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L'església de Santa Maria Magdalena de Santa Magdalena de Polpís, d'estil neoclàssic, és un temple catòlic situat al centre de la població i seu d'una parròquia del bisbat de Tortosa.

Història
Una església senzilla i de reduïdes dimensions es construeix en el  per una població petita, que des del  fins al  es mantindrà despoblada, però conservant el consell municipal i la parròquia.

Durant el  es torna a poblar i es produeix un increment constant de la població que provoca, en els darrers anys del segle, l'ampliació de l'església allargant els peus de la nau.

A principis del , en maig de 1819, s'erigeix per segona vegada la parròquia a l'antiga església. I front l'increment de la població es fa necessària la construcció d'un temple més ampli que s'inicia al voltant de 1860 i acaba en 1866, construint-se adossat a l'antic temple. L'antiga església és dividida aleshores en dues parts, una es converteix en la capella de la Comunió, i l'altra, en magatzem de l'església.

Arquitectura
El conjunt té dues parts perfectament diferenciades: el temple primitiu i la nova església, els dos adossats longitudinalment.

Estructura
La nova fàbrica té planta rectangular, amb una sola nau de cinc trams, on el proper al presbiteri és més curt, coberta de volta de canó amb arcs torals sustentats per pilastres jòniques adossades, llunetes on s'obrin finestres de mig punt i capelles laterals entre els contraforts. La capçalera és recta, està elevada i té menys llum que la nau, i en els seus costats es troben les sagristies i altres dependències, comunicades per un passadís o trasaltar.

Portada
La façana, als peus del temple, és molt senzilla, amb una portada amb llinda i brancals de carreus mínimament motllurats. Per damunt, una finestra semicircular permet il·luminar la nau. Corona la façana una cornisa triangular seguint la teulada de la nau.

Torre-Campanar
El campanar, de planta quadrada, situat als peus de l'església i adossat en el costat de l'Epístola, es troba, en el primer cos, integrat en la façana, sobresurt un altre cos massís i, el tercer, el de les campanes, presenta una obertura de mig punt a cada costat amb els cantons aixamfranats. Culmina el conjunt amb una teulada de teules vidriades.

Antiga església
Formada inicialment per una volta de canó apuntada reforçada per dos arcs torals, fou prolongada dos trams més als peus de la nau. El conjunt primitiu feia 8 m d'amplària per 12 m de llargària, i amb l'ampliació, hom arribà els 21,6 m de llargària.

Bibliografia
 , Joan B. Polpis: Algunos recuerdos históricos. Benicarló: Centre d'Estudis del Maestrat, 1992.
 , Joaquín. «Santa Magdalena de Polpís: Aspectos de su historia y arte». Centre d'Estudis del Maestrat, 31 (jul-set 1990), pp. 15-26.

Esglésies del Baix Maestrat
Santa Magdalena de Polpis, Esglesia de
Santa Magdalena de Polpis
Santa Magdalena de Polpís

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Maryann and I would like to thank Kathy of Kathy's Country Daycare of Fallbrook for taking such great care of our girl Nats. Great people...great friends...and and awesome environment! Brian H.
Kathy has the best, most loving daycare environment in the Friendly Village. We trust her hands down for the loving development of our two boys, Sam and his big brother, Will. We love you, Kathy!! Beth V.
Kathy, Thank you for treating our precious daughter with the same love and care that you would show your own. As her very first teacher, you have had a lifelong, positive impact. Oh, the adventures Allegra has had in the safety of your home and the fantasyland of your garden! We will always be grateful to you for nurturing her curious little mind and sweet little spirit. You are truly a "guardian angel". Derek & Alisa M.
Kathy, I can't thank you enough for providing such a safe, loving and fun school experience for Lucas. I am so impressed with his vocabulary and speech development too. I know your job is challenging and tiring, but thank you for giving 100% each and every day! Sina A.


To assist in a transitional outreach project to showcase a consumer focused sustainable food production/management model in the Counties of Flagstaff and Red Deer and the Municipal Districts of Pincher Creek and Willow Creek.
To complete a Business Vitality Initiative for the communities of Acme, Brooks, High Level, Olds, Rocky Mountain House and Strathmore.
To complete a feasibility study related to an abandoned CN short-line between Kiron and Alliance, Alberta.
To assist a community driven food processing incubator project in the Drayton Valley area that promotes local farm-gate operations and food production.
To support the implementation of the Canadian Badlands tourism cluster development initiative in rural southeast Alberta.
To assist in the implementation of community economic development strategies and capacity building initiatives.
To support a trades training feasibility study in the region.
To support a business plan for youth retention, in the medical services sector, in Drumheller.
To support a business needs assessment for the municipality of Crowsnest Pass including Bellevue, Hillcrest, Frank, Blairmore and Coleman areas.
To support outreach and action-oriented activities to build capacity to enhance the agri-food cluster in the Peace Region.
To support rural interns to work on projects in Brooks, Crossfield, Two Hills, and Vegreville.
To support the development of a needs assessment and business case for an online community calendar for the Town of Hinton.
To coordinate and deliver a leadership capacity building initiative for rural communities in the Counties of Woodlands and Yellowhead.
To support the assessment and development of the Pipestone Creek Dinosaur Museum project in Wembley.
To coordinate and implement an integrated development strategy for the County of Lethbridge and Town of Coaldale.
To assist in the implementation of inter-municipal economic development and capacity building activities to strengthen rural communities in the County.
To support a local market initiative to enhance rural community growth and entrepreneurial development in the region.
To coordinate, develop and market the feasibility and initial implementation of the Crowsnest Pass Field Studies initiative at Blairmore.
To implement an economic diversification tourism strategy that builds on the traditional culture and business in the Scandia region.
To support a tourism cluster development strategy to transition the community of Consort.
To provide outreach services to enhance rural business & entrepreneurial innovation in the County of Forty Mile and Cypress County.
To provide support to community-based rural tourism operators in achieving market readiness in the Counties of Lamont, Leduc, Parkland, Strathcona and Sturgeon.
To assist in the implementation of inter-municipal economic development and capacity building activities for the communities of Alliance, Forestburg, Galahad, Heisler, Lougheed, Strome, Daysland, Hardisty, Killam and Sedgewick.
To assist a business incubator in the Fort McKay First Nations area that accelerates entrepreneurial development.
To assist in the completion of a business plan for an agricultural entrepreneurial cluster in the Stony Plain area.
To support the implementation of the Boomtown Trail tourism cluster development initiative for 23 communities along highways 21 and 56.
To complete a feasibility study on obtaining and administering a multi-use Performing Arts Centre in the region.
To complete a study and business development framework that will outline feasible business opportunities for the Nation.
To support a business development strategy to enhance the region's biotechnology cluster.
To develop and implement an Economic Development Plan for the Nation at Hobbema.
To assist the Municipal District of Big Lakes with a strategic tourism plan.
To assist in the development, coordination and initial implementation of an economic development strategy.
To complete a science based and community driven pilot of frontline methods and strategies to sustainably manage wolf-cattle interactions in the Municipal District.
To complete a Business Vitality Initiative for the M.D. of Smoky River in the areas of Falher, McLennan, Donnelly and Girouxville.
To support the production of an education DVD to identify local economic opportunities for new M.D. residents, businesses, and developers.
To develop and implement a corridor plan that will identify economic opportunities for Alberta's northwest rural region.
To assist in the development of a business center that will accelerate the entrepreneurial capacity in the O'Chiese First Nation region.
To complete an Eco-Industrial Feasibility Plan for the Town of Olds.
To complete a Public Market Concept Study for the Town of Olds.
To provide seed funding for the coordination, development and initial implementation of the Badlands Baseball Academy in Oyen.
To develop and implement an Industry Attraction Strategy for the County of Paintearth and the communities within.
To assist in the preliminary design, planning and marketing of the Ports to Plains initiative in rural Alberta's eastern corridor.
Palliser Regional Municipal Services Company Ltd.
To assist Alberta's east-central region to complete a business case outlining options to address rail discontinuance in the area.
To support the due-diligence toward the completion of the Oyen-Lyalta Rail Discontinuance Recovery Project in east-central Alberta.
To provide seed funding to build capacity and transition the organization into the Alberta Rural Sustainable Alternatives Network focusing on agricultural and rural issues.
To provide outreach and action-oriented funding to build capacity to enhance the rural manufacturing cluster in the Peace Region.
To complete the assessment and implementation of a wind resource development strategy for the Nation.
To provide assistance for business outreach and technology support services that assists youth entrepreneurship in the Special Areas and Municipal District of Acadia.
To develop and implement a collaborative community action plan for alternative energy in the rural south central and south western region of Alberta.
To support a transition project by assisting in community capacity building initiatives for the southwestern region of Alberta.
To support an economic development plan for Starland County.
The Calgary Regional Partnership Inc.
To assist 18 rural towns and municipalities surrounding Calgary to develop business opportunities in the wood manufacturing and transportation logistics sectors.
To provide assistance for web business outreach and technology support services that supports community collaboration and entrepreneurship in the Three Hills region.
To assist in the development and implementation of economic development strategies and capacity building initiatives for the Town of Bon Accord.
To assist in the preliminary design, community preparedness planning and marketing of the Drayton Valley Bio-Mile initiative.
To complete a business diversification strategy for the community.
To develop and implement a Municipal Economic Development Strategy.
To assist the M.D. of Peace, the M.D. of Northern Lights, Northern Sunrise County, the Town of Peace River and the Town of Grimshaw to complete a Regional Airport Business Plan.
To provide assistance for a geocaching tourism initiative in the Canadian Badlands and Boomtown Trail region.
To develop and implement an economic development plan, outlining new directions for the Town.
To assist with the development of a logistics, tourism, and marketing strategy for the Town of Vermilion.
To support community capacity building activities that relate to sustainability/ demonstration projects for the Town of Viking.
To support the planning and advancement of the Unmanned Air Systems Training and Development Centre in Foremost.
To support a branding and marketing strategy for Vulcan County, the Town of Vulcan, and the Villages of Arrowwood, Milo, Lomond, Carmangay and Champion.
To support the development and implementation of a business and human resource plan for the Nation.
To support a community transition project in the Willmore Park and Grande Cache area that will enhance traditional mountain culture, tourism and business opportunities.
View map of Rural Development Grant Programs.
Return to Rural Development homepage.
Last Reviewed/Revised on November 12, 2014.


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AEHF 6
AEHF satellite arrives in Florida for first of nearly 20 Space Force launches this year
The sixth and final satellite in the U.S. military's network of ultra-secure, nuclear-hardened AEHF communications relay stations has arrived in Florida for final preparations for liftoff in March on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket, the first of nearly 20 U.S. Space Force missions planned for launch in the first year of operations for the new military service.
Q&A with Claire Leon, director of launch enterprise directorate at SMC
The head of the launch enterprise directorate at the U.S. Air Force's Space and Missile Systems Center, Claire Leon, spoke with reporters March 15 about the military's award of a GPS launch contract to SpaceX, and she discussed plans for more head-to-head launch contract competitions in the coming months.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Also, include controls for electric bow and stern thrusters for tricky docking maneuvers!
This one is getting closer to the goal!
It's on a Hanseat IV though, which is like 80' at the waterline. You need a really BIG boat to devote that much space to a Nav Station. I could shrink it to about 50% of that size though and still retain most of the amenities.
That looks reasonably comfortable place to ride out collapse.
Gotta start lining up Investors.
With GPS chart plotters at the helm these days, nav stations aren't as important as they once were, and on a boat you have to decide if the space might be better dedicated to something like storage.
First off, I am sacrificing my own Cabin so I can have the ultimate Nav station. I LIVE at my desk on a swivel chair already! It's my network communications station too as long as the net is up and running! You can have the Master Suite!
I also want room for a 12V powered Beer Fridge so I don't have to get up from my seat to get a beer.
With my Nav station and Berth, this is all I need. OK, a toilet too. 200 square feet of living space.
Okay, this is perfect. Your berth, nav station, and toilet, all in one.
Another beautiful junk, with twin diesels. I can't believe how cheap boats are getting.
Not as sweet as the one in Rio Dulce, but half the price, and still a 57 foot floating castle. Wood boats do okay in the Northwest, as evidenced by the large numbers of vintage survivors, but require more care than steel or plastic. This ad says the boat is in a marina in "North San Francisco". Wonder if it's the marina by the Safeway where Micheal met Mary Ann.
Counting Down the Days until I WIN my PTD WC Big Kahuna Award! Finish out my days on a floating palace!
This ad says the boat is in a marina in "North San Francisco". Wonder if it's the marina by the Safeway where Micheal met Mary Ann.
Definitely not that marina. Sure looks more like Oakland to me.
I suspect this boat is now history, but if it rode out Patricia last night, you could probably pick it up REALLY cheap.
Crap that's a lot of boat for $18K.
How many do you think to sail it? 3 minimum?
Ferrocement is great. Lasts forever if you don't run aground.
With all that canvas "sun protection" showing in the pics, I'd guess it has some serious topside leaks. And we know the canvas covers are long gone, as of last night, no matter whether the boat got sunk or not.
But yeah, I thought it had potential when I saw it a week or two back, before the Bombification of Mexico. Three people to sail her comfortably without working hard at it, I'd say. Four would be better.
Eh, too soon anyhow. No serious looking until the spring and I win my case.
You're probably right about the topside leaks. i never saw anybody drape that much canvas over a boat, especially one that big.


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Clear 365 Blogs
10 ITEMS OR LESS: Emails you shouldn't forward
You long ago stopped pummeling everyone on your contact list with daily jokes and pictures of good-luck angels. But do you ever find yourself forwarding certain mass-circulated emails -- "just in case" their watch-yourself warnings, free-stuff offers or pleas for help turn out to be legit? If this sounds like you (or someone you know), the time has come to hit "delete." Here's where to start:
1. 'Wal-mart gang initiation' email
THE EMAIL: If you live anywhere near a Wal-Mart, you've probably received at least one frantic email from a well-meaning (but misinformed) relative or friend within the last week, begging you not to shop there until further notice. That's because -- according to said email -- "police have confirmed" that as part of a gang initiation rite, "three women and children will be shot in the Wal-Mart parking lot tonight. This is not a joke, pls forward."
THE FACTS: Though this rumor has been circulating via email since about 2005, it (fortunately) has yet to become a reality. Nowhere in the country, in fact, have police "confirmed" that innocent women and children were being targeted by gangs in Wal-Mart parking lots. If you're still not convinced, however, it's safe to say that Target would welcome your business until Wal-Mart handles its alleged riff-raff issue.
2. 'Cookie and Coco need a home!' email
THE EMAIL: "Help ... Loving home needed!" So begins this heart-breaking call-to-action, an email plea that's driven the nation's dog-lovers to tears for the past several months. As the note not-so-eloquently explains, "This family has lost their home and the new apartment does not allow dogs. They are looking for a home for their two Labs, Cookie and Coco." In closing, the email's author asks that everyone who receives this call for help forward it to everyone they know -- along with "prayers that these two beautiful dogs can stay together."
THE FACTS: This was a legitimate request for aid -- four months ago. Originally posted on the South Bay Pets website (along with photos of the adorable pups), the plight of Cookie and Coco -- left potentially homeless when their family's house was foreclosed upon -- hit a nerve with animal enthusiasts from Arizona to New York. And though the SoCal Labrador Retriever Rescue has already placed both dogs in a happy new home, the email continues to circulate like a bad case of fleas.
3. 'Dial #77 on your cell phone' email
THE EMAIL: This rampantly running Web warning tells the frightening tale of a "female college student" (often identified as "Lauren"), pulled over by an unmarked vehicle she assumes is an undercover police officer -- on a secluded road, late at night, for no reason she can fathom. As it happens, the person in the unmarked vehicle turns out to be not a cop, but a would-be rapist. Clever "Lauren," though, was a step ahead; she was rescued by a real policeman in the nick of time. How? Though "it's not widely known," dialing #77 (or *77) on your cell phone immediately summons the police.
THE FACTS: From its opening sentence, this one screams to have you hooked: "This is an actual true story and not one of those Internet stories that are passed on and on!" That may well be, but as of today, no one has been able to verify it. While its message is sound -- be suspicious of unmarked vehicles attempting to pull you over in the middle of nowhere, at night -- dialing #77/*77 will not work in every state. Be safe and dial 911 instead.
4. 'Simon Ashton is a hacker' email
THE EMAIL: As if the threat of real computer viruses isn't enough, this brief-but-irritating message in your inbox warns that simply by accepting an email from a certain Simon Ashton (simon_25_@hotmail.co.uk) will allow him full access to hack your email account, as well as the accounts of everyone on your contact list. The only way to protect your files, it's said, is to delete his email as soon as it appears.
THE FACTS: We all get the occasional email from someone we don't know, and if for some reason we provide that someone with our personal information, he or she could use it to wreak havoc on our accounts. Just receiving a mysterious message in your inbox, however, isn't going to make that happen: Some sort of information exchange or file transfer would likely be necessary. Additionally, there are currently no references to a hacker named "Simon Ashton" in any legitimate Internet security database. Still, while this scam is little more than a waste of time, consider it a reminder to always keep your antivirus software up to date -- and don't be all click-happy when opening attachments.
5. 'Free laptop for your child!' email
THE EMAIL: You may not own an Ericsson-brand cell phone, but the company will gladly give you (or your child) a free laptop computer. Why? And how? According to the email, Ericsson "hopes to increase its popularity" in the mobile space; all you need to do is forward its email to 8 people of your choice. (And cc Ericsson employee anna.swelung@ericsson.com, too.) If you do, within two weeks you'll receive an EricssonT18. If you send the email to 20 or more people, you'll receieve an Ericsson R320. What could be easier?
THE FACTS: It's hard to resist the promise of a free PC, which is why close variations of this email have been circulating for more than eight years. But a quick Web search reveals that T18s and R320s are cell phones, not laptops. (How would a cell-phone company "increase its popularity" by dabbling in laptop giveaways, anyway?) And -- perhaps needless to say -- no Ericsson employee answers to Anna Swelung's email address.
6. 'Operation Yellow Jacket' email
THE EMAIL: This widespread warning asserts that police in states including Michigan, Oregon, California, South Carolina, New Jersey and Texas (among others) are conducting a month-long "speeding ticket frenzy" during which troopers pose as Department of Transportation workers to catch traffic violators in the act. Code-named "Operation Yellow Jacket," the sneaky scheme consists of trooper-driven DOT trucks either idling roadside or appearing from nowhere behind speeding drivers. And here's the clincher: The trucks are said to have specially souped-up engines that can catapult them from "snow-plow speed to intercept speed" in mere seconds. When the special engines kick in, the trucks' lights automatically change from flashing DOT yellow "to the dreaded red and blue!"
THE FACTS: While it's true that DOT-police public-safety initiatives called "Operation Yellow Jacket" have been undertaken in several states -- notably, Pennsylvania -- they don't involve James Bond trucks that go from "snow-plow to intercept" in a matter of seconds. (Your tax dollars at work!) More to the point, police officials insist this is an email hoax, and that no such efforts are underway.
7. 'Plastic water bottles cause cancer' email
THE EMAIL: If you're one to reuse and recycle without a second thought, reading this seemingly authentic email-opener is bound to feel unsettling: "Many are unaware of poisoning caused by reusing plastic bottles." According to the message, disposable water bottles are often made of a plastic that "contains a potentially carcinogenic element," called diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA). The warning claims if the bottles are used for more than a few days, this plastic will begin to break down and its cancer-causing chemicals "will leach into the water that YOU are drinking."
THE FACTS: Could this be some diabolical scare tactic devised by the folks at Thermos? Unlikely, and in any case, it's just not true. There's zero scientific evidence that reusing plastic water bottles causes cancer; DEHA isn't even considered to be a human health risk, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. (Do thoroughly rinse and dry your plastic bottles every now and again, though: They can get kind of nasty after a couple of weeks in your gym bag.)
8. 'Reverse your ATM PIN in an emergency' email
THE EMAIL: Here's another that may sound familiar: Should you ever be forced to withdraw money from an ATM against your will (these days, who hasn't?), you can silently alert the police by entering your PIN in reverse. While the ATM will give you the requested cash, it will also immediately summon the authorities to come to your aid. According to the email, this is "very seldom used because people don't know about it. But it can mean the difference between life and death!"
THE FACTS: It's true there's been talk of this technology for years: A police-alerting "SafetyPIN System" was developed in the '90s by Chicago businessman Joseph Zingher, and "ATM panic code" bills have been introduced in a number of states since then. As of today, however, this is still an email-string pipe dream. Should you fall prey to a robber while making an ATM transaction, you'd be better off blowing a really loud whistle than fumbling around with a backward PIN.
9. 'Burundanga-soaked business card' email
THE EMAIL: If your loved ones lean toward fear-mongering, they've probably been considerate enough to send you an email alerting that "last Wednesday, Jamie Hernandez's neighbor" -- a young woman, of course -- was at a gas station when a man offered his services as a painter and presented his business card. The young woman thanked him, took the card, and got in her car to leave. But before she could drive more than a mile or two, she started to feel dizzy and couldn't catch her breath. It was then she noticed the card's strong odor -- and realized the man was following her! Fortunately, she was just around the corner from a friend's house, where she stopped to call the police. The authorities arrived quickly and apprehended the man. It turned out he was a wanted rapist -- and the previous victims of his burundanga-soaked card scheme had not been so lucky.
THE FACTS: My aunt sent me this one as a "warning," but was -- surprise! -- unable to provide specific details when pressed. What's certain, though, is that while burundanga is a real and dangerous drug -- in Colombia, where it's most common, it's sometimes called "zombie powder" -- it has no scent, so could not possibly produce a "strong odor." In addition, burundanga must be swallowed or inhaled to have any effect. Seems rather unlikely that the young lady in question was in her car at the gas station, licking the painter's business card ...
10. 'Microsoft/AOL email tracking' email
THE EMAIL: Just about everyone with an email account has received this one at some time or another -- and passed it along. Usually sent via "a friend who's an attorney and knows the law," the email claims that "Bill Gates is sharing his fortune!" And it's easy to get in on the action: So the email explains, in an effort to make sure that Internet Explorer remains "the most widely used program," Microsoft and AOL are running an email beta test. All you have to do is forward this email to your friends, and Microsoft will track it over a two-week period. For every person who receives your forward, Microsoft will pay $245. For every person who receives their forwards, you'll receive $243. (And so on.) Within 15 days, you'll be sent a check signed by Bill Gates himself.
THE FACTS: Though versions of this email have been circulating since 1997, no one seems to be able to produce a check "signed by Bill Gates himself." Internet Explorer may indeed be one of the most widely used programs, but there's still no such thing as a free lunch.
That's just a handful of the bogus email warnings, offers and pleas for help currently making their way around the Web. The next time you're tempted to hit that "send" button -- even if you've got the best intentions -- check one these sites to verify the facts:
** www.snopes.com
** www.hoax-slayer.com
** www.scamtypes.com
** www.breakthechain.org
-- Randi Schmelzer, Clear365 Entertainment Editor
Find the latest movie, TV and celebrity headlines at ClearEntertainment
Jul 26, 2009 1:15:00 AM | Current Affairs, News
Michael Jackson: Remembering a superstar
Michael Jackson performs during halftime of Super Bowl XXVII in Pasadena, Calif., in this Jan. 31, 1993, file photo. Jackson died Thursday in Los Angeles at age 50. (AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)
The 'Thriller' is gone
"The world just lost the biggest pop star in history, no matter how you cut it."
-- Billboard magazine, Thursday, June 25, 2009
Whether you remember him best as the show-stealing little brother in the Jackson 5, or the mesmerizing Moonwalker whose every move was a cultural phenomenon, Michael Jackson was much more than the 'King of Pop.'
Remembering a superstar
MICHAEL JACKSON: A look back at his life and career
Celebs react to Michael's death: 'He was truly a king'
The Glove to the fedora, King of Pop was King of Style, too
VIDEO GALLERY: Sadness, scandal shrouded MJ's life
MJ on TV: Brilliant or bizarre, viewers couldn't look away
Kings gone too soon: The Jacko-Elvis connection
Fans across the globe pay tribute to 'King of Pop'
THE MUSIC: Michael Jackson music timeline & sampler
THE MEMORIAL: Music, memories and unforgettable moments
Jul 25, 2009 5:27:00 PM | Current Affairs, Music, News
7/24: The Public Observer on upcoming news ... and a photo roundup
The Public Observer offers a look at upcoming news and presents a roundup of recent photos by The Associated Press.
PENTAGON CHIEF GOES TO ISRAEL
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates will be in Jerusalem starting Monday to meet with his Israeli counterpart, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. Iran's nuclear program likely will be a major talking point, including Israel's policy on protecting itself from Iran. The Israelis in September 2007 attacked a nuclear facility in Syria, and in 1981 they conducted a lightning airstrike that took out Iraq's nuclear reactor. Gates and Barak also likely will discuss a joint U.S.-Israeli anti-missile system that recently failed a series of tests. The White House's Middle East peace envoy, George Mitchell, also will be traveling to Israel as part of his ongoing efforts to restart the peace process.
The Obama administration had set an end-of-July deadline for overhauling the nation's health care system, but it appears that Congress may head off to its summer recess without passing the landmark legislation that would require all Americans to be insured. There should be a flurry of negotiations and politicking over the week as Democratic leaders try to help Obama reach his goal.
DEADLY MONTH IN AFGHANISTAN
July will end as the deadliest month of the war in Afghanistan for U.S. and NATO troops, with at least 60 international troops killed. The rising casualties have started to create some doubt about the war plan among U.S. allies in Europe, Canada, Australia and other countries.
PHOTO ROUNDUP
Here's a look at recent photos moved by The Associated Press.
In this photo released by the Xinhua news agency, a staff member nurses the newly born giant panda cubs Monday at the giant panda base in Chengdu, in southwest China's Sichuan province. A giant panda named Li Li gave birth to the twin female cubs at the breeding center Sunday morning, the first twin giant panda cubs born this year, according to Xinhua. (AP Photo/Xinhua, Jiang Hongjing)
Jim Pat Smith of Melrose, Mont., flips a steer Monday while competing in steer wrestling at the Cheyenne Frontier Days outdoor rodeo and western celebration in Cheyenne, Wyo. (AP Photo/Laramie Boomerang, Andy Carpenean)
A group of people dressed as the crew from "Star Trek" ride an escalator Thursday at the Comic-Con International 2009 convention held in San Diego. The annual comic book and popular arts convention attracts over 100,000 people and runs through July 26. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
The moon passes between the sun and the earth Wednesday during a total solar eclipse in Varanasi, India. The longest solar eclipse of the 21st century pitched a swath of Asia from India to China into near darkness Wednesday as millions gathered to watch the phenomenon. (AP Photo/Saurabh Das)
A police officer wears a mask Thursday as fellow officers gather at a police station in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. National Police officers began a strike Thursday to demand higher wages, according to local media. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Kashmiri Muslim women raise their hands in prayer Tuesday as a head priest, unseen, displays a holy relic believed to be the hair from the beard of Prophet Mohammad, during special prayers at the Islamic festival of Shab-e-Meraj at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, India. Shab-e-Meraj is celebrated as the anniversary of Prophet Mohammad's ascent to heaven. (AP Photo/Mukhtar Khan)
A Greek Fire Service plane is seen Thursday during efforts to combat a forest fire outside the central Greek city of Thebes. Six water-dropping planes and two helicopters were involved in the effort to contain the blaze, aided by a lull in high winds that had earlier threatened a village in the area. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
A great blue heron holds a small fish after catching it in a pond Monday at Stewart Park in Roseburg, Ore. (AP Photo/The News-Review, Robin Loznak)
--Paul Chavez,Clear365 News Editor
Jul 24, 2009 11:27:34 AM | News
Analysis: Senate scraps F-22 fighter program
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday eliminated $1.75 billion in funding for new F-22 fighters jets, effectively ending the F-22 program. Originally conceived in the late 1980s, the F-22 was envisioned as a weapon of the Cold War, capable of dominating Soviet MIGs and establishing American air superiority. In the intervening era, however, American defense priorities have shifted away from full scale war and towards the ability to combat insurgencies like those in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Secretary of Defense Robert Gates in an April 6 Pentagon briefing called for an end to the F-22 project, saying there was "no military requirement" for additional jets and said the decision was "not a close call." The Air Force already has 187 of the $137 million fighters. The F-22 can travel faster than mach 2.0 (1,317-mph) with the help of afterburners, and appears on radar screens as a disturbance roughly the size of a marble.The F-22 also is equipped with cutting edge communications technology, allowing it to communicate with other fighters via a "low probability of intercept" high bandwidth radar transmission.
In that same briefing, Gates outlined a new vision for American defense readiness, saying "if we don't change, history will not judge us kindly." Gates called for a new paradigm in American military might, focusing on the ability to wage counterinsurgency efforts simultaneously with full scale war. In the case of the F-22, Gates emphasized the importance of the F-35, a plane that is both $50 million less expensive and far more capable of attacking ground targets. President Barack Obama praised the decision, saying additional spending on the fighter would be "an inexcusable waste." During the presidential campaign, Obama promised a reduction in wasteful military spending and a more realistic and modern approach to the threats facing America.
Some conservative pundits and commentators have criticized the decision to scrap the F-22, arguing that it could leave the Air Force outmatched in future, more conventional wars. Gates, who has complained of "next-waritis," which is a propensity to focus on future challenges rather than current conflicts, stated that this Pentagon budget would finally give irregular wars "a seat at the table." He did estimate that 90 percent of the defense budget would still go toward conventional or dual purpose weapons systems. A desire to "fight the last war" by using the tactics and ideologies of the previous war has been a classic criticism of U.S. generals. Gates seeks to break that cycle, hoping that new approaches to defense spending will be met in the field with changes in tactical thought. While any reduction in defense spending will be met with criticism, it is worth remembering that U.S. defense spending nearly equals that of every other nation on earth combined, and is significantly greater than the next 20 countries combined.
Photo Credit: An Air Force F-22 Raptor is seen in this June 2009 file photo. (AP Photo/US Navy - Ronald Dejarnett, File)
-Christopher Handel, Clear365 News
Jul 24, 2009 10:23:33 AM
A look at Goldman Sachs' record earnings
Banking giant Goldman Sachs recently reported a quarterly profit of $3.44 billion, the largest in Goldman's history as a publicly traded company. The earnings announcement came just months after Goldman received an emergency injection of $10 billion in direct federal aid, which has since been paid back. Many see Goldman's rising profitability as an indicator that the financial sector is recovering from the recession.
In this Sept. 25, 2008 file photo, Lloyd C. Blankfein, CEO of Goldman Sachs Group Inc., speaks at a luncheon at United Nations headquarters. Goldman Sachs last week reported a record quarterly profit. (AP Photo/David Karp, file)
Goldman's profits shocked many and provided more proof for those who think the company leads a charmed existence. Last year, the Federal Reserve created a $182.5 billion credit facility for American International Group to ensure it could meet its collateralized debt obligations, including a nearly $13 billion debt to Goldman Sachs, which was paid back at 100 cents on the dollar. Some have argued that Goldman's influence over the Federal Reserve played into the decision to bailout AIG.
Goldman's influence in Washington is undeniable, with countless former employees in positions of power. Former Goldman employees in Washington and elsewhere include:
- Henry Paulson, former Treasury Secretary under President George W. Bush
- Robert Rubin, former Treasury Secretary under President Bill Clinton
- John Corzine, former U.S. senator and current governor of New Jersey
- Josh Bolten, White House Chief of Staff under George W. Bush
- John Thain, former CEO of the New York Stock Exchange
- Stephen Friedman, former Director of the National Economic Council under Bush
- Mark Patterson, Chief of Staff to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner
- Reuben Jeffery III, current Undersecretary of State for economic, business, and agricultural affairs
- Neel Kashkari, current Undersecretary of the Treasury for financial stability, responsible for administering TARP funds
- Dianna Farrell, current Deputy Director of the National Economic Council
With the help of the federal money, Goldman avoided liquidity concerns, and entered Q2 with strong expectations. To understand Goldman's earnings, it helps to understand what it exactly an investment bank does. Traditionally, and by definition, an investment bank has two primary roles, underwriting securities and advising companies considering mergers and acquisitions.
Underwriting securities relates primarily to initial public offerings, when privately held companies go public. Companies go public in order to raise new capital, giving away a percentage of the owner's equity in exchange. Generally, when a company goes public, it has a specific idea of the amount of capital it would like to raise, but not necessarily how much equity it will have to relinquish in exchange.
This is where investment banks come in. They analyze the privately held company to determine its total value, or market capitalization, and inform the management how much the company is worth, and in turn how to price the initial offering of common stock. Then, the investment bank guarantees the offering, agreeing to buy any stock that does not sell at the agreed upon price. This is important, because it allows the company to be certain it will raise the desired amount of capital, without having to lower the price of the offering. The company in question cannot lower the price of its stock after it has made an offering, because it is already responsible to the shareholders who purchased the stock at the higher price. In exchange for the valuation of the company and the assumption of risk, the investment bank receives a percentage of the funds raised by the offering. Investment banks provide a similar service for companies considering mergers and acquisitions, using their expertise in valuing companies to advise their client.
Charts shows quarterly earnings for Bank of America, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. since the second quarter of 2008. (AP)
However, the role of what Goldman calls ''Investment Banking Activities'' in the total profitability of the company is relatively small. A mere $1.44 billion of the company's net revenue came from this department in the second quarter, 15 percent lower than the second quarter of 2008. The primary reason for this decrease in revenue was a 54 percent drop in revenues from what the company calls "Financial Advisory," primarily the mergers and acquisitions business. This is due to a severe contraction in mergers and acquisitions in the last several quarters. Companies trying to weather the storm of financial downturn are unwilling to expend their liquid capital on acquisitions.
The real moneymaker for Goldman comes from "Trading and Principal Investments," which was responsible for $10.78 billion of the bank's net revenues. Trading activities have been some of the most controversial for Goldman Sachs in recent months. Goldman, which recently converted from an Investment Bank to a Bank Holding Company (the difference is largely regulatory), is subject to federal regulation, requiring it to hold liquid assets representing a portion of its total potential obligations. Those assets are the largest source of revenue for the banks, which has become infamous for taking larger and more profitable risks with this capital than its competitors.
The most controversial of these risks in the last few months are credit default swaps, which are effectively a form of unregulated insurance. In layman's terms, it is a bet against the repayment of a piece of debt. Effectively, when a debtor defaults, the owner of a corresponding credit default swap receives an agreed upon payment from the other party. A department of the American International Group known as AIG Financial Products, infamously became the largest issuer of Credit Default Swaps, and accumulated nearly $19 billion in debt from the wave of defaults that accompanied the crash in the housing market.
Originally, Credit Default Swaps were created as a form of insurance for creditors, allowing them to collect on their loans even if debtors defaulted on their obligation. However, many have pointed out that Goldman Sachs and other investment banks owned billions of dollars in swaps related to loans made by other companies. Critics say that they were effectively betting against the U.S. economy when they bet that certain debtors would default on their liabilities.
The Final component of Goldman's revenues, Asset Management and Securities Services, which comes from managing assets for individuals and institutions such as pension funds and endowments, was worth about $1.54 billion.
Goldman's tremendous profitability is a positive sign for the short future of the U.S. economy, but it is not immediately clear whether Goldman is managing its risk more responsibly than it had in the past.
-- Christopher Handel, Clear365 News
Jul 22, 2009 3:27:18 PM | News
7/20: I'm a BLVR
BLVR covers the Bruins, Lakers, Vikings and Reds who by fate or destiny became the favorite teams long ago of a young kid growing up in Southern California.
That quarterback wearing No. 8 in the above graphic, just left of the "B" for Bruins. Do you know who that is? Yup, the one and only Troy Aikman, as good as a Bruin gets. Aikman was inducted over the weekend into the College Football Hall of Fame. Check out this ESPN video where Aikman talks about his collegiate career.
Congrats, Troy!
The big news in Lakers land is whether or not Lamar Odom is going to come back to the world champs and help them defend their title. Anyone who watched the Lakers a lot last season saw Odom transmogrify from a mediocre player who you could count on to choke on the free throw if the game was on the line to some sort of crazed, candy-filled warrior who could carry this team. When young center Andrew Bynum went down with a knee injury during the regular season, it was Odom who filled the void and provided some spark to the Lakers. His numbers in the clinching Game 5 of the Finals against the Orlando Magic pretty much summed up his contributions all season: 17 points, 10 rebounds, 3-3 from 3-point and a steal in 31 minutes. Odom was offered a four-year, $36 million offer from the Lakers, but apparently he wants a five-year, $50 million deal. I'm doing the math and the Lakers offer is pretty solid, especially considering that Odom can't make nearly as much if he takes his services elsewhere. It's borderline ridiculous that he hasn't signed yet. Even the newest Laker, Ron Artest, is lobbying for Odom to sign.
Vikings coach Ned Flanders, d'oh, I meant Brad Childress said he recently saw video of Brett Favre throwing to kids and that Favre's throwing motion "looked fine" to him. Favre told The AP last week that he's still testing his surgically fixed throwing arm and expected to let the Vikings know if he could play for them by July 30, when the team opens training camp. There are plenty of Vikings fans who think Favre will help the team get to the Super Bowl, and others, such as myself, who think he's a distraction, a not-to-be-trusted Packer, really old and damaged goods. We'll just have to wait and see.
Also, you can now buy single game tickets for Vikings games at the Metrodome.
The Reds are three games under .500 and are in fifth place, or second to last, in the NL Central going into a three-game series at Dodger Stadium. There is no team that I hate more than the stupid Dodgers. I'll give them credit for three things and three things only. 1. Dodger Stadium. I begrudgingly admit that Dodger Stadium is old-school cool. There's not a bad seat in the house, and Dodger Dogs are pretty yummy, especially if you use the diced onion machine. 2. Vin Scully. Growing up in Los Angeles, you kind of take how good Scully is for granted. It's only when you listen to an out-of-town game that his genius becomes apparent. Scully is the master of the anecdote, his voice sounds nice and he never, ever confuses a fly ball for a home run. Former Padres play-by-play man Jerry Coleman was the worst about that, going into hysterics for fly balls that didn't even reach the warning track. 3. Jackie Robinson. Robinson gets a pass for breaking the color barrier and doing it with class, dignity and style. Plus, he's a good Bruin, only UCLA athlete to letter in four sports.
Enough with the stupid Dodgers, back to the Reds. Playing the best team in baseball on the road when you're in 5th place, three games under .500 and August is around the corner is the perfect time to plant your flag and make a stand. I just read something that said the last time the Reds beat the stupid Dodgers in Los Angeles was July 28, 2005. That can't be right. This must end. The stars may be lining up, the Dodgers are throwing out 36-year-old Jason Schmidt on the mound tonight, and he hasn't had a start in more than two years.
I predict a Reds victory.
--Paul Chavez, BLVR
Jul 20, 2009 5:58:49 PM | Sports
7/17: The Public Observer on upcoming news and a photo roundup
The Public Observer offers a look at upcoming news next week and presents a roundup of recent photographs taken by The Associated Press.
CLINTON OVERSEAS
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has hit the road and will meet in New Delhi with India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress Party leader Sonia Gandhi. Clinton likely will finalize deals that would allow India to buy nuclear fuel from the United States for non-military use and U.S.-built fighter planes for India's military.Clinton later in the week will travel to Thailand where she will meet with Southeast Asian leaders and presumably discuss North Korea's recent nuclear tests and missile launches. Foreign policy experts in recent weeks have speculated that Clinton had lost influence with President Barack Obama, but she has refuted that notion, saying that she feels positive about her working relationship with the White House and her personal relationship with Obama.
BIDEN OVERSEAS
Vice President Joe Biden will be traveling to Ukraine and Georgia, where he will meet with political leaders in each of the former Soviet satellites and some opposition figures. The trip is designed to show U.S. support for their fledgling democracies. In a press briefing on the trip Friday, Biden's national security advisor, Tony Blinken, said the trip, in part, was to show that the administration's commitment to reset relations with Russia will not come at the expense of any other country.
''We will continue to reject the notion of spheres of influence, and we will continue to stand by the principle that sovereign democracies have the right to make their own decisions and choose their own partnerships and alliances,'' Blinken said.
There are factions within Ukraine and Georgia, which went to war with Russia last year, that want to join the NATO alliance, a move strongly opposed by Moscow.
IRAQI PRIME MINISTER VISITS WHITE HOUSE
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq will visit the White House on Wednesday to consult with Obama. The United States has about 130,000 troops still in Iraq, and all forces are scheduled to leave by the end of 2011.
PICTORIAL ROUNDUP
Here's a look at some recent images taken by photographers with The Associated Press.
A third quarter Buck Moon rises behind a spire on the top of the bell tower next to the lighted cross at the First Baptist Church on West Front Street in Berwick, Pa., shortly after midnight Wednesday morning. (AP Photo/Bloomsburg Press Enterprise, Jimmy May)
Nationalist demonstrators take cover from a police water cannon behind a mailbox in Belfast on Monday. Masked and hooded Belfast Catholics hurled gasoline bombs, fireworks and other makeshift weapons at police on the most bitterly divisive day on the Northern Ireland calendar. Irish nationalists in Ardoyne, a militant Catholic enclave of north Belfast, were trying to block a parade by the Orange Order, Northern Ireland's major Protestant brotherhood. (AP Photo)
Fireworks illuminate the Eiffel Tower in Paris during Bastille Day celebration late Tuesday. The Eiffel Tower was built 120 years ago. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
A Tibetan exile living in Nepal shouts slogans against China's government Tuesday during a protest demanding Tibet be free, in front of the United Nations' office in Katmandu, Nepal. (AP Photo/Binod Joshi)
Visitors stroke a Dream Cat Venus on Thursday during the annual Tokyo Toy Show in Tokyo. The Dream Cat, from Japanese toy maker Sega Toys, is capable of responding to audio and tactile stimuli. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)
Lana, center, 15-year-old daughter of slain rights activist Natalya Estemirova, cries in a mourning procession Thursday while heading to a cemetery for burial in Koshkeldy, 70 km (44 miles) east of Grozny, Chechnya. Weeping mourners escorted the body of Natalya Estemirova through Chechnya's capital Thursday, honoring the activist whose brazen kidnapping and execution-style killing shocked Russia's beleaguered human rights community and prompted international outrage. (AP Photo/Musa Sadulayev)
This image provided by NASA shows a fish-eye view from the gantry camera of space shuttle Endeavour as it leaps Wednesday from NASA Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39A on the STS-127 mission. (AP Photo/Tony Gray, Tom Farrar/NASA)
A Voodoo pilgrim bathes Thursday in a waterfall believed to have purifying powers in Saut d' Eau, Haiti. The annual feast is in honor of Haiti's most celebrated patron saint, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Legend has it she appeared on a palm tree in 1847 in the Palms Grove in Saut d'Eau, and was integrated into Haiti's voodoo culture. (AP Photo/Ramon Espinosa)
--Paul Chavez, Clear365 News Editor
Sunderland breaks record, becomes youngest solo circumnavigator
Zac Sunderland, 17, is escorted to the podium after his record-setting arrival Thursday. (Clear 365 Photo/ Christopher Handel)
Friends and family of teen sailor Zac Sunderland gathered with hundreds of spectators Thursday morning to wait for his sailboat to arrive at the Fisherman's Village in Marina Del Rey, Calif., marking the end of his record-setting solo trip around the world.
Dozens of other sailboats, as well as numerous fire and police boats, escorted Sunderland into his slip. When he came in at about 10:30 a.m., Sunderland, 17, became the youngest person ever to circumnavigate the world alone in a sailboat.
Sunderland's globetrotting adventure, which he chronicled online, started 13 months ago in a 36-foot sailboat that he named Intrepid. The teen dreamed up the idea to sail around the world when he was 15, and saved money from summer jobs to purchase the Intrepid for $6,000. He left Marina Del Rey, Calif., on June 14, 2008, and had originally planned to return in April. However, as he raced around the world, he encountered numerous setbacks that lead to significant delays.
In late April, off the coast of South America, the radar system that had guided him around the world and protected him from oncoming ocean liners stopped working. Without radar, he had to maintain constant vigilance for other ships, and was forced to wake up every 20 minutes for days to check the horizon.
Then, as he deliriously sailed to safe harbor, he was struck by an enormous 30-foot rogue wave. Clinging to the mast, Zac was unharmed, but the cabin flooded with water that shorted the boat's electrical system, giving him no way to charge his satellite phone. Without radar or any way to contact his parents, Zac sailed desperately to safety.
Sunderland's parents, who have blogged about the terrors of sending their son to sea alone, faced near constant worries about Zac's safety, but none greater than last October, when Zac encountered pirates off the coast of Indonesia. Zac's father, Laurence, told his son to check that his .357 was loaded and to shoot to kill at the first sign of aggression. His mother, Marianne, frantically informed the Australian and Indonesian authorities. After several hours, the other craft veered off Zac's course, and his family let out a desperate sigh of relief. Laurence Sunderland says the encounter was one of four times in the last 13 months when he literally dropped to his knees in prayer.
The Sunderlands have been open about the role their faith played in Zac's journey. His father said he never would have allowed Zac to sail around the world if he ''thought that he would be alone,'' and then he thanked Jesus Christ. The homecoming celebration included a reading of Psalm 107, the sailor's psalm, by the family's minister. Zac also pointed out that his journey strengthened his faith, noting that he saw his prayers answered numerous times.
Though the Sunderlands say they have no regrets, the last 13 months have been emotionally and financially difficult for the family. They said that Zac's adventure has cost them about $140,000, some of which they hope to recoup through the sales of a planned documentary about the trip. Zac brought seven camcorders with him on his journey.
Sunderland, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., stands in the main salon of his 36-foot yacht on Monday, July 13, 2009, in San Diego. Sunderland became the youngest person to sail around the world alone when he arrived Thursday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Despite these obstacles, at 17 years 228 days old, Sunderland is still the youngest person ever to sail around the world alone, and the first person under 18 to complete that journey. It could be a short-lived record. Another teen, Mike Perham, is a few months younger than Sunderland and likely will arrive in England at the end of July to complete his solo around-the-world trip.
Unlike Sunderland, who scrapped together his boat with the help of his father, a shipwright, Perham is sailing around the world in a much faster 50-foot racing yacht. Pelham's boat is named the Totalmoney.com after its principal sponsor. Perham likely will complete his trip in 8 and a half months, although he still has to cross the Atlantic, where he could face delays. Perham had originally intended to complete the trip without stopping, but he was forced to stop for numerous repairs.
Perham and Sunderland had an unplanned encounter in Cape Town, South Africa, where both boys got to meet and examine each other's boats. Sunderland noted that he got along well with Perham saying, "We had a lot in common, because at the time we were both 16, and we're both sailors. We hung out for a few days."
When Zac stepped off the Intrepid and into the waiting arms of his family, there were no fist pumps or victory screams. Instead, he quietly wore a contented smile on his face and basked in the screams of ''Way to go, Zac!'' that erupted from the crowd. It was almost as if Zac had not yet realized what he had accomplished, and he carried himself with a telling shyness that reminded his fans that he had spent most of the last 13 months by himself.
Sunderland's publicist spoke first upon his arrival, noting that becoming the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation under the age of 18 is ''a record that can never be broken,'' regardless of the outcome of Perham's voyage. He was followed by a parade of sponsors and public officials, plugging Zac's accomplishments alongside their own products. Finally, as it came time for Zac to speak, he seemed to realize that he was finally done, and his smile grew into a toothy grin.
Zac spoke briefly, and expressed a strong sense of modesty and gratitude toward his family and sponsors. As he took questions from the media, he downplayed his own accomplishments with the nonchalance of a 17 year old, too cool or too humble to celebrate ostentatiously. When asked what he planned to do next, Zac noted that he still had three classes to take in order to graduate from high school, and that he did not plan on going to college or getting a job right away. Instead, he said he hoped to complete another adventure, like ''sailing to the Arctic Circle.''
"People between the ages of 15 and 18, they get put into a box. They'll just go to school and play football and think that's all they can do, but there's so much more," he said, citing the slogan that served as a personal mantra: "Do hard things."
-- Christopher Handel, Clear 365 Sports
Former UCLA star Arron Afflalo joined the Denver Nuggets today after averaging 4.9 points in 74 games last season with the Detroit Pistons. Afflalo, who helped Coach Ben Howland steer the UCLA basketball program in the right direction, is a good defender and a proven winner. UCLA fans will remember Afflalo's intensity and passion he brought to the Bruins.
Speaking of Afflalo, he was on the floor during March Madness 2006 when the Bruins came back from 17 down to beat Gonzaga and their star, Adam Morrison.
That really does never get old. Morrison, of course, is a member of the Lakers now and is signed through next season. He's playing summer ball for the Lakers in Las Vegas and lead the team with 24 points in its victorious summer league debut.
Former temporary Viking Brock Lesnar successfully defended his UFC heavyweight title Saturday night, and then acted like a complete idiot after the match by taunting his opponent, Frank Mir, and making an obscene gesture toward the booing crowd. Lesnar, a former pro wrestler who apparently still has some WWE theatrics left in him, apologized profusely later.
Finally, it's the All-Star break. The Reds are 42-45 at the break and five games behind the Central Division-leading St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds limped into the break by losing 2-of-3 to the banged up New York Mets. To add injury to insult, the Reds also lost right fielder Jay Bruce on Saturday when he broke his right wrist while trying to make a sliding catch. The latest report is that Bruce didn't suffer any damage to tendons or ligaments and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks.
None of this bodes well for the Reds, who started the season with high expectations that the young squad could make a run for the wildcard spot. The Cardinals are probably too talented for the Reds to catch, but if the Reds can catch fire in the second half of the season, there's an outside (way outside) chance that they could catch the San Francisco Giants for that wildcard spot. Reds manager Dusty Baker will really have to pull one out of his cap for the Reds to make the playoffs.
Reality Check: Learn the truth behind 'House'
It was a mystery that couldn't be solved. Teams of doctors had examined the patient in every possible way to identify his illness, but so far, nothing. Then, there he was: Hobbling through the hospital on his trusty walking cane, the one man who could piece together this medical puzzle ... even if he was a jerk.
On Fox's hit series, 'House', Hugh Laurie plays Dr. Gregory House, a brilliant, problem-solving diagnostician with a speciality in infectious diseases and a taste for insulting both his colleagues and patients with brutally honest, narcissistic (but hilarious) quips. Now wrapping up its fifth season, 'House' has succeeded for numerous reasons. Not the least of these is its skillful and realistic depiction of modern medicine, for which the show relies on real medical professionals as on-set advisors and writers.
Among these advisors is Dr. David Foster, a full-time staff writer and consultant who holds a doctorate in medicine from Harvard Medical School and previously worked as a physician at Boston's Beth Israel Hospital and the Harvard School of Public Health. (When he first started on 'House,' Foster actually commuted from the East Coast to L.A. during production weeks so he could assist with the series as well as continue his full-time work at an inner-city health center in Boston.)
Today, Foster's team -- which also includes writers without medical backgrounds -- is responsible for coming up with plausible mysteries for Dr. House to solve. That can be a challenge in this post-'ER' age, when TV viewers demand realism from their medical shows, Foster said in an interview with Canwest News Service. "Fortunately, there's an endless number of ways the human body can break down," he said. "It's great for us; it's not so great for humanity."
Still, there are critics who believe some of the medical puzzles on 'House' could never occur in real life.
"There's always somebody who's going to say, 'That would never happen," Foster said. "But what they really mean to say is, 'I've never seen that,' or, 'This never happened to me' -- which may well be true. If you want to say that, you can say that. But that's not our show."
One critic is Scott Morrison, M.D., a family-practice physician who in his spare time hosts the TV and comics website, Polite Dissent. Writing for the general public -- not just docs -- on his site, Morrison analyzes the storylines of science-based TV shows and comics, meticulously rating and explaining their truth-fiction accuracy points.
As far as 'House,' is concerned, Morrison says via email that the show's "medical mysteries/diagnoses are all fairly accurate, just extremely, extremely unlikely. The writers will take an obscure disease, and then find its most obscure symptoms and presentation."
A good example of this, he says, is an episode revolving around visceral leishmaniasis, a parasidic disease similar to malaria. "Where the writers tend to play loose with reality is the doctors' choices of tests and treatments," Morrison explains. "Visceral leishmaniasis can affect many internal organs, but other signs and symptoms would appear before it became as severe as it did in the show."
Though he hasn't encountered quite as many medical mysteries as the acerbic TV doc, Morrison says one particular case of his came pretty close to an episode of 'House.'
"My most memorable mystery was a patient who was diagnosed with aplastic anemia; all his blood counts -- red, white, platelet -- were incredibly low," Morrison says. "He came in complaining of bruising, but had no other symptoms. He was active and had played a two-hour game of basketball the night before without difficulty. [Then] blood tests were run and showed that he had a life-threatening anemia and neutropenia. I had to hunt him down at his daughter's high-school graduation to get him to the hospital ASAP."
In Morrison's view, the most accurate part of 'House' is its depiction of clinic scenes. "Those are pretty true to life," he says.
And the least accurate?
"When they deal with blood-typing," Morrison says. "They always seem to screw that up."
Can't wait for the new season? Get your 'House' fix anytime with these handy links:
-- After every episode, Fox's official 'House' website lists links to detailed information about the week's "featured" diseases -- worth bookmarking, if you're into to this sort of thing
-- 'House' FAQ (example: Where, exactly, is Princeton Plainsboro Teaching Hospital?)
-- Want to know what songs/artists are featured on each week's episode? (There are usually some good ones.) Here's where to look
There you have it. Now what are you waiting for? Watch 'House' on ClearTV!
-- Ted Goslin, Clear 365 Blogger
Jul 10, 2009 4:15:00 PM | Science, Television
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On 8/10: I'm a BLVR


text:
Swiss Priests Refuse to Sign New Code of Conduct Saying its an 'Attempt to Implant LGBT Ideology'
April 30, 2022 from Catholic News Agency by Staff
A group of priests in the Swiss diocese of Chur has raised concerns over a new code of conduct for the prevention of assault, claiming that it violates "the doctrine and discipline of the Catholic Church" in several instances.
The clerics described the diocesan code as an attempt to "implant LGBT ideology in the Church under the guise of assault prevention, thereby undermining the Church's doctrine of faith," reported CNA Deutsch, CNA's German-language news partner.
Bishop Joseph Bonnemain of Chur signed the code of conduct himself in early April.
In a letter to all parishes seen by CNA Deutsch, the bishop said that the code would be "binding for all leaders and employees from the middle of 2022 onwards." The declaration of commitment would then be kept in the personnel file.
Continue reading at Catholic News Agency
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Monk at Illinois Boys School Charged With Sexually Abusing Former Student


Adds 3 new product feeds to your store. No files will be over written as they are completely new and independant feed files. Insall via FTP as with normal module.
⦁ Product Feed – is a custom xml product feed you can add products to based on their category (very similar to the default google base feed but, without having to link a category to a google category). Great for use with 3rd party comparative site or affiliate product feed.
⦁ Specials Product Feed – is a xml product feed of all products in your store that are on sale. Great for use by affiliates.
⦁ Latest Product Feed – is a xml product feed of your latest 20 products added to your store. Great for use in automated mailouts like mailchimp which select the latest products from your feed to mail to customers.
2. Upload the contents of the upload folder to the root of your store. No files will be over written as they are completely new and independant files.
4. To install click the green + button next to the feed to install then the blue pencil icon to edit the feed.
5. *NOTE – Make sure you Enable the feed to show on the front end url as shown.
If you require different feeds please contact me and I will be happy to create for you.


Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr is a larger-sized nursing home facility in Branford, Connecticut (New Haven county). The Nursing Home Site profile for Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr includes: Pricing, Ratings, Activities, Comparisons, Directions, Surveys, and CMS Reviews.
They have 190 beds and 178 residents (which would leave 12 beds available). Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr participates in Medicare and Medicaid and are classified as a For profit - Individual ownership. They offer both family and residential councils. They are not located inside a hospital. They do not belong to a continuing care community.
Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr received an overall rating from CMS of 5 stars compared to the CT average of 3.68 and a National average of 3.31. Ratings from residents, family members, and visitors to our site are available below. We encourage you to leave one of your own if you are familiar with their services. We also recommend giving them a call to address any additional senior and nursing care questions you may have after reviewing their Nursing Home Site profile.
They are located at the following address: 189 Alps Rd in Branford Connecticut 06405.
They can be reached by phone at (203) 481-6221.
According to our latest records from CMS, the average daily amount billed by Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr to Medicare is $905.29 per day (compared to a Connecticut average of $729.37) and Medicare reimbursed them an average of $418.11 per day (after any deductible and coinsurance).
Please note that the pricing above is the average billed to Medicare. Each person and case is unique. (Supplemental Insurance / Medicare Advantage Plans, single or double rooms, etc). If you are interested in this facility you should contact Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr directly for exact pricing and what options are available for you or your loved one's personal care needs.
Medicare and Medicaid participation for Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr began on Apr 24, 1980.
Additional Staffing can be viewed below. Each number represents a Full-time Equivalent (FTE) Employee of the type listed above it at Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr. Read how FTE is defined.
Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr in BRANFORD, Connecticut has 190 beds compared to the Connecticut average of 119.70 and a National average of 106.16.
As of the last update they had 178 residents compared to the CT average of 92.35 and a National average of 86.4.
This results in a 93.68% occupancy rate compared to the Connecticut average of 77.15% and a national average of 81.38%.
Averaging the available ratings gives an aggregate star rating of 4 for Branford Hills Healthcare Ctr versus the CT average of 3.57 and a national average of 3.20.
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New Championship Designed to Create New of Emirati Champions
Abu Dhabi: Mohamed Al Yammahi is the early leader of the 2020 UAE Formula 4 Championship, the new series launched by Abu Dhabi International Marine Sports Club (ADIMSC) to create the next generation of Emirati powerboat racing stars.
Victory in race two following a third-place finish in the opening race of the Abu Dhabi Breakwater saw Al Yammahi take an overall two-point lead in the four-round championship at the weekend.
Sultan Al Falahi is his closest challenger following successive second-place finishes, with race one winner Sultan Mazrouei in third after a penalty imposed for a false start in race two dropped him from the lead to fourth.
The UAE Formula 4 Championship, based on 20-lap races, represents the first step on the ladder into Formula powerboat racing, as ADIMSC looks to develop a new pool of talent to keep the UAE capital at the top of the sport in future years.
Team Abu Dhabi captured four powerboat racing world titles last season out of 11 secured since Guido Cappellini took charge as team manager in February 2015.
Cappellini was among the onlookers at the start of the new championship yesterday, as was the team's reigning F2 world champion, Rashid Al Qemzi.
"We have launched the championship to create a link between local races and the global Formula powerboat series," said Salem Al Rumeithi, General Manager of ADIMSC.
"Our aim is to discover and develop the best young Emirati talent. The championship is a vital part of their education, and the first step towards creating a new generation of UAE champions on the world stage.
"These are early days, but already there is a lot of interest in the championship from within the UAE and other Gulf countries, and we expect it to grow quickly."
N Mohammed
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The United Arab Emirates University Pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai
Dubai Health Authority holds webinar to mark UAE's Month of Reading
Business France gears up to participate at DIHAD 2021
Al Hamra Golf Club hosts the region's first 24-hour charity golf event
Dubai Chamber presents 36 companies with CSR Label in H2-2020
Strong competition in 5th week of Labour Sports Tournament


Scrap Car Warenford are your Warenford (NE70), Northumberland based free scrap car collection service. Scrap cars become a problem if you keep them for too long as you need to keep them taxed if they are on the road meaning you will be spending money on your scrap car. You don't have to pay to get your old vehicle taken away. Scrap Car Warenford will take away your scrap vehicle free of charge in Northumberland!
As well as offering a completely free collection, we are also currently able to offer cash for scrap cars in Warenford depending upon the weight of the vehicle!
We have a huge amount of happy customers in and around Warenford as we have been covering the Northumberland area for quite some time now. After trading here for over a decade we have built a knowledge of the local area meaning we are fast and reliable. We can be with you at any time, when a time is booked we will never be late. We are able to collect vehicles day or night, seven days a week, even on bank holidays, and we will work round you.
We ensure that your old scrap car is disposed of in the right way in Northumberland. Unscrupulous companies might sell your old car rather than destroying it, in a lot of cases such as these they do not even inform the DVLA of any change of ownership. This will leave you very vulnerable in the eyes of the law, and can easily result in you being fined a large sum of money. Scrap Car Warenford always ensure that the DVLA are notified that your car has been scrapped, keeping your mind at ease. Here at Scrap Car Warenford we make sure that we recycle everything, so as you can tell we always do our bit for the environment.
Make sure your old scrap car is disposed of correctly as we want to keep Northumberland clean and tidy. When the road is littered with old useless cars it can seriously damage the image of any reputable town, so do your bit and scrap that car. Get your car scrapped, call the specialists!
It couldn't be easier to scrap your car in Warenford. Just by picking up the phone you can learn the process from our helpful phone operators. Rather than giving us a phone call straight away please feel free to have a look at our helpful guide to see what the process is.
The car scrappage scheme may seem like a splendid idea at first. However, you are in fact limited to what type of new car you can get. You can't just go out and purchase any vehicle you want A lot of people have felt let down as there are only certain cars available in the scrappage scheme.


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Burntisland, Kirkcaldy, Glenrothes, Leven, Lundin Links and Largo
Cupar and North Fife
East Neuk Towns and Villages
Fife Coastal Path
Howe of Fife, Falkland and Newburgh
BLANK SPACE FOR LOGO
Business Support & Events
This part of Fife contains beautiful coastal and inland villages, architectural and historic gems, some fabulous beaches, and the home of Fife's fishing fleet at Pittenweem.
Neuk means nook or corner and visitors to this area have a wealth of choices for a day out, including the National Trust for Scotland's Kellie Castle and gardens, the Scottish Fisheries Museum in Anstruther, Scotland's Secret Bunker former nuclear command centre near Crail, and the St Monans windmill. In addition there is the natural beauty of some of the most spectacular sections of the Fife Coastal Path, and the opportunity for a boat trip to the rugged Isle of May.
The East Neuk is also an area that's home to some of the finest chefs in Scotland. In St Monans perched above the harbour, Craig Millar@16 West End attracts rave reviews for its outstanding seafood – and the unbeatable sea views. Further along the coast, Anstruther is the home of the Michelin-starred Cellar Restaurant and inland, James Ferguson's first solo restaurant has launched at The Kinneuchar Inn. Geoffrey Smeddle's Michelin starred Peat Inn restaurant with rooms is also within easy reach. These, and places like Pittenweem's, The Dory Bistro & Gallery focus on the strength of local produce.
It's also home to some seriously good cafes with chocolate lovers making a beeline for Pittenweem's Cocoa Tree, with its range of chocolates and hot chocolates made on site. Just a short distance from the coast St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company near Anstruther produces artisan cheeses, and visitors can see the action from a special viewing area in the busy café while they tuck into cheese platters, scones and cakes.
With some stunning coastal scenery to explore, the West End Bar is Pittenweem's welcoming village pub offering a home-cooked menu showcasing East Neuk produce, and real ale brewed just a couple of miles away. The south-facing beer garden is a hit in the summer.
Those looking for picnic provisions would do well to look into Barnetts Bakery, or pop into award-winning, family-run farm shop Ardross. This little farm shop is based on the family farm and specialise in growing vegetables for the shop and rearing their exceptional beef. They serve an outstanding range of vegetables, and farm-prepared stocks, pies, and preserves. Watch out for their pizza evenings too!
Close by Bowhouse is home to a number of food and drink producers, including Scotland the Bread's flour mill, Futtle brewery and tap room and The Mill House café. Once a month, Bowhouse opens its doors for its popular Market Weekends.
Work in the food industry?
Join the Food from Fife Community
Food from Fife is a membership organisation supported by Fife Council. It's a way of bringing together one of the region's most exciting and important industries with the aim of supporting it and growing the sector. As a Food From Fife member, you will have the opportunity to shape developments, meet and share experiences of other local businesses, get access to insights, training, marketing and trading opportunities and much more.
The food & drink community at the heart of Fife
© Food From Fife
Unit G6, The Granary Business Centre, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5YQ
Email: info@foodfromfife.co.uk


Bone grafting for dental implants is the process by which bone tissue is placed (grafted) into the mouth to act as a placeholder for tissue that has been lost. In the modern medical landscape this is a safe, painless, and routine process: indeed, more than two million bone-grafting operations occur worldwide each year, making bone the second most transplanted organ (after blood!).
As well as natural bone tissue, synthetic tissue is an alternative for patients seeking the best results. Structured as a 'biodegradable scaffold' that can be implanted within the body and trigger bone regeneration, this strong, flexible material has been compared to tire rubber! Dr. Karin Hing, author of the study and reader in Biomedical Materials at Queen Mary's University of London Institute of Bioengineering stated that the challenge being tackled currently is the development of a graft that is as clever as bone. By mechanically evaluating the way bone adapts to its environment and reacts to chemical and physical components, progress is taking place in leaps and bounds.
What does this mean for the average person who just wants to be happy with their mouth? Comfortable outpatient procedures complete with local anesthesia or intravenous sedation make bone grafting a sensible and worry-free choice. Browse our procedures page for more information on maximizing your resources!
Filed under Blog, Bone Grafting, Dental Implants, OMS . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.


You are all cordially invited to the AMLab seminar on Tuesday April 3 at 16:00 in C3.163, where Karen Ullrich will give a talk titled "Variational Bayes Wake-Sleep algorithm for expressive latent representations in 3D protein reconstruction". Afterwards there are the usual drinks and snacks!
Abstract: Reconstructing three dimensional structures from noisy two dimensional orthographic projections is a central task in many scientific domains, examples range from medical tomography to single particle electron microscopy.
We treat this problem from a Bayesian point of view. Specifically, we regard a specimen's structure and its pose as latent factors which are marginalized over. This allows us to express uncertainty in pose and even local uncertainty in the sample's structure. This information can serve to detect unstable sub-structures or multiple configurations of a specimen. In particular, we apply amortized deep neural networks to encode observations into latent factors. This bears the advantage of transferability across multiple structures. To this end, we propose to train the model alternately in observation space and latent space, resulting in a generalized version of the wake-sleep algorithm.
We focus our experiments on cryogenic electron microscopy (CryoEM) single particle analysis, a technique that enables deep understanding of structural biology and chemistry by inspecting single proteins. We show our model to be competitive while predicting reasonable uncertainties. Moreover, we empirically demonstrate that the model is more data efficient than competitive methods and that it is transferable between molecules.
This entry was posted in Talk on March 29, 2018 by Thijs van Ommen.


Our unique agency comprises of a senior management team of top-level executives with more than 30 years combined experience building the online presence and commercial sites for global brands such as Nike, ASICS and Adidas. Complimented with a global team of ex-Googlers, we offer unique, cultural and commercial insights into all local markets.
In 2008 Rens started working at Google Amsterdam. In 2011 he founded AdBirds, where he brings together a global team of ex-Google employees to help businesses all over the world reach their online goals.
In 2016 Rens was introduced to Gary who had a similar vision for an eCommerce agency, using only commercially experienced people from global brands such as Nike, Adidas and large online players. This combination of digital and commercial experience made perfects sense and our e-Commerce branch AdBirds.Global agency was born.
A global business leader with 15+ years of experience in the top international markets. Alfonso worked Google for almost 10 years, being in the pioneering team in New York that first integrated Invite Media (now DoubleClick Bid Manager) into the Google tech and advertising stack. He has held executive roles in the US, LATAM, EMEA and MENA.
Joel started out as Retail and Entertainment Business Manager at the Google office in London. He is currently running the AdBirds Global Sales Team from Berlin, Germany and he is a much wanted guest speaker at Google's sales events worldwide.
Hong has an MBA and over 10 years of experience in sales, marketing and leadership in Asia, the last 5 years of which was spent as a Googler and later a digital entrepreneur. Based in Singapore, Hong is the point of contact for AdBirds in APAC.
David has been working with Google Adwords (now Google Ads) and Google Analytics since 2010, when he worked at Google Argentina. He is currently based in Buenos Aires. He is a native speaker of Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Big fan of cars and video games.
Arabi worked as at Google for several years, covering the french market. An experienced digital marketing consultant and entrepreneur, he has experience crafting and implementing digital marketing strategies across both SMBs and large corporates.


Guest Chefs Danielle Leoni (Breadfruit & Rum Bar), Amy Brandwein (Centrolina), and Tiffany MacIsaac (Buttercream) will offer a unique 4-course menu based on sustainable seafood w/ wine parings for the evening. Dinner will be ticketed at $75 per person.
Hailed as one of the top innovative Chefs of the Valley, Executive chef Danielle Leoni has lived up to that distinction with an avant-garde approach to blending Arizona farm-fresh ingredients with the tropical traditions of Jamaica. Under her stewardship, in 2008, The Breadfruit and Rum Bar introduced an entirely new cuisine to Arizona while redefining perceptions of tropical dining. Chef Leoni has spent over a decade exploring the islands of the Caribbean and immersing herself in local food cultures. Her passion for sustainable change within our food system from land to sea has brought her national recognition. She is an ardent supporter of the Arizona farming community, ocean conservation, seafood sustainability and dedicated to cultivating the next crop of culinary talent.2017.
Amy Brandwein is the chef and owner of Centrolina, a combined seasonal Italian restaurant and market that opened in CityCenterDC in spring 2015. Throughout her career, Chef Brandwein has earned many accolades, including recognition in 2017 and 2018 as a James Beard Foundation Award finalist in the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic category.
Earlier this year, Chef Brandwein and Centrolina received RAMMY Award nominations from the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) for Chef of the Year and Upscale Casual Restaurant of the Year. Chef Brandwein's prior RAMMY Award nominations include Chef of the Year in 2016 and 2017, New Restaurant of the Year in 2016 and Rising Culinary Star in 2007.
In 2017, Chef Brandwein was accepted to the James Beard Foundation's prestigious Women's Entrepreneurial Leadership Program fellowship, and has earned additional scholarships from the foundation, as well as the International Association of Culinary Professionals.
With a passion for responsible and locally sourced ingredients, Chef Brandwein became an early partner with DC Urban Greens, a nonprofit urban farm located in Ward 7 that provides fresh and affordable produce to the local community. Centrolina is DC Urban Green's first and currently only wholesale client, and as part of the partnership, Chef Brandwein assists DC Urban Green in growing more fruits and vegetables and increasing their efficiency process.
Born and raised on Maui, Hawaii Tiffany moved to New York City at the age of 18. Her love affair with food began almost immediately. She attended the culinary arts program at the Institute of Culinary Education and went on to work as a pastry assistant at Union Square Café and Ilo Restaurant in the Bryant Park Hotel. She was later awarded the title of pastry chef at Michelin star restaurants CRU followed by another Michelin starred property, Allen and Delancey.
In 2009, Tiffany and her husband, Chef Kyle Bailey, moved to DC to open Birch & Barley, which not only received 3 stars from The Washington Post but also gave her the platform to be awarded the honor of Best Pastry Chef by the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington in 2010. During her 5 years with the Neighborhood Restaurant Group, she ran the pastry program for 14 properties including Buzz Bakery and GBD Fried Chicken and Doughnuts. Tiffany was also selected as a James Beard Award semi-finalist 3 years in a row and was featured in several publications such as Food & Wine, The Local Palate, and Art Culinaire.


St. Martin's Audience and Singer Favorites Performances!
See the three previous entries for my "take" on our concerts this weekend – surefire pleasers with a sort of "Greatest Hits" feel, yet having the depth, richness and a taste of neglected masterworks that St. Martin's is known for. Details below, and I hope to see you there!
For Sunday's performance, get tickets in advance at (303) 298-1970 or through "Tickets" in the menu above.
*Be advised that Saturday's performance is a "Suggested Donation" event at regular ticket price levels, and no advance single tickets are being sold due to Archdiocesan policy; this means the likelihood of long at-the-door queues is high. (Come early!). There is also a Nuggets game at the Pepsi Center, which means that parking in the general area might be tighter than usual.


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http://media.blubrry.com/colonial_williamsburg/p/podcasts.history.org/122407/AnIrishChristmas.mP3
Learn more: Tavern balladeers
Lloyd Dobyns: Hi! Welcome to Colonial Williamsburg: Past & Present on history.org. This is "Behind the Scenes" where you meet the people who work here. That's my job. I'm Lloyd Dobyns, and mostly I ask questions.
America's Christmas traditions grew from a convergence of cultures as generations of immigrants brought old customs ashore.
The Irish are known as a musical people. Do you find that true? I suppose you would, or you wouldn't do it.
Kelly Kennedy: Coming from a family of six children and eight and nine aunts and uncles, every sort of Sunday was a singing party – yes, I would say, from my experience.
Lloyd: So what did the Irish bring, when it was time for the Irish to bring something? I know the Germans brought the Christmas tree.
Kelly: Right. Well, you know, I'm not sure. I think some of the traditions that are in Ireland are an amalgamation of things that were in England as well. There is a tradition that they still do in the west of Ireland, too. You leave something that – and we've kind of turned this into a Santa Claus thing – in Ireland you would leave something for the Christ child to eat when he came on Christmas Eve, that night. So you would leave a jug of milk, maybe a loaf of bread, a pint of Guiness, it depends. And of course you leave the door or window open a crack to let the Christ child in. We have the tradition here of leaving out cookies and milk for Santa. I don't know that the two are intertwined, but it's interesting to consider that kind of connection there.
Lloyd: On the other had, why not? You're leaving something to eat for whoever's bringing something to you.
Kelly: And it is, I think in Ireland certainly, it is a religious holiday. So, the consideration of the birth of Christ at that time was huge. So all the traditions that sprang out of that, and the songs come from the Christian tradition of the Christmas season. Santa Claus appeared in Ireland much later, as he appeared here much later as well.
Lloyd: Oh yeah, I've been talking to some people here who have studied Christmas in the 18th century, and you wouldn't recognize it, or compare it to Christmas today.
Kelly: No, no. They were lucky if they even acknowledged the day, actually.
Lloyd: It was a big church holiday, which I suspect it was in Ireland as well, for everybody.
Kelly: Music, I think. Again, certainly music came from everywhere to this country, but music was a huge part of people's life earlier on than it is now, I think. Certainly singing was an everyday part of life. Not everybody played an instrument, but everybody had a voice. So, all were encouraged …
Lloyd: Not me.
Kelly: Well, everybody's got a voice. Whether or not you can carry a tune is another question.
Lloyd: That's a separate idea, huh?
Kelly: But ah, singing was a huge thing in my family growing up. And I know it was big in my ancestors' families as well. It was a common occurrence to sit around the kitchen table and sing of an evening for entertainment. If somebody played an instrument, all the better. Singing was something that was part of your lifeblood.
Lloyd: OK, I'm remembering something that was told earlier about music in the 18th century at holiday time. No such thing in the 18th century as Christmas carols.
Kelly: No.
Lloyd: You sang hymns.
Kelly: Well certainly, particularly early in the 18th century, and the end of the 17th century, at church, you were lining out the Psalms. So the hymns were considered too secular to sing in church. But they were appropriate to sing at home, or sing in a tavern.
So, hymn-singing in Ireland – and actually, I have a couple of what would be called 18th-century hymns that are still sung today in the same places where they evolved in Ireland. And they're sung every Christmas Eve. They're just traditional songs that are about the Christmas season and that have been continuous since the 18th century. They're sung here in this country as well.
This is a very old carol from Wexford County, from the 18th century. It's still traditionally sung on Christmas Eve in Ireland.
(Sings.)
The darkest midnight in December
No snow, nor hail, nor winter storm
Shall hinder us for to remember
The night that on this babe was born
With shepherds, we are come to see
This lovely infant's glorious charms
Born of a maid, as the prophet said,
The God of love in Mary's arms
No costly gifts can we present him
No gold, no myrrh, no odor sweet
But if with hearts we can present him,
We humbly lay them at his feet
Then let us praise that we may
Our church and clergymen defend
God grant us peace in all our days
A merry Christmas and a happy end
Lloyd: I wonder when carols got to be more popular than hymns. Do you have any idea?
Kelly: Well, the term "carol" doesn't necessarily refer to Christmas. In other words, carols were songs that grew out of the scriptures that weren't necessarily from the bible or from written liturgical word. So, there were lots of carols about all the other – you know, there was Michaelmas – the older saint's days that we don't celebrate in this country, per se. And then there were Christmas carols. They were sort of ecumenical takes – would that be the right term? Yes, on ecumenical scripture. Musical ecumenical takes on scripture.
Lloyd: I like that description. We're going to keep working on it now ladies and gentlemen, we'll get it down to where it's absolutely perfect. I suppose that's true.
Kelly: That's the sort of churchy side. That doesn't address the very lively tradition of dance and house instrumental music, combined with singing, that came out of Ireland that I've been involved in. I grew up partly in the East Coast and partly in San Francisco, where we were members of the Irish-American society there in San Francisco. Every year, we were sent off to sing in the Irish singing competitions, and watch all the little dancers. And it all grew out of this tradition of playing music in your home. So people had parties and dances and music in their houses. In fact, some of the set dances people are doing today in Ireland are called "house sets" because they originated in the houses. When they got too big, they'd go out in the crossroads and dance.
I think we've become kind of insulated in terms of our entertainment. We don't make it for ourselves so much anymore. We rely on our iPod or our TV or our computer or whatever. So you go back to a slightly older way of life, and it makes sense. Singing is a self-conscious event, too. Nowadays people are self-conscious about singing. Still in Ireland, I think they're not. It's more a way of life.
This is an English carol, but this is the version they sing in Ireland, which has Scots-Irish overtones. It's a very sprightly version of "The Holly and the Ivy."
Oh, the holly and the ivy
When they were both full grown
Of all the trees that are in the wood
The holly tree bears the crown
Oh, the rising of the sun
The running of the deer
The playing of the merry organ
Sweet singing all in the choir
Oh the holly tree bears a blossom
As white as any milk
And Mary bore sweet Jesus Christ
All wrapped up in silk
Oh the holly tree bears a berry
As red as any blood
To do all sinners good
Oh the holly tree bears a bark
As bitter as any gall
For to redeem us all
in Holidays, Music | No comments
Tags: christmas, holidays, music