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Human rights concerns kept MI5 from passing on information about Abdulmutallab
MI5 failed to alert US intelligence about the extremist links of the Detroit plane bomber because of concerns about breaching his human rights and privacy. The spy agency withheld its files on Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab from Washington until after the near-catastrophic Christmas Day attack because of guidance from its legal department.
Asked why the information had not been passed to the US, a Home Office official said the security service did not pass information to its allies about the thousands of Britons who were merely suspected of having radical Islamic views. It did so only after it classified individuals as progressing into the much smaller category of "violent extremists", a term used by MI5 to define potential or actual terrorists.
Author researcherPosted on 10th January 2010 Categories Radicalization, Security and CounterterrorismTags Abdulmutallab, Christmas Day, Civil Rights, Home, Home Office, human rights concerns, MI5, radicalism, rights, security services, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, US, Washington
Wilders visits UK after court overturns ban
Controversial politician and leader of the right-wing Freedom Party (PVV) Geert Wilders traveled to the United Kingdom on Friday. The visit comes after the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal in London ruled earlier this week that Wilders should not have been refused entry to the country in February 2009.
Wilders was invited in February to show his anti-Islam film Fitna at the House of Lords, the UK upper house of parliament. The invitation had come from UK Independence party peer, Lord Pearson. The British Home Office refused Mr Wilders entry to the country, giving the reason that his visit would "threaten community security and therefore public security". A British organisation that promotes freedom of expression, the Birkenhead Society, had brought the case on his behalf, Radio Netherlands Worldwide reports.
BBC reports that Wilders told a packed press conference in Westminster he was "proud of the UK asylum and immigration tribunal" for overturning the ban, and repeated his criticism of Muslim ideology, defending his call for the Quran to be banned in Holland. About 40 Muslim protesters gathered outside the Abbey Gardens buildings, opposite the Houses of Parliament, where the press conference was held.
Author researcherPosted on 13th October 2009 Categories Discrimination and Xenophobia, Immigration and Integration, Issues in PoliticsTags ban, British Home Office, conference, court, Fitna, Freedom Party, Home Office, press conference, protesters, PVV, UK, Wilders
Banned extremists will be named and shamed
Extremists banned from entering the UK will be "named and shamed" under plans to be announced by the Government this week.
In the last three years, 230 people have been barred from entering the country because of their extreme views but they are not currently named publicly. However, the Home Office is expected to issue quarterly figures on exclusions and name some of those who are banned. A Home Office official said: "These measures are aimed at preventing anyone who will stir up tensions in the UK from entering the country. We have not named them in the past but now, when it was in the public interest, we will. They will also be placed on international watch lists which tell other countries that they have been banned and why they were not allowed in. Coming to the UK is a privilege. We don't want people abusing that by stirring up tensions."
The bans on high profile figures, including radical Isalmist cleric Omar Bakri Mohammed and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrkhan, only became known after the individuals themselves spoke out against the decisions. Omar Bakri Mohammed was banned from the UK in the wake of the 7/7 terror attacks in London in 2005.
Full text article continues here. (Some news sites may require registration)
Author researcherPosted on 27th October 2008 Categories News by Country, News by Issue, Issues in Politics, Muslim Advocacy and Organizations, Security and CounterterrorismTags Bakri Mohammed, extremism, extremists, Home, Home Office, international, Louis Farrkhan, Omar Bakri, Omar Bakri Mohammed, registration, UK, watch lists
Marriage visa age raised to prevent forced marriages
The age at which someone can apply for a marriage visa will increase from 18 to 21 as part of a crackdown on forced marriage, the Home Office announced on Wednesday. In 2007 the Forced Marriage Unit dealt with 215 cases of overseas forced marriage where the age of the victim was known, 69 of which involved people aged between 18 and 20. The proposals were set out in "Marriage Visas: The Way Forward". The five key proposals announced were to raise the age of sponsorship for a marriage visa from 18 to 21; ask foreign spouses to enter into an agreement to learn English before they come to the UK; introduce a power to revoke leave to remain where there is evidence that the marriage route has been abused; require all sponsors to register their intention to marry overseas before they leave the UK; and ensure through a code of practice that specialist teams can identify vulnerable people at risk of forced marriage. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "Forced marriage leads to victims suffering years of physical and mental abuse and – in extreme cases – unlawful imprisonment and rape. It has no place in our society. That is why the Government is determined to do everything it can to stamp it out and to ensure that victims receive the help and support they need.http://themuslimweekly.com/newsdetails/fullstoryview.aspx?NewsID=074A975CD94B6A1B390A0B0F&MENUID=HOMENEWS&DESCRIPTION=UK%20News
Author Euro-IslamPosted on 25th July 2008 Categories UncategorisedTags DESCRIPTION, Forced Marriage Unit, Home, Home Office, HOMENEWS, marriage, marriages, MENUID, rape, UK
Imams could lead citizenship lessons
Schools are to be enlisted in the fight against home-grown terrorism with plans for Imams to be sent into schools to steer children away from radicalisation, the government will announce next week. The schools secretary, Ed Balls, unveiled guidance on Tuesday, developed with the Home Office and Department for Communities and Local Government, advising schools, police and local authorities on how they can work together to combat terrorism. It forms a central part of the government's "prevent strategy" to tackle violent extremism. The guidance includes British-born Imams leading citizenship lessons to give a counter view to the "al-qaida version" of Islam – clerics would be vetted to ensure they do not hold radical views. It also mentions theatre groups that could bring positive role models into youth groups to inspire young people and "make sure they feel part of society".http://themuslimweekly.com/newsdetails/fullstoryview.aspx?NewsID=ABD73BE86DF62D567EA4CECB&MENUID=HOMENEWS&DESCRIPTION=UK%20News
Author Euro-IslamPosted on 12th June 2008 Categories UncategorisedTags children, DESCRIPTION, Ed Balls, Home, Home Office, HOMENEWS, MENUID, schools, UK
New plan to tackle violent extremism: Mentors to be drafted in to help reverse the process of radicalisation
A nationwide "deradicalisation" programme is being developed to tackle people who have been drawn into Islamist violent extremism in Britain, the government will reveal today. The Home Office said the strategy was needed to help bring back those who had "already crossed the line" in terms of ideology and outlook, but not yet committed any clear criminal offence. The local schemes involved so far aim to reverse the process of radicalisation possibly through mentoring those involved: "Nationally we are developing a UK deradicalisation programme," says the government's new strategy document on preventing violent extremism published today. "That involves learning from overseas, from other professions, and through pilot programmes. We recognise that more specialised techniques are likely to be necessary but a key element of this approach is for local partners to identify and work with organisations that may be able to provide this capacity." It cites the example of a community based programme in Leicester that is already mentoring "vulnerable individuals" using techniques including encouraging them to feel more valued and to eradicate myths and assumptions which have led to them becoming alienated and disempowered. Alan Travis reports.
Author Euro-IslamPosted on 3rd June 2008 Categories UncategorisedTags Alan Travis, community, extremism, Home Office, ideology, Leicester, offence, radicalisation, UK
National forced marriage helpline launched
A new national helpline for victims of forced marriage and honour-based violence, part-funded by the Forced Marriage Unit, was launched this week by Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker. The _Honour Network', run by the charity Karma Nirvana is a dedicated forced marriage and honour-based violence helpline, staffed by survivors offering emotional and practical support. Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "This helpline run by survivors, for survivors, is a big step in the fight to raise awareness of the issues of forced marriage and honour-based violence and is crucial in giving victims across the country the confidence to come forward. "We recognise that the scale of these issues remains unknown and much of the problem stays underground. We are determined across Government to continue engaging with local communities and taking action to protect victims to put an end to this appalling practice." Jasvinder Sanghera, founder of Karma Nirvana said the network was designed for "victims, survivors or potential victims of honour based crimes to reassure them they are victims not perpetrators".http://themuslimweekly.com/newsdetails/fullstoryview.aspx?NewsID=0170A152D34160150F759E51&MENUID=HOMENEWS&DESCRIPTION=UK%20News
Author Euro-IslamPosted on 18th April 2008 Categories UncategorisedTags charity, DESCRIPTION, Home, Home Office, HOMENEWS, Jasvinder Sanghera, Karma Nirvana, marriage, MENUID, violence
UK to extradite radical cleric to US
Britain intends to extradite jailed Islamist cleric Abu Hamza al-Masri to the United States to face terrorism charges, the Home Office said. The interior ministry made the announcement on Thursday after Home Secretary Jacqui Smith signed an extradition order. Hamza's lawyer, Muddassar Arani, said an appeal would be filed because "there are some very serious issues that need to be considered". If Hamza's initial appeal is unsuccessful, he could file further appeals with the House of Lords, Britain's highest court of law and, were it denied there, finally to the European Court of Justice or European Court of Human Rights, depending on the section of law he decided to contest. A Home Office spokeswoman said the process could take several months. Washington claims Hamza, 49, was part of a global plot to wage holy war or jihad against Western countries – he applauded the terrorist attacks on the US on September 11, 2001 – and US authorities want him to stand trial over the 1998 abduction of 16 Western tourists in Yemen. Four of the hostages, three Britons and an Australian, were killed when Yemeni troops stormed the militants' hide-out.
Author Euro-IslamPosted on 8th February 2008 Categories UncategorisedTags Abu Hamza, European Court, extradition, Home, Home Office, law, ministry, UK, US, Yemen
Civil servants to use new lexicons to avoid linking Islam with terrorism
The British government has produced a lexicon of phrases and terms that should be used by civil servants when dealing with Muslims to avoid any implication that there is a link between Islam and terrorism. "To engage effectively with local communities, we need consistent, clear and appropriate communications," said a Home Office spokeswoman on Monday. She said ambiguous messages will not reach or be understood by the target communities. "We risk having a negative impact on our audiences." Compiled by a Home Office unit set up last year to win the hearts and minds of Muslims, the phrasebook advises civil servants to use terms such as "violent extremism" instead of "terrorism." It replaces "Islamophobia" with "discrimination" and describe those carrying out attacks in the name of Islam, criminals, murderers or thugs rather than "fundamentalist-jihadi" or "terrorists"http://themuslimweekly.com/newsdetails/fullstoryview.aspx?NewsID=5A09598A0B99B8DA7AB89D7A&MENUID=HOMENEWS&DESCRIPTION=UK%20News (link temporary; some news sites may require registration)
Author Euro-IslamPosted on 8th February 2008 Categories UncategorisedTags British government, communities, DESCRIPTION, fundamentalist, Home, Home Office, HOMENEWS, MENUID, terms, UK
Anti-Terror Bill is 'Anti-Muslim'
An assessment published along with the Government's revised Counter Terrorism Bill charged it as "anti-Muslim" yesterday as Prime Minister Gordon Brown pushes to controversially extend the detention period to 42-days without trial. Despite a torrent of criticism from opposition MPs and civil liberties groups including the possibility of a humiliating first Commons defeat for Brown, the Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith resorted to scaremongering in an attempt to bolster support by warning of "mass casualties" from a future terror attack. But the Home Office's official assessment admitted that there existed "strong concerns" that the legislation is "anti-Muslim". Although the Home Office was told to do more to win the "hearts and minds", the consultation conceded that the bill risked alienating Muslims. "Muslim community representatives expressed a concern that this may lead to increased reluctance among their communities to provide vital co-operation and assistance to the police and security services," the equality impact assessment on the Bill said. Hamza Bajwa reports.http://www.themuslimweekly.com/newsdetails/fullstoryview.aspx?NewsID=A6ADF431B2220162E122B36E&MENUID=HOMENEWS&DESCRIPTION=UK%20News
Author Euro-IslamPosted on 1st February 2008 Categories UncategorisedTags Anti-Muslim, assistance, civil liberties, criticism, Home, Home Office, MPs, Prime Minister, security services, Terror Bill


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Fa menor (també Fam en la notació europea i Fm en la notació americana) és la tonalitat que té l'escala menor natural a partir de la nota fa; així està constituïda per les notes fa, sol, la♭, si♭, do, re♭ i mi♭. La seva armadura conté quatre bemolls; en el cas de les escales menors melòdica i harmònica les alteracions addicionals s'afegeixen al costat de les notes i no a l'armadura. El seu relatiu major és la tonalitat de la bemoll major, i la tonalitat homònima és fa major.

És una tonalitat que s'associat amb la passió, amb dos exemples coneguts com són la Simfonia núm. 49, La Passione, i la Sonata "Appassionata" de Beethoven.

Exemples de composicions en fa menor

Composicions clàssiques
 Concert per a clave núm. 5 - Johann Sebastian Bach
 Fantasia en fa menor - Frédéric Chopin
 Sonata "Appassionata" - Ludwig van Beethoven
 Balada núm. 4 - Chopin
 Quintet per a piano, Op. 34 de Johannes Brahms
 Simfonia núm. 4 de Piotr Ilitx Txaikovski.

Altres tipus de música
 The Imperial March (Darth Vader's Theme) - John Williams
 Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana (grunge)
 Break The Ice - Britney Spears
 Boulevard of Broken Dreams - Green Day
 This Masquerade - Carpenters
 Gone Away - The Offspring
 The World Is Not Enough - Garbage
 Dream On - Aerosmith
 Because Of You - Kelly Clarkson
 Nature's Law - Embrace
 Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
 You are so beautiful - Joe Cocker/Bonnie Tyler
 Trans Europa Express - Kraftwerk

Tonalitats musicals

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


An NHS chief who developed a life-threatening infection and a suspected case of Sepsis has been reunited with the ambulance crew who saved his life.
John Webster, Accountable Officer for Norfolk Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), was at his home in Stamford on 12 June 2016, when he suddenly became unresponsive and his wife had to call 999.
The 52-year-old had been battling cancer and had been receiving regular chemotherapy, but he became seriously unwell while at home and believed he was going to die.
Shortly after John's wife rang 999, Paramedic Hannah Fardell and Technician Paul Wand from Spalding Ambulance Station arrived to help John.
Hannah and Paul assessed John and queried that he may have sepsis. John had been unresponsive, had a high temperature and heart rate - all indicators of sepsis.
John needed to go to hospital, but Hannah and Paul had difficulty in getting John downstairs and out of the house as John is a heavy set man. Family and friends assisted to slide John down the stairs and get him into the ambulance.
John said that he felt so unwell that he believed he was going to die, but was grateful the ambulance crew arrived when they did.
Upon arrival at hospital John was diagnosed with an infection in his Hickman Line used for feeding as part of his cancer treatment. He spent a week in Peterborough hospital on IV antibiotics.
Today John has been reunited with Hannah and Paul at Spalding Ambulance Station to say a personal thank you.
We have recently completed a pilot study on Sepsis in partnership with North Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals Trust. The pilot saw 20 paramedics trained in administering an antibiotic injection to their patients who were assessed as having 'red flag' sepsis at the scene of the emergency.
Following the success of the pilot all paramedics across Lincolnshire will be trained in administering the antibiotic injection and all vehicles will carry the antibiotic.


Nightclub singer Ilona Vance (Vera Ralston) is Accused of Murder in this Republic programmer. And from the looks of things, Ilona is guilty; she was, after all, the last person to see crooked lawyer Hobart (Sidney Blackmer) alive. But Lt. Roy Hargis (David Brian) is convinced that Ilona is innocent, and he intends to prove it. Except for the mildly surprising denoument, there is little in Accused of Murder that is not thoroughly predictable. Star Vera Ralston, the wife of Republic chieftan Herbert J. Yates, is her usual expressionless self.
There are no critic reviews yet for Accused of Murder. Keep checking Rotten Tomatoes for updates!
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So the band are doing a rock version of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" and we checked out Halestorm's version, which is cool. I have to admit, I'd never heard of them before. I went on to listen to their own albums and wow wow WOW…. SERIOUSLY amazing. The female singer is absolutely fantastic. Gritty, raw, totally awesome. The whole of the new album "Into the Wild Life" (pictured below) is just SO fantastic. Being stuck in an 80s time warp, I don't get too inspired by more recent music but this has lit a fire inside me I haven't had since I heard Appetite for Destruction all those years ago. Check them out!!


Our world today is prone to a lot of technological changes, but sadly, many people are ignorant about these technologies.
To solve these problems, TechGenez is on a mission to "Connect People to the World of Technology". TechGenez brings you top tech contents around the world. It's our core duty to update you technologically.


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Scientists discover C4 photosynthesis boosts growth by altering size and structure of plant leaves and roots
Discovery could help researchers harness C4 photosynthesis process to boost rice yields and improve food security
C4 plants grow between 20-100 per cent faster than C3 plants
C4 plants grow 'cheaper' leaves which allows them to produce 50 per cent more roots than C3 species
Plants using C4 photosynthesis grow 20-100 per cent quicker than more common C3 plants by altering the shape, size and structure of their leaves and roots, according to a new study.
The ground breaking research, conducted by scientists at the University of Sheffield, revealed why plants using C4 photosynthesis - a complex set of structural and chemical adaptations that have evolved more than 60 times to boost carbon uptake compared to the ancestral C3 plants - grow so rapidly.
The study, which is the biggest of its kind, discovered C4 plants not only grow up to 100 per cent faster than common C3 plants, but they also make 'cheaper' quality leaves allowing them to produce 50 per cent more roots.
As roots take up water and nutrients from the soil, C4 plants have important advantages in dry and infertile soils across the world's savannas and grasslands - a quality which could be engineered into rice to help the crop use soil resources more sustainably as well as producing larger yields.
Professor Colin Osborne, lead author of the study and Associate Director of the University's Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures, said: "Photosynthesis powers most life on Earth because it converts solar energy into sugars which are used by plants to grow.
"C4 photosynthesis has evolved in tropical plants to boost sugar production over the more ancient C3 type of photosynthesis. Grasses using C4 photosynthesis dominate the world's savannas and it is also used by maize and sugarcane to achieve high yields.
"We have known for a long time that C4 photosynthesis explains the rapid growth of record breaking plants, but most plants don't grow that fast - in fact growth can vary ten-times among plant species. By comparing almost 400 grass species our research has led to unexpected discoveries that will now change the way we think about C4 photosynthesis."
Only three per cent of existing plant species have C4 lineages but they account for 25 per cent of carbon fixation by vegetation on Earth. C4 grasses include some of the world's most important food and energy crops and C4 grassy savannas provide critical ecosystem services for more than a billion people.
Professor Osborne added: "Understanding how the C4 photosynthetic pathway changes plant growth is crucially important for plant evolution, crop production and ecosystem ecology.
"Unexpectedly, during our study we found that faster seedling growth in C4 plants comes from the production of 'cheaper' leaves, rather than fast growth per leaf as people have previously thought.
"C4 leaves have less dense tissues, allowing more leaves to be produced for the same carbon cost which means C4 plants invest more in roots than C3 species."
The research, published today (Monday 18 April 2016 ) in Nature Plants, comes just a week after scientists from across the world gathered in Canberra, Australia for a unique conference celebrating the 50th anniversary of the discovery of C4 photosynthesis by Dr Hal Hatch and Dr Roger Slack.
The Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures
The Grantham Centre for Sustainable Futures is an ambitious and innovative collaboration between the University of Sheffield and the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment. Our sustainability research creates knowledge and connects it to policy debates on how to build a fairer world and save natural resources for future generations.
With almost 27,000 of the brightest students from over 140 countries, learning alongside over 1,200 of the best academics from across the globe, the University of Sheffield is one of the world's leading universities. A member of the UK's prestigious Russell Group of leading research-led institutions, Sheffield offers world-class teaching and research excellence across a wide range of disciplines. Unified by the power of discovery and understanding, staff and students at the university are committed to finding new ways to transform the world we live in. Sheffield is the only university to feature in The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work For 2016 and was voted number one university in the UK for Student Satisfaction by Times Higher Education in 2014. In the last decade it has won four Queen's Anniversary Prizes in recognition of the outstanding contribution to the United Kingdom's intellectual, economic, cultural and social life. Sheffield has five Nobel Prize winners among former staff and students and its alumni go on to hold positions of great responsibility and influence all over the world, making significant contributions in their chosen fields. Global research partners and clients include Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Unilever, AstraZeneca, Glaxo SmithKline, Siemens and Airbus, as well as many UK and overseas government agencies and charitable foundations.
For further information, please visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk
For further information please contact: Amy Pullan, Media Relations Officer, University of Sheffield, 0114 222 9859, a.l.pullan@sheffield.ac.uk
To read other news releases about the University of Sheffield, visit http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/news
Related Photosynthesis Articles:
Scientists design molecular system for artificial photosynthesis
A molecular system for artificial photosynthesis is designed to mimic key functions of the photosynthetic center in green plants -- light absorption, charge separation, and catalysis -- to convert solar energy into chemical energy stored by hydrogen fuel.
Photosynthesis in the dark? Unraveling the mystery of algae evolution
Researchers compared the photosynthetic regulation in glaucophytes with that in cyanobacteria, to elucidate the changes caused by symbiosis in the interaction between photosynthetic electron transfer and other metabolic pathways.
Mechanism behind the electric charges generated by photosynthesis
Photosynthesis requires a mechanism to produce large amounts of chemical energy without losing the oxidative power needed to break down water.
Research shows global photosynthesis on the rise
Researchers found a global historic record by analyzing gases trapped in Antarctic snow to see the rapid rise in photosynthesis over the past 200 years.
Artificial photosynthesis steps into the light
Rice University leads a project to create an efficient, simple-to-manufacture oxygen-evolution catalyst that pairs well with semiconductors for advanced solar cells.
New study shines light on photosynthesis
Researchers have solved a longstanding mystery in photosynthesis, a process used by plants and other organisms to convert light energy into chemical energy.
Study: Viruses support photosynthesis in bacteria -- an evolutionary advantage?
Viruses propagate by infecting a host cell and reproducing inside.
Accelerated chlorophyll reaction in microdroplets to reveal secret of photosynthesis
The research team of DGIST's fellow Hong-Gil Nam, discovered the natural control of chlorophyll activity.
Mechanism for photosynthesis already existed in primeval microbe
A Japanese research team has discovered an evolutionary model for the biological function that creates CO2 from glucose in photosynthesis.
WSU researchers discover unique microbial photosynthesis
Researchers at Washington State University have discovered a new type of cooperative photosynthesis that could be used in engineering microbial communities for waste treatment and bioenergy production.
More Photosynthesis News and Photosynthesis Current Events
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Andrulaitis + Mixon is committed to designing uniquely functional spaces that transform the lives of our clients, their customers, and the community in which we create. Our goal is to work closely with every client to understand their unique vision, and partner with them to create spaces that improve their lives and exceed their expectations.
Kent Mixon earned his Bachelor of Architecture degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 1992. Since 1985 he has worked for various architectural firms, establishing his own firm after five years experience in the Santa Barbara area. His completed projects include new custom homes, extensive residential remodels, commercial interiors, small commercial buildings, and guest homes.
In 1999, Kent established Kent Mixon Architects with the idea of creating a young energetic firm dedicated to producing innovative and environmentally sensitive design solutions with a strong commitment to quality architecture. The majority of projects are enrolled in the Innovative Building Review Program at the County of Santa Barbara or in the Built Green program sponsored by the Santa Barbara Contractors Association. These programs set obtainable goals of sustainability that can be incorporated into the projects.
Outside the office, Kent has volunteered his time as an Executive Board member of The Sustainability Project, a local non-profit. As a member of The Sustainability Project, Kent co-authored the Green Building Guidelines for the County of Santa Barbara. Most recently Kent has served as President for the Green Building Alliance. Kent is also a member of the AIA and the local chapter of the USGBC.
Kent is a lifetime learner and educator. To that extent he is continuously researching, attending seminars and reading up on the latest materials and building processes. He has spoken for the Adult Education "Green Building Series" in Santa Barbara and has volunteered time in area elementary schools for the Built Environment Educational Program (BEEP).
Kent believes that the most successful projects are a collaborative effort.
between the client, contractor and the architectural team of consultants.


Jon March Photographics: Photography in Wales: Easter Fair at Y Pengwern, Llan Ffestiniog.
Easter Fair at Y Pengwern, Llan Ffestiniog.
Tomorrow (05/04/15) we will be at the Easter Craft Fair at Y Pengwern? in Llan Ffestiniog from 10.00am to 4:00pm. This is an old drovers inn run by the community of Llan Ffestiniog and a great place to pay a visit.
The picture attached is of the beautiful old church at Llan Ffestiniog and just a taste of the stunning views all around the village.


Let's get Solheim Cup ready!
On Wednesday (6 February) evening we welcomed over 50 industry representatives from across Perthshire and neighbouring regions as part of our Let's Get Solheim Cup ready industry event.
Hosted at the very apt, Murrayshall Hotel in Perthshire colleagues from EventScotland came along for the evening to talk all things Solheim Cup and launched our brand-new industry toolkit for businesses.
Businesses in the room were also provided with an exclusive sneak preview of our new women's marketing campaign #herscotland which launched yesterday (7 February).
An informative night – both Golf Perthshire and VisitScotland provided information about the work we do, businesses support available and how this can be accessed. Caroline Warburton – our Regional Leadership Director – facilitated the evening which ended with busy question and answer session.
As promised on the night and for those who couldn't make it along, the presentations are now available.
Our industry toolkit is now available on VisitScotland.org – make sure you make the most of the marketing and promotional tools we have collated for you. There are also a host of contacts for the team working on Solheim Cup should you have any enquiries or are looking for any additional information not covered in the toolkit.
Help us to promote female golf in Scotland! Our new campaign sees a stunning new video featuring four women golfing, taking part in an off-road experience, enjoying afternoon tea and generally relaxing and having fun with their friends all on a trip to Scotland.
Take a look at our new video which showcases Scotland as both a golf and tourism destination, with females taking the lead - which helps us to support and promote The 2019 Solheim Cup.
The campaign page also has a wealth of information for sharing, including more about the cast, the filming locations, sample itineraries and of course The 2019 Solheim Cup.


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Good 'n Bad, Mammalian vs Reptilian Brain
Survival is about dog eat dog. When you're talking survival, it ain't pretty. The primal instinct to keep ourself alive is practical and opportunistic. It isn't civilized and certainly not principled. When we think of survival, we shouldn't be thinking about tents and energy bars, we should be thinking about barbarism, cannabalism, and/or lawlessness.
Survival is situated in the reptilian brain which is a part of all of us. All of us aren't alike in how (much) we access our reptilian brain, however. Conditioning, genetics, and habit all help determine how often we let our reptilian brain call the shots. Or, how often reason, principles, or empathy do,, situated in our mammalian brain.
Our reptilian brain is a necessary part of life but whether we call upon the barbaric, primal, opportunistic part of our brain in emergencies only, or daily, makes a big difference. We all use our reptilian brain but just because it's always there as an option doesn't make it a particularly good one for every day use.
It depends on the situation; if your foot is caught on something and not getting it free in time means losing it, your reptilian brain is essential in calling up the adrenalin you need and just getting done what needs to be done. Now! Your reptilian brain doesn't pussyfoot around and gets the job done asap. Humiliation, damage, or regret about what happened while the reptilian brain was in control will have to be dealt with later. First, we get that leg safe!
We need our reptilian brain. It is good. But it can also be the bodily source of evil...
Mammalian vs reptilian brain is where the newage "love vs fear" theme comes from: empathy, reason, and morals are things that come up in our mammalian brain, the biggest part or our grey matter that we 'humans' are so proud of possessing. Survival, primal instincts, and autonomic brain functions that couldn't give a hoot about other life-forms, are situated in our reptilian brain. It is gluttonous, obsessive, paranoid, self-centered, opportunistic, and authoritarian [we have the right to take whatever we can]. That's the part that's about US. One might say that while the mammalian brain is the part that makes us able to live well with others, in a civilized fashion, the reptilian brain keeps us alive at all.
When we're driven by fear,, for our survival, body, or station,, our reptilian brain rules. When empathy/'love', morals, or principles are what drive us, we're in our mammalian brain. 'Love vs fear' equals mammalian brain vs reptilian brain. It's not a fight between the two since both are inherently a part of us but it's about balance, conditioning, and priority. Some people might feel a situation warrants getting murderous, i.e. immoral and primal, over,, others consider options in that same situation that don't involve getting into survival mode. One person might choose to bring their reptilian brain into the equation while another might stay completely lucid and calm. In the same way, one and the same situation calls forth excuses for immoral behavior from the one, while the other sees no need to become uncivilized. In this way 'love vs fear' becomes 'good vs evil'; evil people are always simply the ones who find an excuse to go the immoral route and choose evil. In this light no one is inherently evil, there are no 'evil people'. On the other hand, there are people who find excuses to do evil rather more often than others. Therefore, these do rather run the risk of getting to be called "evil" in the long run.
There are very natural human situations that call forth the use of the reptilian brain. Besides very apparent life-threatening situations, there are other forms of stress. Consider sleep deprivation; the body can only deal with so much stress before it starts calling forth survival mode. That stress can be physical or psychological , doesn't matter. The body produces hormones to deal with stress, in the adrenals, and when these get taxed beyond their capabilities, a person's ability to deal with stress is severely impaired. Someone suffering from adrenal fatigue, for whatever reason, will be much more likely to fall back on the reptilian brain when faced with a stressful situation. So we can add physical well-being to the list of things that influence our choice to fall back on our reptilian brain.
Being a person with a mammalian brain to begin with adds another factor that can trigger a primal response, i.e. located in the reptilian brain; mammals are inherently social animals that function within groups. Each member of a group is genetically predisposed to caring for other members of the group. Each member is also genetically predisposed to desiring and expecting a certain amount of care from the group (that it's naturally speaking a part of). Peter Kropotkin's work on intra-species relationships makes that very clear [contrary to Darwin's INTER-species research; intra-species vs inter-species = support vs struggle].
The result of this genetic predisposition to giving and expecting care is that there is a (i.e. genetic) sense of fairness in every mammal. Kropotkin's research clearly shows that this tendency is at the root of our natural sense of, and demand for, what's fair. It also shows that when fairness is clearly lacking, we respond (quite naturally) with extreme prejudice.
This is not, and never should have been, an argument for 'communism'; 'fair' isn't about equal shares, as Kropotkin's research shows, it's about a fair share. Naturally speaking, fair is about having enough; as long as you have your loaf of bread, it doesn't matter to your mammalian sensibilities if your neighbor has 10 more loaves. Fair is then that you don't have to die while your neighbor is wallowing in luxury. Naturally speaking, again, as long as you enjoy the bare necessities of life, you'll not experience any excess amounts of stress because of how others are faring.
On the other hand, a murderous [no less] demand for fairness is called forth in the mammal that's faced with obvious unfairness. It's genetic. So that can also be added to the list of things that call forth a response from the reptilian brain:
- conditioning and psychological trauma
- habit
- (adrenal) health
- (outrage due to) unfairness.
It should be clear by now that there are endless excuses or triggers for falling back on the immoral reptilian brain. Society is filled with unfairness, stress, and individuals whose upbringing has predisposed them to primal fear-based responses.
You could be triggered to a reptilian-brain-response because you're a mammal and rile at some perceived unfairness, because you suffer from stress and (your mammalian brain) just can't take anymore, or because that's just the way you are accostumed to dealing with certain challenges. Yet, there are people who still don't resort to primal, immoral action despite rampant unfairness, stress, and cultural bias for violence.
We are more than a fixed set of responses that we are victim to. We also all DO have our mammalian brain, whether we choose to use it (much) or not. We also evolved as souls; we enter these bodily forms called "human" but each of us respond differently to our upbringing, surroundings, and suffering. Apparently, there are 'good' and 'bad' people, which is to say: there are people who find excuses to do bad all the time and there are people who don't play the victim like that at all.
It's important to note that working with the mammalian brain is inherently a very different thing than responding from the reptilian brain. If one works with the mammalian brain regularly, one can't but notice that actions stemming from working from the reptilian brain are immoral and often hurtful to others. The reptilian brain is selfish and ego-centered; it's actions can be appropriate in survival situations and very inappropriate in just about all others. One is inherently forced to choose: is functioning from within the reptilian brain okay as long as one has come up with a good excuse, or not? One road leads to being an asshole, the other to being moral, civilized, and sophisticated.
'Good' people don't accept being selfish as an option. 'Good' people regret having acted selfishly, repent, and don't repeat the same selfish act over and over again. 'Bad' people are simply fine with having a good excuse for whatever they do, no matter the result to others. So there's a road that leads in one direction and another leading in the opposite direction. That's why ones life's choices accumulate and make you the person that you just ARE: good or bad, one or the other.
The Celestine Prophecy [book or movie] does a good job in explaining what's also going on when it comes to choosing between 'good' and 'bad', giving or taking, doing what's nice or playing the victim. We're either getting our energy from each other in a calculated and manipulative game [drama] of give and take, or we're connecting to our Higher Selves, 'the Source', or whatever you want to call the endless sea of energy that we can all call upon as souls. The more you're addicted to energy from others, the more you'll have to call upon uncivilized tactics to get what you need in hard times. That means that you can be nice enough when your energy sources are sufficient but can become a decidedly different and vicious person when things aren't going your way. Such people give themselves away even when they're full of energy, because parasiting off of other people takes a different mindset than tapping into an endless energy source that's always accessible and sufficient. It's not just beady eyes always looking around for other prey; if you're used to giving energy to others, because you can always get more from the endless source, your whole outlook on energy is different from someone who has to rely on other people for energy.
'Good' people, people who don't rely on other people for their energy needs, just don't find a need to become vicious or greedy, even when they're in dire straights. Even when 'good' people have some ultimate excuse for parasiting off of others, they refrain from doing so. 'Good' people instinctively get (because their lives are centered around getting their energy from the endless source) that bad times are the best times for becoming more self-reliant. 'Good' people have learned from experience that giving in to any impulse to take advantage of others only leads to immorality and codependence and therefore they just don't go there, no matter how wonderful an excuse they have.
When the soul that embodied Jesus allowed parasites to torture and nail him to a cross, this was an ultimate example of someone with an excuse to trust his reptilian brain and accept the excuse that what was happening to him was too unfair, unsafe, and stupid to bear. He apparently believed that the endless energy source would see him through his ordeal, therefore it wasn't about suicide or playing marter. What he showed the masses with their endless excuses to do evil was that there ultimately are no excuses whatsoever; there's no limit to the endless source and life never has to be about taking energy. Life can be only about giving energy and letting the endless source feed you. Life then isn't about hanging on no matter who gets hurt, it's about experiencing more and more energy flowing through you. The more you experience, then, the more excuses you have to play victim and parasite off of others, the greater the opportunity to experience instead the limitless divine in your life. Experiencing good.
People who are focused on finding energy wherever they can get it are just as capable of tapping into this eternal endless energy source but their habits betray them. Their experience with endless energy is limited and their lives aren't about embracing it, they're about denying it. They can turn around any time but someone whose whole life has been about accumulating experiences of divine energy is in a very different place. We all have the choice to use our reptilian brain or the mammalian brain [a choice Reptilians don't have] and we all have the excuses to go either way. You choose, good or bad, but blaming your evil on circumstance is just about falling back on the opportunistic reptilian part of you; your being okay with being an asshole because you're human, stressed, or of poor stock is only you playing the drama of the 'poor me'.
Humans souls are the beings that are incarnated in a genetic spacesuit known as Earthling that are comfortable dealing with the mammalian brain. Reptilian souls have a mammalian brain, as Earthling, but constantly fall back on the reptilian brain. The planet is full of many different species of souls but there are basically only two strains of intelligence, hive-minded or individual-minded. The individual-minded species are comfortable using the mammalian brain, the others feel (more) comfortable falling back on the reptilian brain. Some souls will be in a cusp state, experimenting with the mammalian empathic condition, but in the end a choice has to be made because the two forms of intelligence are at odds with one another. When you're dealing with somebody it is clear soon enough whether they're commonly working from a survival/fear mode or from the heart.
Such observations are essential because we all need to realize, acknowledge, and accept that someone who's living in the reptilian brain is inherently lawless and paranoid, an opportunist and inherently violent/dangerous. Such a soul can't be converted or convinced that the individual-mindset is better; it's about the state of a soul's development and a change therein could take many lifetimes and is not a result of some random decision. You're either one or the other.
Jesus warned us of this other party, as well. Your own instincts, however, have been telling you that some people are always 'different' and others easy to deal and be with. For your survival it is essential to drop all culturally correct concepts pushing you to think little of all of this and allowing dangerous people into your life, especially with the violent times that are coming in mind.


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The Pros and Cons of Cortisone Shots
By Randall Gerber July 01, 2016 Posted in: Bone and Joint Health , Article
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You've probably heard of a professional athlete having to receive a cortisone shot to fight through an injury. You may even know a friend, a family member, or a co-worker who's undergone the procedure. But for many of us, the treatment is outside our realm of direct experience.
Even though they're administered relatively frequently, cortisone shots are typically reserved for significant discomfort. In the 60-plus years since the treatment was introduced, it's helped an incalculable number of people gain relief from pain and inflammation, particularly in their joints. And even though cortisone shots are common among professional sports players, you don't have to be a hard-charging athlete to benefit from this injectable medication.
Despite the effectiveness of cortisone, it can come with some considerable side effects. Let's take a closer look at the treatment, its uses, and its potential drawbacks.
What Is Cortisone?
Cortisone is a type of man-made steroid that mimics the effect of cortisol, a hormone naturally occurring in the body. This is what distinguishes the medicine from anabolic steroids, which mimic testosterone.
Corticosteroids, as they're also called, can be extremely helpful in alleviating pain for patients suffering from a range of conditions, including:
Knee and hip arthritis.
Back pain from vertebrae that have slipped out of place.
Bursitis or tendinitis.
Foot problems such as plantar fasciitis.
Lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
Rarely does a physician select a cortisone shot as the initial treatment. In many cases, the doctor will first recommend less invasive steps such as weight loss, physical therapy, exercise, or over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen.
If a physician does think corticosteroids are the best option, shots are typically injected directly into a particular area of the body for local relief. Shortly after a cortisone injection, the anti-inflammatory action reduces swelling and pain. Within several days, the relief can be nearly complete, even for those suffering from extreme pain.
However, the effects aren't permanent; they can last anywhere from a few weeks to six months. In that sense, cortisone does not represent a cure, merely a temporary way to mitigate pain and swelling.
The Downsides
Cortisone shots' ability to almost fully alleviate extreme pain is extraordinary, but there are some negatives to consider. The side effects that a cortisone shot can trigger may counterbalance or outweigh its ability to reduce pain and inflammation.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the side effects from cortisone shots include:
Dizziness or headaches.
Skin issues, including dryness, thinness, acne, dry skin, and red or purple blotches.
Fatigue and trouble sleeping.
Mood swings and disturbances.
Increased appetite, weight gain, and water retention.
Some side effects can be serious. These include:
Vision problems.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Swelling in various areas of the body.
Rash, hives, and itching.
Side effects can vary from person to person. They could be mild or severe. They might appear with short-term use or never show up at all. Long-term, repeated administration of cortisone shots can be particularly problematic, as frequent injections in the same joint can damage it, as well as the surrounding soft tissue.
It's important to remember that cortisone injections alter your immunity function, lowering the inflammatory response that your body mounts to fight injury and infection. This will reduce pain and swelling, but it can leave you open to infections and other issues.
While it's true that the list of possible side effects is long, the advantages of corticosteroids can be significant. If you or someone you love is suffering from a condition that may require a cortisone shot, be sure to talk to your physician about the pros and cons. Discuss how other medical conditions you or your loved one have may affect the use of cortisone. It's an important decision, and you don't have to make it alone.
Breastfeeding for Working Moms: 5 Tips to Guide You
It's often said that breastfeeding is a full-time job. And in those first few weeks of motherhood, when it feels like you're feeding constantly, it certainly can be. But what happens a few months later when you have to go back to work?
Read More Additional information about Dignity Health | How to Make Breastfeeding for Working Moms Easy
The Importance of Prenatal Vitamins
It's important to remember that vitamins and supplements cannot take the place of a healthy diet. For example, pregnant women should eat multiple servings of fresh green vegetables and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Higher doses of certain vitami...
Read More Additional information about Dignity Health | *
How to Know When a Child Injury Requires Medical Attention
Scrapes, bumps, and bruises from outdoor play are a child's rite of passage, but sometimes a fall or a tumble results in a more serious injury. For many parents, the problem is to know when a twisted ankle is just a minor sprain or something worse — ...
Read More Additional information about Dignity Health | How to Know When a Child Injury Requires Medical Attention
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices: California
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices: Arizona
HIPAA Notice of Privacy Practices: Nevada


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UK govt moves to take over Nnamdi Kanu's case
Felix Okoro
Reports have emerged that the British High Commission and a law firm in London, Bindmans, have sought the consent of Nnamdi Kanu to take up his case.
According to the IPOB leader's lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, he delivered two forms to Kanu on Wednesday during a visit to the office of the Department of State Services (DSS), where he is being detained.
Ejimakor told The PUNCH that the development would open up a new chapter in the trial of Kanu, adding that the Nigerian government would be served with summons to bring him to the United Kingdom, where another case would be heard over the manner of his rendition to Nigeria.
He said, "I went to visit him on Wednesday and went with two forms. One was the consular consent form that the British High Commission required that he signs to consent to consular assistance. There was also a form from his counsel in the UK. The firm is known as Bindmans, one of the largest law firms in the UK.
"The forms will open a whole new chapter of legality, including the filing of a Writ of Mandamus, against the Nigerian government in a UK court to compel it to produce Kanu, because his detention is illegal under the British law. It was an extraordinary rendition, which is an international crime by which a state kidnaps a suspect or a fugitive without the due process of law.
"They will be filing all these processes in the UK and there is a prospect of a UK court assuming universal jurisdiction or extra-territorial jurisdiction and reaching into Kenya so that they can arrest every Kenyan official, either authorised or not, and every Nigerian official involved in this case."
According to the lawyer of the pro-Biafra activist, the DSS collected the forms, saying they must first go through the vetting of its legal unit.
Ejimakor stated that he had yet to be contacted by the DSS despite being told that he would collect them on Thursday.
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LaVal's disk-winged bat (Thyroptera lavali) is a species of bat in the family Thyropteridae. It is native to Ecuador, Colombia, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil where it has been found near streams in tropical rainforest. The bat is insectivorous. It is poorly studied but is believed to be rare. The species was named in honor of American zoologist Richard K. LaVal.

References

Thyropteridae
Mammals of Peru
Mammals of Ecuador
Bats of South America
Mammals described in 1993


Do you think Donald Trump will be elected for a second term?
You never know. I didn't think he would get nominated the first time. But when he did, well let's just say there was no choice then.
He claims he will. Scary stuff.
He also claims many other things we know aren't true.
I doubt it, but the Democrats are going to have to come up with a more moderate candidate to have a solid chance. If it is someone with more socialist leanings it will be touch and go.
There are more registered voters that don't belong to either party than those registered Democrat or registered Republican. Most are disillusioned by the two party system, and the two parties just keep creating a bigger gap. Many of the people I know who are registered for one party or the other are only still in a party because in most states they are the ones choosing their party's candidate through the primaries. (A few states let people to vote in primaries for other parties.) I firmly believe that if there were a strong moderate party or candidate, they would win over the Democrats and Republicans.
It's going be hard for Bernie Sanders to beat Donald Trump . I'm by ways no fan of Mr Trump but i think we need a stronger Democrat to run to beat Donald Trump.
Hopefully, he's america's last hope. We'll never have a president like him ever again.
Can Bernie Sanders defeat Donald Trump ? People say oh Bernie Sanders won't win well Hillary Clinton made it to the Democratic nomination . So far he is ahead , unless Joe Biden steps in than Biden will be ahead of Sanders. You know people see Sanders as a Socialist he is Independent turned to Democrat well will have to wait and see what goes on here ?
Thank goodness there will never be a president like him again. He is high maintenance and his errors and insults has cost the American people more than what was gained by having him in charge.
The thing is can Bernie Sanders beat Donald Trump ? Will the former Hillary Clinton supporters vote for Donald Trump since they didn't want Bernie Sanders in 2016 , so their going to think well hey I'm not supporting Sanders cause we still didn't want Sanders in 2016 , we don't want him now ? Well Joe Biden , announce his run for office cause actually more people want him over Sanders ? Sorry i don't want Trump and i can't support Sanders . I will support Biden. I think it's time that the younger generation runs for office.
Bernie won't be the nominee. His time passed.
Yes i agree with you .
Oh I hope not! 4 years of him is 4 years too many!
Whose painting bleak picture of Donald? He is not a cartoon character.
I'm starting to think you're a cartoon character...... Yo Elmer Carlos Fudd why don't you go off somewhere for some west and welaxation.
Shacking my head i can't understand some people ?
Do you like Donald Trump?
Al Sharpton has said he will leave the country if Donald Trump is elected. Do you think this will cause more people to vote for Trump?
What will you do if Donald Trump becomes the president?
Do you think Donald Trump is a Hillary Clinton plant to destroy the Republican Party?
Who do you think will be our next president? Hilary Clinton? or Donald Trump?
What do you think that Donald Trump's first move as President of the U.S.A will be?
Do you think trump will make a good president?
Do you think Donald Trump is an outstanding American citizen?
Do you believe Donald Trump will win a second term?


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George Romney (ur. 15 grudnia 1734 w Dalton-in-Furness, zm. 15 listopada 1802 w Kendal) – brytyjski malarz, tworzący portrety angielskiego, XVIII-wiecznego społeczeństwa.

Życiorys
Urodził się 15 grudnia 1734 roku w Dalton-in-Furness. W latach 1755–1757 był uczniem wędrownego portrecisty Christophera Steele'a. Gdy dotarł do północnych hrabstw Anglii, zaczął malować portrety, licząc sobie kilka gwinei za sztukę. Dzięki namalowaniu obrazu Śmierć generała Wolfe'a uzyskał nagrodę Royal Society of Arts, jednakże niemal natychmiast przerzucił się na malowanie portretów. W 1764 roku po raz pierwszy odwiedził Paryż, gdzie zaprzyjaźnił się z Josephem Vernetem. Dziewięć lat później udał się do Rzymu, gdzie studiował freski Rafaela Santiego, w Stanzach Watykańskich. Zgłębiał także twórczość Antonia da Correggia w Parmie i Tycjana w Wenecji. Dzięki tym wyprawom namalował Panią Carwardine i syna (w 1775) oraz Sir Christopher i Lady Sykes (w 1786). Trzymał się z dala od Royal Academy of Arts i innych artystów, zawierając przyjaźnie wśród filozofów i literatów. Około 1781–1782 roku poznał Emmę Hart (późniejszą metresę admirała Nelsona), która została jego muzą. Romney namalował ponad 50 portretów lady Hamilton. Zmarł 15 listopada 1802 roku w Kendal.

Przypisy

Urodzeni w 1734
Zmarli w 1802
Angielscy malarze klasycyzmu
Portreciści


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Contact Adam
GridFe Hall of Fame
For lovers of the gridiron
Greatest QB of All Time: Consensus (2018)
GOAT, Quarterbacks April 13, 2018 Adam Steele	2 Comments
Last year I attempted to distill the public opinion of quarterback greatness into a mathematical formula, but I left out active players which made the ranking feel incomplete (ok, it was incomplete). In this post I'm going to update the list with a new formula and active QB's included.
I have two main purposes for this exercise: 1) To provide a baseline of the general consensus to measure other ranking systems against, and 2) I love to create rankings and look for any excuse to do so.
Since the goal of this list is to match public opinion, it's okay (maybe necessary) to cook the books until the formula spits out the result I'm looking for. Here are the categories and weights I ultimately decided on:
Passer Rating Index (Rate+) = (n – 80) * 2 points
Era adjusted career passer rating, as measured by PFR's index metric. This provides a baseline for the passing efficiency of each QB. Even though I hate passer rating, it's the rate stat of choice for the majority of football fans.
Touchdown Passes (PassTD) = n * .05 points
Career regular season TD passes. The most commonly used counting stat for quarterbacks.
Rushing Touchdowns (RushTD) = n * .05 points
Career regular season TD's on the ground. People rarely site specific rushing numbers when discussing quarterbacks, but many give a subjective bonus to the QB's who were known as running threats.
Regular Season Wins (RegW) = n * .3 points
Ah, the stat us analytics guys love to hate. In any other context I wouldn't touch QB wins with a ten foot pole, but the public is fixated on assigning game outcomes to a single player. Note that QB wins were not tracked prior to 1950, so older players are listed with an artificially low number of wins. I attempt to correct for this discrepancy as you will see down the line.
Passing Yardage Leader (YdsLdr) = n * 3 points
Number of regular seasons leading the league in gross passing yards. Yardage totals are not held in very high regard, but topping the list in a given season usually earns bonus points from the fans. In pre-merger seasons, each league is credited with its own yardage leader.
Pro Bowls (PB) = n * 2 points
Number of seasons voted into the Pro Bowl or invited as an alternate. The title of Pro Bowler has been heavily diluted in recent years, but for most of NFL history it actually meant something. For many fans, a Pro Bowl appearance is convenient shorthand for a great season.
First Team All Pro Selections (AP1) = n * 4 points
Number of seasons voted as the First Team QB by the Associated Press. The title of All Pro carries higher prestige than making the Pro Bowl, and rightly so. It's shorthand for the best QB in any given season. Personally, I don't believe the Associated Press voters are any more knowledgeable than those from other publications, but the vast majority of fans don't care about the non-AP teams.
MVP Awards (MVP) = n * 6 points
Number of regular season Most Valuable Player awards as voted on by the Associated Press. The single most prestigious regular season award, although it's really a Best-QB-or-RB-if-no-QB-stands-out award. Again, there are MVP's named by other publications, but the public only cares about the AP.
Playoff Wins (PostW) = n * 3 points
Since NFL postseason games are decided by the only two players on the field, it's only fair that we judge quarterbacks by their ability to win in the playoffs. And make no mistake, winning in the postseason is a special skill that only certain QB's possess. You can't win if you ain't clutch.
Playoff Losses (PostL) = n * -2 points
An outcome reserved for the poor souls who can't perform in the clutch. When a quarterback loses a postseason game, there is only one reasonable explanation: He's a choker.
Super Bowl Appearances (SBApp) = n * 5 points
Number of Super Bowl games started. The biggest of big games is watched by over 100 million people, so of course setting foot on that sacred field is going to be very prestigious in the eyes of football fans.
Super Bowls Wins (RingzSB) = n * 5 + n ^ 2 points
Number of Super Bowls won as a starter. The ultimate prize in the ultimate team game battle of quarterbacks. That shiny ring on a QB's finger renders all arguments against him obsolete, and all of his haters are instantly silenced; he is the king of football, king of the sports world, and if we're being honest, the greatest man on Earth.
Super Bowl MVP Awards (SBMVP) = n * 2 points
This is kind of redundant because the winning QB is always the best player on the field.
NFL Championship Wins (RingzN) = n * 5 points
Number of pre-Super Bowl NFL championships won as a starter. The clutch gene has existed since the dawn of football, but it didn't matter as much when hardly anyone was around to witness it. All kidding aside, fans are correct in placing less prestige on championships from the old days; there were far fewer teams and less parity between them.
AFL and AAFC Championship Wins (RingzA) = n * 2 points
Number of pre-Super Bowl AFL championships and/or AAFC championships won as a starter. The early AFL was a watered down league with sloppy play and poor competition, while most football fans probably don't know the AAFC even existed.
Hall of Fame Inductee (HOF) = n * 20 points
Only counts for QB's already inducted, as the rankings are more intuitive without making assumptions on the HOF candidacy of current players. The highest individual honor for any athlete in a team sport. While gridiron diehards quibble over the decisions of the HOF committee, general fandom takes the HOF at face value and exalts the men who have been immortalized in bronze.
Pre-modern Seasons (Old) = n * 3 points
As mentioned earlier, QB wins were not tracked before 1950. To adjust for this, I give three points for each season as a primary starter prior to 1950. In a few cases I had to make judgment calls over what constitutes a primary starter, but those calls have little impact on the ranking.
Whew, that's a lot of categories! The overall score for each QB is simply the sum of his points earned in each category. I narrowed the ranking down to quarterbacks who attempted 1,500+ regular season passes and began their career in 2014 or earlier. This gives us a list of 185 signal callers.
I'm going to post the ranking without another word, and leave the commentary up to you!
Rate+
PassTD
RushTD
RegW
YdsLdr
PostW
PostL
SBApp
RingzSB
SBMVP
RingzN
RingzA
zScore
1 Tom Brady 118 488 17 196 3 13 3 3 27 10 8 5 4 384 4.87
2 Peyton Manning 118 539 18 186 3 14 7 5 14 13 4 2 1 307 3.57
3 Joe Montana 123 273 20 117 8 3 2 16 7 4 4 3 1 292 3.32
4 Brett Favre 109 508 14 186 2 11 3 3 13 11 2 1 1 251 2.64
5 Otto Graham 127 174 44 57 5 5 6 9 3 3 4 1 4 247 2.58
6 Johnny Unitas 111 290 13 118 3 10 4 3 6 2 1 1 2 1 231 2.30
7 John Elway 105 300 33 148 1 9 1 14 7 5 2 1 1 227 2.24
8 Terry Bradshaw 105 212 32 107 3 1 1 14 5 4 4 2 1 222 2.16
9 Steve Young 126 232 43 94 7 3 2 8 6 1 1 1 1 217 2.08
10 Dan Marino 113 420 9 147 5 9 3 1 8 10 1 1 212 1.99
11 Sammy Baugh 122 187 9 11 4 6 4 3 3 2 1 13 209 1.94
12 Bart Starr 113 152 15 94 4 1 1 9 1 2 2 2 3 1 209 1.94
13 Drew Brees 116 488 18 142 6.5 11 1 7 6 1 1 1 207 1.92
14 Roger Staubach 121 153 20 85 6 11 6 4 2 1 1 205 1.88
15 Sid Luckman 120 137 4 2 3 5 5 1 4 1 11 205 1.88
16 Fran Tarkenton 114 342 32 124 1 9 1 1 6 5 3 1 198 1.76
17 Kurt Warner 117 208 3 67 1 4 2 2 9 4 3 1 1 1 198 1.75
18 Aaron Rodgers 123 313 25 94 6 2 2 9 7 1 1 1 189 1.61
19 Troy Aikman 106 165 9 94 6 11 4 3 3 1 1 187 1.57
20 Ben Roethlisberger 111 329 16 135 0.5 6 13 8 3 2 185 1.55
21 Len Dawson 119 239 9 94 7 2 5 3 1 1 1 1 1 185 1.54
22 Bob Griese 113 192 7 92 8 2 6 5 2 2 1 180 1.45
23 Jim Kelly 111 237 7 101 5 1 9 8 4 1 170 1.28
24 Norm Van Brocklin 114 173 11 61 1 9 1 1 2 2 1 1 1 157 1.07
25 Dan Fouts 112 254 13 86 4 6 2 3 4 1 156 1.06
26 Sonny Jurgensen 114 255 15 69 5 5 2 1 155 1.04
27 Ken Stabler 107 194 4 96 4 1 1 7 5 1 1 1 153 1.00
28 Bobby Layne 103 196 25 80 2 6 2 3 1 2 1 2 150 0.96
29 Y.A. Tittle 111 242 39 78 7 3 1 0 4 1 2 149 0.95
30 Eli Manning 98 339 6 111 4 8 4 2 2 2 139 0.77
31 Russell Wilson 115 161 16 65 4 8 4 2 1 138 0.76
32 Warren Moon 106 291 22 102 2 9 3 7 1 137 0.74
33 Ken Anderson 115 197 20 91 2 4 1 1 2 4 1 135 0.71
34 Philip Rivers 112 342 3 106 1 7 4 5 132 0.66
35 Joe Namath 102 173 7 62 3 5 1 2 1 1 1 1 1 132 0.65
36 Joe Theismann 107 160 17 77 2 1 1 6 2 2 1 130 0.62
37 Rich Gannon 110 180 21 76 1 4 2 1 4 3 1 129 0.60
38 Donovan McNabb 106 234 29 98 6 9 7 1 125 0.53
39 Matt Ryan 109 260 5 95 4 1 1 4 6 1 123 0.50
40 Boomer Esiason 106 247 7 80 4 1 1 3 2 1 117 0.40
41 Phil Simms 105 199 6 95 2 6 4 1 1 1 116 0.39
42 George Blanda 101 236 9 53 2 3 1 2 2 2 1 1 115 0.38
43 Tony Romo 116 248 5 78 4 2 4 114 0.36
44 Jim Plunkett 98 164 14 72 8 2 2 2 1 113 0.33
45 Roman Gabriel 108 201 30 86 1 4 1 1 0 2 110 0.29
46 Earl Morrall 107 161 8 63 2 1 1 4 1 1 110 0.29
47 Steve McNair 105 174 37 91 3 1 5 5 1 110 0.29
48 Daryle Lamonica 109 164 14 66 1 5 2 4 5 110 0.28
49 John Hadl 104 244 16 82 3 6 1 0 2 107 0.23
50 Bob Waterfield 108 97 13 14 2 3 1 2 1 1 106 0.22
51 Joe Flacco 97 200 16 92 10 5 1 1 1 105 0.21
52 Craig Morton 108 183 12 81 5 5 2 105 0.21
53 John Brodie 104 214 22 74 3 2 1 1 2 3 105 0.21
54 Mark Brunell 107 184 15 78 1 3 5 5 101 0.14
55 Dave Krieg 107 261 13 98 3 3 6 100 0.12
56 Randall Cunningham 107 207 35 82 4 1 3 6 100 0.12
57 Brad Johnson 104 166 8 72 2 4 3 1 1 99 0.11
58 Mark Rypien 104 115 8 47 2 5 2 1 1 1 96 0.06
59 Danny White 111 155 8 62 1 5 5 96 0.05
60 Jeff Garcia 111 161 26 58 4 2 4 95 0.03
61 Drew Bledsoe 98 251 10 98 4 3 3 1 94 0.03
62 Jeff Hostetler 105 94 17 51 1 4 1 1 1 94 0.02
63 Carson Palmer 104 294 8 92 3 1 3 94 0.02
64 Charlie Conerly 108 173 10 57 2 0 2 1 2 93 0.01
65 Matt Hasselbeck 101 212 8 85 3 5 6 1 93 0.00
66 Daunte Culpepper 110 149 34 41 1 3 2 2 92 0.00
67 Bert Jones 111 124 14 47 1 1 1 1 0 3 92 -0.01
68 Frank Ryan 108 149 6 57 3 1 2 1 91 -0.03
69 Jim McMahon 104 100 16 67 1 3 3 1 1 90 -0.05
70 Brian Sipe 106 154 11 57 1 1 1 0 1 87 -0.09
71 Ron Jaworski 102 179 16 73 1 4 4 1 87 -0.10
72 Neil Lomax 110 136 10 47 1 2 0 1 86 -0.11
73 Chris Chandler 102 170 12 67 2 2 1 1 86 -0.11
74 Cam Newton 97 158 54 62 3 1 1 3 4 1 85 -0.13
75 Tobin Rote 98 148 37 48 1 2 1 3 1 1 1 85 -0.13
76 Jack Kemp 96 114 40 65 7 2 2 4 2 83 -0.16
77 Billy Wade 104 124 24 40 1 2 1 0 1 82 -0.17
78 Alex Smith 102 183 14 88 3 2 5 82 -0.17
79 Billy Kilmer 106 152 21 61 1 2 5 1 82 -0.18
80 Bernie Kosar 108 124 5 53 1 3 4 81 -0.19
81 Trent Green 108 162 6 56 2 0 2 81 -0.19
82 Matt Schaub 106 133 4 47 1 2 1 1 81 -0.20
83 Neil O'Donnell 105 120 4 55 1 3 4 1 81 -0.20
84 Chad Pennington 112 102 7 44 2 4 81 -0.20
85 Frankie Albert 113 115 27 13 1 1 1 80 -0.21
86 Vinny Testaverde 97 275 15 90 2 2 3 80 -0.22
87 Jake Delhomme 100 126 7 56 1 5 3 1 79 -0.22
88 Steve Bartkowski 106 156 11 59 2 1 3 79 -0.23
89 Jim Everett 103 203 4 64 1 2 3 78 -0.25
90 Jim Hart 98 209 16 87 4 0 2 77 -0.26
91 Jay Cutler 100 227 9 74 1 1 1 77 -0.26
92 Babe Parilli 99 178 23 49 1 3 1 1 1 77 -0.27
93 Ken O'Brien 107 128 0 50 2 0 2 75 -0.29
94 Greg Landry 108 98 21 44 1 0 1 75 -0.29
95 Don Meredith 105 135 15 47 3 1 3 75 -0.30
96 Tony Eason 106 61 6 28 3 2 1 74 -0.32
97 Steve Beuerlein 103 147 5 47 1 1 1 1 74 -0.32
98 Charley Johnson 101 170 10 59 1 1 74 -0.32
99 Brian Griese 105 119 5 45 1 72 -0.35
100 Jeff George 104 154 2 46 1 1 2 72 -0.35
101 Milt Plum 103 122 13 56 2 0 1 72 -0.35
102 Jim Harbaugh 101 129 18 66 1 2 3 71 -0.36
103 Tom Flores 107 93 5 31 1 70 -0.38
104 Andy Dalton 102 167 18 63 3 0 4 70 -0.38
105 Marc Bulger 104 122 8 41 2 1 2 70 -0.38
106 Matthew Stafford 102 216 14 60 1 0 3 70 -0.39
107 Kirk Cousins 108 99 13 26 1 0 1 69 -0.39
108 Andrew Luck 100 132 14 43 3 3 3 69 -0.39
109 Kerry Collins 92 208 10 81 2 3 4 1 69 -0.39
110 Michael Vick 97 133 36 61 4 2 3 69 -0.40
111 Tommy Kramer 100 159 8 54 1 2 2 69 -0.40
112 Norm Snead 97 196 23 52 4 69 -0.40
113 Joe Ferguson 97 196 11 79 1 1 3 68 -0.41
114 David Garrard 104 89 17 39 1 1 1 68 -0.41
115 Colin Kaepernick 101 72 13 28 4 2 1 68 -0.42
116 Doug Williams 95 100 15 38 4 3 1 1 1 66 -0.44
117 Bobby Hebert 103 135 1 56 1 0 3 66 -0.45
118 Steve Grogan 99 182 35 75 0 3 65 -0.46
119 Trent Dilfer 88 113 5 58 1 5 1 1 1 65 -0.46
120 Steve DeBerg 101 196 7 53 1 3 65 -0.46
121 Bill Nelsen 103 98 2 40 1 2 3 65 -0.46
122 Lynn Dickey 100 141 9 45 1 1 1 65 -0.46
123 Stan Humphries 98 89 7 50 3 3 1 64 -0.48
124 Bill Kenney 103 105 5 34 1 64 -0.48
125 Gary Danielson 106 81 7 28 0 1 63 -0.50
126 Elvis Grbac 102 99 7 40 1 1 2 62 -0.51
127 Eddie LeBaron 100 104 9 28 4 62 -0.51
128 Archie Manning 100 125 18 35 2 62 -0.52
129 Jay Schroeder 95 114 5 61 1 3 2 61 -0.53
130 Jeff Blake 100 134 14 39 1 61 -0.53
131 Bill Munson 104 84 3 27 60 -0.54
132 Wade Wilson 100 99 9 36 1 2 3 58 -0.58
133 Jake Plummer 94 161 17 69 1 2 4 58 -0.59
134 Derek Carr 99 103 0 28 3 58 -0.59
135 Ed Brown 96 102 14 53 2 0 1 56 -0.62
136 Jim Zorn 98 111 17 44 56 -0.62
137 Chris Miller 98 123 2 34 1 1 1 55 -0.62
138 Aaron Brooks 98 123 13 38 1 1 55 -0.63
139 Ryan Tannehill 99 106 6 37 55 -0.63
140 Jon Kitna 96 169 11 50 0 1 54 -0.65
141 Sam Bradford 99 101 2 34 53 -0.66
142 Richard Todd 95 124 14 48 2 2 53 -0.66
143 Erik Kramer 100 92 5 31 1 2 53 -0.66
144 Vince Ferragamo 96 76 3 27 3 3 1 52 -0.68
145 Dan Pastorini 91 103 8 56 1 3 2 51 -0.69
146 Jason Campbell 98 87 6 32 50 -0.71
147 Doug Flutie 98 86 10 38 1 0 2 50 -0.71
148 Jay Fiedler 98 69 11 37 1 2 50 -0.71
149 Kyle Orton 96 101 4 42 50 -0.72
150 Don Majkowski 96 66 12 26 1 1 49 -0.73
151 Mike Livingston 97 56 7 31 1 48 -0.74
152 Ryan Fitzpatrick 92 173 13 48 48 -0.75
153 Rodney Peete 94 76 16 45 1 1 47 -0.76
154 Scott Mitchell 98 95 11 32 0 2 47 -0.76
155 Bubby Brister 95 81 8 37 1 1 47 -0.77
156 Steve Bono 97 62 7 28 1 0 1 46 -0.78
157 Frank Tripucka 94 69 6 17 2 1 45 -0.80
158 Charlie Batch 97 61 6 25 45 -0.80
159 Kordell Stewart 90 77 38 48 1 2 2 44 -0.81
160 Cotton Davidson 95 73 11 19 2 44 -0.81
161 Gus Frerotte 93 114 6 45 1 0 2 44 -0.82
162 Byron Leftwich 97 58 10 24 0 1 43 -0.84
163 Mike Tomczak 90 88 9 42 3 2 42 -0.84
164 Josh McCown 94 97 13 23 40 -0.87
165 Matt Cassel 92 104 5 36 1 0 1 40 -0.88
166 Tim Couch 95 64 2 22 40 -0.88
167 Tony Banks 92 77 6 35 39 -0.90
168 Mark Sanchez 86 86 13 37 4 2 36 -0.95
169 Eric Hipple 93 55 13 28 0 1 36 -0.95
170 David Carr 92 65 9 23 35 -0.97
171 Blake Bortles 89 90 7 21 2 1 33 -0.99
172 Marc Wilson 90 86 5 32 0 1 32 -1.01
173 Josh Freeman 90 81 4 25 32 -1.02
174 Rex Grossman 85 56 4 25 2 2 1 28 -1.09
175 Chad Henne 88 58 3 18 24 -1.14
176 Billy Joe Tolliver 88 59 5 15 24 -1.15
177 Dave Brown 86 44 7 26 22 -1.17
178 Joey Harrington 85 79 0 26 22 -1.18
179 Mike Phipps 85 55 13 38 0 2 21 -1.20
180 Derek Anderson 85 60 5 20 19 -1.23
181 Kyle Boller 85 48 2 20 19 -1.24
182 Mark Malone 83 60 18 23 1 1 18 -1.25
183 Mike Pagel 85 49 4 17 18 -1.25
184 Jack Trudeau 84 42 3 19 0 1 14 -1.32
185 Rick Mirer 81 50 9 24 12 -1.35
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Galileo: full cast announced for Bertolt Brecht revival
Classic Stage Company (CSC) have announced the full cast for their new production of Bertolt Brecht's Galileo, translated by Charles Laughton, and directed by Brian Kulick, opening at CSC on 12 Feb 2012, following previews from 1 Feb 2012, and playing through to 11 Mar 2012.
As previously announced, Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham will star as Galileo, joined by Jon DeVries, Robert Dorfman, Aaron Himelstein, Andy Phelan, Amanda Quaid, Steve Rattazzi, Steven Skybell and Nick Westrate.
Galileo tells the story of Galileo's conflict with the Catholic Church over his scientific communities, and asks was he a coward who compromised his beliefs? or a wise man whoy knew when to speak and when to remain silent.
In Galileo Bracht explores the question of a scientist's social and ethical responsibility, as the brilliant scientist Galileo must choose between his life and his life's work when confronted with the Inquisition.
The creative team features scenic design is by Adrianne Lobel, lighting design by Justin Townsend, costume design by Oana Botez-Ban and original music and sound design by Christian Frederickson and Ryan Rumery.
Bios:
F. Murray Abraham won the 2011 Obie Award for Sustained Achievement. His many Off-Broadway credits include 'Offices,' 'Almost an Evening,' 'The Merchant of Venice,' 'The Jew of Malta' 'King Lear,' 'Waiting for Godot.' His Broadway credits include 'Mauritius' (2007), 'Triumph of Love' (1997), 'A Month in the Country' (1995). Abraham won an Academy award for Best Actor for his role as 'Antonio Salieri' in 'Amadeus.'
Brian Kulick (Director) is in his ninth year as Artistic Director of Classic Stage Company. Recent productions for CSC include Shakespeare's 'The Tempest' with Mandy Patinkin, Ostrovsky's 'The Forest' with Dianne Wiest and Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' and 'Richard III' with Michael Cumpsty. He commissioned and co-directed poet Anne Carson's award-winning 'An Oresteia,' which was comprised of her translations of Aeschylus' Agamemnon, Sophocles' Electra, and Euripides' Orestes. From 1996-2001 Mr. Kulick was an Artistic Associate at The Public Theater where he directed 'Twelfth Night,' 'The Winter's Tale' and 'Timon of Athens' at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park and also 'A Dybbuk,' 'Pericles' and 'Kit Marlowe' at The Public's downtown home.


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Awesome Sun Protection Hats Give Travelers Fashionable Choice
My new Broxburn style hat works nicely to keep my head safe from the sun and allows me to travel in style.
As you can see from my picture, I have a particular need for a hat when the sun is shining and I head outside.
I've always been a baseball cap kind of guy. And when I travel, the trusty old ballcap has always been a solid choice. Easy to pack, dependable, suitable for the beaches or hiking or kayaking. Keeps the sun out of my eyes and off of my pate. Just darn reliable -- if not too fashionable.
Tenth Street Hats offered me the chance to retool my travel style a bit, giving me the choice of a new stylish hat among the website's hundreds of designs. I selected a style called Broxburn, a hat I think Indiana Jones might like.
Thus, I have a new accessory for my adventures, thanks to Tenth Street Hats. The company provided the hat and simply asked that I give it a fair and honest review. I agreed to do so as long as I could get something that would fit my travel style. This meant that it had to be easy to pack for a traveler who does carry-on only for his flights.
I was pointed to the company's lineup of "Crushable" hats, and I really liked the look of the Broxburn. When it arrived, though, I was immediately skeptical that it could be folded down and fit into my bag, but it easily pressed flat to carry in my backpack. Then, it pops right back into shape.
I think travelers will find plenty of great options in the TenthStreetHats.com lineup of Crushable Hats, Sun Protection Hats or even Beach Hats. All these categories and more are listed in drop-down menus on the website.
TenthStreetHats.com features a line of "Crushable" hats that work nicely for packing away for travel.
Tenth Street Hats has a history that dates to 1921 and recognizes the original warehouse location of the Dorfman Hat and Cap Co. in Oakland, California. The company says it sources quality materials from suppliers around the world. The hats are made in production facilities in across the globe in factories that "still use rare hat-making machines that are nearly one-of-a-kind."
The TenthStreetHats.com website offers hundreds of hat styles for men and women, and you can pick from a variety of sizes and colors for most of the hat designs.
I tugged on my new Broxburn and got a little input from Colleen for how it should look.
"Maybe don't pull it all the way down to your ears," she said.
A few minor adjustments, and she helped me get a decent enough look, with just the right tilt of the brim. Not too bad. It felt comfortable as I wore it while touring around Budapest, Bratislava and Vienna on my Danube River cruise.
On deck on my Danube River cruise in Budapest.
It has been a hot summer in both Europe and the U.S., and I got this new hat and started wearing it on my travels during this heat wave. It's made of a distressed twill cotton, and the brown color gives it the look of a soft leather. I realized that the cotton keeps my head cool even during the hottest days.
A soft twill sweatband lines the inside rim of the Broxburn, and that kept any beads from rolling into my eyes. I also like the sleek look of the braided faux leather band that encircles the hat.
The Broxburn is listed at $69 on TenthStreetHats.com, and you can find hats ranging in price from as low as $40 to more than $200, but most styles are in the $60 to $110 range. Hat connoisseurs will go crazy perusing the website, with all the different styles and varieties to pick over.
Tenth Street offers numerous classic shapes like bowler, fedora, porkpie, newsboy, boater and safari. And designer brands include Stetson, Aegean, Brooklyn, Biltmore, John Callanan and Scala.
I'm really happy with my choice of the Broxburn and have added it to my lineup of accessories, right alongside my trusty baseball cap. But now, I have something to wear for my running, hiking and other physical activities as well as a perfect accompaniment when times call for something more comfortable and stylish.
Thanks for reading, and always travel happy!
AmaMagna Will Convince Die-Hard Ocean Cruisers to Try Rivers
The innovative AmaMagna is double the width of the traditional European river cruise ship.
AmaMagna is a sensation.
That's what happens when you break the mold and stand out from the crowd.
People take notice.
AmaWaterways knew this would be the case when it designed its double-wide Danube River ship. AmaMagna is still as tall and as long as the other vessels on the rivers in Europe, but at 72 feet across, the width creates a new look and new opportunities for cruisers to enjoy when taking a voyage on this ship.
In reality, the extra space allows for great added features, but the cruise ship still has a familiar feel once you're onboard. That is, it's just a few more strides across from one side to the other, and you certainly aren't going to get lost while looking for the lounge or your cabin.
However, the added width gives AmaMagna a majestic air as you cruise or when pulling up to a port city or village. You'll notice passengers and crew from the other ships and residents ashore take notice of this grand vessel.
I sailed for a week on AmaMagna, from Budapest to Vilshofen, Germany, and noted that the ship's innovative spaces take river cruising to a new level.
We started our cruise in Budapest and got a nice view of the iconic Parliament Building as we sailed.
AmaMagna owns a look and feel of a luxury boutique hotel, which is just what AmaWaterways is going for with this groundbreaking design. In fact, AmaMagna might be just what longtime ocean cruisers have been looking for if they are eyeing their first river cruise. The ship is the closest thing I have seen to a small ocean or expedition ship experience -- but on the rivers.
AmaMagna carries 196 passengers. This compares with about 158 for the line's other ships and up to 190 on Viking River Cruises' fleet of Longships. So, the space-per-passenger ratio on AmaMagna is quite generous in the public areas and the staterooms.
I was especially excited to sail on the ship because of the Zen Wellness Studio, a first-of-its-kind full-scale fitness center at the back of the ship. AmaWaterways dedicated a healthy amount of space to offer a slew of fitness classes and spa treatments. These classes take place not only in the Zen Wellness Studio but also in the fresh air up top on the Sun Deck in a "Yoga Tent" space.
AmaWaterways has long been the industry leader in fitness options. The line placed Wellness Hosts on its ships years ago, and the line's Wellness Program is fully realized on AmaMagna with a fitness center that holds two treadmills, a large studio space with free weights, exercise mats, rowing machine and exercise bikes.
On the back deck, just off the studio space, four spin cycles are available for spin classes led by the Wellness Host in the great outdoors, with amazing views while sailing or sitting in port. Our Wellness Host Tiago had full classes for spin, yoga, Pilates and line dancing classes all week. Colleen and I even went for a jog around Linz, Austria, one afternoon with Tiago, who also leads shore walks and onboard post-lunch "digestive" walks.
AmaMagna also carries a giant fleet of eight-speed cruiser bikes. These are used for organized bike tours, and there are likely to be several scheduled during each cruise. You also are free to check them out for your own use when in port, and we took advantage to go for long rides in Budapest (out to Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube) and in Vienna (also to its city island Donauinsel).
A relaxation room is located next to the fitness studio in the Zen Wellness Center. This space has a fresh-juice bar and chairs and tables with views out the back to enjoy some quiet time or wait for your massage treatment.
The pop-up bar on AmaMagna is well stocked with refreshments.
AmaMagna offers four restaurants, the traditional Main Restaurant and three reservations-required alternative venues. The Chef's Table is a multicourse meal and a is also a favorite on other AmaWaterways' ships. Passengers have new choices, though, with The Al Fresco eatery at the front of the ship beyond the lounge on Deck 3. This is an intimate place for up to 24 people, and you get a set menu of fresh and healthy cuisine, while dining with amazing views at the bow of the ship.
Jimmy's Wine Bar and Restaurant down on Deck 1 and next to The Chef's Table offers a more casual family-style choice. The menu is the same as what is served in The Main Dining room each night, and you get all the choices and courses to share with larger groups of family and friends.
If you have enjoyed a river cruise before, you will notice a few other things that stand out on AmaMagna.
The large Sun Deck is spacious and a fantastic place to chill out during afternoon sailing sessions or to take in magical night-time views of the Parliament Building in Budapest. There are dozens of spaces to find to relax in the sun or under the shade of a canopy. The heated pool/hot tub area was our favorite, day or night. This is also where you can find the pop-up bar, with a bartender ready to serve you a cocktail or beer.
You could often find me right here during the cruise. The pool and hot tub are inviting, day and night, especially when you have the nice weather that we had during our week onboard.
Check out our gallery for all the amazing spots on AmaMagna.
AmaMagna also features a few other river cruise industry firsts. An elevator to the Sun Deck is a fantastic addition that makes the area accessible for people with mobility issues. Also, the ship has a large marina -- or sports platform -- at water level at the back of the ship. A Sundowner yacht is stored here and can be launched for scenic exploration of the Danube, carrying up to 12 passengers at a time. The marina is also a spot that can be used for kayak launches and as a gathering spot for special sunset cocktail events.
Between the twin libraries in the ship's lower lounge area, just before The Alfresco, you'll find The Cinema. That's right, the ship features a large theater with a big screen. Movies are shown here nightly, and kids of all ages like to use the video gaming system. We also watched major sport events like Wimbledon tennis matches and the Women's World Cup final in there.
There is also a complimentary guest laundry room down on Deck 1, with two washers, two dryers and detergent -- along with a baskets and an ironing board.
It's all of these extras on AmaMagna that set the ship apart from the masses on the rivers and give cruisers a nice variety of spaces and activities. Closer to a small-ship luxury ocean experience, perhaps.
It really is a fun way to explore the Danube and surrounding cities like Budapest, Bratislava, Vienna, Passau and Nuremberg.
What do you think? Does AmaMagna sound like it's just the kind of ship that would get you to try your first river cruise? Let us know in the comments below.
MSC Cruises Offers Full Menu of Fun Activities for Families
Photos courtesy of MSC Cruises
Fast-growing MSC Cruises has been delivering new ships to the oceans at a rapid clip over the past few years. While doing so, the line with a long-entrenched heritage in Europe has offered more and more sailings from U.S. ports and included features on these shiny new ships designed to attract families.
MSC Cruises has been working hard to appeal to U.S. travelers, and we've discovered a variety of reasons why a voyage on an MSC ship can be the perfect choice for your family cruise. Check out all the interesting things you can try while sailing with your friends, family members and the kiddos.
Cirque du Soleil at Sea
MSC Cruises' industry-first entertainment partnership with Cirque du Soleil brings avant garde performances to the sea exclusively for MSC Cruises. Shows are available on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima, and they also are coming to the new MSC Grandiosa (launching in November 2019).
Cruisers can experience two original and exclusive Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows per ship. The partnership offers eight different shows in total, with two original performances on each ship in the line's Meraviglia class.
The Cirque du Soleil at Sea shows come stateside for the first time when MSC Meraviglia arrives to North America for the first time and sails two cruises (October 8 and October 18) from New York on itineraries to Canada and New England just as the fall leaves are changing.
From there, MSC Meraviglia sets off for a voyage to the Caribbean and Miami, where the ship will homeport for its Caribbean sailings.
Longest Ziplines at Sea
On MSC Seaside, you can soar high above the ship and race nearly 345 feet across the lido deck while reaching speeds of nearly 35 mph. Two ziplines (fee) cross the ship and offer incredible birds-eye views of the surrounding sea.
You also might like: My Cruise on MSC Divina Ended Up Being a Non-Stop Party
Chocolate Bar Creations
Onboard MSC Meraviglia and MSC Bellissima, passengers can visit the decadent Jean-Philippe Maury Chocolat and Cafe to sample the acclaimed pastry chef's decadent creations.
Want an even sweeter experience? Cruisers can actually design their own chocolate bars to take home. Visit the iPad stations in the cafe and select the type of chocolate, mix-ins (like almonds) and top the chocolate bar with everything from marshmallows to sea salt and caramel. You can personalize the bar with your name -- and even stamp an image of the ship right on the bar.
Once you finish your design, chocolatiers at the shop create the bar, which you can pick up when it's ready.
Race Car Simulators
MSC Cruises features Formula 1 virtual-reality race car simulators (fee), which are found on MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia, MSC Seaside, MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida, MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa.
On these ships, passengers climb into a nearly full-size Formula 1 race car with surrounding screens displaying the race course. You can immerse yourself into the racing experience as you put your driving skills to the test and burn (virtual) rubber. The car vibrates and moves as you zoom around the track.
Ropes Course
Onboard MSC Meraviglia, the winter-themed Polar Aqua Park includes an exciting ropes course perched high above the aqua park below. The thrilling climb takes you through the park's Himalayan Bridge, nearly 200 feet above the sea.
Interactive Cinema
MSC Cruises offers interactive cinemas on a number of ships, and these facilities offer immersive shows complete with moving seats, wind, mist and more. On MSC Seaside, you can experience the XD cinema with even more interactive elements to make you feel like you're a part of the film's fantasy world.
A Wine Bath
Vinotherapy has become a hot spa trend. MSC Cruises has a partnership with Andrea Bocelli Wines and spa products company LAJATICA to curate vinotherapy treatments in the MSC Aurea Spa onboard MSC Seaside and MSC Meraviglia.
Strengthened by the anti-aging and firming properties found in grapes, these luxurious facial and body treatments are made with natural extracts from the Bocelli family vineyards and blended with Tuscan plants and essential oils. Known as "nature's antioxidants," grapes contain powerful compounds called polyphenols, which fight free radicals and stimulate the renewal of cells and collagen.
Grapes also contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, B1, C, E and K; in addition to magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus.
Content Creation for Your Cruise
MSC Cruises has partnered with vlogger Luciano Spinelli to create a content master class to teach families how to capture their best vacation photos and videos. Participants learn the best ways to tell the stories of their cruises via social media. The class also teaches you how to capture the best memories so that you can relive and share your experience forever.
Also, check out these Kids Programs coming to the new MSC Grandiosa. These activities will keep the youngsters busy and happy while you head to the spa or slip into your wine bath.
Drone Academy
Taking place in MSC Grandiosa's Sportsplex venue, this high-tech and high-energy drone relay race comes to life at night with the glowing drones. Teens are trained to learn drone piloting skills before competing as teams to race through the 4,200-square-foot arena navigating 15 obstacles in the quickest time.
Spy Mission
Young audiences play a central role in this roaming spy experience, a first for MSC Cruises. Blending the lines between reality and fiction, participants are led through a number of different scenarios, taking place throughout the ship to unravel unique storylines. You follow clues to solve the mystery to win a range of prizes.
MSC Dance Crew
Developed in partnership with Fremantle, the production company behind the globally successful TV talent shows including "Idols," "The X Factor" and the "Got Talent" series, this dance competition puts together teams of 12- to 17-year-old cruisers. The dancers then battle it out to win the title of top dance crew.
Thanks for reading and happy family cruising!


Welcome to the first Pacific Island event being hosted in France in the City of Lourdes on from May 30th to June 1st 2019.
The purpose of this event is to unify the Pacific Island Rugby community in Europe in remembrance of our fallen brothers to suicide. The Pasifika Unite event will be a celebration of our culture and to create awareness around mental health amongst Pacific men.
The City of Lourdes community has kindly opened up their town for Pasifika Unite to be held in conjunction with there annual pilgrimage that's held every year.
The event will be run over 4 days please find below the breakdown of the days. NOTE: A run sheet will have the details of the days with times and venues.
a support network within the community.
Link to PASIFIKA UNITE in Facebook.
Please to all islanders here in Europe who want to participate in this event host by France for the first time, please accept the member's request from our Facebook page. Tongans in Europe. We will post all the details of the event and list of hotels accommodations in Lourdes. I won't be using my fb for posting the event details hh sorry but refer to our new FB for more details.. thank you. It will be there first thing in the morning .. Malo Aupito..