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text:
Legislature(2017 - 2018)CAPITOL 106
03/18/2017 03:00 PM HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
House HSS 03/18/2017 15:03
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03:03:19 PM Start
03:03:59 PM HB159
03:35:50 PM SB91
05:17:04 PM Adjourn
*+ HB 159 OPIOIDS;PRESCRIPTIONS;DATABASE;LICENSES TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
-- Testimony <Invitation Only> --
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled TELECONFERENCED
+ SB 91 EXTEND DISASTER EMERGENCY:OPIOID EPIDEMIC TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSSB 91(HSS) Out of Committee
Uniform Rule 23 Waived
+= HB 103 OPTOMETRY & OPTOMETRISTS TELECONFERENCED
Moved CSHB 103(HSS) Out of Committee
-- Public Testimony --
HB 103-OPTOMETRY & OPTOMETRISTS
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ announced that the final order of business would
be HOUSE BILL NO. 103, "An Act relating to the practice of
optometry."
[In front of the committee was the proposed committee substitute
for HB 103, Version D.]
BERNICE NISBETT, Staff, Representative Ivy Spohnholz, Alaska
State Legislature, paraphrased from the sponsor statement
[Included in members' packets] which read:
HB  103 modernizes  and  updates  the Alaska  Optometry
Statute,  as  many parts  are  over  50 years  old.  It
allows the  optometry board  the authority  to regulate
its  practice  the  same as  other  prescribing  health
professions  such as  dentistry, medicine  and nursing.
This bill  also allows the  board to continue  to adopt
regulations, updated to current  practice and moves the
continuing  education   (CE)  requirements   back  into
regulations. Continuing education  is still required by
current  statute, but  the hours  and subjects  will be
determined  by the  board  as  with other  professions.
This change allows the board  flexibility to control CE
requirements and  is recommended  by the  Department of
Commerce,  Community  and   Economic  Development.  The
current  regulations require  more  CE  hours than  the
statute subsection deleted by  this bill. HB 103 allows
the  optometry  board   to  determine  prescribed  drug
schedules,  including  standards   and  limitations  on
practice  determined by  the  board.  The bill  ensures
that no  licensee may perform any  procedure beyond the
scope  of  the   licensee's  education,  training,  and
experience  as established  by the  board. This  allows
for future new and  improved diagnostic and therapeutic
procedures  as  determined  by  the  board,  while  not
having  to  return to  the  legislature  for every  new
technological advance, which is  currently the case and
unnecessarily burdensome.  The optometry  definition in
this bill is updated  to reflect current and modern-day
MS. NISBETT paraphrased from the Sectional Analysis [Included in
members' packets], which read:
Section   1  AS.08.72.050   (4)(6)  updates   very  old
statutes to indicate that  regulations shall be adopted
to  govern   the  current   prescription  and   use  of
pharmaceutical  agents; and  develop uniform  standards
for the practice of optometry.
Section 2  AS.08.72.060 (c)(4) the board  shall publish
advisory opinions regarding  standards for the practice
of optometry.
Section   3  AS   08.72.181(d)  moves   the  continuing
education  (CE) requirements  back into  regulation, as
desired by  the Department  of Commerce,  Community and
Economic  Development.  Continuing education  is  still
required  by   current  statute,  but  the   hours  and
subjects will be determined by the board.
Section  4   AS  08.72.272(a)  clarifies   the  current
statute for the board  to regulate pharmaceutical agent
prescription  including  standards and  limitations  on
practice determined by the board.
Section 5  AS 08.72.278  Limitation on practice  adds a
new   section  that   sets  limitations   on  services,
ensuring  that   the  board   may  not   authorize  any
procedure beyond the scope  of the licensee's education
and experience.
Section  6   AS  08.72.300(3)  updates   the  optometry
definition to reflect current practice.
Section  7  Effective  date  for  Section  2.  This  is
because (3) of  Section 2 was added to  statute in 2016
via Senate  Bill 74, the  Medicaid Reform bill,  and it
had the effective date of  July 2017, so (4) is written
to  comply with  that  date as  well. (per  Legislative
Drafting)
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ opened public testimony.
JILL GEERING  MATHESON, OD,  reported that  she was  a practicing
doctor of  optometry and  that she  had testified  numerous times
before  legislative  committees  in  support of  changes  to  the
optometry statute  over the  last 25 years.   She  explained that
those  statutes  had  allowed  doctors  of  optometry  to  safely
practice  to the  level of  their  training and  education.   She
asked for support  to proposed HB 103, explaining  that the state
boards  and  commissions  were appointed  and  confirmed  by  the
Alaska State  Legislature to  represent the  people of  Alaska in
these areas of expertise.  She  explained that the state chose to
set up separate  boards for each medical  profession because each
profession was unique  and the oversight needed to  be handled by
the  members of  that profession.   She  noted that  the approved
statutes were  very broad  for the  medical board,  the dentistry
board, and the Board of  Advanced Practice Nurses, and that these
boards  could autonomously  manage  their respective  professions
within the  law in an honest,  safe and responsible manner.   She
pointed  out  that  the  optometry   statute,  however,  was  too
complicated and  restrictive.   Proposed HB  103 would  allow the
State Board of  Examiners in Optometry to have  the same autonomy
as the other  boards.  She assured the committee  that, as a past
president of the state optometry  board, the board acted with the
same level  of professionalism and  safety as  the aforementioned
boards.  She reiterated that the  proposed bill was not about eye
surgery,  even though  doctors of  optometry had  performed minor
eye  surgery for  many years.   They  were trained  in depth  for
these  procedures,  which  were   routine  within  the  scope  of
practice.   She declared that  she would  no more perform  an eye
surgery that she  was not trained for than  any other profession.
She   offered  her   belief  that   all  professions,   including
optometry,  must evolve  and there  was  no way  to predict  what
tools and  options a doctor of  optometry would need in  20 years
to protect or cure the vision of  a patient.  She stated that the
proposed  bill allowed  the  profession to  evolve  and make  the
necessary  changes.   HB  103  allowed  doctors of  optometry  in
Alaska to  operate with the  same autonomy,  respect, efficiency,
and   oversight   as   the   other   professional   health   care
practitioners were granted.
REPRESENTATIVE SULLIVAN-LEONARD  asked about the  minor surgeries
performed by optometrists.
DR.  MATHESON explained  that  the most  common  surgery was  for
removal of a  foreign body, and that these had  been approved and
authorized for almost 25 years.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR offered her  belief that practitioners should
be authorized  to practice to  their full scope and  be regulated
by peer professionals.   She stated her support  for the proposed
bill.   She said that  regulations would be drafted,  which would
be followed by  a public comment period  when professionals could
speak out,  and if there  was anything questionable,  the process
would reveal any problems.
DR. MATHESON  expressed her agreement that  any complaint brought
to the board would be investigated,  and there could be a vote to
see if  there should be a  sanction on an optometrist.   She said
that the  legal process would also  be started.  She  stated that
there had not been any  sanctions against optometrists during her
8 years on the board.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR  asked if the regulations  were available for
public comment.
DR. MATHESON  expressed her agreement,  and explained  that after
the  regulations were  set, they  went  to Department  of Law  to
ensure they  met the law, went  out for public comment,  and were
again voted on by the board.
REPRESENTATIVE  EASTMAN  stated  that the  investigation  process
could be very  costly, even if they did not  result in sanctions.
He asked if  there was any hesitation due to  the potential of an
increase to liability cost.
DR. MATHESON  replied that  she was not  aware of  any opposition
from optometrists  for that reason,  and she explained  that this
could lead  to an  increase in  licensing fees  at a  later time.
She offered her  belief that optometrists and the  board were all
"a pretty conservative bunch."
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ  pointed out that  Dr. Matheson was  a practicing
optometrist and  not necessarily an  expert on the  operations of
the board.
REPRESENTATIVE  EASTMAN asked  why  the optometry  board was  not
currently treated like the other boards.
DR. MATHESON offered her belief that  this had just been a matter
of time, and, as other parts  of the statute had been cleaned up,
this was now the final stage.
HARRIET MILKS,  Assistant Attorney  General, Commercial  and Fair
Business  Section, Civil  Division (Juneau),  Department of  Law,
said that she represented professional licensing boards.
REPRESENTATIVE TARR asked about the process.
MS. MILKS,  in response,  said that  the board  typically drafted
the proposed regulation, and it  often took time to determine the
language which represented  the inclination of the  board.  Then,
the proposed  regulation went out  for public comment.   It could
go out  more than once  for public comment  and for more  than 30
days.  She  noted that, based on public comment,  the board could
revisit the  regulation, and if  there were  substantial changes,
it would again go out for  public comment.  She acknowledged that
the transparency  of this process  could sometimes  frustrate the
public for  the amount of  time necessary to adopt  a regulation.
She added that the board did  discuss the scope of practice.  She
said that typically  the health care related boards  met at least
two or  three times  each year,  and that  the public  was always
advised.
RACHEL   REINHARDT,  MD,   American  Academy   of  Ophthalmology,
reported  that she  was a  board-certified ophthalmologist.   She
stated her  opposition to  proposed HB  103.   She said  that the
primary goal  of any legislation  involving medical care  was for
patient  safety.   She stated  that HB  103 removed  the existing
surgery restrictions,  and would redefine  the field.   She asked
that it be clearly specified in  the law that surgery was outside
the  scope of  practice for  optometry.   She  said that  without
specific language to restrict surgery,  Alaska would be the first
state  to  adopt  such  broad  unprecedented  legislation.    She
suggested  that  the  definition  of  surgery  be  added  to  the
proposed bill,  and that  surgery be  expressly prohibited.   She
noted  that the  Board of  Optometry could  still govern  its own
profession, even though  surgery was prohibited.   She offered an
example of the lack of restrictions  under the Oklahoma law.  She
said that  a major  study released  in July  2016 had  data which
concluded that optometrists doing  laser surgery in Oklahoma were
causing  patient harm  and  increasing health  care  costs.   She
stated  that  the proposed  bill  would  result in  unprecedented
sweeping  change  in the  practice  of  optometry, with  profound
implications  for patient  safety.   She said  that, at  the very
least the proposed bill needed  a definition of surgery to ensure
public safety.   She made  the distinction that  optometry school
was  not a  medical education  or  a surgical  education, as  the
students received approximately one  tenth of the clinical hours.
She  concluded by  stating that  prescription narcotic  death was
the leading  cause of unintended  death in the country,  and that
HB  103 would  allow optometrists  to prescribe  these narcotics.
She  declared that  this was  not the  time to  expand who  could
prescribe these medications.
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR  said that  there  was  a challenge  from  a
shortage of  providers in  every area of  health care  in Alaska.
She suggested that  the proposed bill offered  an opportunity for
trained professionals  to meet  this need for  health care.   She
relayed that the optometrists wanted  to continue with the things
they had already done for the past decade.
DR. REINHARDT relayed that there  were 26 ophthalmologists in the
State of  Alaska and that the  State of Washington had  a similar
ratio of  ophthalmologists to the  population.   She acknowledged
that the Alaska  population was spread over  remote areas, though
she stated  that the State  of Washington had patients  in remote
areas, as  well.   She said  that it was  important to  note that
ophthalmologists had  a responsibility for  patient safety.   She
suggested  that  there was  a  nationwide  trend of  optometrists
introducing  vague  bills with  the  intention  of expanding  the
scope to include surgery.
REPRESENTATIVE  JOHNSTON  asked  about the  committee  substitute
which had removed the reference to surgery.
DR.  REINHARDT explained  that the  committee substitute  did not
change  Sections  5 and  6,  which  offered new  definitions  for
optometry, which  inserted language for treatment  or performance
of  preventive procedures.    She stated  that  the inclusion  of
treatment opened  the door  for any  treatment modality  to treat
any and  all eye diseases, and  it included surgery.   She deemed
that  the crux  of  the  issue was  that  the  new definition  of
optometry could be interpreted to include all surgeries.
VICTORIA BLOWER,  OD, Optometrist,  shared that  she had  been in
optometric practice  in Anchorage for  32 years.  She  stated her
support  for HB  103.    She reported  that  technology and  best
practices had advanced to allow  for superior medical care, which
included eye  care.  She  pointed out that the  statute governing
the optometry board was more than  40 years old and did not allow
for  reaction   to  the  rapidly  changing   environment  without
repeatedly  going to  the Alaska  State  Legislature for  action.
She noted  that the  protocols had been  extended to  protect the
public.  She shared her respect  for the Board of Optometry.  She
said  it  was  unfair  and   a  waste  of  resources  to  prevent
optometrists from  providing care at  the highest level  of their
education and training,  as this did include  knowledge about the
entire body.   She  pointed out  that, as so  much of  Alaska was
rural, most  of the eye  care was  administered by the  more than
150  optometrists  serving  in  80  communities.    She  directed
attention  to   a  letter  of   support  from  the  CEO   of  the
Southcentral  Foundation.   She  expressed her  objection to  the
argument that  optometrists could  not be  trusted to  have sound
judgement about their skills and  training, thereby not acting in
the public's  best interest.   She  offered examples  about other
medical professions working within  their education and training.
She  stated that  HB 103  would modernize  the statute  and allow
detailed legislation to be determined  by the optometry board, as
was the current standard in  all other prescribing professions in
Alaska.    It would  also  streamline  the legislative  governing
process  and bring  the best  practices to  the residents  of the
state in a cost-effective manner.
KARL ROSEN, MD, Ophthalmologist, voiced  his strong opposition to
the proposed bill.  He reported  that he had been in practice for
23 years  in Anchorage.   He  shared his  educational background.
He declared that  the proposed bill was the  most expansive scope
of  practice  bill  in  the  country.   He  said  that  the  bill
dismissed  the  rigorous  training  of an  ophthalmologist.    He
offered  his belief  that the  optometry board,  a group  of non-
surgeons,   was  going   to  decide   which  potential   surgical
privileges  would  be  allowed.   He  suggested  to  correct  the
proposed  bill by  providing an  amendment with  a definition  of
surgery.   He declared that  the optometry board already  had the
ability to regulate  its profession.  He shared  an article which
refuted  the statement  that more  optometrists doing  procedures
would  cut costs,  and he  directed  attention to  a study  which
determined  that more  than twice  the  number of  eyes were  re-
treated    after   laser    surgery   by    optometrists   versus
ophthalmologists.  He stated that  health policy makers should be
cautious about  approving laser privileges for  optometrists.  He
pointed out  that optometrists  did not  take hospital  calls and
did  not   have  hospital  privileges,  and   if  a  complication
occurred,  there would  be the  need  to transfer  patients to  a
hospital.   He declared  "you can't  get good  doing a  couple of
procedures a  year."  He  said that insurance carriers  would not
accept CPT codes  by optometrists.  He declared  that, should all
privileges be  made similar, then  there needed to be  an equally
strong legislative effort  to ensure that all  aspects of school,
training,  and  continued competency  were  also  similar, or  it
would become a two-tiered system  for patients.  He declared that
the  proposed  bill  would  make  it  difficult  to  recruit  new
ophthalmologists to Alaska.
REPRESENTATIVE KITO asked  how much of his  educational study and
experience provided  for vision and eye,  or was most of  it just
DR. ROSEN explained his education  and background, which included
three years  of ophthalmology  residency of  more than  110 hours
each week.  He stated that it was  not a job, it was a lifestyle,
a culture.   He shared  that studying  at a major  medical center
included  interaction with  the  other colleges  and allowed  for
better communication with the other areas of medicine.
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR  said  that   she  shared  the  concern  for
surgeries by properly  trained individuals.   She  mused that, if
the  Board of  Optometry wanted  to propose  regulations allowing
performance of  Lasik surgery, those regulations  would be opened
for a public  comment period.  She offered her  belief that those
with views  similar to Dr.  Rosen would speak out  in opposition.
She said  that she did not  see the circumstance to  which he was
worried actually happening, as it  would not make its way through
the public process.
DR. ROSEN  replied that this  was an ideological question  and he
asked if optometry  was being redefined.  He said  that there had
been a change in the past  10 years, and that optometry wanted to
be something else.   He stated that there had  been a process for
standardization in the American Medical System since 1910.
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR   reiterated  that  she  could   not  see  a
circumstance where this would happen.
DR. ROSEN  said most providers  followed their oath,  although he
was there to  protect the public from the outliers.   He reminded
that there was method in place for licensing.
ALFRED   DERAMUS,   MD,   Ophthalmologist,  stated   his   gentle
opposition  to the  proposed bill.   He  said that  this was  the
latest legislation  on which he  had been testifying  since 1982.
He said  that the ophthalmologist  purview for the  definition of
surgery  was   different  than  the  definition   of  surgery  by
optometry.    His problem was that the  proposed legislation left
an opening for interpretation that  treatment for all eye disease
could  include surgery.   He  declared that  "we should  be very,
very   careful   about   this  bill."      He   emphasized   that
ophthalmologists were  concerned that optometrists  would perform
ophthalmic surgeries and be protected by the definition.
REPRESENTATIVE  JOHNSTON  asked what  type  of  surgery would  be
DR. DERAMUS  replied that the  definition was open ended,  and he
offered an example for the  removal of a superficial foreign body
versus a deeply imbedded foreign body in the cornea.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ  referenced the  earlier testimony  regarding the
regulatory process  for changing regulations around  the practice
of optometry and  asked if he was concerned that  there would not
be the  opportunity to testify and  for those concerns to  be put
on the record.
DR. DERAMUS expressed  his agreement that he would  be allowed to
testify, and, in  response to Chair Spohnholz, that  he was aware
that the meetings of the Board  of Optometry were all public.  He
replied  that he  had only  testified on  one occasion  regarding
various optometric bills,  and that he had  found that, regarding
the experience,  he had been  able to  present his point  of view
and have it  weighed by the board.  In  further response to Chair
Spohnholz, he said  that he had always  been treated respectfully
by the board.
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR  reiterated  that  she  could  not  see  the
circumstance  whereby optometrists  were given  the authority  to
perform procedures that offered  concern to ophthalmologist.  She
stated  that there  were "bad  actors  that are  in the  provider
community whether  it be for  dental care or physical  therapy or
other areas."
DR. DERAMUS  said that the  reality of  life goes far  beyond the
written or  spoken word.   He  said that  the pain  of experience
from a surprise was "where you  really find out where you stand."
He offered an example for a seemingly minor accident.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ  asked if he  was suggesting that  an optometrist
might try to treat this incident in an emergency room.
DR. DERAMUS replied  that he did not believe  that an optometrist
would  be  in  the  operating  room because  they  did  not  have
admitting privileges.
DAVID  ZUMBRO, MD,  Ophthalmologist, shared  his background  as a
retina surgeon.   He  offered his belief  that the  proposed bill
"radically  redefines optometry"  as optometry  did not  have any
procedural background  in its  training or  practice.   He stated
that the proposed bill removed  the prohibition against lasers in
surgery.    He  declared  that there  was  a  difference  between
optometry and ophthalmology.   He offered an example  of some co-
workers who  were optometrists  and had gone  back to  school for
ophthalmology.  He stated that they  were not given any credit by
the  medical school  for their  doctor of  optometry degree.   He
offered his belief that the  regulations had changed in 2008 when
prescriptive  authority  advanced  the  scope  of  the  optometry
practice.  The proposed bill was  too vague and open ended, as it
removed the  specific prohibition  against lasers in  surgery and
allowed non-physicians to  regulate the practice of  surgery.  He
declared  that the  focus  of  any health  care  issue should  be
patient safety.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ asked where the  legislation changed the scope of
DR. ZUMBRO explained that the  removal of the prohibition against
lasers  in surgery  and the  allowance for  the treatment  of eye
conditions  were worrisome,  as  it would  allow optometrists  to
expand the scope of practice.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ stated that the  proposed bill did not remove any
limitations, but only  added language for the  opportunity to use
pharmaceutical  agents  for  the  treatment of  eye  disease  and
develop uniform  standards for  the practice  of optometry.   She
said  that  it  rescinded  the   limitations  on  the  amount  of
education, as  the continuing education requirements  had already
been expanded.
DR.  ZUMBRO  suggested that  an  amendment  defining eye  surgery
would offer clarity for all the parties.
PAUL  BARNEY,  OD,  Chair,  Board  of  Optometry,  reassured  the
committee  that the  board did  not have  the authority  to write
regulations  for  anything that  optometrists  did  not have  the
education  to do,  and  that  the purpose  of  the  board was  to
protect the public.  In  response to Representative Tarr, he said
that he supported the bill.
ELIZABETH  MORGAN,   MD,  Ophthalmologist,  said  that   she  had
practiced in Anchorage  for almost 14 years, and  that she worked
closely with  optometrists, especially  in working  with glaucoma
patients.    She lauded  the  relationship  and stated  that  the
proposed  bill   created  a  divisive   force  between   the  two
practices.   She  said  that ophthalmologists  took  eye care  of
individuals very  seriously and  they were  adamant if  there was
something  that  threatened the  patient's  best  interest.   She
offered her  belief that the problem  with the bill was  that the
language was  "a bit  open ended."   She  suggested that  the two
groups of providers  arrive at a common  definition for treatment
that was in the best interest of the patient.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked for that definition for treatment.
DR. MORGAN offered her belief that  both sides needed to agree on
the definition of surgery.
DAVID  KARPIK, OD,  stated that  he  was an  optometrist and  his
group provided the  majority of eye care on  the Kenai Peninsula.
He reported that  he was also the medical  director [indisc], and
that  these  practices  offered similar  comprehensive  eye  care
services  and  worked  in conjunction  with  other  primary  care
providers.   He declared that  this model was cost  effective and
in  the patient's  best interest.   He  stated that  optometrists
practiced in small  communities throughout Alaska and  had a long
history  of compassionate  conservative  care.   He referenced  a
recent study  which reported  that Alaska was  last in  access to
health  care, and  that this  was an  opportunity to  help change
that alarming statistic.  He  said that all health care providers
practiced  to the  extent of  their ever-evolving  training.   He
declared that  optometrists have had full  prescribing privileges
for 10 years.   He pointed out that optometrists  had been safely
performing procedures for decades,  noting that they had training
on the entire body.  He  said that some schools duplicate medical
and dental courses for the first few years of the program.
ERIC COULTER,  MD, Ophthalmologist,  referenced a letter  that he
had  sent  to  the  committee,   and  shared  that  he  had  good
relationships with optometrists.   He stated that privileges were
delineated  through  hospitals  and   surgery  centers  and  were
outlined by  law.  He  expressed his concern that  the optometric
community  would  not let  the  public  know the  differences  in
medical training.   He declared  that the proposed bill  needed a
definition of surgery.
ERIK CHRISTIANSON,  OD, Optometrist,  said that  he was  the only
full-time eye care provider in  the community.  He suggested that
the  proposed   bill  was  modernizing  language   to  allow  the
profession to move  forward and regulate similar  to other health
care  providers.    He  said  that   the  goal  was  to  work  as
effectively as possible, and that  there were a variety of little
procedures  that could  be  done often  enough to  be  good.   He
expressed his concern for the  rural communities to get qualified
health  care providers,  and,  unless there  was  the ability  to
practice  to the  level of  training,  it would  be difficult  to
attract them.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ closed public testimony.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ stated  that the proposed bill  was introduced to
modernize the way optometry was managed  in Alaska, as it was the
only health  profession in  the state where  it was  necessary to
visit in statute every time a  small change was made to education
or scope of  practice.  She pointed out that  things changed more
rapidly than the legislature could  move.  She offered her belief
that there were  enough tools in the regulatory  process to allow
for robust  public participation  and opportunities  for concerns
to be expressed  and to ensure that the Board  of Optometry would
not "go rogue."   She added that the proposed  bill would get the
legislature out  of the  business of  micromanaging optometrists.
She shared  a personal  story of  an eye  surgery performed  by a
local optometrist.   She offered her  belief that it was  best to
not define  "surgery" in statute  as it  was a complex  and broad
term.   She  shared that  it was  very difficult  to arrive  at a
definition  of  "surgery"  which  met  all  the  criteria.    She
suggested that  it was best  to let the regulatory  process work.
She  said  that  best  management   practices  were  to  delegate
authority  to   the  lowest  possible  level,   and  allow  those
professionals the opportunity to perform  their work.  She lauded
the  "robust regulatory  process as  it related  to the  way that
board regulations were adopted."
REPRESENTATIVE  JOHNSTON asked  how the  board for  chiropractors
regulated in Alaska.
MS. MILKS, in response, explained  that the Board of Chiropractic
Examiners  was  managed  with  the same  legal  advice  from  the
Department  of Law  as  the other  boards.   She  stated that  an
Assistant Attorney General  was assigned to advise  in both board
procedure   and   procedure   for   constructing   and   adopting
regulations, and  that sometimes  the Assistant  Attorney General
would attend the board meetings.
REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSTON asked if there  was a similar process for
change  which required  bringing proposed  changes to  the Alaska
State Legislature.
MS.  MILKS   replied  that   all  the   boards  were   under  the
Administrative Procedure Act  (APA).  She explained  that the APA
set  out  the  procedures  for adopting  regulations  and  having
hearings,  and  that  all  the  boards were  under  the  APA  and
followed the same rules with respect to adoption of regulations.
REPRESENTATIVE  EASTMAN shared  that the  board of  chiropractors
were  very proud  of  their  process, as  they  had pursued  some
unique approaches  to their  profession.   He expressed  his hope
that the Board of Optometry would  review this example.  He asked
whether an expanded scope for  optometrists would result in fewer
ophthalmologists.
CHAIR SPOHNHOLZ  emphasized that she  did not, as the  sponsor of
the  proposed bill,  introduce  the bill  because  of the  unique
nature of  the state.   She said  that this was  a response  to a
comparison of the  State of Alaska to the State  of Washington by
an  earlier testifier.    She  declared that  the  intent of  the
proposed  bill was  not  to  expand the  scope  of  the Board  of
Optometry,  but instead  to  delegate  discussions regarding  the
practice  of optometry  to the  Board of  Optometry, rather  than
having it done in statute on an annual basis.
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR said  that she  would have  concerns if  the
regulations  allowed for  optometrists  to  perform eye  surgery.
She offered her  understanding that this was beyond  the scope of
practice,  and she  could not  see a  circumstance in  which this
would be the result.  She  declared that there were many barriers
to expansion  of specialties.   She opined that with  the limited
number of providers  it was necessary to take  the opportunity to
allow practice  to the full  scope of  training.  She  added that
the health care  fields were always evolving, and  she stated her
support of HB 103.
REPRESENTATIVE  TARR  moved  to  report  CSHB  103,  Version  30-
LS0459\D,  Bruce,  2/21/17,  out  of  committee  with  individual
recommendations and  the accompanying fiscal notes.   There being
no objection, CSHB 103 (HSS) was  moved from the House Health and
Social Services Standing Committee.
HB0159 ver A 3.6.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
HHSS 3/25/2017 3:00:00 PM
HHSS 4/4/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB159 Sponsor Statement 3.6.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 159 Sectional Analysis ver A 3.6.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB159 Fiscal Note DHSS-PHAS 3.6.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
SB 91 ver A.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
SB091 Sponsor Statement 3.16.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
SB091 ver J 3.16.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
SB091 Sectional Analysis ver J 3.16.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
SB091 Additional Documents-Explanation of Changes, ver J 3.17.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
SB091 Fiscal Note DHSS-PHAS ver J 3.16.17.pdf HHSS 3/18/2017 3:00:00 PM
SB 36 Opposition Letter Coulter MD vs. SB36 HB103.pdf HHSS 3/16/2017 3:00:00 PM
SFIN 3/14/2017 9:00:00 AM
HB 103 Draft Proposed Blank CS ver D 3.13.2017.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Explanation of Changes (CS) 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Letters of Support 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Fiscal Note DCCED--DCBPL 3.13.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Sectional Analysis (CS) 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Sponsor Statement 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Supporting Document Ohio State Optometry Curriculum 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Supporting Document Medical Liability Premiums Fact Sheet 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Supporting Document Regulation Flow Chart 3-10-17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Supporting Document-Board of the Examiners in Optometry.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Supporting Document-Optometrists Practicing in AK 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Supporting Documents Optometry Education Flyer 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB103 Career Guide Optometry 2.22.17.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB103 Letters of Opposition-Support.pdf HHSS 3/14/2017 3:00:00 PM
HB 103 Opposing Document--Letters 3.15.17.pdf HHSS 3/16/2017 3:00:00 PM

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


What is the difference between kernels for resampling?
Here we show two common kernels. Note that the tent function has kinks in it, whereas the sinc function in smooth.
The kinks result in stellation Mach bands when interpolating.
When decimating, the tent function is not that good at supressing aliasing, whereas the Lanczos-windowed sinc fiunction attenuates super-Nyquist detail to gray.


Municipal or city water is delivered to our homes from a Public Water Supply (PWS) and is regulated by health authorities. Nevertheless, water quality issues can arise.
Being aware of the challenges facing municipalities can help you choose what type of water treatment you want for your home or office.
Municipal infrastructure woes are just some of the issues plaguing North America's water supplies. From overloaded and outdated water treatment plants to crumbling pipes nearing the end of their life, these concerns are forcing people everywhere to pay more attention to where their water comes from and how it gets to them, as well as learn how to protect themselves and their families from the risks of water-borne illnesses.
Municipal water can be deemed perfectly safe when it leaves the treatment plant. Nonetheless, boil water alerts (BWA) happen frequently as a result of the unexpected. Many times a boil water alert is issued 24 – 48 hours after contamination has occurred.
General interruption of water treatment processes.


The federal government has slammed plans by business to go it alone on climate and energy policy but industry leaders are holding their ground and have the backing of Labor and the Greens.
Energy Australia chief executive Catherine Tanna, who is also a board member of the Reserve Bank of Australia, said the policy vacuum created by the government abandoning its commitment to the National Energy Guarantee was "not in Australia's national interest".
Ms Tanna backed the idea of creating an independent RBA for the energy market, saying "years of policy paralysis interspersed with intense bursts of market intervention have not led to good outcomes".
"The concept of asking independent institutions to guide energy tends to attract scepticism, even ridicule. But the blame-game isn't getting us anywhere and we're running out of time and people to trust," she told The Australian Financial Review Energy Summit on Thursday.
"Just as the RBA is responsible for monetary policy, our independent energy institutions might take charge of delivering carbon policy. For example, the Australian Energy Market Commission might do this with advice from the Australian Energy Market Operator and the Australian Energy Regulator."
On Thursday, the Financial Review revealed the nation's energy companies and biggest electricity users had given up on federal politics and begun backroom talks about a self-regulated package of measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, restore energy reliability and improve investor stability.
The go-it-alone initiative is being led by the Business Council of Australia and involves more than 20 companies that comprise the BCA's Energy and Climate Change Committee, including energy generators and retailers, manufacturers, mining giants and gas and oil multinationals.
The revelation sparked a backlash from the government with Prime MinIster Scott Morrison suggesting it was unnecessary and Resources Minister Matt Canavan, who backed the NEG, accusing business of lacking humility and getting ahead of itself.
"We have a way of resolving fraught political dispute in Australia, it's called democracy, and I don't think the corporate sector is a replacement for democracy," Senator Canavan said. "I don't think some kind of corporatocracy or technocracy is a better outcome than democracy."
He said disagreements between political parties were "a healthy thing" in a democracy but they should be "resolved through elections and the emergence of governments who do have a mandate from the Australian people".
The BCA initiative began when the NEG collapsed and is driven by a belief there will never be a political consensus on energy policy, which the sector craves. The NEG would have mandated power retailers meet reliability and emissions reduction targets.
Mr Morrison rejected suggestions the unilateral action by business showed energy policy was out of control.
"No, I think that's rubbish," Mr Morrison said. He said the government still backed the states adopting the NEG's reliability mechanism and the government was committed to the Paris targets of reducing emissions by 26 per cent to 28 per cent over 2005 levels by 2030, albeit passively.
"What I don't accept is that there's any lack of certainty about what the emissions reduction commitments of our government is. Everybody knows what they are and we are meeting them," he claimed.
The government has abandoned any policy that would mandate emissions reduction, believing Australia will meet its Paris commitments in a canter. Its energy focus is solely on interventionist measures backed by the threat of a royal commission to force down power prices.
Labor energy spokesman Mark Butler said Senator Canavan's attack on business was "extraordinary" and had "risen to a new, unhinged pitch".
"It's hard to imagine a government being more against action on climate than one which attacks business leaders for wanting to take action when government fails to," he said.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said her home state of South Australia was "being let down by the Liberal Party, with even its big business allies now abandoning the Morrison government and having to go it alone on taking climate action".
Alinta Energy chief executive Jeff Dimery said he wasn't surprised at the go-it-alone approach because the corporate sector knew where the future was headed. "At a business level we're all headed to the same space," Mr Dimery said.
He said companies were taking matters into their own hands and were moving faster than government policy at the moment. "All of us are getting on with it," he said, referring to the transition to a lower-carbon economy which was under way at various speeds around the world.
Senex Energy chief executive Ian Davies said the one thing the corporate sector needed for decision-making was certainty in policy. Senex has grown to a sharemarket capitalisation of $700 million-plus, and Mr Davies said business wanted to plan ahead without policy changing all the time.
Ms Tanna told the government to drop its "big stick approach" and deliver a policy that sent "the right signals for industry to build the assets we need, signals for reliability and security, in lock-step with an emissions trajectory".
Mr Dimery said Alinta had in a practical sense adopted the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission report on electricity pricing as de-facto legislation because it appeared to have the backing of the federal government and the Labor Party.


text:
Juan Marichal clubbed John Roseboro 50 years ago in ugly, iconic incident
KEVIN STONE, ESPN.COM via <a href="http://espn.go.com/" title="ESPN" class="espn_sc_byline">ESPN </a>
— -- On Aug. 22, 1965, a season-high crowd of 42,807 packed Candlestick Park for a key National League matchup between baseball's biggest rivals. With two future Hall of Famers on the mound, it promised to be a memorable afternoon.
It certainly was, but not because the San Francisco Giants beat the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 or because of the pitching performances by Sandy Koufax and Juan Marichal. And not because the game featured four future Hall of Famers (the two aces along with the Giants' Willie Mays and Willie McCovey) and four members of the that year's NL All-Star team (Dodgers shortstop Maury Wills, Koufax, Mays and Marichal).
The contest is still remembered for arguably the ugliest moment in MLB history. In the bottom of the third inning, Marichal infamously clubbed Dodgers catcher John Roseboro over the head with a bat, an action never seen before or again on a major league field.
On the 50th anniversary of that incident, here are 10 things you should know about a game that left a permanent scar on the face of baseball:
1. It was an important matchup in the pennant race
The Dodgers, Giants and Milwaukee Braves were in a heated battle for the NL lead at the time. San Francisco's win that day pulled them even with the Braves for second place, half a game behind the Dodgers. The Braves collapsed down the stretch and finished in fifth place, 11 games out. The Dodgers wound up edging the Giants by two games for the pennant and went on to beat the Minnesota Twins in the World Series.
2. Trouble was brewing early
Dodgers-Giants games were always intense, and emotions were high during the previous three games of the four-game series. Wills led off the series finale with a bunt single, and when he came to the plate again in the second inning, Marichal knocked him down with a high-and-tight fastball. Koufax sent a return message in the bottom of the second, firing a fastball over Mays' head to the backstop. Marichal responded in the top of third with an inside fastball that sent Ron Fairly sprawling. That prompted home plate umpire Shag Crawford to issue a warning that the next close pitch would result in an ejection.
3. Roseboro buzzed Marichal's head with a ball
Roseboro didn't want Koufax to get ejected -- and Koufax didn't like throwing at hitters -- but the catcher didn't want Marichal to get away with dusting his teammates. When Marichal led off the bottom of the third, he took the first pitch for a strike. Koufax's second pitch was a ball inside that Roseboro dropped. He moved behind Marichal to pick it up and whizzed the ball back to Koufax close to the batter's face (Roseboro admitted in his autobiography that it was no accident).
Marichal, who said the throw actually clipped his ear, turned to confront Roseboro. Expletives were exchanged and Roseboro stepped toward Marichal, who raised his bat and brought it down on Roseboro's head.
"I was afraid he was going to hit me with his mask, so I hit him with my bat," Marichal said in an apology issued the next day.
Benches emptied, and chaos ensued. As in most baseball fights, some of those involved played peacekeeper and others threw punches.
4. Mays kept things from getting worse
An enraged Roseboro, who had boxing and martial arts training, went hard after Marichal. Roseboro was briefly knocked to the ground in the ensuing melee, while Marichal, who had continued swinging his bat, was tackled from behind by Crawford, the umpire. Roseboro continued after Marichal until getting stopped by Mays, a good friend despite their teams' rivalry. Mays helped get the bleeding Roseboro under control and escorted him away from the fighting, even tending to his friend's wound.
"They can thank Mays that there wasn't a real riot out there," Dodgers outfielder Lou Johnson told the Los Angeles Times. "If it wasn't for Willie Mays it could have been a lot worse. Willie did a hell of a job stopping the battle."
The Times' game story said the incident delayed the game for 14 minutes.
5. Marichal's penalty seems paltry by today's standards
Marichal was ejected and Roseboro left the game injured (he would need 14 stitches to close the gash on his head). Roseboro would miss the next two games before returning to action. Marichal was suspended for eight game days (10 games because of doubleheaders) and fined a then-record $1,750 (which translates to about $15,000 today). Roseboro would sue Marichal for $110,000 in damages, and the case was eventually settled with Roseboro receiving $7,500.
6. There was some collateral damage
Roseboro wasn't the only one to sustain an injury in the melee. After being tackled by Crawford and disarmed, Marichal defended himself from the ground with kicks. He spiked Dodgers reliever Howie Reed in the thigh and Johnson in the ankle. Crawford's hand was cut when somebody stepped on it.
7. Both pitchers were was shaky after the incident
Koufax entered the day with a 21-4 record. Later during the inning in which the fight occurred, he walked two batters before allowing a three-run homer to Mays that gave the Giants a 4-2 lead they wouldn't relinquish. Koufax also lost his next two starts. It was the only losing streak he sustained that year, when he finished 26-8 and won the second of his three career Cy Young Awards.
After missing two starts because of his suspension, Marichal went 3-4 over his final nine appearances of the season to finish at 22-13. His ERA was 1.78 before the fight and 3.55 after it.
8. The rest of the game: Bullpen bailed out Giants
Rookie infielder Bob Schroder completed the at-bat for Marichal and struck out after inheriting a 1-1 count. Ron Herbel relieved Marichal and pitched 5? innings to get the victory, and Masanori Murakami got the final two outs for the save. A year earlier, Murakami had become the first Japanese-born player to appear in a major league game. Roseboro was replaced in the Dodgers' lineup by Jeff Torborg, who would go on to manage five major league teams and win the AL Manager of the Year Award with the Chicago White Sox in 1990.
9. Marichal and Roseboro had other things on their minds
Real-world events had been a distraction for both players. Marichal was concerned about the civil war that raged in his native Dominican Republic for much of the 1965 major league season. Roseboro, meanwhile, was an African-American man who had just witnessed the Watts riots not far from his home in South Central Los Angeles. A week earlier, smoke from fires set during the riots was visible from Dodger Stadium during games.
10. Roseboro and Marichal became friends
Both men put the incident behind them even though they were often reminded of it. Marichal played for the Dodgers in 1975, his final major league season, and he was reunited with Roseboro in 1982 at an old-timers' game. At the time, Marichal hadn't yet been elected into the Hall of Fame through two years of eligibility, in part because of what he'd done to Roseboro. The men became friends, and Roseboro made it known that he held no grudge against Marichal, who is now 77.
"There were no hard feelings on my part, and I thought if that was made public, people would believe that this was really over with," Roseboro told the L.A. Times in 1990. "So I saw him at a Dodger old-timers' game and we posed for pictures together and I actually visited him in the Dominican. The next year, he was in the Hall of Fame.
When Roseboro died at age 69 in 2002, Marichal was an honorary pallbearer and a speaker at the funeral.
Aug 21, 7:23 PM
'Truth and Lies: Jeffrey Epstein': Man of mystery
Jan 09, 10:53 AM


How to paint from memory the oddly fertile desert that was Dublin in the mid-1970s? The palette would require sepias for the old town still tantalisingly glimpsed alongside the risible chrome-blue monuments to commerce and international diplomacy; a thick brown for the malodorous Liffey; perhaps, on a good day, a generous leafy wash for the eternal sanctuary of St Stephen's Green; ecclesiastic purple for the bitter swill consumed in the modish cellar wine bars. A variety of umber and ochre tones for the G-plan decor of the aspirant - if still comparatively poor - middle class; and a flickering snowy-grey for the new medium of the (nominally black and white) telly in the corner.
The new medium? Television came late to Ireland. Although many homes could pirate the adjacent British networks, the majority had to wait until at least New Year's Eve 1961, when the indigenous service, Telefis Eireann, started up amidst great fanfare. All of us had schoolmates who had never actually seen television although, increasingly by now, the reasons given had more to do with parental censorship than insufficient income. These cultural guardians were right, too - television really was going to alter Ireland forever, and who could tell which sinful paths it would lead us down?
I think this is what set The Radiators apart as a specifically Irish punk band. Unlike New York's Ramones or London's Clash, we were not actually born into the television age: instead it interrupted our lives when we were impressionable little boys, at once opening the window on entire new worlds and reducing those worlds to disposable commodities. TV demanded we view life through its prism.
But live television provided a couple of miracles too. Gay Byrne's The Late Late Show unexpectedly provided a forum which was neither pulpit nor public house. A chat show with a difference, the Late Late at its best had the nation talking to itself. It gradually laid bare the shaky foundations of DeValera's state, shattered its taboos and took pains to showcase the liberal view along with the reactionary. Modern Ireland? "It started on The Late Late Show", the theme song breezily noted as the closing titles rolled over another scene of cultural carnage.
The second miracle took place one holy night in 1970 when, in a broadcast from Amsterdam, a wee girl appeared in this flickering Grotto and lighted the way forward for Irish culture. This Virgin was all we were, all we had been, all we aspired to, all we wished to shun, all we ........ despised. And critically - for Dana winning the Eurovision Song Contest was proof enough that there was a place for the Irish in this new world - here was a template we could exploit for limitless future profit. Our capacity to gull the foreigner with our charm and blarney had not been vaporised by the cathode ray. We would take light entertainment to the huddled masses. By Christ, we'd even dance for them.
The Radiators appeared no more than six times on television including, finally, The Late Late Show, but we did, in the summer of 1977, make TV Tube Heart in Dublin's Lombard Studios. Here it is again.


It started almost two years ago when Patrick Samoy and Luc Rigaux better known as The Unity Mixers (aka Unity Power) were deeply impressed by the outstanding voice of a Spanish girl named Marisa Garcia Asensio. Marisa was born in Malaga, Spain, but currently resides in Belgium. This combination of two creative musical minds and an extraordinary girl in all sences of the word, is their key to success and stardom.
From 2004 à 2005 Miguel Fernandez.
Since 2008, young and pretty Shelby Diaz, from Hispano-italian descent, carries us on dancefloors with her senual voice.
Détermined and strong-minded, Shelby Diaz has always dreamt of having a musical carreer.
She took her chance and proved her talent during a casting. She convinced her audience and her dream came true.
Shelby Diaz re-recorded "Bailando", renamed "Bailando (Me Dices Adios)" in 2009.
She in fact rewrote the lyrics, while respecting this great danceloor classic's phonetic, which is still in everyone's memory.
2010 :Bailando (Me dices adios) Mallorca Remix 2010 was release world wide on all digital megastores.


The purpose of this ministry is to globally reach dying souls and build the Kingdom of God! God has blessed us with Jurisdictional Bishop James Mack in Columbia, SC and District Elder Talmadge L. Wiggins in Bamberg, SC to accomplish our mission.
Presiding Presbyter of the 23rd Episcopal Diocese of the PCAF. International, Inc.


text:
Q: Can this be written in standard "vector calculus notation"? A formula for the gradient of the magnitude of a vector field $\mathbf{f}(x, y, z)$ is:
$$\nabla \|\mathbf{f}\| = \left(\frac{\mathbf{f}}{\|\mathbf{f}\|} \cdot \frac{\partial \mathbf{f}}{\partial x}, \frac{\mathbf{f}}{\|\mathbf{f}\|} \cdot \frac{\partial \mathbf{f}}{\partial y}, \frac{\mathbf{f}}{\|\mathbf{f}\|} \cdot \frac{\partial \mathbf{f}}{\partial z}\right)$$
Can this be written in a form that doesn't mention coordinates explicitly? (i.e., using nablas, dot products, etc.)

A: $$ \mathrm{d} \|f\|^2 = 2 \|f\| \, \mathrm{d} \|f\|$$
$$ \mathrm{d} \|f\|^2 = \mathrm{d}(f \cdot f) = f \cdot \mathrm{d}f + \mathrm{d}f \cdot f$$
The meaning of most objects involved is clear; e.g.

*

*$f$ is a vector field (i.e. it acts like a column vector-valued function)

*$\|f\|$ is a scalar field

*$d\|f\|$ is a covector field. (i.e. it acts like a row vector-valued function)

and so forth. The tricky part is trying to figure out what kind of object $\mathrm{d}f$ is, and what dot products with it mean: in coordinates, $\mathrm{d}f$ is a matrix whose rows are the derivatives of the components of $f$, and the dot product of a matrix and a column vector would be the row vector whose entries are the dot products of then individual columns of the matrix with the vector. And so
$$ \mathrm{d}\|f\| = \frac{f}{\|f\|} \cdot \mathrm{d}f = \frac{f^T}{\|f\|} \mathrm{d}f$$
where $f^T$ means the covector we get by transposing $f$ with respect to the dot product, and the product is the ordinary product of a covector with a linear operator. (i.e. in coordinates, the usual product of a row vector with a matrix)
It's been a long time since I've used nabla-notation for this, but I think they still use $\nabla f$ for $\mathrm{d}f$.

A: I haven't checked if your formula is correct but if it is, then it would appear in terms of the induced tangent map which can be denoted $df$ (in coordinates this would be the Jacobian matrix) as $$ \nabla\|f\|=\frac{1}{\|f\|} df(f).$$


Turkey vultures are large birds, weighing up to five pounds with wingspans of up to six feet. Their most recognizable feature is the naked read head. The white or ivory beak is short, strong, and hooked. The two nostrils are not divided, so from the side you can see all the way through its beak.
In the winter, turkey vultures from the greater Yellowstone ecosystem fly to Mexico or Central America in huge flocks, sometimes migrating alongside other birds like Swainson's hawks.
Vultures perform an important role in this ecosystem. Their binomial name, Cathartes aura, translates to "cleansing wind," which perfectly describes what they do. Their digestive systems are perfectly suited to cleaning up roadkill, washed-up dead fish, and other recently deceased animals.
Turkey vultures are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. It is illegal to take, kill, or possess them. The Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary has the appropriate permits to keep them.
Unlike most other birds, turkey vultures have a highly-developed sense of smell that helps them find their preferred food: fresh carrion. They almost never kill their own prey, although some other vulture species, like black vultures, are known to.
Since a wild turkey vulture never knows where its next meal is coming from, they will often gorge to the point where they can't fly, leaving them vulnerable to predation. This leads to an unusual (and rather disgusting) way of defending themselves: projectile vomiting foul-smelling, partially digested meat mixed with stomach acid at the predator's face. Their load lightened, they can then fly off to safety.
At the Sanctuary, our vultures eat a variety of muscle and organ meat, including bone that they can get marrow from.
Turkey vultures are gregarious birds. Even though you usually see them flying alone, they gather together to roost at night, sometimes in groups of hundreds.
In the wild, turkey vultures live less than 16 years, but they been known to live up to 30 years in captivity.
LURCH was found with an injured wing and taken to Ironside Bird Rescue in Cody. Even after surgery, he couldn't extend his wing fully, so he can't be released. We believe he was born in 2006.
UNCLE FESTER was taken to the Montana Raptor Conservation Center in Bozeman with two fractured bones that had set wrong, making him unable to fly well enough to migrate. He was born in 2010.


text:
Krugiodendron ferreum, commonly known as the black ironwood or leadwood, is a species of tree in the family Rhamnaceae. It is found in southern Florida, throughout the Caribbean and from southern Mexico to Honduras.  Originally described by Martin Vahl, its specific epithet is the Latin adjective ferreus ("iron-like").

Taxonomy
It is the only species in the genus Krugiodendron. The genus name honors Leopold Krug (1833–1898). The common names for this species refer to its dense wood.

Description
Typical air-dry samples have densities of approximately 1.30 g/cm3, and up to 1.42 g/cm3. The tree reaches  in height with oppositely arranged, emarginate leaves and small greenish flowers.  The fruit is a drupe 5 to 7 mm long turning purplish red as it matures.

It is widely cultivated in gardens or parks as a drought-tolerant specimen tree.

References

External links
Image of bark
Foliage
Wood
Fruit and flowers

Rhamnaceae
Rhamnaceae genera
Monotypic Rosales genera
Flora of Florida
Trees of Mexico
Trees of South America
Garden plants of North America
Ornamental trees
Drought-tolerant trees

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Home > Powersports > Motorcycles >
Top 10 Fastest Dirt Bike Production Models!
What's The Fastest Dirt Bike In The World?
By Joe Appleton
When it comes to off-roading, speed generally isn't the most important factor. Sure, it's fun when you can rip around a tight corner on a dirt trail, but speed is hardly the dirt biker's main priority. Powerful gears, responsive handling, excellent suspension, and a strong clutch are far more important, but like anything with an engine, it's always important to test how fast you can push it and what top speed can be achieved.
If straightforward speed is more your thing, then even the fastest dirt bike in the world isn't going to please you and you're probably better off sticking to the asphalt and buying yourself a sports bike. However, if you prefer kicking up dirt as your wring your throttle, then this list of the world's fastest dirt bike models should interest you. But before we get started, there are a few things you need to know about dirt bikes. Not all dirt bikes are created equal, you see.
Two-Stroke Vs. Four Stroke
Dirt bikes come in two rather distinct flavors, two-stroke and four-stroke. Now, the argument about which one is better is as old as time and there's never going to be a clear winner (*though the answer is clearly two-stroke*). Each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, with both styles appealing to different riders who require different performance, and in the end it's all down to the rider's personal preference.
Is it important within the context of this article though? Well, kind of.
Top lists are generally there to inform you about what options are available and what product might suit you best. So, if you're thinking about investing in fast dirt bike then you're going to want to know a bit more about it than a blunt miles-per-hour figure. The fastest dirt bike on the list might take a five mile long run up to get to that top speed, whereas another model might have a smaller top speed but it can reach that speed in a heartbeat. That's why it's worth knowing a bit more about the different engine configurations, how they work, and how else they influence the rest of your ride experience.
Two-Stroke Dirt Bikes
Two-stroke engines are relatively simple contraptions which basically compress and combust. They fire and ignite for every single full revolution of the crankshaft. In essence, you get a two strokes of the piston (up and down) in one complete power cycle or crankshaft revolution. What does that really mean though? Well, you literally get more bang, or more power, thanks to the sparkplug igniting more regularly than on a four-stroke engine, which takes four strokes instead. But that's not all. Since two-stroke engines are very simple, they don't require any fancy technology or engineering to keep them going. Because of this, they are generally lighter, and when it comes to going fast, lightness is key. However, they're not necessarily easy to ride. Two-stroke motorcycles require a bit more of a hands-on attitude, with gear changes being more regular…but that's a small price to pay for a lighter, faster, and more powerful motor. Or is it?
Four-Stroke Dirt Bikes
Unlike the above mentioned two-strokes, four-stroke engine has far more processes involved. It begins with intake, and then comes the compression and combustion, before finishing with the exhaust. It's called a four-stroke because the engine fires after two full revolutions of the crankshaft, or after four strokes. It fires less often and ultimately delivers less power, but it does deliver more consistent power and in a smoother fashion, which makes it more usable. If nothing else, they're definitely much easier to ride since you can rely on the power being where you want it when you need it, and that reliability and consistency allows you to relax a little more and enjoy your ride, or spend your energy pushing yourself and harder and faster along the trail.
But they are more complicated engines, with valves and other moving parts, and all of those parts make for a heavier weight between your legs, and of course, when they break they're usually more expensive to repair. Fortunately, they're not as prone to breaking down as their two-stroke counterparts. And yeah, they generally enjoy slower acceleration and a lower top speed overall but when it comes down to it, they're more consistent. Top speed doesn't win races but consistency usually does.
There is no right or wrong decision when you're buying a fast dirt bike, because it depends on how you ride it and what you want that speed for. It's not often that you're going to be out on the trails and come across a deserted quarter mile of pristine asphalt, and if that's what you dream of when you fantasize about a day of riding, a dirt bike is quite obviously not the right type of motorcycle for you. However, if you want to tackle the trails hard and enter competitions where speed is important, you should focus less on the top speed and more about where you want what power and speed you have to be delivered.
What About An Electric Dirt Bike?
The argument used to be about whether a two of a four-stroke motorcycle was better, and now we've got a third category weighing in and upsetting the balance. Yup, electric dirt bikes are a thing and they're actually surprisingly popular. We've covered the best electric bike models and covered all the relevant points before, but when it comes to the fastest electric bike, that's a different story altogether. Since they're not as popular (and not nearly as cheap) as conventional internal combustion engine models, we'll give you a quick top 3 of our favorites that deliver impressive battery powered speed before we move on to the fastest dirt bike models with regular gasoline engines.
KTM Freeride E-XC
KTM's debut electric motorcycle is a formidable dirt bike model. In terms of road legality, that depends on your local laws, but for those looking to tackle the trails in a slightly greener way you can enjoy this little offering. It's a long way from being the fastest dirt bike out there, but it has a powerful electric motor that produces a modest 21.5 hp, 31 lb-ft of torque, and it can hit 60 mph but prefers cruising at around 50 mph. It's not the fastest in terms of straightforward speed, but it does have a very fast charging time – and that's important for modern electric bicycles.
To charge to 100%, the KTM only requires a ridiculously fast 80 minutes! That's very fast when compared with other electric motorcycles. The downside is that each charge only translates to about an hour of serious ride time. That's a big downside, but the fast charge time does make up for it. The price isn't awful either, with an attractive MSRP of $8,299. Still, it's not the fastest dirt bike out there, or even close to being the fastest electric bike either.
Alta Motors Redshift MX
Next up, we've got the Alta Motors Redshift MX. This up and coming electric motorcycle company is a 100% American venture, with the factory and headquarters located in California. The cool thing about Alta is their different approach to the electric market: they favor supermoto and dirt bike style motorcycles rather than conventional street bikes, which gives them a nice niche in the industry. The MX dirt bike model is built to have the same kind of performance and feel as a conventional 250cc dirt bike, accompanied with some excellent equipment from WP suspension and Brembo.
In terms of performance, the Alta Motors Redshift produces a total of 42 horsepower and a massive 120 lb-ft of torque through its lithium-ion powered high-speed PMAC motor. But how does translate into real miles per hour? Well, the word on the street is that 80 mph is achievable, with a comfortable cruising speed of 65. Not bad for an electric motorcycle with a charging speed of 4 hours (or 2 with the fast charge package). The downside is the range, which is about 50 miles per charge. The price is $10,495 for the base model.
The fastest dirt bike from the electric category is currently the Zero FX. When it comes to electric motorcycles, Zero know what they're doing. The Zero FX is an off-road variant from their line-up of impressive battery powered machinery. The FX uses the latest electric technology to deliver a powerful punch right into the heart of the dirt bike market. Styled and formed like a modern supermoto motorcycle, underneath the dirt bike silhouette is a powerful powertrain that uses cutting edge EV technology to produce a dirt bike that can easily rival and best some of its internal combustion engine powered competitors.
Zero's secret weapon is their Z-force powertrain, which can propel the motor to achieve some impressive statistics. How does 78 lb-ft of torque and 46 horsepower sound? And as for the most important number, the top speed of the Zero FX is a heady 85 miles per hour. Not bad at all for an electric motorcycle. Prices for the Zero FX start at $8,495 for the basest of base models and packages – but don't forget that most EVs come with nice tax breaks and incentives, especially for Californian riders.
The Fastest Dirt Bikes With Conventional Engines!
There are plenty of conventional internal combustion engine motorcycles that can perform admirably off-road. However, for the purposes of this list we're going to limit our choices to motorcycles are real dirt bikes – not huge touring beasts with knobbly tires, or heavy machines that are better suited at asphalt adventuring rather than mud-flinging good times. We haven't set a specific weight limit, but if it's heavy, it ain't on the list. No big BMWs or continent-traversing KTMs, for example, but smaller lightweight machines that won't make you cry if it accidentally falls over.
#10. Honda CRF 450R – Top Speed: 87 MPH
Powered by a punchy 449cc liquid-cooled engine, the Honda CRF450R has a top speed of 87 miles per hour. Thanks to a barrage of updates, including a new exhaust, narrower valves, new transmission ratios and general overall weight loss, the latest iteration of the CRF 450R can go plenty fast. Still, the CRF was already a great bike famed for its fearsome agility, responsive handling and ability to win races. Having a highly respectable top speed only makes it a more appealing package. But can it go faster?
Generally, the agreed top speed is 87 mph, however, some riders have been able to push above that. With a slight slope and the right wind behind them, early 90s have been claimed. For the sake of this article though, a top speed of 87 mph is what we're going with. Check out this guy's top speed run for a good look at what that one mile an hour more than our claim looks like. It's pretty wild.
#09. Yamaha WR 250R – Top Speed: 89 MPH
The stunning Yamaha WR250R has always been a firm favorite among off-road enthusiasts – we know that it has all the right credentials as a blast to ride in the dirt, but how does it fair on asphalt when you're really pushing that engine to the limit? Well, for a bike weighing a surprisingly heavy 295.5 lbs wet, it can produce a rather admirable top speed. In stock trim and in good conditions, the Yamaha WR 250R has been clocked with a top speed of 88.8 miles per hour. It should also be noted that it can also hit 60 mph from zero in a respectable 8.71 seconds. When it comes to sprinting, dirt bikes aren't usually the weapon of choice, but this is surprisingly speedy.
In fact, there are riders who have claimed to get a few more miles per hour out of the 250, no doubt by removing mirrors, dropping a dress size, and crunching up into an incredibly uncomfortable by aerodynamically pleasing position. Rumors of top speeds in the early 90s have happened, but not regularly, so the 89 mph marker is the one we're sticking with.
#08. Suzuki DR-Z400SM – Top Speed: 94 MPH
Next up on our list of fastest dirt bikes is the Suzuki DR-Z400SM. Now, the supermoto variant of the Suzuki's DR-Z line is a bit of a cheat because it's definitely more suited to road use than actual off-roading but if you're prepared to swap your tires over then it will definitely a blast to ride in the mud. However, that's not really the point of this supermoto model. But then again, hitting the top speed of a dirt bike isn't really the point of owning a dirt bike either. Using some bizarre logic, we're going to say that two wrongs make a right and include it on our list. And what is the top speed? A cool 94 MPH.
Achieving 0 to 60 mph in an eye-watering 4.54 seconds is no hassle for this supermoto, thanks to the sheer power of its 398cc single-cylinder engine, which produces a tidy 39 horsepower and 25 lb-ft of peak torque. The top speed isn't bad for a bike with a dry weight of 302 lbs. Some riders have claimed to push the DR-Z400 to speeds of up to 114 miles per hour, but whether mods were used or not isn't clear. We're going with 94 mph because Suzuki says so, and we've seen it done.
#07. Honda XR650L – Top Speed: 98 MPH
There's no denying that the Honda XR650L is an absolute legend; it's has been a crucial part of the Honda off-road line up for many years (since the early 90s, in fact) and for good reason. It offers excellent versatility being both a demon on and off-road, they're as reliable as sin, virtually indestructible, and what's more, they offer excellent value for money. So, it's definitely a dirt bike, with long travel suspension, proper off-road tires, enormous ground clearance, but how fast can it go on the roads?
Again, it's another one that's up for discussion. Some folks have claimed that the might XR650L can hit a top speed of 105 mph – but that seems a little optimistic. The 644cc air-cooled single-cylinder four-stroke engine produces about 40 horsepower and 47.2 lb-ft or torque, which is pretty admirable, but not quite 105mph territory. In reality, and thanks to numerous tests, we think 98 mph is much more of an acceptable top speed marker for the venerable XR650L. Add in the decent 0 to 60 time of 5.83 seconds, and you've got yourself a respectable ride that will tear up the trails and put a smile on your face on the roads too.
#06. Husqvarna FE 501 S – Top Speed: 101.5 MPH
Husqvarna is one of the most recognizable and world renowned dirt bike brands, so it's no wonder that one of their models makes this list. In 2013, the Husqvarna name was bought by KTM and since then the two brands have shared technology. For example, all new Husqvarna models share the same DNA with their KTM stablemates, such as the engines, WP suspension, Brembo brakes and more. This street legal enduro bike packs some excellent standard equipment and lightweight components, making it quite the firecracker, all wrapped up in a lightweight 250.2 lbs dry package. But what about that top speed?
The top speed is a heady 101.5 miles per hour. This one has been verified countless times. Curiously, the smaller FE 501 actually goes faster than the older, pre-KTM era, TR650 which had a much larger engine. This modern enduro boasts 58 horsepower of peak power and very respectable acceleration times, with a 0 – 60 time of 4.5 seconds. Considering this is a real off-road motorcycle, though fitted with all-important street-legal essentials, the top speed is pretty impressive. But this is an impressive motorcycle in general, so you shouldn't expect anything less!
#05. BMW G650 XChallenge – Top Speed: 104 MPH
This one is an oldie but a goodie – if you can find one, that is. The BMW G650 XChallenge was a cool single-cylinder off-roader, based on the XCountry model. Designed specifically for bridging the gap between on-road and off-road performance, the XChallenge could tackle the rough with relative ease, and roll along the asphalt just as well as other road-focused variants. Equipped with tough suspension, air damping technology, and other cool enduro accoutrements, was a very potent machine – which was sadly brought to an end in 2009.
In terms of top speed, the 652cc four stoke single cylinder engine could propel the G650 XChallenge to an excellent top speed of 104 miles per hour. The XChallenge's other vital statistics include a maximum power output of 53 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and maximum torque of 44..3 lb-ft at 5,250 rpm. What's more, the BMW could achieve 0 to 60 mph in a fairly respectable 4.78 seconds. Not bad for a BMW built enduro motorcycle with a dry weight of 317 lbs dry – which is considerably heavier than the KTM listed above!
#04. ATK 700 Intimidator – Top Speed: 110 MPH
You'd be forgiven for not knowing much about ATK. Unlike the big Japanese brands, and the likes of KTM and Husqvarna, ATK often goes under the radar. Established in the 80s in Utah, ATK manufactured small batches of potent off-road motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles. Nowadays, the brand mainly manufacturers parts services their older models, but back in 2009 the company unleashed a model on the world which would go to leave a lasting legacy in the motorcycle industry: the ATK Intimidator, a powerful 650cc two-stroke engine dirt bike.
The ATK 700 Eliminator drew power from a fearsome 78 horsepower two-stroke engine from Maico, which in turn managed to propel the Intimidator to a top speed of 110 miles per hour. It's a giant of a dirt bike with a top speed that reflects it. A two-stroke engine capable of that speed and power is just crazy; 78 horses to power a bike weighing 238 lbs dry is mental when you think about it.
#03. Beta 450RS – Top Speed: 110.9 MPH
Ever so slightly faster than the ATK, we have the Beta 450 RS. Beta is another brand that most enthusiasts overlook, which is a great shame. This Italian company has a long and illustrious history in the dirt bike category, ever since it was founded by Giuseppe Bianchi and Arrigo Tosi back in 1904. The brand has seen it all, competing in enduro championships, trials competitions, and more. More recently, the company used KTM engines to help fuel their success, but in the last 10 years, the brand has been using their own in-house engines to power their models. And it's their own 450cc unit that gives the 450RS such a potent top speed.
This awesome dirt bike is powered by a four stroke, single cylinder 449cc engine capable of producing 43.71 horsepower and 29.59 lb-ft of peak torque, delivering top speed of 110.9 miles per hour. What's more, the Beta 450 RS can do 0 to 60 in an impressive 5.25 seconds, which is not bad at all. Overall, the bike has a dry weight of 246 lbs, kept down by its cool and lightweight molybdenum steel frame and other featherlight parts. If you want something fast on the roads and more than ready to destroy the off-road trails, then consider getting yourself a Beta. You won't regret it.
#02. Aprilia RXV 5.5 – Top Speed: 113 MPH
This one is a renegade choice. Unlike everything else on the list, this offering from Aprilia boasts a v-twin engine rather than the more conventional single-cylinder arrangement that is generally more accepted as the dirt-biker's weapon of choice. Still, we're not here to debate which engine is better, we're here to look at which ones go faster, and in this instance, the Aprilia RXV 550, or RXV 5.5 as it's also known, has a pretty potent top speed. Aprilia know a thing or two about making fast motorcycles, and it seems that their knowledge has translated across into this dirt bike offering.
The RXV's 77-degree v-twin offers some impressive performance statistics. For example, the RXV 5.5 boasts an impressive power output of 70 horsepower at 13,000 rpm, a further 48.6 lb-ft of peak torque at 10,900 rpm, a very handsome 0 to 60 time of 4.16 seconds, and an overall top speed of 113 miles per hour. Weighing in at 284 lbs dry, the RXV was quite light considering its power, but despite being an exceptionally fun (if not unorthodox) off-road, it wasn't a sales success at all, and was eventually axed from the line-up.
#01. KTM 450 SX-F – Top Speed: 123 MPH
It should come as no surprise that a KTM comes in at number one, but of all the KTM 450 bikes out there, it's the KTM 450 SX-F that steals the show. This model is a championship winner. KTM rider Ryan Dungey once piloted this model into Motocross history when he won the championship on it back in 2012, and continued the feat again and again in 2015, 2016, and 2017. While Dungey is undoubtedly one of the most talented riders in the world, his KTM 450 SX-F also played an important part in those victories, chiefly thanks to its unparalleled top speed.
Powered by a slick and compact 449cc KTM engine, the 450 SX-F is essentially an off-road racing machine that us mere mortals can just go and buy. Boasting a small, lightweight design, the engine is capable of delivering up to 63 horses of peak torque that can propel this off-roader to speeds of up to 123 miles per hour. As KTM themselves are fond of saying: "the KTM 450 SX-F is simply the fastest Motocross bike out on the track," and they are not at all wrong. So, if anyone asks you what the fastest dirt bike is that you can go and buy off of the shelf, the KTM 450 SX-F would be the correct answer to give them.
Q: What is the fastest dirt bike?
A: The KTM 450 SX-F is the fastest dirt bike you can buy, if we're talking about conventional dirt bikes, that is. It's a powerful competition specification motorcycle that can reach top speeds of up to 123 miles per hour. It might have an amazing top speed, but the top speed factor isn't the most remarkable feature of this dirt bike. Boasting incredible power, super lightweight, and exceptional handling, the KTM 450 SX-F is the ultimate competition off-road machine.
Q: What is the fastest 4 stroke dirt bike?
A: The KTM 450 SX-F is currently the fastest 4 stroke dirt bike on the market. It's also the fastest dirt bike you can buy in general. Few dirt bikes can measure up to the top speed of this dirt bike, which boasts a heady maximum speed of 123 miles per hour. It's one of the most successful dirt bikes ever raced in off-road competitions.
Q: What is the fastest 125 dirt bike?
A: While most 125 cc dirt bikes top out at around 50 miles per hour, some have been known to go much faster. In fact, some 125 cc dirt bikes have been clocked at hitting speeds of up to 100 miles per hour! Currently, the fastest 125 you can buy would be either the TM 125MX or KTM 125SX. Both models can hit just over 70 mph in stock gearing with no other modifications.
Q: What is the fastest electric dirt bike?
A: The Zero FX is the fastest production dirt bike that you can currently buy. While it's not a traditional dirt bike, it's incredibly capable off-road and it packs a powerful top speed too. The Zero FX's top speed stands at 85 miles per hour.
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About Joe Appleton
Joe is a motorcycle industry veteran who has not only been paid for his words on the industry but also to throw a leg over a bike on the track. Besides riding, and occasionally crashing motorcycles, he also likes to build up older bikes in his garage in Germany. He says; "I like what I like but that certainly doesn't make my opinion any more valid than yours…" We like Joe's educated opinion and hope you do too.


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Infant immune systems positively affected by early introduction to food allergens, avoidance of "over-bathing"
January 2, 2017 | Evidence in Integrative Healthcare
In the past, introducing solid food was recommended only after 6 months of age, however, new research from the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) presented at the 2016 Annual Scientific Meeting, suggests new guidelines for food introductions to improve immune systems later in life. "There is now a large body of observation and trial data for other foods, including egg, that show that delaying the introduction of allergenic solids increases the risk of those particular food allergies," said Katrina Allen, MBBS, PhD, from the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute in Melbourne, Australia. However, it should be noted, none of the research suggests introducing eggs earlier in life. New official guidelines will be issued in 2017, recommending introduction of potential allergens such as peanuts and cow's milk at age 4-6 months. In addition, the researchers reported that children with a damaged skin barrier – like eczema – are at increased risk of developing a peanut allergy. They theorize that over-bathing, especially with soaps containing harsh detergents, may damage natural infant-skin immune protections. The take home message? "Don't soap the baby".
Mental health resources for patients and colleagues
Levels of anxiety and depression have increased in the US approximately 10% from pre-COVID-19 numbers.
Resources to Combat the Opioid Epidemic: Heal Safely
An Unprecedented Spike: Overdose deaths in the U.S. exceeded 100,000 for the first time in the yearlong period ending in April 2021. The figure is more than the death toll of car accidents and guns…
US Preventive Services Task Force releases app to assist healthcare providers
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has released a new app and web-based tool to help health care providers and primary care clinicians and to "identify, prioritize, and offer the screening,…


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1973 Constitution to be taught in schools
ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to teach the Constitution of Pakistan in schools, the Head of the Prime Minister's Strategic Reforms Unit, Salman Sufi, has announced.
Taking to Twitter, Sufi penned that the Federal Education Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain will officially launch the initiative on 23rd March – Pakistan Day. The initiative will be launched in Islamabad initially, reported local media.
Sufi added that this initiative has been taken on the directions of PM Shehbaz Sharif. He also asserted, "To demand your rights, it's important to know your rights." Responding to the development, PPP Senator Sehar Kamran revealed that she strived hard to make the Constitution and Civic Education mandatory part of the curriculum.
Sehar added that she introduced the bill "Civic Education Commission Act 2018" in Parliament. The law stipulates that schools must teach Constitution and Civic Education to students.
Teaching the Constitution to schoolchildren will help them understand the principles and values that guide the nation, as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens. It will also help them in developing critical thinking skills, and an appreciation for the democratic process.
Prince Harry has 'fired torpedo after torpedo' at King Charles, William
Shah Rukh Khan Reveals He Was 'low On Confidence' After Zero
Prince Harry's 'self-serving' Propaganda Shows 'no Sign' He's Remorseful'


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Giveaway: Her Sister's Shadow by Katharine Britton
Her Sister's Shadow by Katharine Britton, published this month, combines two of my favorite things in a story: Massachusetts and relationships between sisters. And it's from a debut author. According to the synopsis for the book:
"Renowned painter Lilli Niles is at home in her North London flat when she receives an unexpected call from her elder sister, Bea, who's at the family homestead in Whitehead, Massachusetts. Bea's husband has just died, and she'd like Lilli to fly home to attend the funeral. There are reasons Lilli moved all the way to England to escape her older sister, reasons that have kept them estranged for decades. But something in Bea's voice makes Lilli think it's time to return to the stately house in New England she loved as a child, to the memory of the beloved younger sister they both lost. With Bea more fragile than Lilli remembered, maybe she can finally forgive Bea for a long-ago betrayal that has simmered between them for nearly forty years."
Why did Lilli Niles move to London away from her childhood home and her older sister? What was the nature of the betrayal that separated these sisters for forty years?
Publisher's weekly says, "Britton seamless alternates between the two eras to unravel a tale of rivalry, tragedy, love and the corruptibility of truth."
If you are as interested in this book as I am, I have a US/Canada giveaway in which 1 lucky reader will receive a copy of this novel to read. To enter:
1. Leave a comment here on what story about sisters you enjoyed most.
2. Spread the word on Twitter, Facebook, Etc. about the giveaway for a second entry.
Deadline is at July 7, 2011, at 11:59PM EST.
Filed Under: giveaway, Penguin, Publishers/Publicists Tagged With: Her Sister's Shadow, Katharine Britton
Michelle @ The True Book Addict says
My favorite story about sisters? Why, Little Women, of course! One of my favorite books of all time. Thanks for the giveaway!
tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/truebookaddict/status/88823907267780608
karenk says
i enjoyed 'my sister's keeper' by jodi picoult.
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel 🙂
I enjoyed My Sister's Keeper. Thanks so much for the giveaway. Although I don't have a sister, I always enjoy these relationship stories.
JoyAnne Williams says
My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult was one of my faves.
Carol M says
Winter Garden was very good! I enjoy all of Kristin Hannah's books. This one sounds really good, too!
mittens0831 at aol dot com
Allison Gardner says
I always wanted a sister, but only got a brother
amandasue says
I like the book Emma and I
Thanks for this great giveaway. Books about sisters and their relationships are special and memorable. One that I treasured is Shanghai Girls.
For some reason, the first one that comes to mind is The Last Summer (of You and Me) by Ann Brashares. So sad!
I've added the giveaway to my sidebar.
I would have to say In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner
sassysasha817 at gmail dot com
I have to say my favorite is the classic Little Women. It brings me back to how my sisters and I used to play. Innocent fun how it should be! Thanks for the giveaway!
Beth Hoffman says
I've always enjoyed stories about sisters. There are so many I've read, but The Geometry of Sisters by Luanne Rice is one of my favorites.
Linda B says
Thinking about a book about sisters, the first thing that pops into my mind is from my childhood. My mother read all the Laura Ingals Wilder books to me and my brothers, and I feel like I literally 'grew up' with Laura and Mary. Subsequently I bought the series for my daughter, and I read the books to my fifth graders when I started teaching. Such great family stories.
And thanks for this giveaway. The novel sounds intriguing.
Na says
I have always enjoyed stories about sisters. The bond that is shared between sisters can be both a curse and a blessing and this theme lends itself to many emotional stories. Too often, issues such as sacrifice, betrayal and jealousy become the source of conflict and the test in which the bond is tested. Overcoming them also means a stronger bond. I find Kristin Hannah is a great writer on relationships, particularly motherly and sisterly kinds. Her stories Winter Garden and Between Sisters were great.


Today's recipe is a really delicious snack which is really easy to make. Instead of bough chocolates and candies you can prepare your own relatively healthy snacks.
While preparing, don't think of the tahini as a filling, instead think of it as oil. Don't use in bulk, just brush the phyllo dough. If you use in bulk, it will melt and go away anyway while cooking.
You can use bitter or sweet chocolate or mix the two. You can also sprinkle ground nuts or coconuts over the chocolate.
Set aside in the fridge until the chocolate firms.


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Q: Android Studio bug with dark mode, some things change, others no My app has an activity for appearance with a switch to turn dark mode on or off. However, when I change the theme, sometimes it changes everything correctly and sometimes it changes just a few activities or just a few fragments.
Here are some examples of what happens in the same activity with and without the bug:
The image off the bug
Here's the code I use to turn on or off dark mode when the switch button is turned on or off
   fun activatedDarkMode() {
        if (SharedPreferencesUtil.getDarkMode(this)) {
            AppCompatDelegate.setDefaultNightMode(AppCompatDelegate.MODE_NIGHT_YES)
        } else {
            AppCompatDelegate.setDefaultNightMode(AppCompatDelegate.MODE_NIGHT_NO)
        }
    }

A: Please check if your main Theme's parent is as following:
<style name="AppTheme" parent="Theme.AppCompat.DayNight">
    <!-- Customize your theme here. -->
    ...
</style>

Check if this post might help you:
https://proandroiddev.com/implementing-dark-theme-in-your-android-application-ec2b4fefb6e3


Trump lies faster than the media, and his opponents, can keep up.
A silly question that exposes a serious hole in "pro-life" logic.
Paul Ryan wants time off for his new gig as Speaker that he doesn't think American families deserve.
If gun evangelists insist on misinterpreting the Second Amendment, let's make it clearer.
George Takei v. Kim Davis and her defenders. Takei wins. Obviously.


The html element is the root element that contains all other elements. It must appear only once and usually follows the document declaration.
This attribute is required and the value should be http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml.
(Text) This attribute has been deprecated (made outdated). It is redundant, because version information is now provided by the DOCTYPE.
The following elements must each appear exactly once, and in the order listed.


text:
Mabra charonialis är en fjärilsart som beskrevs av Walker 1859. Mabra charonialis ingår i släktet Mabra och familjen Crambidae. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Fjärilar
charonialis


Manage Your Day-To-Day is a day/life-changer. I highly recommend it. Here's why I give it four stars: (1) Immediately applicable; (2) I want to pass it on. We have six grown children and 19 grand kids. In my copy I've written, "Give this to mamas for their kiddos" and "Get this for ...". (3) Jocelyn Glei provides a framework for doing what she suggests. (4) It is a collaborative project so you are getting the author's input and that of many experts as well. How much do I like this book? I have it Kindle, Audible, and Paper.