text:
Let's look at the future of the Gardiner expressway as an economic issue
By: Matt Elliott Metro, Metro Published on Fri Feb 07 2014
The thing I hate most about the debate over the future of a short 2.4-kilometre section of the elevated Gardiner expressway — back in the spotlight this week after the release of a new report — is how dismissive some people get about the topic. It's like we shouldn't even consider changing the status quo.
It's a lousy attitude, because let's be honest: the status quo sucks. The section of the Gardiner under study, between Jarvis and the Don Valley Parkway, is one of the widest and highest sections of the highway, though it also carries the fewest cars. Below it there's a tangled mess of roadways and ramps. While other parts of the Gardiner have started to successfully integrate with downtown — with condos built up right to the very edge of the highway — that isn't really possible with this section, thanks to the winding path it takes right up to the water's edge. To not even consider ways we might be able to improve this part of our waterfront is shortsighted.
But this shouldn't be a debate purely about aesthetics and utopian arguments made by big-dreaming urbanists. While this debate will inevitably descend into the standard left-versus-right screaming match, with progressive city builders on one side and "war on car" accusers on the other, there's another way to consider the Gardiner issue. We should do our best to think of the Gardiner as an economic issue — and let economics determine its future.
It's a logical approach. Lots of politicians like to talk about how they want to "run government like a business." But if you're going to run government like a business that means approaching every issue just like a business would — in terms of dollars and cents.
So let's consider this section of the Gardiner in that context, using numbers from the new report.
We know that repairing the roadway will cost $345 million. The report also estimates a further $525 million in maintenance costs — using 2013 dollars — over the next 100 years. So keeping it has a 100-year cost of about $870 million.
But we can't stop there. Because of the highway configuration, its presence through this part of the city is dramatically limiting the ability to sell and develop what could be prime real estate. The report pegs the amount that could be realized at somewhere between $220 million and $240 million. — again, 2013 dollars.
The upshot? Between the money the city will have to spend maintaining it and the money the city will be giving up by maintaining it, this part of the Gardiner is a $1.1-billion problem.
That's a lot of money, but the city has no shortage of billion-dollar problems. Sometimes it makes sense to spend a billion dollars fixing a problem, especially if the problem impacts lots of people. But do lots of people actually use this part of the highway?
The Gardiner has been described as one of the city's most important traffic corridors, but actual usage numbers indicate a tendency to overstate its importance. Of the 157,200 people who commute into downtown Toronto every morning, only about seven per cent use the Gardiner. In morning rush hour, 1,200 cars use the section of the Gardiner being studied going east. Another 4,500 are heading west.
Removing or narrowing the Gardiner will impact these drivers. There's no way to avoid that. But so will the march of time. The report, whose published models all optimistically assume the city builds a downtown relief subway line in addition to other downtown transit improvements, forecasts five-minute one-way increases to commute times on the Gardiner even if the highway is maintained exactly as-is. If we knock this part of the Gardiner down, the report forecasts a further one-way increase of about 10 minutes.
Nobody likes longer commute times, but if we're going to run government like a business and deal with our problems through an economic lens, than we can't go spending a billion dollars just to avoid making some drivers angry. Instead, we have to look at all these numbers objectively and consider questions like these.
What's the economic impact of commute times increasing by 10 minutes for about 5,700 drivers at peak every morning?
Is it worth more than a billion dollars in hard costs and foregone revenue opportunities to avoid this increase in commute times?
Are there other ways the city could spend a billion dollars that could help some of the people driving those cars get where they need to be more efficiently?
I don't yet know all the answers to these questions. I'd like to see more traffic data that models other trip patterns and looks at traffic over different times of day. But I do know that these questions are the way we should be framing the debate. This Gardiner issue isn't about a war-on-cars, nor is it about urbanism, really. It's about money and how the city should best spend it to move people.
This post was originally published at http://www.metronews.ca/views/toronto/ford-for-toronto-matt-elliott/2014/02/07/lets-look-at-the-future-of-the-gardiner-expressway-as-an-economic-issue.html on 2014-02-07T00:00:00.000Z


text:
Gardens by the Bay murder: Accused lied to ex-lover that his wife was his sister
Leslie Khoo is accused of murdering Ms Cui Yajie on Jul 12, 2016. (Photos: Facebook/Leslie Khoo, Yajie Cui)
By Lydia Lam
14 Mar 2019 05:14PM (Updated: 14 Mar 2019 06:42PM )
SINGAPORE: A man accused of killing his lover at Gardens by the Bay and burning her body in Lim Chu Kang in 2016 after she threatened to expose his lies had told another lover that his wife was his sister.
Khoo's former lover, who identified herself as Ms Lim, told the court that she had met the accused, Leslie Khoo Kwee Hock, between March and May in 2014. A few months later, they began dating, she said on Thursday (Mar 14), the third day of the trial.
Speaking through a Mandarin interpreter, Ms Lim said they were "boyfriend and girlfriend" and met once a week or every two weeks.
Khoo had told her that his family was relatively rich, she said, and he was working at Orchid Laundry, his family's business. Unbeknownst to her, he was an employee at Dryclyn Express, and was, and remains, an undischarged bankrupt.
"He told me he was not married and wanted to find a wife," said Ms Lim. "He said that he was single and was around 50 years of age but without a partner, and he wanted to find a partner."
In reality, Khoo was married with a son.
After Ms Lim and Khoo broke up sometime after June 2015, Ms Lim saw Khoo's Facebook profile under "suggested friends". She clicked into his profile and saw a woman inside.
She scrolled through the woman's profile and saw a photo showing the woman, Khoo, and a boy.
"I asked him whether that was his wife and child," said Ms Lim. "He denied, and then claimed that the lady was his sister, because the two persons' surnames are similar - Khoo and Koo."
READ: Gardens by the Bay murder: Man accused of killing lover denies affair with victim
A year later, on Jun 14, 2016, Khoo sent her a message "out of the blue" saying "happy birthday".
He later sent her another message saying "I am still alone now", which Ms Lim took to mean that he wanted to patch things up, and that he was still alone and single.
She responded: "So? She's your ex-wife and son, right?"
This was because "the child looks very similar to him", she said.
Two days later, Khoo messaged Ms Lim and asked her to marry him. She told the court that he had previously said that if he wanted to marry her, he "would host a very grand wedding ceremony".
About a month after Khoo contacted Ms Lim and asked her to marry him, he allegedly killed his lover, 31-year-old engineer Cui Yajie, in his car in a secluded road.
He then took the body to Lim Chu Kang, where he burnt it for a few days. By the time he was arrested and led police to the scene, in his own words, "there was nothing left" but scraps of fabric, hair and a bra hook.
KHOO'S SUPERVISOR SPOKE TO VICTIM BEFORE ALLEGED MURDER
Other than Khoo, his former supervisor at Dryclyn Express Adeline Toh could be one of those who last heard Ms Cui while she was alive.
Ms Toh took the stand on Thursday morning and described how Khoo had called her on the morning of the alleged murder.
Khoo called Ms Toh at around 7.40am on Jul 12, 2016, saying that he was facing some problems.
"He just told me there's this lady (who had) come up to the head office and he got into some problem, so he asked for help," said Ms Toh. "I said ok, how you want me to help, he said ok now I will give her a call and maybe you talk to that lady."
According to the prosecution, Ms Cui had threatened to go to Khoo's workplace to speak to his bosses. This was after Khoo's wife confronted him over a message Ms Cui had sent her.
Ms Toh said she had a three-way conference call with Khoo and a lady who was Ms Cui.
"I asked the lady, how to address you and how to help you, and she said (it was) inconvenient to talk. She said she was heading to Joo Koon MRT Station and he will pick her up from there," Ms Toh recounted.
As she had to go to Westin Hotel, where Khoo said he would meet her later, Ms Toh hung up the phone and headed to the hotel.
Some hours later, Ms Toh texted Khoo, but did not receive any reply. She called him at about 10.20am to ask if he was heading to the hotel.
"He told me the lady didn't show up," said Ms Toh. "I asked him - then how? He said, never mind, forget about it. So I hung up the phone."
READ: Gardens by the Bay murder: Man claims trial to killing lover, dumping burnt body in Lim Chu Kang
In those hours between the two phone calls, Khoo allegedly picked up Ms Cui from Joo Koon MRT Station and drove her to Marina Gardens Drive, where he strangled her in the front seat.
Khoo is accused of covering Ms Cui's body with laundry bags before buying kerosene and charcoal from Kranji Road, which he allegedly used to burn the body.
A police officer who took the stand on Thursday afternoon described enlarging footage that showed Khoo's car at an entrance to Gardens by the Bay, as well as at D'Kranji Farm Resort.
In stills taken from the footage, a person could be seen in the driver's seat, along with a "white object" in between the front passenger seat and the driver's seat.
The trial, which is set to run for at least nine more days, resumes on Friday.
Source: CNA/ll(hm)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


:: Alexa and I begged her: Do you have any art? Like, anything? That we can have (for free)? Maybe, like, a tree?
Over the last two years, my friend and former colleague Alexa Chew and I have been writing a book. It's going to press very soon. We worked closely with the awesome designer at our press and came up with an amazing cover, and I'm going to share it with you.
Because we think it is so gorgeous.
Remember. This is a law book. A book on law. And yet, it is still SO PRETTY.
The cool thing is the story of the cover artwork. My good friend and fellow novelist, Lauren Faulkenberry, is also a book-arts artist and letterpress/paper-arts/lots of stuff I don't understand artist. She has multiple printing presses in her HOUSE. She teaches at Penland.
Alexa and I begged her: Do you have any art? Like, anything? That we can have (for free)? Maybe, like, a tree? And she gave us that beautiful tree that you see up there. I believe it is a thing called a linocut.
As you can tell, Alexa and I are beyond thrilled with both the cover and to be reaching the end of this book-creation journey. If you want to learn more about The Complete Legal Writer, you can visit its website.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Guest Post- Sumeera Younis "Infertility. A Life in Months"
One of my law school classmates, Sumeera Younis, has been writing a fantastic blog for awhile now. Sumeera is insightful, smart, thoughtful, and just generally a tremendous writer and all around excellent human. So when she recently posted her latest story about her struggle with infertility, I asked her if she'd allow me to post it here, which she graciously agreed to.
I love that Sumeera is strong enough to be writing publicly about her struggles with infertility. By talking about her story, she's diminishing the stigma associated with infertility, and offering insight into the emotions involved. Her story is honest, emotional, and somewhat graphic. But it's something that many women go through and yet never talk about.
It took us a lot longer than expected to conceive Chewbacca, and I remember the dissapointment all too clearly, every month that passed without getting pregnant. My frustration seemed to be magnified by the fact that it wasn't something people talked about, so I'm happy to be talking about it here. I hope it will give some people comfort to know that you are not alone, and will give others understanding what to say to friends who might be experiencing the same. I'm also beyond thrilled to report that Sumeera is expecting her first child in November. If her kiddo is anything like her, the world will be getting a fantastic addition. And now, the story that got her here:
Infertility. A Life in Months
I have tried many times to write about infertility. Where do I start? The part where I thought it was my birthright to be a mother? The part where I held everyone's babies my whole life with the self assuredness that one day I would hold my own? The part about the unbelievable loneliness of not talking about something that is part shame, part grief and part anger? The part where I learned that my value was not defined by whether I could bring life into this world? I am not going to write about all the thoughts that I have about infertility today. I am not going to talk about the three plus year journey, the doctors appointments, the prayers or the Hail Marys. One day I will write about it because it is an important issue to talk about and to destigmatize. It is important for women to know that they are not alone in this.
For now, I just want to share a story I wrote over a year and a half ago. The story is painful and somewhat graphic and that is why I have put it after the jump. It is fiction but it is inspired by feelings and experiences I went through. I am sharing it because I wrote it in a time of extreme sadness and pain and I am here now, standing on the other side of that pain, stronger, more assured and with a faith deepened by it having been tested. I am sharing it for anyone who is struggling themselves. I am especially sharing it for partners and friends who may be having difficulty understanding the roller coaster ride that infertility is.
I whisper, "Why are you dying?"
She doesn't reply.
I lay on my back.
Tears slowly roll from the corner of my eyes.
There is a small computer in the room and the doctor spends most of her time looking at it.
They have the HCG numbers from yesterday.
They are lower.
They will be lower tomorrow.
There is pain in every single pore.
It feels impossible to breathe.
She does not reply.
It started 27 months ago.
"We're going to start trying to have a baby."
"You guys are gonna be the best parents!"
Month 1: I am in a bathroom at my aunt's house. I see the blood.
It's ok, I'll try again next month.
"Wouldn't it be crazy if we got pregnant on just the second try?"
"It would. I can't wait to share this with you."
Month 2: I am in a bathroom at work. I see the blood.
"I feel nauseous!"
"Yayy! Hello, little baby!"
"Don't get too excited yet. We still have to wait and see!"
Month 3: I am in a bathroom in a national park. I see the blood.
"I have been getting headaches. And I've been feeling cramping."
"Is that a good thing?"
"Yes, I think this time it might really be it!"
Month 4: I am in a bathroom in my apartment. I see the blood.
"I'm not going to jinx it this time!"
"Deal. No talking about it until the test."
"Promise."
"And stop taking tests. I saw six in the garbage can!"
Month 5: I am in a bathroom in Paris. I see the blood.
"Try to sound excited when you tell her congratulations."
"I will. I will. I just never expected my kid sister to get pregnant before I did."
"Do you think something's wrong?"
"I read on the internet that it can take up to a year."
"Still... maybe something's wrong. We should see a doctor."
"Lets wait a little longer. Ok?"
Month 7: I am in a bathroom at my best friend's house. I see the blood.
"Maybe it just wasn't meant to be."
"Don't say that. It will happen. You'll see."
"And if it doesn't?"
"I will love you until it doesn't hurt anymore."
Month 8: I am in a bathroom in Kiev. I see the blood.
"I really think we should see a doctor."
"Let's wait. There's no reason to make it too big of a deal."
"No. I need to see a doctor. I want to know."
Month 9: I am in a bathroom at a baby shower. I see the blood.
"The results are great. You both are healthy."
"Then why isn't it happening?"
"You never know with these things. Let's talk in three months. If you're still not pregnant, we can talk about fertility treatments."
Month 10: I am in a bathroom at my cousin's wedding. I see the blood.
"IUI is a procedure in which we place the sperm inside a women's uterus to help increase the chances of fertilization."
"What is the success rate?"
"It depends. For a couple like you, it's very promising."
Month 11: I am in a bathroom at work. I see the blood.
"Can we do an IUI this month?"
"Let's wait one more month. I'm hopeful you will conceive naturally."
"I can't wait."
"My body shook the whole time. I was so scared."
"I'm sorry. You are my brave angel. Do you hear that baby? You have the most brave mommy."
Month 12: I am in a bathroom at my surprise birthday party. I see the blood.
"Is it normal for the IUI not to work the first time? "
"We rarely see someone get pregnant on the first try."
"We should definitely be pregnant after a few more tries?"
"If I was the betting type, I would bet on it."
Month 13: I am in a bathroom at my anniversary dinner. I see the blood.
"Have you guys talked about adoption?"
"My doctor says we'll get pregnant."
"I have a friend who got pregnant right after she adopted."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Month 14: I am in a bathroom in Santa Barbara. I see the blood.
"Do you think God is punishing us?"
"I don't think you believe in a God like that."
"I love you."
"I will always love you."
Month 15: I am in a bathroom at our favorite restaurant. I see the blood.
"I may have unfairly raised your expectations."
"Did you know it wouldn't work?"
"No, no. Its not that. Just in cases like yours, we have a high success rate."
"You know I hadn't cried this whole time?"
"You can cry."
"I know. Yesterday I broke down in the office. I crawled under the desk and I felt the whole building was shaking from my tears."
"Did anyone hear you?"
"I hope God heard me."
Month 17: I am in a bathroom at a concert. I see the blood.
"Have you tried acupuncture? I have a friend who tried acupuncture and got pregnant that month."
Month 18: I am in a bathroom in London. I see the blood.
"I am so tired."
"I know."
Month 19: I am in a bathroom in Edinburgh. I see the blood.
"You're young."
"God has a plan."
"Maybe you're meant to be doing something else."
"Just relax."
"Have you thought of getting a new doctor?"
"Stop worrying about it."
Month 20: I am in a bathroom at my mother's funeral. I see the blood.
"I think it is time to take a more aggressive approach."
"But you said we wouldn't need that. That we were a healthy couple."
"We can wait for now but we should talk about IVF soon."
Month 21: I am in a bathroom in my apartment. I see the blood.
"Please, God. Please. Please. Please."
"Lots of women do this. We'll fertilize the egg outside of you. Once the embryo is formed, we'll place it inside you."
"I think this is it. Everything feels different."
"Do you know every event of the last two years has been covered in red?"
"I don't understand."
"How could you understand?"
"The doctor says my body needs the month off."
"Thats good. A break will be good. You should start getting out again"
"This is the last time. The doctor said we might want to consider adoption after this."
"Its going to be ok. Shhh. Its going to be ok."
Month 27: I am in bathroom after bathroom after bathroom. I wait. I wait. I wait.
It was the happiest seventeen weeks. We were out of the scariest part. The phone kept ringing. Messages were pouring in. God had finally heard us.
They didn't call me into the office to tell me. It was over the phone. The call lasted 1 minute 12 seconds. I know because I checked.
"Your lab work from Monday shows that your HCG levels have dropped significantly."
My heart stopped. The tears were falling but I knew this could mean anything. I steadied my voice.
"But its ok, right? Should I come in right away?"
"We aren't doing anymore lab work today. You can come in tomorrow at 7 am."
"Thank you."
Why did I thank her? I should have told her she was a liar.
I should have told her to have some fucking compassion.
I should have told her to say, "I am sorry that I am giving you this incredibly shitty news, that you don't even get to hold her, that you never get to whisper I love you into her ears.
I am sorry that you will be up all night convincing yourself it is a mistake, feeling your stomach for a sign of life.
I am sorry that you will spend the whole night talking to a baby that is already dead."
I should have told her to stay on the phone for more than 1 minute 12 seconds.
Four days later and I was back for the final visit. To confirm the horror for the last time.
I asked her, "Why are you dying?"
She didn't reply.
I laid on my back.
Tears slowly rolled from the corner of my eyes.
There was a small computer in the room and the doctor spent most of her time looking at it.
They had the HCG numbers from yesterday.
They were lower.
They would be lower tomorrow.
There was pain in every single pore.
It felt impossible to breathe.
Sumeera's post can be found here if you'd like to comment on the original article. Sumeera's other posts can be found at http://syounis.blogspot.com/.
#guestpost #infertility


text:
Understanding Uk's Latest election results
The Prime Minister Theresa May's call for early elections backfired, as the Tories lost seats in the House of Commons and have caused a "hung parliament"
On June 8th 2017, millions of British citizens headed to the polling stations to vote on an early General Elections. The ballot was supposed to take place in 2020, but on last April Prime Minister Theresa May (member of the Conservative party) moved it three years earlier, stating her need to strengthen her position before the Brexit negotiations got started. Even though the Tories already had the majority at the House of Commons, she was expecting to gain more seats, so that the Brexit discussions could run smoothly and, therefore, would not be obstructed by the opposition parties.
The Conservatives lost 12 seats and now they hold 319 seats in total, while the Labour party rose by 29 seats, the best election results for the group since 1990, and now holds 261 seats in total. Despite that there's still a Conservative majority in the House, it doesn't have the enough votes to approve laws (326), which is why the institution is now trapped in a "hung parliament", a term that refers to when no single party has an outright majority.
The outcome has been interpreted as critic to May's leadership and has also questioned the legitimacy of her government to conduct the Brexit negotiations with the European Union, which started last Monday in Brussels.
Jeremy Corbyn, the leader of the Labour Party and to many the winner of the past General Elections, has called for the Prime Minister's resignation, but May has shown no intention to leave at all. In fact, she's been having conversations with the Democratic Unionist Party (commonly described as a right-wing extremist and populist party), which won 10 seats in Northern Ireland, to catch their votes ir order to obtain an overall majority in Parliament. This approach hasn't convinced the whole party and is causing division within the Tories.
The main concern is how the "hung parliament" will affect the Brexit talks. The EU leaders fear that the lack of stability in May's government and the insufficient support her party has in the House, could end the discussions with no deal at all, lengthening the uncertainty of the process.
LatinAmerican Post | Soledad Balduzzi
Copy edited by Ricardo Avella
By Lina Marcela Peñaloza
Trump pattern is create a crisis, retreat, move on
What is at stake with Turkey's Russian air defense deal?


text:
Q: sys_refcursor without column name I am working on a function to print values from a table.
create or replace FUNCTION UserDetails(p_startDate IN VARCHAR, p_endDate in VARCHAR) RETURN sys_refcursor
AS
    v_cursor    sys_refcursor;
BEGIN

    IF to_date(p_endDate, 'dd-mm-yyyy') - to_date(p_startDate, 'dd-mm-yyyy') > 90 THEN
        RAISE invalid_number;
    END IF;

  OPEN v_cursor FOR  SELECT  UPPER(name) NAME, MAX(Updated_date) UPDATED_DATE
    FROM s_user_data
   WHERE Updated_date  between to_Date(p_startDate,'DD-MON-YYYY') and to_Date(p_endDate,'DD-MON-YYYY')
   ORDER BY Updated_date  DESC;

 RETURN v_cursor;

 EXCEPTION
   WHEN OTHERS
   THEN
      DBMS_OUTPUT.PUT_LINE (TO_CHAR (SYSDATE, 'HH24:MI:SS') || ' Error: ' || SQLCODE || ' ' || SQLERRM);
      RAISE;

END;

After running the function: select UserDetails('08-MAY-2021','09-MAY-2021') from dual;
I am getting below output:
{<NAME=XYZ,UPDATED_DATE=08-MAY-21 02.58.30.714149000 PM>,<NAME=ABC,UPDATED_DATE=08-MAY-21 02.57.45.664223000 PM>,<NAME=MNOP,UPDATED_DATE=07-MAY-21 07.37.14.197251000 PM>,}
I have to achieve it like below:
{<XYZ,08-MAY-21 02.58.30.714149000 PM>,<ABC,08-MAY-21 02.57.45.664223000 PM>,<MNOP,07-MAY-21 07.37.14.197251000 PM>,}
Is there any way to get the output without column name. Please advise.

A: If you want to execute from sqlplus, put:
SET HEAD OFF

if you are executing from sql developer or some IDE, Just before of anonym block put the same statement of: SET HEAD OFF, is equivalent to SET HEADING OFF.
In colcusion the artice is here: https://docs.oracle.com/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14357/ch12040.htm
And the general rule is:
SET HEAD[ING] OFF

A: Your function is not consistent. Why do you declare input parameters p_startDate and p_endDate as VARCHAR instead of DATE?
In your code you have
to_date(p_endDate, 'dd-mm-yyyy') - to_date(p_startDate, 'dd-mm-yyyy')

and further down
to_Date(p_startDate,'DD-MON-YYYY') and to_Date(p_endDate,'DD-MON-YYYY')

The input values cannot have format dd-mm-yyyy and DD-MON-YYYY at the same time.
Regarding your actual question: It's really not clear what you like to get. How do you call the function?
If your function returns a RefCursor then you must call the function (which does not mean select ... from dual) and process the cursor. Another option could be DBMS_SQL.RETURN_RESULT or pipeline function. But as long as your requirements are not clear, it will be difficult to help you.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Vivace Voices is a U3A choir with a large and wide repertoire of songs. The choir sings in unison and parts. Our repertoire includes songs from musicals as well as more traditional and classical pieces. If you are interested in having fun and singing, come along and join us. New members with a committed interest in choir singing warmly welcomed. Experience not necessary.


text:
Weekly Market CommentaryJanuary 7, 2015
"…bubbling crude; oil that is, black gold, Texas tea." The decline in oil prices accelerated during the fourth quarter of 2014. The main culprit was a supply and demand imbalance. Increased production in the United States, which is currently the biggest oil producer in the world, means there is an ample supply of oil. However, slowing growth in China and other countries, along with relatively warm winter weather in the United States, has lowered demand. Oil prices are also affected by expectations. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC's) fourth-quarter decision to maintain production levels and market share (rather than lowering production and pushing prices higher) has created an expectation that prices may remain low for some time. Low oil prices are expected to be a boon for the world economy, consumers, and countries (like India) that are heavily dependent on oil imports. However, low prices are a detriment to countries that are heavily dependent on oil exports and could result in financial crises and geopolitical upheaval. The Economist reported analysts believe Russia needs oil to be priced at $100 a barrel to meet its 2015 budget. Venezuela, which was in financial trouble before oil prices fell, needs oil at $120 a barrel to finance its spending, and Iran needs prices even higher, at $136 a barrel. Big trouble in Russia Like Mentos® and soda pop, a currency crisis fizzed up in Russia during the fourth quarter. The Economist said:
"In the world of central banking slow, steady, and predictable decisions are the aim. So when bankers meet in the dead of night and raise interest rates by a massive 6.5 percentage points it suggests something is going very wrong. It is: the Russian currency crisis many feared is now a reality… and the mood in Moscow close to panic. Russians are right to worry: they are heading for a lethal combination of deep recession and runaway inflation."
Retailers have begun re-pricing their goods daily and ruble jokes are proliferating, according to The Moscow Times. One example, "I'm investing my life savings in the Euro." "Don't you mean Euros?" "No, just one Euro. It's all I can afford." Déjà vu Greece The potential for a Euro crisis reared its ugly head (again). Greek markets took a decidedly pessimistic turn when the country's government decided to hold elections. At issue are promises Alexis Tsipras, presidential candidate of the Syriza party, made about rolling back austerity measures and cancelling a portion of Greek debt. If Tsipras is elected, Greece might leave the Euro. Signs of volatility in U.S. markets Markets sparked and popped a bit in the United States during the fourth quarter. Investors, who had been unconcerned about the possibility of short-term market volatility for much of 2014, had a change of heart during October – the same month the Federal Reserve ended quantitative easing. The Chicago Board Options Exchange's Volatility Index (VIX), which is also known as Wall Street's fear gauge, rose into the 20s (above its long-term historic average of 19.6) for several days. Stock markets experienced big swings, too, and then things settled back down. The VIX shot higher for a few days in December, as well. Experts say these microbursts may continue into 2015.
When You Were Younger, You May Have Heard Older…
relatives marvel over the high cost of everything from automobiles to aluminum foil. It's worth taking a look back, once in a while, and acknowledging exactly how significantly the world has changed. Let's begin by picturing the United States at the beginning of the twentieth century. One-quarter of households had running water and outhouses were more prevalent than flush toilets. Few people owned homes. Less than 10 percent of households had gas or electric lights, 5 percent had telephones, about 1 percent owned a car, and nobody owned a television because they didn't exist yet. Approximate household income:
1901: Average household income was about $750 a year. Almost 96 percent of households had income earned by men, 8.5 percent had income earned by women, and 23 percent had income earned by children.
1960-61: Average household income was about $6,691 a year. Almost 34 percent of women were working and 83.3 percent were men. Almost 39 percent of heads of household were craftsmen and machine operators, and 27 percent were professionals, managers, or proprietors.
2013: The mean after-tax household income in the United States was $56,352.
Approximate household expenses:
1901: The average family spent about $769 a year: $327 on food, $108 on clothing, $179 on housing, and $155 on anything else. On average, households spent 2.5 percent more than they earned. Just 19 percent of families owned homes; 81 percent rented.
1960-61: The average family spent about $5,390 a year: $1,310 on food, $561 on clothing, and $1,590 on housing. Almost three-fourths of Americans owned cars. Fifty-three percent of families owned homes.
2013: Mean household spending was about $51,100: $17,148 was spent on housing; $9,004 on transportation; $6,602 on food; $3,737 on utilities, fuels, and public services; $3,631 on healthcare; $1,604 went to clothing; and so on. About 64 percent of households owned homes.
It's true. Times really have changed. ]]>


Below is a complaint submitted to the BBC relating to the February 7th edition of Reporting Scotland. The flagship news programme had ignored a story that broke earlier that day relating to the publication of Brexit Analysis papers and their conclusion relating to Scotland.
On February 7th the House of Commons published a breakdown of the Brexit Analysis papers that had been leaked just over a week earlier. The papers showed that Brexit would have a negative impact on Scottish growth. The impact on Scotland was worse than the UK average.
The inclusion of a breakdown for Scotland called into question comments made by David Mundell on November 2nd when he gave evidence to a Holyrood Committee. Mr Mundell said no such breakdown existed.
The story was thus of very significant interest to Scotland. However the 18:30 edition of Reporting Scotland ignored the story completely. Below is every story covered on the tea-time edition of Reporting Scotland.
The failure to cover the official publication of the Brexit Analysis papers on BBC Scotland's flagship news programme is inexcusable. Also missing from the programme was Scottish Govt analysis published that day that concluded UK Govt plans to cut net migration could cost Scotland's economy up to £10bn.
Why were these stories missing from Reporting Scotland?
The biggest story that night was the resignation of the Chief Constable of Police Scotland. The running order and its contents were decided in accordance with events that day, as is the case every day.
The BBC carried the "Brexit" story on other platforms, including an online BBC Scotland version "Brexit 'could hit Scottish growth by 9%'". Also on the Scotland-politics site is a story from 2nd November last year about the Secretary of State telling the Europe Committee of the Scottish Parliament that there was no "Scotland-specific" analysis and that, of reports on 58 economic sectors, none was specifically about Scotland.
The BBC supplies an unrivalled news service across multiple platforms – free to you as a licence fee payer – and we encourage people to make full use of that constantly-updated service.
All the stories to which you refer were, as all stories are, subjected to rigorous scrutiny and consideration platform by platform and their inclusion or exclusion is a matter for the editorial judgement of our journalists.
My initial complaint asked why two stories of huge national interest to Scotland were ignored by BBC Scotland's flagship news programme. At least one of the stories, Brexit analysis papers, *dwarfed* many of the other stories that *were* covered. Indeed, as my complaint demonstated, the emergence of the papers called into question comments made by Scottish Secretary of State David Mundell. Both stories were *hugely* significant in a Scottish context.
Whether the stories were carried on other BBC platforms is irrelevant, the fact is they should have been covered on the TV news programme watched by most Scots.
To say that "… exclusion is a matter for the editorial judgement of our journalists." avoids addressing a very serious point, which is why very significant stories relating to Brexit, and its effect on Scotland, were excluded by a public service broadcaster. What public service is being provided by refusing to cover emerging stories of huge national interest?
Is the editor of Reporting Scotland *really* saying that each of the stories that featured that evening were more newsworthy or more important than the Brexit Analysis leak?
Is the editor of Reporting Scotland going to argue that an article of clothing worn by Justin Timberlake is more important than the publication of Brexit Analysis papers?
colony and the media is governed by our administrative centre London.
In the week that Westminster celebrates female suffrage Theresa May and the Tories remind us that Scots regardless of gender have no voice in the UK because like Ireland before us we are a colony.
It was the same on the radio today – excruciating detail on Police Scotland – a rushed one liner on the Brexit analysis. This is a propaganda channel by omission.
All this rubbish has to be moved up a notch , it cant be just left some determined people like Peter A Bell etc , i bet these people have better things to do rather than try to make sure democracy is actually functioning in this country with a free questioning press and media .
The Scottish government must as a matter of urgency meet this head on , even try and enlist assistance from the EU or if they wont or cant assist approach the UN its getting that serious .
BritNat Broadcasting Corporation acting in accordance with its Charter.
It exists to protect and promote the Union.
No Union = no continuation of the plunder of Scotlands natural resources for the benefit of the SE of England and the Establishment.
Don't pay the BritNat Propaganda Tax.


How dare they trigger these poor snowflakes by reminding them who is the president.
The University of New Mexico removed a Facebook ad promoting a stay at a Trump Hotel as a contest prize after backlash from students and alumni.
On Friday, UNM's athletics department posted the ad, which prompted students to enter a giveaway to win a three-night stay at one of the 11 Trump Hotels, according to the Daily Lobo.
Meanwhile, alumna Ivey McClelland tweeted that she was "thoroughly disgusted," citing an article describing UNM pulling the ad.
UNM's Associated Students noted its concern in a statement obtained by the Daily Lobo.
"[We] hope this incident will be an opportunity for administrators and leaders across campus to reflect on the tumultuous climate students navigate," the student government said in a statement obtained by the Daily Lobo.
But the ad was not up for long.
I' m glad these guys are not resigning. I they resign they plug in another sanctuary cities leftist and move on. In a month it's forgotten about. By staying the issue stays alive.


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text:
Last Train to Hilversum : A journey in search of the magic of radio
Author(s): Connelly, Charlie,
Imprint: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC,
Published By: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC,
Book Classification: Radio
Despite the all-pervading influence of television ninety per cent of people in Britain still listen to the radio, clocking up over a billion hours of listening between us every week. It's a background to all our lives: we wake up to our clock radios, we have the radio on in the kitchen as we make the tea, it's on at our workplaces and in our cars.
From Listen With Mother to the illicit thrill of tuning into pirate stations like Radio Caroline; from receiving a musical education from John Peel or having our imagination unlocked by Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy; from school-free summers played out against a soundtrack of Radio One and Test Match Special to more grown-up soundtracks of the Today programme on Radio 4 and the solemn, rhythmic intonation of the shipping forecast - in many ways, our lives can be measured in kilohertz.
Yet radio is changing because the way we listen to the radio is changing. Last year the number of digital listeners at home exceeded the number of analogue listeners for the first time, meaning the pop and crackle and the age of stumbling upon something by chance is coming to an end. There will soon be no dial to turn, no in-between spaces on the waveband for washes of static, mysterious beeps and faint, distant voices.
The mystery will be gone: we'll always know exactly what it is we're listening to, whether it's via scrolling LCD on our digital radios, the box at the bottom of our TV screen or because we've gone in search of a particular streaming station. And so, as the world of analogue listening fades, Charlie Connelly takes stock of the history of radio and its place in our lives as one of the very few genuinely shared national experiences. He explores its geniuses, crackpots and charlatans who got us to where we are today, and remembers its voices, personalities and programmes that helped to form who we are as individuals and as a nation.
He visits the key radio locations from history, and looks at its vital role over the past century on both national and local levels. Part nostalgic eulogy, part social history, part travelogue, Last Train To Hilversum is Connelly's love letter to radio, exploring our relationship with the medium from its earliest days to the present in an attempt to recreate and revisit the world he entered on his childhood evenings on the dial as he set out on the radio journey of a lifetime.


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text:
Der Steigerwald (benannt nach der im Westen ansteigenden großen Keuperplatte dieser Landschaft) ist ein bis  hohes Mittelgebirge im bayerisch-fränkischen Teil des Südwestdeutschen Stufenlandes südöstlich von Schweinfurt. Er ist Teil des Keuperberglandes und wird innerhalb dessen nach Norden jenseits des Mains durch die Haßberge, nach Südsüdosten durch die Frankenhöhe fortgesetzt.

Name
Steigerwald leitet sich laut dem Bamberger Biologen Winfried Potrykus (1935–2014) "wohl von 'Steigirwald'" ab, was eine ansteigende Höhe bedeutet oder Wald auf einer hochragenden, aber unzugänglichen Gegend. Erstmals erschien der Name Steigerwald im Jahre 1151 auf einer Urkunde Königs Konrad III. und bezeichnet einen Wald, der in Richtung Oberschwarzach an das Kloster Ebrach anstößt. "Es sei anzunehmen, dass der dem Kloster Ebrach nordwestlich anschließende Höhenwald damit gemeint ist".

Geschichte
Eine frühgeschichtliche Besiedlung der Kulturlandschaft lässt sich im Steigerwaldvorland und am östlichen Rand der Ebrach-Aisch-Abdachung, nahe der Regnitzfurche, nachweisen. Selbst die ersten Wellen der fränkischen Siedlungsnahme im 6. und 7. Jahrhundert und im 8. bis 10. Jahrhundert drangen nur teilweise in das Waldland des Steigerwaldes vor. Ausgehend von den am Rand gelegenen Königshöfen, Herzogenaurach, Langenzenn, Eltmann, Gerolzhofen, Riedfeld ist jedoch ein erstes Vordringen und eine geringe Siedlungstätigkeit vor allem entlang der Gewässer anzunehmen.
Um 1000 gehörte der größte Teil des Steigerwaldes zum Folcfelt (Volkfeld) östlich von Volkach und zum südwestlich anschließenden Ratenzgowe (Radenzgau), die beide von den Markgrafen von Schweinfurt beherrscht wurden. Daneben hatte das Gebiet Anteil am Iffgau um Scheinfeld und am Ehegau bei Sugenheim. Die älteste Notiz von dem Gebiet, das heute Steigerwald genannt wird, erscheint in einer Urkunde Kaiser Heinrichs II. vom Jahre 1023. Darin verleiht der Kaiser den Wildbann (die Hohe Jagd) an das Bistum Würzburg. Die in dieser Urkunde aufgeführten Orte markieren in etwa das Gebiet des heutigen Steigerwaldes.

Nach dem Erlöschen der alten Gaue im 14. Jahrhundert wandelte sich die Bezeichnung. So hieß es 1317, dass die Burg Ebersberg bei Zell und der Großbach-Wald bei Hombeer mit dazu gehörten. 1575 war ein wichtiges Jahr, in dem bei den Verhandlungen des Reichskammergerichtes zu Speyer die noch bestehenden Grenzen des Steigerwaldes erstmals urkundlich erwähnt wurden. Der damals strittige Wildbann wurde dabei verhandelt. Der Steigerwald erstreckte sich demnach "vom Zabelstein den Grund hinauf bis nach Sand, dann den Main hinauf bis nach Bamberg; von da das Gehölz hinauf bis an den Eisch-Grund, diesen hinauf bis gen newen Hoff (Neustadt an der Aisch). Von dort weiter bis Yphofen, von da bis Castell und von da bis an den Zabelstein". Diese Grenzen legte auch die fränkische Reichsritterschaft zugrunde, als sie gegen Ende des 15. Jahrhunderts dem Steigerwaldgebiet die Verfassung eines Kantons gab. 1801 hieß es bei Bundschuh folgendermaßen: "Der Steigerwald hebt am linken Ufer des Mains an, zieht hinauf gegen Bamberg, weiter am linken Ufer der Regnitz hinauf bis dahin, wo sich die Aisch in die Regnitz ergießt…"

Alte, aus der Karolingerzeit stammende, Orte des Steigerwaldrandes sind nach dem Autor Klarmann (1909) Bamberg, Viereth, Eltmann, Donnersdorf, Wonfurt, Castell, Iphofen, Höchstadt und Windsheim. Sie gehörten zum Volkfeld und zum Radenzgau.

Die günstige Lage über der Regnitz veranlasste erst die Herzogsfamilie der Hedenen (718) und dann die Babenberger (800) zum Bau einer Burg. Danach errichtete Kaiser Heinrich II. den Dom an dieser Stelle. In neuerer Zeit bezeichnete der Autor Scherzer in seinem Werk Franken Bamberg mit seiner Altenburg zum Steigerwald gehörig.

Geographie

Lage und Abgrenzung
Der Steigerwald liegt am vom Dreifrankenstein markierten Schnittpunkt der Regierungsbezirke Unter-, Mittel- und Oberfranken. Er befindet sich grob zwischen den Städten Bamberg, Schweinfurt, Würzburg und Nürnberg. Im Norden wird er durch den Lauf des Mains begrenzt, im Nordosten durch die Regnitz. Die Grenze im Südosten bildet die Aisch, im Südwesten eine Linie von Marktbreit über Uffenheim nach Bad Windsheim und im Westen wiederum der Main. Von Schweinfurt ist der gesamte Steigerwaldtrauf zu sehen, vom Bullenheimer Berg am südwestlichen Ende bis zu den Ausläufern am nordöstlichen Ende bei Sand am Main.

Das Gebiet erstreckt sich über sechs Landkreise, vom Norden im Uhrzeigersinn, Haßberge, Bamberg, Erlangen-Höchstadt, Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim, Kitzingen und Schweinfurt.

Der orographische Steigerwald, der neben dem eigentlichen Steigerwald auch sein Vorland umfasst, erstreckt sich südlich des Mittelmaintals bis zum Maindreieck und umfasst von West nach Ost die dem Steigerwaldtrauf vorgelagerten Gäulandschaften des Steigerwaldvorlands, die steil ansteigende Stufe des Steigerwaldtraufs und die nach Osten abfallende Steigerwaldhochfläche. Das Maintal im Norden, der Steigerwaldtrauf im Westen und die Windsheimer Bucht im Südwesten bilden eine deutlich wahrnehmbare Grenze zu den angrenzenden Landschaften. Die Süd- und Ostgrenze hingegen ist weniger auffällig. Hier fällt die nach Osten abfallende Hochfläche des Sandsteinkeupers allmählich ab und geht fließend in den angrenzenden Aischgrund und das Bamberger Main- und Regnitztal über.

Orte

Bekannte Orte im Steigerwald
 Neustadt an der Aisch
 Bad Windsheim
 Scheinfeld
 Uffenheim
 Geiselwind
 Ebrach
 Eltmann
 Höchstadt an der Aisch

Höchstgelegene Orte

Geologie

Geologisch gilt der Steigerwald als Typenlandschaft für die geologische Schicht des Keupers = Trias = Erdmittelalter. Die Region ist namensgebend für die Steigerwald-Formation, ein geologischer Begriff für eine spezielle Gesteinsschicht des Keupers, die in mehreren Bereichen Süddeutschland auftritt. Der Steigerwald findet seine geologische Fortsetzung im Keuperbergland, mit Hassbergen und Frankenhöhe.

Böden
Die Böden des Steigerwaldvorlands sind meist schwere, nährstoffreiche Gipskeuperböden. Zum Main nehmen sandig-kiesige, aus quartären Ablagerungen gebildete Böden zu. Teilweise sind auch Böden aus Löss anzutreffen. Die Keuper-Sandsteine und Gipskeuperschichten haben mäßig nährstoffreiche Böden herausgebildet. In kleinräumigem Wechsel finden sich sandige und tonig-mergelige Böden. Nach Osten, zum Regnitztal hin, nehmen magere, sandige Böden zu.

 Weinbauböden
Der Boden hat praktische Bedeutung für den Weinanbau im Westen, am Steigerwaldtrauf. Der wärmespeichernde Keuper (Mergel und Gips) rund um die Weinorte Handthal, Iphofen, Rödelsee, Wiesenbronn, Castell, Hüttenheim und Bullenheim gilt als die für den Steigerwaldwein typische Bodenkomponente im Charakter des Weingeschmacks (siehe: Frankenwein, Steigerwald).

Naturräumliche Gliederung
Der Steigerwald gliedert sich naturräumlich wie folgt:

 (zum Südwestdeutschen Stufenland)
 (zu 11 Fränkisches Keuper-Lias-Land)
 115 Steigerwald (1115,2 km²)
 115.0 Südlicher (Vorderer) Steigerwald
 115.1 Mittlerer Steigerwald
 115.2 Nördlicher Steigerwald

Naturräumliche Gegebenheiten

Das Steigerwaldvorland steigt vom Maintal bis zum Steigerwaldtrauf in mehreren Stufen an. Mit bis zu 250 Metern Höhenunterschied hebt sich der Steigerwald an seiner Westkante gegen sein Vorland und das Maintal ab. Dabei ist das Relief des Steigerwaldvorlands durch zahlreiche freigestellte Zeugenberge geprägt, die isoliert oder durch schmale Rücken mit dem Steigerwald verbunden in das Vorland hineinragen. Durch tief eingeschnittene, zum Main hin entwässernde Stirnbäche wird der Steigerwaldtrauf weiter aufgelöst. Der hohe Steigerwald ist durch seinen Trauf markant vom Vorland abgegrenzt. Als flach geneigte Abdachung fällt der Steigerwald von ca. 500 m bis auf ca. 300 m Höhe zum Regnitztal hin ab. Dabei ist die Oberfläche durch die Erosionstätigkeit der fächerartig nach Osten zur Regnitz hin entwässernden Bäche in einzelne Riedel aufgelöst. Der rhythmische Wechsel von Hochflächenanteilen (Riedelflächen) und eingeschnittenen Tälern nimmt nach Süden zugunsten der Talgründe stetig zu.

Berge

Die höchste Berg des Steigerwaldes ist mit 498,5 m ü. NHN der Scheinberg. Weitere bedeutende Berge sind z. B. der Euerberg, der zeitgleich auch die höchste Erhebung des Nordsteigerwaldes ist. Des Weiteren befinden sich im Steigerwald z. B. noch der Stollberg, Friedrichsberg und der Schwanberg.

Flüsse

Die ostwärts gerichteten Flussläufe des Steigerwaldes sind Relikte des sehr alten, ursprünglich auf die Donau ausgerichteten Entwässerungssystems. Sie reichten einst viel weiter nach Westen, wurden aber aufgrund der Zurückverlegung des Stufenrandes durch Erosionsvorgänge (sog. 'rheinische' Erosion) abgeschnitten. So konnten die breiten Passmulden ("geköpfte Täler") entstehen, über die bevorzugt die Durchgangswege angelegt wurden. Von diesen Steigen leitet sich schließlich der Name Steigerwald ab.

Bedingt durch den traufartigen Steilabfall der Westseite fließen die meisten größeren im Steigerwald entspringenden Fließgewässer in östliche bis südöstliche Richtung ab. Sie fließen in der Regel nicht direkt dem Main im Nordosten zu, sondern entweder der Regnitz im Osten oder deren Nebenfluss Aisch, der den Steigerwald im Südosten flankiert und eine natürliche Trennlinie zur Frankenhöhe bildet.

Raumstruktur und Kulturlandschaftscharakter

Grundlagen
Der Steigerwald und sein Vorland sind über den stark verzahnten Trauf eng miteinander eng verbunden. Charakteristisch für die westliche Abdachung, das Steigerwaldvorland und die Trauflagen ist – der natürlichen Gunst entsprechend – eine intensive landwirtschaftliche Nutzung. Aufgrund des abwechslungsreichen Reliefs sind der Steigerwaldtrauf und sein unmittelbares Vorland kleinteilig gegliedert. Dies spiegelt sich auch in einem kleinräumlichen Wechsel zwischen Acker- und Grünlandflächen sowie Streuobstwiesen wider, die ein abwechslungsreiches Erscheinungsbild bewirken. Als Besonderheit des Traufrandbereichs sind noch verbreitet Streuobstäcker anzutreffen (LEK Main-Rhön: 18). Charakteristisch für die besonnten Hänge des Steigerwaldtraufs ist auch der Weinbau. Auch der Obstanbau hat heute noch in weiten Teilen des Steigerwaldes eine landschaftsprägende Wirkung.

Landwirtschaft
Die Landwirtschaft hat im Bereich der östlichen Steigerwaldabdachung aufgrund der ungünstigeren Böden eine untergeordnete Bedeutung und diente historisch meist nur zur Selbstversorgung. Angebaut wurden vor allem Kartoffeln, Roggen und Hackfrüchte. Die oft wasserstauenden, tonig-lehmigen Böden der Tal- und Hanglagen werden bis heute als Grünland genutzt und dienen der Viehzucht. Als regionale Rinderrasse hat das Gelbe Frankenvieh (Scheinfelder Rasse) Bedeutung erlangt.

Fischzuchtlandschaften
Im Südosten des Steigerwaldes nimmt die Anzahl an Fischteichen zu. Ähnlich dem Aischgrund wurden auch im Steigerwald traditionell auf den wasserstauenden Böden Teiche und Teichketten zur Fischzucht (v. a. Karpfen) angelegt. Doch erreicht die Dichte der Teichanlagen im Steigerwald bei weitem nicht das Ausmaß wie im Aischgrund. Die Teichwirtschaft im Steigerwald findet heute noch im bäuerlichen Nebengewerbe statt.

Laubwälder
Die östliche Abdachung ist im Bereich des Hohen Steigerwalds durch ausgedehnte, wenig zerschnittene Laubwälder, insbesondere Buchenwälder gekennzeichnet. Nach Südosten hin nimmt die Bewaldung immer mehr ab. Charakteristisch ist dabei der Wechsel von kleinbäuerlich genutzten Flusstälern und waldbedeckten Riedeln, welche sich fingerförmig weit ins Land hineinstrecken. Durch den Wechsel von Wald und Offenland sind der Steigerwald und seine Abdachung durch eine hohe Strukturvielfalt geprägt.

Naturpark

Naturpark und bestehende Schutzgebiete

Seit 1988 gibt es den Naturpark Steigerwald, dessen Ausdehnung sich relativ eng an die Grenzen des namensgebenden Naturraums orientiert. Die in die Regierungsbezirke von Ober-, Unter- und Mittelfranken, sprich in die Landkreise Schweinfurt, Hassfurt, Bamberg, Kitzingen, Neustadt a.d. Aisch-Bad Windsheim und Erlangen-Höchstadt hineinreichende Naturparkfläche umfasst rund 1.280 km². Ca. 675 km² des Naturparks sind als Landschaftsschutzgebiet ausgewiesen. 512,7 km², was in etwa 40 % des Gebiets ausmacht, werden von Wald eingenommen. Mit Blick auf die Besitzverhältnisse verteilen sich die Waldflächen wie folgt: Staatswald 175,9 km², Bundeswald 0,8 km², Körperschaftswald 145,5 km² und Privatwald 190,4 km². In den Städten und Gemeinden des Naturparks wohnen ca. 79.700 Einwohner, das entspricht rund 62 Einwohner je km². Der Raum ist damit sehr dünn besiedelt. Der Naturpark Steigerwald wurde gegründet um Maßnahmen des Naturschutzes, insbesondere Schutz und Pflege der Pflanzen- und Tierwelt, durchzuführen und zu fördern, sowie die Vielfalt, Eigenart und Schönheit des Landschaftsbildes für die Allgemeinheit zu bewahren und schließlich die Erholung im Naturpark zu fördern. Rund die Hälfte des Naturparkbereichs ist durch Landschaftsschutzgebiete abgedeckt. Kleinräumiger gibt es mehrere Naturschutzgebiete.

Des Weiteren bestehen die FFH-Gebiete 6029-371 Buchenwälder und Wiesentäler des Nordsteigerwalds und 6327-371 Vorderer Steigerwald mit Schwanberg sowie die Europäischen Vogelschutzgebiete 6029-471 Oberer Steigerwald und 6327-471 Südlicher Steigerwald.

Schutzgebiete im Steigerwald
Am 29. Mai 2020 wurde bekanntgegeben, dass im nördlichen Bereich ein ca. 850 Hektar großer Naturwald ausgewiesen wird, das den Namen Knetzberge-Böhlgrund trägt.

Nationalpark- und Weltnaturerbe-Diskussion

In den verschiedenen Kreisen des Steigerwalds gab es immer wieder Überlegungen, Teile des Waldes aus der Nutzung zu nehmen und Schutzgebiete einzurichten. Seit 2008 gibt es Streit darüber, ob spezielle Flächen Nationalpark werden sollen oder nicht. Die Befürworter sehen darin einen Beitrag zum Naturschutz und hofften auf mehr Tourismus. Die Gegner fürchten unter anderem, dass die ausgewiesenen Bereiche forstwirtschaftlich nicht mehr nutzbar wären. Seit dem 15. Januar 2015 steht fest, dass der Steigerwald kein UNESCO-Weltnaturerbe mehr werden kann, weil der UNESCO-Nominierungsprozess beendet ist. Beim Treffen im bayerischen Regierungssitz mit Ministerpräsident Horst Seehofer, der bayerischen Umweltministerin Ulrike Scharf, Forstminister Helmut Brunner und den drei Landräten der Landkreise Schweinfurt (Florian Töpper), Haßberge (Wilhelm Schneider) und Bamberg (Johann Kalb) war das noch nicht bekannt. Das Ergebnis war damals, dass eine Arbeitsgruppe aus Vertretern der beiden Ministerien und der drei Landratsämter bis Ende Januar 2015 Grundlagen für die Bewerbung um einen der Welterbe-Titel erarbeiten soll.

Voraussetzung war laut Töpper die Einigkeit zwischen den Beteiligten, dass es keinen Nationalpark im Steigerwald geben soll. Laut Töpper will Seehofer bis Ende Januar 2014 dafür sorgen, dass eine vom Bamberger Landratsamt erlassene Verordnung für ein umstrittenes, 775 Hektar großes Waldschutzgebiet im Ebracher Forst zurückgenommen wird.

Das umstrittene Schutzgebiet wurde im September 2015 wegen Rechtswidrigkeit per Verordnung wieder zurückgenommen. Diese "Rechtswidrigkeit" wurde nun auch von der Regierung von Oberfranken festgestellt. Deshalb wurde zum 1. September 2015 die Aufhebung der Verordnung verfügt. Nach der Rechtsauffassung der Regierung von Oberfranken ist "die Verordnung des Landratsamtes Bamberg über den geschützten Landschaftsbestandteil Der hohe Buchene Wald im Ebracher Forst vom 16. April 2014 rechtswidrig, da die Verordnung nicht von der Ermächtigungsgrundlage des § 29 BNatSchG gedeckt ist." Die Regierung von Oberfranken schreibt weiter, dass "der Hohe Buchene Wald kein tauglicher Schutzgegenstand für einen geschützten Landschaftsbestandteil" ist. Er ist nach Auffassung der Regierung "kein aus der Landschaft herausgehobenes Objekt, wie das Gesetz es verlangt. Daher war die Verordnung aus Gründen der Rechtsstaatlichkeit und auch im Interesse der Rechtsklarheit und -sicherheit aufzuheben."

Laut einer repräsentativen Umfrage des Bund Naturschutz befürwortet eine deutliche Mehrheit von zwei Dritteln der Bewohner in der Region Steigerwald einen Nationalpark.

Flora

Der Steigerwald ist ein Naturpark und hat sich zu einem der wertvollsten deutschen Laubwaldgebiete entwickelt. Das belegt die Bewertung des Umweltministeriums, das den Steigerwald unter 24 Laubwaldgebieten in Deutschland auf Platz 5 setzte. Eine angedachte Ausweisung eines Teils des Steigerwalds zu Bayerns dritten Nationalpark wird seit Jahren heftig und kontrovers diskutiert.

Der Steigerwald ist nach dem Spessart das zweitgrößte Laubwaldgebiet Bayerns und besteht zu 70 % aus Buchen. Die Vegetation des Vorlandes ist geprägt durch intensive Landwirtschaft. Am Steigerwaldtrauf sind Obstkulturen und Weinberge charakteristisch (siehe: Weinbau). Die ursprüngliche Vegetation besteht hier überwiegend aus Eichen-Hainbuchenwäldern und an besonders exponierten Stellen vereinzelt aus wärmeliebenden Steppenheidewäldern. Auf den mageren Sandböden der östlichen Steigerwaldabdachung kommen auch lichte Kiefernwälder vor.

Fauna
Tiere wie der Biber, die Wildkatze und der Otter sind hier ebenso heimisch wie der Schwarzkäfer oder viele Waldschmetterlingsarten. In den Naturwaldreservaten und den Trittsteinen des Forstbetriebs Ebrach wurden darüber hinaus 436 verschiedene Pflanzen und Pilzarten entdeckt. Der Steigerwald wird wegen dieser hervorragenden Artenvielfalt als eines der herausragenden Naturgebiete Deutschlands bezeichnet.

Die kleinen Naturwaldreservate mit ihrem hohen Totholzanteil und ihrer natürlichen Dynamik bieten vielen bedrohten Waldtieren eine Heimat. Diese Reservate mit ihrem Mosaik aus Jung und Alt in den verschiedenen Waldgesellschaften bewirken die große Artenvielfalt im Nordsteigerwald.

Klima
Das Klima des Steigerwaldvorlandes ist, wie auch im angrenzenden Maintal, mild und mit ca. 650 mm Jahresniederschlag aufgrund der Staulage am Fuß des Steigerwaldtraufs vergleichsweise niederschlagsreich im Vergleich zu den westlich angrenzenden Gäulandschaften. Im Hohen Steigerwald sind Regenmengen von ca. 850 mm zu erwarten. Nach Osten nimmt der Niederschlag bis auf ca. 600 mm im Regnitztal ab. Durch kontinentale Einflüsse gibt es sehr warme Sommer und recht kalte Winter, wobei Schneemengen bis zu 25 cm ab circa 450 m über Normalnull keine Seltenheit sind und sich auch über einen längeren Zeitraum halten können.

 Niederschlag

vieljährige Mittelwerte 1981–2010

Kultur

Bierkultur
In der Region hat sich eine Bierbrautradition entwickelt. Eine Vielzahl kleiner Brauereien hat sich bis heute erhalten. Wie in vielen anderen Teilen Frankens finden sich daher als Kulturlandschaftselemente auch im Steigerwald zahlreiche Felsenkeller zur Aufbewahrung der regionalen Bierprodukte. Diese meist am Ortsrand gelegenen Bierkeller sind heute als Ausschank mit Essensausgabe gern besuchte Ausflugsziele.

 Bekannte Brauereien
 Brauerei Loscher
 Brauerei Hofmann

Weinbaukultur

Geschichte
Weinkennern ist der Steigerwald durch die Frankenweine bekannt, welche seit 918 im Westen der Region angebaut werden. Steigerwald liegt im Osten des Fränkischen Weinanbaugebietes und umfasst über 1.500 Hektar Rebfläche. Dazu zählt auch ein Abschnitt des Taubertales im Quellgebiet der Tauber bei Rothenburg. Als Bodentyp herrscht wärmespeichernder Gipskeuper vor. Schichten dieser Formation werden als "Steigen" (deshalb Steigerwald) benannt. Es handelt sich um die höchstgelegenen fränkischen Weinberge bis nahezu 400 Meter Seehöhe. Häufigste Sorten sind Müller-Thurgau mit 35 %, Silvaner und Bacchus. Der Bereich ist in die neun Großlagen Burgberg, Burgweg, Herrenberg, Kapellenberg, Schild, Schloßberg, Schloßstück, Steige und Zabelstein gegliedert. Alberich Degen (1625–1686) war Abt im Zisterzienserkloster Ebrach. Er soll im 17. Jahrhundert die ersten Silvanerreben aus Österreich nach Franken gebracht haben – ein bis heute besonderes Verdienst für den fränkischen Weinbau. Sein Grab befindet sich in der ehemaligen Klosterkirche in Ebrach.

Bekannte Weinberge
 Stollberg
 Herrschaftsberg
 Bullenheimer Berg
 Schwanberg
 Friedrichsberg
 Geisberg
 Kiliansberg
 Wachhügel
 Zabelstein
 Altenberg

Bekannte Weinorte
 Abtswind
 Castell
 Wiesenbronn
 Großlangheim
 Oberschwarzach
 Volkach
 Ippesheim
 Bullenheim
 Hüttenheim
 Handthal
 Gerolzhofen
 Castell
 Rödelsee
 Iphofen

Bocksbeutelstraße
Die Bocksbeutelstraße ist eine Ferienstraße in Weinfranken. Sie gehört zu den deutschen Weinstraßen und ist nach dem für Frankenwein typischen Behältnis Bocksbeutel benannt. Die Route besteht aus einem größeren Teil, der das Kernland des fränkischen Weingebiets erschließt, der Unterfränkischen Bocksbeutelstraße und der weit kleineren Mittelfränkischen Bocksbeutelstraße.

 Mittelfränkische Bocksbeutelstraße
Die Mittelfränkischen Bocksbeutelstraße liegt im Süden des Naturparks Steigerwald. Im östlichen Teil der Mittelfränkischen Bocksbeutelstraße schließt der Naturpark Frankenhöhe an, der ein Gebiet von ca. 1100 m² umfasst. Der größte Teil der Mittelfränkischen Bocksbeutelstraße liegt im Landkreis Neustadt a.d.Aisch-Bad Windsheim, lediglich die Rebflächen um Tauberzell und Rothenburg o.d.Tauber im Süden der Mittelfränkischen Bocksbeutelstraße gehören zum Landkreis Ansbach.

Der Silvaner, der schon im 17. Jahrhundert nach Franken kam, ist das Aushängeschild der Region. Er ist neben dem Müller-Thurgau die Hauptrebsorte an der Mittelfränkischen Bocksbeutelstraße. Insgesamt ist über 80 Prozent der Rebfläche in Franken mit Weißweinsorten besetzt, 26 % entfallen auf Müller-Thurgau, 24 % auf Silvaner und 12 % auf Bacchus.
Aber darüber hinwaus bringen die Winzer auch in kleineren Anbaumengen ein vielseitiges und spannendes Rebsortenspekturm hervor. In den letzten Jahren haben es zum Beispiel auch Chardonnay- oder Rieslingweine von der Mittelfränkischen Bocksbeutelstraße zu hohen Auszeichnungen gebracht.

Bauwerke

Museen

 Fränkisches Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim
 Murrmann-Museum in Geiselwind Ortsgeschichte, Post-, Feuerwehr- und Schulgeschichte, alte Handwerkstechniken, Einrichtungsgegenstände, Milchverarbeitung und Butterherstellung.
 Museum Kaulfuss in Abtswind Firmenmuseum des Abtswinder Kräuter-Gewürz-Teeladens. Anbau und Verarbeitung der verschiedenen Gewürz- und Heilpflanzen, Tee- und Kaffeesorten. Sammlung von Samowaren.
 Archäologie-Museum im Fränkischen Freilandmuseum Bad Windsheim
 Archäologisches Fenster Bad Windsheim
 Reichsstadtmuseum im Ochsenhof reichhaltiges Heimatmuseum mit jährlich wechselnden Sonderausstellungen.
 Fahrradmuseum Hüttenheim In einer umgebauten Scheune werden auf zwei Stockwerken Fahrräder und Zubehör aus der fast 200-jährigen Geschichte des  Fahrrads gezeigt.
 Heimat- und Handwerkermuseum in Ippesheim Werkzeuge, Gerätschaften und Gebrauchsgegenstände aus der Welt von Handwerk, Weinbau und Landwirtschaft.
 "Ippsi" im Museumsraum in Ippesheim Prähistorische Sammlung und Informationen zu Funden aus der Gegend um Ippesheim.

Aussichtspunkte
 Aussichtspunkt Glößberg
 Aussichtspunkt Zabelstein
 Aussichtsturm Iffigheimer Berg
 Aussichtsturm Bullenheim
 Aussichtsplateau auf dem Weigenheimer Kapellberg
 Seinsheimer Aussichtskanzel
 Aussichtsturm Nenzenheim
 Aussichtsplattform am Hüttenheimer Tannenberg
 Aussichtsturm Baumwipfelpfad Steigerwald

Wirtschaft und Infrastruktur

Tourismus

Allgemeines
Die Region Steigerwald als politischer und touristischer Handlungsraum greift deutlich über die Grenzen des Naturparks Steigerwald hinaus. Wie der Naturpark so hat auch die Region Steigerwald Gebietsanteile in Unter-, Ober- und Mittelfranken bzw. in den Landkreisen Schweinfurt, Hassfurt, Bamberg, Kitzingen, Neustadt a.d. Aisch-Bad Windsheim und Erlangen-Höchstadt. Grundlage für die Abgrenzung der Region Steigerwald bildeten letztlich die Orte, die im Tourismusverband Steigerwald e.V. organisiert sind.

2013 wurde das Netzwerk Steigerwald als ein Leader-Kooperationsprojekt gegründet, mit dem Ziel, Informationen, Aktivitäten und Projekte in der Region zu bündeln, die interne und externe Kommunikation zu fördern, den Informationsaustausch und die Kooperationen der Akteure zu verstärken und zur Imagebildung der Region beizutragen.

Statistik

Wichtige Tourismusorte

Wanderwege

Steigerwald-Zentrum
Das Steigerwald-Zentrum soll Nachhaltigkeit und Waldbewirtschaftung erlebbar machen. Der damalige bayerische Forstminister Helmut Brunner beschrieb die Zielsetzung des Zentrums folgendermaßen: "Dieses bundesweite Vorzeigeprojekt zur nachhaltigen und umweltschonenden Waldbewirtschaftung werden wir weiter gemeinsam mit den Bürgerinnen und Bürgern im Steigerwald entwickeln und auf die Beine stellen". Die Errichtung des Zentrums in Handthal wurde 2011 vom Bayerischen Kabinett beschlossen, der Spatenstich für den Bau erfolgte im September 2012. Die regionale Beteiligung und der zukünftige Unterhalt und Betrieb des Steigerwald-Zentrums erfolgt durch einen Trägerverein. Dieser setzt sich aus Landkreisen, Gemeinden, der Bayerischen Forstverwaltung und den Bayerischen Staatsforsten zusammen und wird durch einen Beirat unterstützt.

Baumwipfelpfad Ebrach
Der am 19. März 2016 eröffnete Baumwipfelpfad verläuft auf einer Länge von 1152 m und in einer Höhe über Grund von durchschnittlich 26 m durchgehend barrierefrei. Nach etwa zwei Dritteln des Pfades erreicht man einen sich nach oben öffnenden kelchförmigen, überwiegend aus Holz errichteten Aussichtsturm. Der Pfad an der Außenseite des Turms ermöglicht es, barrierefrei den kreisförmigen Umgang auf oberster Ebene zu erreichen, auf dem man einen Rundumblick über die waldreiche Landschaft des Steigerwaldes hat.

Verkehr

Verkehrstechnisch erschlossen ist der Steigerwald durch die A 70 im Norden, die A 7 im Westen und die A 73 im Osten. Quer durch Gebirge und Naturpark verlaufen die A 3, Hauptverkehrsverbindung zwischen Frankfurt am Main, Würzburg und Nürnberg, die Bundesstraßen 22, 286 und die 8.

Die Bahnstrecke Fürth–Würzburg quert den Steigerwald von Ost nach West. Die Obere Steigerwaldbahn führt aus Osten von Frensdorf in den Steigerwald hinein und endet in Schlüsselfeld. Die Untere Steigerwaldbahn führt von Schweinfurt entlang des Steigerwaldvorlandes nach Kitzingen; sie wurde stillgelegt, eine Reaktivierung wird derzeit diskutiert und geprüft.

Als Touristenroute durchquert die Steigerwald-Höhenstraße den Steigerwald in Nord-Süd-Richtung.

Siehe auch
 Liste der Mittelgebirge in Deutschland
 Liste der Gebirge und Höhenzüge in Deutschland

Literatur
 Irene Reif: Rhapsodie in grün. Der Steigerwald. In: Franken – meine Liebe. Oberfränkische Verlagsanstalt, Hof 1989, ISBN 3-921615-91-7, S. 64 f.

Filmdokumentation
 Wildes Deutschland: Spessart und Steigerwald. Deutsche TV-Dokumentation (2015) von Marion Pöllmann, 44 Minuten.

Weblinks

 Tourist-Information Steigerwald
 ErlebnisRegion Steigerwald

Einzelnachweise und Anmerkungen

Region in Europa
Region in Bayern
Waldgebiet in Europa
Waldgebiet in Bayern
Geographie (Landkreis Bamberg)
Geographie (Landkreis Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim)
Geographie (Landkreis Erlangen-Höchstadt)
Geographie (Landkreis Haßberge)
Geographie (Landkreis Kitzingen)
Geographie (Landkreis Schweinfurt)
! Steigerwald
Fränkische Landschaft
Mittelgebirge

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Cate Blanchett lines up Thor: Ragnarok lead role? Plus awesome Thor Vs The Vision deleted scene from Age of Ultron
So far there's not an awful lot to report on this one…
But it seems that FTN favourite Cate Blanchett is in talks with Marvel for a secret lead role in the upcoming MCU Thor: Ragnarok, reports Variety.
It would be the Lord of the Rings' actress' first foray into comic book movies and, frankly, it's been a long time coming.
Taika Waiti will direct the third Thor movie with Chris Hemsworth returning as Thor himself and Stephany Folsom was the latest script writer to work on th movie. We also know that Hulk – Mark Ruffalo – will play a big role in the trilogy closer.
And, speaking of Thor…
Check out this pretty cool fight scene that was cut from Avengers: Age of Ultron between Thor and The Vision – we love it and it's interesting to see where it would have fitted into the movie. A little note, the SFX are far from finish here.
Tags: age of ultron, avengers, cate blanchett, ragnarok, the vision, Thor


As the assistant director for international admissions, my primary role is to assist all international students; including IEP, freshman, transfer, returning, visiting and graduate applicants, seeking admission at Southeast Missouri State University. I constantly review all aspects of the admission process to ensure a consistent, systematic and feasible approach for all prospective students.
At 18, I came to U.S. in 2006 from Mumbai, India to pursue my undergraduate studies in Music Industry and Audio Production at State University of New York, College at Oneonta. At the end of my program in 2010, I had the wonderful opportunity to intern and work at MTV Networks in New York City, first as music and talent intern and then as production assistant with MTV Iggy. After this glorious experience, in 2011, I moved to Cape Girardeau, MO in pursuits of continuing my higher education in the Master of Business Administration degree specializing in General management.
During the course of my study, I was fortunate to participate in two study abroad programs with the International Business Program, one to London and Paris during Spring break 2012 and the other a semester long trip for a dual degree exchange program to Schmalkalden, Germany where I earned another graduate degree- Master of Arts in International Business and Economics. I am extremely thankful to Southeast which gave me these incredible opportunities. But my connection with Southeast did not end upon graduating in 2013. I was very excited to apply for and secure the position of International Student Counselor at the Office of International Education and Services, within three months of graduating. A year later, I changed roles and assumed the position of the Assistant Director for International Admissions, the capacity in which I serve presently.
Passion! Each day I interact with and learn from very motivated individuals. These include my coworkers within my department and colleagues across campus. I also admire the eagerness and anticipation each prospective students brings, as they embark on a leap of faith in their quest for knowledge. And last but not the least, working for an institution that truly represents the 'Will to do'. These daily experiences sparks my momentum and motivates me in turn to positively impact others experiences.
Shop, visit with friends, participate in the Catholic Campus Ministry (CCM) events at the Newman center on campus and play the piano and sing.
I was born without my right leg below the knee and so I wear a prosthetic leg which makes me VERY COOL!
Antarctica! This is not a destination that is on top of the list for most people which makes it very attractive to me and the mysterious nature of this virtually uninhabited land/ice mass truly intrigues my curiosity. Madagascar is a close second.
Travel during breaks, go on a mission trip and Study Abroad at least once! Trust me, you will NEVER regret it!


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I started out with Service Transport, hauling tankers. I did that about 5 months OTR. Loved it. Drove for Macro for a little while hauling fuel. I love my family, and hunting and fishing!
Has anyone heard of maven logistics??
So I am on my last two days with my trainer, who has been a driver for almost 30 years. And I am his 3rd trainee. He is not very good at instructing. More like fussing. Which is all fine.I was military and law enforcement, I can take it. He knows I drove before and is just adjusting my shifting since I was spoiled by an automatic at my first job. Well he leads a odd schedule. I wont go into all the number and times but we go from driving from early in the morning, unload, and then spent all day waiting for a load. I can't just shut it down and sleep while he's got the tv blaring. He takes a nap and wants me to drive all night until early in the morning. I told him as of now my clock is not ready for that, after have been awake since 0300 this morning. I know my body. I know that I get drowsy around 2300. I told him I understand how driving at night is prime for trucking. But when I drove before I worked myself up to it, and eventually was fine. So now there's this awkward tension. Was I wrong for telling him no? We also got in a argument, where he wanted me to do a rolling stop through a intersection, in order to beat on coming traffic. When I stopped he yelled " I told you to go! You can do a rolling stop!" My response was, that's not a legal thing! He said it was. I said well good. You do that, I won't.
Being made to take that time off might not be all that bad. My plant shuts down from the 25th-28th and we won't be accepting or receiving any shipments in that time. If you were out with your trainer, you could likely end up sitting for the week anyways... better to do that at home.
You are right. But I would be Sid to sit. Where as the week I was off was nice, but I didn't get a paycheck. But my trainer did.
Here's a question. I hear over and over again, about this driver shortage. But Every truck stop is slam full! Trucks stacked up in there! If we ever get out of this "shortage" where will we park??
You mean I shouldn't wear my bunny slippers and PJs?!?
Hell, time and a place! Lol you sitting in your truck listening to "convoy" or walking to get a shower? Rock them.
Here's a pet peeve of mine. And I know everyone's different. If you show up to a shipper or receiver, why don't you try and look like you are ready to work? What ever happened to looking capable, competent and professional? Take pride in your appearance at least a little and maybe if we did that the trucking industry wouldn't be so looked down upon.
Great update Big Holli. Have you seen any of their International Lonestar veteran truck's? I've only had a chance to see one in person and it sure was sharp.
I have not seen one yet.
Well I did my one week of orientation, followed by a week of load securement. Today is my first day with a trainer. We are taking a load to Dallas. I am liking the company as a whole. I hopefully will be able to test out early instead of doing a full 4 weeks with a trainer. So far my biggest issue is that if my trainer takes a week off for Christmas, I Will be forced to sit at home and will not be paid. And missing an entire week of pay for something that is out of my control. Will really bite. But other then that, the company seems very professional. They are a very strict company. Cameras inside and out the trucks. The equipment seems very will maintained. I already have some OTR experience so I am ready to get out there on my own.
Alright. So here it goes. They gave me a rental car to get from Lafayette La, to Gardendale Alabama. The hotel is nice. But you have to share a room. The shuttle picks you up at 0630. They provide a nice lunch and dinner. My first day so far has consisted of a rather in depth agility test. Drug test and what not. And then I had to do a road test. One thing I did not know, was that they are not a majority automatic company as I was told. And I was very rusty on my 10 speed skills. My backing was good to go. ( guess I didn't forget it all). I will update as I go.
Well. Luckily I get to be home for thanksgiving! I roll out Sunday for 10days orientation with Boyd Brothers! I will be making a post of how it goes, since I have not seen to much recent information about them. Excited to get going again!
Since I will be upgrading to my own truck very soon I would like to revisit a question I asked months ago before I started CDL training (and I was told I was being silly for asking and that I was putting the horse before the cart (I guess the commenter didn't know my determination and drive 😁)).
My question is this: what do you wish you had on your very first truck that you didn't have? Anything and everything you can think of. I will be going home for Thanksgiving and can hit some good sales while I'm there.
Honestly, extra cushion for the mattress. A crock pot, refrigerator, and one of those small handheld vacuums. And on those resets, I always told my wife, " dang, I wish I would have put a tv in here."
Its looking like Boyd Brothers is giving me a shot to get back on the road. I have a accident on my record from 2016. And I have not drove in almost a year. So that has made companies hard to find. Any one have any experience with this company? But I have 6 months tanker OTR that is my saving grace.
Possibly getting back into it.
I'm not one of the moderators here at TT, but I used to drive, and now trying to get back into it. Anyway, I don't know how old your kids are but if they are young, as mine were when I did trucking before, then see if you can get a local company to hire you and you'll be home every night. Now that said, you will have many other challenges seeing you have been away for a while. Most will want a recent certificate of school and OTR experience. What I'm trying to say is there are so many opportunities out there. You have to make the choice of OTR or Regional or Local. Some regional will have you home every second or every third night. But it will be at least every weekend. This will also depend on the company. But your heart has to be dedicated to trucking. The grass is NOT always greener some where else. This is something you and you alone have to make.
Thank you! It does help. Weighing all options.
Anyone actively working for TMC? If so how do you like it? What are some of the pros and cons? I am waiting for my application to get approved.
I drove 5 months, for Service transport hauling tankers OTR. I loved it! Not the company, the company sucked. But I saw so much of this beautiful country. I also drove a little for macro, hauling fuel through Houston. The only downside was leaving my wife and kids behind. So an opportunity came up for me to join my parishes' sheriff office. Which doing law enforcement has always been a dream of mine. I did that for about a year, Its great. It has its ups and downs. But my big problem with it is the stress, and how nit-picky with reports, and dealing with so many people. I do the job well. And I am good at it. But more and more I find myself missing the road. My wife said trucking was a good fit for me. But we are struggling with the idea of leaving again. I am looking into TMC since I have quite a few friends who drive, and they love the money and the weekends home. I kind of miss just having a regular job, and not the stress of mentally bringing work home. What do yall think, any advice?
Oh I will get lay over pay. I asked if this load required in trans-heat, They said no, and that the receiver would re-heat it when I got there. I just really hope that when I drive all the way back there from getting it heated, that they off load me so I can head on back to the house.
Well. Left Thursday at 1800 from Freeport TX. With a load that I was told was scheduled at 0500 on the 2nd. I found it odd but I am new and didn't question the odd appointment time. So I got there this morning. And the security guard didn't have me on the list until the 4th! I called dispatch and they tried to tell me that I got the wrong date. I told them all of the shipping papers and everything say the 2nd. I was also told that when I get there they would re-heat the product in my tanker back to 200 degrees so they can off load. The reciver then tells me it's my responsibility to get it steamed back up to temp. And the only place my company has an account don't open till Monday morning. So I am sitting around until then in West Virginia.
I drive team. Double bunks. We have a little fridge. Planning on putting a tv in.
Alright we are still broke down in Winchester Virginia. Going to be spending a 3rd night. There is some major electrical recall. And we need a part that no one can find. And that electrical issue is making my air horn not work. Will DOT give me a ticket for a broke air horn? My city horn works. Safety is saying DOT will not give a ticket for that. But when I had my last inspection, the DOT trooper specifically asked for me to honk both horns.


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July 2022 Italian Wine Club- Welcome to Calabria
In June we landed in Lombardy, at the north most edge of Italy's massive Apennine Mountains. This month we are following the range's progress some 870 miles south, down the spine of the entire peninsula, to where it comes to a stop in Calabria. The southernmost region in mainland Italy, less than two nautical miles from Sicily, and the sharp tip of Italy's boot, Calabria is rugged, ancient and complex. It encompasses mountains and alpine forests in the interior and gorgeous beaches and dramatic sea cliffs crowned by psychedelic rock formations along the coast. It is home to the Reggio Calabria National Museum, one of Italy's most famous, which documents one of the longest continuous human presence on the peninsula, dating back some 30,000 years. And the region's winemaking tradition is only slightly more recent: by the time the Greeks showed up around the 7th and 8th centuries BC, the local oeno scene was already vibrant enough for them to dub the place Enotria or, "land of wine." The Greeks then brought over their own vines, and the Romans who followed helped to graft viticulture into regional farming activities. Wine has thus been part of every local crop grower's daily ritual for millenia, and today Calabria has over 250 indigenous grape varietals thriving on specific soils in diverse microclimates - the most notable being Gaglioppo, Magliocco, Magliocco Canino, Greco Nero, Nerello Cappuccio, Nocera for the reds and Greco Bianco, Guarnaccia, Insolia, Montonico for the whites.
And yet, Calabria is still relatively isolated and remote, the most rural and least industrial part of Italy, responsible for less commercially produced wine than almost any other region. This is due partly to geography - the rough coastline and mountainous interior made it difficult for mass industry to take hold - and also the lamentable history of poverty, corruption and resultant population drain Calabria shares with other areas of the Italian South. Presently, there are about 11,000 hectares of vineyards in Calabria, with 12 DOCs, mostly concentrated in the provinces of Crotone, Cosenza, Catanzaro, and Reggio Calabria. The most well-known and regarded Calabrian wines are reds from the Cirò DOC, located in eastern foothills of the La Sila plateau and out to the Ionian coast, which must consist of at least 80% Gagglioppo. Perhaps the oldest extant wine in Italy, Cirò (then known as Krimisa) is said to have been used as a celebration toast by Calabrian athletes in the early Olympics.
In general, Calabrian wines have the reputation of underachievers, rarely living up to the potential of the soil from which they spring. As with other parts of the winemaking world, this is changing, slowly but surely, as local vintners young and old choose to focus on small yields, sustainable farming practices, and the preservation of the specifically local viticultural identity that has survived here for so long. The white is a Greco Bianco from Casa Comerci, a family winery farming organically in the Vibo Valentia province, underneath Mount Poro, and in sight of Sicily and the Aeolian Islands. The red is a blend of 70% Gaglioppo,15% Malvasia Nera and 15% Greco Nero from Du Cropio, one of the great wineries in Cirò, and is certified organic as well.
Alan Hicks -Wine Buyer - Noe Valley
Casa Comerci Refulu-Greco Bianco 2021
Region: Limbadi, Vibo Valentia, Calabria, Italy
About the Winery: Francesco Comerci founded Casa Comerci in 1880, passing it on to his daughters Michelina and especially Rosina, the latter of whom married Domenicoantonio Silipo, the local cooper. Together they had seven children. The youngest, Salvatore, born a few months before her husband's death, became a lawyer in Emilia Romagna, but returned for every harvest. In the early 2000s, Salvatore's son, Domenicoantonio, decided to rebuild the company, building a new wine cellar and purchasing another 15 hectares of land, in addition to replanting new plants of Magliocco Canino in the historic 2 hectare vineyard located just below the cellar. The vineyards planted to Magliocco Canico and Greco Bianco are cultivated organically on sandy soils. In the cellar the vinification is spontaneous with the only indigenous yeasts. Today, Casa Comerci covers an area of 30 hectares, in which, vineyards occupy 15 hectares, and the remaining space is dedicated to an olive grove.
About the Winemaking: Rèfulu (which in Calabrian dialect means "sigh of the wind") is 100% Greco Bianco grapes that come from vineyards grown organically on sandy and silty soils. Crushing and destemming and soft pressing and subsequent fermentation at a controlled temperature of 21 ° C conducted by the yeasts naturally present on the grapes. Maturation in stainless steel for about 8 months and refinement in bottle for 2 months.
Tasting Notes: Attractive aromatics characterized by yellow flowers, honey, herbs, sage, rosemary and yellow citrus fruits. Fairly rich in the mouth, with great balance between acidity, minerality and body.
Winemakers: Rosa Comerci
Price per bottle / Price per case
$26 $280.8
Suggested Food Pairing:
grilled swordfish, shellfish;
fried anchovies;
eggplant grilled marinated with garlic and mint;
fresh pecorino cheese.
Du Cropio Serre Sanguigna Calabria Rosso 2016
Region: Ciro Marina, Calabria, Italy
About the Winery: Giuseppe Ippolito is considered the father of nouvelle vogue Calabrian wines. Du Cropio in local dialect means "doctor of agronomy" and reflects the fact that the Ippolito family has long been involved in the growing of regional grapes. His estate lies on the hilly slopes of Ciro' Marina, facing the Ionian Sea, in the province of Crotone. 30 hectares planted only with the red varietals: Gaglioppo, Malvasia Nera and Greco Nero. The soil, a mix of clay and limestone, is poor but has excellent drainage, reinforced by the steeply sloped hillside vineyards. The conditions are ideal for producing small crops of highly concentrated fruit. Giuseppe produces only three reds: Serra Sanguigna (Calabria Rosso), Dom Giuva' (Ciro') and Damis (Ciro' Riserva).
Serra Sanguigna is the name of a prime zone in the interior of the Ciro appellation that is not only particularly beautiful but is responsible for producing classic wines of the appellation. The hillside vineyards are planted to a mix of Gaglioppo, Malvasia Nera and Greco Nero and from there, on a clear day, one can see the entire Gulf of Taranto to the north and the Capocolonna promontory to the south.
About the Winemaking: The vineyards are cultivated with organic principles, even using horses to plow through the rows of vines. The "Serra Sanguigna'' is generally composed of 70% Gaglioppo, 15% Malvasia Nera and 15% Greco Nero. Harvested manually from 35-40-year-old vines usually in early October. After sorting, destemming, and crushing, the wine ferments with cultured yeasts in stainless-steel tanks and spends 7-8 on lees and 15-20 months in neutral botti. The wines are not filtered or fined to preserve the integrity of the fruits.
Tasting Notes: Serra Sanguigna is the name of a prime zone in the interior of the Cirò appellation that is not only particularly beautiful but is responsible for producing classic wines of the appellation. It is the most rustic wine of the estate marked by a powerful plum-infused fruit, robust in weight, deep ruby in color, and surprisingly lithe on the palate. An age-worthy wine, 2016 is the current vintage.
Winemaker: Giuseppe Ippolito
Grilled pork chops;
lasagna with meatballs and ricotta,
wild boar Calabria-style;
Fileja Tropeana (see recipe)
Fileja Tropeana: This is a great, hearty and versatile Calabrian pasta featuring Cipolla rossa di Tropea, the sweet red onion that is perhaps the region's most famous agricultural export, and Fileja, a Calabrian pasta, similar to Fusilli, but more elongated. (Fusilli will totally work in a pinch though.) You can keep it vegetarian (and add dried porcini mushrooms if you like – just make sure to soak them for 20-30 minutes in warm water first) or make it with Italian sausage like Sopressata or Nduja (a spicy Calabrian pork sausage). Calabrians tend to like their food pretty spicy but if you prefer it with less heat, feel free to choose a milder sausage or use less peperoncino.
350 g fileja (12oz) or fusilli 30 g Parmigiano Reggiano (1oz) grated
3 zucchini 1/2 Tropea onion peeled and finely sliced
1-2 eggplants 8-10 cherry tomatoes cut in half
3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil salt for the pasta and to taste
1 handful basil leaves chopped 1/2 red chili (peperoncino) chopped (or 1 tsp dried flakes)
Wash and trim the zucchini and eggplant and cut into small chunks. Peel and finely chop the onion. Wash and cut the cherry tomatoes in half. If using, remove the seeds from the peperoncino and cut into very small pieces.
Put a pot of water on to boil for the pasta. Add salt when it starts to boil and bring to the boil again.
In a frying pan or skillet, fry the finely sliced onion in the olive oil.
Add the zucchini and the eggplant and sauté over medium heat until they start to soften slightly.
Add the cherry tomato halves and the finely chopped chili. Continue to cook for 5-10 minutes. The vegetables should remain crunchy.
Finally add the handful of chopped basil.
Cook the fileja al dente according to the instructions on the packet in the boiling salted water. When the pasta is ready save some of the cooking water, drain the pasta and add to the pan with the sauce.
Stir the pasta and sauce together on the stove with some tablespoons of cooking water from the pasta and grated Parmigiano cheese.
Serve hot with extra grated Parmigiano as required.
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The world-renowned International Yoga Festival is jointly organized each year by Parmarth Niketan Ashram, the Ministry of Tourism, and the Ministry of AYUSH in Rishikesh, India, the yoga capital of the world. Since 1999, Parmarth Niketan has been hosting this world famous event, which has grown to international acclaim and which grows in size year after year. What began as a handful of participants soon grew into the festival that IYF is today, with thousands of people coming from all over the world. In 2018, more than 2000 people from participated from 100 nations around the world!
In celebration of the Kumbh and International Yoga Festival's 30th year anniversary, join us as we bring the world-renowned to the banks of Sangam!
Yogacharyas, teachers, students and seekers from around the world will join together in this wonderful program celebrating yoga. Offerings will include Ashtanga Yoga, Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, and Vinyasa Yoga, as well as many other offerings throughout the week. There will be classes in meditation, mudras, Sanskrit chanting, Indian philosophy and much more.
Further, as this IYF is being held in the midst of the most sacred Kumbh Mela, participants will be inspired in the presence of revered spiritual leaders from India and abroad and have the opportunity to hear their divine spiritual discourses.