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A Family Jungle Holiday In Pench National Park
Are you in search of finding joy in the forests that inspired Rudyard Kipling's Mowgli?
Pench Tiger Reserve looks different on every trip. The sun is elevated in the sky and the trees are bright green in shade. After a tranquil start, the forest seems to be coming to life again. Suddenly, the air is filled with langur cries. We get seated in our jeep and listen carefully. Then, just as quickly as they'd started, they'd started, the cries fade away.
When we had done Pench National Park Safari booking, we remember our guide and naturalist had said, "Each day that I see or hear anything new—whether it's tree, animal, bird or an insect, I am happy. However, I'm not. Our wish to set eyes on the 'king of the jungle' in Pench Tiger Reserve had pulled us out of bed at early morning hours, and back again post-lunch"
As we're still dealing with the distress of the tiger that wasn't spotted yet, the guide in the jeep in front of us summons. There's a leopard lying amid two rocks. The greenery is dense, the camouflage almost picture-perfect. The leopard's spots merge with sunlight-kissed leaves. We gaze at the leopard and it stares back at us. After sometime, it sluggishly stretches and yawns. It's our second day in Pench National Park in the glorious state of Madhya Pradesh and we've been fortunate to play a part of the first leopard sighting activity of the season. Later, we hear that leopards are more difficult to spot than tigers.
There are ten of us who had done booking for Pench National Park Safari: my parents, husband and kids, as well as my brother's family. As main vacation planner for the team, my task is always phenomenal. Satisfying so many family members across three generations is challenging. This time, although, I had seized independent power, ignoring vacation requests for quite beaches, exotic food trails, snow-cladded hill stations, and yes, most certainly, shopping malls. It's going to be a "wildlife holiday vacation" at Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh wins for its convenient access from Mumbai. All of us are booked into one of the finest Pench National Park Tour Packages, which must provide some comfort, in case the jungle fails to excite them.
Surprisingly, within two days we had tripped into a rhythm that feels natural. Rolled up in warm clothes, reinvigorated with home-baked cookies and refreshed with hot chocolate and strong coffee, we head to our open-air safari jeeps that were inclusive in our Pench National Park Tour Packages. Our guide recaps us to leave back all electronic gadgets at the resort in Pench. The rules of the wildlife safari are clear: cell phones and iPods are strictly not permitted in the national park.
Pench Tiger Reserve, recently retitled as Indira Priyadarshini National Park is located at the base of the Satpura Hills in southern-most part of Madhya Pradesh. Some parts of the reserve falls in Maharashtra (Nagpur city is only 90 km to the south)
Air- Nagpur airport is the nearest airport, about 101 km away from Pench National Park. Direct flights are accessible from major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi and Kolkata.
Rail- Nagpur Junction is the closest railway station, around 90 km away.
Road- Pench is about 1,150 km from Delhi and 950 km from Mumbai. Road quality varies extensively throughout the year. Road trip suggested only to passionate drivers.
Winter (Oct- Mid March) offers the finest experience at Pench in terms of climatic condition. Days are quite pleasant, while evenings and early mornings are chilled. Summers (April-June) are scorching hot, but the possibility of spotting tigers is greater than the rest of the year. This is also the Indian Spotted Deer rutting season, when stags shed their horns to grow new ones.
Pench National Park is closed during the monsoon season (Jul-Sep). Also closed on Wednesdays and festivals like Republic Day and Holi.
Beyond The Safaris:
www.Book-My-Safai.com organizes night safari to spot nocturnal wild animals like Hyenas, Wolves, Civet cats etc (You need to enquire and book in advance). They also rent bicycles and quad bikes. Explore the boundary of the Pench by renting a car or following tracks on foot. Visit the nearby Pachdhar pottery village, or spend a silent evening at Kohka Lake. Places like Mahua Vann also offer spa facilities. Many Pench resorts have libraries, swimming pools, gyms and indoor recreation centers with badminton, carom, table tennis and other activities.
Inside View:
The favorite character of the jungle boy "Mowgli", created in Pench National Park, although his maker Rudyard Kipling never really visited the park himself. It is believed that a 19th century British official inscribed in a journal sent to the Queen, about a "wolf-boy" he discovered in the jungle. Kipling later read this secret journal, which encouraged him to write The Jungle Book.
Bring The Kids:
In addition to the safaris, most Pench resorts have play areas and activities to keep children engaged. Most areas have no extra charge for kids below six.
Pench Safari Booking: Call Us on +918355988158 OR To Get More Information, Click Here


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Q: Loading XAML into a control at runtime and using the control's resources There's quite a few questions about loading XAML at runtime here,
but as far I can tell this is not a duplicate.
I'm loading XAML into a control at runtime:
<ContentControl Content="{Binding Layout.View, Converter={StaticResource StringToXamlConverter}}"/>

The converter is rather simple:
public object Convert(object value, Type targetType, object parameter, System.Globalization.CultureInfo culture)
{
    string xaml;
    if (value != null)
    {
        xaml = value.ToString();
    }
    else
    {
        xaml = Settings.Default.DefaultLayoutView;
    }

    var root = XamlReader.Parse(xaml);
    return root;
}

Now, in the XAML that is being loaded, I need to make use of ValueConverters.
The converters are defined as resources of the Window in to which the XAML is loaded. For example:
<c:BooleanToVisibilityValueConverter x:Key="BooleanToVisibilityConverter"/>

Of course, the XamlReader.Parse() method throws an exception if I try to use this resource as at the time of reading it is not available.
Visibility="{Binding Layout.TextItem1.IsEnabled, Converter={StaticResource BooleanToVisibilityConverter}}"

Is there a way to get around this?
Perhaps a way to tell the XamlReader to ignore this?
Or an alternative to ValueConverters that might work in this situation?
Please note, using a DynamicResource does not work either. They cannot be used for ValueConverters.

A: UPDATED
OK, You are right, dynamic resources will not work. I have come up with two solutions, and the best part is, I have tested and both will actually work.
Choice 1: Define the static resource in the application resources app.xaml
Choice 2: Do not use a static resource for the converter, just create the converter in the xaml. Sorry for not going off the xaml you were using, but you'll get the idea:
<Button>
    <Button.Visibility>
        <Binding Path="Tag" RelativeSource="{RelativeSource Mode=Self}">
            <Binding.Converter>
                <controls:BooleanToVisibilityConverter />
            </Binding.Converter>
        </Binding>
    </Button.Visibility>

    <Button.Tag>
        <sys:Boolean>True</sys:Boolean>
    </Button.Tag>
</Button>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Alchemy Fine Art Restorer's owner has entered one of the world's most prestigious art competitions. Kate Wood is an official entry for the 2017 Luxembourg Art Prize.
Three of Kate's recent oil paintings: Tea-ism, Waiting Lafayette Station, and The Spotted Cat were selected as entries. Tea-ism is available for viewing here.
The winner of the 2017 Luxembourg Prize will receive an award of 25,000 euros (about US$27,500) to fund the production of further work and an individual exhibition at Galerie Hervé Lancelin in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The finalist artists will be included in a group exhibition in the gallery.
In her submission for entry into the Luxembourg Prize, Kate Wood cited master artists Frans Hals (1580-1666) and Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675) as influences on her painting style. She added that capturing scenes from every day life when the subjects are not posing for a portrait, appeals to her as an artist. She also discussed her own evolution and education as an artist, from her early abstracts to her current photo-realism style.
Unlike other prizes or art salons, the Luxembourg Art Prize is designed to boost the artist's career by exhibiting their work in an international gallery with a high level of visibility. Hervé Lancelin has been an art enthusiast for nearly 50 years. He is a member of ADIAF, a prestigious association of major European collectors. He has been a member of the selection committee for the Marcel Duchamp Prize in collaboration with the Centre Pompidou in Paris and has been a trustee of the Amis du Musée d'Art Moderne, d'Art Contemporain et d'Art Brut (Friends of the Museum of Modern, Contemporary and Outsider Art) in Lille for several years.
Conservator Kate Wood of Alchemy Fine Art Restorers recently restored a theater backdrop at the Environmental Studies Center in Jensen Beach, Florida. To fund this work, Alchemy was awarded a grant by Women Supporting the Arts (WSA) in conjunction with the Wilmington Trust.
Reinforced paint loss areas with acid free gesso on the reverse side of the canvas.
Created and installed a buffer for the sharp edge of the of the bottom roll bar. This will prevent future damage as the backdrop is raised.
Patched holes using new canvas and acid free glue. The top of the backdrop was reinforced with a long strip of canvas to repair and prevent tearing.
Replaced both sides of the rusted lift system wires with non-rusting, plastic coated heavy-duty wire.
Removed old hanging lumber and replaced with a single continuous bar.
Matched paint and touched up missing and dirty areas of paint.
Created a new secure hanging system and rehang the backdrop.
WSA's mission is to build a community of women philanthropists who inspire, educate and encourage women to strengthen the arts and cultural environment in Martin County. The Environmental Resource Center is a valuable educational resource for the Treasure Coast. Alchemy's restoration enhanced he Center, which builds environmental awareness among the students of Martin County. Alchemy Fine Art Restorers approaches restoration using the least invasive techniques possible.
Kate Wood has painted numerous murals and theater backgrounds in the Treasure Coast area. This canvas backdrop restoration project revisited those roots while also showcasing her world-class conservation skills. Kate has also taught oil painting to area students of all ages for two decades and is an accomplished artist.
Alchemy Fine Art Restorers thanks Women Supporting the Arts and Wilmington Trust for this grant and for the ongoing work both organizations do to better the arts in our local community!
Alchemy Fine Art Restorers, a woman-owned small business, has been awarded a grant by Women Supporting the Arts (WSA), a program of the Arts Foundation of Martin County. Alchemy's proposal to repair, restore, and re-hang a damaged 9 x 16 foot canvas mural in the Environmental Studies Center received funding for 2015.
"I am honored to receive the Women Supporting the Arts Grant. My main goal is to retain the original look of the artifact, but make look as if it were just painted," said Kate Wood, owner Alchemy Fine Art Restorers.
WSA's mission is to build a community of women philanthropists who inspire, educate and encourage women to strengthen the arts and cultural environment in Martin County.
The Environmental Resource Center is a valuable educational resource for the Treasure Coast. Alchemy's restoration will enhance the Center, which builds environmental awareness among the students of Martin County.
Alchemy Fine Art Restorers approaches restoration using the least invasive techniques possible. As the work progresses, Kate will document the entire process, which will be shared with visitors to this site, as well as with local media. Kate Wood has painted numerous murals and theater backgrounds in the Treasure Coast area. This project revisits those roots while also showcasing her world-class conservation skills.
Since 2004, more than $201,000 in grants have been awarded to artists and arts-related programs by Women Supporting the Arts (WSA). WSA welcomes grant applications from organizations and individuals who present cultural programs for Martin County. Collaborative projects and events are eligible.
For more information on Kate's approach, see "Restoring Beauty: An illuminating interview with painter, teacher, and master art conservator Kate Wood" at fineartrestorers.com/restoringbeauty.
For more information on Women Supporting the Arts, visit their website at www.martinarts.org/support_us/women_supporting_arts.html.


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Lindevang (parochie), parochie van de Deense Volkskerk in Frederiksberg.
 Lindevang (metrostation), station van de metro van Kopenhagen in Frederiksberg.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Jiffy Director of Marketing Roelof Drost offers his take on organic growing applications and what growers should know.
With organic products becoming more popular, it's as important than ever for growers to know the ins and outs of organic production. Below, Jiffy Director of Marketing Roelof Drost shares his insight.
Produce Grower: Organic production has seen an upward trend over the past few years, and companies seem eager to be able to supply organic growers with products that are suitable for organic applications. What is Jiffy's view on this?
Roelof Drost: Jiffy looks at it this way; at the time the Jiffypot was developed in the mid 1950s, most growers worldwide grew organic without the need of organic certification. Most small farmers would sell their products directly to farmers markets. But times have changed, there are much larger farms today and food is shipped over long distances from farm to store. Most consumers now purchase their food at a supermarket, and much of the food on the market is grown using pesticides. For today's consumer, to know for sure that the food is grown the healthiest way possible, organic certification is a must.
PG: Why does Jiffy believe offering products suitable for organic growing methods is important?
RD: Jiffy's products such as the Jiffypot and Jiffy-7 are natural products that have been around for many years now. No chemicals, no gimmicks, 100 percent natural. Today, we still produce most of our products the same way as we did when we first produced them, natural ingredients only. This is why our products are naturally suitable to be used in organic applications. It is a natural fit, and we aim to have as many products as possible we manufacture OMRI listed.
PG: What other changes might we see in our industry, especially looking at this trend toward certified organic?
RD: We will see organic food growers establishing closer to where the food is consumed. Jiffy plays in on this trend by offering organic Jiffy-7 pellets and Grow Block systems to be used by the future organic farmers, such as organic solutions for hydroponic farming and vertical farming.
PG: How are products you supply to the organic grower different from Jiffy's regular products?
RD: If we look at a Jiffypot, the original biodegradable pot, then nothing is different. All of our pots therefore are good to be used in organic applications. The pot is made of natural ingredients, peat and wood fiber. It always has been this way. We will not even use recycled paper because the printing ink on the pages might contain something we might not like to have in our pots. So, our Jiffypot has always been pure nature.


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Film Review: Claire's Camera
Adam reviews the newest film starring the indomitable Isabelle Huppert and directed by Hong Sang-soo, Claire's Camera. Showing at AFI Film Festival 2017 as a part of their World Cinema
The newest film from Hong Sang-soo Claire's Camera is a strange slice of cinema that recalls Richard Linklater's Before trilogy as much as the it does the work of Goddard. The film showcases the kind of elliptical and meta film making that Hong is a specialist in. Claire's Camera finds Hong in a playful mood, commenting on the relationship between the image and people's relationship with the camera. The film charts the interactions of a Korean director (Jung Jin-young), his producer (Chang Mi-hee) and their selling agent (Kim Min-hee) with Claire (Isabelle Huppert) along with a cameo by a giant mastiff with a gun belt dog collar. Huppert's Claire is the catalyst for the films tumultuous romp of romantic errors and lies and truths. The film attempts to be both a romantic comedy and meta commentary on the genre itself and the nature of Camera images. The film ultimately is too slight at 69 minutes and feels like an interesting experiment more than a full feature film. Huppert is wonderful as the titular Claire moving out of scenes like a professional assassin. Her work with Kim, Chang and Jung in English is both clever funny and observed… Huppert understands exactly her purpose and how she is essentially a thematic catalyst. Never has an actor used as a thematic ever been better than Huppert here. The film is exquisitely shot on the streets of Cannes with a loose almost improvisational quality that recalls the best of Hong's work and the work of the French new wave that influenced him so much. The photography and Huppert is not enough to save Claire's Camera from being anything but a slight albeit interesting experiment in film.
TagsActresses • Cannes • Claire's Camera • Comedy • Drama • Hong Sang-soo • Isabelle Huppert • Relationships • Romance
0 comments on "Film Review: Claire's Camera"

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Our "Pink Silk Flower Wall" is not available for pickup.


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两会热词 中文专题
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Performance figures 'coming soon'
By Fu Jing (China Daily)
The performance of major companies and provincial governments last year against their environmental targets will be made public very soon, Xie Zhenhua, vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), said Tuesday.
Xie Zhenhua (L), vice-minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, and Zhang Lijun, vice-minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), at a press conference in Beijing, March 11, 2008. [China Daily]
Details of how companies performed will be made known this month, while reports on the performance of provincial governments will follow in May or June, he said.
"Officials and businesses leaders will be assessed in line with the accountability system announced in November," Xie told a press conference on the sidelines of the NPC session.
Late last year, the government announced a new system for measuring performance, which ties career advancement to success in achieving environmental targets.
Under the new rules, if company bosses or government officials fail to meet half the national goal of reducing energy consumption per unit of GDP by 4 percent every year, they will lose the opportunity to be promoted.
Also, the central government will not approve any major new projects in provinces that fail to meet their targets, until their performance improves.
The government has set a target to reduce energy consumption per unit of GDP by 20 percent by 2010. But the fall in 2006 was just 1.23 percent, far below the 4 percent annual target.
However, the situation improved last year, with the figure reaching 3.27 percent, as announced by Premier Wen Jiabao last week in his work report to the legislative body.
The central government has already signed contracts with provincial governments to implement the green accountability system and governors have agreed to accept punishment if they fail.
In addition, 1,000 energy-intensive companies have signed similar contracts with their local governments.
Last year, China's legislative body voted for the Energy Efficiency Law, which says the ability of local governments and their chief officials to meet energy-efficiency goals should be a key measure when higher-level governments examine their performance.
Hu Guangbao, deputy director of the NPC's Law Committee, said the law will create a better legal environment for achieving sustainable development in China.
Xie said China still faces many challenges when it comes to energy conservation and it will take tangible measures to meet them.
The country will continue eliminating outdated production facilities, including small thermal power generating units, cement facilities, steel and iron plants, Xie said.
Zhang Lijun, vice-minister of the State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA), said the government will make full use of tax, fiscal and financial policies to push forward energy-saving and pollution-cutting goals.
The country's top five banks offered loans of more than 100 billion yuan ($14 billion) last year to support companies' environmental plans, while the government is levying a full consumption tax on refined fuel oil and three other oil products retroactively from January.
Xie said the government will continue to require the country's 1,000 largest firms in iron and steel, petrochemicals and other sectors to meet global energy efficiency requirements and save 100 million tons of coal by 2010.
The government has also pledged that within the next two years, wastewater from all of the country's 36 biggest cities will be purified before being discharged.
"We need to mobilize companies and the general public to join the green campaign," Xie said.
FM Yang Jiechi holds press conference 07
Great changes in China
CPPCC opens new session
Blizzards hit China
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