling Chron reporter Brian Rogers that he "understood that Judge Anderson and Judge Hill discussed this [appointment] extensively." How would he know?
So far, in one year, Lewis has donated $25,100 to Devon Anderson. Who knows if Durst has contributed under one of his many aliases.
$10,000 on February 4, 2014
$5,000 on May 23, 2014
$1,000 on September 17, 2014
This does not include the funds that Lewis donated to Mike Anderson, which were ultimately transferred to Devon's campaign account. Lewis gave Mike Anderson $12,531.
$10,000 on February 27, 2012
$1,531 on June 12, 2012
$1,000 on April 2, 2013
Even in the shadow of the latest courthouse rumors surrounding Lewis, he is hosting a fundraiser for Devon later this month. What has Chip's investment in the Andersons done for him?
When Durst was arrested in June 2014 for urinating on candy at his local CVS, he was filed on for a class b misdemeanor. Three months ago (and post-election), Devon Anderson's office reduced the charge to a fine only class c charge. Certainly a tough prosecutor like Devon called LA and Westchester County to let them know that their creepy serial killer is spraying his urine all over candy right here in Harris County, right? Devon Anderson sent the jinx back home to Rice Village. I am sure there is a very good reason why Robert Durst's criminal defense attorney is Devon Anderson's largest legal campaign contributor.
Since Devon Anderson assumed the position of District Attorney in September 2013, Lewis has received approximately 40 dismissals for his clients – this does not include the numerous dismissals under her husband's administration. Victor Trevino, another Lewis client, received probation with no jail time for misapplying money. Trevino's three other cases were dismissed.
Lewis represented Doug Karpen, the "Texas Gosnell." Under Devon's leadership, Karpen was no billed by a grand jury.
Lewis's involvement in the 185th runaway grand jury is well recorded. Lewis and his client, Amanda Culbertson, sold a fabricated story to the grand jury, manipulated the system, and used the process to get Mike Anderson elected. Lewis and Culbertson subsequently attempted to use the federal court system to silence my wife and they have been unsuccessful. In fact, during one of the hearings, Lewis simply left the court during a break and was chastised by Judge Lynn Hughes.
The story of the worthless HPD homicide detective, Ryan Chandler, has been a consistent narrative over the past year. The former detective is married to Devon's chief of post-conviction review, which is an area of the office supposedly dedicated to the review of innocence claims. For some reason, Lewis has openly supported the former detective and attempted to manipulate the media to favor this man who failed to investigate at least 25 Houston murder cases.
Devon Anderson needs to account for her relationship with Mr. Lewis. His campaign donations and results at the courthouse, at a minimum, appear improper.
The Andersons campaigned on their tough on crime stance. If you look around town, you can find evidence of a serious crime wave in Harris County. Tagging isn't just graffiti – it is a criminal element marking their territory. The local news is filled with shootings, kidnappings, and robberies.
Harris County residents are riding a crime wave and the smart criminals know where to go. I am sure that the Rice University area residents are praying that the criminal justice system is less corrupt in New Orleans and LA County than in Houston. Maybe we can rename the open carry bill after Robert Durst.
Hmmm, another quick dismissal?
This entry was posted in Murray Newman and tagged Chip B. Lewis, Chip Lewis, Chip Lewis Criminal Defense Attorney, Chip Lewis Houston Lawyer, DA Devon Anderson, Durst Orginization, Harris County, Los Angeles District Attorney, murder, Natalee Bettis, New York real estate, Orleans Parish, Robert Durst, the Jinx, Westchester District Attorney by Don Hooper. Bookmark the permalink.
17 thoughts on "Robert Durst, the Jinx, and DA Devon Anderson"
Don Hooper on March 18, 2015 at 12:06 pm said:
I have been asking, no one has ever heard of a dismissal before the 1st trial setting, and before it went to the Grand Jury where the car was reported stolen and the defendant was caught in it, a felony. Devon, you are making this way too easy;-)
Don Hooper on March 18, 2015 at 8:17 pm said:
Devon can investigate a UH fraternity, but not Chip for the incident in the 184th, c'mon 2016.
Don Hooper on March 23, 2015 at 6:03 am said:
Arrest watch continues!
Observer on March 25, 2015 at 11:10 am said:
Well, I think the complaining witness had a change of heart for good reason…this wasn't some random incident…more like a "date" gone wrong…
A lot of dates go bad for many reasons at Treasurers. Some entitled strippers take their dates cars after a night of hard partying. It tends to go bad when said date has to fly home to his wife and has to explain to the rental car company where his rental is? It gets better for the stripper when she allows the defense attorney to work it all out for some jury room time. Did I miss anything?
Don Hooper on April 1, 2015 at 6:05 am said:
Of course Murray perjured himself, what did you expect.
Don Hooper on April 23, 2015 at 4:19 am said:
And Murray sure knows a lot about the need for Grand Jury reform. Craig, are you sure Murray didn't give Lisa the story in the beginning?
Don Hooper on May 17, 2015 at 4:08 am said:
Murray, you were fired for incompetence. Not only were you a drunk but you seemed to have had the habit of regularly breaking the law. This is about to come back and bite you in a very horrible way.
Ms. Gotro and Mr. Schneider can explain all this to you. Or, you can wait to read about it all right here. Bald, drunk, and stupid is no way to go through life. Now you get to take Kelly down with you.
Don Hooper on May 19, 2015 at 3:07 pm said:
Devon has had to hire outside people to shore up the trial bureau because so many people have fled the Anderson disaster. This is not Jim Leitner's fault. The fault remains squarely on those who used a corrupt grand jury to undermine the DA's office.
Who says a Hooper can't walk into the 185th and not get arrested. Not only did I not get arrested I got Murray's David Temple transcript.
Now we are going to have some fun!
Roe Wilson, Lance Long, wow!
Don Hooper on June 5, 2015 at 2:03 pm said:
Do any of the posters on Murray's blog actually work at the DA's office? I say this because Devon took her bureau chiefs, and Susan Brown of course on and all expense paid trip to DC. This occurred during the flood. You have to ask yourself why I know this and Murray's posters don't.
Hmmm, the curious story of Patricia Pollard and Alfred Dewayne Brown.
Don Hooper on July 2, 2015 at 8:25 pm said:
Get a rope!
Don Hooper on July 3, 2015 at 9:38 am said:
Murray has written about the horrible and dispecable acts of Charles Sebesta. He should be in prison all right. Time to start beating the fool again. Is there a more idiotic individual who ever set foot in the court house. Gosh this is going to be a hoot. Pop the corn folks!
Don Hooper on July 3, 2015 at 11:13 am said:
Kelly Siegler and the jiggery pokery gang, new working title.
Over/Under on how long Kelly, Murray and the rest of the Jiggery Pokery Gang keep there bar cards.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Full html with bootstrap:
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        <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/bootstrap@4.3.1/dist/css/bootstrap.min.css" integrity="sha384-ggOyR0iXCbMQv3Xipma34MD+dH/1fQ784/j6cY/iJTQUOhcWr7x9JvoRxT2MZw1T" crossorigin="anonymous">

            <button class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" type="button" id="dropdownMenuButton" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
                Dropdown button
            </button>

                Action
                Another action
                Something else here

A: In order to keep the request logic and send a standard POST request you can have a <form> with only one input of type hidden and update its value dynamically. The value can be stored and extracted from a data attribute of the  link, here is a simple implementation:

    <button class="btn btn-secondary dropdown-toggle" type="button" id="dropdownMenuButton" data-toggle="dropdown" aria-haspopup="true" aria-expanded="false">
        Dropdown button
    </button>

        Action
        Another action

    <form class="d-none" name="add" method="post">
        <input type="hidden" name="provider" value="">
    </form>

And some simple jQuery code:
$('.dropdown-menu .dropdown-item').on('click', function() {
  var element = $(this);
  var form = $('form', element.closest('.dropdown'));

  $('input[name="provider"]', form).val(element.data('value'))

  form.submit();
});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


-Each image is sold in a cumulative edition of 7 (prints are available at various sizes, but no more than 7 total prints of any image will ever be made). Prices rise as the edition sells.
-Prices are for the unframed print, in US dollars, and include worldwide shipping. The described size is for the image alone and does not include an additional 2-4" of white border on the print. All prints are made on archival paper with a lustre finish similar to traditional baryta photo paper.


Ma Deuce Deuce (MA22) is a veteran advocacy non-profit organization 501(c)3 raising awareness of the "22 daily Veteran suicides" epidemic as well as providing Veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) a diversity of restorative and therapeutic programs/non-profit organizations at no cost to the veteran.
We will never leave another veteran alone! All you have to do is call, text or email.
Would you like to donate to Ma Deuce Deuce? Click on the button below and enter your donation amount. We generosity will help our veterans who are suffering from PTSD.
What is MA Deuce Deuce?
MA Deuce Deuce helps our Jersey Shore Veterans with programs, events and services to prevent one from becoming a statistic. MA Deuce Deuce reaches out to our Vets and put theme in touch with programs or resources that help ease the burdens of PTSD. A Veteran along the Jersey Shore is never alone, all they have to do is reach out to us and we will be there for them.
Are you a veteran or spouse who could use our services?
Do you know someone who could use our friendly ears?
If so, send them our way! We've been there before and know how it feels at the bottom of that hole.
Ma Deuce Deuce (MA22) was founded by a few Marines and a big beautiful truck. After attending a free 5 day program called Operation Restored Warrior (ORW), John Cohen and Dennis Addesso decided to start something to make programs like ORW known. With another ORW alumni, Walter (Thomas) Kiselow and a glorious F350 wrapped in a military theme, they set out to local events raising awareness of the 22 veterans who commit suicide.
MA22 is dedicated to providing information and education regarding the network of services available for military veterans classified with special needs including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and other disabilities and providing the opportunity to experience treatment outside of the Veteran Affairs (VA) Administration facilities and programs at no cost to the veteran. MA22 will provide this network to these veterans in an effort to eradicate the estimated 22 daily veteran suicides epidemic.
Conducting fundraising events with the goal of supporting other Section 50l(c)(3) non-profit organizations that directly provide counseling and other services to at-risk veterans. Providing information and education regarding veteran suicide and the network or service available for veterans.
Visit our Ruck Sack to see all the activities, events, resources, services and programs that we engage in. Our Ruck Sack is a hub for our Veterans and their spouses to keep them involved and away from the confines of PTSD. We offer many activities like Diamond Dallas Page Yoga, Lakewood BlueClaws Tickets, Scuba Diving, Aircraft Rides, Audrey's Toy Chest, Car Repair, Employment Opportunites and much more..Check it out.. Use what you need and give what you can!


The Cherokee / Great Smokies KOA is bordered on one side by the Raven Fork River and on the other side by three tribal trout ponds. Both are stocked twice weekly, so bring your rod and reel for some great fishing! Last year an area on the river was added that is strictly for Fly Fishing- Catch and Release only. We are also just a few miles from the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Driving a Big Rig? We're set up to meet your needs! With 50 amp service and 136-foot pull-throughs available on some sites, you'll love our campground's easy access. No RV? Enjoy a comfortable stay in one of our cozy cabins, cottages, or lodges.
From almost anywhere on our campground, you'll enjoy 360-degree mountain views. With Camping Cabins, Cottages, Lodges, 400 campsites, pavilions, a plaza and its own fleet of vans, this KOA is ideal for even the biggest group gatherings. (It's tough to beat our Camping Cottages and Lodges with decks overlooking the river!) Food and special entertainment are available for groups. Enjoy the shuttle to area attractions, indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs, island pet walk and many events on the campground.
We also have a waterslide that will take you sliding right into the outdoor pool. Enjoy a family-oriented film under the stars, with freshly-popped popcorn available. Our KOA's Big Bouncer is a great hit with the entire family, providing safe fun for adults and kids alike! Grab a ride as our hay ride winds through camp. Don't be surprised to hear a serenade of campfire songs by the passengers on this rustic ride! Cherokee KOA is working with the KOA Recreation Director to add more new and exciting programs to the list of activities that will make you never want to leave the campground. Keep checking our website for updates!
Looking for a Summer Job? Ministry?
Check out our film at YouTube made by SummerShiner, Jeb Bennet. The link above will open in a popup window.


Content Creator, Creative Director, Brand Strategist and Team Builder with extensive experience in both Brand and Agency side. I subscribe to the concept of creating engaging and effective content that positions my clients as the heroes, with out the ego.
Specialties: Family Communications, CPG Marketing, Retail Marketing, Millennial and Gen Z. Communications, New Business, Brand Strategy, Branded Entertainment, Entertainment: short and long-format content.
American Legacy, Cheetos, Johnson & Johnson, T-Mobile, Hampton Inn, Marriott Hotels, Best Western, Lego, Whiplash, Hasbro, Mattel, Nintendo, XBox, Ubisoft, Turbo Tax, Bounty, Sharpie, Dannon, General Mills, Pepsi, Snapple, Birds Eye, Chef Boyardee, Green Giant, Gillette, Popsicle, CapriSun, Unilever, Old El Paso, Bisquick, Kleenex, Luvs, M&Ms, Post Cereals, Del Monte, Chervrolet, Toyota, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, GEICO, Nationwide, State Farm, USTA, Energizer Batteries, Playmates Toys, Spin Master, Zales, Lowes, Home Depot, Target, Ikea, Walmart, Sears, Kmart, Big Lots, Marshall's, Old Navy, Pet Smart, Macy's, Reebok, Toys R Us, Burlington, Clorox, Banana Boat Sunscreen, Scrubbing Bubbles, Lysol, Playtex, Tide, Red Robin, Dominos Pizza, Popeyes, Golden Corral, Cici's Pizza, Little Caesars, Ihop, DQ, McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Pirate's Booty, Dell, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, MGA Entertainment, Warner Brothers, Dave&Busters, Great Wolf Lodge, Nickelodeon Universe at the Mall of the Americas and Universal Studios.
Juan Carlos Gutierrez Zorrilla Delgado Monroy, etc Client: Cheetos Title: Who ate my Cheetos?


text:
Віктор Іванович Нанейшвілі (1878, с. Сачілао Кутаїської губернії (нині Самтредський муніципалітет) — 22 березня 1940, Москва) — радянський політичний діяч.

Член РСДРП від 1903 року.

Біографія

Народився у селянській родині.

Закінчив філософський факультет Московського університету.

 Революцію 1917 року зустрів у Баку.
 З квітня 1918 року надзвичайний комісар Дагестану.
 З 23 листопада 1918 року до січня 1919 року голова Астраханського губернського комітету РКП(б).
 З 23 липня по 9 вересня 1920 року голова Президії ЦК КП Азербайджанської РСР.
 З вересня 1922 до 1923 року секретар Пермського губернського комітету РКП(б).
 З вересня 1924 року до червня 1925 року – відповідальний (перший) секретар Казахстанської партійної організації РКП(б).
 З 1931 року аж до арешту 1939 року очолював Всесоюзну торгову академію у Москві (Всесоюзна академія харчової промисловості).
 Заарештований 28 листопада 1939 року. Засуджений ВКВС СРСР 21 березня 1940. Розстріляний 22 березня 1940. Реабілітований 19 березня 1955.

Нагороджувався орденом Трудового Червоного Прапора.

Дружина Віра Павлівна (навчалась у Брюсселі, член РСДРП з 1902 року, померла 1937 року), дочка Марія (22 вересня 1907 року, Тбілісі — 25 червня 1993 року; була заміжня за Олександром Косарєвим) і син Павло.

Примітки

Посилання

Члени РСДРП
Керівники ЦК Компартії Азербайджану
Випускники Московського університету
Кавалери ордена Трудового Червоного Прапора
Репресовані в СРСР
Розстріляні в СРСР

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Typhoon moves SIA jet
MANILA - Two planes, including a Singapore Airlines (SIA) Boeing B777-200, were damaged at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, as strong winds during a typhoon moved the aircraft.
The SIA plane had its left wing damaged after hitting an air bridge in Terminal 1, while a Malaysia Airlines plane impaired its fuselage after turning 45 degrees and hitting a service staircase, a statement from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said.
SIA said there were no passengers or crew on board, and engineers would assess the jet once the storm eased.
About 230 international and local flights were cancelled and the airport suffered some structural damage during the first typhoon of the Philippines' brutal rainy season.
Ferocious winds from Typhoon Rammasun tore roofs off houses, overturned cars and ripped trees out of the ground in Manila, as well as in remote fishing villages hundreds of kilometres away.
"I thought I was going to die. I went out to look for petrol in case we needed to evacuate, but it was a mistake," said tricycle driver Pedro Rojas, 35, as he nursed a cut head while sheltering at a town hall on the outskirts of Manila.
"My tricycle rolled over twice after I slammed into sheets of rain. It was like hitting a wall... huge tin roofing was flying everywhere."
Falling trees, poles and walls killed at least 11 people across the northern parts of the Philippines that Rammasun swept over, with wind gusts approaching 200kmh, the authorities said.
The national disaster-management council reported five fatalities, while the local authorities confirmed six others.
One was a rescue worker who died in the capital when a government building collapsed on him, while falling trees killed two elderly people in rural areas of a province neighbouring Manila.
Rammasun, which in Thai means "God of Thunder", tore in from the Pacific Ocean with wind gusts of about 250kmh and smashed into poor fishing communities in the east of the archipelago on Tuesday night.
It weakened slightly as it cut across the main island of Luzon and exited into the South China Sea yesterday afternoon. Weather forecasters warned it may pick up strength again, as it tracks towards southern China.
The eye of the storm just missed Manila, home to more than 12 million people.
Thousands flee as Typhoon Rammasun hits Philippines


text:
Supporting Recovery
European Empowerment Seminar 2020
Family Recovery Conference 2020
Promoting Positive Mental Health
Mental Health Associations
Five Ways To Wellbeing
Virtual Exhibition: Art & Photography Competition Winners
Sharing the Vision – Translating Policy into Practice Webinar
Seasons Greetings 2020
Farming Resilience
Recovery Education
Walks to Wellbeing
Parental Mental Illness
National Council of AD/HD
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder – or ADHD – is thought to be caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain that affects attention, concentration and impulsivity. Someone with ADHD might have significant attention problems, appear restless, fidgety, overactive and impulsive. They can act before thinking and often speak before thinking by blurting out and interrupting others.
ADHD isn't a disease or the result of damage to the brain but it a dysfunction that means the brain doesn't function in the way it should. Studies show that ADHD may affect certain areas of the brain that allow us to solve problems, plan ahead, understand others' actions, and control our impulses. It begins in childhood and can continue through adolescence and into adulthood.
Someone with ADHD may show a number of symptoms in areas like attention, hyperactivity and impulsivity, including:
Overactive and/or impulsive behaviour
An inattention to details and makes careless mistakes
Trouble finishing work or school projects
Difficulty in paying attention and easily distracted
Always "on the go"
What Causes ADHD?
The causes of ADHD are still not fully known. It is believed to be caused by poor transmission of messages in the brain, and in particular by low levels of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine, which carry messages from one neuron to another. These neurotransmitters are particularly associated with attention, organisation and managing emotions.
Do People Grow Out Of ADHD?
Some children grow out of ADHD; others have problems that continue into adolescence and beyond. Approximately two out of five children with ADHD continue to have difficulties at age 18.
The main symptoms of ADHD, such as attention difficulties, may improve as children get older, but behavioural problems such as disobedience or aggression may become worse if a child does not receive help. In particular, boys who are hyperactive and aggressive tend to become unpopular with other children.
It is therefore very important for children to receive help as early as possible, to prevent them from getting socially isolated and from developing other emotional and behaviour problems that can persist into adult life.
Does Medication Help?
ADHD is often treated with stimulant medication. The theory is that medication can either reduce the uptake or increase the production of the neurotransmitters, so increasing the levels in the brain. Medication does not cure ADHD – it can only reduce the difficulties it causes.
However there are concerns that these drugs may be used too quickly to deal with behaviours that are not due to ADHD/ADD at all; the child may be simply over-boisterous or unruly or difficult to manage for other reasons to do with their family and environment. Also, they are very powerful drugs – some are classed as amphetamines – and can carry other health risks.
The long-term effects of stimulants on young, developing brains are still not fully known and children and adults with existing heart conditions are at risk of heart attacks if they take stimulant medications. Stimulants can also trigger or exacerbate hostility, aggression, anxiety, depression and paranoia – anyone with a personal or family history of suicide, depression or bi-polar disorder is at very high risk and should be closely monitored.
The reported side effects of stimulant medication for ADHD/ADD include some of the problems for which they are prescribed. They include: restlessness, difficulty sleeping, irritability and mood swings, depression, loss of appetite, headaches, upset stomach, dizziness, racing heartbeat and tics. For these reasons, stimulant medication should only be prescribed to children who have been professionally assessed and diagnosed by an expert, and should be reviewed regularly.
Non-medical ways of managing ADHD include exercise, healthy diet, sleep management and behavioural therapies.
Bi Polar Disorder
Back To A - Z
Alcohol Action
Mental health problems not only result from drinking too much alcohol. They can also cause people to drink too much. There is some evidence associating light drinking with improved health in some adults. Between one and three units daily have been found to help protect against heart disease, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and a small glass of red wine daily may reduce risk of stroke in women.
However there is much more evidence showing that drinking too much alcohol leads to serious physical and mental illnesses.
Put very simply, a major reason for drinking alcohol is to change our mood – or change our mental state. Alcohol can temporarily alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression; it can also help to temporarily relieve the symptoms of more serious mental health problems.
Alcohol problems are more common among people with more severe mental health problems. This does not necessarily mean that alcohol causes severe mental illness. Drinking to deal with difficult feelings or symptoms of mental illness is sometimes called 'self-medication' by people in the mental health field. This is often why people with mental health problems drink. But it can make existing mental health problems worse.
Evidence shows that people who consume high amounts of alcohol are vulnerable to higher levels of mental ill health and it can be a contributory factor in some mental illnesses, such as depression.
How Does Drinking Alcohol Affect Mental Health
When we have alcohol in our blood, our mood changes, and our behaviour then also changes. How these change depends on how much we drink and how quickly we drink it. Alcohol depresses the central nervous system, and this can make us less inhibited in our behaviour. It can also help 'numb' our emotions, so we can avoid difficult issues in our lives.
Alcohol can also reveal or magnify our underlying feelings. This is one of the reasons that many people become angry or aggressive when drinking. If our underlying feelings are of anxiety, anger or unhappiness, then alcohol can magnify them.
What About After Affects
One of the main problems associated with using alcohol to deal with anxiety and depression is that people may feel much worse when the effects have worn off. Alcohol is thought to use up and reduce the amount of neurotransmitters in the brain, but the brain needs a certain level of neurotransmitters needs to ward off anxiety and depression. This can lead some people to drink more, to ward off these difficult feelings, and a dangerous cycle of dependence can develop.
Current recommended 'Sensible Drinking' limits are three to four units a day for men and two to three units a day for women.
1 pint beer (5% vol) = 3 units
1 pint lager (3% vol) = 2 units
1 small glass wine (12% vol) = 2 units
1 measure spirit (40% vol) = 1 unit
We all feel angry at times; it's a natural response to threats and attacks, injustice and disappointment.
Anger is a powerful emotion and releasing the pressure that builds inside you can be essential to deal with problems and move on. But if anger isn't dealt with in a healthy way, it can have a significant effect on your daily life, relationships, achievements and mental well-being.
What is Anger?
Anger is one of the most basic human emotions. It is a physical and mental response to a threat or to harm done in the past. Anger takes many different forms from irritation to blinding rage or resentment that festers over many years.
At any point in time, a combination of physical, mental and social factors interact to make us feel a certain way. It's different for each of us. Our feelings are influenced by our emotional make-up, how we view the world, what happens around us and our circumstances. Like other emotions, anger rarely acts alone.
How Does Anger Work?
As we go about our lives, we're constantly weighing up situations and deciding what we think about them: good or bad, safe or unsafe etc. How we interpret a situation influences how we feel about it. If we think we are in danger, we feel afraid. If we feel we have been wronged, we feel angry. These feelings determine how we react to the situation. We translate meanings into feelings very fast. With anger, that speed sometimes means that we react in ways we later regret.
How Do Our Bodies Respond To Anger?
Many of our emotions are linked to a particular physical response. Anger gets the mind and body ready for action. It arouses the nervous system, increasing the heart rate, blood pressure, blood flow to muscles, blood sugar level and sweating. It also sharpens the senses and increases the production of adrenalin, a hormone produced at times of stress.
At the same time as these physical changes, anger is thought to affect the way we think. When we are first faced with a threat, anger helps us quickly translate complex information into simple terms: 'right' or 'wrong' for instance. This can be useful in an emergency as we don't waste valuable time weighing up information that doesn't instantly affect our safety or well-being.
But it can mean that we act before we've considered what else is relevant and made a rational decision about how to behave. It may be that we need to take more time to look at the situation and deal with it differently. When anger gets in the way of rational thinking we may give way to the urge to act aggressively, propelled by the instinct to survive or protect someone from a threat.
Why Do We Get Angry?
Reasons for getting angry include:
facing a threat to ourselves or our loved ones
being verbally or physically assaulted
suffering a blow to our self-esteem or our place within a social group
being interrupted when pursuing a goal
losing out when money is at stake
someone going against a principle that we consider important
being treated unfairly and feeling powerless to change this
feeling disappointed by someone else or in ourselves
having our property mistreated.
If we think someone has wronged us on purpose, this can make us angrier. If we're having a bad day and are in a state of constant tension, we're more likely to snap when something else goes wrong, even if it's something that wouldn't usually bother us.
We may feel angry immediately or only feel angry later when we go back over a situation. Anger can surface years later that has its roots in abuse or neglect long ago. Sometimes anger stays locked inside us for decades because it wasn't dealt with sufficiently at the time.
How Do People Behave When They Get Angry?
Anger isn't always negative. It can be a force for good. Moral outrage can drive people to campaign for change, right wrongs and enforce the rules that govern our society.
People often think of anger and aggression as the same thing, but they aren't. Anger is an emotional state and aggression is just one of the ways that people behave when they are angry. Aggression often takes over when people act on their instinct to protect themselves or others. Alcohol can make some people act more aggressively and drug use can similarly lower our inhibitions.
People often express their anger verbally. They may:
use dramatic words
bombard someone with hostile questions
exaggerate the impact on them of someone else's action.
Some people who are angry get their own back indirectly by making other people feel guilty and playing on that guilt. Others develop a cynical attitude and constantly criticise everything, but never address problems constructively.
Some people internalise their anger. They may be seething inside and may physically shake, but they don't show their anger in the way they behave when they are around other people.
People who internalise their anger may self harm when they are angry as a way of coping with intense feelings they can't express another way. This may give temporary relief from the angry feelings, but it doesn't solve the problems in the long-term.
What Kind Of Problems Are Linked To Anger?
Anger in itself is neither good nor bad; it becomes a problem when it harms us or other people. Anger is the emotion most likely to cause problems in relationships in the family, at work and with friends. People with a long term anger problem tend to be poor at making decisions, take more risks than other people and are more likely to have a substance misuse problem.
Long term and intense anger has been linked with mental health problems including depression, anxiety and self-harm. It is also linked to poorer overall physical health as well as particular conditions, such as:
gastro-intestinal problems.
How Can Managing My Anger Help Me?
How Can I Manage My Own Anger?
When you feel the first surge of anger boiling up inside you, pause for a moment. Think about what has made you angry, think about the consequences of exploding in a rage and then choose how to respond.
Even in the middle of an argument, it's not too late to take a deep breath and choose to express your feelings differently. Give rational thinking time to kick in.
Count to ten before you act.
Drop your shoulders and breathe deeply to help you relax – your instincts may be telling your body to get ready to fight, but your rational self can reverse this message by telling your body to chill out.
If you feel the urge to throw something or hit out, remove yourself from the situation and try taking it out on something soft like a cushion that you won't damage and which won't hurt you.
Try screaming if it won't disturb people near you or scream into a pillow to release your tension.
Talk yourself down – imagine what your calmest friend would say to you and give yourself the same advice
Imagine yourself in a relaxing scene.
Distract yourself or take yourself out of the situation that made you angry – read a magazine, do a crossword, listen to soothing music, go for a walk.
Pour out how you feel in writing or redirect your energy into another creative activity.
Offload to a friend who will help you get perspective on the situation.
There are other activities which may help you almost immediately, later the same day or if you make them part of your lifestyle longer term.
Work off your anger through exercise – channelling your energy into exercise instead will increase the release of feel good brain chemicals called endorphins which help us relax.
Use relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation – techniques like these challenge the physical aspects of anger, such as the brain chemicals that prepare you to fight, before these chemicals lead you to act impulsively.
Be assertive
Being assertive is a healthy way to express anger. Take ownership of the situation and your feelings.
Tell people that you are feeling angry and why.
Talk slowly and clearly.
Use the word "I" to make it about you, not about them.
Make requests rather than demands or threats.
Say "I could" and "I might" instead of "I must" or "I should".
Good communication skills can help you get your message across. Keep the lines of communication open. Listen to other people's point of view. Assuming you know where they stand can create a problem where there is none and escalate a situation from bad to worse.
In the longer term, it can be really helpful to work out what makes you angry and how it makes you behave. Think about it when you're not feeling angry. Talk it through with someone who you trust and who knows you well.
What triggers your anger?
What signs tell you that you're on the brink of uncontrolled anger?
Have you fallen into any unhelpful patterns of behaviour?
What have the consequences been?
What works to calm you down?
Are there any triggers in your daily routine or your environment that you could change?
Protect your mental health
People in good mental health are better able to cope when things go wrong; feeling stressed (link to MHI Stress Leaflet) makes it harder for us to cope with problems. The following are some of the things known to be good for our mental health.
Keep physically active.
Eat a balanced diet – some foods are more effective than others at supplying us with a steady flow of fuel to help us function well, while nutrients found in certain foods can affect mood in different ways.
Drink sensibly, however tempted you may be to improve your mood with a drink or by using drugs.
Keep in touch with friends and loved ones (link to plan to protect connect) – talk about your feelings with them and ask for help when you need it.
Take time to relax and enjoy yourself.
Accept who you are and do something you're good at.
How Can I Deal With Other Peoples Anger?
Being on the receiving end of anger or just being a witness to it can be tough. If other people's anger is having a bad effect on you, you shouldn't have to put up with it.
Anger tends to be catching, but staying calm yourself can help both of you. If you get angry as well, things can quickly escalate.
Bear in mind the tactics that calm people down – use them yourself and remind the other person what can help them relax or distract themselves.
Help them to consider why they are angry and encourage them to explain it to you calmly.
Explain that sometimes anger is justified, but it can also make people lose perspective – unnecessary aggression makes things worse.
It may help to take yourself away from an angry person. Give them time to cool down, wait a few minutes, then talk to them when they seem less agitated and may be more able to look at the situation neutrally.
No one needs to put up with violence. If you are afraid or feel threatened by someone's anger, you should ask for help. If you have been assaulted, call the Gardai http://www.garda.ie/stations/default.aspx.
Where Can I Go For Further Help?
If you are worried about your own anger or another aspect of your mental health, go to your GP is a good place to start. They may be able to suggest ways you can manage your anger yourself or they may refer you for further support.
Talking therapies such as counselling or CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) can help people explore what makes them angry, work out why anger has become a problem for them and learn how to change the way they respond to the situations that typically make them angry. Talking therapies are usually provided over a course of several weeks or months.
Anger management courses often involve counselling and group work with other people with similar problems. The courses take place either over a day or a weekend or in sessions over a period of weeks.
Domestic violence programmes help people whose anger leads them to violence against members of their family. They usually help people take responsibility for their actions and understand their impact on those close to them. They may also ask people to change other parts of their life such as addressing any problems with alcohol or drugs.
Local support groups can be a way for people with a problem in common to share their experiences and support and encourage each other to change their behaviour. They may be led by someone who has themselves had a problem with anger in the past.
Faith leaders or others of the same community can help people reflect and get perspective on a situation that has made them angry. They will help set the situation in the context of the values that the faith follows.
Anger management courses
Anger Management Ireland runs courses for people who want help dealing with their own anger and provide group and one-on-one counselling services. http://www.angermanagementireland.ie/
Back To A -Z
Anxiety is a type of fear usually associated with the thought of a threat or something going wrong in the future, but can also arise from something happening right now.
Around 1 in 6 people in Ireland will experience a mental health problem like anxiety each year, which has steadily increased over the past 20 years. It is also likely that individuals do not seek help for significant levels of anxiety, meaning many remain without diagnosis or treatment.
Life is full of potential stressful events and it is normal to feel anxious about everyday things. There can be a single trigger or event that raises anxiety levels, but generally it's be a number of things that increase anxiety levels, including exams, work deadlines, how we think we look, going on a first date or whether we feel safe travelling home late at night.
Anxiety has a strong effect on us because it's one of our natural survival responses. It causes our mind and body to speed up to prepare us to respond to an emergency.
These are some of the physical things that might happen:
Rapid and / or irregular heartbeat
Fast breathing
Weakened / tense muscles
Churning stomach / loose bowels
Anxiety also has a psychological impact, which can include:
Feeling irritable
Feeling depressed
Loss of self-confidence
It can be hard to break this cycle, but you can learn to feel less worried and to cope with your anxiety so it doesn't stop you enjoying life.
Causes of Anxiety?
Feelings of anxiety can be caused by lots of things and vary according to what you're worried about and how you act when you feel apprehensive. They depend on lots of things such as:
your genes
how you were brought up
what's happened to you in your life
the way you learn and cope with things.
Just knowing what makes you anxious and why can be the first steps to managing anxiety.
Getting Help for Anxiety?
Fear and anxiety can affect all of us every now and then. Most people get through passing moments of anxiety with no lasting effect. People experiencing anxiety in their everyday lives often find the personal resources to cope through simple remedies.
Helping Yourself.
Talking it through
Although it can be difficult to open up about feeling anxious, it can be helpful to talk to friends, family or someone who has had a similar experience. Although you might feel embarrassed or afraid to discuss your feelings with others, sharing can be a way to cope with a problem and being listened to can help you feel supported.
Face your fear
By breaking the cycle of constantly avoiding situations that make you anxious, you are less likely to stop doing the things you want, or need, to do. The chances are the reality of the situation won't be as bad as you expect, making you better equipped to manage, and reduce, your anxiety.
Make a note of when you feel anxious, what happens and the potential triggers. By acknowledging these and arming yourself with tips to deal with these triggers, you will be better prepared in anxiety-inducing situations.
Relax: Learning relaxation techniques can help you calm feelings of anxiety. Practices like yoga, meditation or massage will relax your breathing and help you manage the way you feel about stressful experiences.
Even small increases in physical activity levels can trigger brain chemicals that improve your mood, wellbeing and stress levels. This can act as a prevention and treatment for anxiety as well as lead to improved body-image, self-esteem and self-worth.
Eat lots of fruit and vegetables and try to avoid too much sugar. Very sweet foods cause an initial sugar 'rush,' followed by a sharp dip in blood sugar levels which can give you anxious feelings. Caffeine can also increase anxiety levels so try to avoid drinking too much tea or coffee too.
Avoid alcohol or drink in moderation
It's very common for people to drink alcohol when they feel nervous to numb their anxiety, however the effect that alcohol has on how you feel is only temporary. When it wears off you feel worse, potentially more anxious, and your brain will be less able to deal with anxiety naturally.
Faith / spirituality
If you are religious or spiritual, it can help you feel connected to something bigger than yourself. It can provide a way of coping with everyday stress. Church and other faith groups can be a valuable support network.
Talking To Someone.
If you feel anxious all the time, for several weeks or if it feels like your anxiety is taking over your life, then it's a good idea to ask for help.
Talking therapies like counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are very effective for people with anxiety problems, CBT helps people to understand the link between negative thoughts and mood and how altering their behaviour can enable them to manage anxiety and feel in control.
Mindfulness is a variation of CBT focusing on changing the relationship between the individual and their thoughts. Using meditation can help people be 'mindful' of their thoughts and break out a pattern of negative thinking.
Guided self-help is usually based on CBT methods and aims to help the person understand the nature of their anxiety and equip them with the necessary skills to cope with it. This works by educating the individual to challenge unhelpful thinking, evaluate their symptoms and gradually expose themselves to the source of their anxiety.
Medication is used to provide short-term help, rather than as a cure for anxiety problems. Drugs may be most useful when they are combined with other treatments or support, such as talking therapies.
Support groups are designed for individuals to learn a lot about managing anxiety from asking other people who have experienced it. Local support or self-help groups bring together people with similar experiences to share stories, tips and try out new ways of managing their worries. Your doctor, library or local HSE office will have details of support groups near you.
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Creative expression is helpful to healthy human development and recovery from mental distress. Formal arts therapies for people with mental health problems aim to help people draw on their inner, creative resources while exploring personal issues with a trained arts therapist in a safe, contained space, in order to achieve psychological change.
Arts therapies include Art, Dance Movement, Drama and Music. Practitioners are trained to post-graduate level and must be State Registered in order to practise.
More recently there has been growing interest in arts-in-health initiatives where the creative process itself is seen to have therapeutic value in promoting general well-being, including mental health. International and UK research has found that many people with mental health problems find arts therapies helpful, either on their own or as part of a range of therapies, which may include medication and talking treatments.
People who have used arts therapies say they provide a greater sense of choice and control than medication or talking therapies.
For further support
The Irish Association of Creative Art Therapist can provide information on services in your locality.
Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is an umbrella term that covers everyone with conditions within the spectrum of autism. ASD is thought to affect around one in 200 children and adults, although this is likely to be an under-estimate.
There are differences between the subgroups but all children and adults with an ASD will have the following core difficulties.
Non Verbal and Verbal Communication
People with ASD have difficulty in understanding the communication and language of others and also in communicating themselves. Many are delayed in learning to speak and some do not develop speech.
Social Understanding and Social Behaviour
People with an ASD have difficulty in understanding the social behaviour of others and can behave in socially inappropriate ways. People with ASDs are very literal in how they think and interpret language and are unable to read social context. Children with an ASD often find it hard to play and communicate with other children, who may be confused by their behaviour and may avoid or tease them.
Thinking and Behaving Flexibly According To The Situation
People with an ASD tend to have special interests in particular topics or activities, which they may pursue obsessively. They may struggle to generalise skills to other activities. They will also have difficulty adapting to new situations and often prefer routine to change.
Sensory Perception and Responses
Some people with ASDs are either very sensitive or very insensitive to certain sounds, sights and textures. This can affect their responses to things like clothes or food and noise. They may also make unusual eye contact – ie. they may not talk and look at someone at the same time.
For Further Support Contact The Samaritans
Samaritans is a unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. Every six seconds they respond to a call for help. They're there 24/7, before, during and after a crisis and they make sure there's always someone there, for anyone who needs someone.
Organisational Fitness
info@mentalhealthireland.ie
Second Floor Marina House,
11-13 Clarence Street,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co. Dublin,
A96 E289
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Ag is Everyone's Business 2023
Friday Mar 3, 2023
Boeckmann Farms
10875 Connell Rd, Hillsboro, OH 45133
Tickets are $25.00 which includes lunch. They are available online, by calling the Chamber at (937)393-1111 or in person at 338 West Main St, Hillsboro, OH 45133
https://www.thehighlandchamber.com/
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce
The Highland County Chamber of Commerce is happy to announce the presentation of the 11th Annual Ag is Everyone's Business Event taking place on Friday, March 3, 2023. The event will once again take place at Beckmann Farms in Hillsboro and will feature speakers Ty Higgins and Amanda Radke.
Amanda Radke is a fifth generation rancher from Mitchell, S.D., who has dedicated her career to serving as a voice for the nation's farmers and ranchers. Radke regularly tackles industry issues as a columnist and speaker. A former National FFA Extemporaneous Speaking Champion and National Beef Ambassador, Radke has spent the last 15 years on the road fighting for the agriculture, rural America, and the western way of life. She's gone head-to-head against animal rights activists, environmental extremists, politicians, and celebrities who seek to eliminate animal agriculture. She believes food security is national security, and her work is focused on keeping producers on the land and ensuring every citizen has access to safe, affordable and nutritious food in this country.
Ty Higgins grew up on his Dad and Grandpa's dairy farm in Licking County, Ohio. He started his career as a farm broadcaster as he studied at THE Ohio State University. After over a decade in country radio he found his way back to agricultural journalism for another 10 years and has been at Ohio Farm Bureau for over three years, currently serving as their Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations. Ty currently lives in Delaware County, Ohio with his wife, Angela and their two kids, Paige and Calvin.
Doors will open at 9:00 a.m. and welcoming remarks will start at 10:00 a.m. The event will conclude at noon with a lunch that will be prepared by a local caterer and served by local FFA Chapter members.
Presale tickets for the event are $25.00 and can be purchased by visiting the Chamber office at 338 West Main Street in Hillsboro, calling 937-393-1111, or can be purchased online with an additional fee. No tickets will be available on day of event. Seating for the event will be limited so purchase your ticket early.
Announcements about the event, as well as other Chamber activities, will be made available on www.thehighlandchamber.com as well as the Chamber's social media accounts.


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The NZMCA parks are amazing value. Where else can you stay for $3 each overnight and have that nice warm fuzzy safe feeling of not waking up with a mattress van or worse a few inches from your pride and joy.
We checked out the Rainbow Falls park recently and after some pretty heavy rain too. After seeing some comments about how slushy it was, its nice to see enough gravel has gone down to provide parking for 6 or so big Motorhomes or Caravans. I gather this is slowly going to spread as the grass grows. Great idea.
The local crew have done a fantastic job of the gardens around the Lighthouse too.
There were only two caravans there when we arrived and with a fine day forecast for the next day, we made plans to walk down the river right next door with the amazing Rainbow Falls, down to the historic Stone Store. The idea was to have lunch down there and walk back.
Interesting too that the Falls were used to generate one of NZ's power as one of the first power stations.
We hopped over the fence and got about fifty yards to find the track had been closed off due to "upgrading" so took the car out for a look around instead. I wandered around the top and got some piccies of the falls which was about as far as you could go.
We have been here before in the middle of Summer and it truly is a magic spot. Fiona did the walk last time and I met her down there.
Outside the Stone Store at Kerikeri last time we were here.
Its a lovely spot now and will be popular in Summer and once the Gravel program is finished, it'll be a great all year round spot to stay.
The Netspeed Speed test from this site.


Spacious bright 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom ground floor duplex apartment, with a small balcony overlooking the ocean and spectacular views of the harbour from the bedrooms. Living area is open plan with a good size kitchen. The unit comes with a garage and a parking. There is foot patrolled security. This is a must view property.


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posted Friday, June 8, 2012 - Volume 40 Issue 23
Newly crowned Miss USA accepting of Transgender women
In the good old days of beauty pageants, a contestant may have been asked during the interview portion about her stance on education or the importance of the space program. But times have changed.
On Sunday night, Olivia Culpo of Cranston, Rhode Island, answered one of the toughest, most controversial questions ever directed to a pageant delegate: 'Would you feel it would be fair that a Transgender woman wins the Miss USA title over a natural-born woman?'
Submitted by the general public via Twitter, and read aloud by pageant judge Rob Kardashian, the question could have easily derailed any of the four other contenders. But after taking only a few seconds to collect her thoughts and words, Culpo effortlessly replied, 'I do think that that would be fair, but I can understand that people would be a little apprehensive to take that road because there is a tradition of natural-born women,' she said. 'But today where there are so many surgeries and so many people out there who have a need to change for a happier life, I do accept that because I believe it's a free country.'
Ten minutes later, Culpo was crowned Miss USA.
The topic of Transgender women and beauty pageants surfaced a month ago when Jenna Talackova was initially disqualified and then allowed to compete for the Miss Canada title. That prompted a swift decision from the Miss Universe Organization, which oversees the Miss Universe, Miss USA, and Miss Teen USA competitions.
'We want to give credit where credit is due. And the decision to include Transgender women in our beauty competitions is a result of our ongoing discussions with GLAAD and not Jenna's legal representation, which if anything delayed the process. We have a long history of supporting equality for all women, and this was something we took very seriously,' stated MUO President Paula Shugart.
Culpo, a 20-year-old self-professed 'nerd,' seems to live by her own words: 'Beauty is found in the way you treat others.' She will represent the United States in the Miss Universe pageant this December.
Miss Maine, Rani Williamson, one of 16 semi-finalists selected from the field of 51 state delegates, served as an intern for the LGBT organization Equality Maine. The previous Miss USA titleholder, Alyssa Campanella, publicly voiced her support for same-sex marriage during her reign.
Appeals court reaffirms strikedown of Prop 8
240,000 signatures - R-74 on to Nov. ballot
Mormons build bridges at Utah Pride March
Say it again: DOMA is unconstitutional
Green River CC offers gender-neutral bathrooms
Vatican bans nun's book on sexual ethics
Gay man takes first place in San Diego mayoral primary
UW helps med students gain LGBT cultural competency
Maryland marriage law goes to Nov. repeal vote
Minnesota shifts against marriage ban, new poll says
Record number of anti-Gay murders reported in 2011
'Canadian cannibal' suspect caught after fleeing to Germany
Man denied HIV treatment because he is Gay, suit says
General Gayety: A 'Christian' sermon we'd like to hear
Jason Alexander shows what an apology looks like
GOP senators to women: No fairness for you!
Cupcake lovers rejoice: the Gay is back
Gay marriage legalised
Obama urges Md. voters to uphold marriage law


Every day, it seems, brings more dispiriting news to the science world. The head of the Environmental Protection Agency is removing research scientists from the agency's advisory boards and has forbidden some of them from speaking at conferences. The Government Accounting Office is investigating reports that the current administration is violating scientific integrity policies at federal agencies. The Trump administration has proposed deep budget cuts at scientific agencies.
But scientists' problems run deeper. According to a number of recent surveys, there has been a rapid decline in knowledge about and sympathy for scientists and the institutions where many of them work, particularly among Republican and Republican-leaning voters. Politicians from the same party who now govern in over 32 states, the White House, and Congress are aware of these sentiments.
A June 2017 survey by the Pew Research Center found 58 percent of Republicans and Republican-leaning voters felt colleges and universities are having a negative impact on the country, a 13 point increase since its September 2016 survey.
In 2011, a poll by Research!America found that 66 percent of Americans surveyed could not name one living scientist. At the time there was much dismay at this state of affairs. In 2016 Research!America asked the question again, and the results were much worse. Today, 83 percent of Americans polled cannot name a single living scientist, a 17-point increase in just five years. The latest survey was taken 10 months before the last presidential election. There are other troubling issues embedded in the results. Of the handful of scientists the public can identify (right), where are the women? Where is climate science?
It's hard to recall a time when has there been such doubt about the benefit of scientific methods and the evidence-based approaches that underpin scientists' work. A 2017 RAND report cited "a growing trend toward public skepticism and mistrust of science itself as an objective input into decision making." Though scientists are speaking out, when 83 percent of the American public can't name one scientist, who is listening?
These developments point to an urgent need for the scientific community to rethink the enterprise and reintroduce science to the public as a trusted, non-partisan civic actor, a collaborator that can help communities address their problems, and partners in a dialogue where each party brings its unique lived experiences to the table. Scientists need to create more portals to the public, and the citizen science community may be best situated to lead this transformation.
As a lay observer who has explored scientists' relationship to the public, I have often wondered why many scientists and scientific institutions continue to rely on what is known as the "deficit model" of science communication, despite its well-documented shortcomings and even a backfire effect. This approach views the public as "empty vessels" or "warped minds" ready to be set straight with facts. Perhaps many scientists continue to use it because it's familiar and mimics classroom instruction. But it's not doing the job.
Scientists spend much of their time with the public defending science, and little time building trust.
Many scientists also give low priority to trust building. At the 2016 American Association for the Advancement of Science conference, Michigan State University professor John C. Besley showed these results (right) of a survey of scientists' priorities for engaging with the public online.
Scientists are focusing on the frustrating, reactive task of defending science, spending little time establishing bonds of trust with the public, which comes in last as a professional priority. How much more productive their interactions with the public – and through them, policymakers — would be if establishing trust was a top priority!
There is evidence that the public is hungry for such exchanges. When Research!America asked the public in 2016 how important is it for scientists to inform elected officials and the public about their research and its impact on society, 84 percent said it was very or somewhat important — a number that ironically mirrors the percentage of Americans who cannot name a scientist.
I have met many scientists eager to take part in such dialogues with communities, particularly younger scientists who have come of age in the digital era amidst the doubts about the scientific enterprise. But many of them fear they will jeopardize their career prospects by spending too much time with the public.
That's the message they're getting from many of their host institutions. A couple of years ago, at a talk by a major science organization that offered science communication training on university campuses, I was flabbergasted to learn that some lab directors would not allow their staff to attend such workshops.
They were told it wasn't relevant to their jobs, and that if they wanted such training, they should do it on their own time. None of the scientists in the audience seemed surprised by this. In another instance, an early-career chemistry professor who had had some success in major media said his tenure review panel scolded him for blogging too much.
The top reasons scientists give for not engaging with the public, in order of importance.
In its report Public Trust in Science Research!America surveyed scientists to discover the reasons more of them don't engage with the public, listing the results in order of their perceived importance (see right).
Seen another way, it's an urgent To-Do list for scientific leadership across a range of disciplines. It's their job to remove these barriers and encourage public engagement. Unless academe provides more encouragement and professional incentives for such efforts, the critical dialogues and community exchanges the public is asking for will not happen on the scale that is required. And without public understanding and support for their endeavors, research funds will dwindle. It's already happening.
Recently, I have focused on civic engagement, studying how communities try to identify and address collective problems and apply collaborative problem solving. There is a central role for scientists in this effort.
At a February 2017 forum, The Aspen Institute's Citizenship and Identity Program launched a science and civics initiative to consider such issues. The underlying premise was that scientific and civic literacy are intertwined and that currently, there are gaps in both.
Participants included Citizen Science Association vice board chair and Public Lab executive director Shannon Dosemagen. She noted a "dangerous disconnect," between scientists studying certain issues and the people living those issues. Forum participants called on scientists to do more to center their efforts around "community needs, interests and values," to focus more on "deep listening," and to be prepared to acknowledge that sometimes their assumptions about a community may be wrong.
This means scientists need to go even further, venturing into unfamiliar local venues where science may not be mentioned but where communities gather to discuss their problems. Interesting new opportunities to do this are emerging nation wide. In 2014 the Chicago Community Trust, one of the nation's largest community foundations, launched a series of dinners across the city through a program called On the Table, to discuss community problems and brainstorm possible solutions. In 2014, the first year, almost 10,000 city residents participated. In 2017, almost 100,000 Chicago residents took part. Recently the Trust added a grants component to the program, awarding more than $135,000 in small grants to help participants translate their ideas into action.
Similar events now take place in 25 other cities, and under the auspices of other philanthropies like the Knight Foundation. Scientists need to be present at these tables, and practice those deep listening skills. At a minimum you will meet new people and gain new insights. But you may also make valuable new connections, find new collaborators, and most important of all, forge stronger bonds with your community. Don't underestimate the power of the data you collect and create to impact community decision making.
As Skorton says, it's up to the scientists. It may not seem fair that it's all on you, but here we are. Then again, scientists explore the unknown. It's what you do. Go explore some more.
Louise Lief was Scholar-in-Residence at the American University School of Communication Investigative Reporting Workshop from 2015-2017. Previously, she was a public policy scholar at the Wilson Center, affiliated with the Science and Technology Innovation Program and the Environmental Change and Security Program.


Why should one consider doing facials?
It's ideal to book a professional facial once a month if you want to maintain healthy skin. There's a misconception that you only start treating your skin once you see signs of pigmentation, wrinkles, fine lines and uneven skin tone. It's better to start earlier, as the saying goes, "Prevention is better than cure".
Facials can help clear clogged pores, remove dead cells, and increase blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. They can help slow down the ageing process such as wrinkles and fine lines. You can minimise or successfully treat issues like blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, sun damage, acne, inflammation, rosacea, dehydration, wrinkles, acne scarring, loss of firmness and elasticity with the right facial treatment.
What must you consider before going for your first facial?
· Show up to your first appointment barefaced.
· Know the products you are currently using.
· Be aware of big events — don't book a facial the day before a big event, like a wedding.
· Avoid waxing or shaving 24-48 hours before your facial.
· Know your medication. Discontinue any use of acne medication such as Tretinoin and Accutane three months before having a facial, as these medications can thin the skin.
· Arrive earlier so you are able to ask the professional skin care provider relevant questions.
What kind of treatment or facial is good for oily skin?
Oily skin is more prone to developing acne, so a facial massage with creams or moisturisers is not advised. Skin peels are a very effective way of controlling sebum and also dissolving dead skin cells, which can block pores and form spots. They will also help to kill any bacteria that add to the acne problem.
Dry skin is more prone to rapid ageing, and needs special care to slow down this process. It needs both oil and water to balance it out. Recommended facials include masks and the oxygen facial, which will help the product penetrate into the skin.
What facial treatments are available at Optimum Med?
At Optimum Medical Aesthetics we have a variety of facial treatments suitable for each skin type and skin condition. We have different treatments that provide solutions for wrinkling and fine lines, acne, acne scarring, eczema, dehydration and hyperpigmentation. And treatments to aid the regular upkeep of healthy looking skin.
What's the skincare mantra you swear by?
Maintain a consistent skincare routine. Your skin will reward your diligence with your skin care regimen. When you find products that your skin responds to, stick with them. There are no shortcuts to healthy looking skin.