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SDOT will try again to make rail crossing under the Ballard Bridge safer
From SDOT :"We will be replacing unused pavement with gravel to make the it more obvious how to follow the bike lanes and cross the train tracks at a safe angle."
SDOT is set to start work as soon as Monday on another fix to hopefully prevent people from crashing while biking across the train tracks under the Ballard Bridge as they navigate the notorious Burke-Gilman Trail Missing Link.
Crews will tear out sections of the roadway and replace it with gravel in hopes that this will "add more visual and physical cues for bike riders to follow the correct path across the train tracks," according an SDOT blog post.
The biggest issue here is that the train tracks cut across the roadway at an unusual and shallow angle, and the gaps between the road and the rails can easily grab bike wheels if riders do not cross at a 90-degree angle. The city has tried multiple times to use paint and plastic posts to encourage riders to cross at a sharp angle, but people continue to crash and get injured here.
SDOT says this fix is not part of the Missing Link project, which remains held up in court. That design would move the bike path to the south side of NW 45th Street, bypassing this crossing area entirely in favor of an easier crossing location to the west of the Ballard Bridge. But as legal delays keep delaying that work, people are still getting hurt.
Riders in the area will need to detour around the work zone via 14th Ave NW and NW 46th Street. The work is expected to last up to three days. A safer track crossing would be an incredible Christmas present.
SDOT also plans to return to the location in 2023 to make more improvements, including rerouting the bike lanes around the south side of the bridge supports. Here's what that could look like:
More details from SDOT:
Next week, we will be building safety enhancements to the bike lanes on Shilshole Ave NW beneath the Ballard Bridge. These changes will enhance navigation for people who bike across the train tracks. Depending on the weather, we expect work to last up to three days starting as soon as Monday, December 19.
A detour for people driving and riding bikes may be in place for up to three days while construction is occurring. During that time, this section of Shilshole Ave NW will be local access only. All other people driving or biking through the area should follow detour signs one block north to NW 46th St.
This work is separate and independent from the Burke-Gilman Trail Missing Link project which would build a 1.4 mile connection along Salmon Bay from 11th Ave NW to the Ballard Locks. This is an opportunity for a quick adjustment that makes the existing bike lanes more clear for people biking.
Enhancements will make it more intuitive for bike riders to navigate across railroad tracks safely.
This work will be the first phase of a safety project to add more visual and physical cues for bike riders to follow the correct path across the train tracks. This is important because the bike lanes direct riders to cross the train tracks at a right-angle so that bike wheels do not get stuck in the rails.
While the current bike lanes direct bike riders to cross the train tracks at the right angle, we see a good opportunity to make this guidance more clear for bike riders.
As a first step, we will be replacing some of the pavement next to the bicycle lanes with gravel in order to make the correct route even more apparent.
More safety enhancements coming next year
In 2023, we will return to this area to make the route even easier for people on bikes and in cars.
This will include realigning the bicycle lanes to the south of the bridge support columns. This will be a more comfortable and intuitive layout for people riding bikes, guiding them to cross the train tracks at a safe angle.
We will also add new fencing along the train tracks and new overhead lighting under the bridge.
The eastbound general traffic lane of Shilshole Ave NW will shift south for a short distance under the bridge to make room for the bike lane realignment. About 5 on-street parking spaces will be removed to accommodate the new bike lane design.
This entry was posted in news and tagged ballard, ballard bridge, missing link, nw 45th st, sdot. Bookmark the permalink.
9 Responses to SDOT will try again to make rail crossing under the Ballard Bridge safer
Damon says:
Being forced into a slow 90-degree crossing will annoy me every time I go through there. But if it actually prevents a bunch of injuries, great!
Totally worthy project. But it's yet another bike thing prioritizing N Seattle. Give some love to S Seattle, SDOT.
Bradley Hawkins says:
Redi Mix Cement should do the trick
Andy Sapuntzakis says:
deployment of nocturnal (de)construction equipment …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meigs_Field#Demolition_and_closure
Steve Campbell says:
I hope it works but the right angle turn looks too tight for the lane width shown in the drawings to my eye. It could be OK in real life it's hard to get a sense of scale in the drawings without a bike shown for reference.
Sorta seems like if they don't improve the visibility and … obviousness of which way to turn … they'll just be creating a new way for people to crash, on the gravel. Or for people that aren't going to crash, it's one of those "biking here sucks, that's how you know it's safe," strategies that we see all over our bike network (but rarely on major car routes even though it's by far the best car-safety strategy going). As I approach a year anniversary of taking a nasty crash on one of our newest and best bike routes, maybe I should support this kind of thing — just make every bike path suck so much that even if you crash you'll do it at walking speed. Seems more likely than actually solving the problems.
You'd never get the city to admit this but I suspect half the idea of the interim missing link project was a basically good idea we should do more of: making an interim project that sucks for the people blocking the permanent project so they'll prefer to get the real one over with rather than continuing to block it. Continuing in this vein… close Shilshole to motor-vehicle traffic under the Ballard Bridge to make room for a track crossing that's actually good.
Bob Anderton says:
Washington Bike Law has been negotiating with the City to make the Missing Link Crash Zone safer as part of our ongoing litigation on behalf of some of the many people who have been injured there.
We are still working on finalizing the settlement, so were not part of the city's announcement of the safety improvements. The settlement is expected to include deadlines for completing safety improvements in the Crash Zone and the ability for our office to sue for enforcement if the announced improvements (as well as further improvements) do not occur by those deadlines.
Too many people have crashed on the Missing Link for too long. We also support completing the Burke-Gilman Trail, but we can't keep waiting for its completion. We hope that this important transportation link will become reasonably safe for people riding bicycles soon.
And, the irony of all this is, is this short spur of track that doesn't even connect to anything anymore even needed?
My understanding is that Ballard Terminal Railroad runs only a token train on it, once a year, the bare minimum to keep the railroad technically "active" under the law, just in case they decide to do something with it later. Any real freight transport over there happens by truck.
Ideally, these tracks which causing all of these problems would just be ripped out.
Louisa says:
I rode though your gravel today and I hate it! Black gravel on a black trail. You don't think this is going to cause accidents?? Really a stupid idea, please return the pavement.


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HomeSECTORSAviation Story
RSS affiliate Swadeshi Jagran Manch opposes Centre's disinvestment plan, Air India strategic sale proposal
Joe C Mathew | Tuesday, June 11, 2019 | 14:01 IST
AIATSL was formed with an aim to provide unified ground handling services (Ramp, Passenger and Baggage and Cargo Handling) at most of the airports in India under the brand name 'Air India Airport Services'
Swadeshi Jagaran Manch (SJM), affiliate of BJP's ideological mentor RSS, has strongly opposed the plans of the central government to disinvest public sector airline, Air India.
The two day National Council meeting of SJM that ended on June 9 in Pune has resolved to urge the government to not go ahead with its plan to disinvest the subsidiaries of Air India. Instead, it wants the government to claim back the businesses of Air India subsidiaries given to private parties during the UPA regime and support them to further expand their businesses.
SJM points out that Air India, though making losses for several years, has substantially high intangible assets in the shape of international parking slots earned over the period due to diplomatic relationship with some of the important countries. It has a very big pool of highly qualified engineers as part of its work force too. Earlier attempts to disinvest these assets by strategic sale couldn't succeed due to public pressure including that of SJM, it notes. The group alleges that three wholly-owned subsidiaries of Air India, Air India Air Transport Services Ltd (AIATSL), Air India engineering Services Ltd (AIESL) and Alliance Air Services Ltd (AASL) are once again on disinvestment list.
AIATSL was formed with an aim to provide unified ground handling services (Ramp, Passenger and Baggage and Cargo Handling) at most of the airports in India under the brand name 'Air India Airport Services'. AIATSL is a market leader in India with a market share of 37 per cent, with huge earning and profitability, apart from providing their services to Air India at subsidised prices, SJM points out.
Similarly, the group terms AIESL as the biggest maintenance, repair and operation (MRO) set-up in India that serves as One-Stop-Shop for all engineering requirements of Air India. "AIESL has highly sophisticated equipment with technical staff which has hands-on experience. AIESL services all of the Air India aircrafts. Also, it has various international and domestic approvals from various bodies such as DGCA, DAA, EASA and ICAO. It has very large off sets provided by international aircraft manufacturing companies which are not reflected in books of the company," SJM resolution states.
On AASL, the group states that with operations of air services to 49 destinations with a fleet of 14 ATR 72-600 (70 Seater) and 2 ATR 42-320) (48 Seater) aircrafts and flights operated mostly to Tier-2 and Tier-3 Cities, Alliance Air is backbone of Government's flagship programme "UDAAN" scheme.
"The survival of Air India, which is on turnaround path at this stage, depends on these three subsidiary companies. The government has revived its plans to sell these three profit-making Wholly Owned Subsidiaries (WOS) of Air India as strategic disinvestment. This move will not only result in creating further and deeper problems for Air India but also result in strategic engineering services, material handling services at air ports and air services to connect remote parts of the country under UDAAN scheme to jeopardy," the SJM says.
SJM has urged the government to rethink their recent proposals of disinvestment of 92 CPSEs, as suggested by NITI Aayog
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


It's been a long road David, but you made it!
and sustained serious head injuries.
David has been hospitalised and is still rather poorly at this time.
David's wife phoned this evening and David is holding his own. He is still in an induced coma and is being brought out for a very short time. David has had a scan and thankfully there are no internal injuries.
There are injuries to his back but mainly the injuries to his neck are causing concern. The 'top man' visited David and apparently it is a blessing that he has two brain fractures as these allow the brain to swell. Due to his back injury his stomach is very swollen and this is pushing up into his lungs causing him not to be able to breath on his own. When this eventually corrects itself the hospital will put him in a brace.
The Consultant has told Christine that it will be a long job.
I am in possession of David's wife's temporary address which for obvious reasons I will not include in this update. If you would like to send a card or similar item of support, then please email me and I will forward the address on to you.
Christine has asked me to give you an update on David. He is much more aware now. He has tubes in his mouth providing oxygen so still cannot speak - the hospital was going to carry out a tracheotomy yesterday but for reasons only known to them they cancelled the surgery. David is still very uncomfortable, obviously feeling the bruises and bumps.
Christine has asked if you can send a letter or informative card to David about life outside the hospital because she has been advised to read to him as much as possible. She feels he will enjoy that.
Wessex Neuro Centre, Southampton General Hospital, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD.
Please pass this information round to other members who do not have computers and I will update you again when we have more news.
On Friday last week David had a tracheotomy fitted plus later in the day a halo from the waist up to his head which is held by four bolts. During the weekend they fitted a speaking valve and he has had to learn to speak and his speech has slowly improved.
Monday was Christine's birthday and David managed to tell her and the ward at the top of his (funny) voice that he loved her. You can only imagine Christine's delight - last week seeing David's face for the first time since the 20th June and then he speaking on Monday.
David can only speak for ten minutes in the morning and fifteen minutes in the afternoon for the time being so Christine and he are catching up very slowly!
David can now feel and move his legs and they have confirmed that he has no broken spinal column which is a big relief.
Christine is worried about his hands though as he has no movement in his fingers at the moment despite under controlled conditions he lifted his left hand. He is not out of the woods yet!
I did ask if David had received any correspondence at the hospital and she said "No" so I am hoping that some of us will drop him a line or two for her to read to him. If you need the address again please do not hesitate to contact me.
Not all is going well for Christine at the moment however, her elderly mother badly gashed her leg and has to go into hospital for a skin graft - it all comes at once!!!!!!
moments as you will see when you read her email.
That's it for now. Hope all is well with you.
David had his surgery yesterday - 7 hours - he can move his arms and legs but at the moment has no feeling in his hands. They took away the four broken vertebrae and replaced them with bone and metal.
He naturally has a collar on for six weeks but not one that was as severe as the halo brace. He is eating pureed food, can speak and already giving Christine orders!!!!
David lost all his top teeth in the fall and my wife has promised him a kiss when he gets them replaced - if that's not an incentive I don't know what is!!!
The hospital has transferred him to an Orthopaedic Ward and he is getting great care.
Providing all goes well between now and Monday the hospital will be looking to transfer him to a hospital in Salisbury for further treatment.
All our prayers answered - what a relief for Christine, his family and friends.
Spoke with Christine this morning regarding David. He is number one on the list to be sent to the hospital in Salisbury but until two other patients are found suitable properties to go home to he is to stay where he is. She feels everything has come to a grinding halt!
The Salisbury Hospital allow him one weekend away from the premises so he is hoping to attend the Reunion.
David is eating soft foods and has a reasonably good appetite.
David is on Ward F4 in the main General Hospital, Southampton, and visiting is from 3.00pm to 8.00pm.
It's heartening to hear some good news!!!!!
Good news from Chriistine - David goes to Salisbury today, possibly for 6 - 9 months! He has the collar removed next Friday so that will give him a little bit of freedom.
No details as such regarding visiting yet but David has been told that he will have a Timetable for a week at a time; visiting will be allowed in between his classes and Christine has specially asked that you please check with the hospital/ward BEFORE you visit as we must bear in mind that for the first few months David will be very worn out after doing the classes.
Christine sends her thanks for all for the help and support they have been given.
x-ray, scan you could imagine. He will be kept on bedrest for about 10 days to build up his strength. The food is marvellous and cooked fresh and all his needs are catered for. He now has a buzzer he can work to call a nurse for help, TV and radio which he can work - just by tapping a pad - obviously he still does not have much use in his hands.
The whole work ethos has now been explained to us. He will be given a calendar every Friday mapping out all his classes. Patients do not do extended physical work as this has proved detrimental to progress, but only an hour at a time and probably only two sessions a day. Then scattered during the week he will have other lectures, occupational therapy, computer classes etc to attend. Leisure time is very important and they have lots of time in between to rest and have visitors. Once he is in a wheelchair, he will have access to the unit's facilities and leisure areas. It all feels so much more positive now. We have spoken to the doctors and they agree that visitors are a welcome distraction. You may have to wait while he finishes a class, but the surroundings are pleasant!
I know various people have said they would like to visit and David would welcome them. Visiting is between 11 am and 8 pm.
David is doing well. He has got quite a lot of movement back in his arms, legs and hands. The hands are slower than the rest because when you break your neck and have spinal damage there, the hands are the main things to be affected, but the hospital are hopeful with work they will improve. Of course that makes everything difficult for David, having no use of his hands. He worked up to 2 hours in the wheelchair but got a red mark on his bottom. This is quite normal and is not a bedsore. thankfully with the expert care he receives he is free of them. Another problem with spinal damage is sensitive skin. The neurological system works overboard and upsets lots of things. He had to go back into bed, off his back for a week, but is now up and about again. Another problem is excess wax in the ears. He was hoping to have his ears suctioned yesterday but we couldn't get him to his appointment in the other hospital in time, so that will be next week now. Then he will be able to hear properly again. It is so isolating not being able to hear.
Occupying David is no problem. We spend a fair bit of our time dealing with his correspondence, he still maintains his Shares files and other financial affairs. Also we have developed quite a social life with the other patients, relatives and staff and have a lot of fun. In between all this, David manages to fit in quite a lot of physio. After all this, it is nice just to relax, talk and play games, do crosswords, quizzes etc. David is still the same man, thank goodness, he is still funny, witty and very loving and there is nowhere else I would rather be than with him, wherever that is! I am very thankful that I still have him. At first they didn't give much for his chances but he got through that and will get through his recovery in due course. He has improved hugely since he arrived at Salisbury and they are really pleased with his recovery so far.
Today they are hoping to do his physio on a tilting table. This will start to get some real feeling back into his legs etc. It will be the first time he has been really upright since the accident. He will be strapped to the table and do his normal physio at the same time. Next Tuesday they hope to get him in the swimming pool and the hydro pool. He can't wait for that - to feel his feet on the bottom of the pool. They say these two things are the next stage of his recovery and he will be able to work harder with that. Shame he can only get in the pool once a week, due to pressure on staffing.
It was David's birthday on Wednesday. Our friend made him a lovely decorated sponge and also a dozen beautifully decorated cupcakes for the staff andhis sister made him a lovely fruit cake. These went down very well with staff and visitors.
As soon as David is up in the wheelchair for longer he will see the dentist in the main hospital and get a denture. I think everyone knows that he knocked all his upper front teeth out in the accident and the back upper ones fell out in trauma. Eating is a little more difficult (he can't have the steaks he so loves) but he is managing very well with food and is gaining some strength and muscle now. He can't wait for his new teeth!!!
David and I know that it is going to be a very long job at Salisbury and he is quite prepared to stick with it and make the best possible recovery. We are aware that he could be here for 6 - 12 months but David is not disheartened and just determined to get as fit as possible in as shortest time as possible. We are looking forward to his first weekend home.
David would like to thank everyone for their cards, emails,letters and visits. He appreciates the time everyone is giving him.
Just thought I would send you all a 'catch up' on David's progress. Sorry to all those people who have already heard this news because they have emailed or telephoned recently; you are on my distribution list, so I have left your name there.
What some great days David is having. Firstly he doesn't have to wear his collar any more when he is in his wheelchair and so now he looks absolutely normal when he is out of bed and dressed (well apart from no top front teeth which he knocked out in the accident!!!!). He is out of bed for now for four hours and feeling much more comfortable in the chair. We go over to the main hospital for a coffee and it is a bit like a home from home with other patients from the unit and their families so quite good fun. On Sunday David's brother and niece visited and came with us. Ruth cut David's hair while she was there so he looks all fresh and handsome again! Then we went back to the Day Room and David watched football on the huge TV (Tottenham who he loves) with the other chaps. They were all talking the game so that was good for him to have lots of 'men' talk. Then he got back into bed (no marks on the bottom - fantastic) so he will build up more time each day. It was lovely - it was like getting him back as he was before in lots of ways. He went into the hydro pool last week which he loved. Things are really going in the right direction. We know it will be slow but at least it is sure.
David went back in the pool again on Tuesday for an hour and during that time the physios let him put his feet on the bottom. They put weights on his feet and he walked, easily, 12 lengths of the full size pool!!! He had a physio on both sides of him - all they did was held his elbows, no other support. We've known for some time that his legs are strong but did not know if he could co-ordinate the act of walking, but the good news is he can. It was fantastic to see and I must admit I had a few tears to see him on his feet again. He has such a wonderful fighting spirit.
David has now had a go at a special bike and has pedalled the equivalent of 2k with his legs and 1.7k with his arms. Physios are delighted with him. We are not kidding ourselves, we know it doesn't necessarily mean he will walk again, but he has a good chance. He has also managed to hold some things in his hands, although he still does not have enough power in them to do much yet.
I have now found somewhere really lovely to stay. It is only 5 minutes from the hospital and the owner of the house is really nice and so accommodating. I will stay there 3 or 4 nights, home 2 nights and Mum's 1 or 2 (try to figure that one out!). I have been staying in the bungalow owned by the League of Friends. You have to share a room and pack your case up each night so it is not very settled but nevertheless I was grateful. It's odd waking up in the middle of the night and trying to figure out where you are sleeping tonight.
David sends his very best wishes to everyone and does enjoy your emails, letters, cards etc and visits too.
David is doing so well. He looks really good. If he had his top front teeth, he would look completely normal! He has seen the Ear, Nose & Throat doctor. From the scans and x-rays on his head, it appears that he may have damaged his ear drum in the fall. As we know, he fractured his skull quite badly in several places. David does not want any surgical repair done at this stage, so they are going to try him with a hearing aid first. He should get this any time now, so we hope that will improve his hearing. David has lost over three and a half stone since the accident and was looking pretty gaunt. He is now putting on a little weight and his face has filled out again and gradually a bit of muscle is returning. He is now out in the wheelchair from about 11 am until 5 pm and his skin is good when they put him back to bed. They will gradually creep the time up half an hour a day until he is out of bed for 8 hours. He has had a go at moving the chair himself but he does not have a lot of power in his hands so although he can go in a straight line easily, it is not so easy to negotiate corners etc. He is determined to get more use back in his hands and is doing all sorts of therapy to strengthen them and they are definitely improving. His shoulders are a bit stiff too and he is working on them. A couple of weeks ago, he wouldn't have been able to hold his arms out in front for more than a moment or two, but now does quite fiddly therapy with his hands, where he has to have his arms stretched out for extended periods. Although his fingers are still stiff and painful, they are improving.
We had a Goal Planning Meeting last Friday. This is to plan goals for the next month. David wants to (1) Get his hands working better (2) Get on his feet on dry land (3) Be more independent and have the use of an electric wheelchair (4) Feed himself/Clean his own teeth (5) Look at possibility of having a few days home at Christmas and (6) Plan for a discharge date to work towards. More on these goals later.
David continues to go in the hydrotherapy pool and does very well with his physio. He is still walking in the pool and practices standing still upright and balancing too. I must say it is very difficult to stand still and upright as I found this week when I was allowed in the pool with him. It is gorgeously hot – 35 degrees. It was wonderful being next to him upright again. I suppose I had forgotten how tall he is, having been laid down or sitting for so many months. I must admit, we sneaked a little kiss and cuddle together. The physios are really good fun and we got told to behave – no petting in the pool! What spoilsports. They are hoping in the next week or two to transfer this to attempting to stand on dry land. We can't wait to see if he will be able to support his weight. What we want more than anything is (a) to walk a few steps so that he can have access to all areas of our home and (b) to get his hands working well so that he can do as many of the things he did before as possible. I don't care what he says, though, I am drawing the line at him chopping wood!!!
David can now feed himself all his meals when he is in his chair but can't manage when he is in bed as he is at the wrong angle. He can also clean his own teeth at the basin when he is sat out. Work on his hands and legs is obviously ongoing but definitely improving. Today he had his first go in an electric wheelchair. Physios showed him the controls and he was able to manage them without any adaptations. The two physios were both very impressed with him. He went all over the hospital with them doing all sorts of things. Getting into tight places, reversing into his bed space, going through doors and doing 360 degree turns. He did everything and didn't hit anything. They said he was the best they have ever seen for a first attempt. That's my boy!! There could be problems about going home for Christmas. We still have a month. To avoid having a carer come in a couple of times a day, David would have to learn to transfer himself from his chair to the car, chair to bed etc. If he can't, they say it would be difficult getting the appropriate type of help over the Christmas period. So, David may stay in the Centre for Christmas with Mum and I with him. The reports say that that they have a fun time and the Christmas dinner is good. We had planned to make this Christmas different – probably not exactly what we had in mind, but we are willing to embrace change, in fact we are getting good at it!
We were also surprised to get a discharge date of the end of February. We were expecting them to say probably April. Obviously this is not cast in stone. They want David to go home with the best recovery possible (so do we) so they say if at discharge date they think they can improve on anything, then they will extend his stay and we are happy to agree with that.
David is still cheerful and positive and very determined. He often takes me over to the main hospital to the restaurant there where he buys me a coffee. In the next week or so, we will cancel either his lunch or dinner and go over to the restaurant for a meal together. Also in the next couple of weeks, we can get the bus into Salisbury and have a mooch around. These are two things we are really looking forward to.
I personally think things are looking very positive for David and the staff are very pleased with his progress.
I am very happy in the house I have found to stay in. I have a bedroom, my own bathroom and toilet and use of the kitchen and sitting room. The lady who owns the house is lovely but works very long hours in publishing so I hardly ever see her but we always leave each other notes. She is so kind to me and treats me like a treasured guest. The house is huge and gorgeous and best of all, less than five minutes from the hospital. I have only been here two weeks, just 3 or 4 nights a week, but am already feeling far more rested. David and my Mum both feel happier for me too.
David has asked me to thank everyone for their letters, cards, visits, phone calls to me etc and for all the good wishes he is receiving. It is cheering for him to know that he is not forgotten. He sends his very best wishes to everyone. I also send my love and best wishes and thank everyone for their continued support. We will send out another bulletin before Christmas.
We thought you might be interested to hear the latest news on David's progress.
David has his power chair and is completely independent now. He can take himself off to his Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy sessions and doesn't have to wait for the nurses or me. Hydrotherapy hasn't happened for the last three weeks. His physio was on leave and then Christmas meant some things had to be shelved. This starts up again this week and we are both looking forward to getting in the lovely warm pool. I go in too now and help during his physio session and then we are allowed to 'fool about' together for 15 minutes before we have to get out.
Two weeks before Christmas, David's OT Sue took us into town on the local bus. I went too and she showed me how to get him on and off the bus, where to pick up the bus etc. We passed the test with flying colours and now we are free to come and go as we please when David does not have any sessions – mainly weekends. Well, needless to say we couldn't wait and went to Salisbury City Centre the very next day. We managed very well. David has fantasised about having a burger, probably for the last three months. Funnily enough we only ever have them about twice a year, but he has really fancied one, so we headed straight for Burger King where he had a Double Whopper, Fries and a Milkshake and ate the lot!!! Then a couple of days before Christmas, a few of us took taxis into town and went to the Carol Service at Salisbury Cathedral. This was beautiful and another learning curve to take a wheelchair taxi.
On the run up to Christmas, staff arranged for a Jazz Band to come in to entertain us. Another evening we had a quiz and another pizzas were brought in.
We had Christmas in the Spinal Unit and the staff did their very best to ensure we had a good time. Of course it was very different and not home, but my mother joined us for three days which meant that at least we were all together. One way and another we had fun. We have both made a lot of good friends here; friends who will probably stay with us for ever. The unit has a wonderful atmosphere, the staff are really dedicated and happy and the patients cheerful and determined.
Since Christmas, the two physios have been working very hard with David and have had him standing up in a standing frame. He can get up under his own steam with only the tiniest bit of assistance. His legs are really strong. He has not attempted walking (on dry land) yet. They feel it is far too soon and he agrees but the fact he can get up is marvellous. He has also worked this week on 'transferring'. This is something which would be a wonderful advantage and would allow him to move from chair to chair, chair to bed and chair to car seat. This would really cut down on any assistance he would need when he is discharged.
He has also seen a dentist who hopes to start working on his teeth at the end of January.
Everyone who visits says how well David looks and how much he is improving. He is working hard on getting his hands moving. We know they will never work perfectly again but he will give it his best shot.
We are working on the premise that he has another two months before the proposed discharge date of 29th February. A lot can happen in two months, so watch this space!!!
We both hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas and would like to thank everyone for their Christmas cards, emails etc. We love hearing from you.
We both wish you all a very happy, healthy and peaceful 2012.
Just to let you all know that we are still on target for a discharge date of 29th February. David's rehabilitation will be ongoing after discharge with the help of a physio who will come to the house to work with him. Also I have been taught how to do one or two exercises to do with David daily to try to strengthen his arms and improve the movement in his fingers. We do realise now that his arms/hands will never be strong enough to support him and enable him to use crutches or a frame and this is because of the position of his spinal injury - his neck - injuries to neck always affect arms/hands.
David continues to stand in a frame and work on strengthening his legs so he may or may not walk in the future, we have no way of knowing yet. However David is very adept in his power chair and manages to manoeuvre it successfully with his fingers.
David has completed all his preparatory work with the dentist. He knocked out quite a lot of his top teeth, "roots and all" but some were broken off leaving the roots behind. These roots have all been removed and he will have to wait until he gets home to have a top denture made. All went well and he is now back to eating everything quite well, except for his latest craving - a T bone steak! I think he is going to have to wait a little while for that!
I am working with our local Occupational Therapist to prepare for David's return home. As he cannot go upstairs for the foreseeable future, we have decided to convert David's Snooker Room into our bedroom. For the next few months David will have to continue sleeping on a hospital bed with special spinal mattress so this will be delivered in the next week or so. I have bought a single bed to place alongside David's so that we can be together again. As soon as possible, we will build an en suite walk in shower alongside the loo already there. After a few months when David can come back into our new big bed, we can move that down and pick up where we left off in June!
This weekend we are having a "dummy run" for going home. The hospital has a self-contained flat and we are moving to see what help we might need and to highlight any problems we might encounter. We can't wait to get home together, although some things do seem a little scary. However, we are determined to carry on in the same way and treat the whole thing as a challenge and an adventure.
David is still very positive about everything and I would like to think that I am too so we will face what life throws at us together and overcome everything and continue to have a wonderful, loving life together.
Once again, both David and I would like to thank everyone for their support and for telephone calls, visits, letters, emails etc. David's intention is to produce another Newsletter during his first month at home so I expect the next update will be contained in that.


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Site Visit: Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives
Posted on January 13, 2020 January 13, 2020 by TheHistorianDMV
Washington, DC native Marvin Gaye attended Randall Junior High School & Carodozo High School. Photo used with permission, Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives
Written by: Geronimo Collins
The Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives is the official museum and archives dedicated to preserving the history of Public Education in Washington, DC. In a town full of museums, it's also one of the most unknown. I met with the museum's executive director, Kimberly Springle, for a tour and in-depth conversation about the museum's mission.
The museum is located inside the same building that housed the original Charles Sumner School, which was one of the first public elementary schools for African-American children and also possibly an architectural first since there were few school buildings of similar design. The school opened in 1872 and held the first commencement for African American public high school students in 1877, with Frederick Douglass as the keynote speaker. Having recently celebrated 30 years, the museum holds archives and memorabilia dating back to 1804 which includes DC Public School (DCPS) Board of Education's meeting minutes. Visitors will find everything from DCPS class pictures, yearbooks, newspaper clippings, trophies, budget reports, and staff/student registrars roughly between 1850 and World War II years.
DC Public School students participate in a track meet at the DC Armory. Photo used with permission, Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives
Armstrong High School JROTC
One of the most impressive facts I learned about the museum is how much of an anomaly it is, possibly being the most comprehensive U.S. collection of one school district's history. However, it was also surprising to learn how few people knew of the museum, especially former DCPS students. Kimberly and I discussed ways to get the current DCPS system involved with the museum and how to spread the word to former students and their kin.
Emma Merritt is recognized as having established the first kindergarten for African American children. Photo used with permission, Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives
Something the Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives has that many primary and secondary schools don't are art galleries. Currently on view is Rhonisha D. Franklin's Profile Noire photography exhibit. The award-winning photographer spent a year capturing images of 100 African American women to highlight their beauty, power, and regality. At first glance, the use of soft lighting and black background will make you think these images are paintings, which adds further depth to Rhonisha's take on portraiture. If you'll be in DC between now and January 18, 2020, I highly recommend adding the Charles Sumner School Museum & Archives and the Profile Noire exhibit to your "must-see" list.
Posted in UncategorizedTagged African-American History, Black Historic Sites, Black History, Museum Exhibits, Museums, Visit Black History
Reflections – Conversation: ATL Streetwear
Immerse Yourself in Jackson, Mississippi


Let me first start by saying I am in no way a fitness or diet guru. I am just an ordinary girl from New Jersey with nothing to lose (but weight), and apparently a gluten intolerance. I embarked on this journey exactly one month ago. Honestly, I didn't think I'd last this long, but ironically, I can't see myself living any other way. It was an adjustment at first and extremely overwhelming, but I had the determination to make it work. I made the decision to change my lifestyle to Paleo to see how many things it could fix, and now, thirty days after starting, I am 17lbs. lighter, and I feel so much better than I have in years! At 30, I'm feeling better than I did when I was 25. Still have a way to go; happy with my progress so far.
My decision to start this blog is simply to write about my observations and findings, as well as connect with other people living the Paleo lifestyle. Many blogs have guided me along and given me some really incredible recipes. All my fellow Paleo people, go check out the recipe for Paleo Thin Mint cookies…to die for!! http://www.elanaspantry.com/paleo-thin-mints/ So good you won't even know it's Paleo.
One thing I have noticed is that it's not easy to go out to eat anymore, but that's okay because you end up saving a bunch of money which is a good thing! You don't have to completely deprive yourself of a nice date night or a night out with your friends, but beware if you are trying to stay STRICT Paleo. Do your research before you leave the house! I would say your best options are a steakhouse, or a sushi restaurant. I went to Mt. Fuji this weekend and decided to get Hibachi, well needless to say, it was not the best option. I couldn't eat the rice or the noodles, and I really shouldn't have had anything else because the chef doused it with soy sauce, but when in Rome… I highly doubt the butter was grass-fed, and the eggs were from cage free chickens, but who knows, they may have been. 🙂 A situation like this really won't set you back though, so don't fret.
I did get a book to help start my endeavor, and would recommend getting a book to anyone who plans on going this route. It was a huge help, and set good guidelines. At this point, I know the basics of what's a go, and what's a no. My advice is to start small, and not change everything all at once. Take it one step at a time. Sometimes it can be overwhelming and you'll be more inclined to give up. I gave up soda back in January, and was regularly going to the gym so that was a big help to starting this Paleo adventure. Speaking of the gym, with Paleo I noticed that working out is about 20% of the equation. So for anyone who dreads going to the gym a few days a week, Paleo is a good choice. When you start eating the right foods, your body does the work itself.
The sense of satisfaction you have after cooking a meal and having everyone like it is pretty wonderful. I had no idea I could be such a good cook. I was THE Microwave Queen. I could microwave things like nobody else! Now I just use it to steam my veggies, or heat up leftovers. It's a nice change. My mood has also improved vastly and my anxiety has been kept to a minimum.
I will update this blog during my journey. Feel free to drop a line, leave advice, or leave a recipe.


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Beaumont says 2020 international rugby season 'could be over'
The game's global governing body on Thursday announced details of a $100 million relief package aimed at supporting the global game.
GALLERY: SA supports the Bokke in Japan
South Africans came out in numbers to support the Springbok match against Japan at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. All images supplied by Cecile Basson.
How will the Boks handle spirited neighbours Namibia?
South Africa and Namibia clash in an 'African Derby' at the Rugby World Cup, with both sides looking to bounce back from opening game losses.
Legend of William Web Ellis & the World Cup: The history of rugby
A brief history of rugby union ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup to be held in Japan from 20 September to 2 November.
Jean de Villiers: The Players Fund brings people together through rugby
Former Springbok captain and newly appointed chairperson of the Players Fund Jean De Villiers chats about life after rugby, and explains how the fund is helping injured rugby players adjust to their new lifestyle.
Japan 2019 fine-tuning plans 50 days out from Rugby World Cup
Three World Cup venues - Kamaishi, Osaka and Kumagaya - are hosting Japan warm-up matches, which should give organisers a chance to fine-tune their final preparations.
FNB UWC rugby head coach in search for new talent
The former Springbok, Chester Williams, has launched a recruitment initiative to get the best players in the country to join his squad.
'A tragic loss': Teen dies during rugby match in WC
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon after the boy apparently suffered a neck injury.
Canes overcome valiant Bulls to reach the final 4
The Hurricanes have reached the semi-finals for a fifth consecutive season after beating the Bulls in Wellington.
Stormers make 4 changes ahead of Sharks clash
Scarra Ntubeni features in the only change among the forward replacements.
ON THE COUCH: SA's first female rugby referee Aimee Barrett-Theron
Top female referee Aimee Barrett-Theron broke new ground when she became the first woman to ref a Currie Cup game in 2018. Since then she has gone on to ref international games. With a record of firsts under her belt, Barrett-Theron makes it a point to mentor the new generation of female referees.
EWN On The Couch: Springbok Aphiwe Dyantyi gives American football a try
Cato Louw chats to Springbok winger Aphiwe Dyantyi after he joined a skills exchange programme with the Michigan State University college football team in Cape Town.
French rugby federation ordered to pay €1m to sacked coach Noves
Guy Noves, who had sought 2.9 million in damages, became the first France coach ever to be sacked, in December 2017, after a meagre seven wins from 22 matches.
[WATCH] What to expect from the FNB Varsity Cup round 2
EWN Sport takes a look at what you can expect in this week's Varsity Cup action.
Booi: 'This award shows that my hard work pays'
Rugby player Nolusindiso Booi has been named Women's Achiever of the Year for 2018.
England loss a reality check for slow starting Irish - Schmidt
The 32-20 loss was the third time in four years that Ireland have failed to win their opening Six Nations game.
Wales clinch first November clean sweep with victory over Boks
Wales completed a first clean sweep of their November test programme as they battled to a 20-11 victory over South Africa.
Australia crush Italy 26-7 in autumn Test
Koroibete got two within minutes after half an hour, with Taniela Tupou and Will Genia adding two more after the break to get the Wallabies back on the winning track after last weekend's defeat to Wales in Cardiff.
England show character to eke out win over South Africa
England were transformed in the second half, with their backs finally getting the ball in hand and Farrell and Elliot Daly providing the points with the boot.
Springboks need to keep up new standard - captain
The South Africa captain said on Friday that upsetting New Zealand away a fortnight ago in a shock 36-34 victory had seen the Springboks set a new standard that they must keep up when they host Australia at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Boks change 2 in Mtawarira's 100th Test
The match is of significant importance as it will be Tendai Mtawarira's 100th Test match in a Springbok jersey, and it will also coincide with captain Siya Kolisi's 27th Birthday.
Publishing matric results isn't contravention of POPI Act: Information Regulator


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Moving from 'just war' to 'just peace' strategy
For the first 300 years of Christianity, followers of the nonviolent Jesus -- imitating his example -- practiced total nonviolence.
But after Christianity was legalized and later made the official religion of the Roman Empire, Christians began fighting for the empire. And sadly, Christians have been fighting for empires ever since.
The "just war" theory was developed to offer criteria -- like protecting civilians from attack -- that had to be met before war could be theoretically morally justified and continued. Most unfortunately, this led to the Catholic Church's abandonment of total Christ-like nonviolence.
Conference in Rome
With the purpose of deepening the Catholic Church's understanding and commitment to Gospel nonviolence and to urging that the "just war" theory be replaced with a "just peace" strategy, a monumental first-of-its-kind conference was recently held on April 11 to 13 in Rome.
The Nonviolence and Just Peace Conference, co-sponsored by the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Pax Christi International, gathered together an international group of approximately 80 bishops, theologians, priests, Sisters, and lay people -- all experienced nonviolent social justice and peace leaders -- to begin to formulate for the Catholic Church a creative, Gospel-based, active nonviolent strategy to counter violence, armed conflict, and war.
Role of Catholic leaders
One of the participants, Eli McCarthy, who represented the Conference of Major Superiors of Men, shared with me his amazement regarding stories about Catholic leaders negotiating with very violent armed actors.
He spoke of an archbishop negotiating with the violent Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda, and a Jesuit negotiating with paramilitaries in Columbia.
McCarthy said conference participants were informed about a bishop in warring South Sudan who created a peace village that has the trust of all armed actors. He said he heard that peace education is taught in all the schools in the Philippines, and that there is a University of Nonviolence in Lebanon.
McCarthy said, "One thing surprised me, and it is instructive. Those [attendees] living in violent conflict zones . . . were all in support, as far as I could tell, of the Catholic Church focusing on nonviolence and just peace, and no longer using the 'just war' theory."
Guiding document
The Nonviolence and Just Peace Conference produced a guiding document titled An Appeal to the Catholic Church to Re-Commit to the Centrality of Gospel Nonviolence. I hope many Catholics will prayerfully read it (http://bit.ly/1qwrNJI.)
This document calls on Catholics to integrate Gospel nonviolence into the life -- including sacramental life -- of the Catholic Church through dioceses, parishes, schools, and seminaries.
The questions of active nonviolence, the "just war" theory, and war itself are very personal for me. Over 33 years ago, I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army as a conscientious objector. While firing an M-16 at pop-up targets, I realized as a follower of the nonviolent Jesus I could not aim a weapon at another human being, pull the trigger, and kill him or her.
While writing this column on peacemaking, the Holy Spirit dropped this Loyola Press 3 Minute Retreat into my inbox. It is mystically titled "On a Peace Mission."
I am glad to share it here with you. Go to this link (http://bit.ly/23K51jB) and turn on the sound.
"On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked . . . Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them . . . 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.'"
Let us go forth to make peace.
Tony Magliano is an internationally syndicated social justice and peace columnist. He is available to speak at diocesan or parish gatherings about Catholic social teaching. He may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


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Jessica Lambrecht // FOUNDER & CEO
Drawn to startups and upstart small companies, Jessica has operational experience across a variety of industries – from finance to retail to entertainment – finally landing in nonprofits where she realized her impact could be greater than increased profit margins and new revenue streams. With a passion for finding better ways to do bigger things, she is focused on creating more diverse and inclusive workplaces from the ground up.
She holds a BS in Management & Entrepreneurship and MA in International Business from the University of Florida and NEOMA Business School (ESC Rouen) in France, and an Advanced Diploma in Workplace Diversity from NYU.
Jes Osrow // CO-FOUNDER, LEAD PEOPLE & CULTURE ADVISOR
I get sh*t done and have the energy of four people. My goal is talk transparently about and create fundamental change in People Operations. I'm a no BS kind of person focused on hands on engagement, real world experiences, and communicating about both successes and struggles in personal and professional realms. Key areas of expertise are:
Organizational Development, employee engagement, and people strategy
Workplace Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and how to use data to show tangible change
Invisible Disabilities, career, and employment
Women in tech, startups, and entrepreneurship // (Combating) Imposter Syndrome
E-Workbook education (like this series of e-workbooks to augment personal branding)
As Co-Founder of The Rise Journey, I work with growth stage companies to design and implement strategies to build the best team and develop a sustainable organizational culture. As the Director of People and Culture at TodayTix, I put theoretical People Ops ideas into best practices.
Twitter // www.josrow.com // LinkedIn
Jhamile Scott, SHRM-CP // FOUNDING ADVISOR
With a heart for service, Jhamile has always found herself in a role that allows her improve the lives of workers. Her current role is HR Generalist with SEDC where she is primarily responsible for talent acquisition, onboarding, employee relations, and management training. She spent a few years as a Sales Manager in the retail industry before landing in Human Resources, where she truly began to rise. Jhamile considers herself an advocate for the people, and has a passion for Organizational Development. People are the organization's greatest asset, and she is committed to helping your business create an environment where team members are motivated and passionate about their work.
She holds a BA in Psychology from Augusta University, and recently obtained her SHRM-CP. Her mantra, "The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work."
Elyse Eisenberg // HEAD OF SALES
A graduate of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Elyse began her career in Los Angeles in the Music Industry at the leading record label, Interscope Records. Working for the Head of Strategic Investments and New Ventures, she loved the opportunity to research and learn about new startups and technologies that would shape the future of the world we live in.
After working for a variety of companies in Los Angeles, she and her husband made the move to San Francisco to explore and dabble in new industries. Her expansive experience in Account Management, Business Development and Sales led her to work for a beauty data and technology startup. She currently resides in the city of San Francisco with her husband and son.
Justin Ifill // BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT LEAD
Justin Ifill is the founder and President of Ifill Events, LLC, an event planning company that provides services to private individuals, corporations and non-profit organizations. He consults regularly with colleagues in the industry to create successful and innovative events.
Starting in 2017, Justin also started teaching yoga to help others help themselves, stay balanced, love their breath, and to promote both physical & mental well-being. His classes take you on an uplifting, innovative, and soulful journey—a practice steeped in the timeless traditions of yoga, infused with music and spiced with divine inspiration.
Born and raised in Queens, New York, Justin continues to live there remaining true to his New York City roots. Justin graduated from the Groton School in 2002 and from Columbia University in 2006.
Naomi Lee // COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INTERN
Naomi was raised in Queens, New York. She currently attends FIT, pursuing an AAS/BS in Advertising, and previously attended The New School. In her free time, she loves taking photos, painting, and dragonboating.
Dagny // CHIEF BARKER


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My solemn prayer for 2016 is for the emergence of a band that can craft a Ugandan sound for export. That is a big ask of a nation that boasts being the most diverse globally in terms of ethnic representation. The UN did name Uganda thus owing to our 65+ ethnic groupings, each with its own signature cuisine and songs amongst other attributes.
But my New Year prayer request may turn out to be a tall order, what with most of the notable Kampala live music opting to settle for being extensions of the US music industry. The bulk of their repertoire comprises passable renditions of the American Top 40 playlist, a dictate of the venues at which the bands play. Apparently, the mostly weary corporates who are the principal audiences these city and suburbia hangouts need the alien songs as a salve to unwind from the office grind.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on January 6, 2016 by kampala1ne.
Rather than dwell on the semantics of which among the Qwela Junction III line-up is a true diva or just a chanteuse, Qwanza Music's Joe Kahirimbanyi prefers to dwell on the added value his event brings to the Kampala city cultural landscape. "Qwela Junction" is a quarterly showcase of collaborative concerts featuring handpicked artistes of a particular discipline. They all come together in a one-night only high quality live music showcase. The third edition brings together some of the finest voices and instrumentalists for a Sunday November 29th, 2015 concert at the plush Kampala Serena. They are the legendary Rachel Magoola, the soulful multi-instrumentalist MoRoots, the sultry Naava Grey, reality show star Sandra Suubi, stage gladiator Jemimah Sanyu, the steadfastly rising Solome and acoustic fret board Rita Sabiiti.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on November 24, 2015 by kampala1ne.
If you fancy teasing your artsy palate with fine stage drama, then the 2015 Kampala International Theatre Festival is your sort of indulgence. The second edition has lined up works from Iraq (ISIS hasn't decimated the arts there just yet), Belgium (the arts aren't o lockdown here either) and Kosovo (the arts definitely survived the '90s Balkan mayhem. Closer to home is new Ugandan work and fine stage offerings from the very prolific Kenyan dramatic arts scene.
Kampala Fashion Week (KFW) returns for its second edition looking more like a couture charade than a fashion exhibition showpiece. The most visible of its diminishing marginal returns is the shift from the grand Kololo Airstrip, venue for last year's inaugural event to the more miniscule Acacia Mall rooftop this year. The monthly showcases in the run-up to its Thursday November 12th showcase also exposed KFW founder, designer Gloria Wavamunno as one not running a tight ship after she arrived fashionably late for the October activation and blaming city traffic for her delay.
This entry was posted in Uncategorized on November 12, 2015 by kampala1ne.


105matures.com proudly presents Big mama getting ready to rock and roll... gallery. Big mama getting ready to rock and roll. Chers :) P.S.: and yes, we do have a lot more girls on our main page so make sure you add this site to your favorites to come back for more fresh girls we add every single day.


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Robinson Hall for the Performing Arts
Rowe Recital Hall
Storrs Gallery
Projective Eye Gallery
The Rowe Arts Building houses three primary exhibition spaces: the Rowe ( Main & Upper ) Galleries and the Side Gallery. Each year exhibitions feature the work of regional, national, and international visiting artists, as well as work by students and faculty from the Department of Art & Art History. To receive emails about upcoming exhibitions, please click here.
The galleries are open Monday-Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. FREE PARKING is available for gallery openings.
Next Exhibition
Black river (by Charles Edward Williams)
August 12-September 20
Reception: September 12, 5-7:30 pm
Black River presents deeply personal works by artist Charles Edward Williams, including paintings, photographs, ready-mades, and videos, that chronicle familial strains, spiritual rebirth, and personal struggle.
At the age of 15, Williams witnessed his father's spiritual transformation. This conversion, which ultimately landed his father behind the pulpit, also caused Williams to reevaluate his past relationship with his father and its impact on his own spiritual journey. With Black River, Williams seeks to reveal his own history through metaphorical narratives and modern parables that collectively reference a profound act of forgiveness shared between father and son.
Image: The Unforgiving Son (Monday), oil and graphite on bible page
Rowe Galleries are open Monday-Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Adam Justice, Director of Galleries
ajusti10@uncc.edu


I've posted on the topic of teething in the past (I know i've mentioned it countless times with Noah), but I think after Noah made it through the other side of teething, I kind of forgot to expect it with Jonah!
Poor little pudding is doing really well but it's not an easy transition for any baby and it can make life hard for them.
As far as I can tell, Jonah has six teeth in total with plenty more on the way. His pattern seems to be that when he has a really 'off' day, i.e really teary and particularly clingy, a tooth will appear the following morning. It seems that the worst bit is right before the tooth cuts, which makes sense when you see how sharp they are when they do come through- poor little ones!
Jonah is definitely one strong cookie but he also thinks I'm the best teether money can't buy! He's got into a habit of latching onto me, be it my shoulder, arm, neck or face (he's not fussy where)and having a good old bite… Finding distractions and alternative teething toys has become a bit of a mission of late.
Speaking of distraction, I find channeling Jonah's attention elsewhere to be one of the most effective ways to get through a bad spout. It normally works really well to avoid a meltdown or more tears. Babies love stimulation and being able to concentrate on something that fascinates him really help my boy overcome the irritation of sore gums.
There's no text book with teething. Some babies really suffer and others don't seem phased at all. As with all these things, working out what your baby needs will become a great comfort to both of you.
For any mamas who have teething babies, what would be your best advice?!


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Orlando Mini Maker Faire
Driven by curiosity and the desire to educate, Orlando's makers show off their skills May 26
By Ashley Belanger @ashleyedits
Joseph Grey
Most of us are complacent. We accept things the way they come, without question, and we prefer our gadgets to remain intact and under warranty. With each new toy that finds its way into our homes or, dearer still, our pockets, the focus is on what it does or, more importantly, what it can do for you. But for others, innovation is not to be collected or consumed – it's to be explored. These are the types whose first instinct after using new technology is to take it apart, driven by a compulsion and motivated by sincere curiosity to find out: How. Does. It. Work. These are the makers. And they're assembling their latest toys and technologies to showcase at Orlando's first-ever Mini Maker Faire.
On Saturday, May 26, walking around the Central Florida Fairgrounds will be somewhat akin to wandering onto the pages of Wired magazine. Close to 100 exhibitors, the vast majority from Orlando, will display gadgets and creations that form the pulse of a certain sector of geek culture, ranging from robotics to kinetic sculptures, constructed from the kind of odds and ends you'd find at SkyCraft Parts & Surplus.
The original Maker Faire was put together in San Mateo, Calif., by the people behind Make magazine, who advertised it as "The Greatest Show (and Tell) on Earth." That element of "telling" will not be lost at the Orlando Mini Maker Faire, as one of the community event's organizers, Ian Cole, explains:
"It's a hands-on operation," Cole says about the way the show will be presented on Saturday. "We've actually turned away people who only want to show and who don't want to explain their craft. Actually what makes Maker Faire what it is, is when I took my son to the one out West, he could ask anything of anyone, and nobody treated him like a kid. They're all there to talk about the process, to go through it, which means it's not just that there's art and science and technology and craft, it's kind of about understanding how they bump up against each other."
Cole is one of nine organizers who petitioned Make tirelessly to allow their version of the event to take place in Orlando. Make that 10 organizers, if you count Cole's 12-year-old son Adam, who is as big a part of Orlando's maker community as his tinkering father. All of the organizers met through a local "hackerspace" called FamiLAB in Longwood and include: Dave Casey, Jen Casey, Ian Cole, Tom Long, Amber Whitmer, Aaron Cunningham, Mack Hooper, Matt Armstrong and John Soucy.
So what, exactly, is a hackerspace? It's a community lab where makers meet to collaborate, build and socialize, working toward the common goal of creating and learning. They can be found in many major cities, and not surprisingly, many of the members who discovered FamiLAB did so by actively searching online for a hackerspace in the Orlando area. What they found does not disappoint: a 4,000-square-foot open workshop, filled (but not cluttered) with tools, computers, lasers, electronics, cable and, of course, electrical tape. Lots of electrical tape.
"I try to stress at FamiLAB that it's OK to go and learn by yourself, but you also have the opportunity to draw from the skill sets of different people and put them together to make something better," says Mack Hooper, one of FamiLAB's founding members.
In one corner of the lab, you'll find 16-year-old Liam Starkweather laying out his plans for a strandbeest (a self-propelling "animal" that walks along the beach) built from PVC pipes. At the other end, college student and artist John Bent Cope explains the code he's written for his own booth at the weekend's show, where he'll display his original drawbot, a robotic graffiti artist. Along the back wall are multiple 3-D printers where, at the moment, strings of plastic are being transformed into cat toys. In between are workstations, transportable cabinets and lockers. Each member of FamiLAB gets a free membership card that grants that person 24-hour access to the facility, which Cole describes as kind of like a gym membership, only with tools.
Perhaps the grandest thing to come out of FamiLAB so far, though, is the Orlando Mini Maker Faire itself, which is being touted as a family-friendly celebration of DIY science, technology, rockets, robotics, crafts and music. All day, showgoers will be treated to air-conditioned exhibitions, educational talks, hands-on workshops, live music and even a power racing car event, pitting maker against maker on the track. And in the spirit of the fair, questions are more than just welcomed, they are encouraged.
"Just an example: I went up to the Hoverfly office, and they got out all their toys and we played," Cole says about one maker who will be displaying on Saturday. "Those are the types of booths that excite me, because those people are going to come out from behind the desk and have a really amazing experience showing what they know."
Most of the original makers added to the fair were obvious choices that the FamiLAB crew had encountered over time through shared interests and networking. But Cole also came across an alternative method of discovering new talents, by tailoring his searches on the popular DIY community Etsy. By looking for vendors in his area under the category "Geekery," Cole uncovered the buried whimsies of some of Orlando's crafty elite, many of whom you'll see showing and selling at the event. Some you may even recognize from other community events, like circuit-bent instrument builder Max Schwartz (aka Dr. Moonstien), whose work has been featured at Urban ReThink, Grandma Party Bazaar and countless shows around town.
The term "maker" at this point may seem too general for those who are still struggling to understand what to expect this Saturday. Any creative could be viewed as a maker, but the distinction that Cole and all the makers want to communicate is that a maker doesn't simply invent or create. A good maker takes the time to educate himself or herself on every aspect of the creative process, often including complicated mathematics, physics, science or other studies, resulting in two outcomes: innovation and education. For most makers, the education is the true addiction.
"I think you'll find that, like most of us, I have to take a thing apart to find out how does it work, the 'why is it,'" Cole says. "Even today, I tend to learn my way through hobbies – and then, of course, it's time to move on to the next thing."
The Orlando Mini Maker Faire promises a wide range of experiences for those who are brave enough to give in to their fascinations and pry into the how and why of what they're seeing. Makers come in all different ages, with different levels of education and experience, but what's interesting to note is that these all come from Florida, meaning all of this innovation will continue to thrive within the local community and the state. For a complete list of makers, visit orlando minimakerfaire.com/makers. Below, find a small sample of the many makers who will be attending and showcasing this Saturday.
Artists and Scientists
Monster Art Studio
WHO: Jeff Riggan, artist, perhaps best recognized as the muralist for Tijuana Flats
WHERE: Orlando
WHAT: Artist Jeff Riggan will be showing his skills in body paint at the Maker Faire while also displaying and selling needle-felt dolls similar in style and character to the murals familiar to most Floridians from Tijuana Flats restaurants. Riggan is responsible for the wall art in 30 different Tijuana Flats locations.
Johnson Arms
WHO: Brian Johnson, creator of Johnson Arms
WHERE: Tampa
WHAT: Nerf guns are fun, but they aren't always very stylish. Johnson Arms specializes in customized Nerf guns, as in: Imagine your favorite weapon from a movie or video game, and artist Brian Johnson can create the Nerf version for you. View all his customizations at johnsonarms.wordpress.com.
Procyon Systems
WHO: Astronomy-based technology developers
WHERE: Kissimmee
WHAT: Procyon Systems is currently concluding construction on the Kissimmee Park Observatory, where they will offer opportunities for casual astronomers to observe and study the night sky. At the fair, Procyon will be displaying their 18-inch Newtonian reflecting telescope as well as demonstrating their Sky Sentinel Drive system, which allows astronomers to automatically locate any celestial object.
Adventuring Company
WHO: Justin Peterson and Lee Bretschneider, graphic novelists and creators of Very Near Mint
WHERE: Orlando; Tallahassee
WHAT: Adventuring Company is the combined effort of two artists who work together to create prints, T-shirts and, most notably, web comics. ComicBooked.com recognized their Kickstarter-funded graphic novel about two comic shop owners, Very Near Mint, as "Indie Comic of the Year."
TagBot, the Spray Paint Photo Booth
WHO: John Bent Cope, "artist resident" at FamiLAB
WHAT: There are many executions of drawbots (robots that use markers or paint to recreate digital images), but what artist John Bent Cope envisioned was a TagBot, essentially a robotic graffiti artist. He posted a Kickstarter video to fund the project and garnered more than three times the amount he asked for. TagBot will debut at the Orlando Mini Maker Faire, but you can track the progress of Cope's creation at tagbot.tumblr.com.
Power Racing Series
WHO: Individuals and teams racing modified Power Wheels
WHAT: Disassembling the engines of the popular children's toy Power Wheels, individuals and teams reconstruct the vehicles to race against one another on the Power Racing Track at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. Teams are limited to four adults each, and no team may invest more than $500 in modifications. The race itself is more a demonstration of the teams' engineering feats than a competition.
Asher Adams
WHO: Asher Adams, Boy Scout working on his Inventing Merit Badge
WHAT: Motivated to earn the Inventing Merit Badge and possessed of a knack for musical engineering, Boy Scout Asher Adams will display a custom-built xylophone made out of 3-inch PVC pipe. Diligently absorbing the mathematics necessary to get the tones and pitch correct to execute his creation, Adams' project goes beyond trial and error and extends into skilled craftsmanship. You can see a preview video on the Orlando Mini Maker Faire website.
Backyard Workshop
WHO: Jamie Cunningham, software developer and musician
WHERE: Clearwater
WHAT: Jamie Cunningham is a dug-in hobbyist with diverse interests in metalworking, woodworking, electronics and more from his home workshop. He will exhibit a selection of his creations and be on hand to discuss how you can build out your dream backyard workshop.
WHO: Christine Betow Seerveld, creator of metal art and mathematician
WHAT: Blending her passions for nature, structure and geometry, this Orlando newcomer will be displaying "Propolis," a sculpture/lighting installation comprised of lit-up hexagons originally created for Burning Man and inspired by the fire installations Seerveld experienced there.
Lyman Robotics
WHO: Students in the robotics program at Lyman High School
WHERE: Longwood
WHAT: This savvy team of high- schoolers will be displaying and explaining their latest robotic creations, including athletic robots who can bowl and even play basketball. The team has shown previously at Otronicon and regularly enters their designs and builds into competitions to successful results.
Tags: Visual Arts
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text:
Overt and covert object-based attention
Jason S. McCarley, Arthur F. Kramer, Matthew S. Peterson
Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology
To examine the role of perceptual object representations in the control of eye movements and attention, a pair of experiments adapted the object-cuing paradigm of Egly, Driver, and Rafal (1994) to require eye movements. Displays were pairs of adjacent rectangles, each containing two characters. Observers were asked to make a speeded judgment of a target character's orientation, and a cue was provided prior to target/distractor onset to indicate the target's likely location. Gaze-contingent presentation of target and distractors was used to demand overt scanning of displays. Eye movements during task performance evinced two forms of object-based effects. First, saccades following fixation on an invalidly cued item were more likely to be made within the cued rectangle than between rectangles. Second, saccades within the cued rectangle were preceded by shorter dwell times than saccades between rectangles. Extrafoveal processing of stimuli within the cued rectangle, however, was not facilitated, suggesting that covert attention was not allocated more densely within the cued than within the uncued object.
Fingerprint Dive into the research topics of 'Overt and covert object-based attention'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Object-based Attention Arts & Humanities
Saccades Medicine & Life Sciences
Eye Movements Medicine & Life Sciences
Distractor Arts & Humanities
Task Performance and Analysis Medicine & Life Sciences
Object Representation Arts & Humanities
Cues Medicine & Life Sciences
Fixation Arts & Humanities
McCarley, J. S., Kramer, A. F., & Peterson, M. S. (2002). Overt and covert object-based attention. Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, 9(4), 751-758. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196331
Overt and covert object-based attention. / McCarley, Jason S.; Kramer, Arthur F.; Peterson, Matthew S.
In: Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, Vol. 9, No. 4, 12.2002, p. 751-758.
McCarley, JS, Kramer, AF & Peterson, MS 2002, 'Overt and covert object-based attention', Psychonomic Bulletin and Review, vol. 9, no. 4, pp. 751-758. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196331
McCarley JS, Kramer AF, Peterson MS. Overt and covert object-based attention. Psychonomic Bulletin and Review. 2002 Dec;9(4):751-758. https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03196331
McCarley, Jason S. ; Kramer, Arthur F. ; Peterson, Matthew S. / Overt and covert object-based attention. In: Psychonomic Bulletin and Review. 2002 ; Vol. 9, No. 4. pp. 751-758.
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abstract = "To examine the role of perceptual object representations in the control of eye movements and attention, a pair of experiments adapted the object-cuing paradigm of Egly, Driver, and Rafal (1994) to require eye movements. Displays were pairs of adjacent rectangles, each containing two characters. Observers were asked to make a speeded judgment of a target character's orientation, and a cue was provided prior to target/distractor onset to indicate the target's likely location. Gaze-contingent presentation of target and distractors was used to demand overt scanning of displays. Eye movements during task performance evinced two forms of object-based effects. First, saccades following fixation on an invalidly cued item were more likely to be made within the cued rectangle than between rectangles. Second, saccades within the cued rectangle were preceded by shorter dwell times than saccades between rectangles. Extrafoveal processing of stimuli within the cued rectangle, however, was not facilitated, suggesting that covert attention was not allocated more densely within the cued than within the uncued object.",
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T1 - Overt and covert object-based attention
AU - McCarley, Jason S.
AU - Kramer, Arthur F.
AU - Peterson, Matthew S.
N2 - To examine the role of perceptual object representations in the control of eye movements and attention, a pair of experiments adapted the object-cuing paradigm of Egly, Driver, and Rafal (1994) to require eye movements. Displays were pairs of adjacent rectangles, each containing two characters. Observers were asked to make a speeded judgment of a target character's orientation, and a cue was provided prior to target/distractor onset to indicate the target's likely location. Gaze-contingent presentation of target and distractors was used to demand overt scanning of displays. Eye movements during task performance evinced two forms of object-based effects. First, saccades following fixation on an invalidly cued item were more likely to be made within the cued rectangle than between rectangles. Second, saccades within the cued rectangle were preceded by shorter dwell times than saccades between rectangles. Extrafoveal processing of stimuli within the cued rectangle, however, was not facilitated, suggesting that covert attention was not allocated more densely within the cued than within the uncued object.
AB - To examine the role of perceptual object representations in the control of eye movements and attention, a pair of experiments adapted the object-cuing paradigm of Egly, Driver, and Rafal (1994) to require eye movements. Displays were pairs of adjacent rectangles, each containing two characters. Observers were asked to make a speeded judgment of a target character's orientation, and a cue was provided prior to target/distractor onset to indicate the target's likely location. Gaze-contingent presentation of target and distractors was used to demand overt scanning of displays. Eye movements during task performance evinced two forms of object-based effects. First, saccades following fixation on an invalidly cued item were more likely to be made within the cued rectangle than between rectangles. Second, saccades within the cued rectangle were preceded by shorter dwell times than saccades between rectangles. Extrafoveal processing of stimuli within the cued rectangle, however, was not facilitated, suggesting that covert attention was not allocated more densely within the cued than within the uncued object.


Good news for all young Clapton CFC members, fans, friends, relatives… indeed anyone 16 or under who wants to kick a ball.
For the past few weeks we have been running an open training sessions and these are continuing every Wednesday, throughout April, from 6pm on the 3G at Wadham Lodge, Walthamstow.
Training is being provided by CCFC's own first team coach, Yacine Rabia, alongside who has his UEFA B licence and works with the West Ham United Foundation among others.
After the first few sessions, Yacine said: "It was a pleasure watching the participants having fun, playing football and learning new skills.
But don't just take his word for it… Tons legend Jerry Jairette has brought his sons and they loved it.
These are inclusive sessions for anyone aged 16 and under – girls and boys – and it only costs a £1.
The eventual aim is to get a youth set-up in place, but for now we're just taking things slowly and having some fun.
If you or anyone you know may be interested, get in touch and register at development@claptoncfc.co.uk, with the name and age of anyone who wants to join in and we'll be in touch.
Register your interest at development@claptoncfc.co.uk, giving us the name and age of anyone who wants to join in and we'll be in touch.
Hello, my name is Yassin, I'm Spanish and French, i'm 22 ans un search a team pour playing football, I have a very good level, I'm left handed and right handed and my post is offensive midway. Thanks you for your attention.


Unlike other industries, the Engineering and Construction (E&C) sector has been slow to adopt new technologies, and has certainly never undergone a major transformation. As a result, productivity has stagnated over the last 40 years, or in some cases, even declined.
The key is digitalisation. More and more construction projects are incorporating systems of digital sensors, intelligent machines, mobile devices, and new software applications – increasingly integrated with a central platform of Building Information Modelling (BIM).
Technological advances are now revolutionising almost all points in the lifecycle of a built asset, from conceptualisation to demolition. The chart below shows the relevance of digital technologies along the engineering and construction industry's value chain.
Digitalisation is transforming all three major lifecycle phases of construction projects. Consider the following scenario – no longer futuristic, but 'here today', though its building blocks are still distributed patchily over disparate projects.
An interesting example is that of Crossrail – one of the world's largest and most complex infrastructure projects, building a major new underground line across London: the designers and engineers are using a centralised set of linked BIM databases to integrate about 1.7 million CAD files into a single information model.
During the actual construction phase, drones survey and inspect the construction site. 3D printers prefabricate many of the building components. GPS and radio-frequency identification (RFID) are used for tracking the materials, equipment, and workers, in order to then optimise flows and inventory levels. Robots and autonomous vehicles do much of the actual building work. 3D laser scanning or aerial mapping is used for comparing work-in-progress against a virtual model, thereby enabling prompt course corrections and minimising corrective work.
Big data – on traffic movements, electricity consumption, and so on – are collected digitally, and are subjected to advanced analytics, in order to optimise decision-making and generally boost operational efficiency.
However, the obstacles are being overcome. More and more companies are now embracing the opportunities, with productivity starting to rise and promising to soar.
Within ten years, according to our estimates, full-scale digitalisation will lead to huge annual global cost savings. For non-residential construction, those savings will be $0.7 trillion to $1.2 trillion (13% to 21%) in the Design & Engineering and Construction phases; and $0.3 trillion to $0.5 trillion (10% to 17%) in the Operations phase.
Post originally published on weforum.org.
This article was written by Christoph Rothballer, Santiago Castagnino, Philipp Gerbert.
The transformative power of BIM.
Top 4 challenges facing the construction industry.


text:
Q: Rails 3 - how do I avoid database altogether? I'm trying to use rails 3 without any db backend, but it still insists on requiring 'sqlite3' gem when I try to access a page, and throws an error no such file to load -- sqlite3, even though no code in the application requires sqlite, except I left database.yml with its default setting for sqlite3, since removing the content raised other errors. Any idea how I could use rails without any database and avoid said errors? thanks.
(also, I'm familiar with Sinatra - just prefer rails for this project).

A: Rails 3:
In application.rb, remove the require 'rails/all' line and instead add these lines:
require "action_controller/railtie"
require "action_mailer/railtie"
require "active_resource/railtie"
require "rails/test_unit/railtie"
require "sprockets/railtie"

Also see Remove ActiveRecord in Rails 3
and look into the Active Model railscast
Rails 3.2.x:
You'll also need to remove/comment out this line in application.rb
config.active_record.whitelist_attributes = true

And remove/comment these two lines from development.rb
config.active_record.mass_assignment_sanitizer = :strict
config.active_record.auto_explain_threshold_in_seconds = 0.5

Rails 2.x:
In config/environment.rb add (or uncomment) the line
config.frameworks -= [ :active_record, :active_resource, :action_mailer ]

This will cause Rails not to use those frameworks. (Note the nearly-invisible -= !)

A: Also, in Rails 3, remove any references to active_record in
config/environments/development.rb
config/environments/test.rb and
config/environments/production.rb such as
config.active_record.mass_assignment_sanitizer = :strict
config.active_record.auto_explain_threshold_in_seconds = 0.5

as well as removing require "rails/all" and adding the require lines in comment 21 (above).
if you are not using a database (this works with Rails 3.1.1)

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