text:
Posts Tagged 'voter id'
Year in Review: Top Texas Vox Stories of 2009
Posted in Efficiency, Energy, Global Warming, Nuclear, Renewables, solar, tagged 2009, 2010, 81st legislative session, Air Quality, american petroleum institute, API, astroturf, auld lange syne, calendars, chubbing, City Council, clean air act, Clean Energy, climate, climate legislation, Energy, Energy Citizens, Energy Efficiency, freedomworks, governor perry, green fleets, green gee, Netroots, new year, no regrets, north carolina, Obama administration, public citizen texas, solar districts, solar power, Texas, Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP), texas vox, voter id on January 4, 2010 | 1 Comment »
Now that the ball's dropped, toasts made, fireworks popped and black eyed peas consumed, we're feeling reflective today. Faced with that eternally annual question, "Should Auld Aquaintance Be Forgot?", I'm moved to such mental poetry as "Heck no, this year was too much fun!"
We've had a hell of a year here at Texas Vox. In such a short span we've gone from a humble policy blog, primarily read internally and by our own interns, to stake our claim as a top climate and energy blog in the state, with a national and even international reach. And you, dear citizen-readers, are not the only ones to take notice: from responses we've received over the year it is clear that we're also on the radar of agency commissioners, legislators, city council members and even the office of the governor. Not too shabby for 12 month's time, and an exciting place to be as we enter a new decade and crucial political time.
So here's the first segment of our "Year in Review" series: the Top Texas Vox Stories of 2009.
1. Energy Citizens
Remember when, way back in August, your intrepid friends at Texas Vox boogied down to Houston to crash the American Petroleum Institute's astroturf "Energy Citizens" rally? This was the first of several rallies across the nation that API staged to make it look like there was a strong, ground-up movement against a federal climate change bill. But it turned out that the event was more of a company picnic than a grassroots campaign; they blocked our entry and wouldn't even let in the "real" anti-cap and trade grassroots, as organized by folks like Freedomworks — no American flags either! But never fear, your own Citizen Sarah was able to sneak past their burly guards and interview a few of these so-called Energy Citizens — who we found out say the darndest things (like that they don't really know much of anything about the climate and energy bill and are there because or their employers)!
API's antics didn't end in Houston, either — in North Carolina, they even locked out the state representative of the district where the rally was held! After a few more rallies, it quickly became clear that on top of being funded by the American Petroleum Institute and stocked with energy company employees, the majority of them were also organized by oil-industry lobbyists. But by that point, no one was buying API's story anymore. Way to bust 'em, Netroots!
2. The 2009 81st Legislative Session
Activists had high hopes for the 2009 81st Legislative Session. With the new Obama administration, fear of pending federal climate legislation, and a new Speaker of the House to break the Craddickocracy, it seemed almost certain that good bills would pass to move Texas closer to a clean energy future.
Two weeks into the session, Public Citizen Texas' legislative package (which included such lofty goals as significant climate change legislation, a major update of state energy efficiency programs, a non-wind renewable portfolio standard (RPS), and a bill to create incentives for solar power) was in the best shape it had ever been, and the session looked to be one of the most productive in history. At this point, all of the bills Public Citizen's Texas office supported had made it out of committee, been passed by either one chamber or the other, and had made it out of Calendars committee and were scheduled for debate.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of our legislation was calendared behind an incredibly contentious Voter ID bill which would have required Texas voters to present a valid driver's license to vote. In order to block this bill, House Democrats adopted the "chubbing" tactic — talking bills to death — to avoid getting far enough down the bill list to have to vote on the Voter ID bill.
This stalling technique cut five days from the end of the session deadline and killed a tragically long laundry list of bills that were scheduled after Voter ID. As an example, SB 16, an omnibus air quality bill which would have provided funding for TERP, plug-in hybrids, and a diesel emissions reduction plan, was directly after Voter ID on Calendars. Our solar incentives bill was also on the same page, and the non-wind RPS bill was scheduled to be discussed the following day. It was a very disheartening end to an otherwise shining legislative session — kind of like a great interception and full field run that ended in a trip just shy of the 1 yard line.
But there were still some great victories in there. These major wins included:
Funding for the Texas Emissions Reduction Program (TERP) for areas in non-attainment status of the federal Clean Air Act (CHB 1796)
A carbon dioxide registry to address the state's contribution to global warming (CHB 1796)
A "green fee" bill allowing the governing board of public colleges and universities to institute an environmental service fee (once approved by student body election)
A bill to create municipal solar districts that would allow local governments to provide low-cost loans to consumers to install solar on roofs (HB 1937)
A "no regrets" strategy for greenhouse gas reduction in the state. This bill will require the State Comptroller to examine the state's energy use in order to find ways to reduce our emissions and save money at the same time (SB 184)
A green fleets bill to promote low emissions and plug-in hybrid vehicles for fleets of major state agencies (HB 432)
For the full text, all-green-groups wrap-up number, read the press release Texas Legislature Advances Clean Power and Green Jobs, but Loses Steam in Political Wranglings.
Check back with us tomorrow for more fun stories from 2009!
Perry Announces Special Session
Posted in Energy, Renewables, tagged Clean Energy, economic growth, governor perry, green jobs, jim kyle, memphis, Office of Public Insurance Counsel, pew, renewable energy, Rick Perry, Rodney Ellis, solar, special session, State Affordable Housing Corporation, sunset safety net, Tennessee, Texas, Texas Department of Insurance, texas department of transportation, Texas Racing Commission, voter id, wind on June 11, 2009 | 5 Comments »
Earlier this week, Governor Perry announced that he would, in fact, call back legislators for an extended special session. What exactly this session will cover (voter ID? please no!) remains unclear, but the Governor has committed to addressing the "sunset safety net" bill that was left on the table.
The Houston Chronicle reports,
The governor had hoped to avoid a special session to keep intact the Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Department of Insurance, as well as three others that were not renewed, but calling lawmakers back to the Capitol proved to be the only option.
The other agencies are the Texas Racing Commission, which regulates horse and dog tracks; the Office of Public Insurance Counsel, which represents the public in insurance rate cases; and the State Affordable Housing Corporation, which links low-to-moderate-income people with potential home purchase lenders.
The five agencies are set to go out of existence on Sept. 1, 2010, because the legislation reauthorizing them did not pass.
If the specter of having no department at all for transportation, insurance, or affordable housing is scary enough to call a special session, I wonder what other issues the Governor will decide are important enough to address in a special session.
Certainly of note is the specter of Texas losing its leadership role in creating jobs tied to clean energy. According to a new study by Pew Charitable Group on the clean energy economy, Texas ranks 2nd in businesses (4,802) and jobs (55,646) tied to the sector.
This is an exciting piece of information, especially considering that the clean energy industry grew twice as fast as the rest of the economy over the last decade. Furthermore, Pew cited our renewable energy policies as a critical aspect of the state's wind power explosion.
This information makes it even more painful that we weren't able to pass similar legislation to jump-start Texas' solar economy. Especially when as soon as the session ended with solar still on the table, Tennessee Senators started saying they would be happy to take the solar jobs Texas snubbed.
Senator Jim Kyle of Memphis was actually quoted as saying, "Legislators in Texas have yanked the welcome mat for an industry that could pay huge dividends for their economy. To any company that had an eye on Texas, we say come on up to Tennessee."
Salt, meet my wounds. Not only has Texas missed out on a great economic opportunity, but now we're going to be one-upped by Tennessee? Unacceptable.
But with a special session upcoming, Texas may have another chance to revisit that solar legislation — which, by the way, passed with bipartisan support. Everyone was on board for solar, we just ran out of time to get the nuts and bolts right. Tragic.
Senator Rodney Ellis of Houston recently announced that he would like for the special session to take up lost clean energy legislation. In a statement earlier this week, he said
Texas became rich from fossil fuels, but we could easily lose our position as an energy leader because of fossilized thinking. We could create far more wealth and jobs from wind and solar energy, but only we aggressively pursue clean energy opportunities. Unfortunately, we missed a golden opportunity this session one the governor should address if he calls a special session.
Texas Legislature Advances Clean Power and Green Jobs, but Loses Steam in Political Wranglings
Posted in Global Warming, tagged 81st Texas Legislative Session, AECT, andrews county, building codes, carbon sequestration, clean coal, Clean Energy, clean power, compact loophole, Cyrus Reed, distributed energy, Energy Efficiency, environment texas, environmental defense fund, environmental groups, fast tracked water permits, flynn, germaneness, Global Warming, green fee bill, green fleets, green jobs, greenhouse gas emissions, house committee on environmental regulation, Karen Hadden, lon burnam, luke metzger, mtbe, no regrets, Nuclear, plug-in hybrids, Public Citizen, PUC, radioactive waste dump, recycling, renewable energy, representative rafael anchia, SEED Coalition, senator ellis, senator troy fraser, Sierra Club, TAM, TCEQ, tdot, Texas, texas association of manufacturers, Texas Campaign for the Environment, Texas Legislature, Tom "Smitty" Smith, txdot, utility efficiency goal, voter id, water contamination, Weatherization on June 1, 2009 | 4 Comments »
Environmental Groups See Clean Energy Groundwork Laid for the Future
(Austin) Senate and House members from both political parties showed unprecedented support for developing more renewable energy and energy efficiency in Texas by filing a large number of clean power, green jobs bills in the 81st Texas State Legislature. A number of major bills passed either the House or the Senate. Ultimately, political disagreements over other issues and over the size and extent of the programs delayed and killed most of these excellent legislative initiatives.
Environmental groups Sierra Club, SEED, Public Citizen, Environmental Defense Fund, and Environment Texas applaud the passage of some clean energy, green jobs legislation and view the Legislature as having laid ample groundwork for the future.
"The fact that both the House and the Senate passed major legislation on energy efficiency and renewable power with bipartisan agreement shows that Texas leaders are willing and able to develop clean power and green jobs for our state," noted Cyrus Reed, Conservation Director of the Lone Star Chapter of the Sierra Club. "Nevertheless, leaders were distracted by undue influence from industry interests and by the Voter ID debate which hampered passage of clean energy bills and other more vital areas of legislation."
"Texas is moving more slowly than a melting glacier toward developing global warming policy. Rather than implementing already available energy efficiency and distributed energy solutions, Texas' response to global warming is to develop futuristic industrial-sized solutions. As a result the state has legislation pending that may develop standards for large scale carbon sequestration projects and provide incentives to get companies to develop the technologies," said Tom "Smitty" Smith, Director of Public Citizen's Texas office. "On the positive side, the state has passed a study to develop a series of 'no regrets' solutions to global warming that the State can achieve at no cost. Also, the Texas House, especially the House Committee on Environmental Regulation, should be applauded for their more open leadership style this session which lead to far more reasoned and less ideological bills being developed in the committee."
Clean Power, Green Energy Bills that passed both bodies and will go to the Governor (as this release goes to press):
Green fleets legislation to promote low emissions and plug-in hybrid vehicles for fleets of major State Agencies (HB 432);
Legislation allowing cities to create financial districts to loan money for renewable power and energy efficiency (HB 1937).
Legislation setting a 'no regrets' strategy for greenhouse gas reduction in the State; a study of the state's energy use to find ways to reduce our emissions and save money at the same time (SB 184)
A coordinated green jobs strategy including funds allocated for child care programs, vocational training initiatives, energy efficiency measures, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and/or any other recovery funds (passed as a Rider to Article 12).
Green fee bill passed allowing governing board of public colleges and universities to institute an environmental service fee once approved by student body election.
"This has been a disappointing session," said Luke Metzger, Director of Environment Texas. "However, with the passage of HB 1937, we can start the ball rolling on developing Texas' solar future, working with local communities one at a time to start financing solar and energy efficiency projects."
Groundwork Laid for Next Session
The major Clean Power, Green Jobs bills that passed the House or Senate but did not ultimately make it to the Governor's Desk include:
Raising the state's minimum residential and commercial building codes from 2001 to 2009 standards (passed Senate as SB 16 and HB 2783 in House);
Raising the utility efficiency goal (SB 546 passed both houses but no agreement was reached between Senator Fraser and Representative Anchia on the size of the goals)
Adopting appliance efficiency standards for a variety of products, including pool pumps (passed Senate as SB 16)
Creating a 1,500 MW Emerging Technology Renewable Standard (SB 541 – passed the Senate)
Creating a $500 million solar incentive program (SB 545 – passed the Senate).
Creating a Policy requiring utilities and retail electric providers to pay consumers fair buyback rates for excess electricity generation from renewable energy (HB 1243 – passed House and Senate, but was killed in the House through concerns over germaneness and Senate amendments.);
High performance energy efficiency building standards for state buildings, including universities and public schools (HB 431). The Senate may pass the conference committee report today, on Sine Die.
Factors which prevented bills with bipartisan support from making it across the finish line:
The issue of Voter ID, which put many major efficiency and renewable bills too far down the calendar for consideration in the House;
A disagreement over the germaneness and concern over the possible costs to low-income residents of adding the solar incentive bill (SB 545) to the surplus electricity bill (HB 1234), which led Representative Turner to ultimately kill consideration of the bill on the House floor;
The election of a new Speaker and the naming of new Committee Chairman understandable led to some delays in getting the committees up and running to begin to consider bills;
Disagreement between House and Senate on size and scope of goals set by solar and energy efficiency bills (SB 545 & 546);
Disagreement over the potential costs and benefits of the Renewable Portfolio Standard (SB 541);
Opposition from the Texas Manufacturers Association, the Governor and many utilities against the Renewable Portfolio Standard.
"We were happy to find some new allies this session including certain members of the legislature and some electric utilities that said they supported renewable energy and energy efficiency legislation," said Jim Marston, Director of Texas Regional Office of Environmental Defense Fund. "Sadly, some of the electric companies talked a good game, but their support evaporated when opposed by their affiliated retail electric providers or others in the industry. In the end, the Association of Electric Companies of Texas reverted to representing the interests of the regressive elements of their membership harming the ability of Texas to participate successfully in the new energy economy."
"Moreover, the Texas Association of Manufacturers (TAM) while acknowledging that an expanded renewable portfolio standard was the way to bring clean technology jobs to Texas, distributed false cost information about solar legislation that was repudiated by the PUC and others. The bottom line, TAM fought legislation that would have brought new manufacturing jobs to Texas," said Marston.
Nuclear Bills Blocked
Environmental groups blocked bad bills that would have removed citizen rights to contest permits and would have promoted nuclear power in the State which many view as a financial drain from investment in truly clean energy.
"Nuclear power is expensive, consumes vast quantities of water, comes with serious security and health risks and creates radioactive waste, for which there is no good storage solution. We were happy to block two bad bills this session that were designed to benefit proposed nuclear reactors in Texas," said Karen Hadden, Director of the Sustainable Energy and Economic Development Coalition.
The nuclear bills that were blocked:
Fast tracked water permits for nuclear power plants and cut out contested case hearings (HB 2721 was left pending in House Environmental Regulation Committee)
Subsidies for proposed nuclear power plants in the form of tax rebates (HB 4525 passed the House and was blocked in the Senate.)
"Representative Flynn's bill would have fast-tracked water permits for nuclear plants, an outrageous attempt in a time of statewide drought," said Hadden. "It would also have denied citizens an opportunity to contest issuance of the permits through hearings, an assault on democratic process. The other bad bill that we defeated would have given massive subsidies to nuclear power in the form of tax rebates."
A good bill to address the Compact Loophole for the Andrews County Low-Level Radioactive Waste Dump bill, HB 3423 Lon Burnam did not get out of Committee.
Environmental groups blocked a bad provision that would have fast tracked water permits for "clean coal" plants in the final version of HB 469 and added cleaner emissions standards for those plants.
HB 821 passed, requiring television manufacturers that sell televisions in Texas to make free and convenient recycling available. Texas Campaign for the Environment successfully advocated for this bill.
Sen. Ellis used a threatened filibuster last night to kill HB 3827 which would have allowed oil companies to evade liability for MTBE water contamination;
SB 2169 Sets up an interagency working group, co-chaired by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Texas Department of Transportation with other agencies to discuss smart growth and make recommendations for developing the state in a sustainable way.
An amendment to HB 300 creates a certification program for environmental coordinators in Texas Department of Transportation district offices. This bill is still in conference committee as this release goes to press.
"As it concludes, environmentalists can view this legislative session with some hopefulness – the Legislature is definitely involved and interested in clean energy and green jobs and did move these issues forward. But there is also some sadness – an opportunity to move significantly forward on clean energy was lost," Cyrus Reed added. "Jobs that could have been created, and new sources of clean energy that could have been advanced in Texas were delayed this Session."
A Ray of Hope for Solar Power
Posted in Energy, Renewables, tagged bio gas, buy back rates, HB, hb 1243, net metering, non wind rps, rps, sb 545, senator fraser, senator troy fraser, small wind, solar, solar installations, Texas, texas senate, troy fraser, voter id on May 27, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Earlier this morning, I offered the consolation that bills which died due to the Voter ID debacle could be revived as amendments to other bills. This afternoon, I'm keeping an eye on the Senate to see if my solar dreams will come true.
This afternoon, the Senate has HB 1243 on their intent calendar. HB 1243 is a "net metering" bill which would ensure that owners of solar installations, small wind turbines, or biogas generators get paid a fair price for the excess power they produce. As HB 1243 is a solar-related bill, it can be deemed germane, or related, to solar SB 545, which "died" last night (as a reference, I'd also recommend this Houston Chronicle article).
Which means that SB 545 can (maybe, possibly) be amended to HB 1243. Tentative huzzah!
It gets better. HB 1243 is co-authored by Senator Troy Fraser — the same fellow who sponsored SB 545. As both of these bills are Fraser's babies, the chances of SB 545 living on as an amendment are looking pretty good.
Senator Fraser has yet another opportunity with this bill to fix a gaping hole in the 500 MW non-wind renewable portfolio standard (RPS) passed last session. When this bill was passed, the RPS was described as a "goal" rather than a "target" — which due to a rather frustrating determination by the PUC, means that it can be interpreted as a recommendation rather than a requirement. Fraser was heard in committee calling this determination "the most ridiculous thing he'd ever heard." Translation: PUC has decided they don't actually have to do anything to work toward that 500 MW of non-wind renewables.
During these dark, cloudy times at the Texas legislature, Senator Fraser can shine a ray of hope into the Senate chamber. He can create a pool of $500 million in solar rebates over the next 5 years, start a pilot program to put solar on schools, and create as many as thousands of green, local jobs in one fell swoop. He can fix net metering so that individuals get a fair buy-back for the excess electricity they produce and actually have an incentive to shell out the cash for a new solar installation. He can also ensure that Texas ends up with an additional 500 MW of non-wind renewables.
So cross your fingers, cross your toes… cross your arms and legs if you think it will help. If Senator Fraser is your representative, give him a nudge — but otherwise, I'd stick to chanting.
Voter ID Chubfest Put Texas Environmental Bills At Risk
Posted in Global Warming, tagged Air Quality, amendments, austin american stateman, chubbing, driver's license, electric coops, Energy Efficiency, kip averitt, solar energy, solar power, stalling, Texas, texas house, texas senate, voter id, Waco on May 27, 2009 |
If you've been following the Texas Legislature at all over the weekend, you've probably heard the term "chubbing" at least once. Yesterday marked the deadline for all bills that originated in the Senate to pass second reading — which means that any bills that didn't make it through the House by midnight last night are dead for the session. One of the bills on that list was the contentious Voter ID bill, which would have required Texas voters to present a valid driver's license to vote. In order to block this bill, which would have suppressed voter turnout across the state, House democrats adopted the "chubbing" tactic — talking bills to death — to avoid getting far enough down the bill list to have to vote on Voter ID.
Unfortunately, this stalling technique killed a tragically long laundry list of bills that were scheduled after Voter ID. Among these were many of the bills we have been pushing hard this session to improve air quality in Texas, increase our energy efficiency standards, reform electric coops, and encourage solar development.
Missing Tuesday's deadline is an enormous set-back, but not all hope is lost. Bills that died last night can still be revived as amendments, which can be tacked on to House bills that are alive in the Senate. As the Austin American Statesman reports,
Legislators now have two ways of bringing proposals back to life. The first option is for senators to tack dying proposals onto other related bills that did not fall victim to the voter ID fight in the House. For example, Sen. Kip Averitt, R-Waco, said Tuesday that he may be able to salvage some, but not all, of a comprehensive air quality bill that he has worked on for two years.
"I've come to expect tragedy at the end of the session, and tragedy always appears," Averitt said.
The other option is for the House to take a two-thirds vote to bring up bills.
The two-thirds vote is a pretty enormous step, and highly unlikely for most of the bills we've been working one, but the amendment strategy is tried and true. We'll be scrambling this week to salvage what we can — it ain't over til its over, and you can bet we'll be doing everything we can to fight for what matters for Texas.
Thanks to all you citizens for all your hard work, e-mails, and phone calls to representatives this session. In the next few days, we'll be needing your help more than ever. Stay posted, and we'll let you know what you can do to help save solar power, air quality, and energy efficiency.
URGENT ACTION ALERT: Help air quality and solar in Texas!
Posted in Global Warming, tagged 2009 iecc building codes, Air Quality, auto emissions, building codes, clean air, dirty energy, Energy Efficiency, federal stimuls funds, green jobs, lobbyists, plug-in hybrids, sb 541, sb 545, sb16, solar energy, Texas, texas capitol, texas house, voter id on May 25, 2009 |
The House has been moving very slowly in an effort to kill a Voter ID bill, but it appears the logjam has been broken. Now we have to pass our key solar and clean air bills before midnight Tuesday, May 26, which is the deadline for the House to pass any bills from the Senate.
We need YOU to pick up the phone and call your representative to say that you support solar energy and clean air.
Click here to find out who represents you, then call their office at the Capitol. Tell them:
I support SB 545, which would give homeowners incentives to put solar on their rooftops and create new green jobs.
I also support SB 541, which would support more large scale solar projects and repeat the success of our wind industry.
I also support SB 16, which would improve air quality through reducing auto emissions, better building codes, more energy efficiency, and plug-in hybrids. **If Texas does not adopt these 2009 IECC building codes, we could miss out on hundreds of millions in federal stimulus funds for weatherization.
Please support these bills in order to create tens of thousands of new green jobs in Texas and ensure a cleaner, cheaper, cooler energy future.
There are dozens of dirty energy lobbyists working to try to kill these bills as we speak. Will you stand up to them? Will you make your voice heard?
Call your Representative now!
After midnight in the Senate: Voter ID at hour 16 and counting…
Posted in Good Government, Privacy, tagged liveblogging, Texas, texas senate, voter, voter id on March 11, 2009 |
It is 2am. I have been listening to the Senate debate voter ID suppression for the past 16 hours. I hope all of you have been following us on Twitter, as some of those tweets were quite entertaining.
I have heard the arguments. Here are my opinions:
Those opposed to voter ID have successfully proved that this is a solution to a problem that does not exist. Period. Years of investigations by the AG's office costing millions of dollars and not a single indictment.
However, those who are in favor of requiring voters to present picture ID also have a compelling argument that they claim not one person has been kept from voting. But, I hate to ruin a good story with the facts, but that just ain't so. According to the Houston Chronicle today yesterday, over 4200 voters were kept from voting in the 2008 election in Georgia alone, whose law the proposed bill is based on.
As I tweeted earlier, one of the expert witnesses claimed that based on demographics and the experience in Georgia and Indiana, 162,901 Texans would be disenfranchised.
Sounds like a big hurdle for voters to "solve" a problem that doesn't exist.
I have to get up in 4 hours and go to Dallas. I'm beat. I'll keep the Senate testimony on all night and let it permeate my dreams (scary, no?) Maybe by the time I wake up they will have gotten to public testimony and I can swing back by the Capitol and testify before heading to Dallas. Not bloody likely, but I can dream….


Folate and folic acid are forms of a water-soluble B vitamin. Folate occurs naturally in food, and folic acid is the synthetic form of this vitamin. Foods that are naturally high in folate include leafy vegetables (such as spinach, broccoli, and lettuce), asparagus, fruits (such as bananas, melons, and lemons) beans, yeast, mushrooms and meat. Folic acid is used for prevention of birth defects and in the treatment of a various conditions including nerve and muscle pain.


Children spread their creative wings with this imaginative activity that helps them understand perspective and size. Flutter around further with a story from a butterfly's point of view.
Draw several colorful butterflies with Crayola® Washable Markers and Crayola Washable Crayons. Draw several different sizes. Think about markings you have seen on butterflies. What colors and markings are found on butterflies in your area?
Add flowers, insects, grass, and other natural surroundings. Draw these objects as a butterfly would see them in size. Give your butterflies sparkle, or add dew, with Crayola Glitter Glue.
Write a story or poem as if you were a butterfly. How do the flowers smell? How tall do trees seem? Where do you like to go?


At 4:30am, I was on Fox and Friends First to talk about Bernie Sanders.
In my interview, I explained why I'm thankful for Bernie Sanders because he lets us talk about the dangers of socialism. He lets us talk about how socialism is already here, especially in our urban communities and why socialism has done nothing but cause misery to Americans.
It's important that you share my interview with people who are attracted to socialism so they can hear why freedom and socialism cannot coexist and why we have proof of that already here in America.


text:
EEAS homepage > Human Rights & Democracy > FAC: EU's work with partners on migration to be preserved and strengthened Mogherini says
FAC: EU's work with partners on migration to be preserved and strengthened Mogherini says
At today's Foreign Affairs Council, Ministers discussed – amongst other issues – the external aspects of migration. EU cooperation with partners was one of the key topics: joint work by the African Union, the European Union and the United Nations in Libya which has helped more than 37,000 persons to return safely to their countries of origin shows that the partnership approach continues to deliver.
The European Union and its Member States have progressively put in place a comprehensive external migration policy. Saving and protecting the lives of migrants and refugees, breaking the business models of smugglers and traffickers, providing legal pathways as well as addressing the root causes of irregular migration are at the very heart of the EU's policies.
A few examples. Operation Sophia, the EU's naval operation to break the cruel business model of migrants smuggles and human traffickers, has apprehended 151 suspected traffickers and smugglers and 551 vessels from criminal organisations. Under the EU's Emergency Trust Fund for Africa a total of 165 programmes and initiatives, worth EUR 3.157 billion, are in place to provide protection to migrants along the routes, strengthen resilience as well as improve economic and employment programmes. And the EU-IOM Joint Initiative for Migrant Protection and Reintegration has provided more than 50,000 migrants with post-arrival reception and reintegration assistance since the start of the Joint Initiative.
At the afternoon press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council, Federica Mogherini reported on the "excellent exchange" with Filippo Grandi, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and António Vitorino, Director General of the International Organization for Migration, "highlighting the strategic partnership the European Union has with the United Nations in this issue".
"We decided to preserve some of the good results we have already achieved, strengthen our cooperation with the UN and with our partners, namely the African Union and the countries of origin and transit, finance more our EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa for projects along the routes. Here I made an appeal to Member States to contribute more to the Trust Fund and also to focus on new ways in which we can address the shifting of migration routes elsewhere from the Central Mediterranean one", the High Representative added.
Remarks by HRVP Mogherini at the press conference following the Foreign Affairs Council
The EU's Global Engagement to Counter Smuggling and Trafficking Networks
EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa
Refugee protection & Migration
UN New York
Le Sahel, c'est l'affaire de tous !
EU calls for halt to hostilities and all outside interference in Libya
EU Statement – United Nations 3rd Committee: Promotion and Protection of Human Rights, Fundamental Freedoms and Reports of Special Rapporteurs and Representatives21 October 2019, New York- Statement on behalf of the EU and its Member States by H.E. Mr. Silvio Gonzato, Deputy Head of Delegation, Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee Item 70: Promotion and Protection
We all can do more! Good Human Rights Stories coalition getting biggerThe second edition of the Good Human Rights Stories initiative, taking place at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focuses on the progress made on economic, social and cultural rights
Joint Press Release: The European Union and the United States held consultations on human rights On December 9, the European Union and the United States held human rights consultations in Brussels. The European Union and the United States reaffirmed their strong commitment to the democratic principles and human rights as laid down in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. They underlined
EU Statement – United Nations 3rd Committee: Introduction of draft resolution L.26 on human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea14 November 2019, New York – European Union Statement at the 74th Session of the United Nations General Assembly Third Committee introduction for action of draft resolution L.26*: Situation of human rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


We are happy to provide brochures to churches, parishes, dioceses, religious and lay orders, academic, social organizations, as well as any individual who wishes to share our work with their personal networks. Just contact our Marketing Director tantur@tantur.org with the number of brochures that you need. You may also find it easier to use the online format of our Tantur Brochure.


text:
YA fantasy, sci-fi and magical realism recommendations for Hispanic Heritage Month
Book Review, Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction, Staff Picks, Young Adult
September 15 to October 15 is Hispanic Heritage Month. Started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson, it was later expanded to a full month under President Ronald Reagan in 1988. The period also coincides with independence anniversary celebrations in several Latin American countries.
We wanted to take the opportunity to draw attention to seven titles for young adults by Latinx authors that readers will want to dive into all year long. The books we've chosen all feature elements of fantasy, science fiction or magical realism. They are part of a collection of books the Cedar Rapids Public Library has taken to the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center for our Be Heard series, which seeks to elevate voices of incarcerated youth through book discussion and a podcast series. Episodes of Be Heard are available on our YouTube and Facebook pages.
They Both Die At the End, by Adam Silvera
What would you do if you knew you only had one day to live? In a future version of New York City, a service called Death-Cast calls two teenagers, Mateo and Rufus, to tell them just that. The two meet using the Last Friend app and set out to live as much as they can, together, on their End Day.
Gods of Jade and Shadow, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
In this Jazz Age tale inspired by Mexican folklore, Casiopea Tun dreams of a different life than one cleaning her wealthy grandfather's house in a small town in southern Mexico. Then she opens a wooden box in her grandfather's room and sets free the spirit of the Mayan god of death. Soon she's on a quest to help him reclaim his throne from his brother, a cross-country adventure from the jungles of the Yucatan to Mexico City – and into the Mayan underworld itself.
Cemetery Boys, by Aiden Thomas
Yadriel is struggling to get his family to accept he is a trans boy, so he sets out to prove he is a brujo – not a bruja – by summoning a ghost – in this case the angry spirit of his school's bad boy Julian Diaz. Julian isn't ready to go quietly, however, and the longer he stays, the less Yadriel wants him to leave.
Never Look Back, by Lilliam Rivera
This magical realism-laced modern retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice features Eury, who is haunted by Hurricane Maria – and by an evil spirit, Ato, which followed her from Puerto Rico to her new home in the Bronx. Pheus is the charming singer who expects to spending the summer on the beach – until he meets Eury. Can their love overcome the demons of the past?
Shadowshaper, by Daniel José Older
When Brooklyn teen Sierra Santiago discovers her Puerto Rican family are part of a supernatural order called shadowshapers, can she harness her own powers in time to stop the murderous anthropologist targeting her family and friends in an attempt to monopolize their powers?
Labyrinth Lost, by Zoraida Cordova
Alex doesn't want to be a bruja, despite her family's excitement for her to follow in their magical footsteps. So she performs a ritual to get rid of her powers … and it backfires, with her family vanishing. To get them back, she must travel to the strange and dark world of Los Lagos. This is the first book in the Brooklyn Brujas trilogy.
Sia Martinez and the Moonlit Beginning of Everything, by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Three years after ICE raids and her mother's disappearance, Sia Martinez knows her mother must be dead. Still, she drives into the Sonoran desert each month to light candles she hopes will guide her mother home. And then the spacecraft crashes in front of her car – and her mom is on board. Can she save her from the armed, quite-possibly-alien soldiers?
Celebrating the Freedom to Read During Banned Books Week
Branch Supervisor Trevor Hanel likes that the Library 'makes our community shine just a little more.'


Reservations must be made by May 10th, 2019 to guarantee rate.
Availability subject to change at any time.
For reservations, call 1-800-243-5732 or reserve online by clicking here. For phone reservations, you must mention you are part of the Canadian Brownfields Network in order to receive the special rate.


FineArtsBD : Mermaid Wedding Dress Ivory. Mermaid Wedding Dress Sweetheart Neckline. Strapless Wedding Dresses Plus Size. Curly Pony Hairstyles for Ultra Long Hair. 60+ Light Brown Hair Colors. Strapless Wedding Dresses Mermaid. Strapless Wedding Dresses. Cute Hairstyles for American Girl Dolls with Long Hair. 58+ Black Glitter Dresses. Strapless Mermaid Wedding Dresses with Long Train.
Roger Ashburn, November 04th , 2018. Dresses: Mermaid Wedding Dress Ivory .
Jessina, November 05th , 2018. Dresses: Mermaid Wedding Dress Sweetheart Neckline .
Jessina, November 05th , 2018. Dresses: Strapless Wedding Dresses Plus Size .
Roger Ashburn, November 05th , 2018. Hairstyles: Curly Pony Hairstyles for Ultra Long Hair .
Jessina, November 05th , 2018. Hairstyles: 60+ Light Brown Hair Colors .
Deslyn Jargoal, November 05th , 2018. Dresses: Strapless Wedding Dresses Mermaid .
Roger Ashburn, November 04th , 2018. Dresses: Strapless Wedding Dresses .
Roger Ashburn, November 04th , 2018. Hairstyles: Cute Hairstyles for American Girl Dolls with Long Hair .
Roger Ashburn, November 04th , 2018. Dresses: 58+ Black Glitter Dresses .
Jessina, November 05th , 2018. Dresses: Strapless Mermaid Wedding Dresses with Long Train .


Wendy has been a Physician Assistant since 2006. She works at Chesapeake Urology's Saint Agnes office and makes rounds at Saint Agnes Hospital and Harbor Hospital. Wendy has a strong background in the emergency room and is certified in femoral central lines and lumbar punctures.


text:
const suman = require('suman');
const Test = suman.init(module);

Test.describe('SimpleTest', {parallel: true}, function (assert, fs, http, os) {

  //synchronous
  this.beforeEach({plan: 5, throws: /Expected plan count was 5/}, t => {

    // t.plan(1);
    t.confirm();
    t.confirm();
    t.confirm();
    t.confirm();

  });

  this.beforeEach({plan: 5, throws: /Expected plan count was/}, t => {

    console.log('yolo');

  });

  this.beforeEach({plan: 7, throws: /Expected plan count was/}, t => {

    console.log('cholo');

  });

  this.it('yes', t => {

  });

});

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
    template <typename _Object\
>

#define CStateMonsterFindEnemyAngryAbstract CStateMonsterFindEnemyAngry<_Object>

TEMPLATE_SPECIALIZATION
CStateMonsterFindEnemyAngryAbstract::CStateMonsterFindEnemyAngry(_Object* obj) : inherited(obj) {}

TEMPLATE_SPECIALIZATION
CStateMonsterFindEnemyAngryAbstract::~CStateMonsterFindEnemyAngry() {}

TEMPLATE_SPECIALIZATION
void CStateMonsterFindEnemyAngryAbstract::execute() {
    this->object->set_action(ACT_STAND_IDLE);
    this->object->anim().SetSpecParams(ASP_THREATEN);
    this->object->set_state_sound(MonsterSound::eMonsterSoundAggressive);
}

TEMPLATE_SPECIALIZATION
bool CStateMonsterFindEnemyAngryAbstract::check_completion() {
    if (this->time_state_started + 4000 > Device.dwTimeGlobal)
        return false;
    return true;
}


text:
Q: How to skip invalid characters in stream in Java/Scala? For example I have following code
Source.fromFile(new File( path), "UTF-8").getLines()

and it throws exception
Exception in thread "main" java.nio.charset.MalformedInputException: Input length = 1
    at java.nio.charset.CoderResult.throwException(CoderResult.java:260)
    at sun.nio.cs.StreamDecoder.implRead(StreamDecoder.java:319)

I don't care if some lines were not read, but how to skip invalid chars and continue reading lines?

A: You can influence the way that the charset decoding handles invalid input by calling CharsetDecoder.onMalformedInput.
Usually you won't ever see a CharsetDecoder object directly, because it will be created behind the scenes for you. So if you need access to it, you'll need to use API that allows you to specify the CharsetDecoder directly (instead of just the encoding name or the Charset).
The most basic example of such API is the InputStreamReader:
InputStream in = ...;
CharsetDecoder decoder = StandardCharsets.UTF_8.newDecoder();
decoder.onMalformedInput(CodingErrorAction.IGNORE);
Reader reader = new InputStreamReader(in, decoder);

Note that this code uses the Java 7 class StandardCharsets, for earlier versions you can simply replace it with Charset.forName("UTF-8") (or use the Charsets class from Guava).

A: Well, if it isn't UTF-8, it is something else. The trick is finding out what that something else is, but if all you want is avoid the errors, you can use an encoding that doesn't have invalid codes, such as latin1:
Source.fromFile(new File( path), "latin1").getLines()

A: I had a similar issue, and one of Scala's built-in codecs did the trick for me:
Source.fromFile(new File(path))(Codec.ISO8859).getLines()

A: If you want to avoid invalid characters using Scala, I found this worked for me.
import java.nio.charset.CodingErrorAction
import scala.io._

object HelloWorld {

  def main(args: Array[String]) = {
    implicit val codec = Codec("UTF-8")

    codec.onMalformedInput(CodingErrorAction.REPLACE)
    codec.onUnmappableCharacter(CodingErrorAction.REPLACE)

    val dataSource = Source.fromURL("https://www.foo.com")

    for (line <- dataSource.getLines) {

      println(line)
    }
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
How Dominic Lawson helps the English Chess Federation address sexism
LAWSON: On the other hand, Demis, you are married and your wife might have ideas about something that you might want to buy even if you - you're too busy. Hasn't she made any suggestions?
HASSABIS: Well no, she's a scientist too and she does Alzheimer's research, so she's mostly wrapped up in her own research as well.
Across the Board, BBC Radio Four 31 October 2014. (9:43)
[Also see]
[Dominic Lawson index]
[Thanks to Louise Raw]
Jacques said...
Would it be sexist if the interviewee had been female and the question related to her husband? Or if the question had related to the interviewee's same-sex spouse?
Mon Nov 03, 10:56:00 am 2014
Well I guess we'll have to judge when he actually asks the same question in those rather different circumstances...
You seem to be implying that, since he wouldn't ask the same question about a man, his asking it about a woman is sexist. But I'm not sure what evidence there is that he wouldn't ask it about a man.
Mon Nov 03, 12:02:00 pm 2014
Is it not an extremely obvious question to ask of a multi-millionnaire who has not given thought how to spend his or her money: "well, does your partner have any ideas?"
Are you really going to see this as a potential example of sexism until DL has the chance to interview a female multi-millionnaire?
Jonathan - no, it's not. It's an assumption that the husband is the serious one working and the wife pops up with suggestions as to how to spend his money, and it's an embarrassing thing for Lawson to say and other people to defend.
Presumably he's just asked Demis what he's going to buy with the gazillion dollars for which he's sold his sea-monkeys to Google and Demis has given some self-deprecating answer about being too focused on his work.
Under those circumstances is entirely appropriate and reasonable to suggest his wife might have some ideas. It's not sexist at all.
We disagree then. You are reading an awful lot into a question which many would take at face value. The first questio was whether Demis has thought about how to spend the money; only after he has said "no" does the question arise whether his wife has thought about it instead.
You are reading an awful lot into a question which many would take at face value
No, I'm reading an awful lot into the sort of question that women just don't get asked, but which gets asked about wives. And just as with sexism in chess generally (a subject this blog will likely be getting back to shortly) it's not a problem that'll be dealt with until it gets acknowledged.
No doubt, Justin, there is much to be said about sexism in chess and about the loaded questions that are asked of one gender only - though arguably much of it is widespread outside chess too. (eg, google Maria Sharapova at Wombeldon this year, when she lost and was asked whether she would now be watching her boyfriend play).
But this is just not at all a persuasive example. DL asked Demis first whether he had thought about how to spend the money - he did not ask about the wife first of all - and you seem reluctant to acknowledge this background to the question.
Cause there isn't any, really. That particular question might not have been arrived at without the previous one, but it very likely wouldn't have been asked of a woman in the same circumstances (evidence-based suggestions to the contrary are welcomed) and that's yer sexist assumptions right there.
I'd missed the Sharapova example. Very good.
Hundreds of millions
A Career Bookended by ISEs
Historical enquiry
Isolated instances
County Counting: 4. Well, Well, Well
600 million again
Sochi ISEs: Game 6
Les Ēchiquiers de Paris
Vishy Feels Happeee
A Match of ISEs and a Piece of History
County Counting: 3. Striking Matches
Kilts and haggis
How Dominic Lawson helps the English Chess Federat...
What Did Duchamp Ever Do For Us?


text:
Q: How to trigger shell script on Unix via email from Exchange Server I have been asked to setup an automated trigger on Unix upon receiving a certain kind of email from MS Exchange server.
The requirement is to trigger a shell script when any person from a fixed list of senders sends an email via MS Exchange server to a designated email account on unix.
For example:
Email from rob81@host1.com (Exchange Server) sends an email to unix@host2.com (Linux) with the subject: Unlock Account X
This ideally should trigger a shell script that will have code to unlock Account X.
Is there a way to configure this on Unix so that upon receiving an email as described above, I can trigger a shell script?

A: There are multiple solutions to this problem. As suggested by Rahul in the comments, I would use procmail and edit .procmailrc  to something like this:
:0
* ^From.*someone.i.dont.like@somewhere.org
* !^FROM_DAEMON
* !^FROM_MAILER
* ^Subject:.*Unlock
| /path/to/your/script


text:
Brother Fox's Tar Baby
: BRER RABBIT and HIS NEIGHBORS
: Boys And Girls Bookshelf
TRANSLATED BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS
Once upon a time Brother Fox and Brother Rabbit lived near each other in
the woods. But they had to go a long way each morning to get water from
a spring.
One day Brother Fox said to Brother Rabbit: "What's the use of taking a
long walk every morning. Let us dig a well of our own."
"I shall no longer go to the spring," said Broth
r Rabbit. "From this
time on I shall drink the dew from the grass and the flowers. Why should
I work to dig a well?"
Brother Rabbit knew by the way Brother Fox talked that he was going to
dig the well anyway.
"Just as you please," said Brother Fox. "Then I will dig the well
myself. And I will drink the water all by myself."
The next morning Brother Fox began to dig a well by a big tree. He
worked, and worked, and worked. Brother Rabbit was hiding in a bush near
by and watching Brother Fox.
"Ha, ha, ha!" he said to himself. "How foolish Brother Fox is! I guess I
shall soon have all the water I want. Ha, ha, ha!"
That night, while Brother Fox was asleep, Brother Rabbit stole quietly
down to the well by the big tree, and drank and laughed, and drank and
laughed.
"I guess I can have all the water I want," said Brother Rabbit. "Brother
Fox was foolish to do all the work."
The next day, when Brother Fox went to get some water, he saw rabbit
tracks in the mud.
"Ah, ha! Brother Rabbit," said Brother Fox to himself, "so that's the
way you drink the dew from the grass and the flowers! Well, well, I
think I can catch you at your trick!"
Brother Fox ran home as fast as he could and made a great big doll of
wood, as big as a baby. He covered the wooden doll with black, sticky
tar. Then he put a little cap on its head. At sunset, he put the tar
baby out beside the well.
"I think I shall get Brother Rabbit this time," he said, as he went home
laughing to himself all the way.
Soon Brother Rabbit came hopping through the bushes. He looked first
this way, then that. The least noise frightened him. When he saw the tar
baby, he sat up straight and peeped at it through the leaves.
"Hullo, there! Who are you?" he said at last.
The tar baby said nothing.
"Who are you, I say?" he asked in a louder tone.
Then Brother Rabbit went right up close to the tar baby.
"Why don't you answer me?" he shouted.
"See here!" he shouted. "Have you no tongue? Speak, or I'll hit you!"
Brother Rabbit raised his right hand and--biff! his hand stuck fast.
"Here! What's this?" he cried. "Let me go, or I'll hit you again."
At that--blip! he hit the tar baby with the other hand. That stuck fast,
"Listen to me, you rascal!" cried Brother Rabbit. "If you don't let me
go, I'll kick you!"
Bim! Brother Rabbit's right foot stuck fast.
"See here, you imp!" he shrieked. "If I kick you with my left foot,
you'll think the world has come to an end!"
Bom! the left foot stuck fast.
"Look out, now!" Brother Rabbit screamed. "Let me loose, or I'll butt
you into the well with my head! Let me go, I say!"
Buff! Brother Rabbit's head stuck fast.
And there was Brother Rabbit with both hands, and both feet, and his
head stuck fast.
The next morning Brother Fox came out to see how the tar baby was
getting along. He saw Brother Rabbit, and he laughed to himself until
his sides ached.
"Hey, Brother Rabbit!" he called. "What are you doing? How do you like
my tar baby? I thought you drank dew from the grass and the flowers! I
have you now, Brother Rabbit, I have you now."
"Let me go, Brother Fox!" cried Brother Rabbit. "Let me go! I am your
friend. Don't hurt me!"
"Friend? You are a thief," said Brother Fox. "Who wants a thief for a
friend?" Then he ran quickly to his home in the woods and built a big
fire.
Soon Brother Fox tore Brother Rabbit loose from the tar baby, threw him
over his shoulder, and started for the fire.
"Roast rabbit is good," said Brother Fox.
"Roast me! Burn me! Anything!" said Brother Rabbit, "Only don't throw me
into the brier patch."
"I've a mind to throw you into the well," said Brother Fox, as he turned
and looked back.
"Drown me! Kill me! Anything! Only don't throw me into the brier patch,"
said Brother Rabbit. "The briers will tear my flesh and scratch my eyes
out. Throw me into the fire! Throw me into the well!"
"Ah, ha, Brother Rabbit!" said Brother Fox. "So you don't like briers?
Then here you go!" and he threw Brother Rabbit away over into the brier
patch.
As soon as Brother Rabbit touched the ground, he sat up and laughed, and
laughed, and laughed.
"Ha, ha, ha! Brother Fox!" said Brother Rabbit. "Thank you, dear Brother
Fox, thank you! I was born and reared in a brier patch."
Then Brother Rabbit ran off in great glee, chuckling over the trick he
had played on Brother Fox.
[O] From "Evening Tales," by Frederic Ortoli; used by
permission of the publishers, Charles Scribner's Sons.
Bruce And The Spider
Bird-nesting In Winter

  Nests of Kingbird, Oriole, V... Birth And Infancy Of Ourson
Three months after the appearance of the toad and the cruel sentence of the fairy Furious, Agnella gave birth to a boy whom she named Ourson, as the fairy Drolette had commanded. Neither Agnella nor Passerose could decide if he was ugly or handsom... Bisclaveret
(From one of Marie's Lays.) Once upon a time there lived in Brittany a baron who was handsome, wise, courteous, and brave. Although admired and beloved by his neighbors, he remained single until late in life, when he fell desperately in love wi... Black Agnace Of Dunbar
"Some sing o' lords, and some o' knichts, An' some o' michty men o' war, But I sing o' a leddy bricht, The Black Agnace o' Dunnebar." It was in the year 1338, when Bruce's son was but a bairn, and Scotland was guided by a R... Blackskin
In an Indian town on the North Pacific Ocean there lived a chief, whose ambition it was to be stronger than other men and be able to kill the sea-lions down the coast. On the coldest mornings in winter he might be seen running down very early to b... Blazes

All hunters and Indians have signs to let their people know the way. Some of these signs are on trees, and are called "Blazes." One of those much used is a little piece of bark chipped off to show the white wood; it means: "This is ... Blind Jack Again
Would you like to hear some more of Blind Jack? This story tells how he joined the army of the Duke of Cumberland, which was sent to fight Prince Charlie and the Highlanders in 1745. There was great excitement in York when the news came that the... Blind Jack Of Knaresborough
This is the story of a blind man who did more, without any eyes at all, than many people can do with two. For numbers of children need really to be taught to use their eyes, or they will never see things that are right under their noses; or else t... Blockhead-hans
Far away in the country lay an old manor-house where lived an old squire who had two sons. They thought themselves so clever, that if they had known only half of what they did know, it would have been quite enough. They both wanted to marry the Ki... Blondina Or The Turkey-queen
A certain king had two daughters, one of them lovely and accomplished, and the other an ugly, cross-tempered personage, who early in life took to meddling with the black arts, and learned a great deal more of magic than she did of any thing els... Blondine
There was once a king called Benin. He was good and all the world loved him; he was just and the wicked feared him. His wife, the Queen Doucette, was also good, and much beloved. This happy pair had a daughter called the Princess Blondine, becau... Blondine Lost
Blondine grew to be seven years old and Brunette three. The king had given Blondine a charming little carriage drawn by ostriches, and a little coachman ten years of age, who was the nephew of her nurse. The little page, who was called Gourma... Blondine's Awakening Beau-minon
Blondine slept calmly all night; no ferocious beast came to trouble her slumbers. She did not suffer from the cold and awakened at a late hour in the morning. She rubbed her eyes, much surprised to see herself surrounded by trees, in place of bein... Blondine's Second Awakening
Blondine slept profoundly, and on awaking she found herself entirely changed. Indeed, it seemed to her she could not be the same person. She was much taller, her intellect was developed, her knowledge enlarged. She remembered a number of books she... Blow Wind Blow!
Blow, wind, blow! and go, mill, go! That the miller may grind his corn; That the baker may take it, And into rolls make it, And send us some hot in the morn. ... Blue Beard
There was a man who had fine houses, both in town and country, a deal of silver and gold plate, embroidered furniture, and coaches gilded all over with gold. But this man was so unlucky as to have a blue beard, which made him so frightfully ugly ... Blue-eyes The Snow Child Or The Story Of Hepatica

HAVE you ever seen El Sol, the Chief of the Wonder-workers, brother to Mother Carey? Yes, you have, though probably you did not know it; at least you could not look him in the face. Well, I am going to tell you about him, and tell of a sad thing t... Bo-peep
The children's game of bo-peep is as old as the hills, hiding from each other, and saying,-- Bo-Peep, Little Bo-Peep: Now's the time for hide and seek. But in ancient times the amusement appears to have been even of a simpler chara... Bobby Shaftoe
Bobby Shaftoe's gone to sea, Silver buckles on his knee; He'll come back and marry me, Pretty Bobby Shaftoe. Bobby Shaftoe's fat and fair, Combing down his yellow hair, He's my love for evermair, Pre... Bobino
Once on a time there was a rich merchant, who had an only son called Bobino. Now, as the boy was clever, and had a great desire for knowledge, his father sent him to be under a master, from whom he thought he would learn to speak all sorts of fo... Bonne-biche
Beau-Minon had entered by a little passage, which seemed made expressly for him and had probably given notice to some one at the castle, as the gate opened without Blondine having called. She entered the court-yard but saw no one. The door of... Bonnie Prince Charlie
Prince Charlie was the grandson of King James II, who was driven away from the throne of England because he was a selfish man and a bad ruler. The young prince tried to win the crown back again. He came over to Scotland from France, with only seve... Bonny Lass
Bonny lass, bonny lass, wilt thou be mine? Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet serve the swine: Thou shalt sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam, And thou shalt eat strawberries, sugar, and cream! ... Boots And His Brothers
Once upon a time there was a King who had seven sons. One day he said to the six older ones: "You must go forth into the world, each one, and seek a bride. But Boots is too young to go, so he shall stay at home. And when you have found brides for ... Boxer
"The poor dog, in life the firmest friend-- The first to welcome, foremost to defend-- Whose honest heart is still his master's own, Who labours, fights, lives, breathes for him alone." BYRON.... Boy's Bailiff
An old custom, formerly in vogue at Wenlock, in Shropshire, thus described by Mr. Collins: "I am old enough to remember an old custom, and the last time it took place was about sixty years ago; it was called the 'boy's bailiff,' and was held in the ... Br'er Fox Tackles Old Br'er Tarrypin
One day Br'er Fox struck up with Br'er Tarrypin right in the middle of the big road. Br'er Tarrypin he heard Br'er Fox coming, and he say to hisself that he'd sort of better keep one eye open; but Br'er Fox was monstrous polite, and he begin, he d... Br'er Possum Loves Peace
One night Br'er Possum called for Br'er Coon, and they rambled forth to see how the others were getting along. Br'er Possum he ate his fill of fruit, and Br'er Coon he scooped up a lot of frogs and tadpoles. They ambled along, just as sociable as ... Br'er Rabbit's Fishing
One day, Br'er Rabbit, and Br'er Fox, and Br'er Bear, and Br'er Coon, and all the rest of them were clearing up a new piece of ground to plant some corn. The sun got sort of hot, and Br'er Rabbit he got tired; but he didn't say so, 'cause he 'f... Brewery Of Eggshells
In Treneglwys there is a certain shepherd's cot known by the name of Twt y Cymrws because of the strange strife that occurred there. There once lived there a man and his wife, and they had twins whom the woman nursed tenderly. One day she was c... Briar Rose
A king and queen once upon a time reigned in a country a great way off, where there were in those days fairies. Now this king and queen had plenty of money, and plenty of fine clothes to wear, and plenty of good things to eat and drink, and a coach ... Brockley-hill
No heart can think, nor tongue can tell, What lies between Brockley-hill and Penny-well. Brockley-hill lies near Elstree, in Hertfordshire, and Penny-well is the name of a parcel of closes in the neighbourhood. See Stukeley's Itin. Cu... Broken Images
Once there lived two brothers who were princes in the land. The elder brother was a hunter. He loved the deep woods and the chase. He went from dawn to dark with his bow and his arrows. Swiftly he could run; he was strong and bright-eyed. The yo... Brook Brownie Or How The Song Sparrow Got His Streaks

 His Mother was the Brook and his sisters were the Reeds,
 They, every one, applauded when he sang about his deeds.
 His vest was white, his mantle brown, as clear as they could be,
 And his songs were fairly bubbling o'er wi... Brother And Sister
A brother took his sister by the hand and said, Since our mother is dead we have no more happy hours: our stepmother beats us every day, and whenever we come near her she kicks us away. She gives us hard crusts and nasty scraps to eat, and the dog... Brother And Sister
BROTHER took sister by the hand and said: `Look here; we haven't had one single happy hour since our mother died. That stepmother of ours beats us regularly every day, and if we dare go near her she kicks us away. We never get anything but hard dry... Brother Fox's Tar Baby
TRANSLATED BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS Once upon a time Brother Fox and Brother Rabbit lived near each other in the woods. But they had to go a long way each morning to get water from a spring. One day Brother Fox said to Brother Rabbit: "What's ... Bruce And The Spider
Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, sad and weary, lay upon the floor of a lonely cave among the hills. His mind was full of anxious thoughts, for he was hiding from the English soldiers, who sought to take him--alive or dead--to their king. The brave... Buckee Bene
Buckee, Buckee, biddy Bene, Is the way now fair and clean? Is the goose ygone to nest, And the fox ygone to rest? Shall I come away? These curious lines are said by Devonshire children when they go through any pass... Buckland
Buckland and Laverton, Stanway and Staunton, Childswickham, Wickamford, Badsey and Aston. These are places in Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and Somersetshire. Staunton is pronounced Stawn, and Aston is commonly called ... Buckle My Shoe
One, Two--buckle my shoe; Three, Four--open the door; Five, Six--pick up sticks; Seven, Eight--lay them straight; Nine, Ten--a good fat hen; Eleven, Twelve--I hope you're well; Thirteen, Fourteen--draw the curta... Buckwheat
IF YOU should chance, after a tempest, to cross a field where buckwheat is growing, you may observe that it looks black and singed, as if a flame of fire had passed over it. And should you ask the reason, a farmer will tell you, "The lightning did... Bulgaria
The national religion of the Bulgarian people is that of the Orthodox Greek Church, and consequently the laws of that church on the subject of marriage and divorce is part of the organic law of Bulgaria. Upon the political independence of the co... Bulka
I had a small bulldog. He was called Bulka. He was black; only the tips of his front feet were white. All bulldogs have their lower jaws longer than the upper, and the upper teeth come down behind the nether teeth, but Bulka's lower jaw protruded ... Bulka And The Wild Boar
Once we went into the Caucasus to hunt the wild boar, and Bulka went with me. The moment the hounds started, Bulka rushed after them, following their sound, and disappeared in the forest. That was in the month of November; the boars and sows are t... Bulka And The Wolf
When I left the Caucasus, they were still fighting there, and in the night it was dangerous to travel without a guard. I wanted to leave as early as possible, and so did not lie down to sleep. My friend came to see me off, and we sat the whol... Bulka's And Milton's End
Bulka and Milton died at the same time. The old Cossack did not know how to get along with Milton. Instead of taking him out only for birds, he went with him to hunt wild boars. And that same fall a tusky boar ripped him open. Nobody knew how to s... Burg Hill's On Fire
A CELTIC FAIRY TALE BY ELIZABETH W. GRIERSON (ADAPTED) Once upon a time there was a rich farmer who had a thrifty wife. She used to go out and gather all the little bits of wool which she could find on the hillsides, and bring them home. Then... Bushy Bride
THERE was once on a time a widower who had a son and a daughter by his first wife. They were both good children, and loved each other with all their hearts. After some time had gone by the man married again, and he chose a widow with one daughter w... Butterflies And Moths

Do you remember the dear old fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast? How Beauty had to marry the Beast to save her father's life? But as soon as she had bravely agreed to sacrifice herself—as soon as she gave the fateful "Yes" the Beast... By Abbie Farwell Brown
It was a little, little page, Was brought from far away, To bear the great queen's velvet train Upon her bridal day. His yellow curls were long and bright, His page's suit was blue, With golden clasps at neck... By Anna Hempstead Branch
There was a lad named Piping Will With tattered coat and poor; He had no home to bide him in, But roamed from door to door. This lad had naught except a pipe On which he used to play; Yet never lad did... Bye Baby Bunting
Bye, Baby bunting, Father's gone a-hunting, Mother's gone a-milking, Sister's gone a-silking, And Brother's gone to buy a skin, To wrap the Baby bunting in. ... Cannetella
There was once upon a time a king who reigned over a country called 'Bello Puojo.' He was very rich and powerful, and had everything in the world he could desire except a child. But at last, after he had been married for many years, and was qu... Canonbie Dick And Thomas Of Ercildoune
It chanced, long years ago, that a certain horse-dealer lived in the South of Scotland, near the Border, not very far from Longtown. He was known as Canonbie Dick; and as he went up and down the country, he almost always had a long string of horse... Canute
There was once a king of England, named Canute, who was a brave and clever man. But he had many lords in his court who were very foolish. They feared their master, and wished to please him, and because they knew that he was somewhat vain of his st... Cap O' Rushes
Well, there was once a very rich gentleman who had three daughters, and he thought he'd see how fond they were of him. So he says to the first: "How much do you love me, my dear?" "Why," says she, "as I love my life." "That's good," says he... Cap'n Joe And Cap'n Bill
The rooms Zog had given his prisoners were as handsome as all other parts of this strange enchanted castle. Gold was used plentifully in the decorations, and in the Rose Chamber occupied by the mermaids and Trot golden roses formed a border around... Caporushes
Once upon a time, a long, long while ago, when all the world was young and all sorts of strange things happened, there lived a very rich gentleman whose wife had died leaving him three lovely daughters. They were as the apple of his eye, and he ... Care-sunday
Care Sunday, care away, Palm Sunday and Easter-day. Care-Sunday is the Sabbath next before Palm Sunday, and the second before Easter. Etymologists differ respecting the origin of the term. It is also called Carling-Sunday, and hence t... Cat And Mouse In Partnership
A certain cat had made the acquaintance of a mouse, and had said so much to her about the great love and friendship she felt for her, that at length the mouse agreed that they should live and keep house together. 'But we must make a provision for wi... Cat-skin
There was once a king, whose queen had hair of the purest gold, and was so beautiful that her match was not to be met with on the whole face of the earth. But this beautiful queen fell ill, and when she felt that her end drew near she called the kin... Catch Him Crow
Catch him, crow! Carry him, kite! Take him away till the apples are ripe; When they are ripe and ready to fall, Home comes [Johnny], apples and all. ... Catherine And Her Destiny
Sicilianische Mahrchen von Laura Gonzenbach. Leipzig, Engelmann, 1870. Long ago there lived a rich merchant who, besides possessing more treasures than any king in the world, had in his great hall three chairs, one of silver, one of gold, and on... Catherning
Catharine and Clement, be here, be here, Some of your apples, and some of your beer: Some for Peter, and some for Paul, And some for Him that made us all: Clement was a good man, For his sake give us some, ... Catskin
Once upon a time there lived a gentleman who owned fine lands and houses, and he very much wanted to have a son to be heir to them. So when his wife brought him a daughter, though she was bonny as bonny could be, he cared nought for her, and said:... Charcoal Nils And The Troll-woman
In the old days there lived on a headland that juts out into the northwestern corner of Lake Rasval, in the neighborhood of the Linde mining-district, a charcoal-burner named Nils, generally known as Charcoal Nils. He let a farm-hand attend to his... Charm-rhymes
The subject of rural charms, many of which are lineal descendants from those used by our Anglo-Saxon ancestors, is one of great interest and curiosity; and it were much to be wished that a complete collection of them were formed. The following one i... Child Health Alphabet
BY MRS. FREDERICK PETERSON A is for Apples and also for Air; Children need both and we have them to spare. B is for Butter spread thick on Brown Bread, Also for Baths before Breakfast or Bed. ... Childe Rowland
Childe Rowland and his brothers twain Were playing at the ball. Their sister, Burd Helen, she played In the midst among them all. For Burd Helen loved her brothers, and they loved her exceedingly. At play she was ever their companion a... Chin-chin Kobakama
Once there was a little girl who was very pretty, but also very lazy. Her parents were rich, and had a great many servants; and these servants were very fond of the little girl, and did everything for her which she ought to have been able to do fo... Christmas
Ha wish ye a merry Chresamas, An a happy new year, A pantry full a' good rost beef, An a barril full a' beer. To these lines we may add the following north-country nursery song: Now Christmas is come, and now ...


Before the establishment of standard military awards, e.g., the Medal of Honor, it was common practice to have a medal specially created to provide national recognition for a significant military or naval victory or accomplishment. In the United States, Congress would enact a resolution asking the President to reward those responsible. The commanding officer would receive a gold medal and his officers silver medals. Other countries similarly honored their military and naval victors in a similar fashion.
The custom of awarding the sequence of gold, silver, and bronze medals for the first three highest achievers dates from at least the 18th century, with the National Association of Amateur Athletes in the United States awarding such medals as early as 1884.
This standard was adopted for Olympic competition at the 1904 Summer Olympics. At the 1896 event, silver was awarded to winners and bronze to runners-up, while at 1904 other prizes were given, not medals.
At the Ancient Olympic Games only one winner per event was crowned with kotinos, an olive wreath made of wild olive leaves from a sacred tree near the temple of Zeus at Olympia. Aristophanes in Plutus makes a remark why victorious athletes are crowned with wreath made of wild olive instead of gold. Herodotus describes a story that explains why there were only a few Greek men at the Battle of Thermopylae since "all other men were participating in the Olympic Games" and that the prize for the winner was "an olive-wreath". When Tigranes, an Armenian general learned this, he uttered to his leader: "Good heavens! what kind of men are these against whom you have brought us to fight? Men who do not compete for possessions, but for honour". Hence medals were not awarded at the ancient Olympic Games.
At the 1896 Summer Olympics, winners received a silver medal and the second-place finisher received a bronze medal. In 1900, most winners received cups or trophies instead of medals. The next three Olympics (1904, 1908, 1912) awarded the winners solid gold medals, but the medals themselves were smaller. The use of gold rapidly declined with the onset of the First World War and also with the onset of the Second World War. The last series of Olympic medals to be made of solid gold were awarded at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden.
The award of a gold medal, often coupled with the award of silver and bronze medals to the next place finishers, has been adopted in other competitive fields, such as music and writing, as well as some competitive games. Typically bronze medals are awarded only to third place, but in some contests there is some variety, such as International barbershop music contests where bronze medals are awarded for third, fourth, and fifth place.
↑ Melonyce McAfee (August 10, 2012). "Why Olympians bite their medals". CNN. Retrieved August 10, 2012.
1 2 Jennifer Rosenberg. "Interesting Olympic Facts". Retrieved December 12, 2013.


text:
Estádio Manoel Barradas is een multi-functioneel sportstadion in Salvador, Brazilië. Het stadion heeft een capaciteit van 35.632 zitjes. Het werd gebouwd in 1986 en ingehuldigd in 1991. Het is de thuishaven van voetbalclub EC Vitória. Het werd vernoemd naar Manoel Barradas. Het grootste toeschouwersaantal werd bereikt in 1999, toen 51.576 mensen de wedstrijd EC Vitória-Atlético Mineiro bekeken.

Sportaccommodatie in Brazilië
Voetbalstadion in Brazilië
Bouwwerk in Salvador
Sport in Salvador

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
A Different Pond
Hardcover - Acclaimed poet Bao Phi delivers a powerful, honest glimpse into a relationship between father and son—and between cultures, old and new. A Different Pond is an unforgettable story about a simple event—a long-ago fishing trip. As a young boy, Bao Phi awoke early, hours before his father's long workday began, to fish on the shores of a small pond in Minneapolis. Unlike many other anglers, Bao and his father fished for food, not recreation. A successful catch meant a fed family. Between hope-filled casts, Bao's father told him about a different pond in their homeland of Vietnam. The New York Times has said that Bao Phi's poetry "rhymes with the truth." Together with graphic novelist Thi Bui's striking, evocative art, Phi's expertly crafted prose reflects an immigrant family making its way in a new home while honoring its bonds to the past.


If you are interested to know more about construction beams, here are some of the basic things you need to know more about:their uses, how they work, common sizes, dimensions and designs, as well as the going prices.
Beams are generally used in constructing buildings and carrying loads. Their two main characteristics are the following: the considerable difference between the length and the width, with the former being larger in size than the latter; and their ability to carry weight. When external, downward force is exerted on the beam, the material at its bottom is stretched in order to accommodate this downward tension: this incidence is known as beam bending. This produces a distribution of the stress, the degree of which engineers and scientists can calculate using the formula called Euler-Bernoulli beam equation.
Beams are made of a variety of materials, the most common of which are wood (making timber beams), reinforced concrete, iron, glulams (and other composite elements) steel, or steel mixed with other material (alloy steel). You'd be able to find beams as construction elements in buildings and bridges; simpler beam applications would even include a closet rod (where hangers are hung).
Types of beam designs include cantilever beams (wherein some parts of the beam protrude from its support poles, making for a floating effect); flitch beams (or lightweight beams made of alternate wood and steel layers); hip beams; and steel beams. This last is perhaps the most popular choice for construction.
Steel beams have many different types, but what is commonly regarded to be the most popular is the universal I beam (also known as wide flange beam), known for its strength and effectivity at supporting weights. The I beam has two types: the Steel W type and the Steel I type. The I beam is so named because of its I shape. It is very efficient at sustaining up-down pressures, therefore manifesting less tendency towards beam bending than other beam designs. Other steel shapes include C beams, L beams and tubes.
When ordering steel beams, some factors to take into consideration are the depth or height of the beam and the weight per unit length. Also, make sure to find out its load and cross-sectional capacity, to ensure that it will not experience too much beam bending. Though minimal beam bending is natural and not dangerous, it may still be very unsightly.
To find out the commercially available steel dimensions, you can go visit websites such as engineersedge.com, efunda.com, swedetracksaginawpipe.com. In some websites, you would also get to know of the prices of beams; such websites include beam-designs.co.uk. Make sure that you also consult professional engineers and steel fabrication experts in order to make sure that you are truly getting the appropriate steel dimensions and specifications that you would need.
By the way, during your search, you may encounter websites for the Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles, Illinois; of course, this is a totally different topic altogether. Good luck with your research, and happy steel beam hunting!


Weight of the monitor, as measured in pounds lb. The Samsung T is a good solution for extending your work productivity thanks to the increased work space. Moreover, because the Samsung T comes with detailed liquid crystal technology, you can admire the reliable display and enjoy enhanced gameplay. You can install the most suitable Windows driver for your monitor. Your date of birth is used to verify your identity if samsung syncmaster t lose your E-mail or password. Troubleshooting guide Solve the issue yourself with this step-by-step guide to diagnosing and resolving problems with your device. You may also like.
Product Dimensions With Stand Width, height and depth of the monitor, including stand, as measured in inches in.
It appears that the same product is registered more than once in your account. See more of your game space at once without getting a bigger monitor thanks to the superior x resolution on the Samsung T The Engadget Score is a unique ranking of products based on extensive independent research and analysis by our expert editorial and research teams. If you sybcmaster a mobile dealer creating an account for the first time, click here.
Recommended Refresh Rate Having the proper refresh rate is important to prevent the image being distorted. Computer enthusiasts and researchers relish the design, brilliance, and reliability of this Samsung SyncMaster monitor.
Weight of the monitor, as measured in pounds lb. Protect your data and access it from any device. P Progressive means scan lines are drawn in sequence. Samsung products carry a full warranty, which varies based on products.
Save on Monitors Trending price is based on prices over last 90 days. More items related to this product. Design and form factor. Higher ratio means more contrast. Empower your team with the Galaxy Note9, a secure, manageable business smartphone that powers mobile productivity. Manual, downloads, specs and register Touch of Color Series T edit device details y190 number.
Press the JOG button, You can install the most suitable Windows driver for your monitor. Best Selling in Monitors See all.
t10 Thanks for signing up! Moreover, because the Samsung T comes with detailed liquid crystal technology, you can admire the reliable display and enjoy enhanced gameplay. Send your device in for repairs or visit a Customer Service Location. Dell UH 24″ Send another email I'm done.
Show More Show Less. Troubleshooting guide Solve the issue yourself with this step-by-step guide to diagnosing and resolving problems with your device. Type your model name or number. Also, make sure that the graphics card of your computer supports the Already have a Samsung Account? MAR 31, User Manual syncmastwr.
Resolution Fixed number of horizontal scan lines on a monitor. Energy consumed by samaung monitor while off or in sleep mode, as per Display Power Management Signaling. Redirect Notification As of Nov.
About this product Product Information This inch Samsung SyncMaster monitor is full-featured, contemporary, zyncmaster designed for enthusiasts seeking to improve their computer systems. Troubleshooting guide Solve the issue yourself with this step-by-step guide to diagnosing and resolving problems with your device.


text:
Primula bulleyana is een plant uit de sleutelbloemfamilie.
In het Engels is het een van de twee soorten die 'Candelabra Primrose' worden genoemd. De andere soort is de nauw verwante Primula beesiana. De soort is afkomstig uit China.

De soort werd door George Forrest in 1908 voor het eerst in Engeland ingevoerd. Hij deed dit in opdracht van Arthur Kilpin Bulley, directeur van plantenkwekerij Bees Ltd. en naar hem is de soort genoemd.

De 50 cm hoge stengel komen groepsgewijs op uit een bladrozet. De plant houdt van een lichte, vochtige omgeving zoals naast een vijver.

Bulleyana
Endemische plant uit China


text:
Time Running Out for Melnikov House
via ArchDaily Instagram
Written by Vanessa Quirk
https://www.archdaily.com/306400/time-running-out-for-melnikov-house
The Melnikov House, the unusual, cylindrical classic of Constructivism which was Konstantin Melnikov's residence and studio, is on the brink of collapse.
The Independent reports that nearby construction (which visibly moves the ground the building sits on) has weakened the 83-year-old foundations dangerously. Konstantin Melnikov's grand-daughter (and current resident of the house), Ekaterina Karinskaya, further told The Independent that, due to broken heating pipes, the wooden house spent more than 50 days without heating in what were often sub-zero temperatures.
Although there have been interests expressed to turn the house into a museum, a tense legal debate between Ms. Karinskaya and a developer has put any plans on stand-still. Meanwhile, time is running out for the architectural icon.
More on the Melnikov House debate, after the break...
Courtesy of Flickr User CC Igor Palmin
It's a miracle that the 1929 house was built at all - not only did Melnikov somehow retain his land after Lenin took power, he also managed to get approval for the unconventional design from city-planners (who notoriously privileged uniformity). Today, it is cherished by architects due to its unusual interlocking cylindrical volumes and honeycomb structure (which form the building's 60 hexagonal windows and allow the interior to be bathed with light).
Clementine Cecil, one of the founders of the Moscow Architecture Preservation Society, considers the building one of Moscow's most important buildings. She told The Independent, "It's shocking that the situation has been left to get to this stage [...] Constructivism is generally considered the best architectural period that Russia has ever produced, and Melnikov is one of the most important 20th-century architects."
So what's preventing the house's preservation? A tricky web of private interests.
Courtesy of Flickr User CC janvaneyck
Upon the death of Konstantin Melnikov's son, one half of the property was purchased by multi-millionaire developer Sergey Gordeyev, who has accused Ms. Karinskaya of "illegally occupying" the house. Although Gordeyev has since donated his share of the house to Moscow's Museum of Architecture, Ms. Karinskaya (the grand-daughter) remains dubious of his intentions.
Karinskaya maintains that she will not move out of the house until she can be assured that it will become a museum run by the Russian government - not by Gordeyev's private foundation. Unfortunately, however, despite Karinskaya's letters to the Mayor of Moskow (and even President Vladimir Putin), the government has turned a deaf ear.
Meanwhile, the Melnikov House's foundations continue to crumble.
Story via The Independent
Vanessa Quirk
NewsArchitecture NewsMoskvaRussiaMoscowMelnikov HouseKonstantin Melnikov
Cite: Vanessa Quirk. "Time Running Out for Melnikov House " 12 Dec 2012. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/306400/time-running-out-for-melnikov-house> ISSN 0719-8884


text:
Pseudostegana nitidiventris är en tvåvingeart som beskrevs av Chen och Masanori Joseph Toda 2005. Pseudostegana nitidiventris ingår i släktet Pseudostegana och familjen daggflugor. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Daggflugor
nitidiventris


ECOQUARRY (LIFE04 ENV/ES000195) was a demonstration project carried out in 11 limestone quarries located in NE-E Spain (Catalonia and Valencia) and South Portugal. Scientific/technical orientation was provided by several academic institutions in both countries. The main objectives were i) to use the best available technologies in quarry restoration in a field scale trial, under Mediterranean climate conditions, ii) to improve restoration interventions, developing standardized quality control processes, iii) to promote the rational and sustainable use of natural resources and an increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide fixation, iv) to transfer processes directly to big and small mining companies.
The project was simultaneously implemented in all the quarries of the consortium: 1) Implementation of pilot plot, to test for the most appropriate herbaceous species for each vegetation zone, increasing the diversity of shrub species (through sowing and plantation) and of their spatial distribution. 2) Quality control: optimizing resources and maintenance (e.g. frequency and dosage of irrigation), monitoring vegetation development. 3) Evaluation of results (effectiveness and efficiency). 4) Establishment of an environmental quality system for restoration (quality protocols, restoration manual).
The main problems resulted from erosion and instability of slopes, poor-quality of supplies (low viability of seeds and seedlings, non-availability of autochthonous species) and non-specialization of workers carrying out the plantations. A severe drought on the first year also limited the actions and the interpretation of results.
The project promoted and demonstrated the use of local materials for substrates, native species, and minimum inputs (especially watering) in the perspective of cost-effectiveness. The handbook "Guidelines for limestone quarry restoration in Mediterranean climate" will provide practical assessment in limestone quarry restoration to the enterprises and technical staff in the cement and aggregate sectors. ECOQUARRY promoted co-operation between the mining sector and the scientists involved, so facilitating the exchange of experiences, and further contacts. Awareness of the relevance of restoration process has raised among quarry technical staff.
Degradation was primarily driven by limestone extraction, with deep modification of topography and hydrology, as well as vegetation and soil removal. This degradation occurs within relatively small areas, but their proximity to highly valued natural areas explains that the main social concerns are aesthetical and recreational. In areas with high density of quarries, fragmentation of habitats becomes a potential problem. In some cases dust pollution is also a matter of concern for local populations.
Mediterranean scrub, dominated by evergreen sclerophyllous shrubs or, in earlier successional stages, by summer semi-deciduous shrubs; in some locations, tree forms were also dominant (Aleppo-pine, holm-oak).
The main objectives were i) to use the best available technologies in quarry restoration in a field scale trial, under Mediterranean climate conditions, ii) to improve restoration interventions, developing standardized quality control processes, iii) to promote the rational and sustainable use of natural resources and an increase of atmospheric carbon dioxide fixation, iv) to transfer processes directly to big and small mining companies.
These goals were defined by the scientific partners in the consortium, within the criteria framework of the funding programme (EU LIFE-Environment).
The project involved 10 extractive companies, with varying restoration experience, all interested in improving their restoration practices. Moreover, the project involved two industrial associations (extractive sector), in charge of the dissemination of results, and a government agency responsible for environmental control and legislation. In this demonstration project, most activities were planned by the scientific partners, according to the limitations presented by the quarry partners, who implemented the pilot-plots.
1)	Implementation of pilot tests - preparation of plots (amended vs non-amended substrates); choice and hydroseeding of herbaceous and shrub species (commercial vs autochthonous); choice and plantation of autochthonous woody species (c. 10 species). 2)	Quality control - testing seed viability; optimizing the frequency and dosage of irrigation (soil water monitoring); monitoring vegetation survival and development. 3)	Evaluation of results (effectiveness and efficiency) - soil characteristics; plant cover, survival, diversity. 4)	Dissemination of activities and results, including quality control protocols, a technical course (held in Barcelona in November 2007) and a restoration guide for Mediterranean limestone quarries.
More than 50% survival of introduced woody plants in most quarries; adequate herb cover.
Physical instability of substrates (slopes > 30%). Severe drought on the first year after sowing/planting (2005), leading to exceptional plot management actions (e.g. irrigation). Timing of seeding/planting. Use of some aggressive commercial herb species. Competition between herbs and woody plants.
The project affected only very small areas within large quarries, with no direct effect in human well being. However, the improvement of restoration technologies benefits the social perception of mining activities, and provides economic opportunities for companies related to restoration, e.g. local forest nurseries, forest engineering companies, landscapers and environmentalists.
ECOQUARRY has developed a set of pilot restoration projects for limestone quarries under a large diversity of Mediterranean climate and substrate conditions, with the participation of scientists, technical staff of quarry companies, and environmental administrations from Catalonia and Valencia Regions (Spain) and Alentejo (Portugal).
Current (Mediterranean) quarry restoration approaches lacks quality control schemes and is focused on short-term greening of slopes, without a long-term ecological perspective.
The project developed control quality schemes for the various restoration phases with the perspective of recovering functional ecosystems, integrated in the surrounding landscape. Restoration ecology principles have been adopted for designing the minimum and necessary restoration actions to trigger natural succession in the middle term. In this framework, the project has promoted and demonstrated the use of local materials for substrates, native species, and minimum inputs (especially watering) in the perspective of cost-effectiveness. The elaboration of the handbook "Guidelines for limestone quarry restoration in Mediterranean climate" will provide practical assessment in limestone quarry restoration to the enterprises and technical staff in the cement and aggregate sectors.
The project contributed to significantly increase the awareness of quality control relevance in restoration projects for the limestone quarry sector. The direct involvement of mining companies and associations in the project ensured the immediate transfer of its technical achievements to the end users. The involved universities established collaboration contracts with some quarry associations and companies in order to make the follow up of restoration projects in the longer-term, and widen the application of the achievements to other companies in the limestone quarry sector.
The cause of degradation (limestone extraction) is no longer expected to affect the pilot areas or their close vicinity (post-extraction areas). No mid-term or long-term monitoring program exists (out of the scope of ECOQUARRY), although it would be of utmost importance; further monitoring will depend on the interest (and economic investment) of each mine company where the pilot plots were installed.
960 416 Euros 50% from the European Union (LIFE-Environment Programme); 50% from the Consortium. Additional costs were also supported by the mining companies in the Consortium.