So after much back and forth, I decided to head to Cabo for my fun filled girls vacation. And man, am I glad I did. To quickly refresh, I was struggling with the decision of leaving for Cabo San Lucas, located in Mexico, just days after the swine flu outbreak was splashed all over the media.
I definitely did my research before leaving. I called my primary care physician, who told me that since I was a healthy, young (don't you love when they call you young after 30?) woman and there were no state restrictions on traveling to Mexico, it was OK to begin my Mexican fiesta.
I reached out to my old response director at the American Red Cross, who had since moved on to another emergency response job, and is well versed in pandemics and epidemics and really tells it like it is. He said it was really a decision that was up to me and if I was going to a resort, I would probably be fine. Resorts go out of their way preserve business, especially during something like this, and if I was planning to visit downtown areas, I just needed to make sure to use some antibacterial gel and wash my hands with soap and water.
One of my traveling companions was also a nurse, so I felt better when she said she talked to many of the doctors and other nurses in the hospital where she worked who gave her the go ahead to travel to Cabo. They said while this was an unknown flu strain, the regular flu kills something like 36,000 people a year and we weren't even close to that (at that point). She also said she would bring along some masks just in case; the good kind, from the hospital ward.
There were also the people from Mexico, specifically Cabo, who reached out to me on my blog and told me that there was nothing to be concerned about out there. No known cases were reported and people were not walking around in masks at the beach, bars or in the streets. The sun and beach were awaiting my arrival!
And then there was the research I did on my own. As a person who worked with and for the media, I know how things can get blown out of proportion. I noticed that the first three days, this was a huge news item. Then, a Supreme Court Justice announced he was retiring and the swine flu suddenly became old news. I also looked on a map where Cabo was in relation to Mexico City, where the "outbreak" had first started. It was over 1,000 miles away; you'd have to take a plane or a boat to get from one area to the other and somehow, that made me feel like there was less risk.
After reviewing all these factors and debating in my head for nearly a week (and purchasing tons of Purell), I decided to keep my reservations and go as planned. A lot of people helped me make my decision and frankly, while I love and respect the media, it was because of them that I almost did not go.
I think there is a better chance of me getting the swine flu by traveling on the subway to a job interview then from my recent trip to a tropical paradise. It's a personal decision that must be made by the person traveling. I will say that Mexico's tourism is definitely suffering from the negative media surrounding the swine flu, when frankly, in many areas, there does not seem to be much to be concerned about. While I probably wouldn't recommend heading to the heart of Mexico City, if you have a trip planned, do your research and do what feels right for you. Don't let scare tactics and endless news reports make the decision for you. Bon voyage!
Can the Swine Flu Disappear Before I Leave for Cabo? In Seven Days!
With the way 2009 is shaping up, I shouldn't be surprised that the swine flu is hitting Mexico during the exact time that I am supposed to land in beautiful Cabo San Lucas…seven days from now.
After my husband lost his job, I lost my job, I got another job and lost that before I even started it, I decided to jump at the chance to go away with two of my best girlfriends to their recently acquired timeshare in Cabo. They had planned the trip for a few months before I got on board, and this seemed as good a time as any to get away, relax with my friends, sip margaritas and work on my tan. Boy, did I need this vacation more than ever.
We have talked about this trip for the last six weeks. We've been so excited for the food, the drinks, the sun, escaping New Jersey and our everyday lives. Going away on vacation together was something we had always wanted to do and until now, something we had never made happen.
Then came the swine flu. When I first heard the news on Saturday afternoon, I didn't think too much about it. It seemed to be isolated in or around Mexico City and that was nowhere near Cabo. Then it started spreading – New York, Kansas, California, New Zealand; it was like you named a city or country and it had been affected by the swine flu. Even though there were numerous accounts of infestation popping up left and right, I was confident my trip would not be affected. I checked the World Health Organization and CDC websites and there was nothing on there about Cabo San Lucas; I searched online through news reports about traveling to the luxurious resort area and still found nothing. While I am obsessed with the news, I slowly found myself distancing away from the television set.
By Monday, the news got worse and I couldn't escape it . The CDC recommended non-essential travel to Mexico be canceled. My mom was calling to tell me that she didn't think I should go to Cabo. I wasn't too surprised; if I was a mom, I would probably advise my son or daughter the same thing. I checked in with my girlfriends and they said until there was a mandate against going to Mexico, they were going to go. One of them is a nurse, so she knows the dangers of this virus. They said they completed understood if I wanted to back out given the circumstances. But I don't want to back out. I also don't want to explore this gorgeous city with face masks.
Today, Tuesday, has been the worst day thus far of "Deciding Whether to Go to Cabo with Swine Flu Swirling Around Mexico." Friends are sending emails, news reports are getting worse; I even heard something about restaurants not letting patrons eat in their establishments, they can only take orders to-go.
That is not the vacation I want to have – walking into bars with face masks or wondering if the maid who cleaned my room just infected my bed with swine flu. But I don't want to cancel just yet. What if it slows down by the time I leave? Is that even possible? I have a call into my doctor for his opinion and the airline will honor my ticket at a later date. I'll probably make my decision at the 11th hour, see how it all plays out until then.
This was the one thing I was looking forward to given the fact that everything else has gone downhill since the beginning of the year. How much worse can 2009 get? I fear that by saying that, I am just setting myself up for the next hit.


H2 Builders has pulled a permit to build in the Hampton Lake Community.
The H2 Team is very excited to begin construction of a custom home in Colleton River Plantation. Follow the build of this incredible home and check out more exciting photos of all H2 Homes by clicking HERE!


Methadone has a risk for abuse and addiction, which can lead to overdose and death. Methadone may also cause severe, possibly fatal, breathing problems and heartbeat problems. To lower your risk, your doctor should have you use the smallest dose of methadone that works, and use it for the shortest possible time. Do not increase your dose or use this medication more often than directed. See also How to Use section for more information about addiction.
The risk for severe breathing problems or heartbeat problems is higher when you start this medication, when you are switching from another opioid to methadone, after a dose increase, or if you use the wrong dose/strength. Breathing problems from methadone may not happen right away after using a dose. Most heartbeat problems have happened in people using large doses of methadone for pain relief, but this problem can also occur in people getting smaller doses to treat opioid addiction. Using this medication with alcohol or other drugs that can cause drowsiness or breathing problems may cause very serious side effects, including death. Also, other medications can affect the removal of methadone from your body, which may affect how methadone works. Be sure you know how to use methadone and what other drugs you should avoid taking with it. See also Drug Interactions section. Get medical help right away if any of these very serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, unusual lightheadedness, severe drowsiness/dizziness, difficulty waking up, fast/irregular heartbeat, fainting.
Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Pregnancy may affect the amount of this drug in your body, so tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, use the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Babies born to mothers who use this drug for a long time may develop severe (possibly fatal) withdrawal symptoms. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as crying that doesn't stop, slow/shallow breathing, irritability, shaking, vomiting, diarrhea, poor feeding, or difficulty gaining weight.
This medication is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Methadone is an opioid (narcotic) medication. It acts on certain centers in the brain to relieve pain.
This medication is also used to treat addiction to opioids (such as heroin) as part of an approved treatment program. It helps prevent withdrawal symptoms caused by stopping other opioids.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet that may be provided by your pharmacist before you start using methadone and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Depending on your product, this medication is given by injection into a vein, into a muscle, or under the skin. Use it exactly as directed by your doctor. Read and learn all of the manufacturer's instructions for preparation and use. If you have any questions about using this medication properly, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
If you are using this medication for pain, remember that pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well.
If you suddenly stop using this medication, you may have withdrawal symptoms (such as restlessness, watering eyes, runny nose, nausea, sweating, muscle aches). To help prevent withdrawal, your doctor may lower your dose slowly. Withdrawal is more likely if you have used methadone for a long time or in high doses. Tell your doctor or pharmacist right away if you have withdrawal.
Nausea, vomiting, constipation, lightheadedness, dizziness, dry mouth, drowsiness, and increased sweating may occur. Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site may occur if this medication is given into a muscle or under the skin. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Before using methadone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Methadone may cause a condition that affects the heart rhythm (QT prolongation). QT prolongation can rarely cause serious (rarely fatal) fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms (such as severe dizziness, fainting) that need medical attention right away.
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, slow/shallow breathing, and QT prolongation (see above).
This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor right away if your baby develops unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, or trouble breathing. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding or if you plan to stop breast-feeding.
Other medications can affect the removal of methadone from your body, which may affect how methadone works. Examples include St. John's wort, azole antifungals (such as itraconazole), HIV drugs (such as ritonavir), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin), rifamycins (such as rifampin), drugs used to treat seizures (such as carbamazepine), among others.
The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is used with other products that may also cause drowsiness or breathing problems. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are using other products such as other opioid pain or cough relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine).
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, give them naloxone if available, then call 911. If the person is awake and has no symptoms, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: slow/shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness, slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, pinpoint pupils, coma.


Our intrepid colleague Maria heads back to her Motherland in search of mushrooms.
After ten days in the West Gothland of Sweden, the hustle and bustle of Elephant & Castle in South London seems particularly intrusive and once again I catch myself thinking, why am I living in this city when I could be surrounded by pristine nature? Actually, the reason why, is because the thought of not being able to nip into a pub, have foods from every possible corner of the world on my doorstep and unlimited access to culture and all the food markets make London worth the lack of forests, fresh air and wild mushrooms.
It was all very tasty, but to be honest, wild Chanterelle mushrooms do taste best when simply fried in butter with a pinch of salt, freshly ground pepper and placed on toast or in an omelette.
In July/August the wild chanterelle mushrooms start popping up in the Swedish forests. Picking them does take a bit of practise and not everyone is able to spot them, me being one of them! Actually, I am pretty damn rubbish at spotting them, but I am fortunate enough to have a step father who happens to have a "trained eye" and is kind enough to allow me to tag along. Despite my tender age of 40, he still pretends I am the one who actually finds them, bless him….
So, what do you need when picking mushroom? Well nothing much apart from a basket lined with a news paper, wellington boots and an insane amount of mosquito repellent to keep the little buggers at bay. Some people bring knives and pastry brushes to remove pine needles, sand, moss and other things that may be on the mushrooms, but I think it's easier to remove this once you have allowed the mushrooms to dry a bit. This is done by spreading the mushrooms out on some newspaper in room temperature and leave them for 12-24h. This also allows you to have a glass of vino or two whilst undertaking the pretty dull task of brushing the caps of all the mushrooms…..
The last time we went out mushroom picking we found c.5 litres of wild Chanterelle mushrooms, or Forest Gold, as we call them back home. Whilst in the forest we stumbled across an old wolf-hole. These were dug in the old days when there were plenty of wolves in the Southern parts of Sweden. Once dug, the farmers would place an old sheep in the hole and cover the hole with branches and leaves. The sheep would start baaing, attract the wolf, which would fall in and the rest I leave for your imagination….. it may sound barbaric, but the logic was to rather sacrify one sheep rather than having numerous killed by the wolf.
Once cleaned, the wild chanterelle mushrooms were used for a lasagne which was made by frying the mushrooms in some butter with garlic & onion and layer the lasagne sheets with béchamel sauce, mushrooms, truffle oil and parmesan. YUMMIE!! We also made a pasta dish where we friend the mushrooms with chopped onions, poured in a bit of cream and crumbled in some Danish blue. This was left to boil for a couple of minutes and before serving with tagliatelle a handful of chopped parsley was added to the sauce. It was all very tasty, but to be honest, wild Chanterelle mushrooms do taste best when simply fried in butter with a pinch of salt, freshly ground pepper and placed on toast or in an omelette.


SEC Form X-17A-5 is a financial reporting form that all broker-dealers who are registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must complete. This form consists of three parts and contains an annual audit that must be performed by a certified public accountant (CPA).
SEC Form X-17A-5 must be filled out by all broker-dealers that are registered with the SEC, as mandated by Section 17 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 17a-10(a)(1). The form is used to report a broker-dealer's financial and operating condition. Part I of SEC Form X-17A-5 contains general information about the registrant, along with operational capital charge items that are designed to measure certain economic and financial characteristics of the registrant. Part II contains the annual audit, and Part III contains identification information about the registrant and the accountant.
The SEC calls this form a Financial and Operational Combined Uniform Single (FOCUS) Report, as it presents a combination of the financial and operational health of a broker-dealer who is registered with he SEC. As of 2017, broker-dealers, including those registered as over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives dealers, can voluntarily file these forms electronically through the SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval (EDGAR) system in lieu of filing paper reports.
Because Form X-17A-5 contains a number of schedules and amendments, broker-dealers should check the SEC's website periodically for any changes such as exemptions, filing dates, requirements, or other amended information.
You may view samples of the current of SEC Form X-17A-5 by accessing the links below.


text:
New Yorkers Have Mixed Reaction To News Of Terror Threat
Filed Under:59th Street Bridge, 911, Bob Strang, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Grand Central, Henry Hudson Bridge, Holland Tunnel, John Montone, Lincoln tunnel, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, NYPD, Paul Murnane, Penn Station, terror threat
A couple of police officers ride the shuttle between New York's Times Square and Grand Central Station, Friday, Sept. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The boost in security was obvious to many commuters around New York City's bridges, tunnels and mass transit hubs Friday morning.
Officials announced Thursday evening there was a "specific, credible but unconfirmed" terror threat against New York City and Washington D.C. related to the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
"The information is that they're looking at car bombs in bridges and tunnels," counter terrorism expert Bob Strang told CBS 2. "It could be anywhere."
1010 WINS' John Montone reports: Extra Eyes At Transit Hubs
https://newyork.cbslocal.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14578484/2011/09/commuters.mp3
Police were prominently stationed at the Henry Hudson Bridge toll plaza Friday morning along with NYPD barricades blocking an access road to the Hudson River passenger ship terminal.
Armed officers are also making their presence known at Penn Station, Grand Central, the Lincoln and Holland tunnels and the 59th Street bridge.
People are used to seeing this type of security in the city, but the fact that there is a credible threat of an attack sometime over the next few days has some people's nerves rattled.
"I think they're prepared but still a little nervous," said Strang. "You never know. You just never know."
Strang says the city is ready and has been dealing with these sorts of threats ever since 9/11.
"We're going to see a huge increase in motor vehicle checks, traffic moves," he said.
On Friday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg told New Yorkers to "go back to work. And leave it to the professionals."
In fact, the mayor made a point of riding the subway to work Friday morning.
"New Yorkers live in a very competitive world. They are very cosmopolitan," Bloomberg said. "They understand that there are threats to our freedoms all the time and New Yorkers get on with their lives."
He added, "Keep in mind, we have threats all the time. On the Internet, every day, there are threats of people, particularly around big sporting events and religious holidays, and around commemorations of things like 9/11. And each time the NYPD, with the FBI, we increase our security, which obviously we have done for this."
WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reports: Bloomberg Rides The Rails
Many commuters say they trust officials are doing their best to protect us.
"Like they said last night, we have the greatest police department in the world," Michael Murphy of Seaford told the Associated Press. "I'm confident they'll do the job."
"Those guys don't scare me period. Never will," bus rider Eddie Malone told 1010 WINS' John Montone. "If it's going to happen, it's going to happen."
"It's a regular day at the office," said Pat from Queens.
WCBS 880's Paul Murnane reports: Commuters Go About Their Day At Penn Station
Others feel threatened, but many say they're trying to keep it in perspective.
"I definitely feel the worry for us. It's something that we experience every day. You don't know what's going to happen," said one commuter.
"A little scared. I hope it doesn't happen," said Upper East Side resident Sophia Achee. "But a little uncomfortable maybe."
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued a statement that said "All New Yorkers should be cautious and aware as we prepare to commemorate the 9/11 anniversary. However, there is no reason to panic or allow our spirit of freedom to be dampened as we get ready to celebrate the opening of the Ground Zero site this weekend."
Are you worried about this terror threat? Sound off below in our comments section…
mak says:
Hark! What is that song I hear? Oh, yes …
"Ah, freak out
Le freak, c'est chic
Freak out …"
We lost so much after 9/11. It feels like the terrorists have won.
Bloomberg taking the subway today – well is that supposed to make me feel safer in the subway? Let's GET REAL! Honestly I'm not sure just how we as New Yorkers are supposed to act or react to this latest threat! I think that we are all "sitting ducks", it's liike being in a haunted house and just waiting for something to happen. The media makes it worse by exploiting the story, okay and then what!!! Tippy toe around the corner so the big bad wolf doesn't pop out and bite us- it's all so crazy!
Better safe then sorry, no need for wifes or husbands to get bad news on any day.
sometimes the expanded police prsence is ridiculos …. i remember after ny yankee pitcher cory lildel's plane crashed into a building on the ues, how AFTERWARDS there were police with uzis and riot gear surrounding the buiding. exactly WHAT were they supposed to be gaurding us from , ANOTHER airplane crash ? what were they going to do , shoot at the falling debri as it fell from the building ? THAT kind of response doesn't make anyone feel safer about anything .
Jack Ryan says:
Ummmmmm, b/c we didn't know if it was a terrorist attempt (not by Lidel himself). And if there was NO police presence you would be beeyotchin about that.
JohnWV says:
How is it that we Americans think we can slaughter civilians, soldiers and about anyone else in their own homelands and not suffer retaliation in our homeland? Justification for our continuing adventures in Iraq and Afghanistan is doubtful at best. With Israel, we are enabling slaughter for ethnic cleansing, racial, religious and territorial conquest in violation of UN Resolutions. Yes, people out there want to kill us and will go about it however they can. Do you blame them?
Honest Thomas says:
I cal BS on this. Just more noise from the fear machine.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
STC Adds Galileo Positioning to EMTRAC Vehicle Equipment
Posted on April 5, 2017 May 7, 2021 by admin
EMTRAC-equipped fire engine, Coquitlam, BC
April 5, 2017 – STC, Inc., manufacturer of the EMTRAC signal-priority system, has integrated the Galileo satellite navigation system with EMTRAC equipment installed in transit and emergency vehicles. Similar to the GPS navigation system maintained by the United States, Galileo is the new European navigation system and will have 24 operational satellites at full capacity. The Galileo system commenced limited initial service on December 15, 2016—and EMTRAC is the first signal-priority system capable of Galileo satellite navigation.
Signal priority systems are installed in traffic systems throughout North America, and they are referred to as either Transit Signal Priority (TSP) or Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) when describing the specific method used to grant priority to equipped vehicles. With this system, equipped vehicles are able to automatically request green signals through equipped intersections, safely reducing travel time while increasing efficiency.
With this addition, the EMTRAC system simultaneously tracks Galileo system satellites along with the GPS and GLONASS constellations, increasing the overall number of satellites used to determine vehicle positions, resulting in enhanced accuracy. The EMTRAC system also utilizes dead-reckoning navigation through multiple inertial sensors, including three-axis accelerometer and gyroscope sensing to maintain accuracy in difficult urban conditions, such as urban canyons, tunnels, and multi-level highways.
According to STC President Brad Cross, integration of the Galileo navigation system immediately increases accuracy, and performance will continue to improve in the coming years.
"As more satellites are added to the Galileo constellation, and it becomes fully operational, we expect the EMTRAC system to be more reliable than ever in areas where sky view is obstructed," Cross said.
STC recently conducted a controlled test of the EMTRAC system—using Galileo navigation exclusively. During the test, an EMTRAC-equipped vehicle successfully interpreted detection zones and transmitted priority requests to a simulated intersection utilizing only Galileo satellites.
"We believe this to be the first test of its kind in North America," Cross said.
While high precision is not necessary for many signal-priority scenarios, Cross says there are specific situations where it is essential.
"Precision positioning is critical for applications like rail-worker safety and lane-specific signal response, and the availability of additional navigation systems improves accuracy, particularly in those areas where it's very difficult to obtain a satellite fix."
EMTRAC-equipped bus in San Jose, CA (VTA)
Similar technology is also used on EMTRAC transit-rail products, which alert train operators and wayside workers when there's potential for unsafe conditions.
"We need to be able to report which track a particular train or worker is on at a rail yard where there may be 10 or 15 sets of tracks, side by side," Cross said.
Cross added that all future deliveries for EMTRAC vehicle equipment will include Galileo capability, and vehicle equipment with Galileo capability will be compatible with existing EMTRAC wayside equipment, making upgrades to installed wayside equipment unnecessary.
STC has manufactured the EMTRAC system for over 25 years, and it is used by traffic, transit, and first-response agencies in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
EMTRAC Rail website: http://www.emtracrail.com
European Global Naviation Satellite Systems Agency website: https://www.gsc-europa.eu/system-status/Constellation-Information
STC Patents EMTRAC Rail-Worker Notification System
Columbia County Releases New 'Ride On Time' App


Lifebridge Christian Church, 617 Donelson Drive, Kingsport: Christmas Eve services will be offered Sunday from 10:30-11:30 a.m. and 5-5:30 p.m.
Watauga Avenue Presbyterian Church, 610 E. Watauga Ave.: Sunday morning service will feature a Moravian Christmas Love Feast, meditation and Christmas hymns. Sunday school will begin at 10. A candlelight Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carol will begin at 6 p.m.
Union Christian Church, 3639 Cherokee Road, Jonesborough: "The Ugliness of Christmas Could be its Beauty!" Sunday service at 11 a.m. The Lord's Supper will be observed. Special music by Leroy Johnson. A Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service will begin at 6. Allen Sellars will deliver special music. Wednesday's Bible study and youth meetings will be held at 6 p.m. For information, call 782-8141 or visit www.unioncc.com.
Oakland Avenue Baptist Church, 2823 Oakland Ave.: Sunday morning service held at 10:45, no evening service. Bible study and Sunday school will begin at 9:45. Wednesday's prayer and Bible study will be held at 6:30 p.m. For information, visit oaklandavebaptist.com or Facebook.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2343 Knob Creek Road: "The Coming of the Prince of Peace." Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school will begin at 9:15. The annual Christmas Eve Candlelight service will be held at 5 p.m. The church will be closed on Dec 25. For information, call 283-4643 or visit westminjc.org.
First United Methodist Church, 900 Spring St.: "What to Expect." Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school at 9:15. A candlelight Christmas Eve contemporary service will begin at 4:30 p.m. A traditional candlelight service will be held at 6:30. Both services will observe Holy Communion. No Wednesday evening activities this week. For information, visit 1stchurchjc.org or call 928-9222.
Otterbein United Methodist Church, 120 E. Chilhowie Ave.: "Grace and Truth, God Known." Sunday service at 9 a.m. followed immediately by Sunday school. Wednesday night's dinner will be held at 5. Reservations required. Call 741-2079.
Fairhaven United Methodist Church, 3131 W. Walnut St.: "God Makes This World Our Home." Sunday combined service at 10 a.m. Candlelight Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m. For information, call 928-1543.
Our Saviour Lutheran Church, 212 Sunset Drive: "How Wise Are These Guys?" Sunday service with Holy Communion at 10 a.m. "The Heart of Christmas" service, led by the Heartsong Band with Holy Communion and candlelight will begin at 4 p.m. A traditional service with Holy Communion, Holy Baptism and candlelight will begin at 7 p.m. with special music by the Chancel Choir, instrumentalists and soloists followed by the sermon "A Christmas Story." For information, visit www.oslc2.cc.
First Presbyterian Church, 105 S. Boone St.: "Peace." Sunday services at 8:45 and 11 a.m. Youth services at 6 p.m. The Christmas Eve service of Lessons and Carols will be held at 7 in the sanctuary. Wednesday night's dinner line opens at 5:30 followed by adult, youth and children's Bible studies at 6:15. For information, call 926-5108 or visit www.fpcjc.org.
East Unaka Christian Church, 1201 E. Unaka Ave.: "A Gift Worth Understanding." Sunday service at 9:45 a.m. A Candlelight Communion Service with music, poetry, scripture and communion will be held at 10 p.m. on Christmas Eve.
Clark Street Baptist Church, 200 Clark St.: "Christmas — Freedom from Living a Wasted Life." Sunday, one service only at 10 a.m. Barbara Curtis and Becky McNeese will provide the special music with narrator Anne Shelton in "The Story of Jesus." Discipleship training will meet Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Liberty Fellowship Church, 1011 E. Holston Ave.: "Hope, Love, Joy, And Peace, The Journey To Christmas." Sunday service and children's church at 11 a.m. Sunday school will begin at 10. No Sunday evening service. Wednesday's evening service will begin at 6. Call 423-330-2247 for more information.
Munsey United Methodist Church, 201 S. Roan St.: "Back to the Future." Sunday sanctuary and Journey services at 11 a.m. Candle lighting and Holy Communion will be held in all Christmas Eve services — Open Door at 4:30 p.m. in the Melting Pot; sanctuary service and Nativity drama with children at 5; Journey service at 7:30; and the Festival service in the sanctuary at 10:30. For information, visit www.munsey.org or call 423-461-8070.
McCarty United Methodist Church, 104 McCarty Church Road, Telford: "Unwed Mother." Sunday service at 9:30 a.m. followed by Bible study in the fellowship hall. For information, call 329-2288.
First Presbyterian Church, 119 W. F St., Elizabethton: Sunday sermon at 11 a.m. Education Hour begins at 9:45. A meditation service will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. Thursdays with Jesus reading group will discuss "The First Christmas — What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus' Birth," by Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan, Thursday at 10:30 a.m. For information, call 423-543-7737 or visit www.FPCelizabethton.org.
Martindale Baptist Church, 2406 Old Lewis Road: "The wise men that visited Jesus." Sunday service at 10:45 a.m. No evening services Sunday or Wednesday.
Keystone Presbyterian Church, 505 Bert St.: "Shepherds and Angels." Sunday service at 11 a.m. Sunday school meets at 10. Saturday fellowship hour at 4 p.m. followed by Candlelight and Communion service at 5.
Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2343 Knob Creek Road: "The Coming of the Prince of Peace." Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. Sunday school at 9:15. Christmas Eve Candlelight service at 5 p.m. Church closed on Monday. Wednesday activities resume Jan. 3. For information, call 283-4643 or visit www.westminjc.org.
Downtown Christian Church, 335 E. Main St.: "The Bethlehem Experience." Sunday service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday school at 9:45. Brandie Baker, Carroll Billheimer, Heather Cheri Billheimer, Haley Owen, Gerrye Vance, Brent Billheimer and Jack Burress will present this week's special Christmas music. The church will begin collecting shoes for East Tennessee Christian Home and Academy and eyeglasses for the people of Honduras in January. For information, call 423-928-3197, or email dccsecretary@embarqmail.com.
Marvin's Chapel United Methodist Church, 1882 Old Boones Creek Road: "God's Love Gives Us Joy." Sunday service at 10:45 a.m. Sunday school at 10. A Christmas Eve service will begin at 10:30 p.m. For information, call 423-753-8821.
First Christian Church, 200 E. Mountcastle Drive: "Unwrapped" series continues. Christmas Eve services will be held in the worship center at 6 p.m. today, 6 p.m. on Saturday, and 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 232-5700 or visit www.fcc-jc.org.
New Liberty Freewill Baptist Church, 113 Peters Hollow Road, Elizabethton: Christmas sermon on Sunday at 11 a.m. Church choir will provide Christmas music. No evening service.
Milligan Free Will Baptist Church, 1471 Milligan Highway: Sunday service at 10:30 a.m. with the musical "Changed By A Baby Boy" from the choir. For information, call 929-9344 or 725-2936.
Midway Baptist Church, 3414 W. Walnut St.: "The Christ of Chiristmas." Sunday service at 11 a.m. "Nativity Story, Part 2" for the 6 p.m. service. Wednesday service at 6:30 p.m. For information, call 926-1650.
Redeemer Lutheran Church, 234 W. F St., Elizabethton: Liturgy at 10:30 a.m. Sunday with Deacon Tom Spence preaching. Bible study classes at 9:15. Candlelight service at 11 p.m. with Deacon Ray Carter speaking.
Southside Baptist Church, 1928 Wheeler St.: The cantata "The Savior is Born" will be performed at 11 a.m. Three18 and Theresa Greer also will perform special music. Sunday school at 9:45. Christmas Eve Candlelight Communion service will be held at 5 p.m. with special music by Tina and Isaiah Lunsford. No Wednesday service.
The Faith section of the Johnson City Press has moved from its regular publication on Saturdays to the Friday editions. Please have your information in by 5 p.m. on Wednesdays to meet the new deadlines. Submissions may be emailed to faith@johnsoncitypress.com or faxed to 423-929-7484. Submissions will not be accepted by phone.


When two parents do not agree the method of resolving their differences after a divorce has been entered, it is know as "Post Judgment" Let me first point out that this is not about contempt of court, but rather a dispute such as ordinary couples have relating to their children. How the dispute is handled by the courts will depend on whether there is a Joint Parenting (Joint Custody) agreement (Order) or simply a Parenting (Custody) agreement (Order); the prime difference is in the method of handling a dispute. Simply put (unless it is life threatening) in the case of a joint parenting agreement or order, there is a mediation requirement that is imposed before the litigation. That difference aside, I thought it might be useful to look at a general approach to dealing with issues that will ultimately end up in court and before a Judge.
Finally, when all else fail, the matter is resolved In court.
Note: all of my advice is aimed at preparation for ultimate litigation, with things that will be needed to be successful in getting before a Judge, if all else fails. However, getting before a Judge, does not mean "you win".
This is where the joint parenting/custody order or agreement is important. If you do not offer (and your ex-spouse refuses) to mediate, your application for Judicial help may be blocked. Even where the agreement or order does not require, your offer to asking someone to mediate or help with the decision will be an important part of your proof of your "good intentions" and attempt to work it out without the court, drama, lawyers, etc.
Just simply asking (notice) is not enough, you need to offer alternatives, provide estimates of cost and if possible the opinion of a third party that the expenses is needed; and, offer to divide the cost (50/50 is not always appropriate, sometimes a greater or lesser percentage is warranted.
If you do mediate or work out a solution, memorialize it by exchanging a letter that both sign spelling out the agreement; if that is impractical, an email that says: "this will confirm our understanding that.... " is helpful if litigation follows.
Once you have made your objections known, given your ex-spouse a chance to respond, offered or participated in some sort of mediation, and you have all this documented, the its time to see the attorney and get into court.
The court procedure is not complex. In most courts a Judge (perhaps even the Judge that you previously appeared before) is assigned as to the Post Judgment Calendar.
Your probably asking, what will this cost and can I compel my ex-spouse to reimburse my legal fees. The answer in the most "lawyer-like method" is yes and no. Look to the agreement. Does it provide that if one party acts unreasonable and the other is required to go to court to get help, that legal fees can be imposed. Also where behavior is so outrageous, the matter is a clear violation of a court order, then entirely different remedies are also available . . . but that is for another day.
©2013 Arnold D Goldstein, all rights reserved.


If you life in Barcelona you quickly notice that Barcelona is a very special city. In Barcelona everything is special.
The aquarium for example. 15.50 EUR for a, well ok, it is big, shark basin, some very small fish tanks and a big gift shop (that you can enter without paying). In caixa's science museum you can see much more and the basic entrance of 3 EUR is surprisingly cheap (but you have to pay extra for almost everything you want to see).
Or the poble español (spanish village). 7.50 EUR to enter a shopping mall that is built like some houses in spanish cities. Don't expect something like a museum.
Finally, Night Life! Want to spend some hundreds of euros in one night? No problem in the center or on the beach, in the clubs and the discotheques. But yet close to the centre, in the Eixample, you may run into problems because the bars there close at 10 o' clock and thats it. Well, Barcelona is not Spain. Try not to forget it.
All in all, everything in Barcelona is special. Because it is in Barcelona.
PS: And don't get me started on the things they call "Tapas" here.


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Vin Connections (October 2002)
Wines from Italy, France, Australia and the U.S.A.
This month we've brought together wines from around the world for you to find and enjoy. But I've started with Australia for three reasons:
First, in honor of my Son's godparents, who hail from Brisbane. G'day Bobby and Kellie!
Second, a bottle of 1998 Peter Lehmann Shiraz "The Barossa" which my wife and I recently enjoyed on our 15th anniversary that blew away the server at St. Helena's Martini House in the heart of the Napa Valley… and though we originally purchased it for just over a tenth the price of a particular "cult cab" we tasted (and did NOT buy) earlier the same day, it stood up remarkably well. (FYI, the 1999 vintage is a current "Buy-by-the-Case" selection in the Wine PocketList, with a list price of $19).
Lastly, and most important to you, the price/quality you'll find in many Australian wines is quite remarkable. Though Australia's 850 or so wineries produce about a third as much wine as California, the well-priced, well-made wines have earned admirers the world over. Chardonnay is now the third most popular wine (behind Shiraz and Cabernet) and Shiraz (the uniquely Australian adaptation of the French Syrah grape from the northern Rhфne Valley) is a big, flavorful red that has helped put Australian wine on the map.
Our mission, as always, is to help everyday wine lovers like us (who enjoy a good bottle of wine now and then) to make better and more informed buying decisions, while confidently trying new wines. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us.
We appreciate your feedback, and your readership.
It means a lot to us.
"Are the hand-written notes on the shelves in the wine aisle legit?"
Q. "For years I've read the hand-written notes in the wine aisles, and made more than one purchase based on the glowing recommendations. But my nephew recently told me they're all fake. I hate to be a cynic, but what's the story?"
— Alan Mitchell, Bend, Oregon
A. Alan, you're not alone. The fact of the matter is that in many cases, your nephew is correct. It doesn't mean they're not accurate, but most of these are supplied by the distributors and wine makers to the stores as promotional devices. In the industry, they're called "shelf talkers."
That doesn't mean they're not true. If they are claiming a certain score from one of the well-known wine publications, chances are you can believe it. But pay attention to the vintage – and the wine – that was reviewed. It's the ones that wax eloquent about the wine with no attribution whatsoever that you can pretty much guarantee were written by the marketing folks.
In some smaller stores, as well as the occasional supermarket with a well-stocked wine department, the managers and employees do make notes about their favorites. It was this practice that got the marketers thinking in the first place! But their taste still won't necessarily mimic your known.
Your best defense is a good offense: so print out your own Wine PocketList before you head out, and make a more informed choice every time you shop for wine.
VINCONNECTIONS OCTOBER WINE PICKS
WIDELY AVAILABLE: Chardonnay and Shiraz from Australia
2000 Chardonnay, Rosemount "Show Reserve, Hunter Valley"
IE: A+,A,A-,A-,A- $19, Grade A-
WPL: W, BBC
2001 Chardonnay, Madfish
Western Australia IE: A-,B+ $15, Grade A-
WPL: W
2000 Syrah/Shiraz, Penfolds "Shiraz-Mourvиdre, Bin 2"
South Eastern IE: A-,B+ $11, Grade B+
2001 Syrah/Shiraz, Paringa "Shiraz, Individual Vineyard"
South Australia IE: A-,B+ $10, Grade B+
WPL: B, W
2000 Syrah/Shiraz, Wolf Blass "Shiraz-Cab.Sauv,Red Label"
South Australia IE: B+,B $12, Grade B+
BUY-BY-THE-CASE: Viva la France!
2000 Gamay, Georges Duboeuf "Prestige, Morgon"
Beaujolais IE: A-,A-,B $14, Grade A-
1999 Pinot Blanc, Dom.Zind-Humbrecht "Pinot d'Alsace"
Alsace IE: A-,B+ $23, Grade A-
2000 Gamay, Dom. Marcel Lapierre "Morgon"
Beaujolais IE: A-,A- $22, Grade A-
2000 Gamay, Diochon "Cuvйe Vieilles Vignes,Moulin-а-Vent
Beaujolais IE: A-,B+ $18, Grade A-
1999 Ch. Sociando-Mallet "Haut-Mйdoc"
Bordeaux IE: A-,B+ $26, Grade A-
WPL: S, W, BBC
BARGAIN WINES: From Italy
1999 Sangiovese, I. Mori "Chianti Colli Fiorentini"
IE: B+ $10, Grade B+
2000 Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris, Peter Zemmer "Pinot Grigio"
Trentino-Alto Adige IE: B+ $10, Grade B+
2000 Dolcetto, Gianolio Tomaso "Alba"
Piedmont IE: B+ $10, Grade B+
2000 Barbera, Icardi "Tabarin, Asti"
Piedmont IE: A-,B $10, Grade B+
1999 Merlot Tommasi "Garda, Vigneto Le Prunйe"
Beaujolais, France IE: B+ $10, Grade B+
SPLURGE WINES: U.S.A.: Focus on Washington State Reds
1999 Syrah/Shiraz, Ch. Ste. Michelle "Reserve"
Columbia Valley IE: A-
$29, Grade A-
WPL: S
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Soos Creek
Columbia Valley IE: A $30, Grade A
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, L'Ecole No. 41
Columbia Valley IE: A+,B+ $30, Grade A-
1999 Cabernet Sauvignon, Canoe Ridge
Columbia Valley IE: A+,A,A- $28, Grade A
WPL: S, BBC
1999 Syrah/Shiraz, Columbia Crest "Reserve"
Columbia Valley IE: A,A,A,A,B+,B $28, Grade A-
"Nothing makes the future look so rosy as to contemplate it through a glass of Chambertin."
– Napoleon.
[Chambertin is a renowned, grand cru vineyard located in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin in the Cфte de Nuits district of France's Burgundy region. The Chambertin wines were one of Napoleon's favorites and it's said that he insisted that they be close at hand, even when he was preparing for battle!]
Vin Connections (March 2003)
Vin Connections Summer Wines (June 2003)
IN THIS ISSUE Summer WinesSome of our favorites for poolside, BBQ and sultry summer nights, as once obscure white wines step forward and robust reds pair up with food from the grill. Once again inspired by this month's reader question, we've brought together a few of our summer favorites for you to enjoy with friends…
Read More Vin Connections Summer Wines (June 2003)Continue
Vin Connections (May 2004)
IN THIS ISSUE BBQ. For most, the phrase conjures up images of warm summer nights, dinner with pals and a bottle (or two) of great vino. Of course, we've also been known to huddle over the grill in the mid-January rain for that perfect burger. But since summer's almost here, we're picking them now, so…
Read More Vin Connections (May 2004)Continue
Smart Wine Shopping: Don't be Fooled by Wine-Aisle Hype
ByM Hinshaw May 1, 2008 October 7, 2021
I have a confession to make. For nearly 15 years, I've indulged my avocation as a wine lover. But my vocation was marketing, and some of my earliest jobs were on winery accounts at the ad agencies I worked for at the time. I'm not going to name any names. Suffice to say you'd know…
Read More Smart Wine Shopping: Don't be Fooled by Wine-Aisle HypeContinue
Vin Connections Top Wineries (December 2003)
ByWebWinery December 22, 2003 October 29, 2021
IN THIS ISSUE The Top Wineries from the Wine PocketList 2004 Wine Buying Guide We spend a lot of time talking about (and drinking!) individual bottles of wine. But this holiday season, we thought we'd add to that and feature some of the top wineries who made it into our recently published book, the Wine…
Read More Vin Connections Top Wineries (December 2003)Continue
Vin Connections Wines for Restocking (January 2005)
ByWebWinery January 30, 2005 October 31, 2021
IN THIS ISSUE Twelve Wines for Restocking After the Holidays The holidays were a time to feast, and now it's time to clean up the wreckage. The house, the neglected job, the vastly diminished wine cellar. Since you broke the bank last month, you'll want to make sure the wines you choose now aren't (too)…
Read More Vin Connections Wines for Restocking (January 2005)Continue


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The history of photography in Japan begins in the 19th century and has continued to be a prominent art form into the present era.

19th-century

Importation of photography

In 1848 (Edo era), a camera for daguerréotype was imported by a Dutch ship to Japan (Nagasaki, 長崎).  It is said that this was the first camera in Japan.  During Edo era, the import and the export had been prohibited (sakoku, 鎖国) by the Edo Government (Edobakufu, 江戸幕府), except that only Dutch ships had been permitted to export and import various goods at Nagasaki Port.  Therefore, the first camera was introduced at Nagasaki.  This camera was imported by Ueno Toshinojō (1790–1851, 上野俊之丞) and in 1849 passed to Shimazu Nariakira (1809–1858, 島津斉彬), who later would become a feudal lord (daimyō, 大名) of Satsuma Domain (薩摩藩, now Kagoshima-ken).

In Satsuma Domain, detailed study with respect to photography had been done, but it took almost ten years from the acquisition of the first camera to taking the first photograph.  In 1857, SHIMAZU Nariakira's photograph was taken by Ichiki Shirō (1828–1903, 市来四郎) and UJUKU Hikoemon (宇宿彦右衛門) (daguerréotype).  This is said to be the first photograph taken by Japanese and still exist and can be seen at Shōko Shūseikan (尚古集成館, Kagoshima-city, Japan).

In 1854, Convention of Kanagawa (日米和親条約, Nichi-Bei Washin Jōyaku, "America-Japan Treaty of Amity and Friendship") was concluded between U.S. and Japan, Anglo-Japanese Friendship Treaty (日英和親条約, Nichi-Ei Washin Jōyaku) was concluded between Britain and Japan, and Treaty of Shimoda (日露和親条約, Nichi-Ro Washin Jōyaku) was concluded between Russia and Japan.  The treaties opened the Japanese ports of Shimoda (in Shizuoka Prefecture), Hakodate (in Hokkaido Prefecture) and Nagasaki to the trade.  In 1858, Treaty of Amity and Commerce (United States – Japan) (日米修好通商条約).was concluded between U.S. and Japan and opened the port of Kanagawa, but soon the port of Yokohama (横浜), which is close to Kanagawa, opened for the trade with foreign countries in exchange to the port of Kanagawa.  The trade based on these treaties began in 1858 at Yokohama, Nagasaki and Hakodate.  This is called Kaikoku (開国, to open the nation for foreign countries and trades) in Japanese language.  Thanks to Kaikoku, more and more cameras and other photography-related equipment and materials had been imported to Japan.  Further some foreign photographers, such as Felix Beato came to Japan and took many photographs of Japan.

In 1862, Ueno Hikoma (1838–1904, 上野彦馬) opened his photo studio in Nagasaki and Shimooka Renjo (1823–1914, 下岡蓮杖) opened his photo studio in Noge (野毛, soon later included within Yokohama), in the same year, but independently. The open of these two photo studios for portraits indicated the new era of Japanese photography.

Professional photographers in the Meiji era

After the opening of Ueno Studio and Shimooka Studio, around the turning point between Edo Era and Meiji Era (1868), several new photo studios were opened, such as that of Kuichi Uchida (1844–1875, 内田九一) in 1865 in Osaka and in 1866 moved to Yokohama, that of Yohei Hori (or HORI Masumi, 1826–1880, 堀与兵衛 (堀真澄)) in 1865 in Kyoto, that of Kōkichi Kizu (1830–1895, 木津幸吉) in 1866 in Hakodate, that of Rihei Tomishige (1837–1922, 冨重利平) in Yanagawa, Chikugo in 1866 and that of Yokoyama Matsusaburō (1838–1884, 横山松三郎).

Among these photographers (Shashin-shi, 写真師), Uchida Kuichi is most famous for his photographs of Meiji Emperor (明治天皇) in 1872 and 1873, which photographs have been called Goshin'ei (御真影) and were used as public portraits of Meiji Emperor.  "真(shin)" means "true" and "影(ei)" means "(photographic) image" or "portrait" and "御(go)" means honorific prefix for "真影".  In Meiji Era, only very limited persons, such as prime ministers, could meet Meiji Emperor in person and most Japanese people in Meiji Era had no chance to see Meiji Emperor.  But Meiji Emperor's image was necessary for him to govern Japan and Japanese nations.  Therefore, Meiji Government prepared "御真影" and used "御真影" for Emperor's governance and Meiji Government's governance.

As other photographers, Kakoku Shima (1827–1870島霞谷) and Ryū Shima (1823–1899,  島隆) should be mentioned. They were a husband and a wife and began taking photography together around 1863 or 1864, and Ryū Shima was called the first woman professional photographer.

Further, around the 1860s and 1900, Yokohama-shashin (Yokohama Photo, Photographs selling or distributing in Yokohama, 横浜写真) was very popular.  Yokohama-shashin was a photograph of Japanese scenery, Japanese people (especially Japanese women) and Japanese cultures and a very widely used souvenir especially for foreign people.  Among photographers for Yokohama-shashin, Felix Beato and Kusakabe Kimbei (1841–1934, 日下部金兵衛) were very famous.

Because of Kaikoku, many foreign people came to Japan.  Further, after Meiji Ishin (Meiji Government was established in 1868), many Japanese were able to travel within Japan without breaking laws and began to travel within Japan.  Yokohama was a suitable place to visit both for foreign people and Japanese people, and Yokohama-shashin attracted such travellers very much.

Two main characteristics of Yokohama-shashin were;
a well-decorated album-style photographs, and
hand-colored photographs.

But towards the end of the 19th century, picture post cards, which were much cheaper than Yokohama-shashin, became very popular and were widely used in Japan, and many amateur photographers were emerging, who liked to take pictures by themselves than to buy expensive Yokohama-shashin.  These were the major reasons for Yokohama-shashin to decline.

In the 1880s, photographers in a new generation and new types began their activities.  Reiji Esaki (1845–1910, 江崎礼二), who took photographs of experimental torpedo explosion in Sumida river in 1883, and Kazuma Ogawa (1860–1929, 小川一眞), who not only took photographs but also was the managers of a printing factory, were particularly famous among them.

In the 1860s and 1870s, many photographs of Hokkaidō were taken, which photographs are called Hokkaidō Kaitaku Shashin (Photographs of Developments in Hokkaidō, 北海道開拓写真).  In the 1860s and 1870s, Hokkaidō was under the development by the Japanese Government.  The Government in Tokyo needed detailed reports of the development in writing, and they thought reports with photographs should be better and the Government requested some photographers to take photographs of the development in Hokkaidō.  Such photographers included Tamoto Kenzō (1832–1912, 田本研造), Kōkichi Ida (1846–1911, 井田侾吉), Raimund von Stillfried-Ratenicz (1839–1911), Seiichi Takebayashi (1842–1908, 武林盛一) and Sakuma Hanzō (1844–1897, 佐久間範造).

Emerging amateur photographers
Around the middle of the 1880s, photographers (写真師) began to use gelatin dry plates very widely.  Before the spread of gelatin dry plates, the wet collodion process (湿式コロジオン法) was ordinary process for photography in Japan and to use this process was very difficult in technical points and also it costs a considerable sum of money.  It means almost no amateur photographers can exist without gelatin dry plates.

Two famous examples of earliest amateur photographers in Japan were as follows;
Kamei Koreaki (1861–1896, 亀井茲明), who was a count and studied aesthetics in England and Germany, took photographs of the Sino-Japanese War (日清戦争) in 1895.
Kajima Seibei (1866–1924, 鹿島清兵衛) took many photographs in the 1890s, such as a life-size portrait of Manzaburō Umewaka (NO (能) actor) and a big-size photograph of Mt. Fuji.

Wide spread of gelatin dry plates and small-sized cameras led to the era of prominent amateur photographers in the 20th century in Japan.

Other major photographers
HASEGAWA Kichijirō (fl. 1870s, 長谷川吉次郎) who is included in "The History of Japanese Photography" (About this source, please refer to "Further reading" below)

20th century

Era of Geijutsushashin (Era of Pictorialism)
In 1904, Yūtsuzu-sha (ゆふつヾ社) was founded by Tetsusuke Akiyama, Seiichi Katō and other photographers.
In 1904, Naniwa Photography Club (Naniwa Shashin Club, 浪華写真倶楽部) was founded in Osaka.
In 1907, Tokyo Photographic Research Society (Tokyo Shashin Kenkyūkai, 東京写真研究会) was founded in Tokyo.
In 1912, Aiyū Photography Club (Aiyū Shashin Club, 愛友写真倶楽部) was founded in Nagoya and Chotaro Hidaka (1883–1926, 日高長太郎), Aitarō Masuko (1882–1968, 益子愛太郎) and Matsutaro Ohashi (1891–1941, 大橋松太郎) actively made photographs as a member of this Club.
In 1912, Yonin Kai was founded by Yasuzō Nojima (1889–1964, 野島康三) and other three photographers.
In 1921, Shashin Geijutsu Sha (写真芸術社) was founded and the first issue of Shashin Geijutsu (Photographic Art, 写真芸術) was published by Shinzō Fukuhara (1883–1948, 福原信三), Rosō Fukuhara (1892–1946, 福原路草) and other photographers.
In 1922, Japan Photographic Art Association (Nihon Kōga Geijutsu Kyōkai, 日本光画芸術協会) was founded by Hakuyō Fuchikami (1889–1960, 淵上白陽) and the first issue of Hakuyō (白陽) was published.
In 1922, the first issue of Geijutsu Shashin Kenkyū (Art Photography Studies, 芸術写真研究) was published.
In 1922, a photographic monograph Paris et la Seine, Paris and the Seine (Pari to Seinu, 巴里とセイヌ) and in 1923, another monograph, Light and its Euphony (Hikari to sone Kaichō, 光と其諧調) were published by Shinzō Fukuhara.
In the early 1920s, ves-tan school (ベス単派) was formed by Masataka Takayama (1895–1981, 高山正隆), Makihiko Yamamoto (1893–1985, 山本牧彦) and Jun Watanabe.

Era of Shinkōshashin (Era of New Photography)

In the early and mid-1920s, there appeared some photographic tendencies called constructivism school (構成派) within Nihon Kōga Geijutsu Kyōkai members, for example, in Hakuyō Fuchikami's works.
In 1923, the first issue of Asahi Graph (The Asahigraph Weekly, アサヒグラフ) was published.
In 1923, there occurred Kantō Great Earthquake (Kantō Daishinsai, 関東大震災).
In 1924, the first issue of Photo Times (フォトタイムス) was published.
In 1926, the first issue of Asahi Camera (アサヒカメラ) was published.
In 1927, Iwata Nakayama returned to Japan after several years in the U.S. and Europe,
In 1930, Tampei Photography Club (Tampei Shashin Club) (February 1930-c. 1941, Osaka) (丹平写真倶楽部) was founded by Bizan Ueda and other photographers and later Nakaji Yasui (1903–1942, 安井仲治) entered this Club.
In 1930, Ashiya Camera Club (芦屋カメラクラブ) was founded by Iwata Nakayama (1895–1949, 中山岩太), Kambei Hanaya (1903–1991, ハナヤ勘兵衛) and other photographers.
In 1930, New Photography Research Society (Shinko Shashin Kenkyūkai, 新興写真研究会) was founded and the first issue of Shinko Shashin Kenkyū (New Photography Studies, 新興写真研究) was published by Sen'ichi Kimura.
1931: German International Traveling Photography Exhibition (独逸国際移動写真展, Doitsu Kokusai Idō Shashin Ten; This was a traveling exhibition of "Film und Foto" in Stuttgart, Germany in 1929) was held in Tokyo [April] and Osaka [July].
In 1932, the first issue of Kōga (Photography, 光画) was published by Yasuzō Nojima, Iwata Nakayama and Ihee Kimura (or Ihei Kimura).
In 1932, Manchuria Photographic Artists Association (Manshū Shashin Sakka Kyōkai) (満洲写真作家協会) was founded and in 1933, Manshū Graph (Pictorial Manchuria, 満洲グラフ) was published by Hakuyō Fuchikami.
In 1932, a photographic monograph, Camera, Eye x Iron, Construction (Camera, Me x Tetsu Kōsei, カメラ・眼×鉄・構成) was published by Masao Horino (1907–1999, 堀野正雄).
In 1933, a photographic monograph, Early Summer Nerves (Shoka Shinkei, 初夏神経) was published by Kiyoshi Koishi (1908–1957, 小石清).
In 1936, a photographic monograph, the Reason for Sleep (Nemuri no Riyū, 眠りの理由) was published by Ei-Q.
In 1937, Avant-Garde Image Group (Avant-Garde Zōei Shūdan, アヴァンギャルド造影集団) was founded by Gingo Hanawa (1894–1957, 花和銀吾), Terushichi Hirai (1900–1970, 平井輝七) and other photographers.
In 1938, Avant-Garde Photography Association (Zen'ei Shashin Kyōkai, 前衛写真協会) was founded by Shūzo Takiguchi and some photographers.
In 1939, Nagoya Photo Avant-Garde (名古屋フォトアバンガルド) was founded by  Minoru Sakata (1902–1974, 坂田稔), Kansuke Yamamoto (1914–1987, 山本悍右) and other photographers.
In 1939, Société Irf (ソシエテ・イルフ) was founded in Fukuoka by Wataru Takahashi (1900–1944, 高橋渡) and other photographers.
In 1940, a photographic monograph, Mesembryanthemum ("Mesem Zoku", メセム属) was published by Yoshio Shimozato.
In 1940, a photographic monograph, Light ("Hikari", 光) was published by Tampei Shashin Club.
In 1942, Nakaji Yasui died.

Era of Hōdōshashin (Era of Photojournalism)
In 1932, Yōnosuke Natori returned to Japan from Germany as a correspondent photographer of Ullstein-Verlag.
In 1933, Nippon Kōbō (Japan Studio, 日本工房) was founded by Yōnosuke Natori, but in 1934 most of main members other than Natori has left Nippon Kobo and founded Chūō Kōbō (Metropolitan Studio, 中央工房). Then Natori reorganized Nippon Kōbō.
In 1934, the first issue of Nippon was published by Nippon Kōbō.
In 1938, the first issue of Shashin Shūhō (Photo Weekly, 写真週報) was published.
In 1941, Tōhōsha (Far East Company, 東方社) was founded.
In 1942, the first issue of Front was published by Tōhōsha.

After WWII, there appeared the era of Hōdōshashin (era of photojournalism) again, mainly led by Ken Domon (1909–1990, 土門拳), Ihee Kimura (Ihei Kimura, 1901–1974, 木村伊兵衛) and Yōnosuke Natori (1910–1962, 名取洋之助), all of three were very active even during WWII.  Avant-garde photography including surrealism and pictorialism photography had almost disappeared behind photojournalism after WWII because photography other than photojournalism which supported Japanese government and Japanese military powers was completely oppressed by the Japanese government during WWII. It took several years before avant-garde photography came back to the stage of the history of Japanese photography.

21st century

References

Further reading
The History of Japanese Photography, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Yale University Press, 2003,
Modern Photography in Japan 1915–1940, 2001,

Photography
History of art in Japan

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Another glimpse of the views.
This is the deck off the living room.
Beth draws at the desk in the cabin.
Outside Austin, a ranch in Texas Hill Country is refashioned as a comfortable, contemporary retreat for family and friends.
A pair of freestanding walls built of locally sourced natural stone bookend the pavilion-like living areas.


Do you keep your coffee in or out of the fridge? You may not have given it too much thought, but a new study suggests chilling your beans before grinding and brewing can enhance the flavour of your cup.
The study, conducted by scientists at the University of Bath, found that "the colder the beans the finer and more uniform the particles were from the grind," which is important because smaller grinds mean better flavour extraction.
"If you have small grinds you can push flavour extraction upwards. We found that chilling the beans tightens up this process and can give higher extractions with less variance in the flavour – so you would have to brew it for less time, or could get more coffee from the same beans," said Dr Christopher Hendon.
The full title of the report is The effect of bean origin and temperature on grinding roasted coffee – however, the chilling principle can still be applied to ready-ground coffee according to Popsugar.
Why don't you give it a try and let us know in the comments below or over on our Facebook page if you can taste the difference?


text:
January 7, 2022 Ridley's Believe It or Not International Programmers' Day
RIDLEY'S BELIEVE IT OR NOT January 7,2022
CV World Cases: The CV pandemic across the planet continues on an increasing basis with cases now over 301 million at 301,270,608,519 cases, 38,221,922 of which are active, 263,386,597 closed with 257,893,666 recoveries (97.91%), and nearing the 5,500,000 barrier 5,492,931 deaths (2.09% )to continue the low trend of increased cases with increased recovery percentages and decreased death percentages with some plateaus, dips, and rises.
CV USA Cases: Total cases now nearing 60 million at 59,564,116 with 16,619,075 active cases of which 21,457 are serious or critical, (8,599 on 3/25/2021) (back to steady decreases with upticks despite the Delta and Omicron Variants to .129% of active cases and to decrease the reduction from the 29,271 peak on 12/31/2020 to 7,814, (serious or critical cases now reported again), 42,945,041 closures with 855,843 deaths (1.99%) and with 42,089,198 recoveries (98.01%). Our death rate percentage is .10% lower than the world's death rate.
Standing: On a deaths per million population measure on a steady but slow climb to 2563 the U.S. ranks behind Peru (6028) the new number 1 which has had a quantum leap in deaths previously unmatched which was a change in the classification to give Peru the a new method of reporting; Bulgaria the new number 2 (4564), Hungary (4134), Romania (3097), Brazil (2885) which has been hit with a rapid rise in deaths now slowing down passed by Romania, Argentina (2562), and newly added to the list Columbia (2518), and slightly better than Belgium (2358), Poland (2631), Mexico (2290), Italy (2299), UK (2188), Russia (2154), Chile (2026), Spain (1920), France (1909), Ecuador newly added to list (1867), France (1909), Portugal (1838), Bolivia (1669), Sweden (1504) that never closed its economy down like we did, and Switzerland (1420).
Tests: No need to tally tests as testing programs are functioning well but the rapid tests which the Biden Administration was caught flatfooted on the ease of transmission of the Omicron Variant.
US Vaccinations: As of 01/07/06 515.16 million doses, 1.13 million per day over last week (2 weeks left for 75% of population to be vaccinated with at least one shot and in California 273,904 per day (which means at least 81% of the population of California has received at least one shot) which many believe is necessary to develop herd immunity (other than Flip Flop Fauci who may believe that 90% is required). In California 62,900,191 total doses have been given (85.9% of doses received to exceed the U.S. average of 81.6%), California has not moved from 8th of the 50 states in terms of the percentage of doses administered as a percentage of doses delivered to the states and at 66.6% of its population fully vaccinated compared to the U.S. average of 62.4% and has moved from to 12th tied with Oregon in terms of the percentage of the population fully vaccinated compared to other states.
Non CV News: Harris and Biden spoke the anniversary of the Capitol Protests which speeches were fawned over by the MSM predictably as the oration equivalent of the best thing as sliced bread but realistically represented another missed opportunity for the Biden Administration to fulfill on its promised on Inauguration Day to unify the country as Harris conflated January 6th with Pearl Harbor and 9/11 and Biden unleashed scathing ad hominem attacks on Trump (Blue House members dressed in black and holding candles garnished the memorial); job numbers came in for December missing expected increased job numbers of 400,000 by 201,000; Biden touted that his Build Back Better program will solve inflation and allow more workers to return to the labor force; in another glaring example of the need to fine tune stimulus checks from the government,
it was revealed that Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, the convicted Boston Marathon Bomber had received a stimulus check in June which a federal District Court Judge in Boston has ruled must be used to compensate his victims; SCOTUS heard over 3 hours of oral arguments on Biden's vaccine mandate promulgated by OSHA for employers of more than 100 employees (our health care system is being hit by the perfect storm as 1000's of health care workers have been laid off due to Biden's vaccine mandate as infections of the Omicron virus are soaring which may have bearing on how the court rules); Seals who view themselves as immortal and unbeatable in dealing with 2 legged enemies found a District Court Judge who sided with them by invoking a stay on his vaccine mandate due to lack of religion exemption; in the Aubrey case in which the 3 defendants were convicted, the judge sentenced Greg and Travis McMichaels to life without possibility of parole and William Bryan who filmed the encounter and shooting to life with possibility of parole; not sure who Biden is listening to on COVID but he is not backing down on his claim that we can contain the virus (so far looks like the proverbial wing and a prayer); Cuomo dodged the bullet of sexual abuse as a judge in New York dismissed that case against leaving only a chance that the feds still investigating the nursing home scandals with elderly residents there being exposed to COVID and dying by the hundreds which deaths Cuomo has been alleged to have concealed; in Catskill, New York, a man who sprayed himself with a hand sanitizer and burst into flames after being tased in the police station house has died after a 6 week stay in a hospital burn unit; Harris has a proclivity for shedding staff but it looks like her new communications director Jamal Simmons is already self-destructing surfaced where he questioned why 2 illegals being interviewed on TV were not being deported by ICE (has to be a question that many Americans are asking also as the surge in illegals continues unabated); as the progressives with their armed guards continue to press to "defund the police" or "reimagine the police," leave it to the political cartoonist to convey the terror and concern for safety many Americans, especially women, have over the reality of the effect of such movements:
Chicago Gun Violence: Hey Jackass.com is alive and well to collect data to show that through January 6, 2022, gun violence involving mostly persons of color shooting mostly persons of color in Chicago is alive and well with 47 persons shot of whom 9 have died while 2021 shootings numbers compared to 2020 are 4544 to 4248 and deaths are 846 compared to 797.
As always, I hope you enjoy today's holidays and observances, factoids of interest for this day in history, a recording link to "Cry" by Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads, the fact that you have little tolerance for slipslop communications, and a quote from Hassan Chalghoumi, an imam of the Paris suburb of Drancy on the massacre at Charlie Hebdo , secure in the knowledge that if you want to send a gift for any memorable events like Valentine's Day or Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, college graduations, birthdays, weddings, or anniversaries, you know that the Alaskanpoet can provide you with a unique customized poem at a great price tailored to the event and the recipient. Please contact me for details on pricing.
1. International Programmers' Day—created in 2007 and also celebrated on the 236th day of the year which is September 12th on leap years and the 13th on non-leap years to celebrate the contributions of programmers to the economy and our lives and to no one surprise given their propensity to hack a holiday created on the 13th in 2009 in Russia by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.
2. Distaff Day—celebrating in preindustrial days the return of women to the workplace which involved the use of a spindle and distaff to create threads.
3. 1952 Number 1 Song USA—the number 1 song in 1952 on this day was "Cry" by Johnnie Ray and the Four Lads on a run of 10 weeks in that position to join 10 other songs that achieved number 1 status. Here's a recording of Johnny Ray and the Four Lads "Cry": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Db-b6lQnOdw Ray, born partially deaf, was a popular singer in the 50's but struggled with alcohol abuse which he was successful in hiding it from the public and quit performing after being hospitalized for liver problems in 1989 and died from liver failure on February 24, 1990 at the age of 63.
4. Word of the Day—the word of the day is "slipslop" which means nonsensical talk which describes what we hear from far too many of our leaders.
5. Near Ground Zero Not a Place to Be—celebrating the birth on this day in 1943 of Sadako Sasaki who was 1 mile away from ground zero at Hiroshima, was blown out of her home's window, heavily radiated who by virtue of crafting over 1000 origami paper cranes after being hospitalized for radiation sickness on February 24, 1955 before she died on October 25, 1955 from leukemia induced by the radiation and was cremated with her over 1000 cranes in her casket to become one of the more well-known hibakusha from Hiroshima.
a. 1927 the world became a smaller place as transatlantic phone service began between New York and London.
b. 1973 at a Howard Johnson's in New Orleans, Mark Essex a former member of the Black Panthers and rabid anti-white hater, who on New Year's Eve had shot 3 cops, wounding 1 and killing 2 but escaped and was still at large despite a massive manhunt entered a Howard Johnson's and proceeded to wound 11 patrons, employees and cops while killing 7 to finally be cornered and then cut down in a hail of 200 bullets as he emerged from his hideout shooting.
c. 1980 President Jimmy Carter signed legislation authorizing a $1.5 billion loan to bail out Chrysler Corporation.
d. 1999 the impeachment trial for President Clinton began in the Senate; no Blues voted to convict so he was acquitted as far less than the 2/3 vote necessary to convict.
e. 2015 2 jihadist terrorists in Paris attacked the newspaper headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, killing 12 and wounding 11 others for their "crime" of publishing cartoons disrespectful of Mohammad; French authorities after a massive manhunt cornered the two who were shot and killed 2 days later.
Reflections on the attack on Charlie Hebdo: "Their prophet is Satan. There is no connection between the Islamic faith and this minority." – Hassan Chalghoumi, an imam of the Paris suburb of Drancy, following the attack on Charlie Hebdo.
Please enjoy the poems on events of interest on my twitter account below (if you like them, retweet, and follow me) and follow my blogs. Always good, incisive and entertaining poems on my blogs—click on the links below. Go to www.alaskanpoet.blogspot.com for Ridley's Believe It Or Not—This Day in History, poems to inspire, touch, emote, elate and enjoy and poems on breaking news items of importance or go to Ridley's Believe It Or Not for just This Day in History.
© January 7, 2022, 2021 Michael P. Ridley aka The Alaskanpoet
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text:
Women of Color Lead Volkswagen's Diversity Programs
Feb 20, 2017 | 2017 Arizona, 2017 California, 2017 Carolinas, 2017 Colorado, 2017 Florida, 2017 Georgia, 2017 Illinois, 2017 Louisiana, 2017 Michigan, 2017 Ohio, 2017 Pacific North-West, 2017 Pennsylvania, 2017 Texas, 2017 Tri-State, Arizona, California, Carolinas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pacific North-West, Pennsylvania, Q1 2017 Arizona, Q1 2017 California, Q1 2017 Carolinas, Q1 2017 Colorado, Q1 2017 Florida, Q1 2017 Georgia, Q1 2017 Illinois, Q1 2017 Louisiana, Q1 2017 Michigan, Q1 2017 Ohio, Q1 2017 Pacific North-West, Q1 2017 Pennsylvania, Q1 2017 Texas, Q1 2017 Tri-State, Texas, Tri-State | 0 |
The job of a lifetime is something most aspire to but, for some, the fantasy simply is much too difficult to even comprehend.
Brown is a 21-year veteran of the automotive industry, and she has spent 18 of those years at Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA). There she found the "job of a lifetime," despite being a woman in a male-dominated industry. Today, as Brown serves as Volkswagen's Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, her passion for diversity and inclusion is fulfilled daily.
"I firmly believe that workplace diversity increases employee engagement and drives organizational performance. It's a win-win," said Brown, who has been in her current role since 2014. "I'm passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace. In my position, every day is exciting, because I have an opportunity to make a real impact at work and in the community." Brown credits her mother, Brenda, with putting her on the road to success and supporting her along the way.
"As a single mother of four, my mother was always persevering, but I never saw that there was a struggle. I'm the youngest and I was always encouraged to aim high," she said. "My mom didn't finish college, but she always says that she earned two degrees, because she typed all of my papers and, even today, helps me with editing my dissertation." Raised in Detroit, Mich., Brown earned a bachelor's degree in public relations and a master's degree in communications from Wayne State University. Currently, Brown is a Ph.D. candidate at Walden University, where she is pursuing a doctorate in management with a concentration in leadership and organizational change. "A dream without effort is just that…I live by that," said Brown. Previously, Brown held several positions at VWGoA and has gained a unique skill set from working in areas like operations and human resources, all which help her today.
"The automotive industry is traditionally male-dominated and I had the opportunity to begin my career with the company as, not only one of the first women, but also the first woman of color to hold the Fixed Operations Manager position – which I held for over a decade," said Brown. "In this capacity, I worked to increase our aftersales business at the dealer level." Brown continued: "I was fortunate to hold that position for 12 years before taking over the role of Sales Operations Manager in West Palm Beach, Florida, then Richmond, Virginia. These positions in operations allowed me to develop the necessary business acumen to move our diversity initiatives forward."
Lately, Brown's primary focus is managing the Employee Resource Group (ERG) network. ERGs are employee-driven and provide employees the opportunity to engage with their peers around causes they support and really tap into the heart of the organization. These groups are invaluable to the company as they give employees an opportunity for professional development and networking, while providing the organization with market insights and perspectives from a cross-cultural lens.
When Brown joined the diversity and inclusion department there were only three ERGs. Today, there are 13 with more than 500 employees participating across the country in Herndon, Va., Chicago, Ill., Chattanooga, Tenn., Auburn Hills, Mich. There are even two virtual groups. "In two short years, the network has quadrupled. I am glad our employees see value in these networks," said Brown. "Not only are these groups avenues for networking, individuals are able to contribute to the company and take ownership of their careers."
Brown added: "It's a big accomplishment, considering it's a two-woman show. The energy around ERGs is positive. They evolve out of grassroots efforts that are employee-driven." Building on the ERG network as a cross-cultural and diversity-driven resource for employees, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation recently honored Volkswagen Group of America as one of 407 major businesses that earned 100 percent on the 2016 Corporate Equality Index (CEI) and the distinction of "Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality." This accolade recognizes companies that satisfy CEI's criteria on corporate policies and practices pertinent to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. VWGoA has earned this honor for nine out of the last 10 years.
"VWGoA is privileged to employ such a diverse and dynamic workforce," said Machelle Williams, Volkswagen's Senior Director for Diversity and Corporate Social Responsibility. "The Human Rights Campaign honor speaks to our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, where innovative thinking and better results are driven by the individuality of our employees." Brown is also proud that one of the company's ERGs helps to foster such an inclusive workplace. The Drivers of Respect, Inclusion, Value, and Equality Alliance ERG (DRIVE) is a virtual ERG that is open to all employees, including LGBT and allies. Employees are invited to support the company's LGBT outreach initiatives and contribute to discussions around company policies, provide marketing insight and more.
With all of these great accomplishments, Brown cautions that there's always room to improve. That's why she and Williams continue to look for new opportunities to engage employees and help them grow personally and professionally. "If VWGoA is going to be competitive and a 'Great Place To Work,' a diverse and inclusive workplace is vital," said Brown. "We also want to attract top talent and know that a diverse employee base is key. Prospective employees need to see themselves in our employees. We want that new hire to look at our leadership team and see herself in that position in the future."
Brown said that the Volkswagen also plans to continue their Executive Mentoring Program to ensure employees have access to senior leaders as well as the resources to become successful. Brown said that the Volkswagen also plans to continue their Executive Mentoring Program to ensure employees have access to senior leaders as well as the resources to become successful. "I am always looking for opportunities to increase brand awareness on Historically Black College and University campuses," said Brown. "My hope is that as brand awareness increases, so will employment consideration."
By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor)
Source: 3blmedia.com
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