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The movie Bohemian Rhapsody is a great excuse to look back at memorable Queen performances
The stuff of champions: Live Aid, Wayne's World, an a cappella duet with a guy named Bowie, and more
byTom Maxwell•November 1, 2018
Is it real or is it Memorex? Actor Rami Malek shows off an eerie likeness to Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody."
This story was updated on Feb. 24, 2019.
If you want to know what a force of nature Queen frontman Freddie Mercury was, listen to this a cappella version of Under Pressure, a 1982 Queen song sung here in a duet with David Bowie.
Here Mercury is singing the lead, the lead to end all leads. He scats, hitting atmospheric high notes, pleading in a near howl "why can't we give love one more chance?", then resolving to the lightest harmonies at the end.
The real deal: Freddie Mercury in performance in 1984.
There is no topping Mercury as a rock and roll singer. In the duet, he neatly puts David Bowie in a supporting role, and who else could do that?
Bohemian Rhapsody, the movie, received mixed critical reviews when it was released in November but has since been embraced enthusiastically by movie goers, powered partly by actor Rami Malek's bravura Oscar-nominated performance as Mercury. The film has taken in more $850 million globally, second only to Black Panther in box-office sales among Best Picture nominees, and Malek is looking like the front-runner to take home the Best Actor prize.
Perhaps the best part of the movie for those of us old enough to have experienced the band during its heyday: It has been a welcome reminder of its extraordinary power and lasting influence, and a great excuse to put Queen and Mercury on heavy rotation again.
My own demographic straddles the Boomer and Gen X generations. You're My Best Friend may have made the stray power FM station playlist in the 70s, but my earliest Queen memories are fixed on 1974's Killer Queen, where the band's voluptuous layered background vocals and genre-bending arrangements are fully to the fore.
Three years later, the group more or less invented stadium rock with We Will Rock You and "We Are The Champions," after a performance in England.
"We did an encore and then went off," guitarist Brian May remembered, "and instead of just keeping clapping, [the crowd] sang 'You'll Never Walk Alone' to us, and we were just completely knocked out and taken aback—it was quite an emotional experience really."
I saw the broadcast of Queen's 1985 Live Aid performance of We Are The Champions at Wembley Stadium. It is deeply iconic, and that's a word I use deliberately.
There's a size to this song that few others would attempt, either with the enormity of the chord progression or the bombast of the chorus or the sheer ambition that informs every moment of Mercury's performance.
"I consider it a challenge before the whole human race," he sings, "and I ain't gonna lose."
He didn't. Live Aid was a triumph, and Queen owned the show.
Not bad for a kid of Parsi descent born Farrokh Bulsara in Zanzibar. He was a young, ambitious musician born with extra incisors and a four-octave range, a man who was obviously, if not overtly, queer at a time when such a thing could not be countenanced.
He named his band Queen, for god's sake, and people still didn't get it. Mercury was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1987, publicly admitted his illness on Nov. 24, 1991, and died the next day.
Cher on tour: an appreciation from her number one fan
Rock stars hanging with their parents
Mug shots of major rock stars
If the Live Aid concert was a comeback, the place of Queen in the 1992 film Wayne's World was a canonization. Released smack in the middle of the Grunge movement, the movie's ironic lip synching, head banging tribute was the best kind of validation.
When Bohemian Rhapsody was released in 1975, the band's record label thought a nearly six-minute song would never work as a single, much less one shot through with operatic vocals and sudden tempo changes.
In fact, it hit No. 1 in England and No. 2 in the U.S. And then it became a hit again in 1992 because of Wayne's World, which was released three months after Mercury's death.
The movie, a spin-off of the Saturday Night Live skit helmed by SNL stalwarts Mike Meyers and Dana Carvey, follows the adventures of Wayne Campbell (Meyers) and his best buddy Garth Algar (Carvey) and the public access television show they produce in the basement of Wayne's parents' house.
Myers was one of the writers on the film and had to fight for the inclusion of Bohemian Rhapsody as the song featured in the beloved opening scene of the movie.
When the producer and director pushed for a popular Guns N' Roses song instead, Myers threatened to quit.
"At one point I said to everybody, 'I'm out,'" he told Rolling Stone in an oral history of the scene. "I don't want to make this movie if it's not Bohemian Rhapsody.''
Mercury, who died of complications from AIDS in 1991 at the age of 45, lived long enough to see the clip. Myers phoned guitarist May and asked if he wanted to hear the film clip with Wayne, Garth, and pals head-banging to the song.
"Mike Myers phoned me up and said, 'We've got this thing which we think is great. Do you want to hear it?''" Queen guitarist Brian May remembers in the oral history "And I said, 'Yeah.' And he said, 'Do you think Freddie would want to hear it?' Now Freddie was really sick by that time but I said, 'Yeah, I'm sure he will.'"
May brought a tape over to Mercury and played it for him.
"Freddie loved it,'' May said. "He just laughed and thought it was great, this little video.''
Outsize in every respect
Myers has a fleeting cameo in the Mercury biopic, playing a record label executive who tells Mercury that the single won't make it: "No one is going to be head-banging in the car to Bohemian Rhapsody.''
With the movie Bohemian Rhapsody we are reminded, if more proof were needed, that Freddie Mercury is deathless. There's not much to miss about the 20th century music business, but if there was ever a group emblematic of a bygone era, it's Queen.
They were outsize in every respect: in their songs, album production, performances, and touring venues. We won't see their like again, but the music will be forever.


The Lamu Palace Hotel is located in the main street in Lamu. Founded in the 7th century, Lamu still reflects the picture of the typical Arabic dhow port, with its 18th century stone houses and narrow streets with no other traffic than almost 4,000 donkeys. Lamu is the starting point for the famous island hipping trips to Pate or Manda Island with its enormous white sandy beaches and ancient town.
Above rates are Per Room Per Night and inclusive of Bed & Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner.


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What We Did Not Lose is Music.
guitars, john riley, love, music
When we were at the visiting, not quite courting stage my spouse discovered that I had guitar. I did not really play but I did have a beautiful guitar. He asked to see it and proceeded to tune it and then sing this song to me.
Fair young maid all in a garden
Stange young man, passerby
He said, "Fair maid, will you marry me?"
This answer was her reply:
Oh, no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee
For I've a love who sails all on the sea.
He's been gone for seven years
Still no man shall marry me
What if he's in some battle slain
Or if he's drowned in the deep salt sea
What if he's found another love
And he and his love both married be?
Well, if he's in some battle slain
I will die when the moon doth wane
And if he's drowned in the deep salt sea
I'll be true to his memory
And if he's found another love
And he and his love both married be
I'll wish them health and happiness
Where they dwell across the sea
He picked her up all in his arms
Kisses gave her: One, two, three
Said, weep no more, my own true love
I am your long-lost John Riley!
Traditional English Folksong
We were sitting in our family room, my spouse between the family dining table and the ironing board on a frightfully horrid chair covered in gold polyester burlap upholstery my mother made. I remember this. I stood at the door and watched. My family was entranced that he could play and that he could sing. I was enchanted. It was more intimate than a kiss. He had sung the song to me and to me alone. He had declared his love for me. Surely there was no more gallant way to communicate your love than to sing the one you love a love song.
As we became closer we would sing the song alternating parts from man to woman. I don't know if it was the song, the fact that we were so obviously in love or that we were wonderful singers but it was not unusual to see people dabbing their eyes when we sang together. The song is just as meaningful to me today as it was 40 years ago.
The song speaks of being there for each other, even when the wait grows long. It need not be someone gone over the sea. Sometimes you have to wait with the other side by side as oceans apart while one turns inside to learn and then returns with new insight for themselves, for you, for the world.
Our guitars burned. My spouse lost his 50 year old 12 string, his Yamaha classical guitar and a classical guitar made by his brother who is a luthier. My beautiful Roca guitar with marquetry and mother of pear inlay is no more.
Losoing the guitars is sad. We lost my piano and a perfect, original finish melodian c1840-1860. We lost antiuque instruments too: a zither, a squeeze box, and more. Losing the instrucments and the CDs that contain music are a grievous loss.
What we did not lose is music. If music be the food of love, play on. (Shakespeare, Twelfthnight)
Play on we have and we shall. We have carried with us the song of love for so many years that no external crisis or fire could make it go away. Music will be be the food of love that will fuel us to build this new life of ours. When we walk into our new home the first time we will have to stop in the family room and sing John Riley to each other and to our new home.
Singing together in 1993

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Andrzej Aleksander Radzimiński herbu Lis (zm. przed 12 lutego 1657 roku) – podkomorzy żmudzki w 1644 roku, ciwun szawdowski w 1643 roku, podsędek żmudzki w latach 1643-1644, stolnik żmudzki w latach 1625-1643, dworzanin Jego Królewskiej Mości.

W 1648 roku podpisał elekcję Jana II Kazimierza Wazy z Księstwa Żmudzkiego.

Bibliografia

 Svffragia Woiewodztw, y Ziem Koronnych, y Wielk. Xięstwa Litewskiego. Zgodnie na Naiaśnieyszego Iana Kazimierza Obranego Krola Polskiego [...]. Dane, między Warszawą, a Wolą, Dnia 17. Listopada, Roku 1648, [b.n.s].
 Urzędnicy Wielkiego Księstwa Litewskiego. Spisy tom III: Księstwo Żmudzkie. XV–XVIII wiek, pod redakcją Andrzeja Rachuby, opracowali Henryk Lulewicz, Andrzej Rachuba, Przemysław P. Romaniuk, Andrzej Haratym, Warszawa 2015, s. 218, 350.

Ciwuni szawdowscy
Członkowie stanu rycerskiego I Rzeczypospolitej
Dworzanie królewscy
Elektorzy Jana II Kazimierza Wazy
Elektorzy władców Polski (Księstwo Żmudzkie)
Podkomorzowie żmudzcy
Podsędkowie żmudzcy
Andrzej Aleksander Radzimiński
Stolnicy żmudzcy
Urzędnicy ziemscy I Rzeczypospolitej

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Pure and Practical Religion Makes A Pure and Practical Church.
Yes, religion is in the Bible and in its most pure and practical way from Pastor James in the Word of God. One might be permitted to say that a Pure and Practical local church practices pure religion. Pure Bible and Christian Religion #1: Accountable to God the Father. New International Version Religion that God… Continue reading Pure and Practical Religion Makes A Pure and Practical Church.


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extern const char kPushMessagingGcmEndpoint[];

// The tag of the notification that will be automatically shown if a webapp
// receives a push message then fails to show a notification.
extern const char kPushMessagingForcedNotificationTag[];

// Chrome decided cadence on subscription refreshes. According to the standards:
// https://w3c.github.io/push-api/#dfn-subscription-expiration-time it is
// optional and set by the browser.
constexpr base::TimeDelta kPushSubscriptionExpirationPeriodTimeDelta =
    base::Days(90);

// TimeDelta for subscription refreshes to keep old subscriptions alive
constexpr base::TimeDelta kPushSubscriptionRefreshTimeDelta = base::Minutes(2);

#endif  // CHROME_BROWSER_PUSH_MESSAGING_PUSH_MESSAGING_CONSTANTS_H_

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Are you confused about what a lectionary is and what it is for? Here is a link to a powerpoint presentation describing the Lectionary Cycle.
At this link you will find the lectionary readings for this year in pdf format.
And don't forget to visit my own Lectionary Blog and Podcast.


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People living alone can now form 'support bubbles' to end coronavirus lockdown loneliness
Saturday 13 June 2020, 12:02am
Shops in England are preparing to re-open from Monday Credit: Stefan Rousseau/PA
People living alone in England can form "support bubbles" with other households from Saturday, ending weeks of isolation under lockdown.
The latest easing of lockdown measures means those who live by themselves will be able to visit and hug members from one other household for the first time in more than 10 weeks.
Couples who do not live together have been required to remain two metres apart if they meet outdoors but they will now be able to stay overnight at each others' homes, if one of the couple currently lives alone.
Coronavirus R number rises slightly in England but stays steady in UK as whole
Two metre rule 'under review' says Boris Johnson as he looks ahead to next easing
It comes ahead of further easing of lockdown measures in England on Monday, which will see the reopening of non-essential shops on Monday.
In Northern Ireland – which is adopting a similar relaxation of the regulations for people living alone – the shops began opening their doors on Friday.
Announcing the plan for "support bubbles" earlier this week, Boris Johnson said it was a "targeted intervention" designed to help those most isolated by the lockdown.
However, the latest batch of papers released by the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) revealed misgivings among the experts at the prospect of social bubbling.
Shops in Northern Ireland began reopening their doors on Friday. Credit: PA
A report of its meeting on May 13 urged "strong caution" warning it could create "significant unwanted effects" – particularly if it was introduced alongside other easing of the rules.
It said there was "significant potential risk" if larger households are allowed to bubble together – something the Government is not currently proposing.
Instead it has said that adults living alone or single parents with children under 18 can pair up with one other household of any size.
Shops in Belfast began re-opening on Friday Credit: Brian Lawless/PA
They will then effectively be treated as a single household for the purpose of the rules – with members able to visit indoors without the need to follow the two-metre rule.
While the bubble plan is clearly popular with many, it is nevertheless likely to reignite concerns that the Government is moving too quickly as it seeks to re-start the economy.
The Prime Minister and his chief medical and scientific advisers have faced growing criticism that they were to slow to impose the lockdown in March, resulting in thousands of deaths.
At the same time, Mr Johnson is under intense pressure to get the economy going again amid fears that it could take years to fully recover.
The cost of the restrictions was dramatically underlined by official showing GDP shrank by a fifth in April in an unprecedented fall-off as activity ground to a halt.
The new rules could be good news for some people hoping to visit their grandchildren (stock image). Credit: PA
The Prime Minister acknowledged the economy had been "very badly hit" but predicted it would "bounce back" as confidence returned.
However, there are fears of further job losses ahead as the Government's furlough scheme – which has seen the state pays up to 80% of employees wages – begins to unwind from August.
Mr Johnson is planning to visit a high street next week, according to The Times, as he seeks to persuade people that it is safe to go out and start spending.
Meanwhile, the Government is facing is continuing calls to relax the two-metre rule – with businesses warning that it is hampering the return to normal activity.
The hospitality sector in particular has said re-opening many pubs and restaurants will not be viable while the restriction remains in place.
Graph showing the number of coronavirus deaths in England. Credit: PA Graphics
The Prime Minister is said to be keen to lift the rule – which is also seen as an obstacle to the wider re-opening of many schools.
However, the Sage papers show that some of the scientists advising the Government believe it remains necessary.
A paper from the Environmental and Modelling Group dated June 4 said that reducing it to a one metre rule, as some are calling for, could increase the risks of passing on the disease between two and 10 times.
It suggested that, as a minimum, any easing should be accompanied by the wearing of face masks or face coverings.
Overall, however, it concluded that people should "continue to observe a distance of two metres when face to face and avoid prolonged exposure to other people".
Check the number of cases in your area with our interactive map
All the coronavirus information you need in one place - from health and work to what you can do to stop the spread of the virus


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Accueil sur le site CARRTEL INRAE USMB Projets Projets en cours PACHA
Start date : September 2019
PhD Thesis: Julie Rotschi
Contact: Jean-Philippe Jenny, Isabelle Domaizon, Irene Gregory-Eaves
Inland surface waters modify and transfer large amounts of carbon (C) from watersheds, contributing significantly to the global C cycle and acting on the climate1,2. Continental and oceanic sedimentation is the main long-term storage mechanism for C exported by inland waters. However, the storage of C in continental sediments (reservoirs, rivers, lakes) has received much less attention than that of marine sediments, and the C-sources and the dynamics of C-sequestration remain poorly understood on a large scale, in particular concerning the action of biological productivity in carbon fixation1,3. In addition, long-term dynamics are still poorly evaluated, necessitating the use of geological archives and modelling.
The biogeochemical (pigments, DNA) and geochronological (e.g. 14C) study of lacustrine sedimentary archives enables the continuous documentation, at an annual or multi-year resolution, of the evolution of carbon sequestration by lakes and algal productivity over centuries to thousands of years4. The study of these sediment archives also makes it possible to document the sources of C inputs, associated to external sources that depend on C-eroded from watersheds5 (allochthonous C), and on lake primary production6 (Autochtonous C). However, it is unclear how these respective sources influence long-term C-sequestration, and it therefore seems urgent to address this issue, particularly with respect to the contribution of primary production that has received relatively little attention at the global scale over time scales multi-decadal to centennial7.
This doctoral research project is therefore focused on the study of control factors of carbon sequestration by lakes over long time, at regional and global scales. Through a multi-scale approach, we propose to consolidate a global and multi-proxy paleo-limnological database (ie of lacustrine sedimentary archives) in order to analyze the 300-years historical trajectories of primary production for 420 sites in the world and to determine which of the algal groups have contributed to total primary productivity over time, and what have been the effects on carbon transfer and its sequestration in sediments. This project will address for the first time on these scales of space and time the issue of the dynamics of biological communities interacting with the transfer of matter in lake -watershed systems. This project will also lay the foundations for a long-term numerical model to simulate primary production and lacustrine carbon fluxes, which will build on existing models developed by the AFB-Irstea Cluster. This project will be part of the CARRTEL research axis on carbon transfer in lakeside environment.
Regnier, P. et al. Anthropogenic perturbation of the carbon fluxes from land to ocean. Nat. Geosci. 6, 597–607 (2013).
Maavara, T., Lauerwald, R., Regnier, P. & Van Cappellen, P. Global perturbation of organic carbon cycling by river damming. Nat. Commun. 8, 15347 (2017).
Weyhenmeyer, G. Large differences in the efficiency of large lakes to transform nutrients and pollutants from the watershed. in (2018).
Dearing, J. A. et al. Extending the timescale and range of ecosystem services through paleoenvironmental analyses, exemplified in the lower Yangtze basin. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 109, E1111–E1120 (2012).
Tranvik, L. J. et al. Lakes and reservoirs as regulators of carbon cycling and climate. Limnol. Oceanogr. 54, 2298–2314 (2009).
Sobek, S. et al. Organic carbon burial efficiency in lake sediments controlled by oxygen exposure time and sediment source. Limnol. Oceanogr. 54, 2243–2254 (2009).
Taranu, Z. E. et al. Acceleration of cyanobacterial dominance in north temperate-subarctic lakes during the Anthropocene. Ecol. Lett. 18, 375–384 (2015).
Mise à jour : 30 Août 2021


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Services New Media Rights Offers For Entrepreneurs, E-commerce Business People and Startups.
Photo courtsey of 401(K)2012, licensed under a Creative Commons attribution license.
So you're an entrepreneur. You love taking big ideas and turning them into a profitable business that helps the economy, creates jobs, and may even change the world.
You're collaborative, often working informally with a team of coders, artists, and all kinds of other professionals to produce your product. Sometimes you sign written contracts as part of business, but often you just focus on getting your app out the door. Unfortunately occasionally disputes arise. Who owns the product? Can someone on your team leave and create their own similar product?
Is what you're doing even legal? How do you minimize your legal liability?
Your users are great. You want to be able to gather data from users, but you want to do it in a way that avoids lawsuits and looking like you're the NSA. You wonder what kind of notice you need to provide your users, and how to draft a privacy policy and terms of use that lets users clearly know the conditions of their use of your app. You wonder if you should have a specially tailored privacy policy and terms of service instead of copying and pasting Facebook's. Hint: You should.
Your customers are pretty great too. They've been buying up your product in droves. And everything was going just fine until someone tried to return your product. You might have forgotten to come up with a return policy. And now you don't know what to do.
And you love producing content. But it's sometimes easier to just grab images and music from online, that is until you get a DMCA takedown because that photo you used on your website is copyrighted. Or maybe it was a trademark violation, after all how were you supposed to that calling your new solar charging bag as a Charging Base Station (C.B.S.) violated trademark law. Regardless you just spent so much time working on a product that may never see the light of day. Maybe you should have had someone look at your idea beforehand.
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David Mellor, Red Sox senior director of grounds
Infield Chemistry
Red Sox Senior Director of Grounds David Mellor on the winning combination for proper infield maintenance
The infielders on a baseball team need to work like a well-oiled machine. Executing a shift, turning a double play, or adapting to all kinds of unique situations. In grounds maintenance for an infield, the virtues of chemistry and adaptability hold the same value. The groundskeeper and crew need to constantly adjust their strategy for maintenance, mainly due to the uncertainty of weather conditions, but also because of schedules and the local climate. And the need for good chemistry is twofold: the infield mix needs to be a precise blend to optimize performance, and the crew has to work in tandem to make for the best infield possible.
David Mellor, senior director of grounds for the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, has been in the industry for 36 years. He now holds a dream role for his favorite team and one of the most legendary sports fields in the world. Each game at Fenway is a memorable experience for every fan and player, and the lights don't shine any brighter than on the infield. Mellor and his crew take that responsibility seriously, and he shared with us some insights on how he keeps his infield in Major League condition.
Treat each day as unique
There's a saying in baseball that goes, "Every time you go to a baseball game, you see something you've never seen before." In the world of sports field maintenance, adapting to new and unforeseen situations is an important piece of the puzzle.
"The first thing we look at each day is weather," said Mellor. "The temperature, the sun, the wind, the dew point, cloud cover, temperature, and not just how it is now but how it's going to change throughout the day. All these factors impact daily infield maintenance."
Mellor also referenced that, in his decades of experience, the technology of weather apps and forecasts has come a long way. The specifics of the day's weather help set the stage for the watering strategy throughout the day. The first water of the day is the most important, and the timing can change dramatically depending on the weather, he added.
Hone your mix
Mellor explained that it takes a lot of research and mixing to get the infield just right.
"Technology has made big advancements with infield mixes," he said. "Engineered infield mixes have helped change the game, allowing groundskeepers from parks and rec, Little League and Major League fields to provide better safety and playability."
Ultimately, what you want is a field that acts like a cork board. Mellor uses the phrase "cleat in, cleat out" to describe how cleats should go in and out without any clumping from too soft, silty or sandy soil. Investing in a soil test, an engineered infield mix, and laser leveling the infield skin with proper grade are investments in your field, and benefit your overall program. All work in tandem to provide safety and playability and reduce rainouts.
Learn your field
According to Mellor, most of all, it's important to get to know your field and figure out what works on your particular field.
"If you are inheriting a field, it's important to learn the characteristics of the skin mix," he said. "Learn how it holds water, how it drains and how it dries out." How it holds moisture is key, because the field needs to have good moisture in it to perform at its best, and not just at the surface. "You want to water it deep into the skin, not just at the surface, so it's consistent throughout," said Mellor.
He also recommends investing in a soil test to see what your field is made of and how to treat it. Use the soil test to find out the percentages of sand, silt, clay and breakout of all five types of sand (course, very course, medium, fine and very fine), as well as silt-to-clay ratio (SCR). You want the majority of the sand particles to be in the medium range. He uses the example of marbles in a jar. If all the sand particles (marbles) are very coarse, it's going to be beachy and unstable; and if they're all very fine it's going to lock up tight and be hard. Whereas, if the majority are in the medium range, it's going to help provide stability. Your soil test information will be helpful to learn about the skin mix you have and how to amend your mix to get it to perform better.
Beyond the skin mix, the rest of your equipment should be versatile, and requires trial and error to deliver the desired result depending on weather, moisture, and topdressing conditioner. Mellor and his coworkers use an adjustable 1-inch hose nozzle that helps with flexibility of water flow, Turface infield conditioner, coco mats, metal drags, a bunker rake, brooms, scrapers and rakes, different weight nail drags, battery-powered hand and backpack blowers to blow material out of edges, and even a 500-pound split drum push roller to achieve different tasks. "In the end, you need to find what works for your staff and your field," he said.
Get to know and support your staff
Speaking of staff, invest in your staff and treat them well, said Mellor. If you have a team that works on your field, the field performance is only as good as the people who maintain it.
"You need to have equipment and people that you can count on," he said. "So many people take so much pride in their fields, across all leagues and fields. They care so much, and I take my hat off to them. I send a big thank you to everyone for all of the extra efforts, time and attention caring for your fields, keeping them safe and playable. The work you do lets people create memories on the fields."
It's a big responsibility to curate an infield, and a lot goes into it, but it's worth it to provide the best field possible, from the Little Leagues to the bright lights of the big leagues.
Editor's Note: These materials were provided by BOB-CAT Mowers and RYAN turf renovation equipment. David Mellor appears in this article on their behalf.


I love this music, and I love you Jone!!!!
I remember this band from 10 years ago when I was 16. Just as cool now as they were back in the day. Check out the song 'Water Boy' on the album 'Seasick' and you will now what I mean. Cheers.


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CDC releases combined summary of notifiable infectious, noninfectious diseases
Category: Health News
Washington, DC - Beginning with today's, Supplements to Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), CDC will publish the summaries of all notifiable conditions – infectious and noninfectious – at the same time. Together, these two reports provide official statistics for all nationally notifiable conditions in the same MMWR volume.
Notifiable diseases and conditions are those for which regular, frequent, and timely information is necessary for prevention and control. Monitoring this data gives CDC and other public health authorities the ability to detect and respond to sudden changes in the occurrence and distribution of health threats. State and local health departments voluntarily submit the data to CDC.
"Tracking and responding to infectious and noninfectious diseases is a major part of CDC's mission to protect America's health," said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. "These annual summaries let us take the nation's pulse and see where we are succeeding and what we need to do better."
The reports being released are the Summary of Notifiable Infectious Diseases and Conditions — United States, 2013, and the Summary of Notifiable Noninfectious Conditions and Disease Outbreaks — United States. Together, the reports are referred to as the Summary (Infectious and Noninfectious). The reports were prepared by CDC in collaboration with the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE).
The Summary (Infectious) summarizes data on dozens of nationally notifiable diseases and conditions in the United States. Highlights include:
West Nile virus (WNV) — In 2013, 47 states and the District of Columbia reported 2,469 cases of WNV disease – including 1,267 cases of WNV meningitis, encephalitis, and acute flaccid paralysis. There were 119 deaths. WNV disease incidence was similar to that during 2004-2007 but was higher than during 2008-2011.
Chlamydia — In 2013, about 1.4 million cases of this sexually transmitted disease were reported – decrease of 1.5 percent from 4.46.6 to 453.3 cases per 100,000 population. This is the first time since national chlamydia reporting began that the overall rate declined – largely due to decreases among women. It is not clear whether the decrease is due to fewer chlamydia infections or to a drop in chlamydia screening.
Valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) —This fungal infection caused by inhalation of spores present in the dry soil of the southwestern U.S. and California was recently detected in Washington State, far outside its usual range. The 9,438 reported cases in 2013 are a 47 percent decrease from 2012. Cases decreased by 55 percent in Arizona, which reports the most cases of any state, and by 27 percent in California. Despite the decrease, valley fever remains a major source of illness in affected areas.
Cyclosporiasis — This intestinal illness is caused by a microscopic parasite lurking in contaminated food and water. In 2013, the largest number of outbreak-associated cases of cyclosporiasis – 784 -- was reported to CDC since 1997. At least two outbreaks were linked to fresh produce imported from Mexico (bagged salad mix and cilantro). But the vehicle of infection for more than two thirds of reported cases could not be determined. CDC is working to develop advanced molecular detection methods to link cases to specific sources of infection.
Dengue — Spread by mosquitoes, dengue is a potentially serious viral infection. In 2013, dengue outbreaks occurred in Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico. Epidemics in the Caribbean and in Central and South America resulted in 794 travel-associated cases – more than in previous years.
Gonorrhea — U.S. cases of this sexually transmitted bacterial infection increased 8.8 percent from 2009 to 2012, but decreased slightly (by 0.6 percent) in 2013 to 106.1 cases per 100,000 population. Nationwide, the gonorrhea rate increased 4.3 percent among men and decreased 5.1 percent among women. Treatment for gonorrhea is complicated by the bacteria's growing resistance to antibiotics.
Influenza-associated pediatric deaths — From Dec. 30, 2012, to Dec. 28, 2013, CDC received reports of 161 deaths among people under the age 18 years – a more than three-fold increase compared with 2012, and a two-fold decrease compared with the pandemic year 2009. There were 69 pediatric deaths from seasonal influenza per calendar year during 2005-2012 and 358 pediatric deaths reported during the 2009-2010 flu pandemic.
Measles — There were 10 measles outbreaks in 2013, accounting for three-fourths of reported cases. The three largest outbreaks accounted for more than half of cases. In each outbreak, measles spread after a U.S. resident who caught measles abroad introduced the extremely contagious viral infection into communities with pockets of people unvaccinated because of philosophical or religious beliefs.
Meningococcal Disease — In 2013, U.S. rates of meningococcal disease continued to be at historic lows. However, there were serogroup B outbreaks at two universities – one in California and one in New Jersey – resulting in 13 cases and one death.
Novel flu viruses — In 2013, there were 21 cases of human infection with variant flu viruses in the U.S. – all associated with direct or indirect contact with swine. There were no human-to-human transmissions. Any public health laboratory that receives a suspicious specimen of flu virus – one that cannot be subtyped using standard methods -- immediately submits that specimen to CDC for further testing.
Whooping cough (pertussis) — Reported pertussis cases decreased from 2012 to 2013. However, cases continue to exceed those reported during the 1990s and early 2000s.
Salmonellosis — Salmonella causes an estimated 1.2 million illnesses per year in the U.S. The largest multistate outbreak in 2013 was traced to contaminated chicken. Other notable outbreaks were linked to live poultry, tahini sesame paste, cucumbers, and small pet turtles.
Hepatitis C (HCV) — After receiving reports of about 800 to 1,000 cases of acute HCV infection per year from 2006-2010, there was an increase of 73.9 percent to 2,138 cases in 2013. Investigations show a marked increase in the number of acute cases of HCV among young, nonminority people who inject drugs, many of whom also abuse oral prescription opioid drugs.
The Summary (Noninfectious) summarizes data that has been added to the list of nationally notifiable conditions in the United States. Highlights in the 2015 report include:
Acute occupational pesticide-related illness and injury. During 2007–2010, a total of 2,014 cases were identified in the 11 states [California, Florida, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, New Mexico (2007–2008 only), New York, Oregon, Texas, and Washington] reporting this data to the CDC's Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR). Rates of illness and injury among agricultural industry workers (18.4/100,000) were 37 times greater than the rates for nonagricultural workers (0.5/100,000). Rates were highest in Washington.
Elevated blood lead levels (BLLs) in adults. In U.S. adults, most lead exposures are occupational. In 2012, the vast majority of elevated BLLs were in men. The overall prevalence of elevated BLLs declined from 2010 to 2012.
Childhood blood lead levels (BLLs). Permanent neurological damage and behavioral disorders in children have been linked to lead exposures at 5 μg/dL. The most common source of exposure in children is lead paint, which is easily inhaled or ingested by children when lead-based paint deteriorates into flakes, chips, or dust. In 2007, 38 states and New York City reported childhood BLL data to CDC; by 2012 that number was reduced to 29 states and New York City. Among states reporting this data for the entire period 2007-2012, the number of children with confirmed BLLs at or above 10 μg/dL declined. A summary of childhood lead exposure in 2013, the most recent year for which data are available, is available at http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/lead.
Foodborne disease outbreaks. During 1973-2012, CDC received reports of 29,429 foodborne disease outbreaks with 729,020 confirmed illnesses. An average of 736 outbreaks were reported each year. A summary of foodborne disease outbreaks in 2013, the most recent year for which data are available, is available at http://www.cdc.gov/foodsafety/fdoss/data/annual-summaries/index.html.
Waterborne disease outbreaks. During 1971-2012, CDC received reports of 1,901 waterborne disease outbreaks with 639,949 associated illnesses. An average of 45 waterborne outbreaks are reported each year. CDC publishes detailed summaries of waterborne disease outbreaks – including those associated with recreational water and those associated with drinking water – at http://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/surveillance/surveillance-reports.html.
The MMWR Summaries of Nationally Notifiable Diseases is available at
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/mmwr_nd/index.html
The Official List of NNCs is available at: https://c.ymcdn.com/sites/cste.site-ym.com/resource/resmgr/CSTENotifiableConditionListA.pdf


text:
We Can't Stop Now, by Ralph Reed
Is the Religious Right Finished?
Paul Weyrich, James Dobson, Cal Thomas, Ralph Reed, Jerry Falwell, Don Eberly, and Charles Colson
Ellen Charry: Reclaiming spiritual nurture.
I'd Do It All Again
Jerry Falwell
J. NELSON KRAYBILL
84,000 Join Jakes in Georgia
By Lauren F. Winner in Atlanta.| September 6, 1999
1999This article is part of CT's digital archives. Subscribers have access to all current and past issues, dating back to 1956.
Wildly successful pastor and author T. D. Jakes has added another credential to his resume: record-breaking conference organizer.
Jakes, 42, founder of the 21,000-member Potter's House Church in Dallas, spent the last weekend of July in Atlanta, presiding over his fourth—and biggest—Woman Thou Art Loosed conference.
The conference was born in West Virginia, where Jakes taught a 40-member Sunday-school class about how women could be healed from childhood pain, reclaim their innocence, and be the strong women God wants them to be. Out of the class came Jakes's book Woman Thou Art Loosed! (Honor Books, 1996), which has sold 1.25 million copies.
The conference has mushroomed since Jakes moved his headquarters to Dallas (CT, Jan. 12, 1998, p. 56). In Tampa, Florida, two years ago 22,000 women attended. Last year in Atlanta, 53,000 participated. The three-day extravaganza held in the Georgia Dome set an attendance record for the arena of 84,459, toppling the old mark set by a Billy Graham crusade (CT, Dec. 12, 1994, p. 63). More than 3,000 people spilled over into an adjacent conference center, making the July 30 meeting one of the largest gatherings ever of Christian women.
The theme of this year's conference was Wailing Women Win. "Practically, you may start out wailing but you are going to end up winning—if you persevere you will survive," Jakes said. "When women pray, things change."
In conjunction with the conference, a Woman Thou Art Loosed play opened in Chicago on July 20. It is now touring the country. In addition, Woman Thou Art Loosed! has been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, and German.
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September 6 1999, Vol. 43, No. 10
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text:
Somerset Walking & Cycling Maps
The Crescent, Taunton, TA1
Somerset has over 9000 rights of way, totalling 3808 miles (6129 km). The extensive path network is varied ranging from long distance routes like the South West Coast Path and the River Parrett Trail, to a number of promoted circular walking routes and local country paths.
Somerset County Council has produced a number of maps and trails covering many of the towns in the region, including these in South Somerset:
Chard, Crewkerne, Ilminster, Langport & Ham, Martock & South Petherton, Somerton, Castle Cary & Bruton, Wincanton and Yeovil.
Please do double check some of the information listed as these were produced some time ago. But the maps are still in use and very popular.
WALKING & CYCLING MAPS - SOMERSET COUNTY COUNCIL
Somerset Cycling & Walking Maps, The Crescent, Taunton, Somerset , United Kingdom, TA1
W: https://www.somerset.gov.uk/waste-planning-and-land/walking-and-cycling-maps/


text:
About ICAIR
ICAIR is part-funded by European Regional Development Fund
UKCRIC National Laboratory for Distributed Water Infrastructure
List of assets:
Constant Head Tank System
A key aspect of the UKCIRC National Distributed Water Infrastructure Facility is to explore large scale pressurised water distribution systems. To this effect the facility is equipped with a two pumping stations each capable of producing up to 55 m head and 14 l/s. The pumping stations can be coupled to buried pipe sections, and can be set to constant or variable hydraulic conditions to simulate real life flows conditions in networks. Realistic hydraulic loading is critical to explore the interaction of pipes in their buried environment. It is predicted that understanding how hydraulic transients interact with pipe networks will be an area of keen interest to industry and academia in the near future and the ability to safely generate and monitor these dynamic events has been designed into the system. High speed pressure and flow logging (up to 10 kHz) is possible as is automatically controlling fast acting valves. To facilitate exploration of real scale systems the buried pressurised pipe sections can be augmented with 4x100 m long, 100 mm ID HDPE pipe coils, configurable in a modular fashion, to extend their length or to add complexity. In this way the facility is able to represent the true dynamics found in water distribution systems. Combined with the surface, ground water, and thermal loading potential of UKCRIC it will be possible to full explore the conditions which impact and cause degradation of our vital buried pressurised water systems.
The testing tank of the facility can be spilt into two – so as to run control experiments; two 38m long, 5 m deep and 3m wide cells are available. The testing tank is supplied by two constant head systems, each capable of delivering 100 l/s each. These systems are computer controlled and can deliver up to four independent measureable inputs to simultaneously represent groundwater flow, pipe flow and surface flows. The computer control means steady and time varying flows can be produced and continuously monitored. The two header tank systems can also be linked and controlled as a single unit in which case up to 200 l/s can be delivered.
Testing Tank
The testing tank has a working length of 38m, width of 6m and is 5m deep. It can be slit either longitudinally or laterally using a system of water tight stop logs that can be moved and placed by the facility's technical staff. The testing tank is normally filled with sand/soil so that soil/water/asset interactions can be studied. Again users can specify different types of sand/soil and the facility's technical staff can arrange for specific set ups to be constructed. This means that a wide combination of surface channel and buried pipe systems and their interactions can be studied.
The testing tank also has the capability for multiple steady and low frequency point loads of up to 250kN in size to be applied via a computer controlled actuator system. The system also has logging capabilities so that both short term and long term loading patterns can be applied to pipes and other drainage assets placed in the testing tank.
Wastewater Supply
The facility is connected to a local pumping station located in the city's combined sewer network. Therefore flows of up to 10 l/s of raw wastewater can be introduced into piped systems located in the testing tank.
Instrumentation and Support
There is a large urban water research group and a large geotechnics and groundwater group at Sheffield. Staff in these groups carry out experimental research into a wide range of man-made water and natural aquatic systems. The technical staff at Sheffield have expertise and access to a wide range of sophisticated experimental measurement and analytical equipment. Users of the National Distributed Water Facility will have access to this equipment and the training needed to use it successfully. For example the facility has access to Particle Image Velocimetry systems, Laser Doppler and Acoustic Doppler Anemometry and Digital Image Correlation equipment. The central campus laboratories have a wide range of analytical equipment. The facility is supported by a group of experienced technical staff with a wide range of expertise from supporting hydraulic and geotechnical experiments, to chemical and microbiological analysis and the development, manufacture of a wide range of data logging and sensing systems. Academic, technical and organisational support is available to any group that wishes to use the facilities.
© 2022 Integrated Civil and Infrastructure Research
Website design + build by Field
ICAIR is part-funded by:


The phrase "New World crops" is usually used to describe crops, food and otherwise, that were native to the New World (mostly the Americas) before 1492 CE and not found anywhere else at that time. Many of these crops are now grown around the world and have often become an integral part of the cuisine of various cultures in the Old World.
Notable among these crops are the Three Sisters: maize, winter squash, and climbing beans.
^ Hirst, K. Kris. "Plant Domestication – Table of Dates and Places". About.com. Retrieved 15 June 2016.
^ a b Smith, Bruce D. (February 2001). "Documenting plant domestication: The consilience of biological and archaeological approaches". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 98 (4): 1324–1326. doi:10.1073/pnas.98.4.1324. PMC 33375. PMID 11171946. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
^ Spooner, DM; et al. (2005). "A single domestication for potato based on multilocus amplified fragment length polymorphism genotyping". PNAS. 102 (41): 14694–99. doi:10.1073/pnas.0507400102. PMC 1253605. PMID 16203994.
^ Perry, Linda; Kent V. Flannery (July 17, 2007). "Precolumbian use of chili peppers in the Valley of Oaxaca, Mexico". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 104 (29): 11905–11909. doi:10.1073/pnas.0704936104. PMC 1924538. PMID 17620613. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
^ Ranere, Anthony J.; Dolores R. Piper; Irene Holst; Ruth Dickau; José Iriarte (January 23, 2009). "The cultural and chronological context of early Holocene maize and squash domestication in the Central Balsas River Valley, Mexico". Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. 106 (13): 5014–5018. doi:10.1073/pnas.0812590106. PMC 2664064. PMID 19307573. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
^ "Earliest-Known Evidence Of Peanut, Cotton And Squash Farming Found". Science Daily. June 29, 2007. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
^ Galindo-Tovar, María Elena; Arzate-Fernández, Amaury M.; Ogata-Aguilar, Nisao & Landero-Torres, Ivonne (2007). "The avocado (Persea americana, Lauraceae) crop in Mesoamerica: 10,000 years of history" (PDF). Harvard Papers in Botany. 12 (2): 325–334, page 325. doi:10.3100/1043-4534(2007)12[325:TAPALC]2.0.CO;2. JSTOR 41761865. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 October 2015.
^ "The Domestication History of Cotton". Retrieved 21 August 2017.
^ "History of Chocolate Timeline - Origin of Chocolate". thenibble.com.
^ García, Jorge Luis. 2012. The Foods and crops of the Muisca: a dietary reconstruction of the intermediate chiefdoms of Bogotá (Bacatá) and Tunja (Hunza), Colombia (M.A.), 1–201. University of Central Florida. Accessed 2016-07-08.


text:
Jason Davis • June 7, 2015
Deployment! LightSail Boom Motor Whirrs to Life
LightSail's tiny solar sail deployment motor sprung to life Sunday afternoon, marking an important milestone for The Planetary Society's nail-biting test mission. Sail deployment began at 3:47 p.m. EDT (19:47 UTC) off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, as the spacecraft traveled northwest to southeast.
Telemetry received on the ground showed motor counts climbing to the halfway point before LightSail traveled out of range. Power levels were consistent with ground-based deployment tests, and the spacecraft's cameras were on. "All indications are that the solar sail deployment was proceeding nominally," wrote mission manager David Spencer in an email update.
Ecliptic Enterprises Corporation / The Planetary Society
LightSail deployment motor count
Telemetry captured during LightSail's sail deployment sequence showed motor counts incrementing smoothly over time.
LightSail is currently out of range until 2:26 a.m. EDT Monday. Ground control teams at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Georgia Tech will begin transferring the spacecraft's images from its cameras to flight system. A full-resolution image will be downloaded shortly thereafter.
In the meantime, radio operators around the world are encouraged to listen for LightSail and submit data (details can be found at the bottom of our Mission Control page), which could be invaluable in helping determine the spacecraft's status before tomorrow morning's overflights. Two ground-based observatories will also be attempting to image the spacecraft, and amateur astronomers are encouraged to participate. The spacecraft's current estimated position, along with details for radio trackers, can be found on our mission control page. All photographs and radio data can be submitted to [email protected]
LightSail Viewing Tips
Interested in catching a glimpse of LightSail as it soars across the sky? Here are a few viewing tips:
Our Mission Control Center predicts the next time LightSail will fly over your current location. Predictions are based on your device's current location. If you'd like to specify a different spot, head over to N2YO.com and click "Set your custom location." You'll need to create a free account.
N2YO.com
N2YO.com custom location box
The start and end horizons are the locations LightSail should appear and disappear. Max elevation indicates how high it will get in the sky. Zero degrees is the horizon (assuming no obstructions), and 90 degrees is directly overhead.
Look for flyovers that occur around dawn and dusk. The best time to see any spacecraft—including LightSail—is when you are standing in Earth's shadow but the spacecraft is still illuminated by sunlight.
LightSail may be running ahead of schedule. Depending on how long it's been since we've received an orbital update from the Joint Space Operations Center, our pass predictions may be inaccurate. If you're going outside to look, consider starting a few minutes earlier than our listed times.
Read more: mission status, LightSail
Home > Blogs > Jason Davis > 2015
Digital Editor for The Planetary Society
Read more articles by Jason Davis
Comments & Sharing
Bob Ware: 2015/06/07 05:29 CDT
YEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! I hope all remains well!!!!
Akirk14: 2015/06/07 05:36 CDT
so happy for the mission
VK3XRA: 2015/06/07 06:24 CDT
We have a great pass just after 10pm tonight June 8 here in Melbourne, Australia. I'll be looking and listening. I hope the sail deployment doesnt alter the orbital parameters greatly for a few days.
Andrew: 2015/06/07 08:42 CDT
Hey, What would be really helpful is a real time map of earth and where equipment like the lightsail currently are. Maybe interactive so we could click on said equipment and get some basic telemetry data.
Rick: 2015/06/07 09:17 CDT
Wow, after all the silence, and suspense... Kaloo Kalay; we're on our way!
KQ6XA: 2015/06/07 10:21 CDT
Ham radio operators in North America will try to bounce HF signals off LIGHTSAIL on its sail-arm passive dipole resonant frequency of 18 MHz, early monday morning. See map image (license CC-BY-SA ok to copy) http://hflink.com/satellite/LIGHTSAIL_MORNING_8JUN2015_NORTH_AMERICA.jpg
sepiae: 2015/06/08 01:42 CDT
WHOOOOHEYYYYY...!!!!! Congrats, confetti, virtual champagne ! Smiles on all faces!
This is making it a very delightful morning. History!
mike97mike: 2015/06/08 11:27 CDT
Heard squelch go down and possible lightsail callsign on 437.420-450 MHz on pass above Seattle at 9:12 PDT. Need a better antenna to receive signal. CongratS to the Lightsail team on deployment!
Cliff: 2015/06/08 11:34 CDT
I set an alarm just so I could see it fly over at 4 am this morning. It was easy to spot even with the bright moon out. The location chart worked very well. It was only about 5 minutes earlier than predicted. Go LightSail!!!
Messy: 2015/06/08 01:39 CDT
The New York Times says the only reason it's working right now is that a cosmic ray forced it to reboot and go into safe mode and Mission Control had nothing to do with it. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/08/science/space/lightsail-setbacks-spacecraft-prepares-unfurl-sail.html?hpw&rref=science&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0
DaveD: 2015/06/08 02:54 CDT
Congratulations, flight team!!! You should be very proud of your beautiful, historic, successful adventure. Bravo! Brava! Wayytago!!! -dd
Julia: 2015/06/08 11:53 CDT
So pleased. Been wanting this for a long, long time. Fly safe little Lightsail.
LizJR: 2015/06/09 09:04 CDT
I thought in space, no one could hear you whir... :-) This is great - almost as exciting as the pictures of Pluto.
Jeannie: 2015/06/16 05:47 CDT
Looks like we've opened up another doorway to our future! We live in exciting times.
Boeing: 2015/11/22 10:18 CST
Fascinating. I think that the planetary society is doing a great join light sail and I like to learn much more about this experiment.
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"We're changing the world. Are you in?"
- CEO Bill Nye


GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Spinx Co. opened its first express tunnel car wash at its newest convenience store in Moncks Corner, S.C. On Feb. 15, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Ride 'N' Shine car wash, located at 2801 Highway 52.
"We're so excited to open our first Ride 'N' Shine tunnel car wash," said Stewart Spinks, founder and chairman of The Spinx Co. "While all car washes may appear to be the same, our new tunnel wash sets us apart from the competition, and our trained staff and high-tech equipment will deliver a great experience and quick, thorough car washes to our customers."
The Spinx store where the car wash is located is the retailer's largest c-store yet, as CSNews Online previously reported.
According to the company, the tunnel wash system is the first of many that Spinx plans to open in South Carolina. During operating hours, an attendant will be available to assist customers and ensure the car wash equipment is in proper condition.
Each wash offers environmentally conscious water reclamation systems and eco-friendly chemicals, along with advanced technology that gives customers the best wash for their budget, Spinx said. The system uses a 3-D scan of each vehicle to precisely target soap and high-pressure water based on its size and shape for the most accurate clean. The new tunnel wash is also equipped with specially engineered blowers to achieve a drier vehicle while conserving energy.
The first Spinx Ride 'N' Shine tunnel wash will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. During the spring and summer, hours will be extended to 9 p.m.
Greenville-based Spinx operates more than 80 convenience stores in South Carolina and is the largest privately held company in the state.


Jerusalem churches are selling property to developers and making millions. The city wants to collect taxes to support city services.
In the United States, houses of worship do not pay tax on their facility. But when that institution crosses the line and purchases property like an office building, water park, coffee shop or other enterprise for the purpose of running a business and generating revenue, that enterprise is taxed like every other business. It's a system that seems to work and religious institutions know when they're crossing the line between non-profit and for-profit business. It's pretty straight-forward.
The government of Jerusalem wants to draw similar distinctions and thinks its time for church run business enterprises to pitch in with taxes to run schools, repair roads and help in preserving historical sites.
As Jerusalem's new light rail expands, churches are finding their property located nearby is valuable and are selling out to developers.
The new policy came to a head last month when church leaders received property tax bills totaling millions of dollars, applicable to all church properties that are not actual houses of worship.
The levying of those bills is spearheaded by Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat who wants to shore up the city's small tax base.
Church officials, angered by the recent tax bills and the belief that Israel is trying to change the religious status quo, decided to shutter the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for three days in protest.
"We, the heads of churches in charge of the Holy Sepulchre and the status quo governing the various Christian holy sites in Jerusalem — the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, the Custody of the Holy Land and the Armenian Patriarchate — are following with great concern the systematic campaign against the churches and the Christian community in the Holy Land," the church leaders said in a joint statement announcing the closure.
The municipality ultimately hopes to collect taxes from business 887 properties belonging to various churches and the United Nations.
American leaders are lining up behind the religious enterprises–something they know would never fly as public tax policy in the United States. American religious leaders co-signed last week a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Mayor Barkat asking them to reconsider a proposed plan to tax church-owned properties in the city.
It may not be enough as reality is settling in that the current tax base in Jerusalem is not large enough to make up the lost revenue from church-owned hotels and businesses. And Jerusalem church leaders reluctantly realize that.
There has been some flexibility on both sides as government leaders realize that asking for $188 million in back taxes is untenable and church leaders sheepishly admitting they do need to chip in to support the city's infrastructure which they benefit from.
Farid Jubran, general counsel for the Custody of the Holy Land, the body that oversees the property of the Catholic Church, indicated some of that flexibility.


Retail Sales surged in June by 0.6 %, well above the 0.2% expected led by gasoline sales and retail sales. However, May was revised lower to 0.2% from 0.5%. Sales were up 2.7% from a year earlier. When stripping out volatile spending on cars and auto parts, sales were up 0.7 percent. Spending on building materials and gardening supplies jumped 3.9%, the most since April 2010.
Consumers were less confident in July as high end consumers fretted over the Brexit issues. The Consumer Sentiment Index fell to 89.5 in July, below the 93 expected and down from the 93.5 from the previous reading. "While stock prices quickly rebounded, an underlying sense of uncertainty about global prospects as well as the outlook for the domestic economy have not faded," said Richard Curtin, a spokeperson for the index.
YOU Magazine – July 2016 Homebuilder Confidence, Best times to buy everything, Ambience, and more!
The fall out from the Brexit vote continues today as global Stock markets plunge as investors rush to the safe haven of the Bond markets. The U.S. Dow Jones Industrial Average fell over 600 points on Friday and is lower by 300 points in Monday's trading session. The Dow, Nasdaq and S&P 500 are now all in negative territory for 2016. Stock markets hate uncertainty and the exit of the U.K. has driven many questions as to what will happen in the coming months.
Government-sponsored entity Freddie Mac released its June 2016 outlook on Monday revealing that low mortgage rates are keeping the housing sector on track, despite rapidly rising prices. On the jobs front, Freddie sees the unemployment rate averaging at 4.9% in 2016 and 4.8% in 2017. Freddie went on to say that economic growth or Gross Domestic Product is forecasted at 1.9% for all of 2016 and 2.3% in 2017.
With the July 4 weekend quickly approaching, gas prices at the pumps are at the lowest level in a decade as a glut of cheap oil is flowing through the pipelines. The national average price for a regular gallon of gasoline is at $2.30. That is $0.47 lower than last year this time. It is expected that more than 43 million Americans will take to the roads, rails, seas and skies between Thursday, June 30 and Monday, July 4, 5 million more that of Memorial Day weekend. Of that number, 84% are expected to drive to their destinations.
Labor market news dominated the headlines this morning. First up was the May ADP Payrolls report where it showed that private employers added 173,000 new workers, which was below the 180,000 expected. April was revised higher to 166,000 from 156,000. Small businesses with fewer than 50 workers added the bulk of the new workers, followed by transportation, utilities and construction, and financial companies.
Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas reported that planned May Job cuts fell to a five-month low, down 53% from April. Challenger reported that there were 30,157 planned job cuts in May, down from the 64,141 cuts announced in April. May was the lowest monthly total since last December, when 23,622 job cuts were recorded. Since January, employers announced 275,218 job cuts, 13% higher than the 242,830 job cuts announced in the first five months of 2015.
Mortgage rates continued to edge higher this week and have increased for the third straight week in a row, though rates are still near three-year lows. Freddie Mac reports that the 30-year fixed conventional mortgage rate ($417,000 or less) rose to 3.66% this week from the 3.64% recorded last week. To obtain that rate, a potential borrower would have to pay 0.5 in points and fees. A year ago this time, the rate was 3.87%.
Home price gains continued in February, though moderation has been seen in some regions. The February Case-Shiller 20-city Home Price Index rose 5.4% from February 2015, below the 5.6% expected. A spokesperson said, "Home prices continue to rise twice as fast as inflation, but the pace is easing off in the most recent numbers." The National Home Price Index rose 5.3% year-over-year. However, rising prices and the pace of single-family construction pose a concern throughout the nation.
The Conference Board reported on Tuesday that consumer attitudes towards current economic conditions slipped in April after the gains seen in March. The Consumer Confidence Index slid to 94.2 this month, from the 96.1 recorded in March and below the 96.7 expected. Consumers' appraisals of the labor market were also mixed. Those claiming jobs are "plentiful" decreased, while those claiming jobs are "hard to get" also declined.
Consumer purchases of long-lasting manufactured goods rose less than expected in March, signaling the sector still continues to drag its feet. U.S. durable orders rose 0.8% last month, below the 1.8% gain expected and after the 3.1% decline in February. The manufacturing sector continues to struggle with a stronger dollar with sluggish demand from overseas. Civilian aircraft orders and orders for motor vehicle parts decreased along with declines for computers, electronic products and appliances.
Enjoy YOU Magazine – February 2016! Global News on Stocks, How to block telemarketing calls and text messages, Molten Chocolate Cake Recipe and more.
Within the Jobs Report it showed that wage growth accelerated to the fastest year-over-year pace since 2009. The Unemployment Rate fell to 5% from 5.1%, the lowest level since April 2008, before the Great Recession began. Gains were seen in white collar businesses, health care, retailers and restaurants. The solid report signals that the world's largest economy is back on track. The so-called U6 number fell to 9.8%, the first time below 10% since May 2008. The U6 number are those people who can't find work or those with only part-time jobs.


The Arsenal midfielder is heading home early.
Ozil was left on the bench as Germany snatched a win.
Huge call by Joachim Low.
They may have to look elsewhere.
Will he head to Arsenal?
His form hasn't been the best recently!
Germany take on England tomorrow.


The Seneca High School Youth Leadership Group, S.H.A.R.E., is excited to be sponsoring the district's 27th Annual Wellness Day on Wednesday, March 8th, 2017. This program is the longest running youth-led wellness program in the state of Wisconsin. The day's activities will start at around 9:45 A.M. and end at around 3:15. We are excited to be hosting three large assembly speakers and ten presenters for mini sessions. This year our confirmed keynote speakers include Mike McGowan from Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Mike is back again this year to provide both keynote presentations and mini sessions to help our students make positive, more informed choices for themselves concerning potential risks in their lives. Another exciting speaker we are hosting is Miss Wisconsin 2016, Courtney Pelot. Courtney will be promoting her platform "Open Books, Open Opportunity: Promoting Literacy in Our Communities" while also performing for the students. Our third keynote speaker will be world renowned humorist/hypnotist Terry DaVolt. Terry has spent over 30 years educating youth by using humor, integrity and ethics to engage them in activities. Terry's presentation starts around 1:45 and is open to the public. The rest of the Wellness Day's activities will include several mini-sessions on drug abuse prevention, resiliency, mental health, meditation, health eating, and fitness related topics the students will attend.


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Marathon Runner with Pacemaker Makes Good Time in Seattle Marathon
Mark Wagner of South Kitsap, featured in Sunday's Kitsap Sun, is a marathon runner with an artificial heart valve. Sunday's Seattle Marathon was his sixth since the heart valve was installed in 2000 to corrected a congenital defect.
Mark Wagner, Marathon Runner
Wagner took up running marathons after his open heart surgery in part to prove to himself that he could do it, in part to raise funds for the international charity World Vision. In 2008, he needed a pacemaker installed.
Sunday's marathon, just over 26 miles, was Wagner's shake-down cruise for the pacemaker, which held up nicely. Wagner's time was five hours, fifteen minutes. Although he didn't beat his best time of 4 hours, 29 minutes and 45 seconds, he was pleased considering "I've never seen a marathon with so many hills."
Also, one thing I didn't mention is that five months before the marathon, he was in a wheelchair. A fall at work injured his leg, and because he takes blood thinners, he had internal bleeding for which he was hospitalized in March. By June, he was walking again, and by July he was training for Sunday's race. Guess, we'll just have to start calling him Mark "the Energizer Bunny" Wagner.
Wagner will take a couple weeks off before starting to train for the Eugene (Ore.) Marathon in May.
November 30, 2009 Events of Interest, General Interest, South Kitsap People, UncategorizedSeattle Marathon, World Vision
Friday Afternoon Club: Catch Debbie Macomber's "Miracle"
"Mrs. Miracle," a heartwarming holiday movie based on the book by South Kitsap author Debbie Macomber, will premiere Saturday at the Historic Orchard Theatre, 822 Bay St.
The event, followed by a black-tie reception at Kitsap Bank, is a fundraiser for the South Kitsap High School Band, which will play in the 2010 Tournament of Roses Parade, and for Kitsap Regional Library.
Macomber will appear at the premiere, along with the two young Canadian actors, Valin Shinyei and Michael Strusievici, who star in the film.
In the movie, James Van Der Beek, formerly of "Dawson's Creek," plays a widower and father to six-year-old twins (Shinyei and Strusievici). Their new housekeeper, Mrs. Emily Merkle ( Doris Roberts) works her magical touch on their home and lives.
The film will be shown Dec. 5 on the Hallmark Channel.
Shannon Childs, a member of the Cedar Cove Association, approached Macomber's publicist during Cedar Cove Days, Port Orchard's celebration of Macomber's work, about the possibility of showing "Mrs. Miracle" in the author's hometown. Hallmark was open to the idea, but no profit could be derived from the showing, hence the fundraiser.
Tickets for the premiere and reception, at a cost of $50 per person, are available at Kitsap Bank, 619 Bay St. A limited number of tickets may be available at the door, said Childs.
Doors open at 4:30 p.m. The movie starts at 5 p.m.
The event is hosted by the Cedar Cove Association and Kitsap Bank. For tickets, contact marketing@kitsapbank.com or (360) 876-7883.
November 26, 2009 Events of Interest, Friday Afternoon Club, Schools, South Kitsap People"Mrs. Miracle", Cedar Cove Days, Debbie Macomber
PO's Plans to Become an Urban Center Would be Selling "Your Political Soul to the Devil," KAPO REP Says
Funding for which the city would become eligible come with to many "strings," critics say.
Members of the Kitsap Alliance of Property Owners and other community members on Tuesday raised a chorus of warning against a proposal by the City of Port Orchard to seek designation as an Urban Growth Center through the Puget Sound Regional Council.
Port Orchard would seek the designation as part of its yet-to-be-approved comprehensive plan update, set to come before the council Dec. 22.
Becoming an urban growth center would entitle the city to a first crack at state and federal funding for transportation and infrastructure overseen by the PSRC, said Development Director James Weaver at a public hearing on the comp plan update. The change in status would put Port Orchard in a league with Bremerton and Silverdale when it comes to accessing certain transportation funds, he said.
The city could still apply for other federal and state funds and grants even if it does not become an urban growth center. The process is highly competitive and would take about three years, Weaver said. The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council would have to give its blessing before the matter would move on to the PSRC.
Port Orchard is eligible to apply for the designation since its population grew to more than 10,000 in 2009. Annexations, including the McCormick Woods development, raised the population from 8,420 to 10,836.
As part of its comp plan update, the city shows future plans to develop its downtown area as a transportation hub. Key to this is construction of a parking garage and retail complex known as the Port Orchard Town Center Revitalization Project . The estimated cost of the project is $36.6 million.
The city will likely proceed with the transportation hub plan, even if it doesn't become an urban growth center, but funding administered through the PSRC represents a significant source of money for this and other capital projects on Port Orchard's horizon.
But those who testified about the proposal said seeking the title of urban growth center would make the city beholden to the PSRC, a regional body made up of representatives from a four-county area, including King, Pierce and Snohomish counties. Critics cited goals of the PSRC's Vision 2040 as having the potential to dictate quality of life in South Kitsap.
"Make no mistake," said KAPO's Executive Director Vivian Henderson. "Once you get tangled up in the strings attached to PSRC grants, you have sold your political soul to the devil."
"I would suggest you resist this siren song and, instead, consider helping Kitsap leave the PSRC in 2012," said Silverdale resident and KAPO member Bob Benze.
"To me the PSRC is trying to change what our community is all about," said Port Orchard resident Gerry Harmon. "If you don't jump through their hoops, you're not going to get the money. Everything we do will be to get those funds. Those funds will only come when we are running through those hoops."
Mayor Lary Coppola asked Weaver to clarify requirements of being an urban growth center. Weaver said, as far as Port Orchard's comp plan is concerned, the PSRC would be able to comment on it, as they have in the past. But the designation would give the PSRC no additional authority to dictate details of comp plan regulations.
After the meeting, Coppola, who has written blog posts critical of Vision 2040, said, "I heard all the people who spoke about it (the proposal) loud and clear last night, and I understand their fear, but this is a council decision. This is not my decision, and I think there's pros and cons on both sides of it."
November 25, 2009 City of Port Orchard, Development, Land Use, Port Orchard Downtown, UncategorizedCity of Port Orchard, KAPO, PSRC
Thanksgiving Dinner for $1
Sounds too good to be true? Believe it.
MoonDogs, Too – Spirits & Fine Grub will reprise its $1 holiday meal service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday. Owner Darryl Baldwins says it's his staff's way to say "happy holidays" to the community. The event is also a fundraiser for South Kitsap Helpline. Those who feel so inclined can donate cash, clothing or food to the food bank.
Twenty-five volunteers, including Mayor Lary Coppola, will help serve food, bus tables and do dishes.
Baldwin said the event has doubled each year since it began in 2007. Last year, they served 140 for Thanksgiving and 135 for Christmas, despite a major snow storm. This year, they're planning for 300.
Everyone and anyone is welcome, said Baldwin. He especially wants to get the word out to people in the Navy, senior citizens and others who may be far away from family.
Some folks use the event as an excuse to get out of the kitchen on Thanksgiving. They bring their guests down to MoonDogs and donate the money they would have spent to Helpline. Last year, between the two holidays, Moondogs collected $3,000 and three barrels of food and clothing for the food bank.
Partner businesses include Minder Meats of Bremerton, which donated $150 worth of turkey, and Morningside Bread Co., which donated rolls.
Because Kitsap Transit has eliminated service on Thanksgiving and Christmas, MoonDogs is working with local churches to find rides for people.
There are enough volunteers for Thanksgiving, Baldwin said, but MoonDogs could use more help for Christmas.
November 23, 2009 cheap thrills, Events of InterestChristmas, MoonDogs, South Kitsap Helpline, Thanksgiving, Too
Planning Consultant Undaunted by Spruce House Denial
The Kitsap County Hearing Examiner has denied a conditional use permit application for Spruce House, a proposed three-story development in Manchester. Planning consultant William Palmer says his client, John Park of BJP LLC, Gig Harbor, will likely appeal the decision.
Some of the town's residents were unhappy with the scale of the building, plans for which received preliminary approval before the 2007 Manchester Plan limited building heights to two stories. But Hearing Examiner Kimberly A. Allen, in her ruling Nov. 11, said the project meets requirements of the Kitsap County Comprehensive Plan and Kitsap County Code in effect at the time Park first applied.
Allen rejected the application on the basis of stormwater plans deemed inadequate by county staff, who testified at a public hearing Oct. 22.
Another problem stems from an easement dispute between Park and the owner of a neighboring property. The neighbor's property encroaches on the Spruce House site, and the two parties are involved in a suit and countersuit.
Since the project is in legal limbo, Allen wrote, her hands are tied for ruling in favor of Park's application.
Palmer, who typically withholds his opinion on land use rulings, weighed in on Manchester's potential for development vis a vis the resistance of some residents to the size and scope of Spruce House and three other retail-residential projects grandfathered in at three stories.
"I still think Manchester is the place for the kind of development proposal that is represented in Colchester Commons, Spruce House and Frank Tweten's Project," said Palmer, adding The Anchors at Manchester to his thoughts. " All four, if allowed to go forward, would make Manchester a really special place to be.
"Obviously there are some who like the run-down nature of the buildings in the area and would like to see it stay that way."
Here's a link to a story on the one three-story project that has been built in Manchester.
November 17, 2009 Land Use, Manchester, Manchester Community Plan, UncategorizedKitsap County Hearing Examiner, Manchester, Spruce House
400 Submit Petition Against Park Closures
Marshall Kelch, manager of Wildcat Lake Grocery, is worried about the impact a proposed closure of Wildcat Lake County Park will have on his store.
"Our business actually doubles in summer," said Kelch.
That's due to the hundreds of Kitsap residents who visit the lake daily during summer months. Kelch on Thursday submitted a petition to the county with more than 400 signatures, gathered at the store, in protest of the proposed closure.
Wildcat Lake is now closed for winter, and Kitsap County Parks & Recreation officials say it's likely they will leave it closed through 2010, along with Horseshoe Lake County Park in South Kitsap, to help balance the park's department's budget.
Closing the two parks would save the county $140,000 per year. The department must trim its spending in 2010 by nearly $500,000.
I wrote about the proposed closures on Nov. 4, including a discussion of the possibility of charging fees. I also made a blog post with a poll asking readers what you would be willing to pay in the way of fees.
It certainly wasn't a scientific poll, and only 12 people took it. But for what it's worth, the results were:
33.3 percent (4 people) said they'd be willing to pay $5 per carload
16.7 percent (2 people) said they'd pay $5 per person, $3 for students and seniors
16.7 percent (2 people) said they'd pay $25 per year
zero percent would pay $50 per year
33 percent (4 people) said they wouldn't pay anything
Check the Kitsap Sun tomorrow for a follow-up story on the proposed park closures.
In related recreational news, a survey on a proposal to build a turf field at South Kitsap High School garnered the following results. Again, not scientific. Sixteen people responded.
56 percent (9 votes) said "Yes, the players are at a disadvantage since most other districts have turf."
44 percent (7 votes) said, "No, muddy conditions are part of the game."
Friday Afternoon Club: Port Orchard Party Saturday
What: Port Orchard Party, an annual gala event hosted by Fathoms 'O Fun; this year's theme "Rockin' in the '50s."
When: 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday (Nov. 14)
Where: Towne Square Mall.
Entertainment: Enjoy local restaurants' best efforts as they vie for the top honors, listen to jazz, and then dance to "The Wayback Machine" playing your faves from 9 p.m. to midnight. There will be a silent auction.
Why: Benefits Fathoms 'O Fun, South Kitsap Helpline and Port Orchard branches of the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Puget Sound
Child Care: The Boys & Girls Club will provide child care for children kindergarten through 6th grade at the National Guard Armory.
Cost for PO Party: Tickets are $40 at the door, $35 if pre-purchased at the following locations: Kitsap Bank, MoonDog's, Too, Walk N' Comfort Shoes in Towne Square Mall, Windermere Real Estate of Port Orchard and Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce. Or visit the Port Orchard Chamber of Commerce Web site.
On Tuesday Five Chances to Speak Your Mind to the SK School Board
Members of the South Kitsap School District "Call to Action" Task Force have been meeting over the past year to establish goals and plans for the district in anticipation of a shift in fall 2010 to policy governance. It's an organizational model that uses "ends" or goals to drive "means" or actions. Under policy governance, the superintendent assumes more responsibility for day-to-day decisions, while the school board focuses more on policy.
On Tuesday, members of the board will meet with the public at five separate locations to seek opinions on the direction the district should go. Meetings will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at John Sedgwick Junior High School, 8995 SE Sedgwick Road; Marcus Whitman Junior High School, 1887 Madrona Drive; Cedar Heights Junior High School, 2220 Pottery Ave.; Sunnyslope Elementary School, 4183 Sunnyslope Road SW; and Olalla Elementary School, 6100 SE Denny Boond Blvd.
Another series of public meetings is set for Dec. 16; locations to be announced.
For more information, contact Aimee Warthen at (360) 874-7002, or visit http://www.skitsap.wednet.edu.
November 13, 2009 Schoolspolicy governance, South Kitsap School District


Hello. My name is John Lewis, and I have been trading as Allowadd Decorators and Property Maintenance for about 20 years.
Located in Headley, Nr Bordon, Hants, I work within a twenty mile radius of my home address, covering Hampshire, Surrey and West Sussex.
I offer a wide range of services, including interior and exterior decorating, wallpapering (including specialist papers and commercial wallpapers). I am very happy to provide advice and guidance, should you need it. As part of my services I can offer to supply and fit coving, provide lasting repairs to rotten timbers and replace exterior soffits and fascias.
I also undertake property refurbishment works, so if you are looking for a little more than standard decorating I am able to offer help and advice here too.
From emulsion to woodstains and Farrow& Ball to Dulux, let me help you put the gloss on the undercoat of life!
Would recommend him to anyone.
We were very impressed by all aspects of John's work. A superb job.
Very pleased with the finished result.
They decorated the external rendering on my home 12 years ago and it was still good. However, due to other external works, I wanted it done again. Work completed to a very high standard. Prompt and within specified timescale. I have recommended them to others.
Very accommodating to suit days off. Came several times even on bank holidays to accommodate work times. Tidy and Professional.
John has recently redecorated our hall/stairs/landing, living room, office room and a spare bedroom. He is very thorough and produces high quality results. John is a very pleasant and considerate person to have around the house. We have no hesitation in rating him as 5 out of 5.
This was the third time John has worked for us and once again he has produced a very professional job. Very polite, punctual and excellent finish.
Mr. John Lewis of Headley, Hampshire, has recently completed an extensive redecorating job for us. We are delighted. Not only is his paintwork of the very highest standard but he also conducted the job throughout in the most professional manner. No wonder he has passed your strict scrutiny. He scores 5 out of 5 with us.


Born in a small town in Kashmir, with a religious upbringing, Namrata Dhar grew up under the wings of her father, who introduced her to the world of numbers. While still in school, she was talking math and economics. As she evolved, she worked for many famous brands like Nortel, Siemens, Aviva, Indiasign and FISB. Currently, with over 20 years of work experience behind her, she is working for Triotech Solutions as Deputy General Manage (m-Governance).
Around the time that you were growing up, , the official career was medical. How did the choice of education happen and land you in a technology segment?
I never had any inclination towards medical science. The only option was engineering or commerce. While in school, or in optional after-school programs, I tried to take as many math and science courses. Taking additional courses helped me to determine whether to enjoy the subject matter, and also it gave me a head start on advanced coursework.
During your school & probably during your college, the word technology was ' alien'. How did this work barge into your professional life and what were the challenges?
One positive thing with me was that, unlike many others, I started out wanting to be an engineer, in high school. The reason behind this was that I was very good with numbers, that meant that I was very good at math. Science was another favorite subject. Also, the biggest advantage I had was coaching from my father. When I started looking at the school, I looked at Maths and Economics. When I first started college, I actually went for Bachelor's Degree with Math, Economics, Psychology and English from Lady Sri Ram College, New Delhi. I completed my graduation and decided it wasn't really what I wanted. I thought I wanted it because I was good at Maths. I then took a Computer Applications and Programming course followed by Telecom Engineering Course. These courses were picked by me to see if I would feel comfortable and be satisfied in this vertical. And I've continued on from there.
The challenges were many, since I had come from a small town, language was the biggest barrier. That was in the past. Now I am full of confidence while making presentations to large audiences.
What kind of opportunities has technology thrown your way?
Technology has helped me to move forward in my career. It has changed the way I interact with customers, the level of communication being at a different level altogether. The catch with technology is how well you are able to handle it. For me, besides increasing my productivity, it has enabled me to increase the levels of customer retention and recognition.
The high points of my career are many. One of them was when I got selected in one of the MNC companies among a couple of thousand candidates who had applied for the single post. When I got the Best Performance award in the year 2010. When I got an opportunity to deliver lecture classes to MBA students wherein I could relate my practical knowledge with the academic syllabus. The low point was when I lost a big opportunity over the competition. I wasn't able to accomplish my goals as desired.
Between the high and low points, I have learned many lessons.
Let us discuss five important lessons which have become part of your life.
• Change happens. Embrace it. I've realized that being able to adapt to changing circumstances makes you stronger, wiser and calmer. Change can be unsettling, but it also spurs growth. I have learned to embrace change, rather than shy away from it.
• Gratefulness is a practice. Thank it. I'm grateful for the positive people, circumstances and energy I have found. When you notice, acknowledge and appreciate the positive events in your life, you invite more of the same in.
• Happiness is a choice. Choose it. Here's the thing about happiness: you're confronted with many opportunities to be happy each day. I have come to realize that I can choose happiness in every decision. So, I choose to be happy in both the simple and big events in my life. The people you're with, the places you go, the work you do – all are laden with choices.
• Happiness comes from within. Be it. You don't have to go very far to be happy. No one person or event or job will make you happy. Happiness is an everyday practice. And more importantly, it comes from within. You have the ability to be happy exactly where you are, without doing one thing more.
"I could choose to see this differently." – A course in miracles. I used to feel like I had so much control over my life. Now I feel like I've surrendered my life to the universe, and it leads me.I used to be so averse to change. Now I welcome it, accepting that it's a part of life. I used to strive towards happiness some day. Now, I simply choose to find it every day. I used to hate falling. But now I realize that the more I fall, the more I learn and the quicker I get back up.
What connects you with Kashmir?
The characteristic spirit of the people and heritage of spiritual messages of Rishis, Saints and Sages. Tolerance, ethnicity and its language, food and music, religion, customs and traditions, festivals and above all Kashmir Shaivism.
Literature as an essence of life, analysis of human condition and a reflection of human society, has blessed us with ample opportunity to imbibe the true human values. The cultural heritage of Kashmir cuts across all the regional, religious and ethnic barriers.
We have been hearing a word 'Kashmiriyat' for long now. What is your interpretation this particular word?
The values of humanism and tolerance which is collectively known as Kashmiriyat, the most important part of the cultural identity of the Kashmiri. Kashmiriyat, .e., Kashmiri-ness is the social consciousness and cultural values of the Kashmiri people. It is characterized by religious and cultural harmony, patriotism and pride for the mountainous homeland of Kashmir. Kashmiriyat, when experienced as a culture, is so syncretic that it inspires and epitomizes co-existence: man's oneness with man; man's oneness with nature.
Kashmiriyat is believed to be an expression of solidarity, resilience, and patriotism. It is believed to embody an ethos of harmony and a determination of survival of the people and their heritage. It is very surprising to know that very few Kashmiris know how to write their mother language.
Do you think, we there are any possibilities of old days returning. The Kashmir in which our generation grew up?
If Kashmir will be designed like a smart city as per the Digital India initiative, a place where Kashmiri Hindus feel secure and comfortable, emergence of upcoming industries, development and peace combined with more job opportunities, possibilities of old days returning will be there.
We have to create a climate in Kashmir where Hindus will think it is worth their while contributing to the history to the coming generation.
We can not escape from our past. Do your think the gap between the communities will close in true sense in the near future.
Unfortunately, no serious attempt has been made to bridge the gap between the people of different regions and to involve them in the peace building process as the major actors. On the contrary, the parties and groups involved always engage more on larger political differences. None of the parties has made a serious endeavor to connect the people in order to reduce the barrier between them.
It is very important to scrap the internal geographical barriers and connect people through all the ways and means of connections. These connections will act as social connectors and provide avenues where communities can interact, understand, identify areas of differences and develop a widely acceptable solution.
The internal socio-cultural diversity and the pluralism of interest and aspiration it breeds are always ignored. This plurality is due to lack of good media or the social connectors to bridge the gap. Hence, it can be argued that social connectors are imperative to the Kashmir solution.
The areas which are different ethnically and linguistically are further geographically isolated from each other by high mountain barriers. The barriers are so strong that many parts of Kashmir exist more as closed communities without having any proper means and common space to interact and share with fellow citizens across the state. Thus people inhabiting one part of the state are held blind toward the lives of people in other parts of the state due to these intangible boundaries. This nurtures mistrust and misunderstanding amongst the people in the state as a whole. Lack of trust gives rise to perceptions of threat and insecurity in the masses. As a consequence, this results in opposing views and different voices. These different voices deny the scope for general consensus on any approach to the Kashmir solution with each approach being opposed by one or another. Thus even today it remains an impossible mission for many aggrieved parties on Kashmir.
I am proud of you. God bless.
These proud moments should continue many fold irrespective of religion for Kashmir folks.
It gives me immense joy to see my community daughters moving ahead in every field. God bless you Namrata. May you touch the sky.
I've known you since childhood and I knew you had the mettle in you. Proud of you.


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INSIDE STORY: LAND ROVER REVEALS SHORT FILM PREVIEWING NEW DISCOVERY SPORT INTERIOR
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Land Rover has revealed a first look inside Discovery Sport with the release of a short film showing glimpses of the cabin design. The bold new premium, compact SUV is the first member of the new Discovery family. Inspired by the Discovery Vision Concept, it features versatile 5+2 seating as standard in the UK.
In the film, viewers are shown around the luxuriously appointed interior as the camera glides through the cabin. The footage reveals details of the highly flexible class-leading seating layout and shows desirable features including a full panoramic roof.
Gerry McGovern, Design Director and Chief Creative Officer said: "Versatility is a fundamental element of the Discovery family and with 5+2 seating, generous load space and configurable seating, the new Discovery Sport truly deserves to wear the Discovery badge. What this footage also showcases is the class leading cabin quality and craftsmanship of the highly desirable Discovery Sport."
Discovery Sport will be unveiled on 3rd September at 00:01 BST. To see the digital reveal and find out how Land Rover and Virgin Galactic will take their exciting partnership to the next level, log onto www.landrover.co.uk.