text:
*Canceled* BSB: Military Writers Society Author Signing
This event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Bank Square Books presents a book signing with Valerie Ormond, Kathleen Rodgers, Jack Woodville London and Robin Hutton for their books Believing in Horses, Too, The Flying Cutterbucks, Shades of the Deep Blue Sea, and Sgt. Reckless and more!
About Valerie Ormond
Valerie Ormond is a former Naval intelligence officer, a freelance writer, and a contributor to 5 Must Know Secrets for Today's College Girl. She is the author of Believing in Horses, which won the Military Writers Society of America Gold Medal for Young Adult Books, the Gold Medal for Children's Literature in the Stars and Flags Book Awards, and the Parent Tested Parent Approved Best Product and Official Winners Seal of Approval. She lives in Bowie, Maryland.
About Kathleen Rodgers
Born and raised in Clovis, New Mexico, Kathleen M. Rodgers is a novelist whose stories and essays have appeared in Family Circle Magazine, Military Times, and in anthologies published by McGraw-Hill, University of Nebraska Press/Potomac Books, Health Communications, Inc., AMG Publishers, and Press 53. In 2014, Rodgers was named a Distinguished Alumna from Tarrant County College/NE Campus. Three of her aviation poems from the book Because I Fly (McGraw-Hill) were featured in an exhibit at the Cradle of Aviation Museum on Long Island, NY. In 2017, the Clovis Municipal School Foundation in Clovis, NM awarded her the Purple Pride Hall of Honor Award under the "Sports and Entertainment" category. Rodgers is also the author of the award-winning novel, The Final Salute, featured in USA Today, The Associated Press, and Military Times. She and her husband, Tom, a retired USAF fighter pilot/commercial airline pilot, reside in a suburb of North Texas with two rescue dogs. After raising two sons, she became a grandmother and is at work on her fifth novel.
About Jack Woodville London
Jack Woodville London is the author of four novels, including the acclaimed novel, French Letters: Children of a Good War, winner of the 2018 Gold Medal for Book of the Year in war and military fiction. He also wrote A Novel Approach, a non-fiction book on the craft of writing, is co-author of Texas Pattern Jury Charges, and author of more than thirty articles on history, literature, travel, law and art.
Jack studied the craft of fiction at the Academy of Fiction, St. Céré, France and at Oxford University. His writing career began with his appointment as managing editor during law school of the University of Texas International Law Journal.
In addition to writing, Jack teaches the craft to others. He is Director of Writing Education for Military Writers Society of America and regularly conducts writing programs for beginning writers, especially veterans. Jack lives in Austin, Texas. Visit with him at jackwlondon.com
About Robin Hutton
Robin Hutton is a Los Angeles-based writer who has been researching the life of Reckless for more than eight years and is currently the president of Angels Without Wings, Inc., the 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation that spearheaded the development and dedication of a national monument to Sergeant Reckless. She lives in Camarillo, CA. Visit her website: www.sgtreckless.com.
Friday, September 17, 2021 - 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Bank Square Books
Mystic, CT 06355
Shades of the Deep Blue Sea (Paperback)
By Jack Woodville London
Availability: Ships to Our Store in 1-5 Days
Published: Vire Press - September 3rd, 2020
From the award-winning author of the Best Military Fiction of 2018.
"Dead or Alive? London's approach to this question thrusts the reader into their own vision of immortality and an immensely entertaining story of the life/death struggle of a character that dramatically makes you want to see his destiny."
The Flying Cutterbucks (Paperback)
By Kathleen M. Rodgers
Published: Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing - June 2nd, 2020
Decades ago, Trudy, Georgia, and Aunt Star formed a code of silence to protect each other from an abusive man who terrorized their family. One act of solidarity long ago lives with them still.
Believing in Horses, Too (Paperback)
By Valerie Ormond
Published: JB Max Publishing - April 7th, 2014
In this highly-anticipated sequel to Believing In Horses, strong-willed protagonist Sadie Navarro faces new challenges with both horses and people.
Sgt. Reckless: America's War Horse (Paperback)
By Robin Hutton, General James F. Amos (Foreword by)
Availability: Available at One of Our Locations
Published: Regnery History - August 10th, 2015
New York Times Bestseller!
She wasn't a horse—she was a Marine.
She might not have been much to look at—a small "Mongolian mare," they called her—but she came from racing stock, and had the blood of a champion.


text:
Illinois – WQAD
About WQAD
On August 1, 1963, WQAD-TV became operational for the first time. The Moline Television Corporation, a collection of 24 local investors, owned it. They were granted the license in 1961, but due to interference problems with WIRL-TV in Peoria (now Comet TV owned and operated station WHOI), sign-on was delayed for two years. [5] Prior to the addition of WQAD, ABC programming was split between NBC station WOC-TV (channel 6, now KWQC-TV) and CBS affiliate WHBF-TV (channel 4). Viewers with a decent antenna may see the whole ABC programming on Cedar Rapids' KCRG-TV.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Fishdom is a game where you can take a deep breath and dive into an underwater world of match-3 fun.
Also, you can decorate aquariums to create cozy homes for lovely talking fish when try challenging and fun match-3 gameplay with unique puzzles.
You have to feed them an play with them grow them into large ones so that you can play with your favourite fishes in the 3 gameplay puzzles.
Then you have to play hundreds of challenging levels with fun matching 3 levels in the game.
So if you want to develop your aquarium faster than others you have to compete with other players in the game.
Also, you can enjoy amazing aquarium graphics by grabbing out your scuba mask in the game.
Options, like share your Fishdom mania with your Facebook friends, is also available too in the game.
Among those exciting features to add up your happiness, we have developed a mod which is for the latest version of the game.
Through this mod, you can get anything unlimited you want in the game.
Before installing it connect to any good private VPN server.
Now you'll be on the Fishdom Private Servers Mod APK.
For downloading and installing Mod IPA on your device, follow the steps given below.
Before downloading give sufficient permissions required for installing on your device.
Now wait for some time and you'll be on the mod servers.
Get unlimited gems and coins.
With the help of unlimited sources buy anything you want from the game.
And easily develop up your aquarium to the max level.
And many more such features are available with this Mod, download it now to know more about it.
Since the valentines day is near now you can collect valentines in a new event.
Also, you can exchange them for a collection of 13 adorable decorations and three fish namely Bard, Lady, Cupid.
Plus now by beating holiday levels, you can find three treasure chests.
And new fishes were also added in the game now.
If you loved our Mod, please give your feedback about the mod.


Premature flowering or bolting is an undesirable characteristic that causes severe sugar yield losses and interferes with harvesting. Vernalization is a prerequisite for the floral induction, achieved by exposure to low temperatures for 10–14 weeks. This process is also controlled by other environmental factors, such as long daylight photoperiods and a combination of genetic factors. The objective of this study was the identification of new genetic polymorphisms linked to bolting tendency in sugar beet.
Two pollinators characterized by low and high bolting tendency were subjected to RAD-sequencing in order to detect discriminating SNPs between lines. 6,324 putative SNPs were identified. Of these, 192 were genotyped in a set of 19 pollinators, each comprising bolted and non-bolted individuals, for a total of 987 samples. Among the 192 candidate SNPs, the strongest overall association was found for SNP183 on chromosome 6 (p-value = 1.246∙10−13). The association between SNP183 and bolting tendency was then confirmed in an independent population of 730 plants from 11 breeding lines (p-value = 0.0061). SNP183 is located in the intron of Bv_22330_orky, a sugar beet homolog of a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene that could be implied in flowering in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Our data support a significant association between an intronic SNP in the MMP gene located on chromosome 6 and the regulation of bolting tendency in sugar beet. The newly identified locus supports the polygenic nature of flowering control. The associated marker can be used to design SNP panels for the discrimination of bolters and non-bolters, to be used in sugar beet breeding programs for the development of improved germplasm with low bolting tendency.
For an effective genetic improvement of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) it is critical to gain a better understanding of the biological processes behind the switch from vegetative growth to floral induction . Premature flowering or bolting is an undesirable characteristic that causes severe sugar yield losses and interferes with harvesting . Under field conditions, cultivated sugar beet is a biennial plant that requires two full growing seasons to switch from the vegetative phase to bolting. Vernalization is a prerequisite for the floral induction, achieved by exposure to low temperatures for 10-14 weeks . This process is also controlled by other environmental factors, such as long daylight photoperiods and a combination of genetic factors . Sugar beet bolting tendency is known to be influenced genetically by the B locus, mapped on chromosome 2 [5–7]. Homozygous plants at the B locus (BB) initiate bolting under long day conditions whereas plants carrying recessive alleles in the homozygous state (bb) need vernalization for floral induction. Environmental and genetic factors strongly influence heterozygous plants (Bb) that show a more complex behaviour [5, 6, 8, 9]. Bb plants bolting without vernalization show a delay in bolting time compared to BB individuals . The B locus was recently found to correspond to the BOLTING TIME CONTROL 1 (BTC1) gene. Biennial plants, which do not flower without a period of vernalization, carry a partial loss of function BTC1 allele. A second locus (B2) mapped on chromosome 9 and acting epistatically with the B locus was also associated with bolting behaviour. BvBBX19, encoding a DOUBLE B-BOX TYPE ZINC FINGER protein B-box transcription factor was found to underlie the B2 locus [11, 12].
Given the known complexity of floral regulation in model species it is likely that additional genes influence bolting behavior in sugar beet . In Arabidopsis thaliana, FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC), CONSTANS (CO), and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) are key genes controlling flowering. Similar genes also exist in sugar beet: BvFL1 on chromosome 6 , BvCOL1 on chromosome 2 , and BvFT1 and BvFT2 on chromosomes 9 and 4, respectively . BvFT1 and BvFT2 are major regulators of bolting in beet  and act downstream of the B and B2 locus genes BTC1 and BvBBX19 [12, 16]. The FLC-like gene BvFL1 is a floral repressor. Its expression is down regulated during a prolonged cold period under long daylight condition . Similarly, CO-like gene BvCOL1 reinforces the late flowering phenotype . The functional role of the FLC-like and CO-like genes suggests a partial evolutionary conservation in the regulation of floral transition between Arabidopsis and sugar beet .
Due to the highly complex interactions between genotype and environment, initial progress in bolting resistance was obtained by selecting varieties specific for the climates where they would be grown . Selection was based solely on phenotypic observations by discarding early bolting plants, which were considered dominant heterozygous or homozygous at the B locus.
The use of molecular markers can facilitate the detection of unfavorable alleles linked to the bolting tendency, allowing for earlier and more precise selection of non-bolters. Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) are ideal markers for this kind of work since they are spread throughout the genome and represent 90 % of sequence variation among plants . SNP markers have already been applied in sugar beet breeding programs . Additionally, technical progress and the cost reduction of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology can facilitate the identification of a large number of SNPs in any genomic region of interest [21, 22]. Among NGS techniques, Restriction-site Associated DNA (RAD) sequencing allows the discovery of several thousands of genetic variants adjacent to restriction enzyme cleavage sites across a target genome .
In this paper we suggest the identification of a new putative locus involved in the genetic determination of bolting tendency in sugar beets. Two sugar beet pollinators, P1 and P2, characterized respectively by early- and late-bolting habit were subjected to RAD-SNP discovery. 192 SNPs were selected for further SNP association analysis. These SNPs were genotyped on a set of 19 pollinators, each comprising bolted and non-bolted individuals, for a total of 987 samples. The association between SNP genotypes and bolting tendency was tested by fitting one SNP at a time in a logistic regression model. A SNP marker associated with bolting tendency was located on chromosome 6. This SNP was then tested in an independent sugar beet population. The novel associated polymorphism provides further indication of the polygenic nature of bolting tendency in sugar beet.
RAD sequencing of the two DNA bulks, including (respectively) 4 non-bolted P1 and four bolted P2 plants, produced 96,822,109 raw reads of which 81,031,436 (84 %) were of high quality (longer than 100 nt) with an average length of 103.26 nt. RAD paired end sequence assembly was created using the P1 reads. Sequences from the P2 bulk were aligned to reference assembly for P1 using Bowtie (parameter: bowtie -f –v1). The aligned reads revealed a total of 288,843 (~150× coverage) unique consensus RAD tags common between the two bulks. The SNP discovery pipeline highlighted a total of 6,324 SNPs. Contigs were aligned to the sugar beet reference genome (RefBeet-1.1; http://bvseq.molgen.mpg.de) to exclude SNPs with nearby flanking polymorphisms within 50 bp. A total of 192 polymorphic SNP between bulks, randomly distributed within and across all chromosomes, were selected for the SNP association analysis. The array of 192 SNPs used in this study along with their corresponding sequences are available as Additional file 1: Table S1.
192 SNPs were genotyped on 987 samples from 19 pollinators each comprising both non-bolted and bolted individual plants. The relationship between SNP genotypes and bolting phenotypes was modeled with logistic regression. Among the 192 candidate SNPs, the only significant association was found for SNP183 on chromosome 6 (P = 1.2∙10−13). Table 1 reports the analysis of deviance from the logistic regression model (see equation 1 in Methods section) for SNP183. From logistic regression, the probabilities for each plant, based on the population they belong to and their genotype at SNP183, of either showing or not bolting tendency were obtained. Figure 1 shows the distribution of such probabilities for the three genotypes at locus 183.
To obtain the NCBI Reference Sequence ID for SNP183, a 440 bp long segment centering on SNP183 was PCR amplified, sequenced by a Sanger sequencing platform (ABI 3730xl) and blasted on NCBI. The resulted NCBI ID was XM_010697593.1.
SNP183 was mapped in the sequence of the single intron present in the Bv_22330_orky gene and it was not mapped in any gene known to be involved in bolting (Christian Jung, pers. comm.). As shown in Methods, SNP183 does not cosegregate with the BTC1 locus on chromosome 2. In addition, though both on chromosome 6, SNP183 and BvFL1 are on different (not anchored) scaffolds (Bvchr6_un.sca007 and Bvchr6.sca027, respectively). Further studies are needed to clarify if SNP183 and BvFL1 could co-segregate.
The frequency of the CC genotype was significantly increased in the bolting group (17 % vs. 5 %; P = 4.4∙10−7), while the TT genotype was significantly higher in the non-bolting group (67 % vs. 49 %; P = 1.8∙10−6) (Table 2). The two alleles of the SNP183 and the flanking sequences on each side of the SNP are reported in Additional file 1: Table S1. The sequences of the primers and TaqMan probes designed for the detection of the SNP183 are also given in Additional file 2: Table S2.
The location of SNP183 along the Bv_22330_orky gene sequence is shown in Fig. 2. The total length covered by the coding exons is 133 bp and 585 bp and the total length of the intron is 419 bp.
Bv_22330_orky encodes a putative Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) causing late flowering and early senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana. In sugar beet, four genes are annotated as MMPs gelatinase A based on the recently annotated genome : Bv5_099660_fneg, Bv1u_021120_ykma, Bv_22320_wuom and Bv_22330_orky.
Five MMPs similar to Bv_22330_orky were found in Arabidopsis thaliana by BLASTP homology searches, as already reported in Golldack et al. ). We constructed a phylogenetic tree based on the NJ (neighbour-joining) method, using the full-length protein alignment (Fig. 3). Phylogenetic analysis shows the tight clustering, in a separate clade, of Bv_22320_wuom and Bv_22330_orky with 100 % bootstrap support.
The SNP183 was genotyped in 730 individual plants from 11 breeding lines. A TaqMan assay was developed to discriminate rapidly and reliably between the C and T alleles at SNP183 locus. The frequency of the dominant C allele was 66 % in the bolting group and 46 % in the non-bolting group. Based on these results, individual plants carrying the C allele associated to high bolting tendency were discarded from the breeding program. The association between SNP genotype and bolting behavior was tested with a logistic regression model and was mildly significant (P = 0.0062).
This study revealed a significant association between the polymorphism SNP183 on chromosome 6 and bolting tendency in sugar beet. The association was first detected in a population of 19 pollinators, where SNP discovery and association studies were carried out. Later, the association was tested in an independent population of 11 breeding lines. In both cases, the association between SNP183 genotypes and bolting behavior was significant. This suggests the presence of a new putative locus for bolting control on chromosome 6 of the sugar beet genome, which has not been reported, yet. This marker can be used in marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs to select for bolting resistance in sugar beets. MAS approaches to the reduction of bolting tendency are highly desirable in sugar beet breeding, since they are more efficient, faster, and often more reliable and less expensive than phenotypic selection, and allow to breed for complex traits like resistance to bolting. Bolting tendency is a complex trait controlled by environmental and developmental cues and multiple genetic loci . The intricate network of regulatory pathways reflects complexity of the flowering process, with the vernalization, photoperiod, autonomous and gibberellic acid pathways and the circadian clock all contributing to the control of flowering [1, 26]. Given this complexity, multivariate statistical approaches to combine different sources of information are recommended for breeding applications to reduce bolting tendency in sugar beet. Previous attempts to model genomic predictions for binary traits in sugar beet have been reported [20, 27], and could be applied to the likewise binomially distributed bolting behavior. SNP183 can therefore potentially be used to design a SNP panel which includes polymorphisms from genomic associated with bolting tendency in sugar beet and that can differentiate bolters from non-bolters.
SNP183 was mapped to the intron sequence of the sugar beet gene Bv_22330_orky. While this gene may play a role in bolting control, which has not been previously reported in sugar beet, the SNP183 may actually be in linkage disequilibrium with neighbouring genes associated to bolting tendency. Besides being a marker linked to a gene involved in bolting behaviour, SNP183 -though less likely- could actually have a biological role itself: it can be a silent informative mutation that modifies splicing, if located in the donor/acceptor splice site; or it could affect the micro RNA binding.
Bv_22330_orky was found to code for a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP). MMPs are a family of zinc and calcium dependent proteases and are divided into three subfamilies: gelatinases, collagenases and stromelysins . Human MMPs play important roles in many physiological processes such as embryogenesis and organ morphogenesis. The unregulated MMPs activity is involved in the development of cancer, and neurodegenerative, cardiovascular and autoimmune disorders . The diversity of functions inside mammalian MMPs derives from tandem duplication events and exon shuffling which took place during evolution. Most of the actual MMPs derive from a single gene cluster, conserved from amphibians to mammals. Plant MMPs are secreted during growth, development and stress response and play an important role in the degradation of extracellular matrix . In Arabidopsis, MMPs is a family of proteins that could be implied in flowering  and, as it was found also in cucumber, are involved in the apoptosis . In tobacco, they are expressed during senescence and the response to pathogens . In sugar beet, we found two tandem-duplicated MMP genes with 69 % sequence similarity at DNA level. The gene duplication event, in Bv_22330_orky, led to the loss of the first 220 bp. This is also found in rice, where in duplicated blocks, DNA segment loss occurred with high frequency . Tandem duplications are the most important events that generate new members of family proteins during evolution, generating novelty that may be selected in response to environmental changes .
Today, molecular markers are used to evaluate sugar beet germplasm only for the presence of annual bolters . Several polymorphisms in BTC1 are able to discriminate between the annual or biennial habit of sugar beet . However, these markers do not differentiate among biennial beets characterized by either high or low bolting tendency after exposure to a period of cold temperatures, suggesting that other (modifying) genes (and/or yet undiscovered polymorphisms in BTC1) affect bolting tendency in cultivated biennial sugar beets. Therefore, a next challenge is the discovery of additional DNA polymorphisms associated with this trait. As a first specimen of such polymorphism, SNP183 on chromosome 6 can be used -together with other- polymorphisms as a tool to improve selection efficiency and accelerate the development of novel sugar beet varieties displaying low-bolting tendency.
Our study provides indication for the association of a DNA polymorphism on chromosome 6 with bolting tendency in sugar beet. The results support the polygenic nature of flowering control in sugar beet confirming the importance of previously reported QTLs. The SNP183, together with other associated polymorphisms, could assist breeding programs aimed at developing germplasm with low bolting tendency. Further studies on this gene will provide new insights into genetic mechanisms of bolting, which are needed to breed for bolting resistance in sugar beet.
The plant material used in this study was provided by the Department of Agronomy, Food, Natural Resources, Animals, and Environment, University of Padova (DAFNAE, Università degli Studi di Padova, Italy). For SNP discovery, two sugar beet pollinators, P1 and P2, characterized respectively by early- and late-bolting habit, were subjected to RAD-sequencing. The majority of P1 plants started to bolt 5 weeks from sowing while P2 plants started to bolt much later (at 15 weeks) after vernalization and in long-daylight conditions. Both P1 and P2 pollinators carrying the allele for biennial habit at the BTC1 locus in the homozygous state .
For SNP association analysis, 19 sugar beet pollinators segregating for bolting tendency were evaluated. Approximately 1000 seeds per pollinator were sown early (February 22, 2013) in a randomized block design at the Experimental Farm of the University of Padova. As expected, several plants for each pollinator died due to cold stress during the early seedling stage. The surviving plants were inspected every week for onset of bolting until June 30, 2013. Every week plants showing stem elongation were scored as bolting individuals while plants that did not show stem elongation were classified as non-bolting individuals . A leaf sample was collected from each plant. Plants were divided into a group of non-bolted individuals and a group of bolted individuals for a total of 987 samples (Table 3).
High-quality genomic DNA, from the parental lines (P1 and P2) used for discovery of markers, was extracted from leaf tissue following the procedure described by Stevanato et al. . DNA samples were quantified on an Agilent 2200 TapeStation (Agilent Technologies, Santa Clara, USA). RAD sequencing was performed on two DNA bulks containing respectively 4 non-bolted P1 and 4 bolted P2 plants. All steps, including library preparation, were carried out by Floragenex (Eugene, OR) following the protocol described by Baird et al.  and Stevanato et al. . Sequencing was performed on an Illumina HiSeq2000 platform. Raw sequences were trimmed to remove low quality reads, resulting from base-duplication calling, and those that lacked a correct barcode. The reads obtained were compared between the two bulks and the monomorphic sequences were removed. Only sequences with one nucleotide variation between the high and low bolting tendencies and mapped to the reference genome (version RefBeet-1.1; http://bvseq.molgen.mpg.de) were retained.
where logit(p(x i )) is the log-odds of the probability p for plant i of having either high or low bolting tendency; μ is the overall trait mean, population k and SNP j are the fixed effects of plant population k (19 classes) and SNP locus j, with z ij an indicator variable for the genotype of plant i at locus j (0, 1 and 2 for AA, AB and BB).
The detected SNP-bolting association was tested in an independent annual beet population. The SNP183 was genotyped in 730 individual plants from 11 breeding lines. A TaqMan assay was developed to discriminate rapidly and reliably between the C and T alleles at SNP183 locus. All 730 plants were subjected to long photoperiod (16 h light / 8 h darkness) and 20.8 % of the plants started to bolt from two weeks after sowing (bolting group), while 79.2 % of plants did not show bolting behavior (non-bolting group). The association between SNP183 and bolting in the validation population was tested with the same logistic regression model used in the discovery population (see Equation (1)).
Amino acid sequences were aligned with ClustalW  and phylogenetic tree was constructed using the neighbour-joining method as implemented in the software Mega version 6 [37, 38], with 1,000 bootstrap replicates.
The authors wish thanks to Dr. Andreas Müller (Strube Research GmbH & Co. KG) and Dr. Enrico Biancardi (Former Director of CRA-CIN, Italy) for their critical reviews and remarks to improve the manuscript. The work was supported by ex-60 % funds from the University of Padova, Italy.
CB and PS collected the data and wrote the manuscript. FB and DC helped with bioinformatics, data analysis and revision of the text. MS provided critical revision of the manuscript. All authors approved final version for publication.


text:
saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM helps Fergus operation reduce energy costs
A check presentation event was held March 20 by Centre Wellington (CW) Hydro at A. O. Smith Enterprises Ltd. headquarters and distribution facility in Fergus to showcase how the saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM makes it possible for commercial organizations to install and benefit from newer, more energy-efficient solutions that will help businesses operate more efficiently and improve their bottom line.
The RETROFIT PROGRAM offers incentives for high-efficiency equipment such as lighting, motors, and heating and control systems to improve the overall efficiency of commercial buildings. Eligible companies can receive incentives worth up to 50 percent of project costs.
Offered by CW Hydro, with support from the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), the RETROFIT PROGRAM is one of several initiatives that represent the province's new Conservation First Framework, which is designed to reduce electricity consumption in Ontario by seven terawatt-hours between 2015 and 2020.
A. O. Smith is one of several commercial organizations in Ontario that have benefitted from the programs offered under saveONenergy FOR BUSINESS. Through participation in the RETROFIT PROGRAM, working with CW Hydro, A. O. Smith received a saveONenergy incentive of more than $176,000 to upgrade its lighting system in its warehouse facility.
The project consisted of replacing old, inefficient, high-intensity discharge and fluorescent lighting fixtures in its warehouse and administration building with energy-efficient fluorescent lighting fixtures. The facilities' exterior lighting was upgraded with LED technology. The upgrades have reduced the facility's annual energy consumption by roughly 943,000 kWh a year, which translates to approximately $100,000 in yearly savings.
"A. O. Smith Enterprises LTD appreciates having the opportunity to participate in the saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM," Rob Henderson, operations manager at the Fergus facility, said. "This has proven to be a very successful project with significant financial savings as well as a 16 percent reduction in our carbon footprint."
"Projects such as this contribute to our ongoing efforts to remain competitive in a global market while minimizing our impact on the environment," he continued. "The 130 employees of the Fergus facility ship residential and commercial water heaters daily to customers throughout Canada."
"We are pleased to have assisted A.O. Smith with implementing the saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM. Enabling a customer to reduce costs and conserve energy is a benefit to our customer, our community and Ontario," Doug Sherwood, president-secretary of Centre Wellington Hydro Ltd., said.
"Local businesses like A. O. Smith are benefiting from the saveONenergy RETROFIT PROGRAM to conserve energy and reduce costs," according to Terry Young, vice president-conservation and corporate relations, Independent Electricity System Operator. "There are simple things that businesses across Ontario can do that will help make a difference. I commend A. O. Smith for taking advantage of this program."
For more information about the RETROFIT PROGRAM and other saveONenergy for Business initiatives, visit Centre Wellington Hydro's website at www.cwhydro.ca/Energy.asp.


text:
Varadkar plays blame game but ignores recruitment issues
By sa | November 22, 2018 | 0
e need to make sure, for the first time ever, that during that period, radiology departments and laboratories will be open and working at full whack, that consultants will not be on holidays in the first week of the year, particularly those who work in emergency departments, and that nurses aren't on leave in the first two weeks of January, because we need to make sure that every bed is open. That's the kind of winter plan we need, not the kind we have had for years and years that does not work."
These are the words of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar during a Dáil debate on 6 November. Unsurprisingly, they caused a furore, not least among doctors and nurses. His words were seen as insensitive, poorly-timed and ignorant.
The prime message heard by those listening was that doctors and nurses were responsible for the annual winter trolley crisis by virtue of taking their holidays collectively in the New Year. Which, of course, is nonsense.
Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:
"Been to Xmas morn mass wearing Santa scrubs before helping kids who had eaten decorations off the Xmas tree. Run ragged on 26 Dec on OOH GP duty when everyone else eating turkey sandwiches. My mother has worked every Xmas eve/Xmas Day/Stephen's x 5 years+" — Dr Noelle Quann, rural GP.
"I've woken up many Xmas mornings in on-call rooms, I've rang in the new year with hospital colleagues, I've worked so many OOH Xmas shifts (& delivered a baby at the roadside on Xmas day!). @campaignforleo needs to stop taking cheap shots at front-line staff."
— Dr Aideen Coleman, rural GP.
Meanwhile, Dr Paul Kelly, Consultant Radiation Oncologist in Cork University Hospital, told the Evening Echo: "It strikes me as a very ignorant thing to say. When the morale is already so low across the sector, for the leader of the country to come out and kick frontline workers like that shows the Irish healthcare system is in trouble.
"We're seeing every day vacant posts that can't be filled and it's clear that this is the issue, not holidays," he added.
"What's next, blaming the people themselves for ending up on trolleys and telling them they shouldn't be there? It honestly looks like it's heading in that direction."
Two days later, the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Peter Kelly, took the unusual step of publishing a month-old judgement concerning the case of a junior doctor he had suspended from the medical register following a Section 60 application by the Medical Council.
The detail provided by Mr Justice Kelly in the case underlines the major problem we have in recruitment procedures for junior hospital doctors. The doctor concerned graduated from medical school in an East European country in 2015. While the country was not named, if it was an EU state then the doctor is entitled to be registered to practice in Ireland without further examination of his competence. However, in some parts of Eastern Europe, it is possible to graduate with a medical degree with minimal 'hands-on' practical experience.
The suspended doctor has said he was never taught how to examine a pregnant woman. Within days of starting his 'very junior' job, two consultants raised concerns about his basic competencies — including history-taking, taking blood tests, insertion of intravenous cannulas, and how to prescribe drugs. In addition, junior colleagues said they witnessed "wild" clinical assessments by him, made without taking any history or examining a patient.
It's unbelievable that someone with such poor competence would be offered a post in any hospital, anywhere. In this case, pregnant women and their babies could have been seriously harmed. Imagine if he was 'on-call'. By definition, this means being called first to deal with medical emergencies at night. At a minimum, it requires competence to stabilise a patient by prescribing appropriate drugs and establishing intravenous access. The judgement suggests the doctor was incapable of these tasks.
Tellingly, the President of the High Court asked that his judgement be sent to the Minister for Health and the HSE.
We won't hold our breaths for a meaningful response. But we must be told the truth about how difficult it has become to fill posts in our health system with competent practitioners. And, as doctors, we must highlight the real dangers to our patients if doctors of such poor calibre may be their first point of contact after referral.
Although tempted, I have not linked the two parts of today's column. Would you have?
Let us know your thoughts at @mindo_news.
Posted in Dr Muiris Houston


text:
Silat Melayu
Silat Melayu (Jawi: سيلت ملايو), also known as Seni Persilatan Melayu[3] ('art of Malay Silat') or simply Silat, is a combative art of self-defence from the Malay world, that employs langkah ('steps') and jurus ('movements') to ward off or to strike assaults, either with or without weapons. Silat traced its origin to the early days of Malay civilisation, and has since developed into a fine tradition of physical and spiritual training that embodies aspects of traditional Malay attire, performing art and adat. The philosophical foundation of modern Malay Silat is largely based on the Islamic spirituality.[4] Its moves and shapes are rooted from the basis of Silat movements called Bunga Silat, and Silat performances are normally accompanied with Malay drum assembles.[5]
سيلت
A Singaporean pesilat
Seni Persilatan Melayu[1]
Full-contact, semi-contact, light-contact
Malay world[2]
Olympic sport
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
Inscription history
The term Silat is also employed to refer to similar fighting styles in areas with significant Malay cultural influence, in modern day Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Brunei and Vietnam. In Indonesia, the term Pencak Silat, a composite of recent origin from the late 1940s, deriving from the Sundanese/Javanese word Penca(k) and the Minangkabau word Silek or Malay word Silat,[6] has been used as an umbrella term of traditional martial arts of Indonesia.[7] In Malay terminology, the term 'Pencak Silat' is also used, but more in referring to the exoteric aspect of the fighting style, in contrast to the esoteric aspect of Silat called Seni Silat ('the art of Silat'). In other words, 'pencak' (fighting) can be regarded as the zahir (outer/exoteric knowledge), whilst seni pertains to the whole of Silat including batin (inner/esoteric knowledge) and zahir. Seni Silat is thus considered to be a deeper level of understanding. Therefore, it is said that each aspect of Silat emanates from seni (art), including both the fighting and the dance aspects.[8]
Regionally, Silat is governed by PERSIB (National Pencak Silat Federation of Brunei Darussalam) in Brunei, PESAKA (National Silat Federation of Malaysia) in Malaysia and PERSISI (Singapore Silat Federation) in Singapore. These governing bodies, together with IPSI (Indonesian Pencak Silat Association), are the founding members of International Pencak Silat Federation (PERSILAT). The sport version of Silat is one of the sports included in the Southeast Asian Games and other region-wide competitions, under the name 'Pencak Silat'. Pencak silat first made its debut in 1987 Southeast Asian Games and 2018 Asian Games, both were held in Indonesia. Silat was recognized as a piece of Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 2019.[9]
Due to lack of written records, the origin of the word 'Silat' remains uncertain. One writer suggests that Malay term 'Silat' is linked to Minangkabau word Silek, thus a Sumatran origin of the term is likely.[10] This theory is however refuted by another author, suggesting that the Minangkabau style is originated from the crude form of Malay Silat instead.[11] Among the earliest written record of Silat was from Misa Melayu written by Raja Chulan sometime between 1720–1786, that described 'silat' as a fighting style in general.[12] Before the word 'Silat' is being used, the Malay martial arts were generally known as ilmu perang ('military knowledge'), ilmu hulubalang ('knowledge of Hulubalang'), ilmu prajurit ('knowledge of soldiers') in literature.[13] As Silat is regarded as an indigenous art form, the concept of Ilmu, defined as mystical knowledge and as science, is a central component of the art. It was said that the practice of Silat requires about eighty percent of knowledge, and only twenty percent of physical training.[14]
According to the Malay oral literature, the word 'Silat' is said to originate from the Arabic word 'silah' (سِلَاح) meaning 'weapon'[15] or 'silah' (صِلَةُ) meaning 'connection'.[16] Over the time, the word is believed to has been malayised into 'Silat' in similar way the word karamah (كرامة) was malayised into keramat (کرامت) ('sacred') and the word 'hikmah' (حكمة) was malayised into hikmat (حکمت) ('supernatural power'). This etymological root suggests that Silat is philosophically based on the teaching of Islam, which over the centuries, have become the source of a Malay identity. The use of the Arabic word serves as a tool in elaborating the philosophy of both Malay culture and art itself. The 'connection' in the etymology suggests that Silat covers aspects in the relationship between humans, between humans and their enemies, and between human and nature, and ultimately attaining the spirituality, that is the relationship between human and their creator.[17]
The word 'Silat' is also said to originate from the composite of two words 'si' and 'elat'. 'Si' is a Malay article used with adjectives to describe people, and normally found in names and nicknames. While 'elat' is a verb means 'to trick', 'to confuse' or 'to deceive'. The derivative transitive verb 'menyilat' or 'menyilap' carries the meaning of an action to evade, to trick or to take an assault, together with a counterattack.[18]
Other etymological root suggests that the word is said to derive from 'silap' (to make a mistake). This means that using the opponent's strength against them—in their strength lies their weakness. This strength could be physical or psychological. Others suggested that it originated from the word sekilat meaning "as fast as lightening" derived from kilat (lightning); sila (as in silsilah or chain) indicating the transmission of Silat from guru to murid (disciple of Silat or other religious or secular knowledge); and more mysteriously, from the Arabic solat (prayer), although linguists regard solat as an unlikely candidate for the etymological root of 'Silat'. Other contenders for the etymological root of 'Silat' include the 'Orang Selat' (an indigenous Malay people of Singapore), and selat as in Selat Melaka (the Straits of Malacca).[19] English-language publications are sometimes mistakenly refer to Silat Melayu as bersilat but this is actually a verb form of the noun Silat, literally meaning "to perform Silat".
Early period
The genesis of traditional Malay martial arts has been attributed to the need for self-defense, hunting techniques and military training in ancient Malay world. Hand-to-hand combat and weapons practice were important in training warriors for combat in human warfare. Early traditional fighting styles believed to have been developed among various Malayic tribes from the dawn of the Malayic civilisation, 2000 years ago.[20][21] Movements of these early fighting styles epitomize the movements of various animals such as the crocodile, tiger and eagle, and deeply influenced by ancient Malay animism.[22] The Kra Isthmus region of the Malay peninsula and its peripheries are recognised by historians as the cradle of Malayic civilisation.[23] Deep in the pristine estuary of the Merbok River, lies an abundance of historical relics of the past. At its zenith, the massive settlement sprawled across a thousand kilometers wide, dominated in the northern plains of Malay Peninsular.[24][25] On contemporary account, the area is known as the lost city of Sungai Batu. Founded in 535 BC, it is among the oldest testament of civilisation in Southeast Asia and a potential progenitor of the Kedah Tua kingdom. By the 2nd century Chinese sources, primordial Malayic kingdoms in the Malay peninsula are described as tributaries to Funan.[26] The most notable of these was a Buddhist kingdom, Langkasuka that was established between 80 to 100 A.D.[27]
The mandala of Langkasuka-Kedah centred in modern-day northern Malay peninsula rose to prominence with the regression of Funan from the 6th century,[28] This confederation, with its city states that controlled both coastal fronts of Malay peninsula, assumed importance in the trading network involving Rome, India and China.[29] The growth in trade brought in foreign influence throughout these city states, most importantly in cultural traits including the combative arts.[30] The influence from both Chinese and Indian martial arts can be observed from the use of weapons such as the Indian mace and the Chinese sword. During this period, formalised combat arts were believed to have been practiced in the Malay peninsula and Sumatra.[31] The arts were refined with the advent of Srivijaya, an important thalassocracy from the 7th century. The Riau Archipelago is particularly noted in the origin and development of Malay martial arts. Romanticized and demonized in former literature as the notoriously dangerous islands that once acted as a trade route and historical thoroughfare in an international trading network, its people Orang Laut also called Orang Selat are stereotyped as "sea pirates", but historically played major roles in the times of Srivijaya, Melaka Sultanate, and later Johor Sultanate. They patrolled the adjacent sea areas, repelling real pirates, directing traders to their overlords' ports and maintaining those ports' dominance in the area. The fighting styles developed in this area are described by different writers as a crude prototype of Malay martial arts and one of the progenitors of modern Malay Silat.[32]
Islamic era
A bronze mural of the legendary Laksamana Hang Tuah exhibited at the National History Museum, Kuala Lumpur. He was a renowned exponent of martial arts, recounted today as an integral part of the cultural legacy of Silat.
The Malay martial arts reached its historical peak with the rise of Islam during the fifteenth century under the Melaka Sultanate.[33] It was during this era that the Islamic philosophy, especially Sufism, began shaping the system of Malay martial arts, in addition to the introduction of a standard Malay clothing in the early form of Baju Melayu,[34] that later became an important uniform worn by Silat practitioners until today.[35]
In the Malay Annals, the martial prowess of the Malay rulers and nobility is dramatically recounted in many colourful vignettes, for example, that of Sultan Alauddin personally apprehending thieves in flight, and chopping one in half "cleaving his waist as though it had been a gourd". These legends are important because they establish the principle of the divine rule of kings, kings who are said to be the Shadow of God on earth, and because they firmly tie Divine Right to the war machine, Silat.[36] The Malay Annals also contain the exploits of the legendary Laksamana Hang Tuah as a formidable exponent of Malay martial arts, which are still recounted today as an integral part of the cultural legacy of Silat.[37] His duel with one of his companions, Hang Jebat is the famous depiction of a Silat duel in Malay literature and art, and has also become the most controversial subject in Malay culture, concerning on the questions of unconditional loyalty and justice. In Melakan era, the Malay martial arts were generally known as ilmu perang ('military knowledge'), ilmu hulubalang ('knowledge of Hulubalang'), ilmu prajurit ('knowledge of soldiers') in literature.[38]
The Malay martial arts took more sophisticated form with more diverse cultural influence after Melaka became an important centre of international trade, drawing a diverse group of people to its port. The Chams that hailed from modern day Vietnam, is one particularly important group, believed by many archaeologists to have created the prototype of a kris as far back as 2000 years ago.[39] By the 15th century, Islam began to gain some converts among the Chams. After centuries of armed conflicts between Vietnam and Champa, the Vietnamese sacked the Cham capital, Vijaya in 1471. Over the years, after their defeat, increasing number of Chams converted to Islam, inspired in part by the fact that Muslim rulers and their subjects in Melaka, suppported Cham resistance.[40] As a result of their experience in wars, commanders of Champa were known to have been held in high esteem by the Malay kings for their knowledge in martial arts and for being highly skilled in the art of war. As mentioned in the Malay Annals, t is said that Sultan Muhammad Shah had chosen a Cham official as his right hand or senior officer because the Chams possessed skills and knowledge in the administration of the kingdom.[41]
From the 15th century onwards, Malayisation spread many Malay traditions including language, literature, martial arts, and other cultural values throughout Maritime Southeast Asia. Historical accounts note close relationship between Melaka and Brunei Sultanates, leading to the spread of Silat through the region from as early as the 15th century. Brunei's national epic poem, the Syair Awang Semaun, recounts the legend of a strong and brave warrior Awang Semaun who contributed extensively to the development of Brunei, and who is also said to be the younger brother of Awang Alak Betatar, who was crowned the first Sultan of Brunei and reigned as Sultan Muhammad Shah (1405–1415). The fifth Sultan, Bolkiah, who ruled between 1485 and 1524, excelled both in martial art and diplomacy.[42] Under the seventh Sultan, Saiful Rijal (1575–1600), the Sultanate was involved in the Castilian War against the Spanish Empire in 1578, and they would have used Silat and invulnerability practices.[43] Thereafter, several patriots excelled as warriors, including Pengiran Bendahara Sakam under the reign of Sultan Abdul Mubin (1600–1673).[44] As Brunei rose to the status of a maritime power at the crossroads of Southeast Asia, it built the unity of the kingdom through war and conquest, and managed to extend its control over the coastal regions of modern-day Sarawak and Sabah and the Philippines Islands, which were under the Sultanate's control for more than two centuries.[45]
After the fall of Melaka Sultanate in 1511, Malayisation continued shaping the region, under later Malay-Muslim sultanates that emerged in Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo, the most notable of these were Johor, Perak, and Pattani.[46] Malay Kings encouraged princes and children of dignitaries to learn silat and any other form of knowledge related to the necessities of combat. Prominent fighters were elevated to head war troops and received ranks or bestowals from the raja. This is evidenced in the 19th century Pahang Kingdom where a number of its nobility like Tok Gajah and Dato' Bahaman were themselves prominent Silat masters who have proven their gallantry in several wars like Pahang Civil War and Klang War. Due to lack of written records, the origin of the word 'Silat', and when it began to be used to refer to Malay martial arts remains uncertain. Among the earliest written record of Silat was from Misa Melayu written by Raja Chulan sometime between 1720–1786, that described 'silat' as a fighting style in general.[47]
Colonial and modern era
In the 16th century, conquistadors from Portugal attacked Melaka in an attempt to monopolise the spice trade. The Malay warriors managed to hold back the better-equipped Europeans for over 40 days before Melaka was eventually defeated. The Portuguese hunted and killed anyone with knowledge of martial arts so that the remaining practitioners fled to more isolated areas.[48] Even today, the best silat masters are said to come from rural villages that have had the least contact with outsiders.
For the next few hundred years, the Malay Archipelago would be contested by a string of foreign rulers, namely the Portuguese, Dutch, and finally the British. The 17th century saw an influx of Minangkabau and Bugis people into Malaya from Sumatra and south Sulawesi respectively. Bugis sailors were particularly famous for their martial prowess and were feared even by the European colonists. Between 1666 and 1673, Bugis mercenaries were employed by the Johor Empire when a civil war erupted with Jambi, an event that marked the beginning of Bugis influences in local conflicts for succeeding centuries. By the 1780s the Bugis had control of Johor and established a kingdom in Selangor. With the consent of the Johor ruler, the Minangkabau formed their own federation of nine states called Negeri Sembilan in the hinterland. Today, some of Malaysia's silat schools can trace their lineage directly back to the Minang and Bugis settlers of this period.
After Malaysia achieved independence, Tuan Haji Anuar bin Haji Abd. Wahab was given the responsibility of developing the nation's national silat curriculum which would be taught to secondary and primary school students all over the country. On 28 March 2002, his Seni Silat Malaysia was recognised by the Ministry of Heritage and Culture, the Ministry of Education and PESAKA as Malaysia's national silat. It is now conveyed to the community by means of the gelanggang bangsal meaning the martial arts training institution carried out by silat instructors.[49] Silat Melayu by Disember 2019, received recognition from UNESCO as part of Malaysian Intangible Cultural Heritage.[50]
Silat in Brunei shares characteristics common in the Malay world, but it has also developed specific techniques and practices of its own. Silat as a performing art is traditionally accompanied by an orchestra called gulintangan or gulingtangan (literally: 'rolling hands'), often composed of a drum (gandang labik) and eight gongs, including a thin gong (canang tiga) and a thick gong (tawak-tawak).[51] There are several styles being practiced in Brunei, and some are influenced by a range of elements from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The most widespread is Gerak 4 1, created by H. Ibrahim, and consisting of the four styles learnt from his masters: Panca Sunda, Silat Cahaya, Silat Kuntau and Silat Cakak Asli. Some of the other styles include Kembang Goyang, Kuntau Iban, Lintau Pelangi (originally from Belait), Pampang Mayat, Pancasukma, Perisai Putih (originally from the East Javanese school Setia Hati), Persatuan Perkasa, Persatuan Basikap, Selendang Merah ('the red scarf'), Silat Sendi, Tambong, Teipi Campaka Puteh, Gayong Kicih or Kiceh, Gayong Tiga or Permainan Tiga (which includes Gayong, Cimande and Fattani), and Cengkaman Harimau Ghaib.[52]
The different styles of Silat are often practiced among different nationalities, and not according to specific territorial borders. Nevertheless, the foreign influences are rarely clearly expressed by the practitioners. There are many Filipinos and Indonesians in Brunei as migrant workers, but due to their significantly lower social status, the influence of the styles developed in their original countries are not that clearly visible among local styles.[53] This is contributed in part, by the royal and aristocratic status of Silat itself in Malay society, in contrast to the peasant martial arts.[54] At the same time, a variety of local styles fell under the nationalisation drive for a common tradition of Bruneian Silat, bringing other styles of different indigenous groups that occupied the territories that were formerly part of Brunei, into isolation. This led to the abandonment of many details of the Silat practices in favor of a national homogeneity.[55]
In the end, two most widespread styles were established as national ones; Silat Cakak Asli and Silat Kuntau, which both be seen as complementing each other. Cakak Asli focuses more on relaxed moves but sticky-hand techniques in a close combat, to ultimately unbalance the opponent, and hit with the knees, elbows and forehead. Kuntau prioritizes various forms of punches and kicking, and normally done in fast and harsh movements, therefore making it hard to perform lock in a close range combat. These two styles have been patronized in the sultanate for many generation of rulers, but with lack of written records, it is hard to trace their origins and development in Brunei. The 29th sultan, Omar Ali Saifuddien III, was known for having learnt both Silat Cakak Asli and Silat Kuntau and he promoted local Silat in the 1950s, notably by organizing tournaments at the palace.[56]
Silat practiced in Malaysia are diverse, with vast differences in training tools, methods and philosophy across different schools and styles. The variety of styles not only demonstrated many different combat skills, but also the ability of the martial art itself in manifesting different personages and community in warrior traditions. Some forms of Silat also exist especially in the very remote villages, with members consisting of a few students. The modern law and regulations require that the Silat bodies need to be registered as an association or club. Therefore, we find that those silat forms with very few members are those which are being practiced in a secretive way in remote areas and are taught only by invitation of the master. Based on the data from 1975, there were 265 styles of Silat in Malaysia, which in turn grouped into 464 different Silat associations throughout the country. Today, there are 548 associations or communities which actively practicing Silat in Malaysia. Out of these, four associations are the most prominent and became the founding members of Majlis Silat Negara ('National Silat Council') in 1978, later renamed Persekutuan Silat Kebangsaan Malaysia or PESAKA (The National Silat Federation of Malaysia).[57]
The first two associations are Seni Gayung Fatani Malaysia and Silat Seni Gayung Malaysia that represent a style called seni gayong (modern spelling seni gayung). The word gayung in Malay literally means to assault using blades like parang or sword, or it can also can means 'martial art' and synonymous to Silat itself. Gayung also means "single-stick," a weapon that is associated with magical powers in Malay literature. For the Malay martial artist, gayung is a verb that describes the action of dipping into the well of the unseen, to draw out mystical power for use in this world. Seni Gayung is a composite style, incorporating both Malay Silat and elements from Bugis fighting styles. It is visually distinctive from other Malay styles of Silat due to its emphasis upon performance acrobatics, including flips, diving rolls, somersaults, and handsprings. The student learns to competently handle several weapons, notably the parang, lembing (spear), sarung and the kris.[58]
The next association is Seni Silat Cekak Malaysia that represents a style called Silat Cekak. Silat cekak was originally developed in the Kedah Court, and has been practiced by senior commanders of Kedah army in wars fought against the Siamese. The style is said to has been developed specifically to counter the Thai fighting style, Muay Thai or known locally as tomoi. It is one of the most popular Silat styles in Malaysia, first registered as an association in Kedah in 1904, and for Malaysia generally in 1965. Cekak in Malay means to 'claw' or to seize the opponent. It is renowned for its series of buah (combat strategy) which have been influential in the development of more recent silat styles in Malay peninsula, including seni gayung.[59] Unlike most of styles of Silat, Silat Cekak is known for its non-ceremonious nature with no emphasis in graceful dance-like movements. It is a defensive-type of Silat that applies 99% defending techniques and only 1% attacking techniques. The style has no kuda-kuda stances commonly found in other Silat styles, and it does not utilize any evading nor side stepping techniques in mortal combat. As a result, it is hard to predict movements and counter-attacks of this style.[60][61]
The last association is Seni Silat Lincah Malaysia that represents a style called Silat Lincah. Silat Lincah is said to originate from another older style of Melaka called Silat Tarah, allegedly practiced by Hang Jebat himself, one of the companions of Hang Tuah.[62] The word tarah in Malay means to sever as in cut off, and the term was considered too aggressive for the use of masses, thus it was changed to Lincah. Lincah means fast and aggressive which is the principle of the style, that emphasise aggressive movements both in defense and attacking techniques in punches and kicks. The style favors evasion with follow up sweeps, locks and chokes that do not relate to dueling techniques used with a kris. Similar to Silat Cekak, Silat Lincah put little emphasis to graceful dance-like movements.[63][64]
Despite its status as a global city, Singapore still retains a large part of its cultural heritage including Silat. Historically, Silat development in Singapore is closely related to the mainland Malay peninsula, owing to its status as an important city in Malay history from classical to modern era. There are styles being practiced are influenced by a range of elements from both Malaysia and Indonesia, and there are also styles that locally developed and spread to other neighboring countries especially Malaysia. Seni Gayong, one of the biggest Silat styles in Malaysia, was founded in the early 1940s by Mahaguru Datuk Meor Abdul Rahman on Pulau Sudong seven kilometres south of Singapore. Having inherited the art from his maternal grandfather, Syed Zainal Abidin Al-Attas, a prominent pendekar from Pahang,[65] he transformed the style from a parochial past time to a regimented and highly organised form of self defense during the troubled years of the Japanese occupation.[66]
Another notable style originated from Singapore is called Silat Harimau established by Mahaguru Haji Hosni Bin Ahmad in 1974. The styles that inspired by the movements of tiger began to gain popularity in 1975 not only in Singapore but also in Malaysia. It was recoqnised by the Malaysian Martial Arts Federation, as a native Silat of Singapore that represents the city state in various competitions and demonstrations.[67] Haji Hosni went on to establish another style called Seni Silat Al-Haq. It is a style that derives its buah (combat strategy) from both Seni gayung and Silat Cekak, and considered as a more aesthetically polished (halus) style of Seni gayung.[68] There are many other styles of Silat currently found in Singapore but nearly a third of the styles are the result from Haji Rosni's adaptations and innovations. For example, where there was Silat Kuntao Melaka, he created Silat Kuntao Asli, and in the place of Silat Cekak, he created Cekak Serantau.[69]
The southernmost provinces of Thailand, located on the Malay peninsula, are culturally and historically related to the states of Malaysia. Similarities are not only found in the spoken language, but also in a variety of Malay cultural aspects including Silat. Despite being suppressed and subjected to Thaification by the central government, the practice of Silat still finds its widespread currency in those provinces. Many different forms of Silat can be found in the Malay Muslim communities in Pattani, Yala, and Narathiwat as well as Saba-yoy and Thebha districts from the Songkhla province at its northern reaches, and with southern form s down through Malaysia.[70] Historically, the Thai part of the peninsula and the Malaysian side, have been influencing each other's styles of Silat for centuries. Silat in Southern Thailand had also significant influence in the development of Thai martial art called Krabi–krabong.[71][72]
Silat Tua, an important Silat style that has an intimate relationship with four elements of nature (earth, water, fire and wind) as understood from its roots in animism, is said to originate from Pattani region. Silat Tua is directly translated as 'old' or 'ancient' Silat. Described as the 'Malay dance of life', Silat Tua does not has sets of rigid instructions as well as the endless pre-arranged movement patterns like most traditional martial arts, rather it is an art that begins with 'natural movement', focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of the exponent and the potential of the individual body. What is focused instead are basic principles and uses of imagery that are immortalised in freestyle movement known as a tari ('dance'). As Pattani was constantly at war with the neighbouring kingdom of Siam, many combative developments in the art were made in this region leading Silat Tua to take on another name, Silat Pattani.[73]
Demonstration by a pair of Malaysian pesilat
The silat uniform varies according to style and locality but it is generally based on Siamese outfits. People of the Malay Peninsula traditionally wore sarong and carried a roll of cloth which could be used as a bag, a blanket or a weapon. Some schools use a modern uniform consisting of a T-shirt and pants topped with a short sarong. Others may not have any official uniform and allow the students to dress as they normally would, so that they become accustomed to fighting in their daily attire. The standard full dress of today's silat practitioners, both male and female, usually consists of the following:
The tengkolok and tanjak are headkerchiefs with different ways of tying them depending on status and region. They are traditionally made from songket cloth.
The baju Melayu (lit. Malay clothes) is a round-collared shirt made from songket cloth. A variant form is the teluk belanga. This term is commonly used in southern Thailand even when referring to a standard baju Melayu.
The samping (or likat in Thai) is a waistcloth traditionally made from batik cloth. The length varies, traditional types generally being longer. There are a number of ways to tie it but the old style used by warriors was the samping silang which allows for freedom of movement and easy access to weapons worn at the side.
The bengkung or bengkong is a cloth belt or sash which secures the samping. Some schools colour the bengkung to signify rank, a practice adopted from the belt system of Japanese martial arts. Some silat schools replace the bengkung with a modern buckled belt.
Training hall
In Malay the practice area is called a gelanggang. They were traditionally located outdoors, either in a specially constructed part of the village or in a jungle clearing. The area would be enclosed by a fence made of bamboo and covered in nipah or coconut leaves to prevent outsiders from stealing secrets. Before training can begin, the gelanggang must be prepared either by the teachers or senior students in a ritual called "opening the training area" (buka gelanggang ). This starts by cutting some limes into water and then walking around the area while sprinkling the water onto the floor. The guru walks in a pattern starting from the centre to the front-right corner, and then across to the front-left corner. They then walk backwards past the centre into the rear-right corner, across to the rear-left corner, and finally ends back in the centre. The purpose of walking backwards is to show respect to the gelanggang, and any guests that may be present, by never turning one's back to the front of the area. Once this has been done, the teacher sits in the centre and recites an invocation so the space is protected with positive energy. From the centre, the guru walks to the front-right corner and repeats the invocation while keeping the head bowed and hands crossed. The right hand is crossed over the left and they are kept at waist level. The mantra is repeated at each corner and in the same pattern as when the water was sprinkled. As a sign of humility, the guru maintains a bent posture while walking across the training area. After repeating the invocation in the centre once more, the teacher sits down and meditates. Although most practitioners today train in modern indoor gelanggang and the invocations are often replaced with a prayer, this ritual is still carried out in some form or another.
Silat can be divided into a number of types, the ultimate form of which is combat. However, there exist forms of performance used either for training or entertainment
Silat pulut performance
Silat pulut utilises agility in attacking and defending oneself.[74] In this exercise, the two partners begin some distance apart and perform freestyle movements while trying to match each other's flow. One attacks when they notice an opening in the opponent's defences. Without interfering with the direction of force, the defender then parries and counterattacks. The other partner follows by parrying and attacking. This would go on with both partners disabling and counter-attacking their opponent with locking, grappling and other techniques. Contact between the partners is generally kept light but faster and stronger attacks may be agreed upon beforehand. In another variation which is also found in Chinese qinna, the initial attack is parried and then the defender applies a lock on the attacker. The attacker follows the flow of the lock and escapes it while putting a lock on the opponent. Both partners go from lock to lock until one is incapable of escaping or countering.
This game is called silat pulut or gayong pulut because after a performance each player is gifted with bunga telur and sticky rice or pulut. It goes by various other names such as silat tari (dance silat), silat sembah (obeisance silat), silat pengantin (bridal silat) and silat bunga (flower silat). Silat pulut is held during leisure time, the completion of silat instruction, official events, weddings or festivals where it is accompanied by the rhythm of gendang silat (silat drums) or tanji silat baku (traditional silat music).[75] As with a tomoi match, the speed of the music adapts to the performer's pace.
British colonists introduced western training systems by incorporating the police and sepoys (soldiers who were local citizens) to handle the nation's defence forces which at that time were receiving opposition from former Malay fighters. Consequently, silat teachers were very cautious in letting their art become apparent because the colonists had experience in fighting Malay warriors.[75] Thus silat pulut provided an avenue for exponents to hone their skills without giving themselves away. It could also be used as preliminary training before students are allowed to spar.
Despite its satirical appearance, silat pulut actually enables students to learn moves and their applications without having to be taught set techniques. Partners who frequently practice together can exchange hard blows without injuring each other by adhering to the principle of not meeting force with force. What starts off as a matching of striking movements is usually followed by successions of locks and may end in groundwork, a pattern that is echoed in the modern mixed martial arts.
In Thailand, silat performance can be divided into the following.
Silat Yatoh: two partners take turns attacking and defending
Silat Kayor: kris performance, usually at night
Silat Tari: graceful bare-handed movements traditionally performed for royalty
Silat Tari Eena: slow movements
Silat Tari Yuema: mid-paced movements
Silat Tari Lagoh Galae: fast movements
Silat Tari Sapaelae: quick movements imitating a warrior in battle
Silat Taghina: dance-like movements performed to slow music
Gayong Mat: bare hands
Gayong Paelae: kris
Gayong Leeyae: swords
Ibu Gayong: quick dodges and counters performed by women
This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.
Styles of silat melayu are as follows:
Lian Padukan
Seni Gayong
Seni Gayung Fatani
Silat Pattani
Keris Lok-9 demonstration
Main article: Weapons of silat
Kris A dagger which is often given a distinct wavy blade by folding different types of metal together and then washing it in acid.
Parang Machete/ broadsword, commonly used in daily tasks such as cutting through forest growth.
Golok
Tombak Spear/ javelin, made of wood, steel or bamboo that may have dyed horsehair near the blade.
Lembing
Tongkat Staff or walking stick made of bamboo, steel or wood.
Gedak A mace or club usually made of iron.
Kipas Folding fan preferably made of hardwood or iron.
Kerambit A concealable claw-like curved blade that can be tied in a woman's hair.
Sabit Sickle commonly used in farming, harvesting and cultivation of crops.
Trisula Trident, introduced from India
Tekpi Three-pronged truncheon thought to derive from the trident.
Chindai Wearable sarong used to lock or defend attacks from bladed weapons.
Rantai Chain used for whipping and seizing techniques
Department of Heritage Malaysia 2018, p. 1
Farrer 2009, pp. 26 & 61
Yahaya Ismail 1989, p. 73
PSGFM 2016
Oxford dictionaries, p. Silat
Harnish & Rasmussen 2011, p. 187
Farrer 2009, pp. 30–31
Green, Thomas A. (2010). Martial Arts of the World: An Encyclopedia of History and Innovation. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9781598842432.
Farrer 2009, p. 29
Raja Chulan 1966, p. 14
Anuar Abd Wahab 2008, p. 15
Ahmad Zuhairi Abdul Halim, Hariza Mohd Yusof & Nizamiah Muhd Nor 1999, p. 181
Department of Heritage Malaysia 2018, pp. 3
Department of Heritage Malaysia 2018, pp. 2–3
Tuan Ismail Tuan Soh 1991, p. 16
Alexander 2006, pp. 51–52 & 225 harvnb error: multiple targets (2×): CITEREFAlexander2006 (help)
Abd. Rahman Ismail 2008, p. 188
Barnard 2004, pp. 56–57
Pearson 2016
Hall 2017
Jacq-Hergoualc'h 2002, pp. 101–102
Grabowsky 1995, p. 195
Farish A Noor 2011, p. 17
Mishra 2010, p. 28
James 1994, p. 73 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFJames1994 (help)
Siti Zainon Ismail 2009, p. 167&293
Farrer 2009, p. 122
Farrer 2009, pp. 32
Farish A Noor 2000, p. 244
Juergensmeyer & Roof 2012, p. 1210
A. Samad Ahmad 1979, p. 75
Zapar 1989, p. 22
Dayangku Hajah Rosemaria Pengiran Haji Halus 2009, p. 44
De Vienne 2012, p. 44
Reid 1993, p. 70 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFReid1993 (help)
Zainal Abidin Shaikh Awab and Nigel Sutton (2006). Silat Tua: The Malay Dance Of Life. Kuala Lumpur: Azlan Ghanie Sdn Bhd. ISBN 978-983-42328-0-1.
Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Sejarah Silat Melayu by Tn. Hj. Anuar Abd. Wahab]
Silat is ours new Straits Times. Retrieved on December 15 2019
Facal 2014, p. 4
National Silat Federation of Malaysia 2018
Futrell 2012, p. 60
Nazarudin Zainun & Mohamad Omar Bidin 2018, p. 7
Seni Silat Lincah Association of Malaysia 2019
McQuaid 2012
Lobo Academy 2019
Pertubuhan Silat Seni Gayong 2016, p. History of Gayong
Pencak-Silat Panglipur Genève 2019
Farrer 2009, pp. 112-113
Paetzold & Mason, p. 128 harvnb error: no target: CITEREFPaetzoldMason (help)
Hill 2010
Sutton 2018, p. 10
Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Dictionary (Teuku Iskandar 1970)
Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa PESAKA (2006) [Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab]
Farrer, Douglas S. (2009), Shadows of the Prophet: Martial Arts and Sufi Mysticism, Springer, ISBN 978-1402093555
Harnish, David; Rasmussen, Anne (2011), Divine Inspirations: Music and Islam in Indonesia, Oxford University Press, ISBN 978-0195385427
Yahaya Ismail (1989), The cultural heritage of Malaysia, Dinamika Kreatif, ISBN 978-9839600001
PSGFM (2016), Silat vs Pencak Silat, Official Website of Seni Gayung Fatani
Ahmad Zuhairi Abdul Halim; Hariza Mohd Yusof; Nizamiah Muhd Nor (1999), Amalan mistik dan kebatinan serta pengaruhnya terhadap alam Melayu, Tamaddun Research Trust, ISBN 978-9834021900
Tuan Ismail Tuan Soh (1991), Seni Silat Melayu dengan tumpuan kepada Seni Silat Sekebun, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, ISBN 978-9836221780
Anuar Abd Wahab (2008), Silat, Sejarah Perkembangan Silat Melayu Tradisi dan Pembentukan Silat Malaysia Moden, Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, ISBN 978-9834407605
Department of Heritage Malaysia (2018), Seni Persilatan Melayu/Silat (PDF), Department of Heritage, Ministry of Tourism and Culture Malaysia
Raja Chulan (1966), Misa Melayu, Kuala Lumpur: Pustaka Antara
Oxford dictionaries, Oxford dictionaries, Oxford University Press
Alexander, James (2006), Malaysia Brunei & Singapore, New Holland Publishers, ISBN 1-86011-309-5
Abd. Rahman Ismail (2008), Seni Silat Melayu: Sejarah, Perkembangan dan Budaya, Kuala Lumpur: Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, ISBN 978-983-62-9934-5
UNESCO (2019), Intangible Cultural Heritage - Silat
Barnard, Timothy P. (2004), Contesting Malayness: Malay identity across boundaries, Singapore: Singapore University press, ISBN 9971-69-279-1
Pearson, Michael (2016), Trade, Circulation, and Flow in the Indian Ocean World, Palgrave Series in Indian Ocean World Studies, ISBN 9781137566249
Hall, Thomas D. (2017), Comparing Globalizations Historical and World-Systems Approaches, ISBN 9783319682198
Jacq-Hergoualc'h, Michel (2002), The Malay Peninsula: Crossroads of the Maritime Silk-Road (100 Bc-1300 Ad), BRILL, ISBN 90-04-11973-6 CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Grabowsky, Volker (1995), Regions and National Integration in Thailand 1892-1992, Otto Harrassowitz, ISBN 978-3447036085
Farish A Noor (2011), From Inderapura to Darul Makmur, A Deconstructive History of Pahang, Silverfish Books, ISBN 978-983-3221-30-1
Mishra, Patit Paban (2010), The History of Thailand, Greenwood, ISBN 978-0313-340-91-8
Alexander, James (2006), Malaysia Brunei & Singapore, New Holland Publishers, ISBN 978-1-86011-309-3
Siti Zainon Ismail (2009), Pakaian Cara Melayu (The way of Malay dress), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia publications, ISBN 978-967-942-740-0
Farish A Noor (2000), "From Majapahit to Putrajaya: The Kris as a Symptom of Civilizational Development and Decline", South East Asia Research, SAGE Publications, 8 (3): 239–279, doi:10.5367/000000000101297280
Juergensmeyer, Mark; Roof, Wade Clark (2012), Encyclopedia of Global Religion, SAGE Publications
A. Samad Ahmad (1979), Sulalatus Salatin (Sejarah Melayu), Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, ISBN 983-62-5601-6
Milner, Anthony (2010), The Malays (The Peoples of South-East Asia and the Pacific), Wiley-Blackwell, ISBN 978-1-4443-3903-1
Zapar, H. M. B. H. S. (1989), Silat Cakak Asli Brunei, Persib, Kementerian Kebudayaan, Belia dan Sukan Brunei
De Vienne, Marie-Sybille (2012), Brunei de la thalassocratie à la rente, CNRS, ISBN 978-2271074430
Dayangku Hajah Rosemaria Pengiran Haji Halus (2009), Seni Silat Asli Brunei : Perkembangan Dan Masa Depannya, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka Brunei, ISBN 978-99917-0-650-4
Facal, Gabriel (2014), "Silat martial ritual initiation in Brunei Darussalam", South East Asia: A Multidisciplinary Journal, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, 14
National Silat Federation of Malaysia (2018), Founding history
Futrell, Thom (2012), Many Paths To Peace, Lulu, ISBN 978-1105170454
Nazarudin Zainun; Mohamad Omar Bidin (2018), Pelestarian Silat Melayu antara Warisan dengan Amalan, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia, ISBN 978-9674611675
Seni Silat Lincah Association of Malaysia (2019), Mahaguru & Founder
Lobo Academy (2019), Silat Styles
McQuaid, Scott (2012), The Scriptures of Hang Tuah, Black Triangle Silat
Paetzold, Uwe U.; Mason, Paul H. (2016), The Fighting Art of Pencak Silat and its Music: From Southeast Asian Village to Global Movement, Brill, ISBN 978-90-04-30874-9
Hill, Robert (2010), World of Martial Arts, Lulu, ISBN 978-0557016631
Sutton, Lian (2018), "Embodying the Elements within Nature through the traditional Malay art of Silat Tua", Tropical Imaginaries & Living Cities, eTropic: electronic journal of studies in the tropics, 17
Pencak-Silat Panglipur Genève (2019), Alhaq - Grand Master Haji Hosni bin Ahmad
Pertubuhan Silat Seni Gayong (2016), Main Page
Sejarah Silat Melayu by Anuar Abd. Wahab (2006) in "Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa" PESAKA (2006).
Istilah Silat by Anuar Abd. Wahab (2006) in "Martabat Silat Warisan Negara, Keaslian Budaya Membina Bangsa" PESAKA (2006).
Silat Dinobatkan Seni Beladiri Terbaik by Pendita Anuar Abd. Wahab AMN (2007) in SENI BELADIRI (June 2007)
Silat itu Satu & Sempurna by Pendita Anuar Abd. Wahab AMN (2007) in SENI BELADIRI (September 2007)
Silat Melayu News Martial Arts Community Malaysia
Culture Silat (French)
List of styles
Hard and soft
Regional origin
Unarmed techniques
Elbow strike
Knee strike
Joint lock
Knife fighting
Stick-fighting
Practice weapon
Pushing hands
Shuai Jiao
Lethwei
Sanshou
Aikijutsu
Baguazhang
Xing Yi Quan
Full contact / combat sports
Professional boxing
Professional kickboxing
Knockdown karate
Self-defense / combatives
Bartitsu
MCMAP
Eclectic / hybrids
Chun Kuk Do
Unifight
Martial arts film (Chanbara)
Stage combat


Joy Trampolines are based in Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal and have bee manufacturing/installing and delivering Trampolines for over 20 years. Joy Trampolines are suitable for children and Adults of all ages, with a weight limit of 180 Kgs's. Trampolines are intended for fun as well as both mental and physical well being. The medical benefits are endless e.g. cardio vascular, lymphatic skeletal strength etc. It is a most enjoyable, rewarding way of exercising, bouncing your way to health. A Joy Trampoline installed in your garden also adds value to your property. They are great Gifts for children, getting children back outdoors. All trampolines come standard with sandbags which cover your frame, safety cushions which cover the springs are recommended for small children.
Trampolines are intended for fun as well as both mental and physical well being. The medical benefits are endless e.g. cardio vascular, lymphatic skeletal strength etc. It is a most enjoyable, rewarding way of exercising, bouncing your way to health.
Should a jackhammer be required due to rocky area, the hire of jackhammer will be for your account.
Sandbags are filled with soil from the pit, if soil is unsuitable for the filling of bags, the customer will be liable to supply sand. The removal of the remaining soil is the customer's responsibility.


Maintech offers Network Management providing end-to-end support and maintenance for your entire LAN/WAN networking environment.
Our network management provides enterprise-level support for organizations of any size. Our highly trained and certified team thoroughly understands customer IT strategies and requirements. With locations in both New Jersey and California, we serve as your single point of contact for support, no matter the vendor or the technology. Our proactive and continuous evaluation of your network infrastructure works to prevent issues that may threaten your data or security.
We offer industry-leading network designs and services, and end-to-end support and maintenance for your entire LAN/WAN networking environment. Contact Maintech today to find out how our team can help you manage your networking needs.
Vendor expertise with most major brands, Cisco, Dell, HP, AeroHive, Palo Alto, and more.
Our suite of custom-tailored services for corporate enterprise-level and small-to-midsize organizations is designed to provide the precise level and type of service you need – nothing more and never anything less. The company's technicians, account managers and subject matter experts are trained to seamlessly integrate with in-house client teams, many considering our staff an extension of their own IT departments.


text:
What signs are compatible with gemini? - Traits of a gemini - How does a gemini act?
What Signs Are Compatible With Gemini ?
The Gemini is the third sign in the zodiac cycle. The Gemini is known for its wittiness, gift of the gab and sophistication. They are also fun loving and extremely witty people. They love to have fun and everyday is a party for them. The Gemini is compatible with four other signs of the zodiac.More...
Constellation Gemini History
The constellation of Gemini is the most visible in the entire night sky and it is represented by the twins. How the zodiac sign of Gemini, or the twins as it is also referred as, originated is not exactly known. It represents two figures that are same and yet individual. It is also represented by the Roman numeral II and also the twin gods of Sparta. The Chinese call the twin stars as Castor and Pollux. They are connected with the life energies of Yin and Yang.More...
Traits Of A Gemini
How Does A Gemini Act ?
Are Gemini Virgo Compatible Signs ?
Gemini and Virgo are two signs that are ruled by Mercury. As per zodiac signs, they are not considered to be a good match as they have the worst compatibility. Their personalities are quite conflicting and they are two very different beings. Virgos are very steady in their love life and they fall in love only after a very careful consideration and after thought. Virgos are very hard working and shy in nature. Sometimes they are introverts.More...
What Sign Is Best Compatible With Gemini ?
Gemini is an extremely talkative sign. They are intellectual so they will end up making intellectual conversations. The Gemini is represented by the zodiac sign of twins and it falls between May 21st and June 21st. People born during this period are Geminis, and are known to be tactful and diplomatic.More...
Gemini Woman And Aries Man Relationship
An Aries man is very faithful in a relationship, while a Gemini woman is not and that is the first problem we have. It can break a relationship before it starts completely. When an Aries man is faithful, he expects his woman also to be. For him, his woman is his ego and a piece to show off. She can be anything, but a flirt as it will be a big hit on Aries mans ego.More...
Who Ist The Best Lover For Gemini ?
The Gemini is characterized between the dates of April 23rd and May 21st. They are known as witty and talkative people. A Gemini can talk very well and have an intellectual power to do so. They win people mainly through their speech. Everyone gets attracted to a Gemini almost instantly.More...
How Many Stars Make Up The Constellation Gemini ?
Gemini is one of the most prominent constellations in the night sky. There two very bright stars in the constellation of Gemini and that is how they are identified. Because of their brightest stars the sea farers used them to navigate. These two stars are identified as Castor and Pollux according to Greek mythology.More...
Western Zodiac:
Gemini Characteristics
Gemini has a dual nature just like the twin sign that it represents. They have a combination of contradicting nature and personality traits. Gemini can confuse people very easily and when you are in a relationship with a Gemini person you will not know when to trust them and when to doubt them. More..
Home | Chinese Zodiac | Dream Interpretation | ESP | Feng Shui | Fortune Telling | Fortune Telling Tools | Horoscope | I - Ching | Numerology | Palm Reading | Western Zodiac | Tarot | Religion | Supernatural Belief | Privacy Policy | Contact


text:
22-year-old man shot to death near Virginia Park Dec. 27th
Posted by vinceechavaria | Jan 4, 2007 | News - Features, Santa Monica | 0 |
A 22-year-old Santa Monica man was shot to death when he and two friends ran away from a vehicle near Virginia Avenue Park in Santa Monica Wednesday, December 27th, police said.
Miguel Martin, who was shot in the upper torso, was taken to the UCLA Medical Center in Westwood, where he subsequently died as a result of his injuries, Santa Monica police Lt. Alex Padilla said.
No one else was injured in the shooting.
Santa Monica police were called at 7:20 p.m. to the 2300 block of Pico Boulevard regarding calls of shots fired.
According to witnesses, Martin and two friends had apparently been walking along Pico Boulevard when a car drove alongside them, Padilla said.
One of the occupants in the vehicle allegedly began to yell gang-related comments and Martin and his companions then ran away from the vehicle, Padilla said.
As they were running, several gunshots were fired and Martin was struck, he said.
The shooting suspect, who was a passenger in the vehicle, is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 20 to 30 years old, heavy-set and clean-shaven, police said.
The driver of the vehicle is described only as a Hispanic male.
The suspects' vehicle is described as a black four-door 1980s or 90s Honda Accord, police said.
Padilla said Santa Monica police have increased patrol in the area in response to the shooting incident and are working with the Los Angeles Police Department and other agencies in trying to find the suspects and prevent any possible acts of retaliation.
Anyone with additional information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Santa Monica Police Department Robbery Homicide Unit at (310) 458-8451 or the watch commander's office at (310) 458-8427.
Martin, who grew up in Santa Monica, had spent time at the Virginia Avenue Park Teen Center, which offers arts-based programs, and also took part in activities in the Police Activities League fitness gym at the park, said Scott Wasserman, human services administrator at the park.
"I think it gave him a positive place to spend his time," Wasserman said.
Some young staff members at the park had known Martin for many years, he said.
"To them he was more than just another youth but someone who they grew up with," Wasserman said.
The park has a counselor available to talk to the staff and youths to help them cope with the loss, he said.
PreviousUpgraded LAX Gateway Pylon Project Kinetic Light Installation again welcomes visitors
Next133 boats entered in DRYC's first race of the season with unexpectedly calm waters


text:
De Springbeek is een beek bij Hout-Blerick in de gemeentes Peel en Maas en Venlo in Nederlands Limburg en ligt in het stroomgebied van de Maas. De beek is mondt uit in de Maas.

Ligging
De beek ontspringt ten noorden van Soeterbeek in het natuurgebied Dubbroek. De beek stroomt in noordoostelijke richting en passeert buurtschap Dubbroek en buigt verder af in oostelijke richting. De beek maakt dan een haakse bocht en stroomt in zuidelijke richting, even verder mondt de Berendonkse Beek er op uit en maakt ze weer een bijna haakse bocht naar het oostzuidoosten om met een bocht naar het noordoosten terug te keren en daar met een bijna haakse bocht haar loop in het verlengde van het eerdere tracé te vervolgen in zuidoostelijke richting. Nadat ze de N273 kruist passeert ze Hout-Blerick om vervolgens ten zuiden van de Venlose wijk Meuleveld uit te monden in de Maas.

De oude Springbeek lag vroeger tussen tussen de haakse bocht naar het zuiden en de N273 ongeveer 250 meter noordelijker.

Watermolen
 Watermeule bij Hout-Blerick

Geografie van Peel en Maas
Oppervlaktewater in Venlo
Beek in Limburg (Nederland)
Stroomgebied van de Maas

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
First meeting, SoCal-1
SoCal-1 - Bootcamp - Week 1
Lisa and I are in Los Angeles for the next few weeks.
We are running a series of VJ bootcamps for a new 24-hour local TV station in Los Angleles called SoCal-1.
The station is being launched by communication giant Charter (who recently bought Time/Warner). The station will reach an audience of 1.5 million viewers and it is going to be 100% VJ (which is certainly of interest to us).
Some thirty years ago, we launched NY1, and trained all the VJs (also in our bootcamps). NY1 was once owned by Time/Warner, which is now part of Charter, or Spectrum, as it is called here.
We are in the process of running VJ bootcamps for about 150 people, all of the VJs (or MMJs as they call them here), as well as the entire staff, from the receptionists to Cater Lee, the head of the station.
We are great believers in the necessity of everyone going through the bootcamp, everyone being completely both technically and video literate, but also of having had the shared experience of our bootcamps. (For those of you who have gone through this - from the 5-shot method to Fluffy The Puppy, and so on - but most importantly the famous 'Public Praise/Public Humiliation' screening and critique sessions.
Every single employee is going to go through the bootcamps, and every single person is going to be equipped and trained to produce content.
This is all very revolutionary.
When we are done, SoCal-1 will be the biggest all VJ TV station in the world, and we expect, a model for the rest of the country,
As of now, Spectrum is planning on rolling the model out across America, with a plan to launch 9 more such stations.
We are, of course, delighed and excited to be part of this revolutionary project. We think that SoCal -1 is going to be a model both for the US, but also for broadcasters worldwide. It's an entirely new way of working.
Many stations have one or two VJs, and play lipservice to the conccept. Here, it is all VJ all the time, and that is going to produce a very different on air product.