text:
Read & Survive
How-To Read Books
Countdown: Our Last Best Hope for a Future on Earth?
"Whether we accept it or not, this will likely be the century that determines what the optimal human population is for our planet. It will come about in one of two ways:
Either we decide to manage our own numbers, to avoid a collision of every line on civilization's graph – or nature will do it for us, in the form of famines, thirst, climate chaos, crashing ecosystems, opportunistic disease, and wars over dwindling resources that finally cut us down to size."
― Alan Weisman, Countdown: Our Last Best Hope for a Future on Earth?
Tick tock. 10 years ago Alan Weisman wrote a book called 'A World Without Us'. Basically, the message of the book was that without us, our planet would heal. In 2013, Weisman wrote another book called Countdown: Our Last Best Hope for a Future on Earth? (which was brilliantly translated as 'A World Full Of Us' in Finnish. Countdown is another thought experiment. What if the world would go on with us?
Countdown starts with four questions and some scary facts. First question is, How many people can the Holy Land support? In some regions in Israel, there were 740 persons per km2. What will happen when Israel's population will double by 2050? Second question, if population must remain under 10 billion, is there an acceptable way to convince all the representatives of different religions, cultures, political systems, nationalities, and tribes that decreasing the population is in their best interests? Third question, what kind of an ecosystem can support human life? What other life forms can we not live without?
In 1960's, Israel released 50 000 strychnine chickens to nature in order to fight rabies epidemic. It worked incredibly well against rabies. Unfortunately, it likely also lead to near extinction of Arabian Leopard. Fourth question, how do we create an economic system that is not dependent on economic growth? And those scary questions and multiple examples were in just 50 first pages of the book.
"In the 1950s, Chinese people didn't know about environment. To the Chinese Way of thinking, we are a huge country rich in resources, so we don't need to worry about that. Until, of course, 1958. The Great Leap Forward, you know. We did many silly things. We cut trees in the mountains until they were bald. We tried to smelt iron in poor ovens. " ― Alan Weisman, Countdown: Our Last Best Hope for a Future on Earth?
Next, Weisman takes us to different countries across the world, across Europe, Africa, USA, Asia and Middle-East. Many more scaring facts that explain how people will soon face struggle to find something to eat. Or worse, how there won't be enough of water for everyone.
I really liked A World Without Us and this seemed even better (probably should re-read AWWU again). I love thought-provoking books and this was one of the most informative book I've read in a long time. Moreover, I admire people who try to make us see these unpleasant and inconvenient truths and change our ways.
How-To Read Countdown
1. I think you should start with A World Without Us if you haven't read it yet. You'll perfectly get this without reading that one but together they make a fascinating combination.
2. You can take a look inside at http://bit.ly/1kNW3GG
3. Read this before having kids.
4. It's a quite a heavy book and probably will take you some time to read it. Perhaps, you'll need some light fiction after you've read this.
Countdown shots from https://vimeo.com/50872925, a recreation of an SMPTE Universal Leader that would appear at the beginning of old films. Really loved this one. Featured image: https://www.flickr.com/photos/laurenmanning/2979574719
Published by Anastasia
View all posts by Anastasia
2013 books, a world without us, Alan Weisman, Countdown: Our Last Best Hope for a Future on Earth?, economics, environment, human population, nonfiction, population growth, science, world cannot support us, world population
The Sunday Post #10: Quests, Snipers and Magick
7 thoughts on "Countdown: Our Last Best Hope for a Future on Earth?"
I read A World Without Us and it was very sobering. I didn't know he had written another book. It sounds fascinating, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by Tammy! :) Indeed, it's a brilliant book. Maybe though even less optimistic than what A World Without Us was.
What an interesting premise. I like books like this too, after all we need to think about these things before it's too late (hopefully it's not already). I know speaking for myself it seems like, at least here in the U.S., our government is making things worse rather than preparing *sigh*
Anway thanks for sharing these. I'll have to check 'em out.
Yeah and it's scary to think that we'll (theoretically) be alive when we cross population of 10 billion people o.O It's maybe selfish to think that but I kind of don't want to see it turn that bad.
I'm afraid too many governments don't prioritize issues like this.
Chauncey Rogers says:
Sounds like a very interesting book. It can sometimes be easy to forget about problems like this. I'd be curious to read it and see how he addresses the different issues. I feel like we're working on making solutions, but perhaps not fast enough to deal with the problems.
It was really good!! Definitely not fast enough in comparison on how quickly we are reproducing…
Very true! It's a tricky and interesting issue.
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text:
Review – Kayak – Out Of This World – by John Wenlock-Smith
Growing up , as I did in the fair city of Birmingham, I spent much of my teenage years trawling the city's many record shops including my favourite, the now long gone, Reddington's Rare Records, which was a virtual treasure trove of vinyl spread across different shops. The one that appealed to me was the one that sold rock music and I would happily spend hours of a Saturday morning looking through the racks in search of something new and interesting to listen to. Many of those albums are probably like gold dust now and most likely worth a fortune too. One band that I came across frequently was Kayak, who's then album 'Royal Bed Bouncer' from 1975 frequently caught my eye but never enough to actually buy a copy for myself. This was probably a major mistake that I made as getting it on CD now will cost a fair amount.
That was many years ago and now Kayak are just preparing to release their 19th album, 'Out of This World' a 15 Track, seventy plus minute, musical voyage into their world of progressive pomp rock that will appeal to many special folks who like pomp rock along the lines of Trillion, Le Roux, Starcastle or even Kansas. This is the area in which Kayak really operate, as this album can clearly testify.
The album has a mixture of shorter songs alongside three longer pieces and also includes one track that is epic in length. The music puts me in mind of Toto at times, such is their sound. The delicate undertones, great vocalist, strong keyboards and guitar solos, put me in mind of Toto's 'Hydra' and 'Turn Back' albums especially.
Let us have a listen and see what we can say about this album.
The album opens in style with the first of the longer tracks, Out Of This World, which is a good and strong opener, in that it sets you up for all that is to follow. It starts with some lovely piano ruins and a good guitar riff, all very fluidly played and symphonic sounding with a chugging bass line driving the song along. This is fine symphonic rock with great melodies and performance from all concerned. The vocalist is clear and in good voice, in fact the whole band are on excellent form on this track, especially the guitarist who really rips it up on this song, making a good impression. His playing is melodic and his guitar lines soar in tandem with the keyboards and synthesizers.
The song is very catchy with some fabulous sections and great guitar too, this is followed by Waiting, which is a shorter song but one that is enlivened by a very fluid guitar line and an almost funky or chunky guitar riff. The track is about desire and waiting for someone to decide. It is very memorable indeed with a fine chorus, stirring stuff indeed. We then move onto the second long track, Under A Scar, which opens with delicate piano lines and some lush keyboard orchestrations. It is all very symphonic sounding before the song moves into a strong instrumental section with keyboards and guitar firing on all cylinders, all very impressive.
Kaja is another shorter song but one that has great guitar on its opening moments. This one is an instrumental and acts as a showcase for the guitar artistry of Marcel Signor who rises to the task fabulously. Next we have the shorter track Mystery which has some fabulous piano playing amongst the symphonic keyboard textures and muscular guitar playing with a strong rhythm section who support and drive the song forwards.
Critical Mass is another longer track which opens mysteriously, like the music from a film like Halloween or similar, before vocals are introduced and more keyboard orchestrations. This is all highly effective indeed, I am really enjoying my initial introduction to Kayak as it is very impressive stuff musically, it is spot on and bodes well for a successful album. This is a very well-crafted record with fabulous songs and performances and the sound is very pleasing to the ear. This is so good that I can see this being on peoples best of lists later this year, there has already been a lot of fabulous music released this year, must be all that time on folks' hands or something?
As The Crow Flies is next and this has a looping recurring synth line that runs through it. The song is short and possibly one of the weaker songs on the album but it is all over fairly quickly and is followed by The Way She Said Goodbye which is a song about a love that is over and the feelings that remain in the wake of her leaving. This song is handled with much dignity and, whilst sad, is never maudlin and there is some fabulous fretless bass playing on the track.
The energetic Traitors Gate, once again, recalls the power of Toto with its neat interplay of synthesizers and guitar and its muscular power. This track also has a great guitar solo where Marcel gets a few bars to let rip once more making it possibly one of my favourite tracks on the album. Distance To Your Heart follows and sounds like rime ELO of all people but with Kayak's own take on it and that fabulous vocalist shining once again. It's not a stand out track and leads into Red Rag To A Bull which is a fine, rockier, track with some excellent synth at the start and some moody orchestrations that build the song. There's slight Spanish flamenco type sounds and touches with some subtle Spanish guitar flourishes in the mix and a great solo from Marcel once again. This one is a subtle grower of a track that opens out into a majestic song, all impressive indeed.
One By One is a far softer and melancholic type of song, quite maudlin and emotionally moving with its fabulous chorus. There is also a quite dramatic key change that lifts the song from into something much brighter and better. This track is subtle and moving and all the better for it. The drum beat moves it into a bit of an epic singalong type number that would not be out of place an Abba album somehow, magnificent!
The epic of the album, A Writer's Tale, starts with keyboards and an almost Kashmir type pace to it. The song gives room for some excellent guitar and keyboard playing and lots of space for the music to stretch and grow in intensity and emotional resonance. The piece is a real epic in scope, style, and sound and is utterly fantastic. Next track Cary has more than a whiff of a fisherman's song or a sailors sea shanty about it . There's certainly a merry and jolly touch to it making the track almost a singalong number. Unusual and no less impressive, it even manages a guitar solo in its brief tenure, a surprisingly good song.
Album closer Ship Of Theseus has more of that touch of epic Pomp Rock that we have come to enjoy. This song is about a ship that travelled to Theseus in ancient days and recounts its tale of adventure and its exploits. This mini epic ends things in fine symphonic style.
What an album this is, 'Out Of This World' really is brim-full of strong songs and fabulous performances and I feel that it has much to offer the listener. I intend to go back into Kayak's history and listen to some more of their music and discover it for myself because, on the basis of this album, there appears to be much to enjoy and I would highly commend this fabulous album to all.
Released 7th May, 2021
Order from this link:
Out Of This World (lnk.to)
Posted on 6th May 2021 Author martinCategories Album Reviews, ReviewsTags InsideOut Music, John Wenlock-Smith, Kayak, Out Of This World, Progradar
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Comedy > Teen Movie
Real Genius (1985)
directed by Martha Coolidge
featuring Val Kilmer, Gabe Jarret, Michelle Meyrink, William Atherton, Jon Gries, Patti D'Arbanville
Comedy > Coming-of-Age
Martha Coolidge directed this comedy taking place at fictional Pacific Tech, concerning incoming freshman Mitch (Gabe Jarret), a high school student whose Science Fair project made important inroads into laser beam technology. Mitch has been recruited by famed physics professor Hathaway (William Atherton), who asks Mitch to work in his laboratory. On campus, Mitch becomes roommates with the brilliant Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), legendary as the smartest freshman in the history of the college; but now, as a senior, he is less ... Read More
Martha Coolidge directed this comedy taking place at fictional Pacific Tech, concerning incoming freshman Mitch (Gabe Jarret), a high school student whose Science Fair project made important inroads into laser beam technology. Mitch has been recruited by famed physics professor Hathaway (William Atherton), who asks Mitch to work in his laboratory. On campus, Mitch becomes roommates with the brilliant Chris Knight (Val Kilmer), legendary as the smartest freshman in the history of the college; but now, as a senior, he is less interested in his studies and more interested in having fun. It turns out that Hathaway is enlisting his students, unbeknownst to them, as a slave labor force to do research in developing a state-of-the-art laser device for the Defense Department (he uses his government grant funds to build a house). But Chris and Mitch begin to suspect that something is amiss with Hathaway's project. Paul Brenner, Rovi Read Less
Used Movies from $10.85
Sort Seller Rating Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Condition Condition: Reverse Release Date Release Date: Rev Sellers Near Me
VHS, Good
1996, Tri-Star
Goodwill of Orange County
Santa Ana, CA, USA
Add this copy of Real Genius to cart. $10.85, good condition, Sold by Goodwill of Orange County rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from Santa Ana, CA, UNITED STATES, published 1996 by Tri-Star.
Studio: Tri-Star
Good. This item has very light surface scratches that do not affect the use of the disc/s. This is a USED item. Case and cover may or may not have wear or damage. All items unless otherwise noted will include disc, case, and artwork. Codes have been used. Other contents such as booklets may vary, please inquire for details. All items ship Monday-Friday within 2-3 business days.
All Releases of Real Genius
1996, VHS
directed by Tim Burton
directed by John Hughes
Some Kind of Wonderful
directed by Howard Deutch
mrd37
I loved this movie since the first time I saw it . whene I found it in dvd from I had to have it


text:
// Simple macro to generate N-tuple for performance analysis.
// This macro must be compiled and run like so from within the aliroot command
// prompt:
//   root [0] gSystem->Load("libAliHLTMUON");
//   root [0] .x MakeHitsTable.C+

#include "TVector3.h"
#include "TSystem.h"
#include "TROOT.h"
#include "TParticle.h"
#include "TArrayF.h"
#include "TStopwatch.h"
#include "TNtuple.h"
#include "TFile.h"
#include "TError.h"

#include "AliCDBManager.h"
#include "AliLoader.h"
#include "AliRunLoader.h"
#include "AliStack.h"
#include "AliRun.h"
#include "AliMUON.h"
#include "AliMUONMCDataInterface.h"
#include "AliMUONHit.h"
#include "AliHLTMUONEvent.h"
#include "AliHLTMUONRootifierComponent.h"
#include "AliHLTMUONRecHit.h"
#include "AliHLTMUONTriggerRecord.h"

#include <cstdlib>
#include <vector>
#include <iostream>
using std::cout;
using std::cerr;
using std::endl;

void MakeHitsTable(
		Int_t firstEvent = 0,
		Int_t lastEvent = -1,
		const char* dHLToutputfile = "output.root",
		Float_t maxSigma = 4., // 4 standard deviations
		Float_t sigmaX = 0.1,  // 1 mm resolution
		Float_t sigmaY = 0.01, // 100 micron resolution
		Float_t sigmaZ = 0.02,  // 200 microns resolution
		Float_t sigmaXtrg = 0.5,  // 5 mm resolution
		Float_t sigmaYtrg = 0.5,  // 5 mm resolution
		Float_t sigmaZtrg = 0.02  // 2 microns resolution
	)
{
	// Setup the CDB default storage and run number if nothing was set.
	AliCDBManager* cdbManager = AliCDBManager::Instance();
	if (cdbManager == NULL)
	{
		cerr << "ERROR: Global CDB manager object does not exist." << endl;
		return;
	}
	if (cdbManager->GetDefaultStorage() == NULL)
	{
		cdbManager->SetDefaultStorage("local://$ALICE_ROOT/OCDB");
	}
	if (cdbManager->GetRun() == -1)
	{
		cdbManager->SetRun(0);
	}

	gSystem->Load("libAliHLTMUON");
	// Must pree load libAliHLTMUON.so before loading this macro and running it in compiled mode.

	TString fieldnames = "event:isprimary:pdgcode:detelem:chamber:x:y:z:dHLTx:dHLTy:dHLTz";
	TNtuple* table = new TNtuple("hittable", "Table of hits.", fieldnames);

	TFile dHLTfile(dHLToutputfile, "READ");

	AliMUONMCDataInterface data;
	AliStack* stack;

	Int_t nEvents = data.NumberOfEvents();
	if (lastEvent < 0) lastEvent = nEvents-1;
	for (Int_t event = firstEvent; event <= lastEvent; event++)
	{
		cout << "Processing event: " << event;

		char buf[1024];
		char* str = &buf[0];
		sprintf(str, "AliHLTMUONEvent;%d", event+1);
		AliHLTMUONEvent* dHLTevent = dynamic_cast<AliHLTMUONEvent*>( dHLTfile.Get(str) );
		if (dHLTevent == NULL)
		{
			cout << endl;
			cerr << "ERROR: Could not find " << str << " in " << dHLToutputfile << endl;
			continue;
		}

		data.GetEvent(event);

		stack = data.Stack(event);
		if (stack == NULL)
		{
			cout << endl;
			cerr << "ERROR: Stack is NULL" << endl;
			continue;
		}

		Int_t trackcount = data.NumberOfParticles();
		cout << "\ttrackcount = " << trackcount << endl;

		TArrayF isPrimary(trackcount);
		TArrayF pdgcode(trackcount);

		//cout << "Fill particle data" << endl;
		for (Int_t i = 0; i < trackcount; i++)
		{
			TParticle* p = data.Particle(i);
			isPrimary[i] = stack->IsPhysicalPrimary(i) ? 1 : 0;
			pdgcode[i] = p->GetPdgCode();
		}

		TArrayF detElem[14];
		TArrayF chamberNum[14];
		TArrayF hitX[14];
		TArrayF hitY[14];
		TArrayF hitZ[14];
		TArrayF dHLThitX[14];
		TArrayF dHLThitY[14];
		TArrayF dHLThitZ[14];
		for (Int_t i = 0; i < 14; i++)
		{
			detElem[i].Set(trackcount);
			chamberNum[i].Set(trackcount);
			hitX[i].Set(trackcount);
			hitY[i].Set(trackcount);
			hitZ[i].Set(trackcount);
			dHLThitX[i].Set(trackcount);
			dHLThitY[i].Set(trackcount);
			dHLThitZ[i].Set(trackcount);
			for (Int_t j = 0; j < trackcount; j++)
			{
				detElem[i][j] = 0;
				chamberNum[i][j] = 0;
				hitX[i][j] = 0;
				hitY[i][j] = 0;
				hitZ[i][j] = 0;
				dHLThitX[i][j] = 0;
				dHLThitY[i][j] = 0;
				dHLThitZ[i][j] = 0;
			}
		}

		//cout << "Fill hits" << endl;
		for (Int_t i = 0; i < data.NumberOfTracks(); i++)
		for (Int_t j = 0; j < data.NumberOfHits(i); j++)
		{
			AliMUONHit* hit = data.Hit(i, j);
			Int_t chamber = hit->Chamber() - 1;
			if (chamber < 0 || chamber >= 14)
			{
				cerr << "ERROR: Chamber number " << chamber << " is out of range." << endl;
				continue;
			}

			//cout << "hit->Track() = " << hit->Track() << endl;
			if (hit->Track() < 0 || hit->Track() >= trackcount)
			{
				cerr << "ERROR: Track number " << hit->Track() << " is out of range. [0.."
					<< trackcount << ")" << endl;
				continue;
			}
			Int_t particleindex = hit->Track();

			detElem[chamber][particleindex] = hit->DetElemId();
			chamberNum[chamber][particleindex] = hit->Chamber();
			hitX[chamber][particleindex] = hit->X();
			hitY[chamber][particleindex] = hit->Y();
			hitZ[chamber][particleindex] = hit->Z();
		} // hits loop

		for (Int_t i = 0; i < dHLTevent->Array().GetEntriesFast(); i++)
		{
			if (dHLTevent->Array().At(i)->IsA() != AliHLTMUONRecHit::Class())
				continue;
			AliHLTMUONRecHit* hit = static_cast<AliHLTMUONRecHit*>(dHLTevent->Array().At(i));

			// Find the best fitting hit.
			Double_t bestFitQuality = 1e30;
			Int_t bestFitTrack = -1;
			Int_t bestFitCh = -1;
			for (Int_t ti = 0; ti < trackcount; ti++)
			for (Int_t ch = 0; ch < 14; ch++)
			{
				if (hit->Coordinate() == TVector3(0,0,0)) continue;
				if (hitX[ch][ti] == 0 && hitY[ch][ti] == 0 && hitZ[ch][ti] == 0)
					continue;
				TVector3 hV(hitX[ch][ti], hitY[ch][ti], hitZ[ch][ti]);
				TVector3 diff = hV - hit->Coordinate();
				Double_t diffX = diff.X() / sigmaX;
				Double_t diffY = diff.Y() / sigmaY;
				Double_t diffZ = diff.Z() / sigmaZ;
				if (diffX > maxSigma) continue;
				if (diffY > maxSigma) continue;
				if (diffZ > maxSigma) continue;
				Double_t fitQuality = diffX*diffX + diffY*diffY + diffZ*diffZ;

				// Now check the fit quality.
				if (fitQuality < bestFitQuality)
				{
					bestFitQuality = fitQuality;
					bestFitTrack = ti;
					bestFitCh = ch;
				}
			}

			if (bestFitTrack < 0 || bestFitCh < 0)
			{
				// No hit was matched so we need to add a fake hit.
				table->Fill(event, -1, 0, -1, -1, 0, 0, 0, hit->X(), hit->Y(), hit->Z());
			}
			else
			{
				// Fill the details about the dHLT track to the best fitting track info.
				dHLThitX[bestFitCh][bestFitTrack] = hit->X();
				dHLThitY[bestFitCh][bestFitTrack] = hit->Y();
				dHLThitZ[bestFitCh][bestFitTrack] = hit->Z();
			}
		}

		for (Int_t i = 0; i < dHLTevent->Array().GetEntriesFast(); i++)
		{
			if (dHLTevent->Array().At(i)->IsA() != AliHLTMUONTriggerRecord::Class())
				continue;
			AliHLTMUONTriggerRecord* trigrec = static_cast<AliHLTMUONTriggerRecord*>(dHLTevent->Array().At(i));

			for (Int_t n = 11; n <= 14; n++)
			{
				const TVector3& hit = trigrec->Hit(n);
				if (hit == TVector3(0,0,0)) continue;
				Int_t ch = n-1;

				// Find the best fitting hit.
				Double_t bestFitQuality = 1e30;
				Int_t bestFitTrack = -1;
				Int_t bestFitCh = -1;
				for (Int_t ti = 0; ti < trackcount; ti++)
				{
					if (hit == TVector3(0,0,0)) continue;
					if (hitX[ch][ti] == 0 && hitY[ch][ti] == 0 && hitZ[ch][ti] == 0)
						continue;
					TVector3 hV(hitX[ch][ti], hitY[ch][ti], hitZ[ch][ti]);
					TVector3 diff = hV - hit;
					Double_t diffX = diff.X() / sigmaXtrg;
					Double_t diffY = diff.Y() / sigmaYtrg;
					Double_t diffZ = diff.Z() / sigmaZtrg;
					if (diffX > maxSigma) continue;
					if (diffY > maxSigma) continue;
					if (diffZ > maxSigma) continue;
					Double_t fitQuality = diffX*diffX + diffY*diffY + diffZ*diffZ;

					// Now check the fit quality.
					if (fitQuality < bestFitQuality)
					{
						bestFitQuality = fitQuality;
						bestFitTrack = ti;
						bestFitCh = ch;
					}
				}

				if (bestFitTrack < 0 || bestFitCh < 0)
				{
					// No hit was matched so we need to add a fake hit.
					table->Fill(event, -1, 0, -1, -1, 0, 0, 0, hit.X(), hit.Y(), hit.Z());
				}
				else
				{
					// Fill the details about the dHLT track to the best fitting track info.
					dHLThitX[bestFitCh][bestFitTrack] = hit.X();
					dHLThitY[bestFitCh][bestFitTrack] = hit.Y();
					dHLThitZ[bestFitCh][bestFitTrack] = hit.Z();
				}
			}
		}

		//cout << "Fill table" << endl;
		for (Int_t i = 0; i < trackcount; i++)
		for (Int_t j = 0; j < 14; j++)
		{
			//event:isprimary::pdgcode:detelem:chamber:x:y:z:dHLTx:dHLTy:dHLTz
			table->Fill(
					event,
					isPrimary[i],
					pdgcode[i],
					detElem[j][i],
					chamberNum[j][i],
					hitX[j][i],
					hitY[j][i],
					hitZ[j][i],
					dHLThitX[j][i],
					dHLThitY[j][i],
					dHLThitZ[j][i]
				);
		}

	} // event loop

	TFile file("hittable.root", "RECREATE");
	file.cd();
	table->Write(table->GetName(), TObject::kOverwrite);

	cout << "Done." << endl;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


You can join the millions of taxpayers (like me) who are expected to file for an extension.
Of those choices, you're probably best off filing for an extension (and even if you do get that appointment, your tax preparer will likely also advise that you file for an extension).
The IRS recommends that taxpayers file for an extension if they need one.
Mistakes can happen at any time, but especially when taxpayers feel rushed or are trying to sort through new tax forms (more on the new form 1040 here) or new rules that may be unfamiliar (like Section 199A).
The IRS understands that there are legitimate reasons why taxpayers may need more time to file. The great thing about filing for an extension early on is that you don't need to tell anyone – not your mother, not your best friend and not even the IRS – why you're making the request since the extension is granted automatically if you follow the rules.
The regular "timely filing" rules apply – so be sure and get your extension postmarked or e-file accepted by the end of the day on April 15. Assuming you're on time, you will have six more months to get your return to the IRS and not be subject to the late-filing penalty. For 2019, this means that, with an extension, you'll have until October 15, 2019, to file a return.
The amount you're paying with the extension, if any.
If you need to make a payment with your extension, you can send in a check or money order with your form 4868, pay online, or pay by phone. You can also pay by making a direct transfer from your bank account using Direct Pay, using the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS, registration required), or by debit or credit card (third-party charges may apply). Some services need an extra day or so for processing so check those details out well before April 15.
If you're a U.S. citizen or resident and you live outside of the U.S. or Puerto Rico, and your primary place of business or post of duty is outside of the U.S. or Puerto Rico or if you are active duty military and live outside of the U.S., you qualify for a two-month extension without having to file form 4868. That moves your due date to June 15 to file and pay. However, interest is still due on any tax payment made after April 15.
Taxpayers affected by natural disasters may have extra time. In particular, the IRS extended tax deadlines for affected individuals and businesses in parts of Alabama following the March storms. For more details, check the disaster relief page on the IRS website.
While it's always a relief to have your tax return over and done with by April 15, it's not the end of the world if that doesn't happen. It's always better to file a complete, correct return on extension than a rushed, flawed return by Tax Day. So go ahead, file for an extension. And then go back to whatever it was that you really wanted to do, like finishing up The Good Place.


Bobs discount furniture clearance - Model furniture clearance - Morris furniture stores Bobs Discount Furniture Clearance. furniture.
Furniture stores provide everyday essentials and luxe designer items.
We offer fantastic rates for the value of your gift cards, and our customer service team can always help you with any questions you might have. I then did a reselection and they told me the furniture would be delivered on September 7th. Yes, over 100 coast-to-coast, surrounded by convenient parking lots.
White-glove delivery 7 days a week - many items in 3 days or less. Mia (manager) was also very helpful as we had lots of questions.
Not fancy stuff, but furniture you can really sink into and enjoy.
There is a Wholesale Furniture stores that owned by Gene Rosenberg.
Entering zip code helps us customize the site to only show you products available at your location.Find 230 listings related to Bob S Discount Furniture in Myrtle Beach on YP.com. See reviews, photos, directions, phone numbers and more for Bob S Discount Furniture locations in Myrtle Beach, SC.
The kit includes two 8oz bottles of furniture care products that will help clean up the little stuff. The stores, which are locally owned and operated, aim to supply high-quality furniture and an affordable price point.


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Meigen bezeichnet:

 Meigen (Solingen), einen Ortsteil in der Stadt Solingen, Nordrhein-Westfalen
 Johann Wilhelm Meigen (1764–1845), einen deutschen Entomologen

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Running a small business is not an easy task. You need all the help you can get. Preferably for free. But where can you get help without having to fork out so much money?
Look to your local council. What a lot of small businesses don't know is that there are actually a lot of things that your local council can help you with. Here we have listed the top three things you can get help from your local council. For the annual membership fee, you can get heaps of stuff back.
You may know a thing or two about starting a business and running one, but it won't hurt getting some professional advice. Check your local council for sessions with a business advisor. It might just be a free initial consult or on a subsidised fee. Still, it is worth checking. There might be a point or two that you don't know about. Maybe details on a new legislation or a way to maximise your opportunities.
A lot of small business owners today are grappling with social media. They don't know how to start, where to start or how to sustain it. Some local councils provide free sessions and workshops for this topic. It is worth checking out the annual schedule of workshops to see if it's part of the offering. Also, call them to know if they provide free consult.
We can't emphasise enough the importance of networking events. You will not only meet people who might become future customers but also people who might be able to provide you with a service. There are several networking events scheduled each year. Make sure you're already a member of your local council business group to ensure you join the free events.
The Canterbury-Bankstown Business Advisory Service (CBBAS) has all these opportunities and more. 3C Digital is available every Thursday for free 45-minute sessions with small business owners. Make sure you register your interest.
It's the new year soon so naturally resolutions come to mind. This is the right time for you to do the same for your business. Here are three things you can do for your small business in the New Year.
No matter how small, these things can make a huge difference in the long run. So give them a try. You can measure the difference they make each quarter.
Have you been putting off doing your social media calendar and strategy? This is the best time to start fresh. Social media isn't going anywhere. Like we said in our post, you need to be on Facebook. And you can't be just on it once a month. You need a regular social media presence. But to do this, you need to have a plan. Start planning now. You need to be more engaged with your customers.
Accountants are not just for end of financial year tax requirements anymore. You want better cash flow and less headache during tax season? A strategy for the future of your business or a plan for when you retire? Find an accountant who can do these things for you. It is best to plan ahead instead of just putting out the fire when it comes. Better to be prepared.
Go through the results of your strategies the year before. Figure out which promos worked and which ones didn't. Find out what was your most popular social media post and keep doing it. Go through the 'suggestion box' and see what you can do better. Businesses that keep changing with the times have more chances of surviving the future, and surviving well.
Do you want to know how to deal with bad reviews online? We all do because, well, we all get bad reviews. Small business owners, however, take it more seriously than the big dogs. And it's totally understandable too because your small business is your baby. You want people to like your baby, right? But the reality is that small businesses will eventually get a bad review. Nowadays, however, reviews are quick and easy to make — and has several avenues, too. Bad reviews are also harsher as people tend to feel braver behind the keyword. So how do you deal with it? In this post, we tell you the top three ways to deal with bad reviews.
Don't take it personally. There are varying reasons why you were given a bad review. The reality is that you can't please everyone. Look at the bad review that was given and think of the different ways you could have ensured it didn't happen. Was it a late shipping? Damaged product? Services that weren't delivered up to scratch? Should you have given a refund? Turn the bad review into a teachable moment for yourself and your staff. Find ways to improve your small business instead of sulking and dwelling on the bad review.
You might be tempted to rant and rave — or swear, even. But it'll only make things worse. If your first reaction is anger, walk away from the computer and cool off. Gather your thoughts before replying to the bad review. Should you do it publicly or privately? It depends. If it's a thread on Facebook, then answer through the thread. If it's something more pressing or complicated, maybe it's best to take it on private mode. Send them a message or an email to discuss how you can help them. Don't start a fight online. That's never a good look.
For every bad review you get, you also get heaps of good reviews. Encourage your customers to leave you a good review online, either on Facebook or Google. Send them a courtesy email/SMS after they buy your products/services and don't be afraid to ask. If you don't ask, you won't get the review. Sometimes people are just busy and they forget. It's worth doing a follow up a couple of days later. If you want a longer form of review, it's worth writing the review yourself and asking your client to approve it. That way it saves them having to sit down and write it themselves.
Wanna learn more about how to deal with small business digital marketing? Join our Small Business Digital Marketing Portal now! It's cheaper than your daily coffee and you get lots of free stuff!
Small business owners ask all the time why they need to go into the digital marketing world. Can't you just do what you were doing and leave it that way? Unfortunately, not because the old ways are not working anymore. We've met with small business owners who admitted that they barely got a reply to the 10,000 flyers they left in people's mailboxes. All that money wasted. In this post, we will tell you why your small business needs digital marketing.
You can bury your head in the sand but the truth of the matter is that we are in a digital era. Although there are still some things that are the same (advertising messages still need to be compelling), the avenue has changed. And it's changing constantly. But even though you are overwhelmed by the digital marketing world, you still need to be there. If you can't do them all, just start small. Read up on our digital marketing for beginners tips to get you going. We make sure we lessen the jargon so that you understand what we're talking about.
One thing to remember is that your competition is online. They are doing the digital marketing stuff. They are on social media and they are not afraid to use it. If you want to be competitive, you need to have a digital space, too. These days, when customers hear about your brand they check out your website and your Facebook page first. Then they look at your reviews online and the different ways they can contact you. Aside from that, they also look at what your posts have been on social media. If you're not online, or your customers are having a hard time finding things out about your small business, you will miss out.
We're sorry to say that the digital world isn't budging. No matter how many times you hear issues surrounding social media platforms, it is still going strong. In fact, users for platforms like Facebook and Instagram are in the billions and increasing. If you don't ride the tide now, it'll be even more difficult to catch up later on. But if you don't know what you're doing, don't hesitate to hire a digital marketing agency. Read our tips on what to look for when looking for a digital marketing agency for your small business. Whether you are going to DIY digital marketing or hire an agency, it is best to start ASAP.
Wanna know more about digital marketing? Contact us for a FREE 30-minute content strategy.
We're proud to showcase one of our clients today. We met Nicole Jackson, the woman behind Support Suite, counselling and coaching for people with disability, during one of our one-hour free consultations at the Canterbury-Bankstown Business Advisory Services (CBBAS). In this post, we will show you how we helped her set up her small business presence online.
Nicole wanted to set up a SEO-friendly website with a contemporary look and a strong CTA. She also wanted a Facebook channel to support it. After our initial meeting, we figured that she will be able to realistically handle only one social media channel. We picked Facebook as the best option for her needs.
After setting up the website with SSL and SEO, we created the copy for her website and blog posts with Nicole's guidance. We worked with Nicole to ensure that the copy on her website is in line with her vision and consistent with her tone and the language of her industry.
We also integrated the Wecounsel platform on her website to use for setting up appointments, sending payments and various other features. As Support Suite caters for people with disability, we added a voice plugin that will allow visitors to listen to the website instead of read.
The photos from the photo shoot were used on the website as well as her Facebook page and marketing materials. We also helped with her social media strategy and marketing materials design using free tools online.
Need help with setting up your online presence? Contact us for your FREE 30-minute strategy call!
We are over at Inside Small Business today talking about the most common social media mistakes that small business owners make online.
You know that social media is here to stay. If your small business is not on any social media platform, you are missing out on potential customers big time. We know it can be confusing to navigate the do's and don'ts of using social media for your small business. But it is still important to know even just the basics. In this post, we will discuss five of the most common mistakes that small-business owners make when using social media. See you there!
Brenda is a serial entrepreneur and proud of it. She started 3C Digital to help small business owners find their way around social media and make it work for them.


We provide quality carpet cleaning services in Ada County, ID and the surrounding areas. There are several reasons to get your carpets cleaned, we recommend having it done professional every 6 to 12 months. People love Heaven's Best Carpet Cleaning (Ada County, ID) because of our quality service and effective low-moisture cleaning process.


This week on I Love Mondays, Carlo hits the streets of Fort Lauderdale to get to the bottom of the tough questions. He asks concert goers if it's right to wipe from the front to back or back to front.
Monday is here, time to grab life and dominate the day. Make the best of your week. Let's go!!!!


Welcome to my blog! Here I will write about my upcoming projects, latest discoveries, and what I am up to now.
Credit and thanks to Ida Toninato for the photo on the main page, and Alison Gray and Jeff Higgins for videos on the Listen and Watch page.


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docker run -d --name firebird  -e ISC_PASSWORD=masterkey -e FIREBIRD_DATABASE=testdb.fdb -e EnableLegacyClientAuth=true -p 3050:3050 jacobalberty/firebird:3.0
docker ps -a
sleep 15

docker exec firebird ls -a /firebird/data
docker exec firebird ls -a /firebird/log
docker exec firebird cat /firebird/log/firebird.log

docker logs firebird


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Vampire Dating Site. Copyright © 2019 Vampire Dating Site.


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"I Did It for Myself"
Studying Efforts to Increase Adult Learner Persistence in Library Literacy Programs
| John P. Comings, Sondra Cuban, Johannes Bos, Catherine Taylor
Learning to read and write is a serious challenge for adult students, many of whom enter literacy programs with low skills, special learning needs, or negative past experiences in school. Adult responsibilities make it especially challenging for these students to persist in a literacy program long enough to make meaningful progress toward reaching their literacy goals.
Launched in 1999 and funded by the Wallace-Reader's Digest Funds, the Literacy in Libraries Across America (LILAA) initiative is aimed at helping literacy programs at public libraries across the country implement strategies to improve persistence among adult students. These strategies aim to make program attendance easier by offering child care, transportation, and expanded hours of operation. Instructional priorities include making program instruction more engaging and relevant by adapting curricula (often designed for children) to adult interests and needs, improving teacher and tutor training, and identifying potential barriers to persistence at program entry.
As part of the LILAA initiative, in 2000 MDRC and the National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy (NCSALL) began a three-year study of the implementation and effectiveness of strategies to increase student persistence in the adult literacy programs of five public libraries: Redwood City Public Library and Oakland Public Library in California, New York Public Library and Queens Borough Public Library in New York City, and Greensboro Public Library in North Carolina. Researchers are (1) collecting and analyzing data on demographic characteristics, program retention, hours spent in literacy activities, and student goals; and (2) studying students' experiences in the programs by conducting extensive ethnographic interviews, observations of classes and tutoring sessions, and focus groups.
This report describes the design of the LILAA persistence study, the strategies that participating libraries are using to increase student persistence, and emerging implementation issues. It describes existing patterns in student persistence, identifies factors that support or inhibit persistence, and begins to explore the relationship between program strategies and persistence. Early emerging findings, to be tested in later analysis, suggest that three categories of themes and their related strategies are particularly important in explaining student persistence:
Programmatic. The programs in this study are able to provide individualized attention to students because they have stable leadership, access to technology, solid financial support, and relatively small student populations. Differences among the literacy programs do emerge, however, in terms of their integration into the larger library organization, which can affect program strategies.
Instructional. The programs in this study try to be innovative in tailoring instructional methods to students' needs while maintaining an assessment system that allows them to measure learning gains. Relevant, high-quality instruction, appropriate to the reading level of students, is important.
Student-based. Because the programs must address the needs of highly diverse students, they seek to develop strategies that can accommodate students' cultural and personal identities, goals, and learning disabilities as well as the interests of those who encouraged them to enter the program.
Further lessons about the implementation and impacts of persistence strategies in library literacy programs will emerge over the next two years - through reports on program implementation, levels of student persistence, and the relationship between persistence and literacy test scores - and will culminate in recommendations for program design and policy.
Work and Income Security
Populations with Barriers to Employment
People in Low-Wage JobsPeople Who Are Unemployed or Underemployed
California, New York, North Carolina
Literacy in Libraries Across America


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Tag: The Matrix
My Favorite Sci-Fi Films
May 12, 2018 May 27, 2019 Posted in Film AnalysisTagged 1984, Alien, Arrival, Art, AVP: Alien vs. Predator, Back to the Future, Chris Cribari, Chris Cribari Blog, Cinema, Equilibrium, Fahrenheit 451, Film, Gravity, I Robot, Inception, Interstellar, Limitless, Metropolis, Minority Report, Movies, My Favorite Sci-Fi Films, Planet of the Apes, Predator, Sci-Fi, Snowpiercer, Star Wars, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Terminator 2, Terminator Salvation, The Adjustment Bureau, The Island, The Martian, The Matrix, Tron: Legacy, War for the Planet of the ApesLeave a comment
Photo Cred: (1) | Updated: 5/27/2019
So I've always wanted to talk about my favorite films of all time, but have never been able to narrow it down to a top ten or even a top fifty films. The more movies I watch over time, the longer my list of favorites grows as my personal taste expands. But I think I have found the best way of approaching this daunting task and that is by writing about my favorite films by genre. Not only the overarching genre, but also the sub categories that reside within the main genre. To start this series off, I've decided to talk about possibly my favorite genre of films: sci-fi.
For this genre, I've broken it down to the following types of films: escapism, guilty pleasures, realism, social commentaries, and the underrated. The rest of the blog-posts in this series will follow a similar format. First, let's look at my favorite escapism in the sci-fi genre.
For escapism, the most important element is that you get to go from reality and escape to something completely out of this world. Something that is totally distant from our life. Some favorites in this first category are Alien (1979), Back to the Future (1985), Predator (1987), and Terminator 2 (1991). These are all great sci-fi films that take you to places unexpected and are thrilling from start to finish. Whether it's the 1950s, the 1980s with time-traveling robots, or even going to space to fight a chest-burstin' alien, these films take you onto great escapes into the unknown. They've got action, suspense, and tons of memorable moments.
Yet my favorite sci-fi escapist movie and also my favorite movie of all time is none other than Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It's got everything you need for a killer sci-fi flick and is in my opinion the gold standard of escapist sci-fi films. It's action-packed, filled to the brim with fun characters, and has a great story that takes you all over a galaxy far, far away. It's the perfect escape.
Now like any genre, there are those films that are not so good, but we still watch them because of some obscure reason. These are the guilty pleasures that you know are either straight trash or a mixed bag of a movie, but you still love watching them anyway for who knows why. A few of my favorite sci-fi guilty pleasures are AVP: Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Tron: Legacy (2010).
The latter only for its sick Daft Punk soundtrack and the lit special effects. Outside of that, it's your run-of-the-mill generic sci-fi flick with a pretty bland story. Oh, and why AVP: Alien vs. Predator? Because I literally only watch the aliens and predators fight each other and skip through the rest of the movie. Besides that, it's the definition of a dumpster fire.
There's even Terminator Salvation (2009), which should have been great yet still failed to be anything beyond eye-candy with its awesome action scenes and cool sound design. Although, of all of my guilty pleasures in sci-fi, none is a greater guilty pleasure for me than Michael Bay's The Island (2005).
From its wacky plot about cloning humans to its sun-soaked action scenes, this movie is guilty pleasure sci-fi filmmaking to a tee. There's also the excessive amount of references to peeing, which is strange in itself throughout the entire movie because it's somehow integral to the plot. I don't know. I like it and you might too. It's not that good, but boy is it a fun sci-fi guilty pleasure to watch!
For this subgenre, all of these films take an idea grounded in reality and push it past its logical limits, while trying as hard as possible to maintain some sort of realism. Films such as Limitless (2011), where Bradley Cooper takes a pill that unleashes his brain's full capacity. It takes a simple premise and uses it to an engaging advantage for what is a pretty good movie.
There's even the space-driven sci-fi films that aim to replicate what outer space is really like for better or for worse like Gravity (2013) and The Martian (2015). What makes these films so good is the fact that despite how amusing or terrifying the story might be, the stakes feel even higher than usual due to them being much more realistic.
But in my mind, nothing comes close to entertaining and realistic sci-fi quite like Christopher Nolan's Inception (2010). It's both brilliant and subdued. Rooted in a fascinating idea and then goes to a whole other level as the plot unfolds. As you fall deeper into the levels of dreams, what is and isn't real becomes a lot harder to discern. It's bold, intelligent, and is most definitely my favorite realistic sci-fi film.
Here we find what might be considered the most heady and emotionally tugging sci-fi films. The ones that cause us to feel and think in ways we might not have before. The films that challenge our beliefs and are sometimes a direct mirror of the times we live in as a species.
When it comes to social commentary sci-fi, some of my all-time favorites include movies like Interstellar (2014), Metropolis (1927), and Snowpiercer (2013). Three films dealing with the similar idea of survival. Trying to make it in a world no longer suitable for us humans or at least for those of us that are not so fortunate. With the use of sci-fi elements, these three films take drastically different approaches on how we would react in similar situations. The various social-economic struggles, the philosophical conversations, and even how they choose to visualize this universal desire to adapt in spite of the worst conditions is what makes these types of films stand the test of time.
Likewise, movies like Arrival (2016) and The Matrix (1999) deal with different types of problems within our modern world like the invasion of our privacy, questioning reality, or even how time affects us. In the spirit of all of these big ideas and confronting our societal struggles head-on, none of these films has affected me more than War for the Planet of the Apes (2017). This, along with the entire Planet of the Apes franchise, has always had the unique perspective of directly addressing bigotry, racism, and xenophobia unlike any sci-fi films that I've ever seen.
From the warring factions of apes versus mankind to the delicate reflections on what makes us human, this movie delves deep into some of the biggest questions that modern day humanity has to deal with now. With its allusions to socialist regimes of the last century to the harsh treatment of minorities during the early years of America, this film speaks on so many subjects and yet nails every single one of them. It's a modern masterpiece and is my favorite social commentary sci-fi flick.
Not all heroes wear capes and not all films get the attention that they deserve. These are the underdogs. The odd ones out that for some reason or another, don't get the credit they deserve. Some of these personal favorites include Minority Report (2002) and The Adjustment Bureau (2011). These are films that while good, never seem to get enough attention, in my opinion.
Another underrated movie that I think is pretty fun is I, Robot (2004) starring Will Smith. A movie that follows a detective (Smith) as he tries to solve the suicide of the founder of U.S. Robotics, but believes that a robot is actually the culprit behind the whole crime. It's got an uneven tone and the third act is really dumb when compared to the rest of the movie, but it has a heart to it thanks in large part to Smith's great performance and the fun mystery of solving the crime.
Although, my favorite underrated sci-fi movie is Equilibrium (2002). In a post-Matrix world, this at first glance appears like a cheap rip-off of the whole slo-mo kung fu that would define the next two decades of movies. Yes, it has bland production design, some poorly written dialogue, and uninspired cinematography. But this film works because the story concept is just so fascinating and the acting ensemble sells it as best they can with what they're given. Speaking of casts, this one is kinda loaded as it stars Christian Bale acting alongside the likes of Emily Watson, Taye Diggs, Angus Macfadyen, Sean Bean, and William Fichtner. It borrows heavily from George Orwell's 1984 and Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 as the film is centered on a world where emotion is illegal, along with all things that provoke said emotions. It's a gem and I've grown up always appreciating it as a diamond in the ruff.
In short, my favorite sci-fi films are as follows by subgenre:
So those are just a few of my favorite sci-fi films. I couldn't talk about all of them, but this should give you an idea of what sci-fi films interest me most. Next time in this series, I'll go over my favorite war movies. With that, Godspeed and Jesus bless!
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)


Students from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences recently went to Washington, D.C., to learn how agricultural policy is made.
Washington, D.C., may not be the first place to come to mind when thinking about agriculture. However, when one wants to learn more about agriculture policy in the U.S. government, D.C. is the premiere destination.
This spring, eight students from the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences traveled to Washington, D.C., for the opportunity to meet government agriculture representatives to discuss the future of agriculture.
These students are a subset of a larger group referred to as STEM Scholars and are part of a research project entitled Empowering Students to Achieve Academic Success, led by professors Mike Denbow, Rebecca Cockrum, and Katharine Knowlton.
"The STEM Scholars program through departments of Animal and Poultry Science and Dairy Science was designed to provide financial assistance to truly exceptional students so that students can participate in more experiential learning opportunities and not have to focus on how to pay for their education," said Cockrum, assistant professor of dairy science.
During their trip to D.C., the students met with representatives from the National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA), the USDA-Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (USDA-BARC), the USDA Agricultural Research Service, and the National Association of States Departments of Agriculture.
At NIFA, the group learned more about current agriculture research funding opportunities, as well as internships and jobs within the agency. Director Sonny Ramaswamy stopped by to address the students and share his personal career path that included a call from the White House asking him to become the director of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture in 2012. NIFA works with land-grant universities, such as Virginia Tech, as well as other academic institutions to accomplish their mission.
After spending the morning at NIFA, the students traveled to Beltsville, Maryland, to tour and learn more about the USDA-BARC. The agency focuses on research broken down into seven goals, including such areas as sustainable use of natural resources, human nutrition, food safety, and local and global food supply and security.
While touring USDA-BARC, students met with scientists currently conducting research in sheep genomics and dairy science and they discussed different research techniques.
The trip allowed students to gain further appreciation for those representing agriculture within the government, as well as provided them with an unforgettable chance to network, learn of new opportunities, and expand their current understanding of agricultural research, policy, and law.


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Favourite Place Inverness - Gateway to the Highlands
Inverness means "Mouth of the River Ness", and is generally considered to be the Gateway to the Highlands. You can reach it easily by road or rail (from Perth, Edinburgh, Glasgow or Aberdeen), or by sleeper car from London's Euston Station.
Inverness is now a large and growing metropolis, albeit a very attractive metropolis, and it has a busy airport which is served by Loganair, Easyjet, Ryanair and Highland Airways, Aer Aran and BMI. It is one of the fastest growing cities in Europe and is the centre of commerce and industry for the Scottish Highlands. It has a great deal to offer the visitor, besides access to the best of Scotland's scenery.
Located on the the Moray firth with the broad and sparkling River Ness flowing through the city, Inverness has the best of Highland City life and access to some of the most beautiful mountains and glens, all within easy reach.
Inverness Castle
Whether you want to shop at the Eastgate Shopping Centre, visit the Inverness Museum and Art Gallery or take a stroll by the river - there is something in Inverness for everyone. Churches on the River is a beautiful walk by the River Ness and its oldest churches. Visit www.churchesinverness.com for more pictures of the walk and details of the churches.
Inverness Cathedral
There is a picturesque castle, although by Scotland's standards it was built fairly recently, (in 1835) on the site of an old castle dating from the 11th century which was destroyed, blown up in fact, after the Jacobite Rebellion.
The Nevis Range, including Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis, is some 63 miles from Inverness. Some of Scotland's most beautiful glens such as Glen Affric, Strathglass and Strathfarrar are located just to the north. About 30 miles from Inverness is one of the most famous lakes in the world. Loch Ness, is home to the legendary Loch Ness Monster. Visit Drumnadrochit on the edge of Loch Ness for the exhibition and all the latest information about monsters, history and sightings. More about all those attractions coming soon....
Inverness is also close to all five of Scotland's major ski resorts, Aviemore, which has Scotland's only funicular railway, Glen Coe, and of course, the Nevis Range.
Funicular Railway at Aviemore
Six miles outside the town, you can visit the famous -or infamous - Battlefield of Culloden, location of the last major battle fought on British soil, in 1746. This battle saw the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the end of Jacobite hopes. After this battle, which took place between the younger son of George II, (the Duke of Cumberland, or "Butcher Cumberland") and the Highland Scots, the kilt and pipes were banned, and the clan system all but destroyed.
Culloden battlefield
The very ground seems to have absorbed the emotional toll of this battle, and there is a tangible feeling of melancholy here that lingers on, even to this present day.
The Battle of Culloden
As if in lasting defiance of this ancient ban, nowadays Inverness is an important centre for bagpipe players and lovers, since every September the city hosts the Northern Meeting, the most prestigious solo piping competition in the world. (See the U-Tube Video on my Bagpipe Music Page- Listen to the music if you love bagpipes, you can always turn the sound down if there's a non-bagpipe fan in the room!).
There's plenty of things to do in Inverness, before you go off into the mountains. Inverness has lots of golfing and watersports. if you like the open water, you can also cruise the Moray Firth on the lookout for bottlenose dolphins.
If you are into caravanning and camping, The Bucht Caravan and Camping site just outside Inverness is open from March to October. If the outdoor life is not for you, the Pottery House is a cozy little bed and breakfast. Visit their website at www.potteryhouse.co.uk.
Inverness High Street
Hootnanny's Scottish Celilidh Cafe bar is a lively night spot, but closes at 12p.m. for you folks who like to stay out all night, I just wanted to let you know.
If you want to do something special and be away from the noise and bustle, the Culloden House Hotel is three miles out of the town and comes highly recommended.
Here is a map of the area which will give you some idea of the layout of the surrounding countryside. Loch Ness is about 23 miles from Inverness, and Jacobite Tours runs regular buses from here and also boats which tour the loch. Visit www.jacobite.co.uk for more information.
about the Loch Ness monster...
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Los Katios National Park
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EXPLORE the Los Katios National Park with this slideshow, check the location map and get all the facts and information below.
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For slideshow description see right or scroll down (mobile). Slideshow loads automatically (this may take a few seconds to start)
Location and Values: Los Katios National Park is located along Colombia's border with Panama, where it forms part of a trans-boundary conservation area with neighbouring world heritage-listed Darien National Park. The area supports one of the world's most species-rich rainforests, with exceptional levels of endemism. Its location on the isthmus connecting the North and South American continents gives it a unique biogeographical significance as a major convergence zone for plant and animal taxa. Los Katios is much smaller than Darien, making up just 11% of the total area of the combined trans-boundary conservation area. It is divided between two major regions with half its area covered by forested hills and mountains (to an elevation of 650 metres), while the other half is occupied by the alluvial flats, marshes and floodplains of the Atrato River.
Conservation Status and Prospects. According to IUCN's Conservation Outlook Assessment (2020) the conservation status of the Los Katios National Park is of 'significant concern'. The site was previously inscribed on the List of World Heritage In Danger from 2009 – 2015 because of significant threats from (1) illegal timber extraction, (2) renewed settlement within the park by Wounaan communities which had been re-located to areas outside the park at the time it was established, (3) fishing and hunting, (4) land clearance within the park for shifting agriculture and cattle pasture, (5) pollution and (6) potential development of major new infrastructure projects, including completion of the Pan-American highway through the Darien Gap. The latest IUCN Conservation Outlook Assessment (2020) notes that an improved security situation since 2015 has enabled the management authority to address many of these threats. Law enforcement has been improved, and negotiations are underway with the Wounaan communities to develop appropriate systems of sustainable use that recognize the rights of local people now living within the park while also protecting the area's important world heritage values. One of the main concerns is that the improved security situation may enable implementation of major infrastructure projects (such as the Pan-American highway) that have not been possible previously.
Official UNESCO Site Details
IUCN Conservation Outlook
UNEP-WCMC Site Description
Birdlife IBA
Slideshow description
The slideshow 'tells the story' of Los Katios National Park with a portfolio of photos that illustrate its landscape features and some of the typical plants and animals. It starts with some aerial views of the forested lowlands along the margins of the Atrato River, followed by aerial views of the forest canopy in the foothills. There are views of the distant shoreline and stilt houses of communities living around the vast lake and swamp area of the Cienaga de Tumarado, and an image of the Tilupo waterfall. Throughout the slideshow, some of the more notable plants and animals are shown, including (in order of appearance): black-crowned antpitta, Choco toucan, cotton-top tamarin, great curassow, great green macaw, squirrel monkey, red howler monkey, spectacled caiman and white-faced capuchin monkey.
The following Flickr photographers and other sources are acknowledged with thanks for their contributions to this slideshow (as credited in the watermark of each photo): Cati Restrepo, Caranpaima, Cristian Esteban Avila Pulgarin, CopeArte, Peter Wendelken, Scott Olmstaad, Daniel Lujan, Diego Calderon, esteban_evm, Greg Lavaty, James Lees, hwithaar, Lucas Rios, Rafy Rodriguez, Keith Leber, Andreas Kay, Phil Thomas and Brian Gratwicke. Note that some of the close-up photos of birds and mammals are from other locations (including animals in captivity), and may vary slightly in appearance from individuals in Los Katios National Park.
Factfile
Website Category:
Tropical & Sub-tropical Forests
Area: 720 km2
Inscribed: 1994
UNESCO Criteria:
Ecological processes (ix);
Natural habitat for biodiversity (x);
Significant number of rare, endemic and/or endangered species (x)
You may also like to explore these other featured sites:-
Chiribiquete National Park – 'The Maloca of the Jaguar'
Darien National Park
Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary
Ujung Kulon National Park Rio Platano Biosphere Reserve


Ayman Saadawy's most recent artistic experience (May 2016) is a contemporary reflection of the artist's self-confidence and the spirit that takes you to the realm of his memories. Saadawi's sculptures share some similar aspects, but are always saturated with a genuine Egyptian identity. His experience rests on several elements: the balance of his work, its presence and its freshness. Furthermore he captures the viewer by addressing his visual memories.
Though Saadawy's eyes are used to different styles of different sculptors, as he contributed to the process of these sculptors' technical production and exhibitions, he was never influenced by them. Instead, he tackled issues related to his persona, his origin, his background, and his own environment. In fact, he dug deep into his memories from childhood to adolescence, while reviving stories, games, vocabularies, events and fun times.
He visited a virtual place resembling the reality of his younger days that are engraved in his memory, and divided it by a thin line between the urban and that which is rural. He featured simple means of transportations, including motorbikes and livestock. He also portrayed individuals he once knew and lived with: a joyful boy, a cheerful girl, a beautiful woman, a working lady, a wandering young girl, a miserable youth, a well-built man...people from all walks of the life he has lived. Dreamy girls with beautiful features and expressive looks are charmingly portrayed, in addition to playful children on livestock , bathing in canals amidst agricultural lands.
This latest exhibition by Ayman Saadawy, "The Nile", is a spatial turning point in his Art journey, one that does not transcend his philosophy in addressing his community.
His focal point is the Nile and how it impacts Egyptian day-to-day life and its effects on the vibrant human activity around it. Sadaawy's previous exhibition addressed a totally different concept; that of games toys and tools used by children, for entertainment... whereas This exhibition takes a more serious note on human activity than his earlier exhibitions, focusing on fishermen whose only source of income is the river itself. With his usual distinctive dexterity, he insists once more to use bronze (the noble material), in addition to other mediums such as the Egyptian green marble used in "The Nile Bride". "The Nile Bride" showcases an Egyptian well-dressed girl proudly seated on deck of a stone boat whose bow and rear take the shape of the famous Egyptian papyrus.
Saadawy also uses black granite from Aswan in "The Boat". The body of the boat is in granite, while the bow is lotus-like and the rear is in the shape of Anubis head. In this Exhibition, Saadawy displayed a collection of boats boarding the Nile throughout Egypt, differing in shapes and usage. He tackled the relationship between men and women as partners in society in need to collaborate together to pursue such an activity as fishing. Saadawy also featured the relationship between fishermen and their main livestock, the guard dog, which is generally used as a companion to fishermen and shepherds. The use of the dog for company has roots in ancient Egyptian history in which Anubis played a crucial role. However, one of the works that is close to my heart is the fisherman in movement- throwing the net, while another favorite is the fisherman on the bank of the river holding a fishhook, surrounded by cats looking forward to a fish meal. Saadawy managed to portray the sense of vigorousness, excitement, hope and determination in the act of throwing the net, reflected in the fisherman himself. His distinctive dexterity is also apparent in larger sculptures of fishermen in which he excelled portraying the anatomy of the human body.
Observing Saadawy's art will be transports his viewers to a truly Egyptian world down to its smallest detail, thus creating a relationship between his art and the viewer. His works are authentic and real, emphasizing the warmth that characterizes his art. Saadawy's skills are apparent in his sculptures they are stationary or in movement, due to his firm grasp of anatomy, and his awareness of proportions and scales.
Saadawy is able to convey the ambience of the setting around his sculptures and not just through his work itself. He starts forming the mass of clay form point zero, while using his imagination to produce the final work of art embodying his skills technical skills as well as his mindful concept . The best example of this is again the piece featuring the fisherman throwing the net . This work embodies both movement and expression ... this allows the fisherman's spirit to move around the work thus creating s dialogue between the work and the viewer This quick review may not suffice to describe Saadawy's artistic experience, competence and skills that are of a true Egyptian identity in the contemporary sculpture art scene.


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New RePEat film offers a recyclable PE packaging solution
SIRANE has launched a range of recyclable PE pouches and films – RePEat.
The products are made from pure polyethylene (PE) – including any zip-lock – so can reportedly be recycled anywhere with an LDPE recycling stream.
Both mono and laminate structures are available, offering a range of different barriers for a variety of uses – including frozen food, packaging that requires a high barrier, and liquids. SIRANE also points out that its new range is suitable for non-food items, where no barrier is required.
Simon Balderson, Sirane MD, said: "RePEat film is a plastic film, but one which can be recycled. Traditionally, this sort of packaging cannot be recycled, because of the multiple laminate layers, but with RePEat film, it can be easily recycled.
"Whether it is for a non-food application requiring no barrier, for frozen food, or for ambient-temperature food requiring excellent barrier properties to keep it fresh, RePEat film has a range of options."
2023 and packaging: What have we seen so far?
Although we're still at the very start of 2023, numerous European countries have already introduced significant packaging-focused legislation this year. Elena Rotzokou, global EPR researcher at environmental compliance data consultancy Ecoveritas, talks us through the changes that you need to know about.


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Abernathy Man in Critical Condition After Train Collision
Andrew Coats
Tom Pennington, Getty Images
A man from Abernathy is recovering at University Medical Center after an early morning accident.
Texas DPS says the crash occurred at around 5 a.m. Sunday morning. 20-year-old Mark Anthony Pando was driving his car near FM 1585 and U.S. 84, east of Lubbock, when he tried crossing a nearby railroad track and was hit by an oncoming train.
Pando was taken to UMC with serious injuries, but nobody on the train was hurt. The accident is still under investigation.
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package org.gradle.api.internal.tasks.testing.processors;

import org.gradle.api.internal.tasks.testing.DefaultTestSuiteDescriptor;
import org.gradle.api.internal.tasks.testing.TestClassProcessor;
import org.gradle.api.internal.tasks.testing.TestCompleteEvent;
import org.gradle.api.internal.tasks.testing.TestDescriptorInternal;
import org.gradle.api.internal.tasks.testing.TestResultProcessor;
import org.gradle.api.internal.tasks.testing.TestStartEvent;
import org.gradle.api.internal.tasks.testing.results.AttachParentTestResultProcessor;
import org.gradle.internal.time.Clock;
import org.gradle.internal.work.WorkerLeaseService;

public class TestMainAction implements Runnable {
    private final Runnable detector;
    private final TestClassProcessor processor;
    private final TestResultProcessor resultProcessor;
    private final WorkerLeaseService workerLeaseService;
    private final Clock clock;
    private final Object rootTestSuiteId;
    private final String displayName;

    public TestMainAction(Runnable detector, TestClassProcessor processor, TestResultProcessor resultProcessor, WorkerLeaseService workerLeaseService, Clock clock, Object rootTestSuiteId, String displayName) {
        this.detector = detector;
        this.processor = processor;
        this.resultProcessor = new AttachParentTestResultProcessor(resultProcessor);
        this.workerLeaseService = workerLeaseService;
        this.clock = clock;
        this.rootTestSuiteId = rootTestSuiteId;
        this.displayName = displayName;
    }

    @Override
    public void run() {
        TestDescriptorInternal suite = new RootTestSuiteDescriptor(rootTestSuiteId, displayName);
        resultProcessor.started(suite, new TestStartEvent(clock.getCurrentTime()));
        try {
            processor.startProcessing(resultProcessor);
            try {
                detector.run();
            } finally {
                // Release worker lease while waiting for tests to complete
                workerLeaseService.blocking(new Runnable() {
                    @Override
                    public void run() {
                        processor.stop();
                    }
                });
            }
        } finally {
            resultProcessor.completed(suite.getId(), new TestCompleteEvent(clock.getCurrentTime()));
        }
    }

    private static final class RootTestSuiteDescriptor extends DefaultTestSuiteDescriptor {
        private RootTestSuiteDescriptor(Object id, String name) {
            super(id, name);
        }

        @Override
        public String toString() {
            return getName();
        }
    }
}


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This App Tells You the Best Times to Take a Bathroom Break During a Movie
Johnny Jet, April 27, 2019
Photo by Krists Luhaers on Unsplash
RunPee isn't a travel app per se, but it is a movie-related app, and I know a lot of people who like to go to the movies when they travel. (I'm not sure that's the best use of time while on vacation unless you're trying to get a sense of place or seeing a movie that was filmed in the destination, but that's just me.) The app has been around since 2005, but because of all the hype around Avengers: Endgame's three-hour run time, it's suddenly all over the news—so much so that the uptick in usage crashed the app, and the developer is working on a fix at the time this posts.
When it's working (and it seems it will work again), RunPee (free to download on both iOS and Android) is an app that movie-goers are sure to love. The premise is simple: to "improve your movie-going experience" by identifying the best times in movies to "run and pee" so you don't miss important scenes. The database is updated weekly, whenever wide-release films open in theaters. Right now, there are more than 1,300 movies in the database. The app also provides a synopsis with each Peetime so you know exactly what you missed while you were gone. There's apparently no other resource like it in the entire world.
To use it, you pick your movie and start time and start watching the movie. The built-in timer will then alert you, by discreet vibration, when a Peetime is coming so you don't have to worry about bothering the people around you in the theater. There's also a free feature that will tell you what extra scenes to expect with or after the credits and when, and if they're worth staying for.
There's no charge to use RunPee with movies older than three months, but not everything is free. It costs money to update, the team notes, so there's a nominal fee to use it with new movies: $0.99 for 10 Peecoins, $1.99 for 20 Peecoins and $20 for infinity Peecoins. If you don't want to spend cash, there's also an option to watch video ads to get Peecoins.
RunPee is available in many languages, including: English, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Malay, Norwegian Bokmål, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, and Vietnamese.
Apr 27, 2019 Johnny Jet
4 (80%) 25 vote[s]
Top 5 Travel Apps for the London Olympics
With the London Olympics rapidly approaching (they officially begin July 27th) those of us lucky enough to see the Games firsthand can let these gold medal worthy apps do the…
Shelby Lorman , July 16, 2012
Travel App of the Week
New Travel App: Postcard on the Run
Whether traveling across the street or around the world, digital devices have made it incredibly easy to share your stories with friends and family as you go. Smartphones have made…
Travel App: LodgeNet
Pretty much every seasoned traveler knows that the dirtiest thing in a hotel room is the TV's remote control. That's why they should be ecstatic and download LodgeNet's new remote…
Johnny Jet , July 16, 2012


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This Week's Calendar
Our Blog: University & Main
Posted in Events, Music, Personality
Amy Ray's Music, Activism Go Hand in Hand
Gainesville Downtown March 3, 2017 Leave a comment
One-half of the Grammy-winning Indigo Girls will appear with her five-piece country band tonight during a concert at High Dive as part of Changeville. The social change festival is something with which the singer/songwriter easily identifies.
Amy Ray has taken quite a journey in life, but she's never too far from her roots.
The recording artist, best known for being half of The Indigo Girls along with childhood friend Emily Saliers, lives with her partner, Carrie Schrader, and their young daughter on 80 rugged acres in the north Georgia foothills. It's a short but winding drive from where she grew up in the Atlanta suburb of Decatur.
"I live only about an hour and a half from Mom's house," Ray said. "My dad passed away a few years ago. I was very close to him. But I got my mom and my siblings and my cousins. I'm still very close to my kin."
So it is no surprise that Ray's music harkens back to a simpler time, with messages of hope and love.
And it's no wonder that she is performing Friday night during Changeville, a two-day festival where artists and activists who believe in a better world meet.
Ray, 52, will be onstage tonight at High Dive during a concert event that also includes David Bazan and Matthew Fowler. Doors open at 9 p.m. Ray is scheduled to perform with her five-piece band at 10:10.
We recently interviewed Ray by phone from her home in Georgia. Here is our Q&A:
What's the latest with Amy Ray?
I've been busy. Basically, Indigo Girls has been touring. We had a record come out over a year ago (One Lost Day). My country record Goodnight Tender came out a couple years ago. Before that I was making punk and rock records. My country record came out and then Emily and I put a record out. We've been touring on that record, and in between our tours I go out and do some country shows. We've been able to open for the country band Tedeschi Trucks off and on. I'm writing new songs to record. I really love the band I have right now. We just like to go out and play for fun, basically.
And you balance all that with raising a daughter?
Amy Ray, left, and Emily Saliers of Indigo Girls.
Yes, I have a 3-year-old girl named Ozie, so I'm trying to expand time a little bit. I like being a parent. I just love it and I try to stay home more now and be there with her. Emily and I both have children now so we both tour a little bit less, but she's also got a solo record coming out soon. We're just trying to do our thing, you know, and play together and play separate and balance it all out. It's her first solo album. It's very exciting. It's a very cool record. I've heard the rough mixes. It's more in the pop thing with the cool sounds and beats, with a lot of production. It's that pop side of Emily you can hear in Indigo Girls.
When was the last time you performed in Gainesville?
Oh, jeez, probably a couple years ago. I've played a punk show there and I've also done a song-writer kind of show there. And the Indigos have played there off and on over the years. We've played a few clubs in Gainesville. The Indigos don't have a huge following in Florida, so we tend to play more intimate spots.
What are some of the causes or issues that you are passionate about?
A ton of stuff. I'm playing this show specifically because of Changeville. I love the festival. It's really cool. I think it's a great context to be playing in. I really appreciate that they're doing it. Indigo Girls are kind of like the intersectionality people. We really believe that you can't just work on queer issues, you can't just work on issues around immigration, on race issues, gender issues, sexuality issues. … They all work together. One of the main things we do is that we have a group called Honor the Earth. It's all for Native American environmental and cultural sustainability. We are not Native, but we found the environmental work we were doing would be most effective in that context through the lens of Native activism. So we fund groups doing work with the Native communities. We're also project-based. We do a lot of work on pipeline issues, on energy issues, on sustainable agricultural issues. In Florida we worked with the independent Seminole Nation on laws around the independent tribe wanting to live in their traditional housing, the Chickees. We've worked across all of the Americas on indigenous issues. We've worked a lot with Standing Rock in the last year. And the XL pipeline and all pipelines. We've been working on trying to change the energy paradigm. Sustainable energy rather than fossil fuels. We work with Project South at Atlanta. We work with a group called Southerners On New Ground across the South that works with queer and immigrant issues. We work against the death penalty. Our website has a whole resource section of all the groups we support. We have someone on staff who is a political activist. It's important for us. We don't write a lot of songs about it, but it's part of the fabric of what we do. It's also perfect because I like to be there and meet all the other people that are activists. Right now, it's a very optimistic environment to be in. It's proactive. It's problem solving. It's using a lot of different angles to come at a problem and solve it instead of just talking about things. It's important to hear different perspectives.
How has your music evolved after 30 years?
Hopefully I've become a better songwriter. That's my main goal. But I think our music has evolved, that you just branch out. You do different music, you have different harmony. You pick up more instruments, learn how to play other instruments. Really, within songwriting, I just try to become a better writer, honestly. I'm trying to learn how to write a better melody and better lyrics.
Your songs are like poetry. Where do you get your inspiration?
I don't feel like a poet, but we get inspiration from everything. From a lot of books we read. Stories that friends tell us. Things that happen in the world. Interpersonal struggles. You name it, there's inspiration everywhere. It's just a matter of trying to have a discipline around writing it and sitting down and doing it. If you want to be a writer, you've got to write. You have to edit, too. That's even more important.
What turned you onto music at a young age?
It's really just my family. My four siblings would listen to records. I would like what I was hearing. We all sang in the church choir. That was a big deal. We went to church a lot. My mother and father were like "Everybody's gotta learn how to play piano." It was something that we all did. And then I started playing the guitar because I didn't really love the piano — although I wish now that I had practiced the piano a lot more because it's such a great instrument. I wanted to play rock songs. I wanted to sing. I was listening to music from the '60s the '70s. I was a little rebel.
How old were you when you picked up your first guitar?
I think I was 10 and I took lessons at the YMCA. I started playing with Emily when I was 15. We were young. It's that friendship and music in high school. To hang around with your friends, it was just a social thing at that point. It was fun.
What can fans expect during your Friday night appearance at High Dive?
I'll have my full band with me. It'll be pedal steel, electric, mandolin, a banjo and drums and bass with me. We all switch instruments around all the time. It's kind of a traditional country band, but we're also going to play some punk songs from my earlier records. It's a really versatile band. We'll play some old stuff, we'll play some brand new songs that I've written, and we'll play some songs from the country record, Goodnight Tender.
What are examples of your music that exemplify the Changeville theme?
We have a song called Put It Out For Good. It's an old punk song I wrote in memory of one of my second cousins who died when she was a teenager. Her friends were all like goth, bad-ass rebel chicks. It really inspired me. It's a song about rebellion. You can't be stopped. We might play a song I wrote about Matthew Shepard a long time ago called Laramie. And we've got a new song actually from the bitter Southerner perspective called Feels Good Anyway. All of my songs have some thread in them that's a little bit politicized, for better or worse. I have a song called Let It Ring. It's like an anthem about protest and how to be a feminist and a queer. There's a lot of stuff in there. I never know what I'm going to play until I'm there, until we sit down and decide what we're gonna play. It just depends on who's there and what people ask for and what the vibe is.
What do you think of the current political climate?
In my world, as a left-wing person, I'm not really happy with the administration right now. But you know what? I always find a reason to have hope, no matter what. I think it's good for everybody to be outspoken. We need to get it out and to talk about it. I really believe that. It's very polarized, but I find that polarization can end up being good for dialogue. Just do it. I think that's the next step, for everybody to start communicating better and more often.
— Noel Leroux
For further info, visit the Amy Ray website or the Indigo Girls website.
Author: Gainesville Downtown
← Changeville Attracts Eclectic Mix of Musicians
DANB Ends Season With Enchanting 'Firebird' →
Wendy Free on 'A Walk in the Park' Directs Attention to Gainesville's Many Green Spaces
Anne D'Amico on No Tears Allowed: Cry Baby's Joins Downtown Bar-Restaurant Scene
Steve A. Saunders on Artist Rediscovered in 'Into the Light' Exhibit
Gainesville Downtown on New AW Play 'Under A Liar's Moon' Might Leave Audiences Howling
Mary McClancy on New AW Play 'Under A Liar's Moon' Might Leave Audiences Howling
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You are here: Home / News / Sign Up for Camp EEK Before it's Too Late!
Sign Up for Camp EEK Before it's Too Late!
Because of the popularity of Camp EEK, online registration is closed for many weeks. To inquire about a specific day or week, or be added to the waitlist please call Marilyn at 541-476-0222.
Some weeks are already full and others are filling up fast so don't delay. Register your little critter by the week or by the day!
Don't let the learning stop just because school is out! Enroll your kids in Summer Camp EEK! Our seasoned educators and Animal Care Specialists allow campers to go WILD for the week as they hang out with Animal Ambassadors, play games, make cool crafts and explore the outdoors. Camp EEK! at Wildlife Images provides a safe and engaging place for kids to experience hands-on learning centered on wildlife, nature, and conservation. There is limited space available so enroll your kids today! We welcome kids ages 7 to 12. Camp is Monday through Friday from 9:00 to 3:00. Camp can be attended for the whole week, or by the day. Transportation options are available!
Register early as many weeks sell out!
8/13 -8/17 is SOLD OUT – Call Marilyn at 541-476-0222 to be added to the waitlist.
Please review the Family Handbook before the first day of Camp EEK!


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A Cheesebox on a Raft
January 22, 2022 WalterCoffey Navy Leave a comment
Lieutenant John L. Worden reported satisfactory progress on construction of an unnamed vessel slated to become the first Federal ironclad warship. The vessel had been under construction since September 1861 at Long Island, New York. Swedish inventor John Ericsson had pledged to build the ship in just 90 days at a cost of only $275,000. The Federal Naval Ironclad Board, hoping to develop a craft that could challenge the Confederate ironclad C.S.S. Virginia (also under construction), enthusiastically approved the plan and even gave Ericsson an extra 10 days to complete it.
Worden, still recovering from several months of Confederate captivity as a prisoner of war, received a message from Joseph Smith of the Ironclad Board on January 11: "I have only time to say I have named you for the command of the battery under contract with Captain Ericsson, now nearly ready at New York. This vessel is an experiment. I believe you are the right sort of officer to put in command of her."
Worden responded that he was "induced to believe that she might prove a success." Five days later, Worden arrived at New York and reported to Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles: "… I have this day reported for duty for the command of the U.S.S. Steamer, building for Capt. Ericsson."
The U.S.S. Monitor | Image Credit: CivilWarDailyGazette.com
The ship was revolutionary in that she contained 47 patentable inventions. The 172-foot-long vessel was encased in nine layers of iron and operated like a floating raft, with most of the body below the waterline. An inch of iron plating protected the wooden deck, with more iron on the sides to protect against rams and fire.
Topping the deck was a nine-foot-high revolving turret, protected by eight layers of one-inch iron plating. The turret, 20 feet in diameter, housed two cannon that could be fired in any direction. When Ericsson could not get 12-inch guns for the turret, he borrowed two 11-inchers from other ships in the harbor.
Another of Ericsson's innovations was the engine, which connected to a crankshaft and turned the four-bladed propeller. Capable of reaching a speed of six knots, the smokestack venting the exhaust could be removed during combat.
On January 30, Ericsson launched the vessel from the Greenpoint Shipyard on Long Island. Although Ericsson missed his completion deadline, he still built the warship in 101 days, a timeframe that many thought impossible. In fact, Ericsson completed work on his ship before Confederates completed the C.S.S. Virginia, even though they had a three-month head start.
The warship steamed down the East River in Manhattan on her maiden voyage with a draft of 11 feet, just as Ericsson had predicted. Thousands of onlookers cheered at the strange vessel, with some comparing her to a "cheesebox on a raft." Ericsson suggested that she be named the Monitor, as "one who admonishes and corrects wrongdoers."
Worden recruited 57 volunteers to serve as crewmen aboard the U.S.S. Monitor, whose launch would change the course of naval history.
Linedecker, Clifford L. (ed.), Civil War A to Z. New York: Ballantine Books, 2002.
McPherson, James M., Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford History of the United States Book 6, Oxford University Press (Kindle Edition), 1988.
McPherson, James M., War on the Waters: The Union and Confederate Navies, 1861-1865. Littlefield History of the Civil War Era, The University of North Carolina Press (Kindle Edition), 2012.
Stanchak, John E. (Patricia L. Faust ed.), Historical Times Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Civil War. New York: Harper & Row, 1986.
Time-Life Editors, The Blockade: Runners and Raiders. Alexandria, VA: Time-Life Books, 1983.
Ward, Geoffrey C., Burns, Ric, Burns, Ken, The Civil War. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1990.
John EricssonJohn L. WordenU.S.S. Monitor
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""" test_colrtestcase.py
    Unit tests for colr's test.testing_tools.ColrTestCase

    -Christopher Welborn 03-29-2017
"""

import os
import sys
import unittest

from .testing_tools import ColrTestCase

# These are failing tests, to check the format for ColrTestCase messages.
# They can be ran from the command line by prepending:
#   COLR_TEST_MSGS=1
# ..to the test command.
# Example:
#   COLR_TEST_MSGS=1 green -q -vv
run_test_val = os.environ.get('COLR_TEST_MSGS', 0) or 0
try:
    RUN_TESTS = bool(int(run_test_val))
except (TypeError, ValueError):
    # Invalid environment var setting, 'y[..]' and 't[...]' are okay I guess.
    RUN_TESTS = str(run_test_val).lower().startswith(('t', 'y'))

skipmsg = ' '.join((
    'Not testing ColrTestCase messages.',
    'Set `COLR_TEST_MSGS=1` to test.',
))

@unittest.skipUnless(RUN_TESTS, skipmsg)
class FailingTests(ColrTestCase):
    def test_eq(self):
        """ Equal failures should print a pretty message. """
        self.assertEqual(1, 2, msg='Nope, not equal.')

    def test_neq(self):
        """ Non-equal failures should print a pretty message. """
        self.assertNotEqual(1, 1, msg='Oops, they are equal')

    def test_call_eq(self):
        """ Equal func return should print a pretty message. """
        self.assertCallEqual(
            1,
            2,
            func=str,
            args=[1],
            otherargs=[2],
            kwargs={'testing': True},
            otherkwargs={'testing': True},
            msg='Nope, not equal.',
        )

    def test_call_neq(self):
        """ Non-equal func return should print a pretty message. """
        self.assertCallNotEqual(
            1,
            1,
            func=str,
            args=[1],
            kwargs={'testing': True},
            otherargs=[1],
            otherkwargs={'testing': True},
            msg='Oops, they are equal.',
        )

    def test_call_tuple_eq(self):
        """ Equal tuple func return should print a pretty message. """
        self.assertCallTupleEqual(
            (1,),
            (2,),
            func=str,
            args=[1],
            kwargs={'testing': True},
            otherargs=[2],
            otherkwargs={'testing': True},
            msg='Nope, not equal.',
        )

    def test_call_true(self):
        """ True func return should print a pretty message. """
        self.assertCallTrue(
            False,
            func=str,
            args=[1],
            kwargs={'testing': True},
            msg='Nope not true.',
        )

    def test_call_false(self):
        """ False func return should print a pretty message. """
        self.assertCallFalse(
            True,
            func=str,
            args=[1],
            kwargs={'testing': True},
            msg='Nope not false.',
        )

    def test_call_raises(self):
        """ Func raises should print a pretty message. """
        with self.assertCallRaises(
                ValueError,
                func=None,
                args=[1],
                kwargs={'testing': True},
                msg='Nope, did not raise.'):
            pass

if __name__ == '__main__':
    unittest.main(argv=sys.argv, verbosity=2)