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Dwight Macdonald on film; Criticism, masscult and midcult
Well I don't know I think my time is better than most other men yet of course. But why not I mean that I've developed time to what I'm interested in then I've got that amount of talent and Sensibility I don't know why. I mean of course as people very quest might pay better than most people say yeah I think I get it. I mean never occurred to me that I wanted to. Yeah but the part of the pride in their navy that I want to know how. You are listening to Dwight McDonald on film during the past decade Mr. McDonald has been perhaps the senior critic among American film critics during this past year he was distinguished visiting professor of film history and criticism at the University of Texas. These programs were drawn from Doctor lecture series the topic for this program is criticism and part one of mass called and mid cult.
And now once again here is Dwight McDonald. This is a course in the history and criticism of cinema and I have the impression from a few conversations last week with some of you students that the only part of this that it's been able to make clear is the way history is that what that means but I don't understand criticism or sentiment out of this that I don't understand what the movie is and how you criticize it so to speak. Now on the question of criticism you know how do you just write about these things and what is a critic and what does criticism mean that's part of the subject of this court. I suppose you're not all going to become movie critics if you are I hope you don't become. Numb too soon supplant me. But anyway it seems to me that what a critic does is threefold first of all he places the white in the history of art and what sorts of influences are.
How unoriginal it is and secondly he describes it he says. What is it trying to do what's the intention of the artist and the critic evaluates the work of art. How good or how bad is it. And RA I. And as I've said before the how a point and criticism is the was I and this is something that and some of you have papers that you may have gotten low marks on and been surprised at the loudness of the mocks in a number of cases. I notice that this was the difficulty you see. It's not enough to say that this sequence was DA that sequence was interesting and so on. The why is the whole point of criticism and if you didn't explain why then you really haven't said much of anything you've just simply so to speak made a noise like the clapping I had to but that crap in our heads. Well it's a crude form of criticism but it can't be really called criticism I don't think it. The lesions are all important as I said before sometimes a critic may
be quite wrong on its conclusions but the way that he arrives at them might be very valuable. Now a critic is different from a reviewer I would say because a critic standards are first of all as I don't take the knowledge of a viewer's standards is what the public wants. Let's use loosely a reviewer is somebody that writes for The Daily Press. This is so with the exception of two drama critics in New York. I mean maybe other exceptions to a cause I don't know but the ones I have know about. Namely Karl Rove the Tribune and the new drama critic who mercifully as we type that awful at Howard Taubman of the times. Taubman was so bad that it was impossible even to imagine at times having a butt anyway. He's mostly gone and we now have a very good one called Stanley common who used to be The New Republic's movie critic. But anyway. In general leave daily commentators on movies books and so on in the press and the daily press I review it because they try to tell its readers whether they will like to think not and
think that's one and also. The range of compounding of a critic is much greater than that of a review and a critic in general compares the work with similar wakes in the past and the past should go back a few generations anyway. It be ridiculous of course to compare your viewing a book of poetry today to compared with the Alamo or even a comparison. Not just because he has great parts but because I think you have to have some regard to historical period but I critic would compare this way this book apology with at least an alley and that range I was with 20th century poetry. Well as a reviewer would compare it with the current book a party of this year this season. And you see this very clearly when you see the movie and drama of The View with the two exceptions I've mentioned in the daily press where you constantly have plays and movies reviewed in times of the production of this season. So therefore
I credit this play as lousy and a reviewer might say this pie is very good and they might both be right because the critic has a broader frame of reference the taking of absence and so on and they the viewer just thinking of the season and certainly most seasons and something that's the best might be pretty bad from the other point of view. Now the problem of critics criticism and a problem but I'm out of it. You probably have a deciding about what is good and bad in movies and so on. The problem is that. On the one hand of course any such opinion is subjective it has to begin that is not scientific There is no way of proving that anybody is right or wrong about their judgement and taste so it is subjective for every person on the other hand there are certain sort of general rules of thumb I mean for instance even though you cannot prove it. Fact is that most of you I think almost all of you. If somebody tied to audio that Abraham Cowley who used to be
considered the great poet in the seventies Adji was a better poet than let's say Milton today. I mean if somebody tried to do this today I don't think that you would agree with him I think it wouldn't hurt anybody if I don't think anybody has ever tried that. I mean there is agreement on these things in a curious way. It seems to develop over the centuries and so on. Obviously the father got away from them like the more agreement there is. But I thought therefore that must be some kind of consensus even though it isn't a scientific one. It can't be true. And also some people's judgment and viewpoint really does way more than I did. I think because they have had more experience a more intelligent sensitive to certain things I mean a critic of paintings and who is color blind would be an advantage really. So therefore you have to not be colorblind to be a critic of painting so on the one hand it is this business of nobody wants to wants agreement on the other hand there is also as I think some people's opinions worth more than others and also people do tend to have a
kind of agreement on things. Now I want to take up the very interesting comments on my mascot a med Cup. And I read and comment on some of the typical or interesting or more violent passages. I should say that the fact that I don't read any of you a particular paper doesn't mean that it's not of I get type it because some of the best papers are so closely reasoned that you can't really take anything out from them but one of the main things I got out of it was that so many of you think that your middle brow. Well I really don't. Not so sure that you are sentimental about at least on the basis of these papers you know that story about Bernard Shaw right after the face not of Pygmalion when everybody was applauding wildly and he came out to take a Titan calling one man up on the balcony was brewing and saying tablets I want to show I looked up and said Yes I agree with you but who are we against so many.
That doesn't quite apply but anyway I found that I felt that were my to disagree with you if you want to take your medal back then I suppose you obviously like the definition of a Jew what are the Jews the only real definition of a Jew is somebody who thinks he's a Jew because you can't make a racial definition. I suppose anybody who really is religious might consider himself as a religious Jew. Well now I thought the valid points were made in these critiques and one of them was that there is insufficient definition and documentation of what is really meant by high culture. And the second is that the implication that high culture is threatened with extinction by the rise of mass cult and that caught now is true there is this in this article I must confess that since then I've sort of refined my theory and you're quite right to object to that because the fact is across that high culture is not threatened. In a direct way by the rise of the mass cult amid cult because as I did say in a couple of stanzas
anyway in the essay that the fact is that we will always have serious artists composers and writers critics and so on. Philosophers were always one of those if and I one of the ways in them because it's so damn boring to do this sort of math called a cult stuff. For somebody with any well intelligence any real sense of what he's about. There will always be people like James Joyce friends and so had to wait 12 years to sell before I was published. But Joyce never for one moment doubted that he really had something great to say and he didn't trim his sails to the market either. So it's quite right that it is not threatened in any direct sense the only thing is that it is however somewhat I think a high culture. Let's stick to literature which is what I should have the most about. I think it is threatened. Affected anyway by the rise of mass government caught in the sense that unlike the situation before 1750 the artist is no
longer I not actual pot of the central current of the culture of his time. He has to really put himself apart from his society and from his culture to a large extent in order to do serious work. This was not true before 1750. And the reason why until I go into the past it was essentially because before 1750 the matter didn't come into the cultural marketplace and you had the decisions and the expertise in the hands of a few members of the ruling class who really knew something about painting or music or literature. Now the thing is that's not been a threat or there's a danger that the artist and the writer become eccentric. Well that's almost a viable third a tautology. Yes and by eccentric I mean for science they for instance. Well one example is what happened to Joyce. He did push though and fights when he did write Ulysses. And that's a great great way.
But then what happened after that he would tend to get Swank which is also like a genius in many way. But I must confess for my pot pretty much. Well I thought I could have done without Finnegans Wake I mean it's extremely interesting and you can read two or three pages with great pleasure and then after the fourth fight you have to sort of put it aside for a day or so. And anyway I think to me that he was driven into put himself into this total opposition to our culture. In fact he invented it you know in Finnegans Wake a completely new language except a new language in which there are no definitions and no grammar because that all died with him. And I think this is a kind of eccentric extreme that the serious artist is often pushed into by the fact that he is in the mainstream of culture anymore. And another example would be the light of some of the lighter Henry James novels now some of them are because I was good as he ever did but I do feel that compared to the early and middle period up let's say to the Bostonians I think all of that was later ones such as the wings of a dove and the sacred
fount and the something about it I came up with a name that then why didn't some of these ones I'm ready to elaborate that his style he pushed a style too far again in order to show a difference between him and the dominant boys Mocket mass culture. So that's the bad effect on it I would say. And another bad effect of course is that the masses and the mid cult the middle brows on the masses especially the middle bows now in a field of painting have come to accept almost anything because that's how insecure there are over you know what that taste is I don't have any idea that in the past the patrons didn't know what that taste wise and the taste was connected with tradition and therefore they were a salutary influence on August often whereas now everything is of value especially to these newcomers in the cultural marketplace. Everything is very obscure to them and therefore you have things well like the home pop on business are not the home some of the pop out of pretty good but
certainly any rock solid a real example of somebody who's been able to get away with murder because it's such a contraband worry you now I mean the idea is this is what's happening this is here. If you don't think this you now you're just not aware and you're not modern and so on. And so that I've been able to make people buy these vents boxes and wood for $200 or $300 on you because now they've gone up every year probably simply even soap boxes with the smokescreen impressions I can from the actual events of boxing and what instead of uncropped what they don't have any boxes of insults I don't even get that. But actually you se things now this is a bit on posture I think only possible but it's kind of a. Cultural marketplace so oddly the criticism was my sample times and I said even Toddy would guess that there was a too much of the game aspect if invited out that I hate this idea you know in vs. out. It doesn't mean anything and I certainly apologize for that inventing the very time caution about med card is going to be in the new dictionary they wrote me to
ask me what it meant. But you know I mean it should be taken as a game now it should not be taken seriously and of course you can't it's an out a waste of time and fry them up very snobbish and very sterile and ready to try to decide what is exactly meant color not when I made my four examples in the essay I was going to try to illustrate what the concept of mint count is I'm not. If I went about it and trying to stamp while Hemingway up to 1930 was high culture and after that it was meant got now that's going to that that much and I and it should be as taken out of the game not as something serious or just a way of sort of feeling your way around in this horrible labyrinth and people object to this I think you're quite right that there's too much of that in the article and then finally there are insufficient reasons for distinguishing product from just bad and this is so true I think I should have both defined and illustrated high culture serious stuff more. And also I think I should have gone much more out of the question. It's a very difficult question you say.
Because timing wise old man and a thief for instance why isn't this just a matter of it having lost the touch and just because it happened to at the edges. Most OT that we now is a lot of it is very mediocre and summarized in this case I mean what is the specific quality. Well I try to define it in general times as to what it was but perhaps this one successful and I was welcomed and now there were some misconceptions. Generally one of them was that I want to outlaw a mass and cult or be a sort of a King Canute you know Biddy in the tide not come in. Well actually what I was really trying to do was to describe a historical situation and far from wanting to outlaw anything I was just trying to cite while this is the way that it is and I was trying to analyze it. And another question on this question about whether high culture is threatened directly by mid caught and then I'll be honest and right is the danger now is I think that the more advanced and interesting right
is August and so on that they accepted too much. The danger has really entirely changed the nature in the last 30 years up until about 1930. Really interesting regional experimental August by which time I mean writers and composers and so on were very likely to be ignored. And B you know like the attitude towards liaison and so on. But now I think the opposite I think now that we accept I'm very much too much and this is because again of the post-war rise that culture explosion of so many times going on that now some of the comments on the hype. First of all there were a number of them that made this point how do you decide on matters of taste in that nearly priced in all and here's one. Call me a significant or insignificant part of the inapt mascot. I am one who believes this world really is a pretty good all right after all when I think about Tiger MOCK Thank God it is all a matter of
taste to my way of thinking and perhaps I'd like to goodness which were out of town and I might even like the way he says what he has to say. He might Why don't they say whether you don't like it or not I see the argument as a question of who can say what is good and what is bad. And then he says the same president who preaches mascot and that God is condescendingly saying that it's tasted better than the other man and this is what is a mess and mascot meant God. Well I don't know I think my taste is better than most other men yes of course. But why not I mean I've developed a time to it and I'm interested in it and I've got a tight amount of talent and sensibility and why. I mean of course there's people very quest my taste is better than most people think. Yeah I think I get it. I mean never occurred to me that I wanted to. Yeah but the problem of the pardon there's an avi that you know I can add to this really it's monetized by those of us and. I guess now this type of illustrates something that was perhaps a little too
common in the papers the author of this pipe begins was appalled when the assignment was made by the way. You don't really have to call yourself the author of this pipe. Just I I you know. And all of you know how to shrink you know why it ought not to be I get pissed that all call themselves the author of all the time yeah you oughta pay was appalled expecting to be led to good taste. The author found instead that he was too espouses. Well the author of time I think that was quite perceptive because that's exactly the point I don't want to lead you to good guys and of course the point is to expose your taste in a sense you can't be led to good taste as no such thing as good taste in an abstract sense and in fact we can never agree with anybody else on good. That's another thing too. Somebody was in to see me this morning my office hours and she apologized but I grounded was very subjective and I said but that's exactly what I want. She said What is it. As I said that's just what I want because you have to make up your mind. You can't be
led by me or anybody else can be that you're not going to amount to anything much as a critic or even as an enjoy of God these things are subjective and that's what the grammar of Ought is. Oh yes and this is a very good definition of a right of OT on this pipe here. And this is the definition that nothing could either be taken away or added to the movie without damaging the overall town and structure anything shot Saddam movement it was changed would upset the harmony of the whole and I think this is a very good rough definition of what a work of art is and this is one of the in the town of Richardson and the loved one and Tom Jones that he is not an artist because he can take away anything from any riches in film and I wouldn't make any difference at all because he sells everything in kind of a. That was sloppy cook and has put the food in front of you now he slaps it down on the table. But a work of art is something which you cannot take anything away without altering it. I remember when I was faced writing on fortune one of the
all the riders there and other ways he was a proud 26 and I was only 23. But anyway I once said to me you know I try to write an article so that the editors are the enemies of course of writers and magazines and that I'm proud of that I really can't leave anything out without damage to it. And I realize of course that is what you should try to do. I go out on how sad you are now that the definition of a successful short story sad. From the first and the last sentence there must be nothing that can possibly be a minute and I why the first sentence must state the theme and everything was developed after that and anything that's extraneous must be left out and I think this is what a work of art is. But anyway now here is that interest in the observation that I prefer the music by Bach very much of the noise produced by The Beatles. Yet I was never able to find my position successfully as to why Bach should be more valuable than the Beatles.
True. Who sets the standard who has a right to decide the question either way. And then she got his eye on Supreme Court building is tasteless Obviously Mr McDonald opinion but who says that his opinion is matters more about him than somebody who happen to like the building well it's just a crust getting wiped out of a point or so. Nobody has to say this there isn't any ultimate authority in these matters. All you can do is to read what I hear when I think about which I won't go into now about the Supreme Court building in Washington. And hear what somebody else says about it and then make up your own mind there's no way of telling. I'm pretty sure now since I know a number of architects and good architects Well again the question of what the good architect but anyway I have really encountered any defense of that building down that way. And there's another type of pressure MacDonald thank you seems to be in much the same predicament to provoke John Stuart Mill to ride on liberty. The pod on the majority of Mast action exceptional individual contemporary situations. More than one of the mass pulling down standards to the lowest common denominator.
This compassion would lead me to say about Mr. McDowell so what. You know this sort of rot came into at least a dozen of these pipes but it's very interesting that this was sort of the thing out of this long long as 80 page right here as a nation that I add that something comes up and says oh good god. I don't have a right well so when I sat down seems to fall into some of the same traps at M.I.T. from south run by Fatah to be compared to John Stuart Mill promising the solution in this case was a clarity you see right out as a loop of what you might call clerics are educated people and McDonald's kinds of gathering of appreciative individuals causes several pollens who would decide what content at a high cost what would be a possible disagreement among members of the elite of course there and that's the whole point in fact a disagreement I would say is that most freshening and heartening thing about the you know the how. I mean what's good
about the concept of a few people interested in art and that it is precisely that I disagree with them so this agreement has nothing wrong with disagreement in fact this is going as a writer to really discover what you really think. But nobody can ever be completely right. Now there was another group of objections that sad that I was much too pessimistic and the general idea would be why is out now not mere growing pains of a culture a transition to a more democratic widespread high kind of culture and here is one of them Man made God has a right to existence as long as it is recognized as such. I couldn't agree more and I'm not in favor of preventing anything that has a spike as a stage in understanding concepts and learning the alphabet greatly facilitates one's lane to read. So even a simplified presentation of God can be used to stimulate interest in learning more about the medium. That's true if it is a simplified presentation of God if it is a very good popularizations such as for instance Gombrich conduct the Buddhist
oddest who in my opinion is the most brilliant and interesting an imaginative writer on art today. He's actually not because he's German but he's lived in and long time writing extremely good not elementary but anyway for high school kids and history abroad. And this is fine. What I'm objecting to however it is not decent populism but the kind of thing that lets a Vance Packard does. That's one example in which he takes sociological books and cannibalizes them and gives you just the most trivial on the most superficial and therefore misleading idea of what the real thrust of these scholarly works are. And another example of course is the loose publications who now make more of that money as you perhaps know a lot of publishing books than I do a lot of publishing magazines and I just got in there the other day it was a ghastly foller about Greek ATA something and many of us are Volga and how could you possibly know what I think about drink got from this sort of thing this is not popularization this is broader as Asian and making it easy. Gummer doesn't make it easy.
Well the same thing we are instead of transition cultural lag. Right now across I don't know maybe sell one though I don't think maybe so Actually that's how a med called is that it isn't popular and it doesn't give you a simplified version are elementary variation of our reality. On the contrary it really eFax and changes this aesthetically ality. You know he's not alone I'm a 20 year old from the University of Texas I believe I live in an area which possesses many of our goddess so far and so on. I'm going to be sad that we don't have an aberrant God for Pablo Picasso who was a down to Nevada at the time Mr. McDonald was cementing his standards never to budge much. Well I think that's a price on the market. And anyone I stand as I was coming on stock at these very fond of my staff and anyway said there is an Andy Warhol complete with kind of soup cans it was and a better experiment today. So the question you asked is Why isn't there a raal the
equivalent of Picasso and why we still have an avant garde and why isn't really the objection of people like me to this kind of rot that Ron Howard represents rising this is same thing as people that objected to Picasso. And for that matter you and I when that Steven felt an honest thing about I laughed with even Fortenbacher right they were wrong and they're wrong to laugh at Suzanne but this across is an argument by analogy but not by logic because logically it's quite possible that Iran might not be tactically interesting and talented and that because I was you know the fact that the people react the same why doesn't prove the point. You have been listening to Dwight McDonald on film. In this program Mr. McDonald House discussed criticism. The first part of a lecture on mass called and made cult these programs were drawn from Mr. MacDonald's lecture series during his recent tenure as distinguished visiting professor of film history and criticism at the University of Texas.
Dwight Macdonald on film
Criticism, masscult and midcult
KUT (Radio station : Austin, Tex.)
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Criticism, Masscult, and Midcult
Series of lectures by Dwight Macdonald on film: its makers, its history, its future.
Announcer: Miller, Phil
Producer: Jordan, Bill
Producing Organization: University of Texas
Producing Organization: KUT (Radio station : Austin, Tex.)
Speaker: Macdonald, Dwight
Identifier: 67-16-15 (National Association of Educational Broadcasters)
Chicago: "Dwight Macdonald on film; Criticism, masscult and midcult," 1967-07-06, University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC, accessed January 31, 2023, http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-k06x1w6x.
MLA: "Dwight Macdonald on film; Criticism, masscult and midcult." 1967-07-06. University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Web. January 31, 2023. <http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-k06x1w6x>.
APA: Dwight Macdonald on film; Criticism, masscult and midcult. Boston, MA: University of Maryland, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress), Boston, MA and Washington, DC. Retrieved from http://americanarchive.org/catalog/cpb-aacip-500-k06x1w6x


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Calder and Hebble flood havoc
Stranded boat between Elland and Brighouse
Flooding in the Calder Valley has once again caused havoc and disruption. Heavy rain over the Christmas weekend, falling onto the already saturated hills and moors, quickly ran down into the river valley, overflowing into the Rochdale Canal and the Calder & Hebble Navigation.
On Boxing Day the streets in the middle of Hebden Bridge were waist-deep in water. Several boats on the Rochdale Canal were swept from their moorings, with one left high and dry across the canal.
As the water surged downstream it brought havoc to the Calder & Hebble Navigation between Elland and Brighouse. A number of boats were swept up onto the bank while four others were totally submerged. The towpath and part of the arch of Crowther Bridge, near Cromwell Lock, were washed away.
Crowther Bridge
Two teams from River Canal Rescue have been in the area and have re-floated two of the sunken boats. They were hoping to refloat the other two today before looking at how the stranded boats might be retrieved. They urge boaters affected to raise an insurance claim and to act quickly to mitigate the cost of the claim.
Sunken boat between Elland and Brighouse
One of the stranded boats at Elland
These photographs are from River Canal Rescue. More photographs of the problems between Elland and Brighouse can be seen on River Canal Rescue's Facebook page.
Contact information for River Canal Rescue can be found on their website.
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Restricted passage at Lock 19w, Huddersfield Narrow Canal
Boaters intending to use the Huddersfield Narrow Canal face yet another problem, this time with restricted passage times at Lock 19w.
A cavity described as a 'sinkhole' has appeared on the lockside of Lock 19w at Friezland in Saddleworth. Presumably this has been caused by water leaking out of the lock chamber eroding the ground at the side of the lock.
The Canal and River Trust's contractors will start work on grouting the cavity next week. The work is expected to take three weeks.
Between Monday 7th September and Friday 26th September boat passage through Lock 19w will be restricted to:
* Before 8.00 am
* Between 1.00 and 2.00 pm
* After 4.30 pm
Boaters would be advised to moor above Lock 21w or below Lock 15w if arriving early and should not attempt to moor in the short, shallow pound below Lock 19w. About 25 minutes should be allowed from above Lock 21w or about 45 minutes from below Lock 15w, depending on crew.
Lock 19w, Royal George Highest Lock at Friezland, Saddleworth.
Problems with locks on Huddersfield Narrow
Boaters navigating the Huddersfield Narrow Canal are facing delays with stoppages arising at two locks on the west side of the canal.
At Lock 26w on the Diggle flight a wooden head gate cill has been damaged by a boat passing over it when the water levels were too low. This is the wooden block on the floor of the canal that abuts the head gate to form a watertight seal. The damage is 'substantial' and the cill cannot be simply fixed. Scaffold access into the lock will be required and, once in place, the repair may take a few days to complete. CRT will issue an update on Tuesday with a timetable for the repair.
Meanwhile at Lock 10w near Millbrook a quoin has failed. This forms a watertight seal at the side of the gate. An attempted repair this morning was unsuccessful. CRT will issue an update on Tuesday with a timetable for the repair.
These problems have arisen just after a safety problem in Standedge Tunnel has been resolved.
Update Wednesday 2nd September:
In addition to the problems above, a cill has failed at Lock 8w near Millbrook. A repair was attempted yesterday but was unsuccessful. It is hoped that the repair can be completed today (2nd September).
This has delayed repairs to the quoin at Lock 10w. It is hoped that repairs to Lock 10w will be completed tomorrow (3rd September).
The repair team will move on to Lock 26w on Friday, when scaffolding is installed. It is hoped to complete the repairs at Lock 26w by Saturday afternoon.
Update Wednesday 2nd September, 3.30 pm:
The repair to Lock 8w is complete and the lock is now open to navigation. Boaters should note that they cannot proceed beyond Grove Road Services (above Lock 8w) as there is still a stoppage at Lock 10w.
Update Thursday 3rd September, 2.30 pm:
The repair to the quoin has now been completed,and the navigation through Lock 10w is now open.
Update Saturday 5th September, 10.00 am:
The repair to Lock 26w is complete and the lock is now open to navigation.
(Please note the restricted times of passage at Lock 19w from 7th September. See details.)
Note concerning cills:
Boaters should be aware that, when closed, a lock gate butts up to a wooden cill (or threshold) that forms a water-tight seal against the gate. These wooden cills are usually slightly higher than the adjacent canal bed. Attempting to enter or leave a lock when water levels are too low can result in the boat's skeg catching the cill and damaging it, or even ripping it out of place.
This will mean a water-tight seal cannot be made, making it difficult (or impossible) to completely empty or fill the lock.
When levels are low, boaters should proceed slowly and be prepared to stop and back off it the boat makes contact with the wooden cill. Forcing the boat over a cill is selfish and could result in other boaters having their holidays spoilt by a stoppage. The best course of action is to send someone to open the next paddle above the cill in question and wait until water levels are high enough to cross a cill without making contact. (Only enough water should be released to increase the water level sufficiently. The paddle should then be closed again to prevent the pound above also becoming too low.)
Lock 26w on the Diggle flight.
Bridgewater Canal Re-opens
The Bridgewater Canal has re-opened to navigation between Castlefield and Waters Meeting.
The canal closed on 31st July to enable the demolition of a dangerous building alongside the canal. Navigation of this stretch resumed from midday on Friday 28th August.
The Bridgewater Canal Company has asked boaters to pass the site slowly, keeping to the offside, and to be vigilant in following any signs or instructions.
The towpath remains closed.
The derelict Excelsior Works on the left of the Bridgewater Canal, near Hulme Hall Bridge.
Standedge Tunnel Safety Alert
Passage through Standedge Tunnel was temporarily suspended after a safety alert this week.
On Wednesday while one of the normal chaperone-assisted passages was taking place, it was noticed that one of Network Rail's timber overhead walkways that cross the tunnel had partially collapsed and that large timbers were suspended dangerously over the water. As a result the Canal and River Trust had to close the tunnel to navigation.
Network Rail sent a maintenance crew to begin removing the dangerous timbers. That work is underway and was expected to be complete by Thursday night.
If all has gone well tunnel passages should be resumed as normal on Friday (28th August).
The original railway tunnels were built alongside the south side of the canal tunnel. The later twin track rail tunnel was built on the north side of the canal, linked at intervals with the original tunnels by means of passages. Some of these cross the canal tunnel on wooden walkways and it is one of these that became unsafe.
It is understood that it was necessary to take the boat back out of the tunnel the way it had come. It was expected that the boat would be allowed through the tunnel as soon as Network Rail had made the walkway safe.
Update Friday 28th August:
The repair has been completed and the tunnel has re-opened to normal operation.
One of the overhead walkways crossing Standedge Tunnel.
Marple Locks restriction
Marple Locks are currently open at restricted times after a boat damaged a lock gate.
From today (8th Aug), passage through Marple locks will only be will be between 8.00 am and 10.00 am and between 1.00 pm and 3.00 pm each day until further notice. Canal and River Trust staff will be available to assist boats through Lock 14, where the tail gate has been damaged by boat impact.
The tail gates of Lock 14 were damaged when they were hit by a boat. The lock flight was closed while an inspection of the damage was carried out. Further assessment is needed and the lock will be operated by CRT staff until repairs can be made.
CRT will issue a further update when it is known how they will proceed.
Lock 14, Peak Forest Canal, Marple
Emergency closure on Bridgewater Canal
The Bridgewater Canal is to be closed in Manchester between Egerton Street Bridge, Castlefield, and Cornbrook Road Bridge near Pomona Lock.
The canal is to be closed from midday tomorrow (31st July) until further notice.
The stoppage is to enable emergency demolition work next to the canal near Hulme Hall Bridge. The towpath will also be closed.
Part of the Excelsior Works away from the canal collapsed three days ago and it would appear that the whole building, which abuts the towpath, has been declared unsafe and is to be demolished.
This stoppage is on the arm of the Bridgewater Canal between Stretford and Manchester. The rest of the Bridgewater Canal is not affected.
No end date for the closure has been announced yet.
From mid-day today (28th Aug) the navigation will be re-opened with a restricted channel. Boater should pass slowly and use the offside of the canal. The towpath remains closed.
Poolstock Lock repair delayed
What at first appeared to be a straightforward problem at Lock 1 on the Leigh Branch of Leeds and Liverpool Canal has turned into a lengthy delay for boaters.
A week ago CRT staff closed the top lock of the two locks at Poolstock in Wigan, as the ground paddle culvert was leaking badly, affecting water levels on the main line of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal across nearby Wigan Junction.
For some reason CRT did not have the appropriate stop planks available and had to wait for more to be delivered. In the meantime CRT staff worked boats through the lock between 10 and 11 am over several days.
The new stop planks duly arrived and were installed on Friday and it was expected that the repairs would be carried out over the weekend.
However a further update issued today says that even with the stop planks in place they were unable to effect a water-tight seal to enable the work to be carried out. A temporary dam has now been ordered and will be installed in the next few days.
At this stage CRT are expecting the works will be completed on Friday and the lock will reopen on Saturday 1st August. An update should be issued tomorrow (28th July).
Update Tuesday 28th July:
The temporary dam will be installed on Thursday and will require a day to settle before work on the paddle sluice can start. Repair work will be carried out on Friday.
CRT anticipates that the canal will re-open on Saturday 1st August. A further update will be issued on Friday 31st July.
Update Friday 31st July:
Contractors will be removing the temporary dams tomorrow morning and CRT anticipates that the navigation will re-open around midday on Saturday 1st August.
Poolstop top lock, Leigh Branch of Leeds and Liverpool Canal
CRT to go ahead with Marple Aqueduct fence
The Canal and River Trust has announced that it is to go ahead with controversial plans to erect a safety fence along the offside of historic Marple Aqueduct.
When the plans were put forward last December it was apparent that the idea of a safety fence on this Grade 1 Listed structure was unpopular and regarded by many as unnecessary. There are fences and warning signs at each end of the aqueduct.
The fence is to be erected along the off-side of the canal to protect people from falling 90 feet to the River Goyt below.
Marple Aqueduct
There was a public consultation period at the start of the year with a number of responses being submitted by organisations and individuals. 24 people responded to the consultation about the design of the fence.
CRT's David Baldacchino says that 69 people used the consultation process to express their concerns about installing a fence. He says that CRT thought very carefully about the objections presented. He says: "Taking full account of all factors involved the Trust has reluctantly decided that it is reasonable to install fencing to sensibly mitigate the risks that the Trust has to manage at this location."
Artist's impression of proposed safety fence
While CRT speaks of observations and anecdotes of people walking on the offside of the aqueduct we have only heard of one case of someone falling to their death in the aqueduct's 220 year history.
CRT's David Baldacchino says: "We've had to weigh up the risks to public safety whilst making sure any safety measures are sympathetic to the heritage of the structure. I understand that not everyone will be supportive of the installation of railings because of the important heritage aspects at the site. However, in addition to our public consultation, we have also sought expert advice from the Trust's navigation and heritage advisory groups, who both support action being taken, provided that we carefully develop a suitable design."
You can read more about the response to the consultation here.
Wigan Flight stoppage
The Wigan lock flight on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal has been closed following damage to a lock gate.
The gate, at Lock 83, near the bottom of the flight, suffered "impact damage from a boat".
The flight is closed until further notice while CRT staff investigate the damage and design the repair.
An update will be issued on Tuesday 14th July. It is believed that this stoppage is not affected passage between the Leigh Branch and the canal west of Wigan. Boaters intending to travel between the Leigh Branch and the canal west of Wigan may wish to contact the Wigan office to confirm this.
CRT has come up with several ideas for using the damaged gates until they can be repaired. These solutions will be tested tomorrow (Wednesday) to see if they will work safely. A further update will be issued tomorrow afternoon. CRT say they are working to get boats moving again as soon as possible. The impact damage means that the gates will need to be completely replaced in the winter.
Update Wednesday 15th July:
CRT has worked out a temporary method for letting boats through the lock flight until some sort of repair can be made to the gates. Boats travelling on the flight should arrive at Lock 65 or Lock 85 at 8.00 am. Once the boats present at 8.00 am have moved onto the flight, no further boats will be admitted. Boats will be assisted through Lock 83 by CRT staff (but not through other locks). The flight will then be locked until the next morning.
CRT will issue a further update indicating when they expect to carry out the temporary repairs to the gates.
Lock 83 at Wigan, Leeds and Liverpool Canal
Marsden lock gate on 'Blue Peter'.
A new lock gate in Marsden will feature in BBC's flagship children's programme 'Blue Peter' tonight.
The feature will focus on the new gate at Lock 37e on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Marsden. Presenter Barney Harwood rolled up his sleeves and got stuck into making a new lock gate and then fitting it during two full day filming sessions with Canal & River Trust staff from the Manchester & Pennine Waterway team and carpenters from the Trust's Stanley Ferry Workshop, near Wakefield.
The BBC production team with the CRT team in February, by the newly installed lock gate and balance beam. Photo: CRT
Lock 37 east was due to be replaced as part of the Trust's routine winter maintenance programme. When Blue Peter producers heard what was involved, they thought it would make an ideal feature on the programme.
The first filming day was in September 2014 when Barney enjoyed a trip into nearby Standedge Tunnel, Britain's highest, longest, deepest canal tunnel, helped Trust carpenters measure up on site and then make the new oak gate at the Stanley Ferry Workshop.
Trust construction and operations supervisors Mark Wigley and Nick Atkinson were on hand to act as his waterways guides and then carpenters Andrew Bayliss and apprentice Josh Hindson assisted with the making of the gates and carving the Blue Peter logo into the balance beam.
In February Barney and the Blue Peter filming team returned again to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Marsden to watch the old gate being craned out and the new Blue Peter lock gate being craned in and fitted, again under the expert guidance of construction supervisor Mark Wigley.
Mark said later: "It was great fun welcoming the Blue Peter team to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Stanley Ferry Workshop. We were impressed Barney just got stuck in and threw himself into the job with real enthusiasm. This is a great way to introduce children to the waterways and the work involved in caring for them."
Barney Harwood presenting Blue Peter badges to CRT staff Mark Wigley and Nick Atkinson after filming in September. Photo: CRT
Visitors to Lock 37e will now be able to spot the Blue Peter Lock by a special plaque and Blue Peter logo carved into the balance beam next to the towpath.
If you miss the programme when it is broadcast on 23rd April, it will be repeated at 9.00 am on Sunday 26th April and will be available on BBC iPlayer.
Easier to get to Liverpool
It will become easier for boaters to get to the Liverpool Waterfront when CRT simplify the arrangements for getting there this Summer.
Liverpool has become increasingly popular as a canal destination and boaters have had to book a long time ahead to avoid disappointment. Following consultation with boaters, passage to and from Liverpool will be available on more days.
The changes come into effect on 1st August and bookings are being taken for this period now.
Liverpool Canal Link
• It will be possible for boaters to cruise to Eldonian Village, at the end of the canal's main line, without the need to book the Liverpool Canal Link.
• Passage along the Liverpool Canal Link will still be six days a week (no passage on Tuesdays) but will be available in both directions, i.e. up to 6 boats in and 6 boats out on each day.
• In order to maximise the greater flexibility, the maximum free stay on the pontoons in Salthouse Dock will be reduced from 14 days to 7 days.
• The period of notice of cancellation is being increased to 5 days to enable CRT to re-allocate booked slots to boaters on the waiting list. ( A charge is made to boaters who fail to turn up and have not cancelled their booking.)
• More volunteers are to be recruited to assist boaters at Stanley Dock branch and the locks on the Canal Link.
These steps should increase the number of boaters able to visit Liverpool and reduce the time it takes to get a passage.
Boaters who do not have a booking for the Canal Link but who wish to travel as far as Eldonian Village will need to be at Hancocks Bridge (Wango Lane) at 9 am with the boats that have bookings.
These revised arrangements do not start until 1st August and more details will be given by CRT at that time.
The current booking arrangements can be found on the CRT website here.
Salthouse Dock
Bridge badly damaged by lorry
Yet another canal bridge has been damaged by a lorry. This time it was Walton Bridge, which crosses the Bridgewater Canal just west of Warrington.
Warrington Road, which crosses the bridge, makes a sharp turn across the bridge. It is an unclassified road and it is believed that the driver of the articulated lorry was following SatNav directions.
The bridge is a Grade II Listed structure and it is hoped that the lorry' insurance will cover the cost to the Bridgewater Canal Company of reconstructing the parapet in brickwork that matches the original.
The bridge has been made safe for boats to pass below, although the towpath has been temporarily closed.
For more photographs and the full story, please see the article on the Warrington Worldwide website.
Walton Bridge. Photo: Warrington Worldwide
Peak Forest bridge deck to be removed
Following the short notice total closure of Wood End Lift bridge on the Upper Peak Forest Canal on 7th January, after it was damaged by an oversized vehicle, the Canal and River Trust have decided that their only option now is to remove the bridge deck from across the canal and partially demolish the structure so that the canal can be reopened.
The work is planned for Thursday 22nd January and everything is in place for that to happen. The bridge deck has been disconnected from the main structure and lifting points welded to it.
The only thing that might prevent this is the weather and how the snow might affect the work. CRT needs to be able to get lifting equipment safely to the site down an awkward track. If this cannot go ahead tomorrow because of the weather, it will be rearranged for the earliest opportunity afterwards.
Following this work the bridge will not be usable to cross the canal by either pedestrians or vehicles until it can be replaced which CRT are planning to do before Easter.
Wood End Lift bridge is Bridge 24 between Marple and New Mills on the Upper Peak Forest Canal.
Pedestrians should use Bridge 25, Higgins Clough swing bridge, a quarter of a mile towards New Mills.
Information about the closure is posted at the bridge site. For further information about this work please contact CRT at the Red Bull office on 0303 040 4040.
Follow this link to see history of this stoppage.
Update Thursday 22nd January:
The Canal and River Trust have confirmed that the parts from Wood End Lift Bridge have been removed and the canal has now re-opened to navigation.
The bridge cannot now be used to cross the canal by pedestrians or vehicles. CRT will announce later when there is a date for the bridge to be replaced.
Wood End Lift Bridge, Upper Peak Forest Canal. Photo: T.N.C.
Bridge closed on Upper Peak Forest
Wood End Lift Bridge on the Upper Peak Forest Canal has been closed to navigation until it can be repaired.
The bridge, one of three boater-operated bridges between Marple and New Mills, has sustained damage and is inoperable for safety reasons. It has been taken out of action and the canal closed to navigation at this point. The towpath remains open.
Canal and River Trust engineers are assessing the damage and a plan for repair will be drawn up. An update will be issued later.
Update Tuesday 13th January:
The bridge appears to have been hit by an oversized vehicle, damaging the deck and superstructure. The Canal and River Trust need to make some modifications to the bridge to allow navigation to restart, and so that the bridge can be operated by CRT staff.
It is planned to allow passages but only under Trust supervision, hopefully by Friday 16th Jan.
Update Thursday 15th January:
Canal and River Trust are now able to reopen the bridge on a restricted basis, from 10 am to 12 noon on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays until further notice, with CRT staff operating the bridge.
Part of the operation on each occasion will include a period of testing and monitoring before boats pass through and CRT ask for boaters' patience while this takes place.
Update Friday 16th January:
Canal and River Trust have had to close the bridge to navigation again today following an inspection. A more detailed assessment and investigation is required. The bridge is closed again until further notice.
Update Wednesday 21st January:
Canal and River Trust have decided that their only option is to remove the bridge deck from across the canal and partially demolish the structure so that the canal can be reopened.
Follow this link for more details.
A Safety Fence on Marple Aqueduct?
The Canal and River Trust is inviting people to express their views about their proposal to erect a fence along the offside of historic Marple Aqueduct on the Peak Forest Canal.
Marple Aqueduct showing the unfenced off-side
Following the work carried out recently by the Canal and River Trust to improve the experience for visitors to Marple Aqueduct, including cutting back trees to enable a clear view of the structure from the side, a increase in the number of visitors is now expected.
A safety review of the Aqueduct has concluded that additional measures are required to reduce risk to visitors, including a parapet fence on the off-side of the structure (opposite the towpath side). Boaters are at present able to get off onto the unprotected 'off-side', while some people are understood to have jumped across the canal channel as a dare.
The Trust is looking for feedback on the safety fencing proposals. Comments can be made by email to aqueduct.fence@canalrivertrust.org.uk
The consultation period will be open until January 31st 2015.
An artist's drawing of what the fence is expected to look like can be seen here:
A similar fence exists at the smaller Paddock Aqueduct in Huddersfield:
Paddock Aqueduct, Huddersfield Narrow Canal
The Trust say that the safety fence will be to be part of a wider programme of improvements including vegetation clearance to reveal the sweep of the Aqueduct, gateway markers, suitable safety signage and improved green space at the entry points to the Aqueduct, creating a sense of arrival at the Grade 1 Listed structure and Scheduled Ancient Monument.
It is not known how many people have fallen from the aqueduct since its opening 215 years ago. Perhaps a local historian can help with that one. The proposal also raises the question of whether such safety measures can be expected to appear on other structures such as the aqueducts at Chirk and Pontcysyllte.
Read about this consultation here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/consultations/current-consultations and, if you have views, please make them known using the email link above.
15 comments so far - add your own comment! Links to this post
Marple Locks and Aqueduct Open Day
As part of the Winter stoppage programme, the Canal and River Trust recently held an "Open Day" at Marple Locks and Aqueduct, so that visitors could see the work that was being done. This attracted a lot of interest, with more than 700 people attending.
A new view of Marple Aqueduct
As well as repairing the lock chamber wall of Lock 2 and replacing the gates of Lock 3, the Trust has re-pointed the wash wall on the Aqueduct and cut back vegetation on the hillside below, to enable visitors to obtain a clear view of the sweep of the historic structure.
The programme of improvements includes safety signage and improved green space at the entry points to the Aqueduct, creating a sense of arrival at the Grade 1 Listed structure and Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Visitors moving between the locks and the aqueduct
Inspecting the lock chamber
Restricted passage at Lock 19w, Huddersfield Narro...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Shortly after I left home, my parents took us all to America for a 'last' family holiday. Our visit was in November and coincided with Thanksgiving. It was an awesome experience, and was a nice way to celebrate being together as a family, we somehow came to the decision that we would try to celebrate thanksgiving every year after that.
Pecan pie was one of my favourite foods I tried whilst in the States, so I was keen to recreate it. The traditional recipe calls for corn syrup, which isn't so easy to get hold of here. My recipe gets by without it.
Whisk your dry ingredients in the mixing bowl, to remove clumps in the flour.
Then add the egg, followed by the oil and mix by hand.
You may need to add a drop of water to bind the mix together.
Leave the dough to cool in the fridge for an hour.
Once cooled, roll your pastry out to 0.5 cm width and place in your greased cake tin or pie dish.
Ensure there are no cracks, and hold back any spare dough to use to fill any that might appear after blind baking.
Place a sheet of baking paper on the pastry and top with dried beans or pulses.
Remove the sheet of beans, you can store these to use again.
In a mixing bowl whisk the eggs, sugar and maple syrup together.
Next gently fold in the nuts and spices.
Pour the filling into the pastry, ensuring the pecan halves are evenly distributed.
Return the mix to the oven and bake for a further 45 minutes.
You can serve straight from the oven, or like me, prepare a day ahead and warm through just before serving.
I recommend eating with a dollop of whipped cream and a spiced coffee, but it also tastes great with vanilla ice cream.


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text:
Onkyo Corporation, een Japans fabrikant van consumentenelektronica
Onkyo (muziekstijl), een muziekstijl uit Japan.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: RDP Session from Windows 10 into Ubuntu creates different user sessions on Ubuntu machine when new user log in I have an EC2 instance running Ubuntu with a GUI.
I am able to connect to it with standard RDP (remote desktop connection).
However, When a second user logins concurrently with same user credentials, instead of kicking me out, they connect successfully but a new user session is created instead of logging into the current one.
However, when User 1 logs out, user 2 can log into the original session.
(I checked switching the different workspaces but to no avail)
TIA

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Baarah
Filladhoo
Keylakunu
Neykurendhoo
Conservation and Management of
Maldivian Mangrove Habitats – Baseline Study
Haa Dhaalu NEYKURENDHOO
3 Overview of the island and social setting
3.1 Population and housing stats
4 Ecological Setting
4.2 Flora
4.2.1 Rhizophora apiculata (Thakafathi)
4.2.1 Lumnitzera racemosa (Burevi)
4.2.2 Bruguiera cylindrica (Kan'doo)
4.2.3 Floral abundance and diversity
4.3 Fauna
5 Threats
5.1 Climate change
5.2 Anthropogenic
5.2.1 Existing
5.2.2 Potential
Mangroves are woody plants that grow at the interface between land and sea in tropical and sub-tropical latitudes where they exist in conditions of high salinity, extreme tides, strong winds, high temperatures and muddy, anaerobic soils. There may be no other group of plants with such highly developed morphological and physiological adaptations to extreme conditions.
Mangrove forests occupy about 15 million hectares of tropical and subtropical coastline worldwide.
Although they amount to only 1 per cent of the total area of tropical forests, mangroves are highly productive ecosystems rich in biodiversity, consisting of a wide variety of plant species that provide important habitats for a wealth of fauna, including mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and molluscs. They contribute to livelihoods locally and globally by providing forest resources such as timber, firewood and thatching materials as well as non-timber products. Mangroves are also recognized as an important greenbelt and carbon sink that protects coastal areas from natural disasters such as tsunamis, cyclones and erosion resulting from sea-level rise, especially in small island countries.
Mangroves create unique ecological environments that host rich assemblages of species. The muddy or sandy sediments of the mangal are home to a variety of epibenthic, infaunal, and meiofaunal invertebrates. Channels within the mangal support communities of phytoplankton, zooplankton and fish. The mangal may play a special role as nursery habitat for juveniles offish whose adults occupy other habitats (e.g. coral reefs and seagrass beds).
As the mangroves are surrounded by loose sediments, the submerged mangroves' roots, trunks and branches are islands of habitat that may attract rich epifaunal communities including bacteria, fungi, macroalgae and invertebrates. The aerial roots, trunks, leaves and branches host other groups of organisms. A number of crab species live among the roots, on the trunks or even forage in the canopy. Insects, reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals thrive in the habitat and contribute to its unique character.
Living at the interface between land and sea, mangroves are well adapted to deal with natural stressors (e.g. temperature, salinity, anoxia, UV). However, because they live close to their tolerance limits, they may be particularly sensitive to disturbances like those created by human activities. Because of their proximity to population centers, mangals have historically been favored sites for sewage disposal. Industrial effluents have contributed to heavy metal contamination in the sediments. Oil from spills and from petroleum production has flowed into many mangals. These insults have had significant negative effects on the mangroves.
Maldives is known for its coral reefs and beaches; mangrove ecosystems in Maldives are over-shadowed by these environments and oftentimes neglected and under constant anthropogenic threats despite its crucial ecological and geomorphological function to this small island nation.
This study aims at establishing a baseline of environmental conditions of significant mangrove habitats throughout the country. Data and information collected via this study will provide a foundation for conservation efforts to build upon and help future environmental monitoring of said environments.
HDh. Neykurendhoo is located towards the centre of HDh. Atoll at 6°32'34.95″N and 72°58'49.52″E. With a land area of 169.3 ha, the island is among the larger islands of the atoll. Community of Neykurendhoo, 750 people as per Census 2014, accounts for 3.91% of the total atoll population; with an estimated population density of 4.43 people per ha. Based on recorded populations in 2006 and 2014 during Census, inter-census average annual growth rate of the community was found to be -1.93.
The island is characterized by a relatively small lagoon with the island almost entirely covering the reef. The circular shape of the island is typical of islands found in the center of the atolls; even currents shaping the island during two monsoons. 31.03ha of the island is currently utilized for residential purposes; extending form the northern tip and inland.
The wetland area of Neykurendhoo is continuous on the eastern side of the island; majority of the wet land area is inaccessible due to thick vegetation. The entire wetland is estimated to cover an area of 28.3ha; 16.7% of the whole island. Two separate water bodies can be found within the wetland area, the larger of the two (Site A) measuring about 0.32ha while the smaller one is estimated to be 0.11ha. It should be noted, these two are expected to grow during wet season with heavy rainfall and shrink during the dry season. The entire wetland area is covered by mangrove fauna as far as the survey could determine.
As far as the water quality of the sites are concerned; the two water bodies were found to contain freshwater (1.1ppt). Decaying plant matter and fine sediments were found suspended (in water column) in great concentrations at all the sites; leading to high TSS values. Typical values from onsite measurements range from 50NTU to 100NTU for turbidity while TSS readings were found to range between 42mg/l to 81mg/l.
Table 4‑1: Water Quality readings
Both sites had an estimated water depth of 0.3 to 1m at MSL. However, it should be noted; due to high amount of lose sediment and organic matter settled at the bottom, it is hard to quantify water depths accurately.
Figure 4‑1: Wetland Areas and general landuse of HDh Neykurendhoo
Four species of mangrove plants were found in Nykurendhoo during the field survey; Lumnitzera racemosa (Black mangrove- Burevi), Excoecaria agallocha (Milky mangrove- Thela),Bruguiera cylindrica (small- leafed orange mangrove- Kandoo) and Xylocarpus moluccensis ( Puzzle Nut tree/Cannonball tree- Marugas).
Scientific Name: Lumnitzera racemosa
Common Name: Black Mangrove
Conservation status: Currently categorized as of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Habitat: Usually restricted to the landward edge of open mangrove forests, Lumnitzera racemosa is found along coastal shores, lagoons, saltwater and freshwater swamps, swampy meadows and in sandy soils
Key Uses: The timber is used in salt water piling and fencing. It is also used for house posts, boat building and as firewood.
Abundance: Fair
Class: Eudicots
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Lumnitzera
Morphology:
Its tree bark is brown colored and 'knee roots' are often formed through the extension of the curved aerial roots. The leaves, which are alternately arranged and emerald-colored, grow in clusters at the tip of the branch. The leaf margin is wavy with small serrations. The obovate leaf is either round or caved at the front, similar to a mullet roe. The flower has five white-colored petals and there are two blooming periods each year. The first flowering period occurs between May and July, while the second time occurs between October and November. The fruits of Lumnitzera racemosa are drupes, whose endocarp is solid and expcarp is similar to that of a sponge. This allows the fruit to float on the water surface and be distributed through water dispersal. Lumnitzera racemosa is the most salt-tolerant tree species amongst the mangrove plants. Its roots develop into 'knee roots', which provides stability.
Scientific Name: Bruguiera cylindrica
Common Name: Small-leafed Orange Mangrove, Reflexed Orange Mangrove
Habitat: This species is found in downstream and intermediate estuarine zones in the mid-intertidal region. This species is also shade tolerant.
Key Uses: Fruit is used for human consumption while timber is sometimes used as firewood.
Abundance: Very high
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Rhizophoraceae
Genus: Bruguiera
Bruguiera cylindrica is a columnar tree growing to 23 m high. It has finely fissured, greyish bark. There are short buttresses at the base of the trunk and small, knee-like air-breathing roots (pneumatophores).
The leaves are simple, opposite, thin and glossy green, elliptic in shape, 5 – 17 cm long, 2 – 8 cm wide, with a bluntly pointed apex. The leaves occur in clusters at the end of branches. The petiole is often reddish and 1 – 4.5 cm long.
The inflorescence is often three-flowered and axillary. Flowers have a pale-greenish calyx with 8 calyx lobes, 16 stamens and 8 white, bi-lobed petals with 2 – 3 bristles on each apex and 1 conspicuous bristle in the sinus (indentation between the petal lobes) that is longer than the petal lobes. The viviparous propagule grows from within the calyx and is pencil-like and green, with a smooth surface. It is 8 – 15 cm long and 0.4 – 0.8 cm wide.
1.1.1 Excoecaria agallocha (Thela)
Scientific Name: Excoecaria agallocha
Common Name: Milky Mangrove, Blind-your eye Mangrove, river poison tree
Habitat: This is a back mangrove species and often exploits open areas and is tolerant of disturbed areas.
Key Uses: This species is used for furniture and ornaments. In Papua New Guinea it is used for pain relief from fish stings. It is also used as a poison to catch fish. Used in traditional medicine and also as firewood.
Abundance: Low
Genus: Excoecaria
The tree grows to 15m tall sometimes branched at the base, thus forming multiple trunks. Roots run along the ground surface and often knotted and covered with lenticels. The tree does not have root systems obviously specialized for mangroves and that it is also found to an elevation of 400m and thus cannot be regarded as an exclusively mangrove tree. The tree bark is grey, smooth but warty, becoming fissured. Lenticels are prominent on young twigs.
Leaves are thick, oval and pointed (5-10cm long), arranged alternately in a spiral. Young leaves are pink, old leaves turn yellow then red before dropping off. Leaves usually drop off after dry weather.
Flowers are tiny (less than 1mm). Trees bear either male or female flowers, never both. Male flowers start as upright narrow cones when young and as they develop, elongate into longer spikes (5-10cm) that eventually form drooping yellow tassels. Female flowers appear in shorter spikes.
The fruits are small (less than 1cm) three-lobed, green turning black as they ripen into dry capsules. Each capsule is made up of three portions, containing tiny dark to black seeds.
Wetland area of Neykurendhoo was dominated by Bruguiera cylindrica; Kan'doo; seedlings to mature trees towering over 20m of this species were seen throughout the wetland area. On average, a 30m by 30m area would have B. cylindrica 100+ juvenile trees (height below 1m), 20 trees between 2 and 5m height and at least one tree over 5m height. Few Excoecaria agallocha trees were sighted throughout the wetland area though low in abundance. Lumnitzera racemosa were only seen around the waterbody marked as Site A. The L. racemosa belt was seen to extend up to 30m from waterbody at site A. Overall, the flora of wetland area in Neykurendhoo can be said to be low in biodiversity and species richness, though it has one of the largest population of B. cylindrica reported in the Maldives.
A fair amount of mangrove fauna, mostly crustaceans were sighted in Neykurendhoo wetland areas.
In many mangroves a large proportion of the leaf litter is directly consumed by crabs, particularly those in the family Sesarmidae. This dramatically accelerates the incorporation of mangrove biomass into the food chain. The acceleration happens in three main ways:
1. Shredding – as crabs feed on leaf litter they shred it into fine particles, increasing the surface area for leaching and microbial colonisation. An Australian study found that 20% of the material processed by crabs is dropped without being ingested (Camilleri 1989), but even this is shredded into fine particles.
2. Accelerated leaching – 85% of the leaf litter ingested by crabs ends up in faeces. Processing of this material in the crab gut reduces content of unpalatable tannins in faeces to less than 3%, compared to 13% in freshly fallen leaves (Lee 1998). This process means that decomposing microbes can colonise the processed leaves in hours or days, rather than the weeks required without crabs.
3. Assimilation – around 12% of the leaf litter processed by crabs is assimilated as crab biomass. A range of predators then feed on these crabs, including a number of fish species that are of high importance to fisheries (Sheaves and Molony 2000).
Additionally, crabs will invest a proportion of the energy assimilated in reproduction, producing large numbers of crab larvae which are an important food source to smaller predators.
Estimates for the amount of litter consumed by crabs vary. In many mangroves, crabs play a major role: one Australian study found that 70% of Bruguiera leaves and 88% of Ceriops leaves were taken down crab burrows in an Australian mangrove, and those left on the surface were eaten by crabs where they fell (Robertson and Daniel 1989b). Similar results have been found in Brazil, where the crab Ucides cordatus was found to consume 84.2% of the total daily litterfall (Nordhaus et al. 2006).
Among the predicted outcomes of climate change, the most pronounced effect is sea-level rise due to global warming. Mangrove systems do not keep pace with changing sea-level when the rate of change in elevation of the mangrove sediment surface is exceeded by the rate of change in relative sea-level. The understanding of mangroves as opportunistic colonizers with distribution controlled through ecological responses to environmental factors highlights the importance of the geomorphic setting in determining where mangrove ecosystems establish, their structure and functional processes. An understanding of a mangrove's geomorphic setting, including sedimentation processes (sediment supply and type), hydrology, and energy regime, is likewise important in understanding resistance and responses to changes in sea-level, as these affect both surface and subsurface controls on elevation of the mangrove sediment surface.
Due to lack of accessibility into the most parts of wetland area, not much alterations to its natural status were made by the community. However, some amount of deforestation in parts of the wetland were seen; fairly uncommon. It is believed large mangroves were cut down for timber by locals. Overall, anthropogenic threats to the wetland is minimal at this island.
If harvesting mature mangroves for timber is not managed and regulated well, there is potential for significant loss of vegetation and cause irreversible environmental damage to the wetland area.


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Department of Defense /
Army /
Animation, Visualization and Real-Time Control of Automated Ammunition Handling Manipulators
Period of Performance: 12/15/1998 - 06/30/1999
Share Shared
Phase 1 SBIR
Recipient Firm
American GNC Corp.
888 Easy Street
Dr. Ching-Fang Lin
Material-handling Robotics
This SBIR project is to develop an animation, visualization and real-time control environment for automated ammunition handling manipulators. The emphasis is on the development of reusable hardware/software architectures and components for automated material handling and their applications to the Smart Crane Ammunition Transfer System (SCATS). The environment consists of a VME-bus target system with a VxWorks RTOS, a SUN workstation system with Tornado and ControlShell developing software tools, and a PC animation and visualization system with a Cimetrix Open Development Environment (CODE). These systems are connected to each other and transfer data through ethernet (TCP/IP) and serial channels (RS232). The SUN workstation system is a host to develop embedded real-time codes for the target system. The PC system is to perform the simulation, animation and visualization of robotic manipulators. The entire environment can run in two configuration modes: an off-line real-time animation simulation and control mode and an on-line realtime visualization and control mode. In the former mode, the environment is used to develop, test, and verify automatic control algorithms with a manipulator model, and in the latter, to refine, tune and test the control algorithms with a real manipulator. Although the environment developed in this project is targeted for SCATS, it can be used for various material-handling robotics. Therefore, the environment has wide commercial application potential. BENEFITS: The animation, visualization and real-time control environment developed in this project will enable cost reduction and time savings in the development of autonomous material-handling manipulators. It has wide commercial applications in industrial robotics.
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'Skyfall's' Sam Mendes not directing Bond 24 after all
by: HitFix March 6, 2013
After weeks of hints, rumors and expectations, it now appears that "Skyfall" director Sam Mendes won't return for Bond 24.
With "Skyfall" earning more than $1 billion at the box office and recently picking up two Oscars, it's understandable that producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli are eager to move forward on Bond 24, but doing so means that Mendes won't be able to commit to the film.
"It has been a very difficult decision not to accept Michael and Barbara"s very generous offer to direct the next Bond movie," he told Empire. "Directing 'Skyfall' was one of the best experiences of my professional life, but I have theatre and other commitments, including productions of 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory' and 'King Lear,' that need my complete focus over the next year and beyond."
It was earlier reported that Mendes had an idea for the next film's plot, but its unknown if that will carry over once a new director is chosen. Other reports indicated that Mendes was considering a return, so this news comes as somewhat of a surprise.
"Skyfall" reinvigorated the franchise, bringing 007 back to Square One career-wise, and introducing a new support team for Bond (Daniel Craig) which includes such luminaries as Ralph Fiennes, Naomie Harris and Ben Whishaw.
Mendes also assembled an ace crew for the film, including Oscar-nominated DP Roger Deakins and Oscar-nominated composer Thomas Newman, but it remains to be seen if they'll return.
"We thoroughly enjoyed working with Sam, he directed our most successful Bond movie ever, 'Skyfall,'" Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli told Empire. "We would have loved to have made the next film with him but completely respect his decision to focus on other projects and hope to have the opportunity to collaborate with him again."
With the "Skyfall" cast and the Bond legacy as prime selling points, however, Broccoli and Wilson shouldn't have trouble attracting another A-list name.
Who would you like to see direct the next Bond adventure?
Topics: #Daniel Craig, #James BondTags: 007, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, DANIEL CRAIG, JAMES BOND, King Lear, sam mendes, SKYFALL


Mark started his career in dental technology in 1988 working in a commercial laboratory, gaining his OND from Liverpool and HNC in dental technology from Manchester Metropolitan Universities. He moved to North Manchester General Hospital in 1996 where he gained his advanced qualification in maxillofacial technology.
Mark set up Sinclair Orthodontics in 2000 whilst also working at Booth Hall on a commercial basis. When Booth Hall closed Mark continued to assist with services at Royal Manchester Childrens Hospital along with setting up a satellite laboratory at Hope Hospital in Manchester where he spends two days a week providing onsite orthodontic and maxillofacial services.
In 2007 Mark gained his BSc (Hons) in Dental Technology from Manchester Metropolitan University, where he now lectures on a part-time basis. His expertise is also used by the University as an MSc advisor for current MSc students. Mark has presented for the Dentofacial Anomalies group and has held practical demonstrations at the Manchester Dental Education centre.
In his spare time Mark likes to spend time with his family, going for walks and taking part in various out-door activities.


CSUN presents Little Shop of Horrors - 2010 - Cathy and Harvey Kalmenson support K&K intern Ashley Nguyen as she takes to the stage!
Actors Reporter - 2010 - "Exclusive Interview: Voice Casting Director Harvey Kalmenson"
Women in Film: Beverly Hills Breakfast - 2010 - Jane Seymour shares her amazing career journey with WIF members.
Global One Worldwide Star Search - 2010 - Cathy Kalmenson speaks to young and aspiring actors about potential careers in voice over.
What do all of these Schools have in Common? - 2010 - Kalmenson & Kalmenson spreads the word about voice over to student showcases.
Actors Reporter - 2010 - "Exclusive Interview: Voice Casting Director Cathy Kalmenson" - Click here to view the video!
El Vaquero - 2010 - "Workshop Offers Inside View of Little-Known Voice Jobs"
Cathy and Harvey Kalmenson Interviewed for Portugal TV Network - 2010 - Click here to view the video!
"Beyond All Boundaries" Announcement - 2009 - Documentary Voices Cast by Kalmenson & Kalmenson!
Los Angeles Times - 2009 - "The Voice in the Dark is Scott Rummell" - Once our student, now our star!
The Hollywood Reporter - 2009 - "Plans Unveiled for Tom Hanks' WWII Doc" - Documentary Voices Cast by Kalmenson & Kalmenson!
MountieWire - 2009 - "Voice-Over Acting Directors Visit Mt. SAC"
Variety - 2009 - "Coraline"
Children in Film - 2008 - "Have You Considered Voiceovers?"
L.A. Actor - 2008 - "Coming to Terms with Those Character Voices in Your Head"
Back Stage West - 2002 - "Spoken Truth"
Los Angeles Business Journal - 2001 - "L.A. Stories - Speaking of Harry"
Screen - 1998 - "9,000 Voices Clamoring to be Heard"
Los Angeles Business Journal - 1998 - "Sound Business at Burbank Voiceover Film"


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Mariella Online
On the Glow
MAKE MEGHAN PRESIDENT
MAKE MEGHAN PRESIDENT….says Mariella Frostrup
The news that Meghan Markle will start her walk down the aisle alone (but for a few frilly children) seals her place as a new feminist icon and welcome member of the Royal Family. And I say that as a dyed in the wool, red-blooded Republican.
Of course it's lovely to have your father (or mother) walking into the church with you as a companion. It's an important day for family, but the concept of being 'given away', like a birthday present (or a servant) to a man, is surely as archaic a concept as putting someone in the stocks for bad behaviour? Or, even worse, wearing the wrong length jeans.
'Do we not all have a slightly embarrassing relative?'
Many criticisms have been levied at Markle over the last week, with much finger pointing at her (in many ways very unfortunate and divided) family for not being as blue-blooded as the Royals, and there has always been a 'gold digger' query from plenty of quarters.
But do we not all have a slightly embarrassing relative in our genetic stable? The Markles en masse may appear to be a sort of US version of Eastenders, but the Windsors are really no better, with affairs, substance abuse and divorce rife amongst them. Owning castles doesn't make you morally superior, even if you are at the top of the social food chain.
Besides, Markle had a successful career of her own, unlike many of the royal ladies. Markle may not have been sleeping on a mattress stuffed with £50 notes, but she lived a glamourous and well paid Hollywood life. She's hardly Eliza Doolittle.
She's already proving a catalyst for change, could she prove a catalyst for the biggest change of all? We're conditioned to believe that they are a far elevated bunch, but this American actress with an all too human history could prove the final instalment for the myth of monarchy.
Harry is the fortunate one (and long may he believe that to be the case) but making we commoners curtsey to his fabulously real-life wife may finally, and Long Live The Queen etc, mean that the tables turn. In which case Markle for President, I say!
I'll be giving my thoughts on Channel Four tonight. The Meghan Markle Effect is at 11pm
http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-meghan-markle-effect
© 2022 Mariella FrostrupDesign: Designers Anonymous. Build: 10°


Links are very important things for every blog and website because they literally control the web. Better SEO ranking of your site is one big step towards your success as a webmaster. Backlinks being important elements in this success, you should build as many of them as possible without compromising their quality. The following are various smart ways of building backlinks, how, and where to get them.
Information graphic is the visual representation of the content or data in a clear and quicker way. Visual graphics can attract more visitors to your site if fully utilized. Share your visual content with other popular websites and include your link just below the content. There is a higher possibility that those people who prefers visual content will link back to you. Take advantage of the popular publications, publish your inforgraphics and get quality backlinks.
Guest blogging is the easiest and effective way of reaching out for new audiences. Let people know about your website and its content by publishing your articles on popular sites. This will win you more exposure, get more followers and increase your reputation among the online followers. Consequently, it will expand your audience and leverage your relationships.
Well-structured internal links can also be a key factor for any successful blogger. They can be generated by using anchor texts. Internal links help users or visitors to your website to navigate easily and boost the overall user experience. There are various tools, especially if you are using WordPress, that can generate these links automatically, but still they can be done manually. It is recommended that webmasters keep their number of internal links below 100 per page for both easy usability and SEO.
Having a great content in your website without promoting it is as good as useless as far as backlinks are concerned. You must use all means including use of emails to promote your content and as a result gain more backlinks. Contacting bloggers and running weekly and monthly roundups can as well help you promote your content. For instance, you can contact the webmaster, give a quick introduction to your website and send a link to one of your best tutorials. If they find your content to be resourceful, they will definitely link back to you. However, maintain a good relationship with webmasters by not asking for links directly.
This could be the easiest and simplest method of getting quality backlinks. Writing testimonials for websites that you use can earn you a link from the homepage of the website. As long as you are their customer, there is a high possibility of gaining a link in exchange for testimonials.
I had no clue that back links could come from infografics. I generally try to use most of these already. Although I have never done a guest post. Great information here.
This is great information. And something I wish I would have known when I first started blogging.
A very beneficial post with good information. Another way to get backlinks is to be featured on The Blogger's Pit Stop, the feature will get a backlink from all of our co-hosts.
Cynthia, this post was among the most clicked on the Blogger's Pit Stop #55. Congratulations, be looking for a feature on Friday.
Blogger's Pit Stop the home of quality posts.
I have several articles coming out on this in the near future. If I use your ideas, I'll link to you.
extremely helpful post Cynthia! Thank god for the post to be featured in Blogger's Pit Stop I almost missed it. I shall be using all the pointers you have suggested.
Thanks, Cynthia! These are great suggestions. I'm starting to use more internal links -- have you tried the Yoast SEO plugin? It's newest version helps you identify posts you don't remember you did, for better internal linking.
Great suggestions, Cynthia. I'm familiar and have done most of them except backlinks thru infographics. I shall be doing more research on that. Thanks for this helpful post!


Minutes after the private jet was in the air Saturday, Casa Presidencial announced that Presidenta Laura Chinchilla was Peru bound, to attend the wedding of a son of Costa Rica's vice-president, Luis Liberman. The bulletin also said Chinchilla was to meet with her Peruvian counterpart on Monday.
The trip had not been announced and seemed convenient to many to add in the Monday meeting to what appears a private trip by the Presidenta and her husband, Jose Maria Rico.
It also seemed inappropriate given that the Presidenta has been advocating total transparency given the recent scandals and controversies surrounding her administration.
On Monday, the Minister of Communications, Francisco Chacón, said from Lima that the expense of the private plane would be covered personally by presidenta Chinchilla. Chacón and his wife, the minister of Foreign Trade, Anabel Gonzalez, are travelling with the presidenta.
In the statement, Chacón said the "private trip" became one of "public interest" after confirming that Peru's president, Ollanta Humala, would meet with Chinchilla on Monday. The meeting with Humala was to discuss the development of bilateral trade and diplomacy following the approval of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries.
Chinchilla is scheduled to travel to Ecuador on May 22 for formal investiture of president Rafael Correa's second term, and then onto Cali, Colombia, for the VII Summit of the Pacific Alliance.
The estimated cost for such a service is about US$60.000, though minister Chacon assures the cost is much lower than that and without receiving any special pricing by the plane's owner, THX, a Canadian gas and oil exploration company with operations in Costa Rica.
On Monday Costa Rica's Procurador de la Ética (Attorney General for Ethics), Gilbert Calderón, said that the trip could be investigated by the Attorney Generals office, but would not comment on the subject just year.
According to legal experts, the Presidenta could be in violation of Article 20 of the Law Against Corruption and Illicit Enrichment, which says that all gifts "received by a public official as a courtesy or diplomatic custom, be regarded as immovable property of the nation, when its value exceeds a base salary ".