text:
The Natural Farmer
The Newspaper of the Northeast Organic Farming Association
TNF in PDF format
Growing a Food System for the Future: A Primer on Co-operative Legal Structure
By Roger Noonan and Erbin Crowell ·
photo by Roger Noonan
Proud Farmers Union Members Annie Galliard (Surfing Veggie Farm & Buffalo Mountain Food Co-op) & Marina Carleton (Buffalo Mountain Food Co-op).
This is an exciting time for the co-operative movement, particularly here in the Northeast where producer co-ops, food co-ops, and worker co-ops play an important role in building a more sustainable, resilient and inclusive food system. On an international level, the United Nations has long recognized
the contribution of co-operative enterprise to human development, poverty reduction and food security. For example, the UN's International Year of Family Farming in 2014 emphasized the role of co-ops in enabling the world's small producers to achieve scale and efficiency, competing with global corporations without sacrificing local ownership and control. And more recently, the UN Sustainable Development Goals promote co-ops as a key solution to challenges of food security, economic inclusion, and climate change.
In addition to being driven by a distinct set of values and principles, the co-operative legal structure prioritizes local needs and goals above the maximization of profit. Based on the principle of one member, one vote, co-ops are very real examples of economic democracy — and they work! America's family farmers have been pioneers in co-operative development, with generations of advocates creating the state legal statutes that have empowered rural communities to form producer co-ops, marketing co-ops, purchasing co-ops, food co-ops, credit unions, worker co-ops and utility co-ops. It is an amazing and often neglected story, in which the National Farmers Union (NFU) has played a key role, fighting for the basic national legislation that enabled producers to form co-ops and helping to organize countless community-based businesses. True to this legacy, the Farmers Union continues to defend the integrity of the co-operative model of enterprise at both the local and national levels.
Despite renewed interest in co-ops, there is limited understanding of this unique business model and the legal statutes related to their formation. As a result, when local entrepreneurs begin thinking about how to structure their business they are often unaware of this option. In some cases, they are advised to form "co-ops" under other statutes that do not exemplify co-operative principles or protect the rights of user-members. For these reasons, we have included in this article a very basic resource: a listing of co-operative statutes and a brief analysis of their basic characteristics.
A wide variety of people, spanning income levels and political beliefs, embrace co-operatives as a vibrant business structure and one that is effective across the economic spectrum:Credit unions enable people to provide themselves and their communities with financial services.
Worker co-ops support better income, benefits, and job security.
Housing co-ops provide access to more stable, affordable shelter.
Utility co-ops provide heat, light, telephone and internet services.
Producer co-ops enable farmers, fishermen and other producers to process, market and distribute their products.
Co-operative business has been particularly important to empowering family farmers and fishermen to address some of their enduring challenges and opportunities in the marketplace. Co-operatives come in many shapes and sizes, enabling family farmers collectively to aggregate and market their goods, to buy goods and services, to access equipment and land, and to add value to their crops. By working together, small producers can take advantage of the benefits of scale without giving up local ownership and control, empowering them to compete more effectively in the marketplace. A majority of our country's two million food producers are members of at least one of 3,000 producer co-ops.
In basic terms, a co-operative is a business that is owned and democratically governed by its members — the people who use the enterprise to obtain products, services, or employment. Rather than being based on the maximization of profit for owners or investors, a co-op is focused on meeting the needs and goals identified by members in accordance with internationally recognized principles and values. As member-owned enterprises, co-ops are rooted in the communities they serve and create an economic infrastructure that spans generations.
In order to better understand what makes co-operative enterprise unique, it may be useful to consider a couple of generally accepted definitions of a co-operative.
First, the International Co-operative Alliance defines a co-operative as "an autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social, and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly owned and democratically controlled enterprise." Co-operatives are also guided by seven principles: voluntary and open membership; democratic member control; member economic participation; autonomy and independence; education, training and information; co-operation among co-operatives; and concern for community (see box C). These principles form the basis for what makes co-operative enterprise distinct from other business models.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) describes the unique nature of co-operatives as "producer- and user-owned businesses that are controlled by — and operate for the benefit of — their members, rather than outside investors." This definition captures what are generally considered the three primary operational characteristics of a co-operative: user ownership, user control, and proportional distribution of surplus based on a member's use of the enterprise rather than capital invested.
Capital to operate the co-op is generated primarily from among members who purchase a share of common stock in the business and invest additional resources as needed. Additional outside capital can also come from lenders and sometimes from investors through the sale of preferred, non-voting shares in keeping with the principle of member or user control. Co-operatives are designed to operate at cost, with any profit or surplus either reinvested in the enterprise or distributed back to members in proportion to their use of the co-op (known as patronage dividends or patronage refunds).
Co-operatives are based on the democratic principles that are at the heart of our country's political system. Each member has one vote regardless of their wealth or status. By contrast, governance and control of investor-owned corporations are determined by the number of shares owned. Members of the co-operative may decide to make certain decisions by majority vote, a super majority or even by consensus, usually electing a board of directors that hires staff to oversee day-to-day operations.
When functioning well, this system ensures participation, loyalty and a sense of ownership among members.
With passage of the Capper-Volstead Act in 1922, Congress authorized the right of farmers to unite and market or process their agricultural products co-operatively without violating antitrust laws. The law made clear that the collective action by farmers engaged in a marketing or processing co-operative did not constitute a violation of these laws. In short, it grants limited exemption from those laws to agricultural producers who act together in associations that collectively process and market their commodities. This exemption is provided only if the following three criteria are met:
The association operates for the mutual benefit of producer members (co-op members have to be agricultural producers);
A one-member, one-vote rule is followed, or dividends on stock or membership capital are limited to eight percent per annum; and
Non-member business must be less than 50 percent of the co-operative's total business.
In order to build a thriving local and regional food system in New England, we need to develop local and regionally scaled infrastructure — distribution, marketing, processing, and storage.
In addition to their advantages as member-owned, democratically controlled enterprises, co-ops contribute to more stable local and regional economies through community ownership and control, the development of local skills and assets, and a focus on service and meeting member needs before maximization of profit.
With a structure that focuses on maximizing member value rather than financial return, co-ops give producers a mechanism to retain control of their financial returns and root food system infrastructure in our communities.
National Farmers Union and Co-operatives
The National Farmers Union (NFU) was formed in 1902 when a diverse group of farmers came together sharing a common belief that they could effectively organize for their mutual benefit. "It takes a community," said Leland Swenson, former president of NFU, a decade ago. "Our founders recognized this community. That is why our organization has been successful and carries that concept on today. This is something we are extremely proud of, because our concern went beyond the farm. Our history with co-ops, some successful and some unsuccessful, has kept us from losing sight that agriculture is all about people and community."
For its entire existence, NFU has been a watchdog for producers in the marketplace, and a partner with workers and consumers seeking a more just food system. In its earliest years, the National Farmers Union worked to support rural economies, to strengthen farm viability and to correct market failures or imperfections by creating co-operative associations. As they succeeded at the local level, the need arose to gain market power to compete with businesses and corporations further up the food chain. The result was the emergence of regional co-operatives that were able to maintain and enhance farmers' power in the marketplace.
In New England farmers and fishermen tend to be resource-limited family operators. There are successful marketing co-ops serving these producers, as well as purchasing, distribution, and equipment co-ops, and collaboration between producer co-ops and co-ops in other sectors (such as retail food co-ops, energy co-ops, financial and worker-owned co-ops), that are already sustaining local economies. Yet, even with the success of the region's existing co-operative businesses, there are still opportunities for farmers and fishermen to increase production, marketing and distribution.
Types of Co-ops
The co-operative model is very flexible and operates in all aspects of the economy. While this makes the model more effective, it can also be confusing. However, co-ops can be defined by industry or sector, type of member, and level.
Sectors include agricultural and fishery co-ops, food co-ops, service co-ops, credit unions, energy co-ops, worker co-ops and housing co-ops. Agriculture co-ops and food co-ops play a large role in our region's food system. Other common sectors of importance to producers include purchasing, finance, and insurance. Agricultural co-ops include producer co-ops, dairy co-ops, and fisheries co-ops. Organic Valley, a national co-op with more than 320 members in the Northeast, is organized around organic dairy products. Farm Credit East and Yankee Farm Credit are examples of financial co-ops owned by and serving producers in our region. Food co-ops, which operate at the retail end of our food system, were pioneers in the development of markets for natural, organic and fairly traded foods, as well as growth of the "buy local" movement. Most food co-ops in our region, such as the Co-op Food Stores of New Hampshire and Vermont, are organized around consumer members, enabling the people who shop there to access healthy, local food and support our region's producers by providing a stable outlet for their products. But they can be organized around a number of member types (see "multi-stakeholder" co-ops below).
Co-ops Defined by Type of Member
Most often, a co-op is formed around the interests of a group of members with a specific economic relationship or use of their co-operative as producers, workers, or consumers. Most agricultural co-operatives are producer co-ops, formed around the interests of individual farmers who use the co-op to help them market and distribute their products. This helps reduce costs and duplication of effort with a mutual benefit to each producer, enabling members to focus on their own operations. Deep Root Organic Co-op and Pioneer Valley Growers Association are examples of producer co-ops.Consumer co-operatives or food co-ops enable people to access healthy, local and affordable groceries, with their patronage of the business being based on their purchases. In practice, the interests of consumer-members, expressed in food co-op mission or "ends" statements, include much broader goals related to using their purchasing power to create more just, sustainable, and inclusive local economies, such as good jobs and a stable outlet for local producers.
Members of worker co-operatives are both active employees of the business and its owners whose economic relationship with the enterprise is the labor they provide to its operation. Possibilities for being organized as a worker co-operative include new business start-ups, entrepreneurs sharing highs and lows of business, or a conversion of existing businesses as a mechanism for ownership succession and preservation of local ownership. Examples in our regional food system include Real Pickles.
It is useful to note that a co-op can be organized around multiple member interests, either formally or informally. An example of this kind of "multi-stakeholder" co-op is FEDCO Seeds in Maine, which has both worker and consumer members, which include gardeners, farmers and retailers that purchase seed and supplies from the business.
Co-ops Defined by Level
An agricultural co-op that operates at the primary level has individual farms as its members. Primary co-ops often join secondary co-ops, or federations, to share information, provide technical assistance, and conduct marketing and advocacy efforts. These structures are in keeping with the sixth principle of co-operation, which states, "co-operatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures." A couple of examples in our region include the Neighboring Food Co-op Association and the Valley Alliance of Worker Co-ops.
Setting Up a Co-op
Starting a co-operative, like any business, is a complex project. However, because they are member-owned and governed it is important to ensure that organizers understand the unique nature of co-operative enterprise. Start-up requires a small but dedicated group of prospective members who see a common need and develop an idea of how to meet it. Depending on circumstances, the proposal may be welcomed with enthusiasm or may be met with vigorous opposition, particularly from potential competitors.
In the case of such opposition, the group must be prepared to react to various strategies of its competitors such as price changes to retain business; improved contract terms or canceled contracts; attempts to influence lenders who stand against the project; and even bad publicity. Regardless of the business climate for the proposed co-operative, leaders must demonstrate a combination of expertise, enthusiasm, practicality, dedication, and determination to see that the project is completed. A clear understanding of co-operative business principles and values, and a commitment to ongoing education, are essential to long-term success.
The precise sequence of events for launching a co-op will depend on the type and scope of the project. Outside advisors — especially other co-ops — often play a critical role in various stages of the process, but even more important is strong leadership from the core group throughout the process. Realistic assumptions leading to accurate information and projections are vital in the decision-making stages.
There must be a critical mass of loyal members willing to make a personal, business and financial commitment to the co-operative. All potential members, advisors, and partnering organizations involved in the development must have a thorough understanding of the unique principles and practices of a co-operative organization and must support them.
Business and co-operative specialists will also be helpful. Most states have offces of Rural Development, an agency of the USDA, and many have a co-operative development specialist on staff who can help you get started. He or she can recommend other specialized services and talents that will be needed during organization stages, as well as contacts at other co-ops.
Other resources are available from county offces of the Extension Service or land-grant universities, regional co-operative associations, area offces of the Farm Credit system, or an established co-operative in your area.
Legal counsel, preferably an attorney familiar with state co-operative statutes, will be important. An attorney prepares the organization papers or checks the legality of those written by someone else. Early expertise is needed to acquire property, make capitalization plans, borrow money, and write bylaws, agreements and contracts. Even after the co-operative is operating, an attorney should be retained who can help ensure the organization conforms to applicable laws.
Financial guidance, again preferably from a source that understands co-operative operation, should be sought early regarding anticipated capital needs and methods of financing. This would include advice on designing the feasibility study to meet requirements of a lending agent. Staff specialists on finance and accounting matters can also advise the co-operative. An independent accounting firm that has the knowledge of co-operative operations should be hired to establish the bookkeeping system, tax records, and a plan for revolving capital prior to sale of stock or the collection or handling of members' money. Later, the board will need to hire an outside accounting firm to conduct the annual audit.
To determine the level of interest in starting and supporting a co-operative, invite potential members to an initial meeting. The core or leadership group should develop an agenda and select a presiding officer who can conduct a business meeting. Among the agenda items to consider are:
The opportunity to be addressed through co-operative action (e.g. access markets, processing, purchasing in bulk, etc.) Co-operative principles and terminology
Advantages and disadvantages of a co-operative approach to the opportunity
General risk capital, equity and financial requirements
Various forms of member-user commitment needed
Prospective members should be encouraged to express their views and ask questions. All issues raised should be addressed, although answers may be delayed until later meetings when more information becomes available. In addition, a representative of a successful co-operative might be helpful in explaining its operations, benefits and limitations.
The core group, possibly with outside expertise and experience, should determine whether a co-operative is feasible: Would it succeed and benefit its members? If so, they should prepare a specific, detailed business plan for the new venture.
Assistance from specialists in law, accounting, finance, economics, engineering, and co-operative business operations is critical during the business-analysis phase.
Economic need is fundamental to the formation and successful operation of any co-operative. Will the co-operative provide a needed service, preserve a market, stabilize prices, or encourage more orderly marketing? Is the projected initial investment — the equity stake — affordable to the potential members involved?
The committee should consider alternatives to starting a new co-operative. Perhaps the most important consideration is this: Could an existing, nearby co-operative provide the same or similar services either directly or by establishing a branch? If forming a new co-operative is the best alternative, the group should consider linking with regional co-ops to obtain the benefits of collaboration.
A new co-operative should initially limit services to avoid elaborate or costly facilities above those absolutely needed. If successful, services can later be expanded.
Co-operatives need adequate capital to function effciently and to grow. They need reserves for depreciation and unpredictable contingencies. Not only is it important to have suffcient capital for a start-up, but it is also vital for daily operations and growth.
Costs of organizing the co-operative include such items as legal and incorporation fees. Before a co-op actually starts business operations, money may also be needed to cover the cost of membership drive meetings and feasibility studies.
There are two types of capital: debt capital and equity capital. Debt capital includes loans (short and long term), bonds, and any other type of credit obtained from commercial banks, co-operative banks, or other financial institutions. Equity capital is provided by co-op members, nonmember investors, and from successful business operations. Equity capital may or may not be returned to members and may or may not bear dividends. Equity capital is obtained in four ways:
Selling common stock or member-ship certificates to members.
Selling preferred (non-voting) stock to members and non-members.
Deferred patronage refunds from member business (allocated equity).
Retained profits from member and non-member business (unallocated equity).
(Note: Many types of co-ops can be formed under general co-operative corporations and associations statutes. A co-op may also be incorporated in a state other than where it is located.)
Co-operatives are democracies and as such depend on the active participation of their members. Therefore, the most important obligation of co-op members is participation in the governance of the co-operative. In practice, this means they need to stay informed about the co-operative from reliable sources, attend co-operative meetings, and take their turn at committee and board service. It is important to remind members that probably everyone could claim they are "too busy" and if no one is willing to give some time to their shared success, the co-operative will fail.
The primary duties of the board of directors are to safeguard the assets of the members and to represent their mutual interests. The board of directors is legally responsible for the co-operative's continued viability. Board members are also charged with establishing policies to implement the co-operative's mission. The board of directors is responsible for setting the overall performance goals for the co-operative (e.g., annual net profit levels).
Incorporation is usually the best method of organizing. Each state has enabling laws under which co-operatives may incorporate (see box A). Incorporation gives the co-operative a distinct legal standing. Members generally are not personally liable for the debts of an incorporated organization beyond the amount of their investment. The articles indicate the nature of the co-operative business. The articles should specify rather broad operating authority when incorporating even though services may be limited at the beginning.
Bylaws state how the co-operative will conduct business and must be consistent with both state statutes and the articles of incorporation. Again, this is an area where it is important to consult with technical assistance and legal counsel experienced with co-ops, existing co-operatives, and co-op business associations.
Legal Statutes in the Northeast
Through years of co-operative advocacy, each state in the Northeast has adopted statutes that describe the legal parameters under which co-ops may operate in its jurisdiction. These statues are available on the website of your Secretary of State. While the legalese used by the states may be daunting, several common themes run through these laws.
A requirement for a minimum number of persons to form a co-operative association.
Allocation of net profits to members must be on the basis of the business done with or for such patrons, not according to capital held.
Co-operatives must be owned and controlled by active member patrons.In some states, a business may only use the words "co-operative" or "co-op" if organized under co-operative statutes and operating in a co-operative manner.
Often there are specific definitions of agricultural and producer activities eligible for inclusion in co-operatives.
Some state statutes provide for preferred stock that allows the co-operative to issue shares without voting rights.
Voting requirements that stipulate one member has only one vote.
Roger Noonan serves as President and Erbin Crowell as a Board Member of the New England Farmers Union. This article is adapted from "Growing a Food System for the Future," the New England Farmers Union's manual on co-op development. For more information, please visit www.newenglandfarmersunion.org.
National Cooperative Business Association, CLUSA International
www.ncba.coop
(202) 554-1600 // www.nfu.org
New England Farmers Union
5 State Street, Suite 2, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
www.NewEnglandFarmersUnion.org
Neighboring Food Co-op Association
PO Box 93, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370
info@nfca.coop www.nfca.coop
Cooperative Development Institute
www.cdi.coop
Cooperative Fund of New England
www.cooperativefund.org
Valley Alliance of Worker Co-ops
www.valleyworker.org
A History of the Cooperative Movement
Cooperatives and an Inclusive Economy
Some Cooperative Farming Frameworks
Neighboring Food Co-ops: A Decade of Collective Impact
Deep Root Co-op Going Stronger by Serving Northeast Growers
Federating Southern Cooperatives
How a Co-op Makes Community in Ithaca
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The Natural Farmer is the newspaper of the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA). It is published quarterly as a 48-page newsprint journal. The paper covers news of the organic movement nationally and internationally, as well as featuring stories about farmers from New England, New York and New Jersey. Each issue contains a 16 to 24 page pull out supplement on a particular crop or topic. The paper also contains how-to-do-it articles suitable for gardeners and homesteaders.
Copyright © 2021 NOFA


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Jaime Rubio Sulficio and family free to leave Sanctuary after nearly 3 years
Dec 22, 2021 | Accompaniment & Sanctuary, Feature, News
At a press conference at Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral on Monday December 20, 2021 Jaime Rubio Sulficio and his family shared with us that his case has been re-opened. This means Jaime is no longer a priority for deportation, and he and his family can safely begin the process of leaving Sanctuary without the looming threats of deportation and separation that gave them no choice but to go into Sanctuary in the first place back in 2019.
As the fight for a just and permanent legal remedy continues, the Rubio family begin the process of rebuilding their lives beyond the boundaries of the Saint Mark's property where they have taken refuge from the threat of unjust separation for nearly three years.
"To be happy, you need someone to love and something to do and something to be proud of. And I fulfilled those three elements while being here," Jaime said in this piece by KNKX reporter Lilly Ana Fowler.
"So many people ask me where I would like to go, what place I want to visit after being in sanctuary for so long. And I just have one answer: My biggest wish is to take my son to the park," he said during Monday's press conference. "I can only look at the fathers and mothers who are being deported each day, they deserve to be recognized," he said. "I will continue to advocate not only for me but for the millions of others who will not want to be separated from their loved ones."
To receive future updates and opportunities to engage, you can subscribe to the Church Council's monthly E-News here.
Learn more about the Rubio Sulficio family's Sanctuary journey:
"After three years of sanctuary in Seattle church, Mexican man finally free to leave", by Lilly Anna Fowler for KNKX
"Man who took sanctuary at St. Mark's in Seattle no longer under threat of deportation", by Daisy Zavala for the Seattle Times
"Taking Sanctuary : Jaime Rubio and Keiko Maruyama", 2019 interview on KBCS produced by Yuko Kodama
« FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral's Guest in Sanctuary to Announce an Important Development in the Struggle to Avoid the Separation of His Family | MLK Community Workshop Series January 11-15, 2022 »

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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El Barranco de Badajoz es un barranco situado en la isla de Tenerife −Canarias, España−, enmarcado dentro del término municipal de Güímar en el sureste de la isla.

Toponimia
Su nombre proviene del conquistador castellano Juan de Badajoz, quien recibió tierras en esta zona tras la conquista de la isla a finales del siglo .

Los aborígenes guanches nombraban a esta zona Chamoco, término con el que se ha seguido denominando por los naturales del lugar.

Características
El barranco es un afluente del Barranco del Agua, situándose en el extremo meridional del valle de Güímar. Nace a 1 852  en la Cordillera Dorsal de la isla en las proximidades de la cima de Izaña, y desemboca en el Barranco del Agua a 152 msnm en la zona conocida como Los Llanos. Recorre casi diez kilómetros, recibiendo el aporte de numerosos barranquillos que descienden de la Ladera de Güímar.

Durante parte del trayecto del barranco este se convierte en auténtico cañón, con paredes verticales a ambos lados.

La parte superior del cauce se encuentra dentro de los espacios naturales protegidos del parque natural de la Corona Forestal y del Paisaje Protegido de las Siete Lomas.

Aspectos humanos
El vestigio prehistórico más significativo que se encuentra en esta zona, demostrando así la actividad aborigen del lugar, es la Cueva del Cañizo; la cual está a 100 m de altura, aproximadamente, a la mitad del camino y en la pared izquierda del barranco que debe su nombre a las doce varas de madera de sabina, que se hallan colocadas en el techo de la misma; las que se pueden ver desde el cauce del barranco. Además varias momias guanches han sido encontradas aquí, de modo que el lugar era una zona de enterramiento aborigen y, en la actualidad, un importante lugar en yacimientos arqueológicos.

En las laderas del barranco se han excavado ocho galerías filtrantes que surten de agua a la población de la isla. De aquí parte el denominado Canal de Araya que conduce el agua desde el Barranco de Badajoz hasta el área metropolitana de Tenerife, abasteciendo a los municipios de Güímar, Arafo, Candelaria, El Rosario, San Cristóbal de La Laguna y Santa Cruz de Tenerife, y siendo utilizada tanto por la población como por las industrias y los comercios.

En la parte baja del cauce se encuentran varias canteras de extracción de áridos explotadas desde los años setenta e inmersas en procesos judiciales por su presunta explotación irregular.

Sucesos
En torno al barranco han surgido numerosas leyendas e historias de sucesos extraños. Los testimonios abarcan apariciones de seres angelicales, el haber experimentado diversos fenómenos paranormales, avistamientos de luces, diversos entes u ovnis, e incluso vestigios de rituales satánicos. El periodista Juan Carlos Romero Hasmen le ha dedicado un estudio.

El del Barranco de Badajoz es considerado por la mayoría de parapsicólogos como un caso muy similar al famoso Triángulo de Bridgewater ubicado en Massachusetts (Estados Unidos).

Galería

Véase también
 Güímar
 Valle de Güímar

Referencias

Enlaces externos
 Blog sobre el Barranco de Badajoz.

Geografía de Tenerife
Barrancos de Tenerife
Güímar
Leyendas urbanas
Pseudociencia
Fenómenos paranormales
Leyendas de Canarias

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The Cruel Wife – How I Killed Betty!
None of the above. Tell him to embrace the millenials and ditch the tie!
Oh he would love to do that! Sadly his 'workplace' would not embrace it; they're very formal. It would save much faffing around in the mornings though!
He seemed to have happily got it on and tied it the first time without feeling there was a problem with it. Would you or any other woman have gone to work without checking your appearance for dribblings and food detritus , snagged tights, see through blouses , back to front or inside out jumpers? He was clearly happy with the tie……why spoil his innocent confidence?
Although, I have to admit I did make into work once wearing odd shoes….one of which was my sons…..but my defence is it was very dark that morning.
Ha!! That's hilarious! You're right, we do check, check and double check. I can only imagine he wasn't wearing his glasses this morning!
Get him to sort his own ties out including washing them….
You might have a point! Although being a stay at home wife, I have to justify my existence somehow. After we've moved house I shall get a job, but perhaps not in a launderette.
After so many washes in this house all the clothes seem to migrate to the same, just slightly off pink look.
Ha! Yup … oh I can relate to this. Think of it as embracing your feminine side.
Would have to be honest and over apologetic with hugs and kisses to heal the bruised ego.
Ooh! Option d) -but that suggestion of option e) seemed good, too!
E) Nothing. What a beautiful real life drama and love story!
Ha! Thanks … glad you enjoyed it!
I agree. I rather like how it turned out, with shared looks and laughter and a second kiss goodbye. Seems quite perfect. Your idiosyncrasies are lovable, as he knows better than anyone. Thx for the fun post!
Aww thanks … yes, we know each other pretty well!
Ha! I'm glad I'm not alone!!
Next Next post: Shopping … Heaven or Hell?


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A website needs to be updated regularly with new and engaging content to ensure sustained user interest and reason for repeat visits. Having a website built with a Content Management System (or CMS for short) allows you to take charge of your website by uploading new copy and images with ease, generating new pages and adding news posts at the touch of a button which means new content can be live within just moments.
We build most of our bespoke websites around the core foundations of the WordPress Content Management System. WordPress is our go-to-choice for its easy usability which allows clients to easily take charge of their website.
We Are Creation Digital are WordPress specialists. We use the CMS's functionality to store uploaded content and then expand upon this with completely bespoke and enhanced functionality. This approach results in a completely unique, personalised digital presence for your brand.


As I user, I would like to have a support for voice input on my FxOS device for executing various actions on device, as well as fetching info from the cloud.
Part 1 of 8: Introduces the B2G specific build flags, initially enabled.
This will be used as a user story meta bug to track dependent work items.
Currently we have it running on Firefox. Steven, Can we do same approach linking against the pre-compiled lib as we did on Desktop at FxOS only to start testing?
Let's synch a more comfortable hour for us to work on it together.
Here is the summary of high level draft plans we are beginning with for enabling Voice Input in Open Web / Firefox OS. One of our Firefox OS contributors Andre Natal (Brazil community) has done lots of preparatory work and is currently continuing on a GSOC (Google Summer of Code) project around this. The proposed 2 phases of the plan are in email below.
There is lots to do here and we are just starting, so if you are interested, pls watch this wiki and help with the dependent bug# being added to the meta-bug above. This kind of project could use great community participation with contributing code, collecting / testing voice samples with various accents (Remember "many voices, One Mozilla") to improve the acoustic / language models, creating fun gamifications to achieve that and yes, we would need tons & tons of testing!
Phase 1 is tracked with a separate bug now in 1049931.
Phase 1 is tracked with a separate bug now in 1049937.
Phase 2 is tracked with a separate bug now in 1049937.
This is the part 1 of 8 for this bug.
> Part 1 of 8: Introduces the B2G specific build flags, initially enabled.
> This is the part 1 of 8 for this bug.
This is the metabug. This patch should be included in its appropriate bug inside the tree.


text:
Every minute of the day, violence is devastating the lives of millions of women and girls around the world. It is a global crisis, already affecting one in three women in their lifetime, devastating their lives and fracturing communities.
Violence against women and girls knows no boundaries of geography or culture - but those living in poverty face higher levels of abuse. It is rooted in the inequality between men and women that women and girls face throughout their lives.
Some believe that violence toward women and girls is not their business. Some believe it is even normal. Many don't challenge it – even if they think it's not acceptable.
But everywhere in the world, people are standing up and speaking out. Women's rights organizations are already saving lives in tackling violence against women and girls. We stand with them to call for all women, men, girls and boys to say 'Enough' to violence against women and girls.
Together we can change these harmful beliefs. What is learned can be unlearned.
Join us to #SayEnough
We can all help stop violence against women in our everyday lives. By speaking out, by discussing the issue on social media, in public and at home, we can improve people's understanding of the matter and challenge attitudes and beliefs. Join the conversation and help us spread the word!
Share on Facebook | Share on Twitter | Share by email
Ending violence against women and girls
Did you know that at least one in three women will experience some form of violence during their lifetime - more than one billion women worldwide? Violence against women and girls is a hidden global crisis which knows no boundaries of geography or culture. But, marginalized women, such as poor women and girls, are most likely to experience it.
gender based violence violence against women gender inequality social norms
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Blogs and stories
Literacy vs gender-based violence: aiding survivor recovery in the Central African Republic
In the Central African Republic (CAR), a woman is a victim of sexual and gender-based violence almost every hour. For most women overcoming the trauma and moving on is a challenge. Oxfam is supporting them through literacy classes to help them read, write and empower them.
#SayEnoughCypher: join our global music and poetry jam to end violence against women
1 in 3 women worldwide will experience violence or abuse in her lifetime. During this year's 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, rappers, poets and musicians from around the world are playing in a global jam session called the "Say Enough Cypher" and lending their voice to say 'Enough' to violence against women and girls. Are you a poet? Take your mic and stand with us!
Ten harmful beliefs that perpetuate violence against women and girls
One in three women will experience violence in her lifetime. Whilst there is no single cause for such violence, some of the strongest factors are harmful social norms that contribute to gender inequality. Read more on these harmful beliefs and join us to say 'Enough' to violence against women and girls.
Global jam session to challenge society's dangerous attitudes around male dominance via rap, rhythm and rhyme
Rappers, poets and musicians from across Asia, Africa and Latin America are playing in a global jam session called the "Say Enough Cypher" with original poems and songs aimed at transforming the attitudes, beliefs and social norms that fuel violence against women and girls.
Sexual harassment on public transport? "It's not my business to intervene" say urban commuters in Sri Lanka
New research from Oxfam finds that sexual harassment of women, girls and gender non-conforming people on public transport is tolerated by urban Sri Lankan commuters who consider it normal male behaviour, an everyday occurrence and the fault of women for not being submissive, obedient or dressing decently.
Oxfam demands the Colombian government take urgent action to protect female human rights defenders
Colombian women land rights defenders are being threatened and murdered at alarming rates for standing up to those prioritizing economic interests over natural resources, Oxfam said today. Oxfam is demanding the Colombian government enact and enforce immediate protection measures for women's land right defenders. These protection actions should take into account the complex social context and particular needs of these women defenders, who mostly live in rural settings.
'Let's stop thinking it is normal'
This collated research report is based on formative research from 12 countries across Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean and the Pacific. The report identifies dominant and common patterns in the social norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls.
Breaking the mould
This report analyzes the beliefs of young people aged 15 to 25 from eight Latin American and Caribbean countries, about violence and partner relationships. These beliefs lead young people to reproduce the inequalities they see in society and to view acts of male violence as "normal".
Whether we are responding to an emergency, working on long terms projects with communities, or campaigning for lasting change, we tackle the inequality and deep-rooted discrimination that makes and keeps women poor.
Why the majority of the world's poor are women
Despite some important progress in recent years, in no country have women achieved economic equality with men, and women are still more likely than men to live in poverty. Gender inequality in work costs women in developing countries $9 trillion a year – a sum which would provide a massive boost to the global economy.
Our vision is a just world without poverty. We want a world where people are valued and treated equally, enjoy their rights as full citizens, and can influence decisions affecting their lives.


2017 has officially arrived, and with it, a wave of new home decor trends. If you're considering listing your Toronto townhouse, condo or house this year, now might be a good time to take a hard look at those builder-grade oak cabinets and yellow walls and start making a list of renovation projects that will incorporate a few hot trends.
But making your home trendy in 2017 isn't as simple as painting with Benjamin Moore's colour of the year and calling it a day – you'll need some finesse. That's why I sat down with Zoocasa head stager Angela Amlani to find out where to look for these year's hottest trends, what they will be, and how to incorporate them into your home.
Pantone chose Greenery as their colour of the year, which means you'll be seeing a lot of green making its way into designs. If you're hesitant to commit to this vivid shade in a big way, avoid painting your walls or purchasing green upholstered sofas or chairs. Instead, try adding some pillows and a throw to a room, which will add depth to your home décor.
Patterns will also become more popular, according to Amlani, because they make a room unique and memorable. To incorporate this trend, consider adding a graphic pillow to your sofa or patterned towels in the bathroom. Avoid huge pattern statements that are difficult to remove such as wallpaper or tile, as some would-be homebuyers may disagree with your choice of pattern and be turned off from your home.
If your home is ultra-minimalist and streamlined, as many new builds tend to be, consider incorporating reflective materials into your design. For example, pairing a sleek gray couch with a gold accented table lamp and coffee table. Or, if you are updating your bathroom before selling, add brass or gold bathroom fixtures. If you have a small space to work with, such as an office, hang a large mirror. It will reflect light around the space and make it seem more expansive.
The affordable subway tile has finally fallen out of popularity, and instead, geometric patterns will be all the rage in 2017. If you plan to update your kitchen's backsplash before listing your home, choose hex tile or penny tile, which are both inexpensive but interesting. Or you could even lay traditional subway tile in an interesting pattern, such as vertically or in a herringbone configuration.
What's an easy way to make your master bedroom seem glam and plush yet totally on-trend? Add an upholstered bedhead. Whether you choose a velvet option with a lot of buttons to really bring the "Wow" factor to your master bedroom or go the less expensive DIY route, upholstered bedheads are a surefire way to turn the heads of your potential buyers. To make your master bedroom seem lux, try pairing a bedhead with Benjamin Moore's colour of the year: Shadow.


Our home energy efficiency services can help you save energy, and money, year round. By focusing on the building envelope and mechanical systems -- the components of your home that determine how much energy it uses on heating and cooling -- we're able to cost-effectively reduce your heating and cooling loads and save you money year after year.
While much of the discussion around home energy efficiency revolves around electrical loads - lighting and appliances, for example - in most Northeastern homes, the bulk of your home's energy consumption actually goes towards heating your home in the winter. By focusing on this aspect of your home, we're also able to reduce the amount of money you spend on cooling in the summer, while simultaneously keeping your home more comfortable throughout the year.
Feel free to contact us for more information about energy audits, home performance or deep energy retrofits, or to schedule a free, no-obligation energy intensity consultation today!
Saving energy doesn't have to mean freezing in the winter and boiling in the summer. Our holistic, building-science-based approach to home energy conservation improve's your building's energy efficiency while simultaneously improving comfort year round.
Tired of drafty rooms and cold floors in the winter, or hot and muggy rooms in the summer? You no longer need to crank the air conditioner around the clock to stay comfortable in the summer, or turn the thermostat up for your home to remain bearable in the winter.
Our home performance upgrades focus on the building envelope and mechanical systems, and are aimed at reducing your home's heating and cooling loads, which means that your home needs fewer BTU's of energy to stay comfortable. What this means is that you can spend less money on energy, while enjoying a cozier home in the winter and a cooler home in the summer - with more even room temperatures, fewer drafts, and fewer inconsistencies in comfort throughout your house.
If you'd like to learn more about our unique approach to home energy efficiency and building comfort, or to schedule a free energy intensity consultation today, feel free to contact us here.
Buildings are one of our country's most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and homes alone account for as much as 20% of our nation's total energy consumption. Much of that energy is created by the burning of fossil fuels -- toxic energy sources that contribute to smog, pollution, and global climate change.
We can help you reduce your home's environmental impact by reducing the amount of energy it takes to keep your home comfortable throughout the year. Through improvements to the building envelope including air sealing and insulation, optimization of your home's heating and cooling systems, and electrical efficiency improvements through lighting and appliance upgrades and recommendations, we can help turn your home into a green, sustainable, energy efficient haven for you and your family.
For more information about how we can help reduce your home's environmental impact and carbon footprint, feel free to contact us today.


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Q: Set listen port for file communication I am extremely new to network communication and need to understand listening ports better. I have to create an application that listens for incoming DICOM associations. However I am unsure about which port I should listen on or if it really even matters.
I read on wikipedia that there are specific ports for DICOM communication (ports 104, 4242, 11112). does my decision for which port to use have to be one of those three, or are these just the standard?

A: There is no standard port for DICOM network communication, but there are so called well-known ports. These are 104 and 11112; 4242 is no officially assigned well-known port number for DICOM.
You could use 104 (which requires root privileges on Unix systems) or 11112 (which does not) as a default port number for your Service Class Provider (SCP). But please make sure that the port number is configurable!

A: DICOM reserved the following TCP and UDP port numbers from Internet Assigned Numbers Authority:

*

*Port 104 - well-known port for DICOM over TCP or UDP.

*Port 2761 - registered for DICOM using Integrated Secure Communication Layer (ISCL) over TCP or UDP.

*Port 2762 - registered for DICOM using Transport Layer Security (TLS) over TCP or UDP.

*Port 11112 - registered for DICOM using standard, open communication over TCP or UDP.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Why Chinese netizens are angry at
a photo provider
Trending Culture
Digital photo provider draws backlash after claiming rights to first black hole photo
Visual China angers content creators for shady copyright practices
Published on 12 Apr, 2019 1:26pm Coordinated Universal Time
China's biggest stock picture provider has vanished, and it's all because of the first photograph taken of a black hole.
The country erupted in collective outrage after people discovered that Visual China, a website similar to Shutterstock or Getty Images, claimed to have the copyright for the black hole photo in China and asked people to pay to use it. That picture was originally released by the European Southern Observatory (ESO) for free distribution as long as users credit Event Horizon Telescope Collaboration (EHT).
The swift reaction in China happened in part because of the changing landscape of media creation in the country. While established companies are some of the biggest customers for stock photo sites in other parts of the world, individuals within China are increasingly relying on sites like Visual China.
More than 3 million people in China are now working as "self media," a term for amateur media organizations and individual writers who publish primarily on social networks like WeChat, Weibo and Bytedance's content aggregator Toutiao.
Many content creators complain that Visual China often aggressively demands compensation for pictures found in the public domain. It was reported last year that the site, which makes up 50% of China's market for commercial stock photos, has a habit of demanding high prices for any images it claims as its own.
"If you haven't received a lawyer's letter from Visual China, it means you're not big enough," a popular blogger on WeChat wrote sarcastically.
Since China lacks an effective platform for determining whether a picture is copyrighted, there is no easy means of recourse for content creators.
As it turns out, there are other images on Visual China that the company clearly doesn't own but contain copyright notices. The company claims copyrights for pictures of the Chinese national flag and the national emblem, as the Communist Youth League of China snarkily pointed out on Weibo. According to the screenshots, Visual China charges up to 1,000 yuan (nearly US$150) for media outlets to use a picture of the national emblem, which is technically illegal.
"Do the copyrights of the national flag and the national emblem also belong to your company?" The Communist Youth League asked Visual China on Weibo. (Picture: 共青团中央 on Weibo)
Visual China has even made software named "Hawk Eye" to track "how an image is used on the internet" to "lower the cost of copyright protection," according to the company's 2017 annual report.
This led a venture capitalist to say on Weibo, "The world belongs to you and me, but in the end, it belongs to Visual China." The post was shared more than 2,000 times.
Visual China has now shut down its website and apologized in an open letter, saying the company failed to do due diligence in assessing images provided by contributors. Two other digital photo providers have also shut down their websites.
In a statement issued to its shareholders, Shenzhen-listed Visual China also said it was summoned by China's cybersecurity agency on Thursday for selling images containing "sensitive and harmful information."
It's possible that authorities wanted to rein in the company amid an intense public outcry. CCTV published an article on WeChat asking people not to "kick up a fuss" and damage the "social consensus" around copyright protection despite Visual China's business practices.
China technology


Look what an A'rif, philosopher, and teacher like Ayatollah Misbah Yazdi has to say about Imam Khomeini (R). The mesmerizing personality of Imam Khomeini stands out among all of our fuqaha. What makes him so different and elevated when compared with others? How did Imam Khomeini raise the bar so high?


text:
Q: A reasonable use of threading in C#? As part of a large automation process, we are calling a third-party API that does some work calling services on another machine.  We discovered recently that every so often when the other machine is unavailable, the API call will spin away sometimes up to 40 minutes while attempting to connect to the remote server.
The API we're using doesn't offer a way to specify a timeout and we don't want our program waiting around for that long, so I thought threads would be a nice way to enforce the timeout.  The resulting code looks something like:
 Thread _thread = new Thread(_caller.CallServices());

 _thread.Start();
 _thread.Join(timeout);

 if (_thread.IsAlive)
 {
      _thread.Abort();
      throw new Exception("Timed-out attempting to connect.");
 }

Basically, I want to let APICall() run, but if it is still going after timeout has elapsed, assume it is going to fail, kill it and move on.
Since I'm new to threading in C# and on the .net runtime I thought I'd ask two related  questions:
Is there a better/more appropriate mechanism in the .net libraries for what I'm trying to do, and have I committed any threading gotchas in that bit of code?

A: Thread.Abort() is a request for the thread to abort, and gives no guarantee that it will do so in a timely manner. It is also considered bad practice (it will throw a thread abort exception in the aborted thread, but it seems like the 3rd party API offers you no other choices.
If you know (programmatically) the address of the remote service host you should ping it before you transfer control to the 3rd party API.
If not using a backgroundworker, you could set the thread's IsBackgroundThread to true, so it doesn't keep your program from terminating.

A: Bad idea. Thread.Abort doesn't necessarily clean up the mess left by such an interrupted API call.
If the call is expensive, consider writing a separate .exe that makes the call, and pass the arguments to/from it using the command line or temporary files. You can kill an .exe much more safely than killing a thread.

A: You can also just use a delegate... Create a delegate for the method that does the work,  Then call BeginInvoke on the delegate, passing it the arguments, and a callback function to handle the return values (if you want)...
Immediately after the BeginInvoke you can wait a designated time for the asynch delegate to finish, and if it does not in that specified time, move on...
   public delegate [ReturnType] CallerServiceDelegate
          ([parameter list for_caller.CallService]);

   CallerServiceDelegate callSvcDel = _caller.CallService;
   DateTime cutoffDate = DateTime.Now.AddSeconds(timeoutSeconds);
   IAsyncResult aR = callSvcDel.BeginInvoke([here put parameters],
                                             AsynchCallback, null);
   while (!aR.IsCompleted && DateTime.Now < cutoffDate)
       Thread.Sleep(500);
   if (aR.IsCompleted)
   {
      ReturnType returnValue = callSvcDel.EndInvoke(aR);
      // whatever else you need to do to handle success
   }
   else
   {
      callSvcDel.EndInvoke(aR);
      // whatever you need to do to handle timeout
   }

NOTE:  as written AsynchCallback could be null, as the code retrieves the return value from the EndInvoke(), but if you want to you can have the CallService() method call the AsynchCallback delegate and pass it the return values instaed...

A: It might work, but nobody could say for sure without an understanding of the third-party API. Aborting the thread like that could leave the component in some invalid state that it might not be able to recover from, or maybe it won't free resources that it allocated (think - what if one of your routines just stopped executing half-way through. Could you make any guarantees about the state your program would be in?).
As Cicil suggested, it might be a good idea to ping the server first.

A: Does your application run for long periods of time or is it more of a run-as-needed application?  If it's the latter, I personally would consider using the Thread.Abort() option.  While it may not be the most desirable from a purist's perspective (resource management, etc.), it is certainly straightforward to implement and may foot the bill given the way your particular application works.
The idea of a separate executable makes sense.  Perhaps another option would be to use AppDomains.  I'm not an expert in this area (I welcome refinements/corrections to this), but as I understand it, you'd put the API call in a separate DLL and load it into a separate AppDomain.  When the API call is finished or you have to abort it, you can unload the AppDomain along with the DLL.  This may have the added benefit of cleaning up resources that a straightforward Thread.Abort() will not.


There are two ways to join NBGS - using the Online facitity or relying on the postal system. If you join after 1 October you will be enrolled in our membership for the balance of the current calendar year and all of the subsequent calendar year.
You will be asked to select a branch so note the choices available to you as you make your way through the system.
Download the membership application form, (click here) complete it and then send it to us along with your payment. The form provides full instructions and outlines the payment options.
Once you have submitted your membership application you may use the PayPal facility below for your dues payment.
For any questions regarding these Cemetery Books, including shipping and handling costs indicated, contact Thelma Perry at tmperry1946@gmail.com.


I know we haven't really talked about dragon yet. Since there are so much about the dragon in Chinese mythology, today I decide to talk about the nine sons of the dragon. Why are there nine sons? In Chinese, besides the number, nine also means many like in English a couple of means a few. Nine also was considered the number of the emperor.
There is a Chinese saying called nine sons of the dragon are all different. The myth about that the dragon has nine sons started from the Ming dynasty 明朝 in the book HuaiLuTangJi 怀麓堂集 and ShengAnWaiJi 升庵外集.
The first son is called QiuNiu 囚牛, a mythical creature that likes music and can be found as a decoration to adorn musical instruments like a string instrument HuQin 胡琴. Niu means cows but I am sure if QiuNiu is a hybrid of a cow and a dragon.
The second son is called 睚眦 YaZi (二 四声), a mythical creature that is aggressive. He likes to fight and can be found as decorations on the cross-guard of swords. It looks like YaZi is having the blade in its mouth. YaZi's eyes are always widely open and looks like a hybrid of a wolf and a dragon.
The third son is called 嘲风 ChaoFeng, a mythical creature that likes adventures and can be found on the corners of roofs. ChaoFeng represents good luck and power and of course ward off evil spirits.
The fourth son is called 蒲牢 PuLao, a mythical creature that likes to scream and can be found as decorations on the top of bells. So the bells can be heard far away. It says PuLao is scared of whales so the bell hammer sometimes is carved as a whale.
The fifth son is called 狻猊 SuanNi (一 二声), a mythical creature that is quite and likes to sit down and can be found on the bases or at the feet of a Buddhist idols or a Buddhist incense burner. SuanNi looks like a hybrid of a lion and a dragon. Like we talked about in the episode 13 guardian lions that there are no lions in China. The lion symbolism is from Indian culture through Buddhism. The name SuanNi is said a translation of lion from some language from the central Asia. Maybe that's also a reason that SuanNi can be found around Buddhism statues.
The sixth son is called 赑屃 BiXi (四四声) or BaXia 霸下,a mythical creature with a hard shell looking like a hybrid of a turtle and a dragon. People sometimes misinterpret them as turtles however BiXi has teeth. It is able to carry heavy objects like tombstones.
The seventh son is called 狴犴 BiAn (四四声), a mythical creature that looks like a hybrid of a tiger and a dragon. BiAn likes litigation and stands for justice. It can be found in the court room and prisons.
The eighth son is called 负屃 FuXi (四四声), a mythical creature that likes literature and can be found on the top of tombstones. FuXi looks like dragon itself.
The ninth son is called ChiWen 鸱吻 (一三声), a mythical creature that has a wide throat and likes to swallow. ChiWen looks like a hybrid of a fish and a dragon. It can be found on both ends of the ridgepoles of roofs and looks like they are swallowing the ridgepoles. Since ChiWen is half fish, it can put off fire. So the wooden structured buildings are protected not being caught on fire.
According to the book ShengAnJi, there are some variations. There is son called TaoTie 饕餮, a mythical creature that likes to eat and its head pattern can be found on cooking wares.
There is a son called BaXia 虫八 虫夏 (一四声), a mythical creature that like water and can be found on bridges and outlets of sewage.
There is a son called JiaoTu 椒图, a mythical creature that looks like a clam and doesn't like to be disturbed and can be found on the front door as decorations of door knobs.


Fresh from a sold-out six-city tour of California, The Empire Strips Back - A Burlesque Parody is returning for a six week tour from March 30-May 4, and will make a stop in Indianapolis at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre on Sunday, April 14, 2019 at 8 p.m. (doors at 7 p.m.). Tickets are on sale now and available at Ticketmaster.com, OldNationalCentre.com, the Old National Centre Box Office, or by phone at 800-745-3000.
*Ages 18+. VIP tickets featuring a post-show photo opportunity with a performer are also available. For more information, visit empirestripsback.com.


text:
Total 911 Motorsport
Porsche lead GTLM class testing at Sebring
Porsche North America Racing's 991 RSRs have posted the two fastest lap times on the opening day of testing ahead of the Sebring 12 Hours in March.
Joerg Bergmeister topped the times in the #912 RSR, posting 2m00.048s, just ahead of teammate Patrick Pilet in the #911 example who clocked in at 2m00.364s. The encouraging early test times show the works team have continued the momentum from their opening round class win at Daytona.
"We had a little bad luck with our car in the Rolex 24, but overall Daytona was perfect start for our new team," Bergmeister said. "This is a new car, but we've tested here quite bit in the past and our setup was perfect right off the truck."
Pilet, who drove to victory in the season opener at Daytona with Nick Tandy and Richard Lietz, said: "We're happy, because it's always hard to be on the pace at the beginning of a test at Sebring. It was a good day for us. We had no real issues.
"Daytona was a dream week for us, with a new team, a new car and new teammates. Everything worked perfectly. I feel a real key was the hard work by the crew and perfect pit stops."
Follow the season with detailed race reports via Total911.com, and up-to-date race coverage via Twitter @Total911.


The Aion mainnet, a platform designed to allow greater collaboration between separate blockchains, launched on Wednesday.
In what is reportedly the first blockchain interoperability platform, Aion (AION) have said the mainnet – also known as Kilimanjaro – will enable independent blockchains to transfer data and value across platforms.
Not only will this enable data and value to be exported and imported to different blockchains, Aion argues it will also foster greater communication between protocols.
"We envision a future where any blockchain can connect and share data, creating a powerful network to revolutionize how industries share information," said Matthew Spoke, Founder and CEO of Aion.
Originally founded to develop Deloitte's blockchain practice, the Toronto-based development team devised Aion as a means to link platforms, that would otherwise be siloed operations, into a greater interoperable network.
According to its website, the Aion mainnet can be used to link up blockchains used across global supply lines and involving multiple parties as well as acting as act as an intermediary between platforms used by different corporate or government departments.
With plans to be used in the business world, Aion has been adapted so it can be used in large corporations or institutions: rather than holding all information and data communally, parts of the platform that contains sensitive or private data can be separated off and accessed only by authorised parties.
Aion Mainnet Launches A Business Blockchain?
Aion's desire to become a reputable and trusted blockchain for corporations and governments may have possibly influenced their caution on growing too quickly.
The Foundation cancelled a planned public sale of AION tokens following two successful private sales that managed to raise over $22m for the project and according to Aion's spokesman, the raised funds were sufficient for the Foundation's initial roadmap.
Although some developers are keen on implementing blockchain technology for individuals, the corporate market for DLT is growing rapidly.
The American tech company IBM is already hard at work collaborating with companies like AIG, Walmart, Nestle and Unilever to tailor blockchain technology to their specific businesses.
As well as this, it is also busy creating a platform whereby different businesses can use a specific hybridised blockchain platform to share information and value. Similar to Aion, IBM's platform can have restricted access to certain areas of the blockchain where private or sensitive information is kept.
Aion has managed to attract some strong support from big brands: included on Aion Foundation's advisory board are Anthony Di Iorio, the co-founder of Ethereum; a Vice-President from the Toronto Stock Exchange as well as a former VP from Yahoo!.


"If we play like we have done in the last three league games, we won't be reaching any finals," Guardiola said.
Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola has warned his players they have "no chance" of reaching a third successive UEFA Champions League final if they carry on playing the way they are.
Bayern, having clinched a second successive Bundesliga title in record time three weeks ago, are on a downward slide, winning just once in their last five league games including back-to-back defeats either side of their European quarter-final victory over Manchester United.
Guardiola, animated and anxious in his press conference ahead of their German Cup semi-final against Kaiserslautern on Wednesday, admitted his side are in a "dangerous situation" and need to recover quickly if they hope to match Real Madrid next week.
"If we play like we have done in the last three league games, we won't be reaching any finals," the 43-year-old said. "We have to quickly find our form back. We're in a dangerous situation. If we play in Madrid like we have done recently then we have no chance.
"Sometimes a defeat helps to improve a team. But when the focus isn't there, then the head is slow and everything happens a slower. It's been the same training, the same system, the same players."
Bayern travel to the Spanish capital for the first leg of their semi-final on Wednesday 23 April hoping to repeat last year's historic treble.
Guardiola is also sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Manuel Neuer who was substituted at half-time during Saturday's defeat to Borussia Dortmund with a calf problem.
The former Barcelona boss said: "He could not train today but hopefully he will be able to play tomorrow."


Chocoholics will soon be able to limit their intake and lead a healthier lifestyle, thanks to a groundbreaking new project by a City, University of London student.
Kanwar Dhesi, 21, a final year BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering undergraduate, is aiming to create a "chocoholic safe" as part of his project.
The safe, which can deliver only one portion of chocolate each day, will store different shapes and sizes of chocolate, while being secure and easy to reload.
Dhesi is in the preliminary stages of the project, and has been able to research similar problems that face this type of research.
"A vending machine, cat feeder and, of course, a safe have all allowed me to obtain a clearer vision of how to move forward with the problem, and the components used," said Dhesi.
Combining programming language and using a microcontroller, Dhesi hopes to increase his skills and at the same time be able to solve real-world problems through the planning and preparation of the project.
Yet, with lifeMojo, an online healthy lifestyle community, stating that chocolate is the second most addictive food, how effective does Dhesi think his product will be?
The project is the first of its kind at City. Dhesi decided to get involved, partly because he is very interested in using microcontrollers but also, he said "because the project seemed to be an interesting problem that had not been solved before, so would be a challenge".
"Single-chip computers known as microcontrollers are now found in almost all aspects of our lives"
Written by Stefan Marseglia, final year BA (Hons) Journalism with Sociology student, City University London.


In U.S. News & World Report's 2013 rankings, Case Western Reserve's undergraduate program ranked 37th among national universities. The University is associated with 16 Nobel laureates. Other notable alumni include Paul Buchheit, creator and lead developer of Gmail; Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist.org; and Peter Tippett, who developed the anti-virus software Vaccine, which Symantec purchased and turned into the popular Norton AntiVirus. Case Western Reserve is particularly well known for its medical school, dental school, law school, Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing (named for former U.S. Representative Frances P. Bolton), Department of Biomedical Engineering and its biomedical teaching and research capabilities. Case Western is a member of the Association of American Universities.
The university is approximately five miles (8 km) east of downtown Cleveland in University Circle. It is contained within a 550-acre (220 ha) area containing numerous educational, medical, and cultural institutions. Case Western Reserve has a number of programs taught in conjunction with nearby institutions, including the Cleveland Clinic, the University Hospitals of Cleveland, the Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veteran's Affairs Medical Center, Cleveland Institute of Music, the Cleveland Hearing & Speech Center, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and the Cleveland Play House.
Case Western Reserve was the site of the famous Michelson-Morley interferometer experiment, conducted in 1887 by Albert A. Michelson of Case School of Applied Science and Edward W. Morley of Western Reserve University. This experiment proved the non-existence of the luminiferous ether and was later cited as convincing evidence in support of special relativity as proposed by Albert Einstein in 1905. Michelson became the first American to win a Nobel Prize in science. The commemorative Michelson-Morley Memorial Fountain is located on campus, near where the actual experiment was performed.


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The B&W Loudspeaker Factory Tour
Headphones (Posted on: 11/6/2018 11:55:27 AM)
We have expanded our line of headphones, heaphone amplifiers and portables. Our lineup consists of heaphones from Audeze, B&W, Grado, Sennheiser and Shure. We carry in-ear phones, on the ear and over the ear as well as sound isolation and Bluetooth headphones
We have headphone amplifiers as well as heaphone amps with built in DAC's by Ayre, Grado, Lehmann and Project.
In portable audio, we carry Hi-Resolution players/DAC's from Astell&Kern and Chord.
Audio Consultants was chosen by Sennheiser to carry their new flagship headphone sytem, the HE-1. The HE-1 is regarded as the best headphone system in the world and are on display and ready for audition.
The B&W Loudspeaker Factory Tour (Posted on: 3/30/2008 12:00:00 AM)
If there's one thing we fight over around here at Audio Consultants, it's who among us gets to attend the B&W factory tour in England. Unlike most other loudspeaker companies, B&W actually manufacturers both the enclosures and drivers in their designs (two other such companies are Thiel and Magnepan). And as you may already know, B&W makes a lot of speakers! They are famous for their two-pronged approach to speaker design and construction: they have a research and development facility in Steyning where engineers are given free reign to experiment and innovate, and they have a state-of-the-art factory just far enough away in Worthing. By keeping these two facilities separate, B&W allows their engineers and designers the freedom to focus purely on optimum performance, regardless of manufacturing challenges. Having such a versatile factory filled with highly capable and devoted employees makes this luxury possible.
It's one thing to know this about B&W, but it's another thing entirely to see their crews in action. Normally, you the customer would just have to take our word for it. But recently, in honor of B&W's 40th anniversary, Home Theater magazine took a tour of the B&W facilities and took extensive photographs behind the scenes. For a rare glimpse into perhaps the most impressive loudspeaker manufacturing facilities in the world, click here.
Buying From Us Is Simple
We're big enough to offer a wide selection of products, maintain a large support staff, and be price competitive, but we're small enough to know who you are.


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northeast
3 Biomes of Brazil's
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Endangered Coast
The importance of biomes cannot be underestimated. They are the major cities of the natural world housing many unique forms of life while protecting our oceans, forests and deserts. Under assault from mankind for decades they are rapidly being destroyed.
Biome 1 -
Status: Both are critically endangered. Uncontrolled tourism and development along the coast continues to deplete a dwindling resource.
Atlantic forest Caatinga forest
Risk: Poor communities are dependent on its wood for fuel and construction material. It's honey, fruits, fibers and medicinal plants for their health.
(Mata Atlântica), not the Amazon, houses the largest biodiversity on the planet. More than 50% of its trees are endemic and
are located nowhere else. It stretches over 5.000km along the Atlantic coast varying in height and species. Due to the strong pressure by an increasing population the forests are now largely destroyed. Of the original 1 Million km of undisturbed forest, only isolated patches remain. The World Wildlife Fund has designated the forests of eastern coastal Brazil, along with Madagascar, as the most endangered habitats on earth.
Atlantic Forest:
A Tupi Indian word meaning "white forest".
The caatinga is located only in Northeast Brazil and is one of the least studied and understood eco regions in the hemisphere.
Caatinga is a hardy drought-resistant thorn scrub whose presence helps stabilize the sand dunes. Increased human activity is jeopardizing its effectiveness increasing the likelihood of erosion. The health of these forest directly effect the local fishing communities who are dependent on its wood for fuel and medicinal plants.
Caatinga Forest:
Status:
Uncontrolled tourism is probably the major threat to the area. Lack of financial resources for enforcement, research and monitoring contributes to their degradation.
Coastal Sand Dunes.
The massive dune fields of this semi-arid region lie wedged between ocean and forest. Reaching height's well over 150 meters, these majestic sand dunes are over two million years old. Strong winds, abundance of salt, and high surface temperatures, create difficult conditions for vegetation. Those that exist have adapted, and are called pioneer plants. The pioneers facilitate the appearance of other plants such as caatinga.
Risk: Due to high susceptibility to erosion human occupation must be prevented. It can lead to a complete degradation and deterioration of these ancient sand dune systems. This in turn could lead to irreversible atmospheric and biodiversity changes.
The white sands of this region are composed of microscopic reef animals and algae, including wave-worn fragments of brightly colored corals, teeny one-celled organisms and tiny fragments of sea shells and star-shaped sponge and coral.
The dunes also provides habitats for a variety of life which have adapted to this sea of drifting sand. Scientist have recently identified a new genus and species of lizards completely adapted to subterraneous life in the sands and similar to those reported for Australian and South African deserts
*Research contribution: SIGEP / Alcina Barreto, Kenitiro Seguio, Paulo Oliveira, Sonia Tatumi.
Coral Reef - Mangrove
Status: Unrestrained urban development poses a serious threat, both in terms of increasing erosion and as a source of pollution and untreated sewage. Destructive fishing practices from both commercial and artisanal fisheries are also contributors.
Risk: Marginal communities that depend on aquatic resources for 80% of there protein intake.
Mangrove (mangue)
The coastal equivalent of tropical forests on land. Brazil has one of the largest extensions of manguezal in the world.
Year after year, fish by the thousand spawn in these Brazilian sea forests.
Hundreds of migratory birds, marine creatures and reptiles depend on its woody salt resistant vegetation for survival.
Coastal artisan fishers are dependent on its storehouse of materials which provide food, medicines, shelter and tools
Today, these mangroves are competing with agriculture, salt extraction, tourist development and infrastructure. But the biggest threat comes from shrimp farms which constitute the main cause of mangrove destruction loss in northeast Brazil and the world.
Coral Reefs
The coral reefs of northeast Brazil extends nearly the entire length of its 4000 km coastline.
The only coral reefs in the whole south Atlantic region, they are separated from the reefs of the Caribbean by natural barriers. This isolation has created a unique fauna most of which are found nowhere else in the world.

Local communities depend on the reefs high diversity of fish and other organisms that thrive in coral reefs: crustaceans, mollusks, algae, sponges and sea worms.
Without reefs mangroves would not survive. Coral Reefs stand between the ocean and the sea-forest protecting its fragile plants and fish nurseries from wave damage.
Today, there is no legislation or management plan outside of limited protected areas, to protect these reefs, from current threats, such as over fishing, uncontrolled tourism, sediment runoff, pollution, etc.
BRAZIL PROJECT


Yoga Sutra 15 describes how a person can be free from cravings from the outside world and as a result be clear in their thinking and live a conscious life mastering non attachment. Practicing this will bring longer lasting inner joy, happiness, and peace of mind. This resonates with me because when I was out of college entering into graduate school most of my very close friends were getting married and having babies. They were having these big weddings, buying expensive homes, and seemed to be doing everything they were expected to do. Many of them became at home mother's which back then was looked at as such a privilege because they did not have to work. I remember not wanting to marry my college boyfriend who at the time I was still dating. He came from a very wealthy family and would receive quarterly checks from a trust fund which his mother inherited. My question at that time was, is this really going to make me happy? I watched my mother mentally struggle in her life not from what my father did not provide her, as he is an oral surgeon with a very successful practice but with herself emotionally. I discovered as all of us do some of the challenges our parents face. I decided not to marry my college boyfriend and instead I moved up to Burlington, VT and lived on my own up there for 4 years. I knew I needed some time to heal from things in my past and was tired of getting in my own way not feeling good about myself. I remember how hard it was to live hand to mouth for years barely having money to buy food and put gas in my car. I Spent a lot of time at the holistic center in Burlington, VT, practicing the Merkabah, a spherical breathing technique and spent a lot of time in prayer, meditation, and yoga.
I grew so much spiritually and mentally while living on my own. I felt so much better about myself being of service to the community in which I lived ,working in a community care center, and then for catholic charities. I knew that my mind was feeling better and my thinking was a lot clearer.
Years later I am continuing my practice of healing through yoga, prayer, and meditation. I certainly have done things very differently than what was expected of me. I never wanted to rush into getting married and I never wanted to bring a baby into this world. At times the struggle to do this work was so painful. Now I feel so much better about myself. I have worked very hard to reconcile the relationship I have with myself and I look around now at my family, friends, and society and am reminded of how unhappy people are. Marriages are falling apart, so many ending in divorce, parents are stressed out and overwhelmed raising their kids, and so much depression and anxiety. I hear all the time I wish I didn't get married so young or I didn't know how hard it was going to be raising children.
As much as I grow financially I will always remember how I felt years ago having nothing. The things I buy now I feel good about because I buy them for myself, no one else is handing things to me, it feels good this way. I fully understanding that the things I may purchase, as expensive as they maybe, will never replace the happiness, peace, and joy I have found through my practice of yoga, meditation, prayer, and a non attachment to a belief system of defining what happiness is suppose to be for me.


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YAMS (Dioscorea spp.) Family: Dioscoreaceae
chaktty01 Foods, Plants October 16, 2018
Yams are grown throughout the wetter parts of the tropics. They are climbing monocotyledonous plants with opposite or alternate leaves and they produce large storage tubers.
Yams are obtained from several species of the genus Dioscorea, a very large genus with about 600 tropical or subtropical species of which only a few are grown for their stem tubers.
The growth of the crop, unlike cassava, is limited due to high labor requirements.
The species are of different origins; most are of west Africa and Asian origin.
The edible yams are tropical crops which can not tolerate frost. They grow best at temperatures of 25-30°C.
A well distributed rainfall of at least 1,500mm per annum is required.
Tuber formation is promoted by short day conditions but low light intensity or shade during the season tends to reduce yields severely.
Yams require loose, deep well-drained loam soils and grow best in good riverine soils.
Yams require reasonable soil fertility and are usually the first crops taken in the cropping cycle after the opening up of land by Farmers.
In West Africa, the northern limit of yam zone is about 10°N, beyond which the dry season is too long.
In Nigeria, they are mainly grown in the south and middle belt and as far North as Zaria.
Yams are climbing dioecious perennial plants which are usually grown as annuals.
The fibrous root system is comparatively weak and may be spiny in some species.
They produce underground tubers, which vary greatly in number, size and form.
The tubers consist mainly of starchy parenchyma with central vascular bundles and suberized akin.
The yam tuber is neither a stem nor a root tuber. Detailed morphogenetic studies indicate that it develops from the hypocotyl region- the transition zone between the stem and the root.
Unlike typical root tubers sucs as cassava, it does not develop by the enlargement of pre-formed roots and it lacks the analogue of a root cap at its extreme tip.
Unlike typical stem tubers such as potato, it does not possess terminal bud at its growing point, is devoid of scale leaves, and axillary buds ('eyes') are absent from the tuber surface.
The stems are vines, which grow up to 12m in length and are generally provided with support for climbing.
The stems may have spines or may be spineless. The long-petioled simple leaves may be opposite or alternate and are cordate or deeply lobed.
In some of species, such as D. bulbifera, bulbis are produced in leaf axils. Stems climb by twining; the direction of twining is quite characteristic for species and may be clockwise or anticlockwise as in Dioscorea alata.
The flowers are small, often dioecious or unisexual; i.e. male and female flowers are borne on separate plants and male flowers are usually more numerous.
The female flowers have an inferior ovary of three carpels surmounted by three -valved capsule or berry.
The cultivated species of Dioscorea rarely flower and the plants have been propagated for thousands of years by means of their tubers or stem cuttings.
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Some wild species of Dioscorea contain varying amounts of a poisonous alkaloid, dioscorine in tubers.
The alkanoid is present in considerable quantities in some species, but in many of the edible types , the small amounts present are easily destroyed by boiling or roasting.
The main species are:
1. Dioscorea rotundata poir. (White yam) This is the most commonly cultivated in West Africa where it originated.
It is hardy and stores well. It requires 8-10 months to mature depending on variety.
The dormant period of the tubers permits extended storage in good condition.
The tubers are normally cylindrical with rounded or pointed ends, smooth, brown skin white flesh, but they may assume distorted shapes.
2. D. cayenensis Lam (Yellow yam) : It is a native of West Africa. It is late maturing and requires up to 12 months to reach full maturity.
The tubers produce a yellow flesh and they do not store well. The tubers are large and can be harvested over a longer period.
It is not so highly regarded as the white yam but it is hardier and higher yielding.
Some authors consider D. Cayenensis and D. rotundata as belonging to the same complex, D. cayenensis- rotundata.
3. D. alata L. (Water yam) : It originated in Asia where it is widely grown. It is early maturing (7-10 months).
The tubers are variable in size, shape and color; usually produced singly and often very large.
The outer cortex and flesh vary from white tondeep reddish purple in color.
Other species of lesser importance include D. esculenta (lesser yam), D. bulbifera (aerial yam), D. dumetorum (cluster yam), D. Opposita (Chinese yam) and D. trifida (cush-cush yam).
In southern Nigeria, yam is planted in November while the soil is still moist (early yam) and in March-April (late yam).
In the northern parts, planting is done in may-june. Yam planted in November is usually mulched with leaves or grasses to conserve moisture during the dry season and control weeds.
The seeding rate is 2-3 t/ha of seed yam. Small tubers may be planted whole but large ones may be cut into small pieces for economy. The top sections (with buds) of the tubers or middle sections (without buds).
Bruising of the sets should be avoided.
Planting may be in heaps or ridges. Generally, heaps are preferred in the southern parts of the country where most of the yam is staked.
The use of the heaps and stakes are rare in the northern Guinea savanna zone. In the free – draining sandy soils of Benin and eastern areas, yams may be planted in holes on the flat.
Heaps and ridges should be spaced at 1.0m apart and 60cm between plants. Holes, 15cm deep, are dug at the top of the heaps or ridges.
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One sett is placed in each hole usually with the cut surface upward and slopping at 45 degrees.
It may be necessary to mulch with grass or leaves for yams planted before the rain start.
The major constraint in yam production is the shortage of planting materials as the edible tuber is currently used for propagation.
Recent research has shown that it is possible to propagate yams by means of true seeds, vine cuttings or minisetts.
With the minisetts technology, farmers can produce 40,000-100,000 seed yams per hectare.
Okoli et al defined a minisetts as a sett less than one quarter of the minimum size (100g) of yam sett usually planted for seed tuber production whereas commercial production of yams use 150-300g setts or more.
Minisetts from all portions of a tuber can be used and the technique has been used successfully for the three common yam species (D. rotundata, D. cayenensis and D. alata.
The minisetts are usually treated with some pesticides to protect them from soil borne pests and ensure high percentage emergence and good establishment.
Weeds can be controlled manually or with herbicides, e.g. primextra at the rate of 3kg a.i/ha, applied pre-emergence.
Fertilizers can be applied as compound NPK 15-15-15 at 300-400kg/ha. Fertilizers should be applied at 6-8 weeks in a circle or in a band, 15cm from the base of the vine, when most of the yams must have germinated and the soil is sufficiently moist.
Staking is essential for good yields. Live bush sticks are often left as stakes when clearing the bush.
Cassia, Leucaena or Gliricidia are good staking materials. In the eastern parts of Edo and Delta states, parts of Anambra and Imo States, bamboos are used.
In the derived savanna and Guinea savanna zones where stakes are not available, most yams are planted in ridges carrying maturing Guinea corn or millet.
When these cereal crops are mature, the heads are cut off and the stalks bent over and woven together to form a fence upon which the yam vines are trained.
Yams mature in 8-12 months, depending on the species. The early crop matures at the end of July to mid September and the main crop in mid October to January.
Two kinds of practice exist with respect to the timing of the yam harvest.
In double harvesting, each yam plant is harvested twice.
The first harvest is done at about 5-6 months. During this harvest, the tuber is carefully unearthed without damaging the plant's roots.
The tuber is then served from the rest of the plant at a point just below the corn. The tuber is removed and the roots are covered up again with earth. The plant continues to grow and later produces a new tuber.
After the plant has finally died at the end of the season, the second harvest is done. The tuber recovered at the second harvest (seed yam) is firmer in texture and more irregular in shape than that from the first harvest.
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Single harvest involves waiting until the end of the season when the vines have died, before harvesting the yams.
Under farmers' conditions, yields of yam vary between 7-12 toms/ha. With good management, yields of up to 25 tons/ha are possible.
Harvested yams are carried to a yam barn or store where they are graded by size and quality, and tied under shade.
The tubers lose weight during storage, usually 10-15% during the first 3 months, and 30% or more after 6 months.
The major cause of lose in weight is due to respiration. The ban is the commonest form of yam storage in west Africa.
Yams are sometimes sliced and sun dried before making them into flour; they can be stored for many months in is form.
Yams can be cold stored temporarily but cold storage below 10°C results in chilling injury.
The average composition of fresh yam is 60-70% water, 15-25% carbohydrates and 4-8% protein.
1. Mainly for human consumption as they provide a cheap source of carbohydrate. The most common form of yam consumption are as boiled yam, pounded yam, roasted, fried or baked yam.
2.Wild species have been used as a source material for the manufacture of oral contraceptives.
The main diseases affecting yams are tuber rots and anthracnose.
Tuber rots are caused mostly by fungi (Penicillium spp and Fusarium spp.) and also by bacteria (Serratin spp.). The rots may infect the tuber either in the field or during storage.
Control is by treating setts with fungicide or wood ash before planting. Great care should also be taken to avoid damage to the tuners during harvest.
Anthracnose disease is particularly severe when it attacks D. alata; leaf necrosis and death of the entire plants can occur. Control is by use of resistant varieties.
The yam beetle (Heteroligus melds) is a major pest of yams in West Africa. Its eggs are laid in moist ground early in the dry season (October- November).
The larvae produced feed initially on soil humus and later on the roots of various plants in their vicinity. The larva later changes to pupa and early in the rainy season (March- June), the adult beetle emerges.
The adult flies to nearby yam plots and digs into the soil near the base of the yam plant. It continues to feed on the tuber until October or November.
The beetles then mate, migrate back to their swampy breeding ground an lay eggs there to begin another breeding cycle.
The main control for the yam beetle is to dust yam sets with insecticides, such as Aldrin and Mundane, before planting, rodents can also pose a threat to maturing tubers.
The yam nematode (Scutellonema bradys) and the root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne spp.) also attack yam.
These can be controlled by effective crop rotation, which include non-susceptible crops.
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EquesTraining hosts summer horsemanship camps and year round riding and vaulting lessons. Head instructor, Star Hughes, holds certification with The American Riding Instructor's Association, PATH International therapeutic, and is a level one F.E.I vaulting coach. Camps and classes are taught to the standards of the United States Pony Clubs. EquesTraining starts with the correct basics, including horse care and handling. English, Vaulting, and Western riding instruction programs are open to beginners up to advanced riders and include dressage, jumping, and trail riding.