Stepping on uncertain ground, there was a silent resolve to conquer the circumstances to appreciate the splendour and solemnity of a long-gone Sri Lankan story. The journey was reminiscent of an era where holy men of this land would have similarly traversed rough terrain; encountering rain, wild animals and invaders, to meditate, tutor and learn. The ancient Thanthirimale Temple in Anuradhapura is spread across, closely located rock surfaces surrounded by dense jungle. The temple ground extending across 250 acres of land is renowned for its many caves, inscriptions, and rock carvings, ruins of monastic residences, meditation chambers, a library and the Sacred Bodhi tree.
Thanthirimale Raja Maha Viharaya is a Buddhist monastery just 64 km away from the Wilpattu Corridor & Tree House Hotel and can be reached within 1 hrs. Via Thanthirimale, Oyamaduwa Road.
The path leading to the Sacred Bodhi tree is along uneven rock, a journey marked by uphill and downhill steps to reach a summit that gives a breath-taking view of the surrounding landscape. The Bodhi tree is surrounded by the vestiges of the temple's history. The outer wall has been repaired to its old glory, while many objects made of rock still remain around the Bodhi tree. The Bodhi tree at Thanthirimale has a history based on legend, which nonetheless has made it very significant.
Another descent takes to another rock marvel; an image of the seated Buddha carved on rock. This eight feet Buddha image is situated under a decorative arch known as 'Makara Thorana', borne by two lions. Two figures at the higher ends of the arch representing deities are shown in a posture of reverence holding a fan in hand. Evidence from excavations indicates an image house that had enclosed the figure of the Buddha. Situated away from the seated Buddha figure, in a valley-like slope is a huge 45 feet image of a reclining Buddha carved out of rock. The beauty of the image engraved out of natural rock demonstrates the exacting nature of the task, with detail to the robe and its drape.
The monastic residences and meditation chambers were built at different elevations, the rock carvings placed expansively may have given the monks the vantage vision of the Buddha as they strived to attain the supreme bliss through prayer and meditation.
Anuradhapura remained the proud seat of kingdom of Sri Lanka. Today Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is replete with renovated monuments, restored edifices, preserved ruins and historical sites where the archaeological excavations are still being continued. Today, foreign tourists and local tourists, who tour Anuradhapura, are simply unable to witness everything, Anuradhapura has to offer, within the confines of a single day. However the major attractions of Anuradhapura can be visited in a single day. Anuradhapura, the greatest monastic city of the ancient world is just 39 km away from the Wilpattu Corridor & Tree House Hotel and can be reached within 45 minutes Via Puttalam - Anuradhapura - Trincomalee Highway.
Anuradhapura was the cradle of glorious Sinhalese Buddhist civilization. The pride of place in Anuradhapura was taken by the ancient stupas and ancient reservoirs. Towering dagobas of stupendous domes, are just to name one among numerous other engineering factors. The vast rainwater reservoirs built by crossing rivers with enormous dams and controlling the outlets with "Bisokotuwa", of course valve pits or sluice gate, extend lifeline to Anuradhapura district to date.
Among the other tourist attractions at Anuradhapura are magnificent rock carvings of monumental richness and remarkable grace, colossal stone pillars that stand proud amidst the ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and temples; magnificent stone cut swimming pools of sophisticated hydrology tells a story of its own. City of Anuradhapura is surrounded by three man-made lakes, Nuwara Wewa, Tissa Wewa and Basawakkulama Wewa reservoir to the west with two directions of the city being defined by River Malwatu Oya that flows through it.
A sampling of the sacred Bo tree in the shelter of which Prince Siddhartha Gauthama attained supreme enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka by Buddhist nun Sanagamitta. Today, the huge specimen of this Bo Tree has no rival to the claim of being the oldest recorded tree in the world.
Loha Maha Prasada -All we have today is ruins of a vast building, next to the sacred tree. Founded by the hero of the nation, King Dutugemunu reigned, it was once home to a community of 1000 Buddhist monks. Ruwanweliseya Stupa, is the oldest in Sri Lanka and contains the collarbone relic of Buddha, Thuparama Vatadage is ringed by columns which originally supported a circular roof. Abhayagiri Museum, a gift to Sri Lanka from China in honor of the 5th century Buddhist academic Fa Hien. Kuttam Pokuna at Anuradhapura built between the period of eight century and tenth century, among the surviving treasures of ancient landscape architecture of Sri Lanka, is the finest. Samadhi Buddha Statue, a serene image of a seated Buddha carved in granite that dates from the 4th century AD, is a masterpiece of ancient Sinhalese Buddhist sculpture found in Anuradhapura. Lankaramaya stupa located south-west of the Abhayagiriya Dagoba at Anuradhapura was built by King Valagambahu, Mirisavatiya Dagaba, Vijitapura Raja Maha Viharaya, Isurumuniya Rock Temple are just to name few other places.
The Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu is a Roman Catholic Marian shrine in Mannar just 115 km away from the Wilpattu Corridor & Tree House Hotel and can be reached within 2 hrs. Via Medawachchiya –Talaimannar High Way.
With a history of over 400 years, and considered as the holiest Catholic shrine in the island. The church plays a major role and has been a symbol of unity not just between Tamils and Sinhalese, but also between people of different religions, including Buddhists, Hindus and Protestants. The Portuguese missionaries from India, especially under the authority of Saint Francis Xavier, are known to have brought Roman Catholicism to the Kingdom of Jaffna, and during this time the Catholics regrouped to form a church in Mantai installing a statue of Our Lady of Good Health in a shrine.
Madhu is Sri Lanka's holiest Catholic shrine, home to Our Lady of Madhu, a statue of the Virgin Mary that was brought for safekeeping from the Dutch in the 17th century. Madhu is sacred to both Sinhalese and Tamil Catholics still trying to reconcile after more than two decades of civil war. And Madhu is also where Buddhists, Hindus, and Muslims come to pay their respects to Holy Mary. At Madhu, Pope Francis will specially bless war victims and his presence in the Tamil north marks an important moment in Sri Lankan history.


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Software: In creating a presentation, be sure to use Colby's current PowerPoint standard. For a Mac, it's PowerPoint 2011. For Windows, it's PowerPoint 2013. Upgrades can be obtained through the ITS Support Center at x4222.
Fonts: To ensure compatibility across machines, it's best to limit font selection to "System Fonts" which include the standards of Arial, Times, Georgia, Helvetica, and Verdana to name a few. The use of Colby's favorite, Franklin Gothic, has been problematic as computers and software interpret Franklin differently. If Franklin is required, please seek testing help from the ITS Support Center before presentation.
Aspect: The Aspect Ratio is the size in which the presentation will project on to a screen. The older standard of 4:3 is still common and works fine but when projected onto a wide screen will show black panels (pillars) on each side of the presentation. To avoid this, use the newer 16:9 ratio when creating a presentation.
It's best NOT to embed locations of items in a presentation. The embedded location may have unique fonts or other peculiarities not consistent with Colby computers. It's better to "take a picture" of a screen page and insert the whole static image into a presentation.
Spreadsheets: Do NOT embed spreadsheet locations. Instead, insert an image of the spreadsheet as described above.
Images: Again, do NOT embed the image location. Simply insert the actual image into the presentation using PowerPoint.
Audio Files: Audio files must be embedded so only use MP3 files for audio.
Videos: Video files must also be embedded so only use MP4 files for videos.
Thumb Drive: A good way to transport your presentation is to load it on to a thumb drive. Be sure the thumb drive has no other documents, just your presentation.
Once at the venue where the presentation will be shown, insert the thumb drive in the room's computer, and upload your presentation to the computer. Do NOT run the presentation from the thumb drive.
Screen: It can not be stressed enough how important it is to screen the presentation at the venue prior to the Big Day. Please take the time to go through the entire presentation (not just a few slides) as a Full Dress Rehearsal. Despite best efforts including these guidelines, presentations can be funky when moving between platforms. Avoid the embarrassment and give support people time to help with any issues well before the Big Day.


Travelling south down the Pacific Coast from the Manuel Antonio area you get to Dominical and the Marino Ballena National Park. Dominical is a sleepy surfer village with dirt roads where locals and a small expat community spend their days hanging in a hammock and surfing. Further south there is the beaches of Uvita and Bahia which have a similar, low key vibe. The area's main draw, however, is the Marino Ballena National Park where humpback whales can be seen in season. There is also snorkeling, fishing, trips to the Nauyaca waterfalls, horse riding, golf, quad bike tours and many other adventure options available.
Catching a glimpse of the gigantic humpback whales breaching out of the water is a rare but memorable sight!
If you want to see the Humpback whales there are two seasons. The first season is mid July to late October where the whales that have migrated from the Antarctic arrive in Marino Ballena, and a shorter season from mid December to mid February when the whales that have migrated from Alaska arrive. The best time we recommend to go is September or October when you have the highest chance of seeing whales.
A well thought out selection of hotels can make a good trip truly exceptional and here at The Latin America Travel Company we put a lot of resources into sourcing and visiting hotels. Below are a few of our favourites in Dominical and Marino Ballena.
Beyond the whales, which are the area's main draw, there are many other activities available and different beaches to explore. These are our top highlights of the area.
Continue to find out more about Costa Rica's diverse and inspiring destinations with our links below.


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Buy TV Smart | Sony W600D Review
Sony W600D Review
W600D Review
Sony W600D TV
Type: LED Resolution: 1080p Refresh Rate: 120 Hz Screen Size: 32″
If you need a TV for one of the rooms in your house and don't want to pay the price for a large screen 4K television, you should take a look at the Sony W600D.
This isn't a huge TV and it doesn't have 4K resolution, but it also doesn't have the price tag you would find with those types of televisions.
What it does have, though, is great picture quality and a bunch of other features and innovations that make it a great TV.
Thanks to High Definition resolution (Sony W600D is HD Ready TV – 1366×768), the pictures from this TV are pretty amazing. All the colors look great and the pictures are crystal clear. Sony also uses an advancement they call X-Reality PRO, which gets rid of unwanted signal noise to make sure every picture is as clear as possible.
Check W600D Price
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Another reason I like this TV is because it looks great when watching sports or action-packed movies. This is because of something called Motionflow XR. The technology behind Motionflow keeps fast moving images from becoming blurry, ensuring they are smooth, sharp and clear.
The next great thing I found was when I hooked up the W600D to my home network. Once connected, the television became an instant extension of the internet. I could browse the web, check out social media and stream videos. Anything I could do on my computer or laptop, I can now do on my TV.
You can also download apps, just like on your smartphone. With all the available apps and a connection to the internet, there isn't much this TV can't do.
Something else I really liked was the ability to connect USB devices directly to the TV. Sony integrated the ability to support a ton of different file formats, so it's a breeze to look at pictures or movies or listen to music.
One thing your friends and family will really like, because of its convenience, is the built-in WiFi network. That's right, Sony W600D broadcasts its own wireless network. The TV lets up to 10 of your friends or family members to connect to it at the same time. Each person can then share their own pictures, complete with their own choice of background music. Everyone will get a kick out of this feature when you are all sitting around looking at pictures from your last trip or vacation.
Thankfully, Sony didn't forget that sound is also important when it comes to watching television. They made sure the Sony W600D produces powerful bass sounds with a bass reflex speaker. You wouldn't think a TV this size can produce that much bass, but it does.
There is also an internal computer system that analyzes the different sound frequencies to produce the best possible sound quality. The computer continuously monitors the sounds and works its magic to make the sounds be natural and smooth.
Samsung Q8C
55″ 65″ 75″
Samsung Q8C review
Samsung MU9000
Samsung MU9000 review
LG LH5000
LG LH5000 review
Samsung KS8500
Samsung KS8500 review
You will also like the way the W600D looks once you set it up. It is very thin, so it doesn't take up a lot of space. There is also a really neat system on the back of the television to keep all those annoying wires and cables organized and out of sight. This isn't something I expected to find, but once I did I was really excited about it. It completes the look, sound and pictures quality to make a very impressive television I know you will love to watch.
9.1Sony X850E
7.9Sony A1E
8.1Sony Z9D
8.7Sony X940D
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LEMS measures external and internal diameters, wall thickness, external and internal ovality and eccentricity.
To reduce installation cycle time, the offshore industry demands tight dimensional tolerances on steel pipe ends. Furthermore, for line pipe subject to high dynamic loads, such as steel catenary risers and fatigue-sensitive flowlines, a full geometrical assessment of pipe ends enables a more efficient alignment of the ends and also minimizes the Hi/Lo differential prior to welding offshore.
The system generates a complete list of the dimensions of each pipe. It provides cost savings through reductions in logistics and pipe handling requirements.
The Laser Ends Measurement System is a powerful tool for process control during pipe production. It also provides services that facilitate pipe welding and/or AUT control after welding, thereby reducing laying time and, in turn, total cost.
Tenaris supplied Technip with ID counterboring analysis for the Chinook & Cascade risers and family sorting by ID tolerances for Kizomba D.


A Great Gray Owl hovers above the snow, opens it talons and waits for the right moment to strike its prey.
A Burrowing Owl sits atop an old sagebrush snag.
Nine young Burrowing Owls stand outside their nest.
A Northern Pygmy Owl looks up from digging up its cache of quail, hidden in deep snow.
A Northern Pygmy Owl prepares to bring a freshly killed snake to its nestlings. The snake is twice as long as the owl.
A Flammulated Owl arrives at its nest in a tree cavity with a moth to feed to its young.
A female Long-eared Owl flaps her wings and screams to draw the attention of a predator from her nest.
A Short-eared Owl hunts before sunset, turning and diving when it hears a vole in the vegetation below.
Photographer Paul Bannick of Seattle says "you don't find owls - they find you." He's often called the owl whisperer and his latest book is "Owl: A Year In The Lives Of North American Owls." It's filled with striking images of the elusive birds as it follows them through the seasons of their lives.
Paul Bannick spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner.


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Analysis | Big Questions
Asia's Infrastructure Cultures
China demonstrates what has been lost in the West
Jan. 11, 2017 | By Dr. Georg Inderst
Photo by © ILO / Byamba-ochir Byabasuren/ Flickr
Since the 1980s, infrastructure investment has been trending down in the Western developed world to a level of about 2.5 percent of GDP while rising to 5.5 percent in emerging markets. East Asia is often seen as leading in building infrastructure. But the picture is rather mixed across the continent. Japan and China have the highest capital expenditure in infrastructure at 5 percent and over 8 percent of GDP respectively, while South Asia (4 percent) and South-East Asia (2-3 percent) are well below the required levels of 6-7 percent of GDP.
Dominance of state spending and finance
Is there an "Asian model"? It is worth taking a closer look before jumping to conclusions. Asia is, of course, not a homogeneous continent, but there are some interesting features in relation to infrastructure investment and finance:
• Asia's infrastructure is mainly driven by the state. The ratio of public to private finance is 2:1 to 3:1 or higher, compared to a ratio of roughly 1:2 in Europe and North America.
• The private sector still plays a subdued role in Asian infrastructure, often supported by substantial government subsidies and guarantees. Both privatizations and public-private partnerships (PPPs) are below the global average.
• Private participation in infrastructure investment is still only 0.1-0.2 percent of GDP in most of Asia, and much lower than the global emerging markets average of 0.6-0.8 percent. Asia's project finance is very dependent on bank loans, especially from state-owned banks and development institutions. Non-traditional and foreign lenders are frequently deterred by low credit standards and excessively cheap funds from public banks.
Scope for more private market development
There is scope for more securitization in this field, even in countries with relatively advanced capital markets such as Korea, Taiwan or Thailand that provide, for example, stocks and corporate bonds of utility companies. The use of project bonds or U.S.-style revenue bonds is still tiny overall, although interest is rising in some places.
Faced with budgetary and banking problems, many Asian governments are now trying to find new sources of infrastructure finance, especially from institutional investors. However, the local scene is rather concentrated, with a predominance of public or semi-public institutions.
The Asian private pension systems are very small while there are very sizeable public pension reserve and social security plans in the region with total assets of about $2.5 trillion. Asia also has a significant share of 40 percent of global sovereign wealth funds, and there is massive capital with other public institutions, including central banks.
Conservative investment policies and regulation
Most Asian investors traditionally run very conservative investment policies with a high allocation to domestic government bonds and deposits. Investor regulation tends to keep insurers and pension funds away from riskier and less liquid assets such as infrastructure debt and equity. Some change is underway. For example, the world's largest pension scheme, Japan's Government Pension Investment Fund, started to move into infrastructure in 2015. But higher commitments to real assets do not necessarily mean more finance for Asian infrastructure. Singaporean and Chinese Sovereign Wealth Funds, for example, have been very active in European real estate and infrastructure markets in recent years, and so has the Korean National Pensions Service.
What about international investors? Asia's attractiveness has so far been sub-par. There are widespread restrictions on foreign direct investment in infrastructure sectors, not only in China but also in most ASEAN and South Asian countries. Other factors that make life difficult for potential foreign investors include cryptic regulations and land laws, bureaucracy, and judicial processes.
An "East Asian model"?
In a nutshell, there are certain commonalities across Asia but is there an "Asian model"? If any, it would apply to East Asia's massive public expenditure programs from abundant state budgets on the back of strong export revenues. This also drives the construction, engineering, and related industries to the extent they can be exported worldwide. It is also remarkable that, at the same time, China has managed to become the largest producer of renewable energies with many highly competitive companies. But not many countries are in such a position.
Nor should other countries follow such models, at least not fully, despite the visible successes. Japan ended up with expensive overcapacities and a massive debt burden. Even China is changing its reliance on heavy state spending at all levels and on easy credit from domestic public banks and local government financing vehicles.
What other lessons from Asia? Most of them are not dissimilar to other regions.
Diversity of "infrastructure cultures"
Different approaches work in different places. Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, for example, are following a more open model with capital markets that attract private and international investors. India has seen substantial domestic private activity in project finance and private equity funds. Malaysia has developed the world's biggest market for sukuk, including Islamic infrastructure bonds. Other countries are following these footsteps. More generally, peoples' views on "ownership and funding of infrastructure vary considerably across the globe." Many emerging countries find it easier to divest in telecommunication than in transportation. Water, sewage, and even electricity are often taken as "free goods." Western societies, too, disagree a lot on issues such as road prizing, privatization of water or railways, nuclear energy projects, climate change policies, or "strategic infrastructure" assets.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), in particular, take good time and trust to develop. They also tend to be cyclical, even in developed markets such as the UK. PPPs were booming in the last decade in Indian energy when bank loans were easily available, but volumes have fallen back.
Investor governance and regulation
Private finance of infrastructure requires weighty long-term savings institutions with good governance and adequate investment policies. They can help rebalance the wide maturity mismatch between short-term bank deposits and long-term project financing. A few things can be learned from the Pacific examples of Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.
Long-term investing requires continuity and predictability of the legal and institutional environment. Co-investment of domestic and international institutions is often a good idea in order to combine local knowledge with external discipline.
Policy stability, consistency, and implementation
Infrastructure investment is inherently political. There is certainly merit in having dedicated infrastructure plans and institutions, as many Asian countries have set up. However, even with the best intentions at the top, they can be frustratingly slow, as Indonesia and the Philippines have experienced, for example.
When the state is trying to facilitate private involvement, it is typically standing in its own way. Infrastructure investment is hindered by policy reversals, regulatory changes, poor implementation, and inconsistencies across government departments. The classic case in infrastructure finance is that fiscal incentives are counteracted by restrictive sectoral and financial regulation.
Politicians of all colors favor flashy new projects while more investment should go into maintenance, efficiency improvements and renewal of existing infrastructure, certainly in more developed places. Commonly, the long-term funding of mega-projects is opaque, and the social and ecological cost-benefit analysis is inadequate or ignored.
So, what can be learned from Asia? There is probably more to learn about political determination than about infrastructure finance or setting the framework for private investment. Political leadership and consensus-building are most needed for cross-border projects such as intercontinental railways or large distribution networks for energy, water, and communication.
With the "Belt and Road" initiative, the fast establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the construction of ports and railways in Africa and elsewhere, and by pushing green energy, China is demonstrating what has been lost in the West in recent times.
Georg Inderst is an independent advisor and the principal of Inderst Advisory.
This essay is part of our Big Questions series.
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Promenade Gardeners kick off spring Tuesday…brrrrr
By Rob Abruzzese, Brooklyn Daily Eagle
The Brooklyn Heights Promenade gardeners meet every Tuesday morning to maintain the glorious garden that stretches along the picturesque promenade. From left to right: Koren Volk, Lucille Gruber, Maureen Healy, Steve Sacks, Phyllis Starkman, Matthew Morrow, Herb Cohen, Tom Cahalan, Karen Schlesinger, Pat Lucey, Pearl Hochstadt, Nina Craig and Ellie Levinson. Heights Press photos by Rob Abruzzese.
Weed 'em and reap.
It's been spring for over a month already, but it seems like Mother Nature finally got the message as the weather is improving and the flowers are starting to bloom. That means that the Brooklyn Heights Promenade gardeners are back to work.
Local volunteers and gardener Matthew Morrow meet every Tuesday morning throughout most of the spring, summer and part of the fall to help maintain the garden that stretches roughly one-third of a mile along the Brooklyn Heights Promenade. The group met for the first time this season on Tuesday, and Morrow already expressed confidence in this year's garden.
"I think we got more done last year than I ever expected," Morrow said. "We were successful in removing a lot of old shrubs and growth. Usually that is something that takes several years, but with all of the help that I've gotten, it really looks phenomenal. Looking back, I never expected to get that much done last year."
This is Morrow's second season as the community coordinator/gardener. He works three days a week at the Promenade and two days a week at Borough Hall. Only half of his salary is paid for by the city, with the Brooklyn Heights Association (BHA) picking up the rest of the tab.
"Up until five years ago, this garden was really neglected because every year resources were being cut," volunteer Koren Volk recalled. "It got to the point where we had this amazing attraction, but behind it were a bunch of overgrown shrubs, some evergreens and weeds. The BHA finally went to the city and said something had to be done."
The city and the BHA eventually settled on an agreement to hire a gardener, splitting the cost. In the five years under that arrangement, the garden has undergone an extraordinary transformation, but it hasn't been easy. Volunteers are necessary and, most importantly, money constantly needs to be raised to not only pay the gardener, but also to purchase supplies.
"We are always looking for volunteers and we hold fundraisers throughout the year," Volk said. The next fundraiser is a bake sale that will take place on the promenade near the Montague Street entrance on May 3.
Proceeds go toward buying new plants and topsoil. Donations are also accepted.
Volk and some of the other volunteers understand that not everybody can donate, but are quick to point out that anyone can pitch in. The volunteers meet every Tuesday morning at 9 a.m., work for two-and-a-half hours, and usually go for coffee afterward.
"There is a social aspect to it that has become very warm and personal," said volunteer Neil Calet.
There are roughly 30 people who regularly volunteer, with at least 18-20 showing up every week.
"It's a really committed group," Volk said. "We love our neighborhood and don't mind pitching in to make it beautiful. Our goal is to have people that visit the promenade to be delighted just as much by the garden as they are by the beautiful skyline that has made the promenade famous.
"The thing about the garden is it takes so long, but it's really rewarding, and after five years of doing this, it looks nothing like how we started. Still, there is much more to do."
Contact the BHA to donate or to volunteer, stop by the bake sale on May 3, or just show up on a Tuesday morning near the Pierrepont Street entrance to pitch in.
Posted in: Arts & Fun ⋅ Tagged: brooklyn, Brooklyn Heights, new york, new york city, nyc, spring, springtime


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Julie Christine Johnson
Book reviews, Fiction, Prose and Poetry, Stuff that makes me spin, Writing
Book Review: The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I'm not certain what 44 looks like, other than what I'm presented with in the mirror each morning. The Social Security Life Expectancy calculator informs me that I've lived half my anticipated span. The tired maxim encourages me not to think of the years in my life, but the life in my years.
Now that I'm marooned in middle age for a spell, I've been thinking an awful lot about the life in the years ahead of and behind me. Have I achieved something of value in my work, my relationships? Is what I do enough to sustain me intellectually and emotionally for the next forty-four years? Do I measure up to my peers? Am I happy? Am I interesting? This quest for fulfillment and self-actualization is the premise of Meg Wolitzer's sprawling, cracking good novel The Interestings.
In the summer of '74, Julie Jacobson, a middle class average achiever from a nondescript upstate New York town, earns a spot at an exclusive arts camp in New England. She is selected to enter the inner circle of the five coolest kids in camp, each a precocious, urbane specimen bred in the hipness of New York City. Julie becomes Jules and we follow her and those five other teenagers for the next thirty years.
Jules is obsessed with the self-dubbed The Interestings--the talented and/or privileged people to whom she devotes so much emotional energy. The cult of personalities made me squeamish at times—I wanted her to walk away from the past and create a life of her own. But her devotion to their supposed ideal reveals one of the truths of human nature—we hang onto the golden coming-of-age memories, hoping those few perfect moments of childhood will carry us through the disappointment of growing up.
It took me a long time to track on the Jules Vibe. I never quite believed in her intimate friendship with Ash Wolf, the faerie child around whose axis the group of friends spins. Nor did I fully embrace Ethan's constancy of passion for her. She just wasn't, ironically, that interesting. Even her physical presence remained shadowy for me. The others I could picture perfectly—lumbering, awkward Ethan; delicate, perfectly formed Ash; bombshell Cathy; finely etched, beautiful Jonah with his sweep of long, dark hair; golden God turned bloated addict Goodman. But Jules, other than her unruly hair, remained indistinct.
Yet, as she matured, growing into her role as friend, counselor, wife and mother, Jules begins to take shape. She became the character I most wanted to get stuck in the middle of a book with. Which is the genius of Wolitzer's narrative—the novel's most enigmatic character becomes its core strength.
Not that you'll get stuck in this book. Despite its length and scope, The Interestings impels the reader with sparkling dialogue and description. I did tread water with some lengthy expository and flashback episodes, but it easily becomes one of those books you just can't set down.
If you say you don't compare your external successes and failures (e.g. material possessions, presumed income, job, weight, health, marital status, kids' college admissions, job prospects) with your circle of peers, I say "more power to you." Forgive me if I don't believe you. Meg Wolitzer probably wouldn't believe you, either. It's what we do, we flawed, insecure, fickle humans. We're hard-wired to want what we ain't got.
But we can learn to accept what we've been given. Do The Interestings? Read and find out.
I'm five years too young to fall within the brackets of the Baby Boomer generation (cut-off birth year is 1964), and ten years younger than the main characters of The Interestings, but I can relate many of the novel's cultural reference points and Jules Jacobson's feeling that she just missed out on the badge of cultural honor bestowed those who came of age in the late '60s.
I've walked away from traditional success a few times, always choosing the interesting over expected. Perhaps because I fear the fall from lofty heights will be harder to recover from than the soft bounce of relative obscurity. Perhaps I'm just lazy. Here's to the second half of the journey.
Tagged: Baby Boomer, Coming of age, Envy, In-Crowd, intimate friendship, Meg Wolitzer, New York, Self-Actualization, Summer Camp, The Interestings
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text:
SOCIAL IMPACT INITIATIVES
CES Social Impact Benefits Program
Creating self-reliance and economic growth
Clean Energy Solutions is not just a company that develops power. It's mission is to also help lift people out of poverty and create self-reliance for those that are impacted by the power plants both directly and indirectly. Some of the area's where CES provide solutions are:
Education: Few of the children in these remote areas obtain a formal education due to the lack of funds for adequate school facilities, teachers and supporting materials and resources.
Infrastructure: WATER - With no running water, women spend a large portion of their lives fetching water to support their family's basic needs in lieu of pursuing an education.
Infrastructure: ELECTRICITY - On average, approximately 70% of the landowners lack electricity, meaning no refrigeration and food storage, lighting, commercialization of agricultural development and ability to use any electronic devices.
Transportation: Little transportation options exists for the landowners, who are generally in remote, isolated areas. The lack of transportation limits employment opportunities, education, access to markets for their products and overall economic welfare.
Job Training: Most of the adults in these remote areas lack any formal job training.
Health Clinics: With no access to basic health services and modern day medicine, these people are highly vulnerable to several preventive and curable diseases, affecting the landowners overall health and life expectancy.
Employment Opportunities: The local tribes identity as a people is quickly deteriorating because of the lack of employment opportunities in the local areas. Those fortunate to achieve an education tend to relocate for job opportunities.
Telecommunications: Limited telephone and mobile phone service and internet are significant limitations in today's global economy. A lack of telecommunications will limit an individual's ability to communicate with employers, suppliers, and potential customers, crippling income opportunities.
In order to manage and oversee the social impact programs that CES and its local landowner partners fund, the company has teamed up with some of the best experts in the world. These experts have created proven programs that have taught millions of people worldwide how to become self-reliant. This company is called Bilong, LLC and is a not-for-profit company based in Draper, UT, USA. In partnering with Bilong, CES is thrilled that these landowner groups that CES work with daily will learn from Bilong the steps necessary to become self-reliant, productive, successful people within their communities.
"Bilong" Management Team
Mark has extensive experience in assisting and working with people who come from an impoverished background. Mark began leading Mentors International as President and CEO in 2007 and has dedicated the last 8 years of his life and career to brining people out of extreme poverty. He's successfully administered programs which have empowered people and provided them the needed training and tools to help them live productive, responsible, and more prosperous lives.
Nathan McClellan
Implementation Manager
Nathan has spent his career working and helping those in need. He currently works for Mentor's International and is responsible for implementing programs and establishing that organization in new nations. He holds an Economics degree and has a lot of hands-on experience in working with people living in extreme poverty.
When one takes action for others, one's own suffering is transformed into the energy that can keep one moving forward, a light of hope illuminating a new tomorrow for oneself and others is kindled.
- Daisaku Ikeda


The primary mission of Parlin Fork Conservation Camp is a collaborative partnership between CDCR and CAL FIRE that focuses on receiving and safely housing minimum-custody inmates who are trained to provide CAL FIRE with Five (5) fire suppression hand crews. The conservation camp inmate fire crew's make-up a large percentage of California's wildland fire fighting work force. Services provided by the conservation camps historically amount to millions of dollars in value to the State of California. Community work projects associated with conservation camps support and save tens of thousands of dollars for municipal, county, State, and federal government agencies, including schools, parks, cemeteries, and public recreation areas.
Parlin Fork Camp product is low cost lumber and redwood picnic tables that are sold to state and local government agencies. Parlin Fork's signature redwood picnic tables can be found at parks and rest stops throughout California.
Parlin Fork Camp provides thousands of man hours for community services projects. Parlin Fork crews are out in the community daily working to keep roadways open, clearing brush, and maintaining the forests and parks so they can be enjoyed by all.
Local government agencies such as the roads departments, county and municipal departments, the fair districts, state and county parks, volunteer fire districts, and schools rely on the low cost camp labor force as a way to accomplish work projects. These projects include, but are not limited to; brush clearing, painting, construction, and general clean-up.
Parlin Fork crews also provide community service projects to local non-profit organizations such as little league, cemetery districts, and the World Famous Salmon BBQ that benefits local salmon habitat restoration.
Parlin Fork Camp also provides most of the manual labor that keeps the Lake Mendocino Recreation Area and local State Parks sources of community pride, tourism, and most importantly available to be enjoyed by the public.
Established on August 8, 1949, Parlin Fork Camp is the oldest conservation camp in Northern California and the second oldest in the State. The camp is within the boundaries of the Jackson Demonstration Forest approximately 11 miles east of Fort Bragg. The camp is surrounded by ancient redwood forests that provide a picture perfect setting for this show piece camp.
Parlin Fork Camp was first operated by San Quentin State Prison (SQ) and it's placement in Mendocino County was to provide fire suppression and work crews to protect and maintain the Jackson Demonstration Forest. In the early 1960's the California Correctional Center (CCC) assumed operation of the camp. For a short period during the late 1960's the camp was operated as a federal detention facility. The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations (CDCR) reassumed operation of the camp and in 1972 when the Sierra Conservation Center (SCC) took over operational responsibility for all of the conservation camps. In 1982 the conservation camps were split geographically by northern and southern regions. CCC administers the northern camps and SCC administers the southern camps. Parlin Fork Camp is administered by CCC.
Parlin Fork Camp is a cooperative effort between CDCR and CAL FIRE. CDCR is responsible for the supervision, care, and discipline of the assigned inmates. CAL FIRE maintains the camp facilities, supervises the work of inmate fire crews, and is responsible for supervision of inmate crews assigned to community service projects.
Parlin Fork has a designed capacity for 100 minimum custody inmates. This represents five (5) 17-man fire crews. The remaining inmates serve as cooks, porters, landscapers, laundry workers, clerks, maintenance workers, mechanics and support activity workers. In order to be placed at camp, inmates undergo a rigorous classification and training processes. Inmates live in open dormitories with CDCR peace officers providing around the clock supervision.
Conservation Camp inmates are typically paid $1.45 per day. Skilled inmates can earn up to $3.90 per day. When assigned to emergency fires or floods inmates earn $1.00 per hour. Inmates may also be eligible to earn additional time off their sentences for each day served at a conservation camp.
Parlin Fork Camp has an onsite canteen that offers food, personal, and hygiene items for purchase. Inmates are also allowed to receive personal packages from approved vendors.
Inmates at Parlin Fork Camp enjoy recreational activities such as hobby craft working, art, music, books, and television. Inmates also enjoy physical activities such as volleyball, softball, basketball, handball, horse shoes, billiards, ping pong, and an extensive exercise gym.
GED and college courses are available through CDCR Education Department, Lassen Community College, and Sacramento State University. Inmates have the opportunity to become certified water and sewer plant operators through training provided at the camp.
Self help and religious services are provided by local volunteers and held on a weekly basis.
Regular and family visits are available each weekend and designated holidays.
The camp is an excellent environment for inmates to learn valuable life skills, including dedication, commitment, and teamwork!


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4 minutes ago in North Africa
Shortages of food and medical supplies loom over Lebanon protests
Lebanese protestors bang pots and pans during a demonstration in Beirut. (File photo: AFP)
Matthew Amlôt and Lauren Holtmeier, Al Arabiya English Wednesday, 20 November 2019
New regulations to protect bank solvency during Lebanon's street protests are already impacting medical supplies and could soon create shortages of food and other essentials, according to business owners.
The highly indebted country was already in a precarious financial position before the protests shut down banks for several weeks, prompting many Lebanese businesses and individuals to try to withdraw their deposits and draw down credit lines on fears of future shortages.
In response, banks have imposed withdrawal limits, reduced credit lines and there is a growing shortage of hard currency needed for imports.
"I have a hospital now. Their CT scanner broke down and they needed a part. I couldn't supply the part," said Wassim Boustany, the owner of General Medical Equipment (GME), a distributor of medical equipment in Lebanon, at the time of the interview.
Businesses are now struggling to get hold of dollars for imports as the central bank restricts supply, so businesses have to resort to the black market where dollars cost 20-25 percent more than the official currency peg bracket of 1,507.5-1515 pounds to the dollar.
"I can't afford to pay the loss of 25 percent, so the CT scanner is down now. [The hospital] is trying to get dollars from the bank, but I don't know if they will succeed," he explained.
Salma Assi, the business unit director at medical supplies importer Benta Trading, said spare parts for medical equipment were in short supply. "No one has spare parts in stock … there is equipment in the hospitals that are stopping because we don't have parts to replace the old parts," he said.
Businesses also report that their credit facilities have been drastically reduced and restrictions on transfers.
"Effectively we're not able to operate, we're not able to pay money abroad practically," said Jeanine Ghosn, managing director of Gabriel Bocti, an independent food and beverage distributor.
Lebanon's central bank governor Riad Salameh told reporters last week that authorities have "no desire" to impose capital controls – a phrase used to refer to a set of measures to limit the flow of foreign capital in and out of an economy.
Although authorities have yet to institute a formal system of capital controls, banks have been imposing de facto controls on customers as a way to preserve solvency. Last week the rating agency Standard & Poor's noted that, "Notwithstanding unofficial capital controls imposed by banks, we expect deposit outflows to accelerate during the rest of the year … The recent imposition of restrictions on foreign-currency deposit withdrawals by banks raises questions about the monetary and banking regime."
The Association of Banks in Lebanon on Sunday said that the transfer of hard currency abroad should be only to cover "urgent personal expenses," while banks were also told to limit weekly withdrawals from US dollar accounts to $1,000.
Businesses have been unable to pay their overseas suppliers and have had orders stuck at the border, as it now appears cash is now required to pay for customs. One importer reported being able to use a cashier check.
Credit facilities – a crucial cog in the trade finance machine – have been cut or halted completely by banks, often without warning.
"The cancelation of overdraft facilities and credit lines has resulted in a halt of transfer of funds. We cannot transfer funds," Boustany explained.
The situation has been further exacerbated by banks restricting access to cash – regardless of client deposits. "We have euros, dollars, and lira in the account, and they're not sending our transfers," said Joe Abdallah, the chairman of food distributor Moussallem & Partners.
"There's no capital controls officially, but this will make us lose credibility with our suppliers eventually because the official line is something, but the reality is completely different," Ghosn said.
Many importers believe that serious food and medical supply shortages could emerge within a few weeks as imports begin to dry up. The country relies heavily on imports – the UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimates Lebanon needs to import 80 percent of its cereal grain crop consumption.
This system of ad hoc banking policies, similar to formal capital controls, disproportionately affect regular banking clientele, according to Jamil Chaya, assistant professor in finance at Rafik Hariri University. Bigger and better-connected clients have more access to circumnavigate these controls and access financial instruments, with small and medium-sized businesses and lower and middle-income households hit worst.
Several businesses report their relationships with banks have come under strain. "The banks in Lebanon used to help us, and now everything has suddenly stopped," Boustany said.
Despite the harmful effects of the restrictions, Lebanese banks are in a difficult position. In his televised address last week, Salameh noted that people have withdrawn $3 billion from banks due to economic fears. Financial institutions do not maintain a supply of cash for all of the deposits on their books, meaning that a bank faces serious risk should an escalating situation of withdrawals ensue, as customers demand more cash than the bank has on hand – which could force it to collapse.
"Banks do need some form of capital controls, because it is true that there are a lot of withdrawals … Unusual times call for unusual measures, and countries have used capital controls to get out of hard times," noted Chaya.
This will come, however, as little comfort to those businesses and individuals that are suffering serious financial burden.
"I'm from the generation of the war, and we faced a lot of war and crisis, and I've never seen anything like this. Even under the bombs, the banks would open one to two hours a day," added Salma Assi.
Lebanon's banking association sets $1,000 weekly withdrawal limit
Lebanon's commercial banks have been told to limit weekly withdrawals from US dollar accounts to $1,000 in a set ...
S&P downgrades Lebanon's credit rating amid ongoing protests
S&P Global Ratings said on Friday that it lowered Lebanon's long-term and short-term foreign and local ...
Lebanon's business owners fear shortages of cash, supplies
Lebanon's protests have closed banks, blocked transport routes and reduced the availability of cash, creating a ...


Cundall can assist in the creation of sustainable and resilient infrastructure that meets modern demands while maintaining flexibility for the future.
We can provide engineering input into the masterplanning process on all kinds of projects, including the regeneration of previously developed sites, the creation of new areas of employment, or housing at greenfield locations. Our breadth of service offering allows us to take a holistic approach to the masterplanning and infrastructure design, ensuring the creation of robust, high-quality sustainable solutions which meet the specific requirements of our clients.
Taking full consideration of engineering opportunities and constraints during the early stages of the development process is key to the production of a successful, cost-efficient masterplan. Our specialists are able to provide advice on a range of engineering services to ensure that factors such as water resources, waste, ground conditions, topography, renewable energy, services, flood risk and transportation are given due consideration to facilitate the production of a flexible and resilient framework which can be used to form the basis of all detailed design.
Cundall is able to provide design solutions for civil engineering projects of all sizes. Expertise in water and wastewater, highways and transportation, sustainable energy, flood risk, utility services, ground remediation and geotechnical design form part of our core offering, and we draw on specialists from across the business in order to deliver best practice solutions.


Home / Itineraries / sri lanka Itineraries / colombo Itineraries / Colombo surprises with its beautiful contrast of Colonial and Cosmopolitan culture!
Colombo surprises with its beautiful contrast of Colonial and Cosmopolitan culture!
Being an army personnel's daughter, traveling seems to be integral part of me and now with the work that I engage in gives me lot of opportunities to travel across India. But for the first time, my work took me to the neighboring country Sri Lanka. To make best use of my first International extravaganza, I started exploring with Colombo- capital city of Sri Lanka.
Colombo is a beautiful contrast of lavish hotels, suave office blocks, and broad roads with interesting red tiled colonial era buildings. With fascinating heritage and enticing culture, the seaside cosmopolitan city offers exciting adventures, experiences and places to explore fulfilling diverse taste and desires of travelers.
In the hustle bustle of capital city, Galle face beach brings the must needed serenity and peace where one can enjoy the beautiful waves of ocean, eat sea food and take a dip in the water. No wonder it seems to be the favorite place for families, children, condoling couples and tourists in the same way. Even in the month of February, Colombo is quite hot- so when we went to Galle face beach in a tuk-tuk around late morning, we were advised to come in evening to enjoy the beach. I am glad we didn't listen to the advice, because of which we had a great time by indulging in the water, sitting on the sand and enjoying the beautiful sight of waves touching our feet!
And because we couldn't resist the charm of Galle face beach, we came back in the evening as well.
With high waves being more dramatic, cool breeze, sunset and stalls offering range of food, we end up enjoying more!
Our next stop was Beira Lake which is of huge historical significance and one of the most sort tourist attractions. Against the prime purpose of man-made lakes or tanks construction, this was built to act as a protective barrier against invaders, and to also serve as a means of transporting weapons and soldiers in the event of invasion or conflict of any sort by Portuguese.
Beira Lake stands in the center of Colombo with skyscrapers that includes commercial buildings, hotels and Colombo city center mall. It offers diverse range of activities that includes - Lover's Island which is a sheltered port for romantic pairs who wish to enjoy their time out in the open with peace and liberty. Reached by a very pretty suspension bridge; it is crammed with cool streets and benches. You can enjoy fun filled, calming and cost effective swan-shaped paddle boat in the lake.
Seema Malakaya, one of the most popular and beautiful Buddhist temple is located in the mid of the lake. The place is unique, picturesque and architectural beauty. Its roof and rows of elegant Buddha statues are unmistakable from a distance. There's a central prayer area inside wooden paneling, a walkway that takes you to the 'Treasury of Truth' where you can read religious text, and another walkway that takes you to a space that has giant Buddha statues, a stupa, a Bo tree and interestingly, statues of Hindu gods like Ganesh and Kali.
While I was in Colombo, interestingly One billion rising campaign was organized to fight against domestic violence. This included bus parade that begins and culminates at Independence Square covering the city followed by cultural program.
Independence square, located in the heart of the city is a superbly crafted open building with massive pillars and architecturally attractive. It is a place for artistes, lovers and people to spend time. It is also a hub for diverse activities that includes musical and cultural events! It is just mesmerizing to sit or walk along the tracks built around this miraculous beauty.
Night strolling through Colombo was a delight and it felt weirdly safe for us though we hardly came across women on the streets.
Where to eat: As part of our travel, we explored cafes and restaurants. Considering we are vegetarian and on diet, it was quite an uphill task to find places to eat and enjoy since they have plethora of restaurants offering non vegetarian and sea food.
We stayed at Grand Oriental Hotel, which is a fine piece of architecture that speaks of the country's colonial times and with a spectacular view of Colombo Harbor constructed 180 years ago. Their dinner buffet that includes salad buffet too is to die for- it is simply yummilicious for one's taste buds.
We loved the breakfast with an enticing view of port!
TGI Fridays- Delightful ambience, soothing music, comfortable cozy seating arrangements and amazing assemble to food and drinks sums up TGI Fridays.
Amaravathi restaurant offers Indian food with Sri Lankan flavors, so don't miss out on the variety of curries in their menu.
The coffee bean and tea leaf is popularly known as Starbucks of Sri Lanka, but I feel it's much more than just a coffee shop – they have wonderful ambience, delicious coffee and sandwiches with a relaxing atmosphere where you can spend quiet time or engage in long conversations.
Though I am not a fan of malls, but Colombo city center mall located opposite Beira Lake, is worth a visit. They have superb food court which has delicacies to entice different taste of various types – you name it and there is going to be a food stall for that- be it Italian, Continental, Sri Lankan, Pizzas, Coffee shop and others. We were constantly asked to indulge in tea that is speciality of Sri Lanka- so we went to 'Tea Farer'. The most interesting part of this tea shop was that we could choose the flavor of tea leaves in the assortment of number of them! I quiet enjoyed the ambience and the tea here.
Usually people, who visit Sri Lanka, skip Colombo to visit beaches and different attractions across the country! But strolling through Colombo for a day or two is worth the effort.
Piece of advice: Tuk-tuk ride could be fun, but navigation to different places with them can be difficult primarily because of language and they overcharge because of the city being touristic. They are pretty judgmental about Indians and gets edgy while negotiating over charges, so do carry your Google maps and always negotiate on the cost charged!
A Day in Colombo and Bentota, Sri Lanka!
Beira Lake in Colombo has a natural greenish hue which makes for a beautiful contrast with the sky.


An incredible smart invention to bring more bass and better sound to small portable speakers.
Soon available in our web store!
The Sodapop is a patented invention for a compact, portable Bluetooth speaker that offers louder music, improved bass and an overall superior sound.
Reuse and connect any regular plastic soda bottle to double your bass!
Enjoy up to 30 hours nonstop music with awesome deep sound!
Travel friendly speaker & protective carrying case with extra bass!
Functional & clean Scandinavian design with a playful personality!
By definition, a portable speaker is small and compact, and therein lays its inherent problem: The physical size of the speaker enclosure limits the possible audio volume, especially within the bass range.
The Sodapop speaker has been designed to solve this problem.
The Sodapop makes use of an external bass bottle to increase the physical volume of the speaker enclosure, thereby increasing and improving the quality of the audio output.
By taking advantage of the elastic walls of the plastic bottle and the air contained inside it, the Sodapop speaker can increase the loudness in the bass range by as much as 10 decibels.
Yes it works! To the human ear, a 10-decibel increase will sound approximately twice as loud.
In other words, the Sodapop speaker can generate twice as much bass just by connecting an empty bottle to the speaker unit. The effect is striking once you connect the bottle.
We have tested the Sodapop in professional sound labs and the results are exactly what we were aiming for. When connected to a bottle the Sodapop speaker delivers increased sound volume throughout the whole audio spectrum.
This results in the feeling of "warmth" in the bass without loss of definition.
The increased volume is due to the physical characteristics of the bottle and its materials combined with the properties of the Sodapop speaker.
The problem with other small speakers with bass boost (they all use a passive bass membrane inside a very small cabinet), is that they only boost the bass and this makes the music sound boomy and less defined.
Just as the frequency response graph on the illustration under shows, they are unbalanced and lack the richness in the mid-range.
The speakers are tested by playing the speakers at their max volume with the same music tune (typical pop/electronica with lots of bass) for one minute at the same distant (50cm) from the microphone.
The data in the frequency chart is not the peaks but the median pressure at that specific frequency area over 1 minutt. This proves that the Sodapop speaker delivers a more dynamic and overall "warmer" feeling in the sound image as the bottle gives the speaker more space to bring more definition to the sound.
The included bass bottle doubles as a protective carrying case for the speaker unit, and it has a built-in passive bass membrane for additional bass boost. Still, the threads that fastens the bottle is compatible with most regular soda bottles, just about anywhere in the world.
Bluetooth: 4.1 Qualcomm® Bluetooth® with AAC support (compatible with all devices (including Apple® and Samsung®).
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Why will it help to connect a bottle and why not just buy a regular portable bass speaker?
Well the physics is roughly as follows: very general, sound waves are produced when a flexible membrane (diaphragm) attached to an electromagnet is vibrating in the speaker element. This membrane pushes the air inside of the speaker cabinet to produce high and low frequencies. The bottle more than triples the physical volume of the Sodapop speaker cabinet, enabling the speaker to push more air and produce over 10db louder sound in the 60-250hz audio spectrum range (where is where you'll typically find the «bottom» of the bass and kick drums etc), than without the bottle.
In addition, the elastic walls of the bottle also boost both the high and low frequencies, as it becomes a "part" of the membrane and helps to push the air inside the closed cabinet. This results in the feeling of warmth in the bass without loss of definition. The problem with other small speakers with bass boost (they all use a passive bass membrane inside a very small cabinet), is that they only boost the bass and this makes the music sound boomy and less defined.
So, there you have it, real bass requires real space.
Do I have to use the bottle for this speaker to work?
The bottle is optional, the speaker delivers excellent sound when used by itself. It only gives you a inexpensive and easy way to upgrade your sound when you need it. This makes the speaker the perfect travel companion. Its small, and easy to carry with you in your bag or lugguage, and a suitable bottle is available all over the world.
Where can I buy this speaker?
The Sodapop speaker is not available in any stores yet. But you can pre-order at Indiegogo Indemand, and you will be among the first to get your hands on this incredible speaker. Just follow the link on the top of this page.


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Proterra & Transit Agencies Use Swiftly to Drive Fleet Electrification
© Swiftly
Home » News » Supplier News » Proterra & Transit Agencies Use Swiftly to Drive Fleet Electrification
Suppliers Swiftly
Proterra and Transit Agencies Use Swiftly Data to Drive Fleet Electrification
Swiftly and Proterra began collaborating in 2019 with an aligned vision of helping cities move more efficiently – with improved operations and clean-energy vehicles. Proterra has worked with more than 135 agencies to electrify their fleets and has delivered over 1,000 Proterra battery-electric buses throughout North America.
When public transit agencies want to transition bus fleets to electric, understanding the required amount of onboard battery energy needed and the right amount of charging infrastructure has traditionally been a difficult task. With Swiftly's industry-renowned transit data, Proterra has been able to break down some of the barriers transit agencies can face when looking to make this transition.
The Swiftly GPS Playback API allows Proterra to model the daily block schedules energy needs to help determine the number of chargers needed and optimal times for charging. By leveraging Swiftly data, Proterra can more accurately model electric fleet performance and costs based on real, observed data from the agency's vehicles, as opposed to relying on static schedule data or generic assumptions. Presenting this simplified breakdown leveraging the Swiftly data engine, Proterra has successfully modeled over 5,000 daily block schedules for over 20 transit agencies.
Challenges for Agencies Looking to Electrify Vehicles
With the passing of the climate bill, public transit agencies have an increased focus on their environmental footprint. However, the lack of accurate, consistent data has made it difficult for many agencies to understand how much the investment is to electrify their fleets and build schedules that take into account the necessary charging time. Without reliable data, agencies have typically resorted to generic cost estimates, which can use default assumptions that vastly overinflate the upfront project capital costs and ongoing operating costs needed to charge electric buses.
Consistent, Accurate Data Makes Electrification a Reality
The Swiftly data engine is considered an industry gold-standard for public transit agencies. With its breadth and volume of data, API access points, and a unified data format for all agencies, Swiftly creates a holistic view of transit performance in real-time and through historical reporting.
Proterra utilizes the Swiftly GPS Playback API, which contains a detailed log of every single GPS ping that a vehicle has ever reported to Swiftly. Along with precise location and movement data, Swiftly records the vehicle such as the block and trip IDs, the operator driving the vehicle, speed, schedule adherence, headway adherence, and more.
Making the Case for Electrification at VTA
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is a Swiftly customer using Live Operations, GPS Playback, and Real-time Passenger Predictions. Through the partnership, Proterra integrated Swiftly's GPS Playback API for VTA into their electric bus simulator tool. VTA then worked with Proterra to prepare a successful California Energy Commission grant to help pay for the first phase of a fleet charging solution that utilizes a solar and battery energy storage system (BESS) microgrid to lower energy costs and provide resiliency.
Proterra's analysis calculated how much energy would be required to meet each daily block schedule and how many electric vehicles would be needed to meet these energy needs. Proterra then modeled the number of chargers required to support the fleet and the optimal charge times when electricity is at its lowest cost – including how the energy generated and stored by the solar and battery storage microgrid could be used to charge the buses.
The dollar-per-mile total energy costs were modeled to determine the break-even cost for electric versus diesel. A presentation given at the 2022 RE+ conference outlined the results of this analysis.
Electrification Is the Future of Public Transit
While the transition may be challenging, reliable data is critical to build the case for electrification. With robust, consistent data, Proterra and Swiftly are helping agencies plan for electrification in a way that minimizes costs and provides confidence in making climate-first decisions.
This article was originally published by Swiftly.
Contact Swiftly
Use the form opposite to get in touch with Swiftly directly to discuss any requirements you might have.


Who does not want to enjoy there garden all year round? For many there garden is the ideal place to relax - whether on your own or with family and friends.
Who does not want to enjoy there garden all year round? For many there garden is the ideal place to relax - whether on your own or with family and friends. But as the rain and wind approach many of us are forced to retreat into our home, a conservatory gives you a middle ground where you are able to enjoy the views of the garden while being protected from the elements.
A custom made conservatory, complemented by a vertical sliding glazing creates a completely protected area, able to be opened wide on sunny days, and shut in the winter.
Practical accessories that complements the conservatory includes awning, built-in light strips and heater for cooler hours, making the glass house into a real comfort zone.
What are the important aspects in the planning and design of a new conservatory, here at Approved Trader we give tips on material, construction, shading and equipment used on the construction of a perfect conservatory.
With a conservatory, you are able to enjoy your garden area regardless of the season. There is, however, several things to consider, so that as well as the beauty of nature as a view you also have a cozy feel within.
Is the purchase of a conservatory worthwhile?
The decision for the addition of a conservatory is usually purely an emotional one, as a living room extension could also be created by a conventional extension. The special attraction of the conservatory lies in its transparency, caused by the high glass content. Enjoying the views of nature, while sitting protected at the same time from wind and rain, this feeling can only be achieved with glass!
What materials are best used for building Conservatories?
The most commonly used material for conservatories today is upvc because it provides good static values, good corrosion protection and ease of care. Moreover, it is easy to process and make any colour. Alternative material include aluminium and timber although these are usually more costly that UPVC.
How do you recognize a quality conservatory?
A well constructed conservatory will include very good thermal insulation, achieved by using well-insulated profiles and heat resistant glass filled with gas. The glazing should have a so-called warm edge. It is also important that the ventilation or shading for the summer.
What are in the most common mistakes in conservatory construction?
Some of the most common error is made in the ventilation, shading and heating of your conservatory. In particular too little supply air openings, insufficient shading, insufficient heating, radiators badly positioned in the conservatory. All these things must be considered together as each element can factor on the other.
Are there any houses which a conservatory wouldn`t fit?
There are a plethora of shapes and designs of conservatories to fit almost any home, difficult connection situations (such as with prefabricated buildings) can be completed with little effort.
Which conservatory designs are currently in fashion?
It makes sense to make the conservatory inside bright, because bright colors are usually easier and friendly to deal with, especially in the dark season. Often lighting is also integrated into the roof rafters, which provides for a good light distribution in the room. Small LED spotlights create a real starry sky at night. For heating conservatories, underfloor heating is increasingly being used, which are not visible distributing the heat all around the conservatory. AS for shapes the most common type in the learn to conservatory primarily because of its afford-ability, Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian conservatories are also popular choices.


The soft-cane or nobile-type dendrobiums come from temperate regions of India, China and Malaysia. Their range extends from the lower Himalayas in northern India to the western side of the mountain ranges of the Malayan Peninsula, where they are found at altitudes of 1000-1200 m. The species from which many of our modern hybrids have been produced include Dendrobium nobile, D. heterocarpum, D. wardianum and D. regium. Older hybrids include D. Lady Coleman, D. Gatton Monarch and D. Terrence Read, while newer ones include D. Akatuki Queen, D. Fort Plum and D. Yukidaruma.
In their native habitat these soft-cane dendrobium species are exposed to extremes of temperature and rainfall. Summer temperatures may reach 40˚C, while 0˚C is not uncommon in winter. Bearing these conditions in mind, it can be seen that the area from Southern Victoria to New South Wales is quite suitable for growing soft-cane dendrobiums. The usual retort to this statement is that many people are able to grow these plants but few can flower them, and all want to know the magic ingredient for success. As far as I am concerned, there are three magic ingredients, and they are sunshine, more sunshine and even more sunshine!
If you grow soft-cane dendrobiums in shady conditions, you are doomed to disappointment. You will produce lovely tall, green canes that will produce hundreds of keikis but very few flowers. I have tried growing these orchids under semi-shaded conditions, and it just does not work. To grow and flower them successfully, I exposed them to sunlight all day long. I was fortunate in working for a large Melbourne institution that has glasshouses and shade-houses situated in the open, away from the shade of trees and other buildings. Under these conditions the plants produced short, plump canes of a lovely golden-yellow colour. Such canes can't help but flower!
Compost . My potting mix usually consists of equal proportions of stone and wood. The stone may be scoria, blue metal or river pebbles, and the wood either pine bark or red gum chips, each of about 12 mm diameter. I make up the mix in brick compost bins on a concrete base, and leave it to weather for as long as possible before use. A rubbish bin full of fowl manure is usually added to each cubic metre of mix before use.
I re-pot my plants in early summer, soon after they have flowered. Then I add half a teaspoonful of Nutricote® slow-release fertiliser (8-month, N:P:K = 13:6:9) to each 125-mm pot (I prefer to use squat pots, because they are more stable). Plants that do not need re-potting are given the same fertiliser treatment. I rarely apply liquid fertilisers but occasionally I apply a solution of potassium orthophosphate at a concentration of one teaspoonful per 10L to promote flowering.
Light . I prefer to grow my plants outdoors under 30-50% shade cloth during summer so that they are exposed to whatever changes the weather brings, as this seems to make them grow more strongly. I like them to experience a few cold nights in autumn, as this drop in temperature terminates their growing tips and initiates their flower buds. As soon as I see their buds forming, I move the plants into the glasshouse, where I can watch them more closely. As soon as frost is likely, all the plants are moved under cover. If a plant has not terminated its upward growth, then I break off its growing tip to prevent it growing too tall.
A glasshouse is not essential but I was fortunate in having the use of heated glasshouses, so I made use of them. However, some of my acquaintances grow their soft-cane dendrobiums in unheated houses with fibreglass roofs and white shade-cloth walls, which provide good light and air circulation. During winter my plants grew under clear glass but in spring I applied a light coating of whitewash to the glass, as this helps to increase the size and intensify the colour of the flowers. Plants grown in a heated glasshouse over winter will flower earlier than those grown without heat, and the new growths will 'kick away' sooner. However, I stress that supplementary heat is not essential and that I have seen plants grown under cool conditions flower well. It's important that light should reach all parts of the plant if it is to flower optimally. Plants that have been closely crowded generally produce their flowers only from their exposed upper nodes.
Water . Soft-cane dendrobiums grow rapidly during summer and rest during winter, and should be watered accordingly. Generous amounts of water are needed in summer, much less in winter. I do not withhold water completely in winter (as some growers do), because I prefer the canes to remain plump. If the canes have received sufficient light in summer, and the buds have been initiated by exposure to cold weather, a little water in winter will not transform those buds into keikis.
Pests and Diseases . Occasionally I find the odd plant being attacked by mealy bugs, which can easily be controlled by spraying with a mixture of Clensel Garden Insecticide® and white oil according to the maker's instructions. If the plants are not watered adequately during summer, red spider (two-spotted mite) may become a problem. The leaves should be hosed and a high level of humidity maintained to minimise this problem. Predatory mites may also be used to control red spider. An insecticide, such as Pyrethrum, may be used to control caterpillars and other chewing pests.
Soft-cane dendrobium leaves sometimes develop fungal spots but this should not become a problem if there is adequate ventilation. I never apply fungicides, relying on good management to keep fungi at bay.
To Sum Up . Soft-cane dendrobiums may flower as early as August or as late as November, depending upon whether they have been grown warm or cool. They are not difficult to flower. All they need is lots of sunshine, and that's free!


Have I mentioned that have a History degree and Jesse has an Art History degree? This post gets a little art-history-nerdy, so I apologize in advance!
Are you familiar with these beautiful black botanical prints? I've been lusting after one for a while and I thought their bold colors and agricultural nature would be apropos in our kitchen. The perfect excuse to buy one!
The prints are reproductions of a German educational charts designed by Jung Koch Quentell in the mid 20th Century. They cover an array of scientific subjects and are so beautiful with brightly colored images on deep black backgrounds. The prints were originally published by Fromann and Morian until the 1930's and then by Hagemann until the late 1960's.
A handful of the Hagemann versions are available on Etsy and range between $250 and $400. High quality, full sized reproductions can be purchased from The Evolution Store (a place I'd love to visit!) and run just under $200. Lower quality reproductions are also available in a variety of subjects and sizes on Zazzle and that's where we purchased ours. I'm a little dismayed that the edges around the flowers are hazy in some places, but the paper is a nice heavy archival quality with a matte finish. Overall, at just under $70, I'm quite happy with the purchase.
Framing the print would have cost a pretty penny, probably more than the print itself. To save on cost, we sandwiched the print between two pieces of wood at the top and bottom (click here for the tutorial). I like this solution because it reflects the print's original purpose as an educational chart. However, I'm a little nervous that a breeze from the back door or curious kiddo fingers will pull it off the wall. I plan to keep an eye out for a secondhand frame that matches the dimensions.
Also, Nicole Balch's style is definitely rubbing off on me (which isn't a bad thing!) because when I was doing a little research on black botanical prints for this post, I found a post from her on this exact topic. Who knew?!


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Examining the potential to expand wildlife-supporting residential yards and gardens
Larson, Kelli L.; Lerman, Susannah B.; Nelson, Kristen C.; Narango, Desiree L.; Wheeler, Megan M.; Groffman, Peter M.; Hall, Sharon J.; Grove, J. Morgan.
Research has demonstrated that residential yards can provide important habitat for urban birds, pollinators, and other wildlife. In addition, the motivations and constraints underlying decisions to manage traditional lawns, water-conserving yards, native plants, and other landscape types are well understood. Yet relatively little research has addressed people's decisions to adopt wildlife-supporting yards. Analyzing survey data from six U.S. cities, we address three related questions: 1) to what extent do residents choose yard features that support wildlife habitat?; 2) how do yard priorities and neighborhood governance, along with socio-demographic factors, explain the adoption of wildlife-supporting features?; and 3) how do residents who have already adopted wildlife-supporting yard features differ in their motivations from those who plan to adopt such features and those who do not? We found significant potential for adding vegetation (specifically shrubs and native plants) and other wildlife-supporting features to increase yard complexity and vegetation diversity. While gardening as a hobby was a significant motivator for people who have adopted wildlife yard features, the desire for lowmaintenance yards is a constraint among non-adopters. We therefore recommend promoting the planting of low-maintenance plant species or varieties that provide wildlife habitat but require little upkeep, especially among residents who would like to attract wildlife to their yards into the future. We also found that neighbourhood and homeowner associations increase the local adoption of wildlife-supporting yards. Coupled with other findings, our results underscore the importance of tailoring residential landscape features to diverse lifestyles while leveraging social institutions to expand wildlife habitat across urban and suburban neighborhoods
Residential landscapes; Wildlife gardens; Yard management; Biological conservation; Urban ecology
Larson, Kelli L.; Lerman, Susannah B.; Nelson, Kristen C.; Narango, Desiree L.; Wheeler, Megan M.; Groffman, Peter M.; Hall, Sharon J.; Grove, J. Morgan. 2022. Examining the potential to expand wildlife-supporting residential yards and gardens. Landscape and Urban Planning. 222(2): 104396. 11 p. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104396.


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INTERNAL REPORTS
RIOTS & MASS VIOLENCE
Racial, Ethnic & Religious conflicts in Indonesia
More Than 30 killed in Newly Clashes in Maluku (04/05/99)
More than 50 people have killed and dozens of others were injured in the weekend blasting between Muslims and Christians. Clashes occurred in several villages in remote areas of the regency's islands of Kai Besar and Tual. The hardest hit was Larat, where at least 100 houses were set on fire by mobs. 400 Larat villagers were injured and evacuated by Navy ship to a local hospital. About 19,000 people have sought refuge at several public centers.
The clashes first erupted when predominantly Christian Taar villagers allegedly attacked a neighboring Muslim community in Wearhir village. The outbreak was sparked after the discovery of a piece of gravity defaming Islam in Wearhir.
More than 250 people were killed in devastating communal clashes that broke out in January and lasted for over a month in Ambon. The unrest forced tens of thousands to flee the area, formerly held up as a model of religious harmony.
Ambon Rocked Again, seven killed (03/10/99)
30 people , at least, suffering from gunshot wounds, seven are dead and five are in serious condition, as dozens of military personnel opened fire on clashing Muslims and Christian in the devastated city of Ambon. The renewed violence involving thousand of people armed with crude weapons erupted simultaneously at six different sites in and around Ambon this afternoon.
The troops opened fire to disperse Muslims and Christians battling with Molotov cocktails and crude weapons. The first clash broke out at around 3 p.m. in Benteng Atas. Shortly afterward, dozens of marines were rushed to the area to control the situation. But they then left and a second clash erupted an hour later. Clashes were continuing into the night. Dozen of houses were set on fire in Benteng Atas, causing residents to flee and seek refuge at the Santa Maria Bintang Laut Church.
At least 172 people have been killed and more than 450 have been injured since clashes between Muslims and Christians first erupted in mid-January. Police questioning 23 people suspected of instigating the riots.
Two Men Killed in Renewed Ambon Riot (03/08/99)
Two men were attacked by a mob in renewed violence in the riot-torn of Ambon just a few hours ago. They were attacked in the city's Pohon Mangga area at about 7:10 a.m. The two victims were raiding a motorcycle ehrn they were stopped and attacked by a group of people armed with machetes, arrows and spears.
The attack followed clashes between residents of Pohon Mangga and Benteng Atas areas on last night. At least 7 houses in Benteng were set on fire by Molotov cocktails and more than a dozen people were injured after security personnel opened fire on mobs last night.
Warning shots were also heard on early today in the Patty shopping center and Batu Gantung area. At least 4 houses in Batu Gantung were also set on fire. Blasts were also happened near a police dormitory in Perigi Lima where security personnel fired several warning shots to disperse crowds. At least 2 utility vehicles were also set on fire in Batugajah and Passo areas.
Sporadic Clashes adorn Ambon (02/28/99)
Sporadic clashes continued in the destroyed Maluku capital of Ambon. At least five more people were injured with bruises and stab wounds. Four are Christian and the other is Muslim. Muslim houses in Ahuru village were set on fire by Christian yesterday. The angry mobs were also burning houses on the boundary of the villages of Ahuru and Waihoka, and attacking the state-run Islamic Studies Institute.
New Riot in Ambon (02/23/99)
Over 5000 of people have sought refuge in mosques and churches from the escalating Muslim and Christian clashes in the Maluku capital of Ambon. Many of them planned to leave the city for their hometowns in Southeast and South Sulawesi. Approximately 3000 have taken refuge in the down-town Al Fatah Mosque, while others refuge in the nearby Silo Church.
At least, 24 people have been killed in the past three days, when this newly violence between Mulsims and Christians (which also came from different ethnic groups) broke out by the explosion of hand-made bomb in Batu Merah village on Tuesday. Most of the victims died from gunshot wounds and slash wounds. At least 15 people injured in clashes were still being treated at the hospital.
The city turn to be a ghost-city. The air filled by the sounds of series bomb explosions, warning shots, helicopters, and screams. Streets are deserted, public transportation are not operated. Shops, offices, and schools remained closed. Mobs armed with machetes, spears, bows and arrows are wandering in the streets despite local officials'.
At least 142 people have been killed and more than 350 others were injured, 3360 houses were set on fire, 500 billion material losses since the religious clashes erupted in Ambon in mid January. The violence was initially sparked by a dispute between a Muslim migrant and a local Christian driver of a public minibus on January 19, the first day of the Muslim Idul Fitri holiday. Shortly after members of both communities were involved in full-scale riots.


After a few weeks of testing on the PTR since reveal, Wrecking Ball — A.K.A., "Hammond" — is now bulldozing his way onto the Overwatch live servers starting today.
Play Wrecking Ball now on PC, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One!
While the hamster's release date was made known just over a week ago, the official PlayOverwatch social media accounts put out a commemorative trailer today marking the introduction of the new Tank-class hero into the game. As with any additional character, an update is now necessary to download prior to starting up Overwatch.
With the Inaugural Overwatch League Grand Finals occurring this upcoming Friday and Saturday in New York, it has already been confirmed that Wrecking Ball will not be part of the game build used during the long awaited finale. In addition, it will be a bit longer until Wrecking Ball is available to use in competitive play online for all players, as per usual with previous new heroes.


This is a top-selling "tea"! Everyone wants to drink their antioxidants these days and what could be healthier than blueberries?
This all-fruit infusion of dried blueberries, apples, raisins, and black currants contains no caffeine because there are no tea leaves in it. The longer you brew it, the richer it gets. It pours like wine.


No menu is posted in the packed entryway, but the couples waiting for reserved tables discuss their favorite dishes from memory. The small parking lot is perennially full, and some neighbors on the adjacent residential side street have put chains across their driveways to ward off the overflow. In the crowded dining room, one can't help overhearing nearby conversations, and waiting for the restroom often means hovering next to someone else's table.
It sounds like a recipe for indigestion. But there are two good reasons a meal at the Blue Bottle is exhilarating rather than exhausting: the owners, chef Aaron Philipson, and his wife, Rory, the hostess and pastry chef. His cooking is inspired; her desserts are delicious. Her hospitality, if a bit overbearing, is energetic and sincere.
Aaron is a native of Red Bank; Rory was born and raised in nearby Montgomery. Though they both graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, they didn't meet until they were working at Marcel Desauliner's Trellis Restaurant in Williamsburg, Virginia. The year was 1997, and a decadelater they are happily married with a restaurant of their own. White walls adorned with blue bottles give the café its name. The prefab building, which has housed several restaurants in its time, is divided into two small dining rooms and a drafty glass porch.
With her brassy personality, short blond hair, and resonant voice, Rory can be seen and heard throughout the restaurant—seating patrons, discussing wine, and talking up the menu. Ask for a suggestion and she will likely reply, "Everything's amazing." If she seems a bit smug, it may be the result of basking in the constant praise of her customers. "Is everything delicious?" she asked our table. Well, yes. But her tone was rhetorical rather than inquiring.
The excellent bread comes from Amy's in Manhattan, but nibble it sparingly to leave room for Aaron's starters. Sliced eggplant wrapped around a creamy garbanzo bean hummus was accompanied by roasted red peppers, zucchini, and a delicious tomato relish. It was refreshingly substantial despite being vegetarian. A meaty crab cake was well served by a basil-infused crème fraîche and a slightly tart roasted pepper, artichoke, and corn salad.
But the standout starter was a hearty medley of spankingly fresh Nova Scotia mussels, cockles, and shrimp in a white wine broth tinged with tomato. Save a piece of bread to sop up the plentiful broth.
Skip the salads. One night at dinner the baby arugula and shaved fennel salad was over-chilled, which did wonders for the crisp shaved fennel but left the blood-orange segments and soggy lettuce lifeless. The Blue Bottle Salad—tossed with grapes, toasted hazelnuts, and Manchego cheese—was uninspired and drenched in a heavy-handed red-wine-and-honey vinaigrette.
Aaron's much-praised gnocchi is a must in any of its seasonal incarnations. The original, frequently resurrected, is among the best. Delicately herbed potato pasta—sautéed with English peas, oyster mushrooms, asparagus, and truffle brown butter—absorbs the flavor of every ingredient so that each bite is a microcosm of the entire dish. The gnocchi emerge from the pan slightly seared, giving them an unusual, appealingly crisp surface.
The kitchen's attention to detail is also evident in its meat dishes. A lean pork chop gains astonishing flavor and moistness from a 24-hour soak in a liquid spiked with equal parts salt and sugar. The grilled chop is then served on a bed of garlicky spinach, with sautéed potato-and-chive spaetzle and a piquant sauce made from dried apricots and ginger—an altogether winning and well-balanced dish.
Equally well executed were the moist, rich short ribs in a red wine reduction, the tangy sweetness of the sauce balanced by an excellent celery root and leek purée.
Blue Bottle could stand to coax a little more flavor and suppleness from its fish. A bland pan-roasted halibut was served with marinated but chokingly dry chickpeas. Ancho-rubbed salmon was dry and dull.
Rory's chocolate mousse should not be missed. A chocolate cookie-crumb base supports an airy chocolate-hazelnut mousse capped with rich chocolate ganache—one of the best interpretations of this classic that I've ever tried. The mixed-berry crisp perfectly balances sweet and tart and is topped with crumbly almond streusel and a scoop of luscious mascarpone ice cream from the Bent Spoon in Princeton.