text:
Reopening Points
Raina W. '24|November 4, 2020
As we all know by now, Lakeside has decided to delay reopening until further notice. In the originally proposed model, each week, half of the school would be in person while the other half stayed remote. In previously preparing to reopen, Lakeside has put in a lot of effort, whether it was modeling and tracking COVID-19 data or renting four new portable classrooms to aid in distancing during classes, but it was still questionable whether reopening then was a good idea, and that is why I think delaying reopening is the right choice.
Let's talk first about why we need to reopen in the first place. There are many benefits to in-person learning. In the remote setting, many feel disconnected and less excited for school. Social interaction and building connections are difficult, especially for freshmen like me who might not know many of our classmates. Even those who came from the middle school are finding it hard to make new friends among that pool because there are so few interactions with each other. There are also smaller grievances, like poor WiFi, power issues, loud family members, etc. In short, remote learning is not ideal. There are many facets of it that are out of our control and in that way it is less effective than in-person learning. While Lakeside has done a great job of maintaining near the same level of learning as usual, remote learning lacks other equally fundamental aspects of school, hence the haste to reopen. To help with that goal, Lakeside has done some remodeling for physically distancing, with the new portable classrooms and face mask requirements as well as a new transportation plan. There's also a list of guidelines on the reopening webpage as well as a risk assessment updated daily. Clearly the school made a tremendous effort to ensure the safety of all attendees. So why, then, delay?
Because late October was not, perhaps, the best time to reopen. At the time of writing, according to the reopening page, the level of risk is now red (high), meaning the general conditions of which are extremely unfavorable. If we had opened on October 26, it might have been very risky, as, especially when reopening is fresh, problems may arise, and these circumstances have never been tested before, so it's not really known what might have happened. The original plan of opening so close to Halloween was another unknown. The holiday has traditionally been filled with encounters, with parties, celebrations and trick-or-treating, and we're uncertain of what will happen this year.
Furthermore, the flu season occurs during fall and winter months, which we are in right now. With coronavirus similar in some ways to flu, cases might spike at this time of year. As epidemiologist Andrew Noymer of the University of California at Irvine said in an article in the Washington Post, "'I expect fall waves starting in mid-October and getting worse as fall heads into winter, and reaching a crescendo certainly after the election'" (Achenbach and Weiner). Mid-October is the projected start of reopening. If COVID-19 cases increase then, what would happen? According to the Lakeside website, when the level of alert has risen to red (which it is now), everyone will be remote. More news about the coronavirus is surfacing, and some of it is frankly disturbing. If the level of alert was not red, we had reopened and cases spiked up, we might have been forced to return to remote learning after just a few weeks, not to mention having increasing risk levels for students and their families. In some ways, reopening had asked us to choose between risking members of our families who may be more vulnerable to COVID-19 and the social parts of our educational experience. And I'm not sure that's a good trade-off at this point.
The Lakeside Bubble also relied heavily on the actions of each individual, which, because one of Lakeside's values is integrity, should have been relatively low-risk. However, because Lakeside is a small school, the actions of just one could affect many. I did not attend in-person advisory myself, but some people I talked to said that social distancing was lax a few times. Six feet is very long, longer than one might think. That's taller than the average height of a high schooler. Imagine holding a conversation with a friend separated by your height. Either you would raise your voice a little and school would become much louder, or you might inadvertently move closer. Would you choose a decent conversation or choose obeying the rules of social distancing? And if you chose the latter, is there really much to gain socially? Therein lies the problem. Do some complementary counting and probability. With fewer people, the risk is lower. But with more people, that gets higher. Significantly higher. There are questions too. How would people get from class to class walking six feet away from each other? What would happen if there were more people than the socially distanced buses could hold for transportation? And even if everything worked out perfectly, would hybrid learning give us the sense of school, of normalcy that we want? There are just too many unknown variables and risks that in my opinion made it tricky to open right now.
Perhaps it would have been all cleared up after a few weeks of hybrid learning, but the option of going to school in-person then was not what I considered a necessary risk. Online learning may be more tedious and less interactive, but personal factors for students deserve heavy consideration. Although the Lakeside team has no doubt done a wonderful job of setting up all of the precautionary measures, it's still a hard choice deciding whether to go or not, especially with peer pressure as so many were excited for hybrid learning. Whatever the reason for delaying reopening, in my opinion the decision is wise, and I thank the Lakeside Administration for their caution.
Raina W. '24, Sports Editor
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In my 10+ years of experience as a telecom agent, I've dealt with many of the same issues. Selling a deal doesn't always mean you'll be compensated. I have dedicated too much time to order clarifications, installation issues, compensation disputes, and more, so I spend less time running my business and succeeding.
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The Evolution of Life gallery of the Lapworth Museum of Geology, featuring replica Allosaurus and Pteranodon skeletons, and a floor-to-ceiling rock wall, commissioned and fabricated by Us!
We provided the stand for the Dinosaurs in the Wild Alamosaurus Heart display.
We were asked to fabricate some monitor housing for use at the new home of Concorde.
We were approached by Mr and Mrs Etherington from Hampshire who had a rotten wooden access stairs to some living accomodation above a listed building within their grounds. We made a site visit to survey the existing staircase and quoted them to make an exact bespoke copy in steel. Mrs Etherington was delighted with the likeness!
We were approached by Beck from London to make the metalwork for a mock up for portal frames for an exhibition of atomic energy at King Abdullah City in Saudi Arabia.
After completing the mock up we then made twenty one portal units and a large totem to a tight schedule. these included frames from rectangular box section, heavy duty floor plates and powder coated cladding.
Working to a museum design we were asked to fabricate a bracket to support an Assyrian Relief which weighs 4 tonnes for the Royal Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh the stone is valued at several million pounds and is certainly the most expensive thing we have ever make a bracket to support!
This was one of a total of 22 brackets and base plinths in the recently refurbished Victorian part of the museum.
For more information on this piece you can click here.
We were asked to manufacture two off Multi Head weighing machine frames for DWS packaging. These were fabricated from 304 grade stainless steel. These were made to tight tolerances and all joints were TIG welded to food industry standards.
Rowan UK were contracted by Beck to supply powder coated metalwork Items for the recent fit out of the new furniture gallery at the V&A museum in London.
Warwickshire County Cricket Club contacted us and asked us to design an aluminium lighting rig frame for use on their Edgbaston ground.
The lighting fixtures are provided by West Midlands Police after being seized from cannabis farms in the area.
The rig is used on shaded areas of the outfield and also on the pitches to promote grass growth.
Rowan UK were asked to manufacture a digital Chandelier for the ITC building on the banks of the Thames in London.
This involved manufacturing numerous bespoke sections of ribbon from sandwiched aluminium together with chromed orbs to complete a stunning end product.


Gift the wonders of Greensboro this holiday season while supporting local businesses. From comics to jewelry these homegrown shops will have what you are looking for.
Specializing in jewelry, handbags, apparel, home décor, and one-of-a-kind gifts. Just Be is your destination for all things that are U.S. Made, fair trade and handcrafted; including items made local artisan. This can't miss gift shop for those that are hard to shop for.
The oldest and largest comic book store in central North Carolina has everything comics. From weekly comics to graphic novels, plus an array of action figures and back issues. This is bound to have something for the comic fans at heart.
Home to multiple small businesses there is no place like Design Archives. With mini-booths that focus on vintage, handmade, fair trade, unique, unusual, trendy, hip, creative products. These items are perfect for the unique and creative people on your list.
Local Record Store specializing in new and used Records. Hippo Record carries all genres from holiday classics to rare and hard to find. This shop is perfect for the record collector and music fan.
This independent bookstore features an array of literature from children, fiction and poetry having approximately 10,000 handpicked quality titles that will impress even the most learned reader. Known to have writers from across the country and state stop by and visit the shop. They have local art on display and for sale. You'll find the next gift for someone or yourself.
Family owned Schiffman's Jewelers has your fine jewelry, having a wide array of timepieces, designers and diamonds. With friendly and knowledge associates you'll be able to pick out your next piece for her or him with two locations in Greensboro.


For those currently pledged to sponsor, the designated contact for each organization will receive information on exhibit set-up, staff registration, booth layout and important forms via email. In order to exhibit during the 2019 Design of Medical Devices Conference it is required to be a pledged sponsor.
If you are not currently a sponsor and you would like to know more about how to become a sponsor, visit the How to Become a Sponsor page. Click here to view a list of the Current 2019 DMD Sponsors.
All exhibits will be located on the second floor of the Graduate Minneapolis .
Enter through the main doors of the hotel, take the escalator up to the conference check-in desk.
Do not leave valuable items on your display over night. Please store them in the designated room provided by the conference.
All exhibits must be broken down by noon as there is another event at the hotel in the afternoon.
Upon arrival, please check in with the conference registration desk to pick up your name badge(s) before setting up your display. Name badges (either ours or your company's) MUST be worn at all times. It is important that we, as well as attendees that visit your exhibit, know your name. Name badges cannot be picked up on Monday Evening.
We have designated a room for Sponsor Storage throughout the conference. The room will be unlocked during set-up and dismantle times. We will unlock this room by 7:00 am each day and it will be locked no earlier than 6:00 pm each day. All items must be removed from this room by 12:00 PM on Thursday, April 18.
Neither the University of Minnesota nor the Graduate Minneapolis will be responsible for any loss or damage to equipment or personal belongings while on site. We recommend removing items that carry value at the end of the day. We have never experienced vandalism of any kind, but cannot be held responsible if such an act occurs.
Sponsors are expected to provide their own audio visual materials. Please do not include large television sets or other large pieces of equipment that may be distracting to other exhibits. However, laptops or monitors running programs or slide-shows are appropriate. Please keep the volume low as a courtesy to other exhibitors.
All exhibit personnel are required to individually register. This allows us to identify who is responsible for the on-site logistics of the exhibit space. A maximum of 10 exhibitors are allowed to register (2 per showcase). For more details and to register, please visit our Registration Page.
3) Optional: Pre-Conference workshop is also available at an additional fee.
All conference attendees must reserve and pay for their own accommodations. DMD will be hosted at the Graduate Minneapolis in Minneapolis, MN and is offering a special discounted rate of $175 + tax for conference attendees.
1) Call 800-822-6757 or 612-379-8888 and ask for the Design of Medical Devices DMD 2019 room block.
Exhibitors can work directly with the hotel to ship boxes back to your respective company. The hotel's shipping and receiving department is run by John Greven (612-363-6612, jgreven@graduateminneapolis.com).
Please contact Jenny Holden for exhibit or sponsorship questions.


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Pattern of psoriasis in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India
N Asokan, Priya Prathap, K Ajithkumar, Ambooken Betsy, VG Binesh
Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Trichur Medical College, Trichur, Kerala, India
N Asokan
"Prashanthi," Kanattukara (P.O.), Thrissur 11
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5154.77575
Asokan N, Prathap P, Ajithkumar K, Betsy A, Binesh V G. Pattern of psoriasis in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. Indian J Dermatol 2011;56:118-9
Asokan N, Prathap P, Ajithkumar K, Betsy A, Binesh V G. Pattern of psoriasis in a tertiary care teaching hospital in South India. Indian J Dermatol [serial online] 2011 [cited 2022 Jan 19];56:118-9. Available from: https://www.e-ijd.org/text.asp?2011/56/1/118/77575
Psoriasis is a major cause of morbidity in our population. There have been several published studies on the pattern of the disease in North India. [1],[2],[3] The only previous study from South India which we could locate after an extensive literature search was published nearly 50 years ago and consisted only of 45 patients. [4] This study is undertaken to fill this data gap to a limited extent. Thrissur Medical College is a tertiary care teaching hospital in public sector in the South Indian State of Kerala. We started a twice-weekly psoriasis clinic from March 1, 2007. Here, we report the pattern of disease among the patients attending this clinic.
All patients who attended the out patient section of the Department of Dermatology and Venereology with a confirmed diagnosis of psoriasis were selected to the psoriasis clinic. Diagnosis of psoriasis was confirmed by a consultant in dermatology primarily on clinical grounds, supported by histopathology when needed. The socio-demographic and clinical details of all cases were routinely entered in a specially designed proforma. Records of consecutive patients who attended the clinic from March 1, 2007 to February 29, 2008 were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Of 275 patients, there were 206 males and 69 females (male-to-female ratio = 2.9:1). The youngest patient was of 6 years age, and the oldest was of 79 years. The mean age of onset was 38.9 years (±SD 14.5). The mean age of onset in males was 40.3 years (±SD 13.4), and this was 34.7 years (±SD 16.4) in females. A total of 156 patients (56.7%) had psoriasis of more than 5 years duration; 92 (33.5%) of more than 10 years; 57 (20.7%) of more than 15 years, and 26 (9.5%) of more than 20 years duration. A 79-year-old patient had psoriasis for 49 years.
A total of 120 patients (45.1%) were tobacco smokers either currently or in the past and 141 patients (51.3%) were past or current habitual users of alcohol. A total of 258 patients (93.8%) had previously been on modern medical treatment, and 160 (58.2%) had indigenous (Ayurvedic) treatment. Fifty-four (19.6%) had Homeopathic treatment.
A total of 246 patients (89.5%) had chronic plaque type of psoriasis, 35 patients (12.7%) had guttate type, and nine (3.3%) had erythrodermic type. Seven patients (2.6%) had pustular psoriasis, whereas five (1.8%) each had flexural and arthropathic types. There were four cases (1.5%) of sebopsoriasis. A total of 246 patients (89.5%) had scalp involvement, whereas 163 (59.3%) had nail involvement. A total of 129 patients (46.9%) had involvement of palms or soles. A total of 197 (71.6%) patients were treated only with topical therapy.
Most studies from India report a male preponderance similar to the findings of this study. [1],[3] However, in contrast to most previous studies, this study shows a higher mean age of onset of the disease in both sexes. [1],[2] Nearly a half of the patients were found to be current or past tobacco smokers and/or current or past consumers of alcohol. Involvement of the scalp was found to be higher in this series compared to previous reports, though more frequent involvement of scalp compared to nails has been noted previously. [5]
A majority of the patients had tried Ayurvedic and Homeopathic systems of medicine, which probably points to a low-satisfaction level of patients with this chronic disease with any single medical system. This highlights the need for proper counseling of patients with psoriasis.
It is worthwhile to note that more than two-third of the patients could be treated with only topical therapy. As topical therapy is simple and does not need elaborate monitoring, care of most of these patients could be undertaken by general practitioners provided they are adequately trained on the basics of dermatology including topical therapeutics.
It will not be possible to extrapolate the findings of this clinic-based study to the general population. Population-based studies are required in this regard. Yet, this study provides important information on the pattern of psoriasis in South India.
The authors thank Dr. K. Praveenlal, Principal, Medical College, Trichur for his advice and help.
1. Bedi TR. Psoriasis in North India. Geographical variations. Dermatologica 1977;155:310-4.
2. Kaur I, Handa S, Kumar B. Natural history of psoriasis: A study from the Indian subcontinent. J Dermatol 1997;24:230-4.
3. Mehta TK, Shah RN, Marquis L. A study of 300 cases of psoriasis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1978;44:242-4.
4. Ambady BM, Gopinath T, Nair BKH. Psoriasis. Indian J Dermatol Venereol Leprol 1961;27:23-30.
5. Fatani MI, Abdulghani MH, Al-Afif KA. Psoriasis in the eastern Saudi Arabia. Saudi Med J 2002;23:213-7.
1 Evaluation of IHC Ki-67 with Clinical Correlation in Psoriasis
Sandhya Borade, Vasudha A. Belgaumkar, Ravindranath B. Chavan, Neelam Bhatt, Nitika S. Deshmukh
Serbian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology. 2020; 12(2): 33
2 PSORIASIS- A CLINICAL STUDY FROM GARHWAL REGION OF UTTARAKHAND
Shiv Darshan Singh Rawat, Nancy Bhardwaj, Ena Jain
Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare. 2017; 4(2): 55
Asokan N
Prathap P
Ajithkumar K
Betsy A
Binesh V G

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


What's Up With Comcast's Stream TV? - The TV Answer Man!
Q. I was interested in getting the streaming service from Comcast that offers my local channels. But Comcast says it's not available yet. What's the deal? — Van, Miami.
Comcast announced last July that it would introduce a new $15-a-month streaming service that would include all four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox) as well as HBO.
See today's deal on Roku's streaming stick.
Called Stream TV, it would be made available to subscribers of Comcast's Internet service, but it would not require a video subscription. At the time of the announcement, the cable operator said it would be launched by summer's end in Boston, then soon thereafter in Chicago and Seattle.
Then, Comcast said it would be offered in all markets in early 2016.
However, the cable operator has experienced a major delay in rolling out Stream TV. Comcast didn't launch in any market until November when it introduced Stream in Boston; Chicago came later in the month.
But there's been no Seattle launch, or any other launch beyond the first two markets.
See Amazon's daily deal on the Fire TV set-top.
I asked Comcast for an explanation last week and the company would only say it has no updates on Stream TV's progress.
So, Van, you're going to have to hang in there. At this point, there's no telling when, or perhaps even if, Stream TV will be available in the Miami area.


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Northwordnews archives
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Closed for Show Change March 9-20
Reopening March 21 with New Exhibitions
November 22, 2014 to March 8, 2015
China Then and Now
Sponsored by HSBC Private Bank
China Then and Now brings together exemplary Chinese works of art from the classical, early modern and contemporary periods. The exhibition explores three millennia of one of the world's most important artistic traditions from the perspective of American collectors on Long Island, such as Childs and Frances Frick and Dr. Arthur M. Sackler.
China Then and Now unfolds over three galleries, each of which showcases the elegant beauty of Chinese art of different eras and media. The exhibition opens with eleven large-scale classical stone sculptures lent by Art Properties, Avery Architectural and Fine Arts Library, Columbia University and formerly in the collections of Arthur M. Sackler. At the heart of China Then and Now, is an installation of blue-and-white porcelains from the Ming and Qing eras (17th to 18th centuries) collected by Childs and Frances Frick and on loan, for the first time, from The Frick Collection in New York City. This display reunites these works with their original setting, the Georgian-style Bryce-Frick mansion that is today the home of the Nassau County Museum of Art. A final gallery presents extraordinary ink paintings by the renowned Beijing artist Liu Dan (born 1953) whose works bridge traditional forms with contemporary practices.
On view from November 22, 2014 through March 8, 2015, China Then and Now sheds new light on a fascinating chapter in America's engagement with China and its arts. This exhibition reveals the passion of American collectors of both the past and present for the culture and history of China.
Sponsored by HSBC Private Bank, China Then and Now is co-organized by guest curators Amy G. Poster, Curator Emerita of Asian Art at the Brooklyn Museum, and Kaijun Chen, Ph.D., post-doctoral Fellow at the Max-Planck-Institute for the History of Science.
SECOND FLOOR GALLERIES
Long Island Collects the Arts of China
An exhibition drawn from the holdings of Long Islanders whose collections include exceptional Chinese art in a variety of media. Many of these works have never or rarely-before been seen by the public.
PERMANENT COLLECTION GALLERY
Louis Comfort Tiffany: Works on Paper
Works selected from the museum's permanent collection
CONTEMPORARY COLLECTORS GALLERY
Gavin Rain
A native of Cape Town, South Africa, Gavin Rain works primarily in a neo-pointillist style. He cites two main narratives in his work: Hidden in plain sight, in which the subject cannot be seen until the viewer takes a few steps back; and Pseudo digital, in which the artist uses rows of dots in a pattern similar to television or computer screens. He credits Seurat, Russian avant garde art of the 1900s and the work of many architects as his main artistic influences. Rain's work has been seen in solo and group exhibitions throughout the world.
NEW EXHIBITION!
MAIN GALLERIES & SECOND FLOOR GALLERIES
March 21 to July 12, 2015
Out of the Vault: 25 Years of Collecting
Audubon, Pop Art by Indiana, Rivers &
Escobar, Vintage Posters, Larry Fink
Photography and Much More!
In celebration of its 25th anniversary, Nassau County Museum of Art presents its first comprehensive exhibition of permanent collection works in Out of the Vault: 25 Years of Collecting. This presentation highlights patrons' numerous gifts to the Museum over the last quarter century that have never, or rarely, been exhibited. Each focused gallery space within this multifaceted presentation accentuates different themes, including past and present portraiture, great traditions in small paintings, post-war sculpture and the eccentric object and vintage posters of the 1930s and 40s. Exploring a diverse range of artists that are strongly represented in the Museum's collections, this exhibit includes naturalist John James Audubon, photographer Larry Fink, as well as Pop art icons Marisol Escobar, Robert Indiana and Larry Rivers, among others. Also on view will be a selection of archival materials documenting exhibitions presented at the museum since 1989.
Please Note: Out of the Vault is in place of the previously announced The Saltzman Family Collection which will be presented later this year.
Sculpture Park
Approximately 40 works, many of them monumental in size, by renowned artists including Fernando Botero, Tom Otterness, George Rickey and Mark DiSuvero among others, are situated to interact with nature on the museum's magnificent 145-acre property.
The museum's 145 acres include many marked nature trails through the woods, perfect for family hikes or independent exploration.
From restored formal gardens of historic importance to quiet little nooks for dreaming away an afternoon, the museum's 145 acre property features many lush examples of horticultural arts. Come view our expanded gardens and beautiful new path to the museum.
November 22, 2014-March 8, 2015 (with exceptions for specific programs)
The Other Eye
A film about artist Liu Dan
The Other Eye is the first film about Liu Dan, China's major modern-day exponent of ink painting. A selection of the artist's work is on view in the museum's current major exhibition devoted to the arts of China, from earliest times to the present. In The Other Eye we see a remarkable glimpse into Liu Dan's creative process as he creates a large-scale landscape. Filmmaker Fan Xiaochun, has customized a 15-minute excerpt for the Museum from her longer documentary film about Liu Dan's work. Free with Museum admission. Reservations not needed; first come, first seated.
Sundays, 1-4 p.m.
Family Tour at 1 p.m.
Family Sundays at the Museum
Converse, collaborate and create together during our Family Sundays from 1 to 4 pm. Each week be inspired by exhibition based gallery conversations, and explore new art materials, vocabulary and ideas with our museum educator. Family Sundays provide children and the adults in their lives the opportunity to take time from their busy lives to reconnect while talking about and making art together. New Projects are featured every week!
EXHIBITION-RELATED LECTURE
Chinese Art and Long Island Collectors: A Curator's Perspective
Amy G. Poster
Saturday, March 7 at 3 p.m.
Amy G. Poster, co-curator of China Then and Now, is Curator Emerita, Asian Art of the Brooklyn Museum. She presents highlights of the exhibition, focusing on extraordinary works collected by some of Long Island's great aesthetes from yesteryear and today. A recognized expert of Asian art and culture, Poster is an independent curator and consultant who has published numerous scholarly catalogues and articles, including recent studies of early American collectors of Chinese art. Admission is $15 (members, $5) and includes museum admission. Register at nassaumuseum.org/events.
MUSEUM BENEFIT
Thursday, March 26, 6-9 p.m.
The Art of Golf
Nassau County Museum of Art presents a fun evening of networking, golf and games to benefit education programs at the Museum. To be held at the PGS Tour Superstore in Westbury, NY. For details and to arrange tickets, call (516) 484-9338, ext. 16.
BACK TO WEEKLY
OUT OF THE VAULT AT THE NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART NEXT MONTH
Nassau County Museum of Art Marks 25th Anniversary with an Exhibition
Drawn Entirely from the Museum's Permanent Collection. Highlights Include Works by John James Audubon,
Vintage Posters, Larry Fink Photography,
Pop Art by Marisol Escobar, Robert Indiana and Larry Rivers, Plus Past and Present Portraiture. READ MORE
Copyright 2014, Northwordnews.com, Sea Cliff, New York. All rights reserved


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2008: Searching for "Not Rudy"
The Democrats are the party that says government will make you smarter, taller, richer, and remove the crabgrass on your lawn. The Republicans are the party that says government doesn't work and then they get elected and prove it.
- P. J. O'Rourke
Last month we handicapped the Democratic race for president. This month, as Fred Thompson officially joins the race, we look at the Republicans.
The GOP sprint to the nomination is changing almost daily yet staying almost the same: The Republican right is looking for someone who can beat Rudy Giuliani for the nomination and then win the November election. They cannot find that person.
Mitt Romney keeps insisting that he is the one. Six months ago, Romney wanted to differentiate himself from John McCain as both attempted to claim the conservative wing of the Republican Party while Rudy Giuliani held the left. When McCain imploded, Romney made a strategic decision. With McCain down, if not completely out, Romney decided to campaign as if he were the clear frontrunner on the right. Attacking Giuliani, Romney ignored the other candidates and possible candidates. Within the past few weeks, Romney has stepped up his increasingly direct attacks on Giuliani. This strategy has been tried many times before over the past 100 years or so, usually without success. The candidate doing the attacking is most often passed over for another candidate with cleaner hands.
Which candidate has clean hands? That question needs to be expanded: Which candidate (1) has clean hands, (2) does not have a messy personal life, (3) can assemble a capable campaign and fundraising staff and (4) can win in November? Answer: Nobody. The GOP right is still looking for the Great Right Hope, as consultant and commentator Dick Morris points out. What if the right decides that the November election cannot be won? Too many voters are looking for change. So many others are tired of Iraq. The economy is troubled. Perhaps the Republican nomination is a prize not worth having. Will the right sit it out?
Lightening can strike so people want the Republican nomination. But are any of the GOP hopefuls likely to put up a good fight in November? Does anyone, announced or thinking about it, seem to have a shot in November? Yes, but the GOP right is not yet ready for Rudy.
Obviously, Giuliani has flaws as a candidate. The GOP has no ideal candidate. McCain is trying to recover from a political near-death experience. He was done in by his outspokenness on the immigration bill that the GOP right killed. His fundraising dried up. Romney is following an old political rule that says that when your opponent is self-destructing, leave him alone. That meant Romney could avoid attacking other candidates, focus on driving marginal GOP candidates and possible candidates out of the race or attack Giuliani.
Romney has decided not to pick off the weaker GOP challengers. He is after Giuliani. This means that as he concentrates on Giuliani, other Republicans continue campaigning. Lightening may strike one of them because Romney is ignoring another old political rule: Clear out the weaker candidates when you have a chance.
Romney is ignoring the rule even though he does not seem to be gathering momentum in attracting new support, suggesting that Romney may be just a placeholder for conservatives till that mythical real conservative arrives. Is that Thompson? We will soon know whether Thompson can spurt past Romney, although Thompson recently has been trending ever-so-slowly downward.
A weird process
This is all part of the weird process that leads to the Republican nomination and the way that process is covered by the media.
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When the race was defined as Giuliani-on-the-left and McCain-on-the-right, Romney had a clear mission: Replace McCain as the choice of the GOP right. Then, the race would be between Romney-on-the-right and Giuliani-on-the-left. Review Romney?s statements earlier in the year. They show that he was remaking and emphasizing his own conservative credentials. Basically what has he accomplished? He has muddled his stance on abortion, reinforcing his image as a flip-flopper.
Another old political rule says that if you want to criticize an opponent, it is better to criticize that opponent as part of a larger group. Thus, Romney?s folks went around reminding people that Romney ? the Mormon ? was happily married to his first and only wife while other leading candidates were on their second or perhaps third marriages.
?Isn?t it strange that the Mormon is the one with a conventional marriage?? cooed not one but several people as they introduced Romney in Iowa and New Hampshire. Great minds think alike but these great minds were most probably in Romney headquarters. They were guiding the local folks in the battleground states.
Candidates and multiple marriages
Rumors went out about the McCain marriages and Giuliani?s difficult family stresses and strains. Newt Gingrich took note. He knew his weaknesses. He prepared to enter the race by confessing to adultery to try to get his messy marital record off the table. Fred Thompson?s campaign took note and realized that Thompson?s new wife would be targeted by the Romney rumor-spreaders. Is part of Thompson?s delay in officially entering the race an attempt to buy time to figure out how to deal with the trophy-wife issue?
All of Romney's money and strategy have not led to a break-through because Republican voters are unlikely to want just one conservative in the race at this point. Who will they elevate from the second tier? Because Thompson and Gingrich were not officially in the race, they were always mentioned as possible break-through candidates. Unannounced candidates are usually taken more seriously than their underlying support merits. But both Thompson and Gingrich have tested the voters' patience. They are tactical candidates at best. Their hope has been to enter the race at the right time so they can get nominated. They implicitly admit by using that tactic that they are unlikely to win with a more conventional approach.
Who else is there? Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee says he is an obvious choice because he placed second to Romney in the Iowa straw poll in August. A former preacher, he does well in retail-style campaigning. That makes him popular in Iowa and New Hampshire, where face-to-face politicking is successful. But he has not been able to move up dramatically in the polls. He seems to be stuck as first among also-rans. Thompson's entry cannot help Huckabee.
Interestingly, McCain is being repositioned by Romney?s attacks on Giuliani. By the time 2008 gets here, McCain may be seen as the centrist Republican who can win in November. The good news for Romney was winning the Iowa straw poll. The bad news was that by winning the straw poll with a few more than 4,500 votes, Romney has put himself squarely in the middle of a target that will attract many thousands of journalists and commentators. Now the scrutiny that he has tried to have focused on McCain and Giuliani will focus more on him.
Not such a big bounce
Despite a year's work and the bounce from the Iowa straw poll, Romney cannot seem to catch Giuliani in national polls. His sole claim to fame is that his money has brought him a lead in Iowa and his geographic proximity has given him one in New Hampshire. The question is whether he can hold those leads once other candidates start running ads in Iowa and New Hampshire. In past similar situations, the lead has disappeared once other candidates go on the air.
Meanwhile, Giuliani is positioning himself as conservative on everything but social issues, which he is trying to position as ?individual decisions of the heart.? His people are taking an unusual message to leaders of the Republican right: If all the prospective candidates are flawed, why not go with the one with the best chance to win? Radnor research backs up the idea that the public is aware of Giuliani's messy past and, so far, seems to discount it.
Not much change in the polls?
Here are links to a compilation of polls collected by a popular website. The lines going across the page for the Democratic candidates look somewhat like stripes of a flag, waving but not changing position. We talked about the Democratic candidates last month,
The Republican lines are more confused.
Who is the last hope of the right?
Could a ?true? conservative still win? We will soon know a lot more about Thompson's likely fate. McCain's fall and Romney's stall seemed to pave the way for Thompson but he has not been making organizational progress. His July 31 filing showed a surprisingly low $3.4 million raised with $2.8 million on hand. Half the total came from Thompson?s native Tennessee. He has not shown the ability to raise money and create a national base for a campaign.
Thompson's problems go beyond fundraising. He has gone through two campaign managers even before becoming an official candidate. His wife, who fancies herself a political mastermind, maneuvered to get rid of the first choice. The second choice was run off by right-wing bloggers over immigration.
The ineptness combines with the impression of indecision about running and then merges with the feeling that Thompson does not want to work hard enough to make it. A few weeks ago he was tied with Giuliani in some daily tracking polls. Now he keeps falling further behind.
What about Newt? All along, he has said that his game plan is to wait until fall. As counter-intuitive as that strategy has seemed, Gingrich may have been correct all along.
Gingrich knew how much political and personal baggage he would carry into the race. He has avoided media attention and attacks from other candidates. Most of all, he was right when he calculated that no other candidate would be able to sew up the nomination from the right.
Gingrich has watched other conservatives rush in and stall. A few have fallen out of the race. More are hanging on but have little hope. Most are dying slowly. Gingrich expects Thompson to enter and begin to die slowly. Gingrich believes that he has little to fear from his right flank if he gets into the race.
Does this mean that the stars are lining up for Gingrich to become the latest and possibly last conservative hope? Could Gingrich make the GOP right dislike Giuliani more for his liberal social views than they like Giuliani for his homeland security credentials? Will the Republican right have to look within the ranks for a sacrificial lamb - or put winning ahead of political orthodoxy?
Maybe, just maybe, the GOP base is going to have to get used to Giuliani at the top of the ticket.
The Democrats and 2008: Unready runners
Learn more about Hillary Clinton: Who is Hillary?
Learn who the likely winners are: Over before it begins?
Review all recent Radnor Reports


Hey guys, so now that it is a month to finishing campus there is a list of questions that I have been getting and I don't know if any of you were asked some of them or are being asked but here goes…When are you graduating? Have you applied for jobs? Which field do you think you are comfortable in? Have you thought about further studies? What are your plans? These are the common ones that I usually have to answer in two or three conversations that I have. For the first question, I am in a public university and the way things have been going I am just praying I graduate this year.
Apart from all the questions, I have been thinking about what is next. There is the hope that you finish school and get a job and start living. This is like the basic dream but I have had so many things in mind and I still keep changing what I feel is next. We have this lecturer who keeps trying to encourage guys to go for higher learning like masters and PhD in engineering as if undergraduate has not been hard enough. I considered going to do my masters and all like I was into being a scholar but I also want experience in the field and maybe get the title engineer. I have very few examples of people juggling both because either way one preceded the other.
So you have all your hopes on one side then there is the reality. We have to be honest with ourselves. The job market in Kenya is very competitive some people get jobs right from campus or while they are on campus others will be tarmacking for months before their big break. I feel like there are so many opportunities out there it might not come with your full list of demands like starting salary of 70K or working in a specific department. There are so many decisions to make as you start out and writing this already makes me feel like there are tough decisions ahead.
One thing is for sure things will work out when the time comes. So till then let me enjoy this one or two months left while trying to gather my thoughts on what is next and what will be required from me then.


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The vilest smear of all
When I was a young reporter on a provincial newspaper in the 1990s, rumours began to circulate about a local politician among journalists, political representatives, and Gardai across the West of Ireland.
The whispers would surface occasionally at local authority meetings, press launches, or court hearings, spreading quickly from one media outlet to another in the small bubble which was the local media at the time.
Brave whistleblower Maurice McCabe
The rumours were of a sexual nature and involved underage victims.
If they weren't true, they were appalling slurs against a man who had a high profile in both sport and politics in the West of Ireland.
Until the day he died, I never heard any concrete evidence of wrong-doing against the man.
As far as I was aware, he was never questioned or charged in relation to the activities which were so well-known among journalists and politicians in one part of Ireland.
In those days, my role as a newspaper journalist involved regular phone contact with virtually every politician across the region.
I had no way of knowing whether the rumours about this particular man were true or not, but I heard them repeated so often that they clearly coloured my dealings with him.
I'd call him whenever I had to, I'd exchange pleasantries with him on the phone, but the unfounded allegations I had heard – with absolutely no substance to back them up – would hover in the back of my mind.
After his death, one of his party colleagues spoke to me with disarming honesty. He said that his friend was aware of the rumours for many years and that they had driven him to alcohol abuse and a very lonely life in his latter years.
So, in recent weeks, it was hard to imagine the kind of anguish the family of Garda whistleblower Sgt Maurice McCabe was going through. This was a man whose only 'crime' was to be an honest policeman.
When he discovered that colleagues were bending the rules, abusing the Pulse system to allow high-profile people such as journalists to evade penalty points, he did what could only be described as the right thing.
A system of justice is discredited in the eyes of the people if justice is not served equally, but Sgt McCabe could hardly have imagined what was in store for him when he began to raise his concerns.
Maurice McCabe did Ireland a huge favour by stepping forward and daring to expose wrong-doing and the abuse of power.
As a result, he was falsely accused of raping a six year old child.
The accusations were not made public, but hidden away in a Tusla (child protection agency) file and spread as rumours among sections of the Gardai and media in Dublin.
Expressing solidarity with Sgt McCabe at
Shannon Airport last week
They were only unearthed after the wrong details were "copied and pasted" into the wrong Tusla file.
If that wasn't malicious, it was a level of ineptitude which was unthinkable in a country which is still reeling from clerical sex abuse allegations which were covered up for decades.
Sgt McCabe was the subject of the worst smear anyone could face.
Those who instigated the smear knew full well that the rumours would spread when they shared them with Garda colleagues or crime correspondents in the media.
The implication was clear. How could you take the claims of a whistleblower seriously if you had heard the rumours?
Ireland is a small country and people love a bit of gossip, just as journalists and politicians thrived on the "inside information" we had – apparently without any substance – about our political friend in Galway in the 1990s.
For the 'crime' of telling the truth about corruption in our police force, Sgt McCabe was portrayed as a vile person who could not be trusted by some senior Gardai.
It is nothing short of frightening that a man whose only concern was bringing the truth to light was vilified and branded as a sex abuser.
Former Garda Commissioner Martin Callinan, who subsequently resigned from his job, branded his allegations as "disgusting".
Imagine how difficult it was for Sgt McCabe to carry out his duties when the head of his own police force showed such vehement opposition to his brave attempts to expose corruption.
And yet that was nothing compared to the allegations circulating in the background. He would have known nothing of them at the time.
You can imagine the informal briefings which are so central to Irish political life. "Did you hear the rumour about so-and-so?" "Don't trust so-and-so. Sure, have you not heard about the file . . . "
Sgt Maurice McCabe: an honest whistleblower who
was the subject of malicious (and false) smears
All Maurice McCabe wanted was truth and justice – instead, he was the victim of a truly appalling smear by those who wield power in Irish society.
But for a mistake by a member of staff at the child protection agency, who contacted him in error about the "wrong" file, he might never have known about the vicious rumours circulating behind his back.
He was being punished for breaking the unwritten rules of Irish life.
This, after all, is the country in which you ring a politician in a bid to move up the lengthy waiting list for a local authority house.
It's the land in which a TD or Senator will pressurise a surgeon to move you up the waiting list if you urgently need surgery and the waiting lists last for months or even years.
It's the country where the right connections will allow you to evade penalty points if you know the right Garda and you are in a position of power.
Bending the rules is part of our heritage.
Perhaps it goes back to our colonial days. With a wink and a nudge, Irish people learned how to work their way around inconvenient or "tricky" laws. Sure, they weren't our laws.
They were imposed by the British after all. We had a grudging admiration for law-breakers under the British Empire and we exported that rebellious spirit to the US and Australia.
But there's a huge difference between opposing unjust laws and smearing a good policeman who only wanted to do his job.
Over a decade has passed since McCabe first raised concerns about corruption in the Gardai and it's impossible to imagine the anguish he has gone through since then.
The realisation that some people – with the right connections – have been able to act as they please while evading the consequences should make us all fearful for Irish democracy.
There are too many coincidences in the Maurice McCabe case to suggest anything other than a deliberate and malicious campaign to discredit and disgrace a good man.
If a Garda whose only crime is to expose corruption can be maliciously and falsely branded as a sex abuser, what does that say about power and democracy in 21st century Ireland?
Ciaran Tierney is a journalist, blogger, and content writer, based in Galway, Ireland. You can check out his Facebook page here
Check out Ciaran's website: http://ciarantierney.com/
Find Ciaran on Twitter, @ciarantierney
A blog post about media ownership in Ireland, from July 2016 http://ciarantierney.blogspot.ie/2016/07/the-silence-is-deafening.html
By Ciaran Tierney - February 21, 2017
Labels: corruption, Gardai, Irish Government, Maurice McCabe, scandal, Tusla, whistleblower
patty1974 February 22, 2017 at 4:28 AM
Brilliant piece its a pity that there aren't more honest journa lists like yourself helping the people who speak their truth.
I can't believe that people would do that to another human being what planet do these people live on.
I am just delighted there are still good people in this world who care enough to speak the truth. Steve Colins from Limerick who's son was murdered by a criminal gang said EVIL HAPPENS when good men stand by and do nothing. He put it on a plaque in the spot where his son was murdered. That's so true fair play to you all who speak out against injustice God Bless you all.
Ciaran Tierney February 23, 2017 at 1:26 PM
Thanks Patty. Amazing how quickly the Maurice McCabe scandal moved on to a debate over the leadership of Fine Gael. Which is more important?
Also amazing how Maurice McCabe allegations weren't taken so seriously when raised by the likes of Mick Wallace, Clare Daly, and Luke 'Ming' Flanagan. Apparently, they are not the "acceptable" opposition.
John Hennessy February 25, 2017 at 6:06 AM
Thank you Ciaran, That's a mind blowing piece of Honest Journalism from a Honest Journalist, it typify's the shit that goes on at the Top Table in the elite circles. People have to be careful.
Good luck Ciaran on your brilliant work,
sean o'haimheirgin February 25, 2017 at 6:32 AM
Except, Ciaran, when you were in a position as a journalist to actually do something about a similiar situation regarding the Galway politician, you did nothing. "I'd call him whenever I had to, I'd exchange pleasantries with him on the phone" doesn't sound like the actions of an ethical reporter to me. It's easy to point the finger at others, the real measure of any of us is what we do in our own lives.
Ciaran Tierney February 25, 2017 at 8:07 AM
Hi Sean. All I heard were rumours whispered at media events. How exactly could I resolve something when I had only heard rumours? I was hardly going to go to the politican and say "Oh, I hear rumours that you are a peadophile". What exactly are you suggesting? That I could have gone to the guy and a/ upset him if the rumours weren't true, or b/ merely repeated an allegation which was nasty and perhaps true? My point in this blog is that vicious rumours can ruin a person's reputation, and can be planted deliberately in order to do so by the "powers that be". I never let on to be an angel myself and I don't actually get your point. I didn't actually like the particular politician in Galway whose career may have been coming to an end as mine was beginning. What exactly could I have done about rumours??
Also, the politician in Galway was not being smeared deliberately for any activities he was engaged in, as far as I could make out ... unlike Maurice McCabe who just happened to be the whistleblower with the highest profile in the history of the Garda Siochana.
Alan P November 26, 2017 at 6:41 AM
Really good article Ciaran about poor auld Gerry who got a raw deal from the people who should have supported and lauded him for exposing corruption.
However, I do get Sean's point as well. As a journalist, was your job not to seek the truth however unpleasant that may be, even if it means upsetting some people along the way (Veronica Guerin for example!).
Saying you were just a young buck at the time is akin to Roy Hodgson's justification for working in apartheid South Africa in the 80's, I'm afraid that doesn't wash.
Why couldn't you ask him about them? As you learned later, he was well aware of the rumours and they made his last few years of life a misery, so maybe he would have welcomed the chance to talk to someone about it and to try and set the record straight. If they were true then the confirmation of any crimes committed by him may have given solace to the victims.
As it was you simply did nothing and allowed the rumours to perpetuate.
Ciaran Tierney December 24, 2017 at 9:42 AM
In the real world, I don't think it is really possible to approach someone you hardly know and ask them if the rumours are true, that they are engaged in paedophile behaviour.
I certainly did not feel like doing that at the time, as I hardly knew the man, and I doubt very much I would if I heard the same rumours about someone I hardly know now.
There is a big difference between reporting on the truth and gossip, which is what my point is about the Maurice McCabe allegations. They weren't in the public domain at the time, but they took on a whole level of viciousness because of the seniorirty of those who spread them.
Would you really go up to a senior politician you hardly know and as if appalling rumours were true? I certainly wouldn't.


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We do not have to buy an air ticket to try this, and the newly opened shop at Raffles City has also attracted many ramen fans to queue for a coveted bowl.
The shop's name comes from famous Edo-era swordsman Miyamoto Musashi, and operates on the five key ramen principles of 'chi, sui, hi, kaze and ku' to create an ideal bowl of Japanese ramen.
There are three types of ramen soup base to choose from: the white (original), black (black sauce) and red (spicy). The black kakuni ramen ($14.90) is 'oishii', with a thick and salty broth cooked from a mixture of pork bones and dried saury fish.
Compared to the other popular ramen shops Ippudo and Ramen Santouka, Menya's version feels lacking in oomph. I will definitely go back to try again, but only when the hype and queue subsides.
Definitely NOT worth to queue. Please don't waste time because the queue is manipulated by the restaurant. When we reached the restaurant, the queue was very long but the restaurant was very empty as well. We questioned the waitress and she explained that the soup hasn't boiled yet. Therefore, they can't let the customers to go in. This is called "POOR MANAGEMENT".
The menu is very simple but the ordering process is complicated. I believe this is one of the marketing hype and also to delay the ordering process. Hence, the queue will get longer and longer.
The noodles are too sticky and soup is purely a pot of oil. We will definitely not going back again even is FOC. Think about it, time is money. We waited 1 hour standing there do nothing.
Thanks to Angry Bird's comment! His/her supplemented Dan's review.


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On the 17th of January, Prime Minister Theresa May announced that the British government would appoint a Minister for Loneliness. Her name? Tracey Crouch. While it may sound silly, more than 9 million people in the UK suffer from loneliness on a daily basis. With Brexit on the table, it's just proof that no man is an island.


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Birmingham is Britain's second largest city, and its location in the West Midlands makes it a great place to begin exploring the Cotswolds and Malvern Hills areas — especially by canal. Birmingham's canals were a byproduct of the Industrial Revolution that saw the city boom, and today this extensive canal network is used mostly for pleasure boating.
The city in fact has more canals than Venice, with one of the top fun free things to do in Birmingham being exploring the preserved canals and historic buildings of the iconic Gas Street Basin. These days, the city is best-known for its jewelry and food stuffs, as well as its numerous cultural activities and festivals. One of the best of these is one of the world's largest St. Patrick's Day Parades.
Just 20 miles southeast of Birmingham is Coventry, the center of Britain's motor industry and a delightful place to visit on a day trip.
To ensure you can cram as much as possible into your England Midlands' travel itinerary, be sure to refer to our list of the top attractions and things to in Birmingham.
See also: Where to Stay in Birmingham
1. Explore Victoria Square & the City Center
Victoria Square & City Center, Birmingham
The heart of Birmingham revolves around the pedestrian-friendly Victoria Square, an area that can be explored via the Birmingham City Centre Path. Along the way, you'll discover the attractive old Town Hall, built in 1832 and a masterpiece of Victorian architecture. Resembling a Roman temple, this impressive structure features 40 ornate Corinthian columns made of Anglesey marble.
It's been the center of the city's music scene since hosting the first performance of Mendelssohn's Elijah in 1847. Nowadays, its impressive Symphony Hall, with its world-class acoustics and stunning auditorium, regularly features A-list singers and performers and is also home to the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Adorning the forecourt are two memorials, one to Queen Victoria and another to inventor James Watt. The Renaissance-style Council House (1874), with its famous "Big Brum" clock (a slang phrase for Birmingham) is close by.
Other old-city sites to visit include pedestrian-only Chamberlain Square and the Central Library. The library is home to the largest Shakespeare collection outside the United States (50,000 volumes in 90 languages).
Just a short stroll northeast of the city center is the Coffin Museum. This fascinating attraction showcases the history and traditions of coffin making and funerals, and is well worth including on your Birmingham travel itinerary. Guided tours are available.
2. Take a Tour of Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery
The Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, opened in 1885, is considered one of the finest such museums outside London. Its art treasures include a collection of works by Pre-Raphaelite painters, as well as artwork from the 17th to 19th centuries and sculptures by Rodin and James Tower.
There are also interesting displays related to the city's history, including archaeological finds dating back to the Stone Age, along with the impressive Pinto Collection, with its 6,000-plus toys and other items made of wood. A gift shop is located on-site, and if you're interested in a great high tea experience, the exquisite Edwardian Tearooms is worth a visit.
If there's time in your schedule, pay a visit to The Ikon Gallery, a contemporary art museum located in a heritage building that's worth exploring.
Address: Chamberlain Square, Birmingham
Official site: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/bmag
3. See the Blooms at The Birmingham Botanical Gardens
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Another great tourist attraction that should be included on your West Midlands travel itinerary is The Birmingham Botanical Gardens. Spread across 15 acres in the affluent suburbs of Edgbaston, these 19th-century gardens are easy to get to from the city center and home to countless species. A visit is very much like stepping back in time, thanks to the perfectly preserved Victorian-era glasshouses and other period park features.
It's particularly well known for its collection of bonsai trees, including one that's over 250 years old. In addition to the more than 7,000 plants from across the globe, you'll also enjoy seeing a variety of wildlife, including rare tropical birds and a butterfly house. Other on-site amenities include a gift shop, a tearoom, plus playgrounds for the kids.
Address: Westbourne Road, Birmingham
Official site: www.birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk
4. Get Smart at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum
Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum | Bs0u10e0 / photo modified
Families traveling with budding young scientists won't want to miss Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum. This award-winning museum includes a large number of fascinating science-related exhibits, many of them hands-on and interactive.
Highlights include an impressive collection of steam-powered machines, from locomotives to tractors, as well as industrial machinery, many related to Birmingham's important role as an industrial center through the centuries. Other fun displays include a chocolate packaging machine and the Spitfire Gallery, with its authentic WWII-era aircraft (including one of 10,000 Spitfires made locally).
Be sure to also visit the Science Garden, with its human-sized hamster wheel. The Thinktank Planetarium, with its fascinating tours of the stars and planets, is another great way to keep the kids entertained.
Address: Millennium Point, Curzon Street, Birmingham
Official site: www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank
5. Take the Family to the National SEA LIFE Centre Birmingham
National SEA LIFE Centre, Birmingham | Roland Turner / photo modified
One of Birmingham's most-visited tourist attractions, the National SEA LIFE Centre is home to an impressive 60-plus exhibits related to marine life. Pride of place goes to the aquarium's massive million-liter ocean tank, with its unique underwater tunnel, which allows visitors an uninterrupted view of the diverse sea life on display, including everything from reef sharks to giant turtles.
All told, some 2,000 critters call the aquarium home, including numerous rare seahorses, giant octopi, lobsters, crabs, and stingrays. The attraction's big stars, though, are its playful otters (look out for Mango and Starsky), along with its penguins.
Housed in the impressive Penguin Ice Adventure habitat, these fascinating creatures are fun to watch as they frolic. A 4-D cinema is also on site and offers regular educational programming. If time and budget permit, book one of the fun behind-the-scenes or penguin-feeding experiences.
Address: The Water's Edge, Brindley Place, Birmingham
Official site: www.visitsealife.com/birmingham/
6. Wander the Jewellery Quarter
Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham
The Jewellery Quarter is an area of Birmingham that is steeped in tradition. Here, more than 200 jewelers' workshops and silversmiths produce 40 percent of Britain's jewelry, chiefly in the vicinity of the Clock Tower on the corner of Vyse and Frederick Streets and around the Georgian church of St. Paul's.
Be sure to visit the area's top sightseeing spot, the Museum of the Jewellery Quarter, which offers an insider's look at the trade in the fascinating Smith & Pepper Factory. Also worth checking out is the nearby Hall of Memory opposite Baskerville House, erected in 1925 to commemorate the 14,000 city men who lost their lives in WWI, and St. Paul's Square with its attractive church.
If time permits, be sure to pop over to the Pen Museum. Situated in the Jewellery Quarter's old pen factory, this first-rate museum showcases the city's former role as a hotbed of pen making along with the history of writing instruments. A special treat is having the opportunity to make your own steel nib using the same machinery and techniques used in the 19th century. Also fun is the reproduction Victorian schoolroom, where guests can practice their penmanship using traditional quills.
Address: Vyse Street, Hockley, Birmingham
Official site: www.jewelleryquarter.net
7. Enjoy a Concert at St. Philip's Cathedral
St. Philip's Cathedral, Birmingham
Built in 1715, St. Philip's Cathedral (the third smallest in England) began life as a parish church and was elevated to its present status in 1905. The cathedral was gutted during a bombing raid in 1940, but foresight saw its famous stained-glass windows by Burne-Jones (1884) removed a few weeks prior.
Today, these significant treasures — returned to their rightful place when the cathedral was rebuilt in 1948 — are a highlight of any trip to Birmingham. Be sure to check the cathedral's website prior to your visit for details of talks, seminars, exhibits, and concerts.
Another religious structure worth visiting is St. Martin's Church. Dating from the 13th century, it also features windows by Burne-Jones.
Address: Colmore Row, Birmingham
Official site: www.birminghamcathedral.com
8. Barber Institute of Fine Arts
Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Birmingham | Elliott Brown / photo modified
Located close to Birmingham University, the Barber Institute of Fine Arts houses an excellent collection of art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Highlights include masterpieces by the likes of Botticelli, Bellini, Tintoretto, Rubens, Rembrandt, Watteau, Manet, Monet, Gainsborough, Constable, and Degas. The building itself should also be explored, especially for its excellent statue of George I.
If time permits be sure to check out the institute's schedule of classical lunchtime and evening concerts. Guided tours are available, and a shop and café are located on-site.
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham
Official site: http://barber.org.uk/
9. See the Birmingham Back to Backs
Birmingham Back to Basics | Tony Hisgett / photo modified
Well worth visiting and within easy walking distance of the city center, the Birmingham Back to Backs attraction is a unique collection of the small back-to-back homes once so prolific throughout the city. Built around a central courtyard — in this case, Court 15 — in the mid-19th century, these homes offer a unique insight into the often difficult conditions in which the working classes lived.
Interesting displays also provide an insight into these workers' important contribution to city life. Other highlights include a traditional 1930s sweet shop, along with a souvenir shop, or participating in one of the fun workshops held here regularly. For a first-rate tourist experience, consider booking one of the attraction's two cottages for an overnight stay. Admission is by guided tour only.
Address: 50-54 Inge Street, Birmingham
Official site: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/birmingham-back-to-backs/
10. See the Cute Creatures at Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
Ring-tailed lemur at the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park
Another creature-focused attraction that's well worth seeing for those traveling with kids is the Birmingham Wildlife Conservation Park. This fun city-run attraction on the edge of Cannon Hill Park is a small zoo that's home to a variety of animals including red pandas, lemurs, and meerkats.
Established in 1964, the zoo has also become important for its research and breeding programs. A variety of fun experiences are available for kids, including some that allow unique hands-on experiences based around the care and upkeep of a variety of the gentler species. At the very least, be sure to check the zoo's website for details of feeding times, when you can often see these cute creatures at their liveliest.
Address: Pershore Road, Birmingham
Official site: www.birmingham.gov.uk/conservationpark
11. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Cadbury World, Bournville
Cadbury World, Bournville | Tony Hisgett / photo modified
Located in Cadbury's Bournville manufacturing site, just a short drive from Birmingham, Cadbury World is one of the area's largest (and most popular) attractions. It welcomes more than 500,000 visitors each year. With a focus on fun, visitors get to discover the history of chocolate, as well as the manufacturing process through a number of excellent themed interactive exhibits.
Along the way, guests learn the story of the Cadbury business, one of the world's largest confectioneries, as well as having a chance to enjoy theme-park-like attractions suitable for families. A highlight is exploring the Bull Street attraction with its replica shops reminiscent of the 1820s.
Be sure to also try your hand at making your own confectionary, as well as getting in some shopping in the world's largest Cadbury's sweet shop. Afterwards, be sure to spend a little time exploring the picture-perfect village of Bournville itself, built by the Cadbury family after 1860 specifically to house their large workforce.
Address: Linden Road, Bournville
Official site: www.cadburyworld.co.uk/
12. Black Country Living Museum, Dudley
Black Country Living Museum, Dudley
In the town of Dudley, just nine miles west of Birmingham, The Black Country Living Museum occupies a 26-acre site and offers visitors a vivid insight into the history of mining (hence the "black"). An old mine shaft and reconstructed turn-of-the-century industrial community consisting of 50 authentic buildings — many of them dismantled and rebuilt on the property — can be explored.
It's also fun to explore the neighboring network of canals, a part of the adventure that takes place in an authentic narrow boat once used to transport coal. Other highlights of this fascinating open-air museum include the chance to interact with costumed guides well-versed in the histories of the local people. There are also plenty of unique shopping opportunities, vintage trams, buses, and commercial vehicles, as well as a traditional English fun fair from the 19th century.
Located between Birmingham and Coventry, Sarehole Mill Museum is an old water mill that dates back to the mid 1500s. Located on the River Cole in Hall Green, it's fun diversion if you're able to get here, and contains fascinating exhibits on its history, as well as one that deals with J.R.R. Tolkien, who as a child lived only a few hundred yards away.
Address: Tipton Road, Dudley
Official site: www.bclm.co.uk
Where to Stay in Birmingham for Sightseeing
If you're looking to spend a few days sightseeing in Birmingham, we recommend these centrally located hotels in Birmingham located close to popular museums and tourist attractions such as the National Sea Life Centre:
Luxury Hotels:
The luxurious Hyatt Regency Birmingham is a high-rise hotel in the city center that's well worth staying at, featuring excellent city views, contemporary décor, spa facilities, an indoor swimming pool, and whirlpool.
Another good luxury option is the Genting Hotel, a four-star property that offers a mix of rooms and suites, a restaurant with great views over the city, and a spa.
The Edgbaston should also be on your list and is a delightful boutique hotel featuring elegant en-suite bedrooms, a great restaurant, and a posh afternoon tea.
Mid-Range Hotels:
The wonderfully named Staying Cool at Rotunda is a great mid-range priced hotel offering a sleek design, serviced apartments, floor-to-ceiling windows, and comfortable beds.
Hipsters and those who enjoy attractive old buildings should look into the Frederick Street Townhouse located in the heart of the Jewellery Quarter, with cozy rooms, great beds, and old-style bathtubs.
For a truly unique experience, book into the new Boatel Birmingham, featuring accommodations for up to eight guests in three rooms aboard a classic canal barge.
Budget Hotels:
The Staybridge Suites Birmingham is a great choice for those seeking a cheap Birmingham hotel and features affordable suites with kitchenettes, a free breakfast, and fitness center.
So, too, is the Premier Inn Birmingham City Centre, with its budget-friendly rates, central location, wonderful staff, and great breakfast.
Be sure to also look for hotel deals at the Hilux Birmingham, an apartment-style hotel within walking distance of top attractions that offers quality bedding and clean accommodations.
Easy Day Trips: The city of Manchester makes for a fun day trip from Birmingham, with its museums and revitalized city center being easy to get to by car or train. Lovely Liverpool is about the same distance (and as easy to get to), and is popular for its many Beatles-related things to do. Although a little further afield, Bristol can also be enjoyed in a day, with a stop at the beautiful Cheddar Gorge being a must-do along the way.
Great Weekend Getaways: The charming city of Chester makes for a great weekend getaway when in England, and is famous for its historic city walls and medieval architecture. Another historic cathedral city worth staying at is Durham, which also features a well-preserved castle and numerous cobbled streets. The northern city of Hull is not without its charms, too, including its museum quarter and excellent maritime museum.
England Travel Ideas: Be sure to set vacation time aside for a visit to England's capital, the city of London, a popular place to visit for its ancient castle (the Tower of London) and Buckingham Palace. The English Lake District makes for another great place to stay, famous for lovely Lake Windermere and its endless water sports and hiking opportunities. The lovely city of Winchester is another great option, especially as it's located close to the country's top tourist attraction, Stonehenge.
Coventry Cathedral Map (Historical). Coventry Cathedral in nearby Coventry, England is worth a visit.
Birmingham Map - Attractions (Historical)
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REVV Afterburner K-Cup Pods combined a blend of darkly roasted Arabica and Robusta coffees creating this rich, smoky, balanced brew. The expert roasters at Keurig had all the late-night workers, earlier raisers, and get-it-done folks in mind when creating this smooth, not bitter, dark roast. Some say it has a syrupy feel and smoky aroma. REVV Afterburner is a strong cup of coffee that is ready day or night. Each of the 24 K-Cup Pods comes packed with 10.9 grams of excellent, high-quality coffee. Some might even consider this a bold coffee.


1 of 7A Baja Designs SLDLaser headlight blasting into the night. I didn't ride in this rig, but did get a laser demo ride in a Baja prerunner. Look at that beam!
2 of 7SLDLaser provides laser light technology to Baja Designs, which sets it up for desert race teams to run in Baja and elsewhere off-road. Here is desert racer Justin Lofton hauling us press dopes through the desert outside Las Vegas during CES to show off the technology.
3 of 7Kind of hard to tell here but those beams are really bright.
4 of 7The #AHBEEF-sponsored pre-runner pulls into the pits to get more passengers.
5 of 7SLDLaser provides laser light technology to Baja Designs, which sets it up for desert race teams to run in Baja and elsewhere off-road. Here is desert racer Justin Lofton hauling us press dopes through the desert outside Las Vegas during CES to show off the technology.
6 of 7Yours truly with Nobel Prize winning physicist Dr. Shuji Nakamura, whose won the Nobel Prize in 2014 "...for the invention of efficient blue light-emitting diodes which has enabled bright and energy-saving white light sources." I know how to party in Vegas.
First, the Nobel Prize: Shuji Nakamura won it in physics in 2014 for his work not with lasers but with LEDs. The problem Nakamura solved was making white light, which requires red, green and blue light to create. Red and green were not that hard but no one could really make blue light, at least not the kind required for white-light LEDs. Nakamura and two colleagues used semiconductor gallium nitride to do it. Voila, white light LEDs and Nobel Prize in Physics.
Now he's part of a team at a California company called SLD Laser making highly efficient laser lights. Laser lighting offers 100 times the luminance of LEDs, offers 10 times times the range - throwing light over one kilometer - and uses less power while taking up less space on the front of the car. SLD Laser headlights can be shaped and focused so that, instead of a couple big headlights mounted at the front corners of a car, a single light smaller than the diameter of a Las Vegas poker chip could illuminate the road for well over a half mile ahead. SLD Laser lights are UL-certified, too, so they won't fry your eyeballs if you happen to look at them. Laser headlights are the next logical progression beyond LEDs, providing much brighter, more-focused light with lower power requirements, lower operating temperature and requiring much less space.
European laws are written to accommodate laser headlights, and SLD is confident that U.S. buyers will be able to get them too, as soon as complex U.S. Federal regulations are brought up to speed. But right now, as with most automotive advancements, racers are the ones using them. SLD says that one team is using them in endurance racing, where 12- and 24-hour races are a regular thing. But the biggest user so far is in desert racing, where teams can take up to two days – and nights - to finish a point-to-point "peninsula" race the length of Baja. Bright lights are a blessing that far outside the big city.
Last year's Baja 1000 winner, Cameron Steele, had SLD Laser headlights on his Trophy Truck that were sold by a company called Baja Designs. Several other teams had them, too. So, to show us how well these things work, SLD Laser set up a demo way outside Las Vegas, in the desert where there were no streetlights and even the stars were covered by a thin layer of clouds.
First, SLD showed off a laser-powered flashlight, an amazing thing that was able to throw large loads of light the same one kilometer that the headlights were able to go. I shined it on a hill that I guessed was that fabled kilometer away and it lit up a small circle of rocks like a police chopper chasing a car thief. The flashlights will be available for sale, too, and if I was a cop, border patrol or even a poacher, I'd want one of these. SLD estimates they could go on sale for the low-100 dollars.
Then SLD showed a laser headlight on the pre-runner of desert racer Justin Lofton. Lofton won the ARCA championship in 2009 and then raced in NASCAR Nationwide series, NASCAR trucks, Robby Gordon's Stadium Supertruck Series and now in the desert in a Trophy Truck. For the SLD demo he was driving his #AHBEEF-sponsored 800-hp Chevy-based prerunner. I climbed inside and strapped in. Two things impressed me as Lofton gunned the engine and bashed over monster-sized whoops. Thing 1: These desert racer dudes are tough and, Thing 2: those headlights are bright!
After a short, ten-minute thrash over the dirt, we pulled back into the improvised pits. For my purposes, I would be happy with one of those flashlights. You could duct tape it to the A-pillar and outshine everyone else easily. But I look forward to seeing (get it?) this technology in everyday use in the American automobile and truck market.


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Home » ExpressVPN Poll: Americans are most likely to purchase Amazon devices this holiday season
Adele Jackson-Gibson
In December, ExpressVPN released a survey that shows that Amazon Alexa devices will be the most popular buys this holiday season.
According to the survey, nearly half of the American population will have smart home devices or speakers in their holiday shopping carts. Which device consumers preferred was contingent on brand trust.
Facebook was particularly worrisome for Americans. The majority of survey respondents (85%) said that the company's potential to invade their privacy would impact their purchase decisions. About two out of five people (38%) said that they were afraid that Facebook would listen in on their conversations and target them with ads. Nearly half of the respondents said that Facebook was the least trusted brand among Amazon, Google, Apple, Samsung, and Nest.
Related: Amazon Making First Alexa Earbuds
Amazon was the most trustworthy out of the bunch with 66% respondents saying they already have or are planning on purchasing Amazon products this year.
Despite popularity of smart devices, people are still worried about their personal security
While the majority of the consumers in this survey plan on buying Amazon Alexa, they are still concerned about protecting their personal information.
About 66% of the American population are worried that smart speakers and personal assistants are susceptible to hackers or companies looking to profit off of personal data. Some people said that if they ever found their device was monitoring conversations, they would throw their device away.
Tossing a Google Home into the trash may seem extreme, but ExpressVPN vice president, Harold Li, says that consumers have a right to be worried.
"One in five U.S. households have an internet-connected device with a microphone or camera, and millions more will be joining them this holiday season," Li said in a press release. "No doubt tech and advertising giants are salivating over the potential data mining opportunity, and hackers are highly motivated to find security vulnerabilities."
What consumers can do to protect their privacy
To prevent any security breaches, smart device users can take additional measures to create more peace of mind.
For example, consumers can:
Disconnect their device while they are not using it — or at least turn off the camera and the mic.
Cover up the camera when it's not in use.
Know their privacy policies and terms of service and opt out of potentially intrusive features.
Connect their device using an encrypted VPN service.
Connect their device with an Ethernet cord rather than using Wi-Fi. (Ethernet connections are harder to hack.)
Consistently install software updates.
Despite all of the security concerns, smart home devices are not going anywhere anytime soon. Recent studies show that the smart home market is growing rapidly. This year's holiday shoppers are certainly a part of that boom, but ExpressVPN has shown that these consumers are vigilant, too.
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Adele Jackson-Gibson is a writer and multimedia content creator living in NYC. She got her graduate degree in journalism from NYU and her undergrad degree in French literature from Yale University. Her specialty is fitness and sports, but she nerds out about anime, video games and technology. She is passionate about helping people find peace of mind and lends that passion to her work at Security Baron.
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by Adele Jackson-Gibson