Watch the great singer/songwriter/recording artist Dave Strauss. Dave plays tunes from his years of recording projects and shows you his main musical influences. Also listen as JVonD digs deep into Dave's brain trying to stump him with an onslaught of mainstream music. Witness the power of the technical genius "extraordinaire" Kat as she saves the day with her online skills.


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Letters on the US war in Afghanistan
Below we post a selection of recent letters to the WSWS on the US war in Afghanistan.
To the Editors, WSWS,
Your coverage on the role of a fawning bourgeois press, and in particular, the "newspaper of record", the New York Times, underscores what all of us have been saying about state terrorism in the United States. We're all supposed to be cowering under our beds at the whim of these fools, and we're all supposed to feel more secure with the homegrown mediated terror, say it, terror, generated by our government and its compliant intelligentsia. I'm not frightened, I'm disgusted.
No one in authority in this country has expected the slightest accountability from these jerks. The irony is breathtaking. I mean, here I am, a certified public school teacher, busting my butt to make sure my students stand accountable for their behavior. I am expected to answer every sort of question, fill out reams of paperwork, be fingerprinted and security checked countless times, in order to attain or maintain competency.
Meanwhile, here are all these born again war criminals, armed to the teeth with thermonuclear weapons, many of whom can barely frame a coherent phrase in English, refusing to answer any probing questions about their psychopathic behavior and their pathological lying. Is there something wrong with this picture?
Naturally, I'd like to live a long life, free from threats to my liberties, just like everyone else in this country. But we'd all better wake up and recognize in a serious way that the enemy is here at home. The future is with the proletariat, or there is no future.
There have been two known offers by the Taliban to negotiate turning over bin Laden for judicial judgment. The first offer was rejected automatically by Bush. Concerning the second offer, we have heard no reply. The US news media is unreliable and basically dishonest but we have so far heard that these two offers have not been accepted. It appears the US does not want to get bin Laden but only wreak revenge and misery on a helpless population that are not terrorists. The claim that the civilian casualties were "an accident" simply is not defensible—they are the targets—this is the war of terror against terror. It is modeled on the NATO attack against Yugoslavia, which the pro-war enthusiasts consider to be a complete success.
Some pro-war types could argue that the Taliban offer is not sincere but that could only be determined through negotiations, where the US could "call their bluff." But they won't even talk. Others might say that the Taliban terms are unacceptable insofar as they want to turn bin Laden over to a third party. But is this not open to negotiations, to discussion, to bargaining? The US won't talk but prefers to bomb, destroy, maim, kill and terrorize.
The Taliban made a reasonable offer, which could be open to bargaining or compromise but the US is steadfast: no compromise, only unconditional surrender. If the US has to obliterate half of Afghanistan, what do they care? However, there may be others who do.
As a former soldier in the US Army, and since then a long-time employee of the Army, I've known many people over the years that fought in America's wars, particularly in Vietnam. I do not consider them part of any "ruling elite" or its unwitting minions. Thanks to the financial assistance of the "imperialist government" of the US, I graduated summa cum laude from a state university with a degree in journalism and joined that "debased" profession that so ill serves the American public, according to your perspective.
From the socialist world view, all of us who are part of the "military industrial complex" are apparently helping to achieve the objectives of a governmental/corporate elite that wants to shape a new world order that serves its interests—and the impoverished masses be damned. It must be reassuring indeed to have such a firmly held, black-and-white view of how the world operates.
Many of the rest of us are caught in a kind of middle zone that is comprised of varying shades of gray. We believe there is some truth to what our government leaders say, some truth to what people in the Arab world are saying and some middle ground that is probably closer to the truth—which perhaps neither side is willing to reach in the current climate of anger and fear. That will become more apparent with time, as it has with respect to past wars, and the American press will be among those who point it out, as they have in the past.
In the wake of September 11, I'm working with my other colleagues in the Army to ensure that military campaigns in Afghanistan and elsewhere are a complete success (if that is in fact possible). Afterward we can take the time to reflect upon America's foreign policy mistakes of the past.
The management of CNN must think that the American people never watch the BBC or Deutsche Welle or ITN or read any newspapers other than USA Today! Anyone who does any or all of these things knows that American news reporting is a joke (and not a very funny one, at that). Remember that American news reports didn't mention any of the anti-war demonstrations around the country and the world until they realized that BBC news had done a major segment on it and that Deutsche Welle had also. So suddenly they did a (very) brief mention of the demonstrations (albeit still implying that the demonstrators were a minority of weirdoes and hinting that they were also un-American).
On the other hand, there are a great many American people who have no source of news other than television, and seldom watch that! Therefore, I encourage anyone who has good sources of news to drop copies of foreign newspapers on the doorsteps of their ignorant neighbors as a public service. Remember consciousness raising?
Thanks to Patrick Martin for yet more much needed dismantlement of the US propaganda machine ["CNN tells reporters: no propaganda, except American"]. I'm sure you are also aware that the US Defense Dept. has hired one of the largest public relations firm in the US, the Rendon Group, to do PR for them. I can only wonder who came up with such insidious PR moves as the dollars for Afghan Children campaign, which has millions of American children emptying their piggybanks and washing cars to send money to the Bush administration with absolutely no oversight or regulation. Or better yet, Bush's new "pen pal initiative," which will pair US school kids with Muslims in a written exchange. The State Dept. has also jumped on the bandwagon, contracting with the AdCouncil to create one of the more frightening pieces of propaganda I've ever seen, the "I Am an American" ad, which endeavors to sell Americans their own country. Frightening.
Thank you for your article on the role of the media. I just wish the truth could reach a wider audience, like myself who have been kept in the dark while a powerful plan and plot to achieve their desired aims and goals has been launched.
Your 14 September 2001 editorial ["Why the Bush administration wants war"] says in words what has been in my mind for years—i.e., US is looking for an excuse to dominate the Middle East. Until this moment, I have been lonely and isolated amongst the flag wavers and the singers of God Bless America; now I know I am not isolated.
Think what this country could do if the military spending of these past seven weeks were used to support the lives of average US residents? That is the tragedy.
Thank you for a very comprehensive and factual piece. ["Green Party opponent of Afghan war detained at US airport"]. I believe Ms. Oden is the "canary in the coal mine" and we must strongly spread the word about this far and wide. I wonder how often it's happening all across the country?
Hello, I don't know how you guys dig up this stuff, but it is great that there is somebody flushing out these "McCarthyism" stories. Not a good time for freedom. GH
Dear Peter Symonds,
I've read your article, "The Taliban, The USA and the resources of Central Asia," on the WSWS and I was deeply impressed. I'm a Brazilian History teacher and my students are very much interested to have reliable information on Afghanistan and the real causes of this stupid war. You were very didactical and comprehensive.
Thank you for a particularly fine article on the relationship between the US and Canada. By pointing to the fact that what is taking place now has actually been long in the making, you dispel the clouds of obfuscatory nationalist rhetoric. This article is a clear demonstration of the superiority of the Marxist method over other forms of analysis.
Since I came across your site several weeks ago, I have become a devoted reader and rely on WSWS for complete and accurate information. I thank you and have forwarded many of your messages to friends.
I am anxious to get the complete dope on the financial connections linking the Carlyle Merchant Bank, the bin Laden family and the Bush family. It sounds like treason to me or at least war profiteering, a contemptible, disloyal use of power and privilege.
The September 11 Terrorist Attacks
US Attorney General Barr invokes "state secrets" to cover up Saudi involvement in 9/11
Sixteen years after 9/11: lies, hypocrisy and militarism
Obama vetoes bill allowing 9/11 victims to sue Saudi government
Questions mount over government contacts with NYC bomb suspect
Governor deploys National Guard and state police after bombing in New York

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College is located at 4 East Wheelock Street in Hanover, New Hampshire. The center, which was designed by Wallace Harrison and foreshadows his later design of Manhattan's Lincoln Center, is the college's cultural hub. It is home to the drama and music departments. In addition to these fields, the Hopkins Center, or the "Hop" as it is called by students, has a woodshop and jewelry studio which are open for use by students and the public.

Features

Within the Hopkins Center are Faulkner Recital Hall, Spaulding Auditorium, Warner Bentley Theater, the Moore Theater, and Alumni Hall. These are used for student performances, concerts and plays by visiting artists, and alumni and faculty meetings. Various student groups perform regularly at the Hop, including the Dartmouth College Gospel Choir, Dartmouth Dance Ensemble, the Glee Club, the Barbary Coast Jazz Ensemble, the Wind Symphony, and the Symphony Orchestra, among others. Students receive a reduced ticket price for performances. However, all events are open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at the Hop's box office.

The center makes available several classes each term for the enrichment of students and the public. For example, the dance department usually offers classes in different styles of dance, from ballet to hip hop.

The Hop is also home to the college's Hinman Mail Center. Each undergraduate student receives his or her own mailbox, known as a "Hinman Box" or "HB", at the beginning of freshman year. Packages may be sent to the mail center as well.

Among the many artists and groups featured in the 2014 season were renowned musician Reggie Watts and virtuoso American violinist Joshua Bell.

"Top of the Hop"
On special occasions, events are held at the "Top of the Hop", an area on the second floor of the center. The college's president often holds catered events here to celebrate various visitors, donors, exhibits, or performances.

History
When the Hopkins Center opened in 1962, it was the first academic (or civic) arts center of its kind, and as such, it served as the prototype for an entire generation of such centers that has grown to encompass many hundreds over the succeeding half century. Its genesis was the promise for a new theater made in the late 1920s by then Dartmouth president Ernest Martin Hopkins to Warner Bentley, a newly recruited English faculty member with responsibility for the non-department theatre program. Various calamities intervened—the Depression, the Second World War, Korea, and Hopkins' own retirement. But when the building finally reached the construction stage in the favorable economic climate of the early 1960s, its concept had grown to include space for a new concert hall / film theater, a "black box" theater, music and theatre rehearsal halls, a recital hall, gallery exhibition and art storage space, arts studios, and a student workshop —  and its new footprint covered four and a half acres.

An early architect's rendering revealed a building of Georgian-style brick, matching much of the rest of the Dartmouth campus. But with the engagement of architect Wallace K. Harrison, a favorite of Dartmouth graduate and New York's then-governor Nelson A. Rockefeller, the style moved to 1960s modern, and the arched and glassed-in front façade took on aspects that Harrison drew upon when he later designed the new Metropolitan Opera House at Lincoln Center.

The arts were not new to Dartmouth at the time. A student theatre company, the Glee Club, Handel Society Chorus, Community Symphony Orchestra, Dartmouth Film Society, and artist-in-residence programs all pre-existed—but the thought was that students would need to be drawn into the arts activity housed within the center. So, integral to its concept was the use of internal glass. Large windows looked into the theaters and design shops, practice rooms, art studios, and galleries — many of which proved impractical given the activity occurring within.

Public programs initiated by its first director, Warner Bentley, and his successor, Peter D. Smith, drew significant media coverage and made the Hopkins Center a regional and sometimes national destination. For a number of years in the mid- and late 1960s, the Hop hosted a summer Congregation of the Arts, which featured summer theatre programs, a festival orchestra and resident chamber ensembles that performed works by distinguished contemporary composers invited to residencies, exhibitions of works by artists-in-residents, and special film series. The Hop earned a reputation as a venue friendly to contemporary music that persisted for nearly two decades. In the 1970s it also initiated and hosted Celebration Northeast, an indoor / outdoor festival that was one of the first to celebrate indigenous but non–mainstream North America folk musics.

For many years the Hop remained ahead of the curve in its programming of imported events, and Peter Smith liked to joke that he was the only impresario who could fail to sell out a 900-seat hall for either Luciano Pavarotti or Bruce Springsteen — both of whom were engaged just prior to their super-stardom.

Connections
The Hopkins Center is connected to the Hood Museum of Art, North America's oldest museum in continuous operation. This is Dartmouth's own museum, which houses both permanent collections and visiting exhibitions. After a walk through the museum, one can visit the Hood's museum store which is located next to the Courtyard Café. Beneath the museum is Gilman Auditorium, which regularly had movie showings before the opening of Loew Auditorium in the Black Family Visual Arts Center next door.

References

External links

Hopkins Center home

Dartmouth College facilities
Performing arts centers in New Hampshire
Art museums and galleries in New Hampshire
Tourist attractions in Grafton County, New Hampshire
University and college arts centers in the United States
Hanover, New Hampshire
Modernist architecture in New Hampshire

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Here it is, and it only took ten hours to "take effect..."
All four of these address will get you right to the forum and we thought that they all had an appropriate and kool sound to them.
Please consider this our donation to the forum and a well deserved "Thank You" to all of you for all of your warm wishes and thoughts.
John has created these domain names, which can be easier to remember and are more related to our subject.
You can now give these addresses to all the people who wants to get here.


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Maha Governor questions CM's Hindutva credentials
Primepost 2 years, 3 months ago
Top functionaries exchange bitter letters
"When did you turn secular, the word you hate," asked Governor Koshyari
Uddhav responds strongly referring to Ranaut episode
Assaduddin and Prakash Ambedkar want places of worship thrown open
Exchange of bitter words between Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari and Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray full of sarcasm and innuendos has not surprised anyone. The acrimonious atmosphere has been going on between the Governor and the chief minister right from the day Uddhav Thackeray had taken oath of office. The heat in the correspondence has increased after Covid eruption. The question of opening the temples has been on top of the Governor's mind. He wrote a letter to the CM asking him to announce opening of temples in Maharashtra.
Koshyari questioned the Hindutva credentials of Thackeray when he reminded the latter saying, "You have been a strong votary of Hindutva and openly espoused your devotion to Lord Ram by visiting Ayodhya." The Governor commented that he wondered if the CM was receiving any divine premonition to keep the temples shut even after throwing open bars and restaurants. "Have you become secular, the term you hated, asked the Governor rather mischievously.
My definition of Hindutva different: Uddhav Thackeray
Uddhav Thackeray has given back to the Governor by telling him that he needed no certificate of Hindutva from Koshyari. Inviting a person who called Mumbai Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK), meaning Kangana Ranaut, is not part of his definition of Hindutva, Thackeray said. It is public knowledge that the famous actor had mounted a relentless attack against the chief minister at the behest of top BJP leadership. She was reportedly trying to help BJP to garner support in Bihar elections by espousing the cause of actor hailing from Bihar, Sushant Singh Rajput, who allegedly committed suicide in Mumbai.
Secularists ask for opening of places of worship
Thackeray asked if the Governor had forgotten the oath of office he had taken in the name of the Constitution. The reopening of the temples depends not on his belief in secularism but on the perception of the officials who are taking care of law and order. The CM commented that the sudden imposition of the lockdown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was wrong. Political opponents of the chief minister such as Raj Thackeray, Assaduddin Owaisi and Prakash Ambedkar, the last two proclaimed secularists, have been demanding that the temples, mosques, churches and gurudwaras in Maharashtra be reopened. BJP has been organising protests against the continued closure of the places of worship.
Courtesy:http://www.primepost.in/maha-governor-questions-cms-hindutva-credentials/
Shivsena
Bhagat Singh Koshyari


Inspired by modern oriental influences, Bangkok Marriott Hotel the Surawongse offers a 5-star experience like no other. The hotel is located in the midst of Bangkok's city center in the Silom area, roughly 25 minutes from Bangkok airport. With so many facilities on offer within the hotel, guests don't even have to leave in order to have a good time. But if they do, the Sky Train, the Chao Phraya River, Patpong, Silom Business District, and several other local attractions are all nearby.
Marriott has done an excellent job processing the oriental atmosphere into the individual rooms as well, with a slightly modern touch to them. All spacious rooms feature a large double bed, flatscreen TV and desk. The separate bathroom is fitted with a large walk-in rain shower. The bathroom is shielded from the bedroom by glass solely, giving it an open feel and allowing guests to gaze upon Bangkok's skyline whilst showering or taking a bath.
This might be the best hotel fitness gym we have encountered as of yet. Not only are there plenty of cardio machines to get a good work out in -equipped with the latest technology; watching Netflix or catching up on social media on your machine? No problem- but there is also a diverse range of strength training necessities. Whether it is free weight lifting or on a machine. Safe to say you will be able to train here as you would in your hometown gym.
Not one, not two, but five qualitative dining options are to be found within the hotel. Each of the restaurants has their own distinctive but coherent look. The cuisine ranges from Chinese, Thai and global, depending on the restaurant.
The breakfast is served in Praya restaurant, located on the 3rd floor, and the diversity of the buffet is bizarre. From Chinese gyozas to Japanse sushi, Indian Curry's, English sausages, American pancakes, ice cream, French pastries, and so on. You name it, they've got it.
If you thought the view from the pool was impressive, wait until you see the view from the Yoa restaurant and sky bar. Located another 14 floors higher, on the 32nd floor, this terrace provides a view of Bangkok like no other. At the restaurant, guests are able to enjoy a large variety of lush cocktails and a dinner menu based on Chinese cuisine. All whilst soaking up a 360 degree of downtown Bangkok.
The hotel does not provide a direct shuttle service from either Don Mueang International Airport (DMK) or Suvarnabhumi Bangkok International Airport (BKK). Luckily, arranging a taxi on both airports is easily done and well appointed. The hotel provides an estimated taxi fare of 800 THB for a one-way trip, which is good to keep in mind in case negations take place.
What is it going to cost you to spend the night at Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse?
Want to see what other accommodations Bangkok has on offer? Visit Booking.com for 3200+ hotels in the city.


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Home News Governor Baker states concern about Pilgrim nuclear power station
Governor Baker states concern about Pilgrim nuclear power station
Final phase of NRC inspection began Monday.
Bill Chaisson
The 10-, 20-, and 50-mile radii around the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. —Image from Cape Downwinders
Spurred by reports of undertrained staff and inadequate safety procedures, on Wednesday, Jan. 4, Governor Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey wrote to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to request a meeting with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to discuss the much-maligned Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, according to a State House news release.
Underscoring the seriousness of the concerns, the letter was also signed by the Massachusetts congressional delegation, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg (D-Amherst), and state legislators from a dozen districts around the plant.
On Monday, Jan. 9, an inspection team from the NRC returned to the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station for the third of a three-phase inspection, which was triggered by the station's less than glowing safety grade.
In a phone interview with The Times, Diane Turco of Cape Downwinders, a Pilgrim watchdog group, said that on Dec. 6, she'd inadvertently received an email from Don Jackson, leader of a Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspection team at Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station, that described poor management at the power plant.
Ms. Turco said there was no confidentiality clause appended to the end of the email, and with her phone about to lose power, she forwarded the email to reporter Christine Legere of the Cape Cod Times. Ms. Legere posted a story and the entire text of the email online on Dec. 6.
On Dec. 8, members of Cape Downwinders went to Gov. Baker's office to urge him to close the plant before its scheduled shutdown date in 2019.
"Twenty Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) inspectors have spent the past two weeks conducting the final phase of a special inspection to determine if Entergy's degrading Pilgrim nuclear reactor on the shores of Cape Cod Bay should be closed … The NRC email leak revealed alarming problems, including failures to take corrective action to replace or repair vital mechanical equipment, and observed 'overwhelmed' managers and staff [unable] to operate the plant safely," Cape Downwinders said in a Dec. 9 press release.
On Dec. 16, Ms. Legere reported in the Cape Cod Times that the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station had been shut down because of leaks in three of the eight main steam isolation valves, which are designed to close quickly to prevent radioactivity from leaking into the environment during a nuclear incident.
According to the Physicians for Social Responsibility, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) designates two zones around a nuclear plant, Zone 1 and Zone 2. Zone 1 has a 10-mile radius, and is subject to direct effects of a nuclear accident. Zone 2 has a 50-mile radius, within which there is danger of radioactive contamination of water supplies, food crops, and livestock.
The Cape Downwinders website provides distances of all Cape and Islands towns from Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station. The closest Island towns, Tisbury and Oak Bluffs, are 33.8 miles from the plant. The farthest town, Aquinnah, is 43.6 miles from the Plymouth facility.
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Archive for category: Drinks
You are here: Home / Blog / Drinks
Grazie and Arrivederci
09/07/2017 /0 Comments/in Blog, Drinks, Food, Music, Press, Sponsor, Tickets, Vespa, Visual Art /by IFF
I wish to thank the audience for coming to the first edition of the Italian Fusion Festival! This first edition edition was very successful and was sold out.
For those who missed the event and would like to see it next year, following the great interested of this edition we are glad to announce that the festival will also come back in 2018!
We would like to thank the online ticket holders for filling the survey. All feedback will be taken into consideration to improve the event next year. Those who participated and would like to send their feedback, can also do so by e-mailing info@italianfusionfestival.com
For the next edition we are planning to book a bigger venue to accommodate a bigger audience, have more food stalls with italian food and drinks and workshops/ art exhibitions related to Italy.
If you are an Italian musician/filmmaker/artist based in Ireland and you would like to partecipate to the next edition of the Italian fusion festival please contact us.
If you are business and are you interested in one of our sponsorship packages get in touch and we will be happy to assist you.
If you wish to stay in touch and know when the early bird tickets are available, you can subscribe to the Radio Dublino newsletter where we'll announce the next year's festival edition or follow our facebook page.
We also wish to thank everyone who collaborated with us:
The six music bands Miss Phoenix and the Jaffa Cakes, SteamFolks, Infinitwirl, The HQs, The Ballad of Adam and Eve, Mongrel State
Pit Stop Krew Vespa Club Dublin
Journalists and websites that promoted our initiative
The sponsors Sacla, The 100 Club, Chilly Monkeys Card, SenzaMeta
The food stalls PastaBox and Sweet Sicily
The filmmakers who gave permission to show their videos
The Italian Institute of Culture of Dublin for promoting the event
The Grand Social staff and sound engineers
Last but not least, I huge thank you to the Radio Dublino volunteers for making this edition possible. This event was entirely organised with the efforts of committed volunteers who regularly volunteer the Radio Dublino community project.
We look forward to seeing you next year.
Maurizio Pittau
Festival Director
maurizio@radiodublino.com
https://www.italianfusionfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/italian-fusion-festival-Crew.jpg 981 1546 IFF https://www.italianfusionfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/logo_italian_fusion_festival.png IFF2017-07-09 12:47:292017-07-09 13:51:07Grazie and Arrivederci
Peroni at the Italian Fusion Festival
24/06/2017 /0 Comments/in Blog, Drinks /by IFF
The Italian Fusion Festival is honoured to host the most popular Italian beer in the world: Peroni.
Peroni beer will be available during the festival. It's difficult to put into words how or why Italy came to be recognised as one of the world's most stylish nations, but one thing is undeniable, style is the essence of Italian culture and is integral to their way of life. Italians are immaculate, stylish, passionate. They don't walk, they promenade. They don't wear clothes, they model them. They don't just talk, they express. No detail is too much trouble for even the simplest tasks in life. Espresso in a café, Carabinieri directing traffic, Aperitivo before dinner; it's all got to be effortlessly perfect. Because Italian style is more than just a look – it is an attitude and a way of life.
Peroni Nastro Azzurro has been brewed by generations of Italians with the same quality, attention to detail and craftsmanship since 1963 – the decade in which most iconic Italian brands were born. Designed with passion, creativity and flair, its authentic crisp and refreshing taste appeals to the most sophisticated of consumers. Peroni exemplifies the traditions of Italian craftsmanship, passion and flair upon which it was formed.
https://www.italianfusionfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/peroni_Vespa.jpg 1989 3582 IFF https://www.italianfusionfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/logo_italian_fusion_festival.png IFF2017-06-24 13:13:472019-07-01 12:27:37Peroni at the Italian Fusion Festival


With storm season approaching it's time to mark off each task on the preparation portion of our Checklist For Summer Storms.
The tips below are actions you should take before storm season hits. These things usually take a couple of weeks to set up and accomplish so it's best to get them done ahead of time. If you wait until a storm is in the forecast to start these tasks, you may find yourself paying expensive emergency fees or not be able to get the work done at all.
✔ Tree Inspection. The next time you're out in your yard take a minute and look at your tree.
Look for large branches attached with tight, v-shaped forks. These branches are prone to failure and may need to be lightened or removed.
Look for cracks in the truck of the tree or in major limbs, hollow and decayed areas, or the presence of extensive dead wood.
Look for fungi growing from the base of your tree or under its canopy. This could be a sign of root decay.
If you see any of these bad health signs give your arborist a call.
✔ Preventative Pruning. Regular tree maintenance can mean a world of difference when it comes to a tree's strength during a storm. Preventative pruning reduces wind resistance and removes dead branches. This reduces the risk of the tree or the tree's limbs snapping under the force of wind gusts.
✔ Take A Look At Your Neighbors' Trees. You neighbors' trees aren't on your property but that doesn't mean they can come crashing down on your house, shed, or car. Do a visual examination of your neighbors' trees to see if there are any tell-tale danger signs. Or better yet, talk to your neighbors about having an Arborist inspect their tree.
✔ Mulching. Proper mulching protects the root system of the tree and allows water and nutrients to drain down through the soil to the roots. Keeping the root system healthy through proper mulching can increase the tree's strength year round but especially during storms.
Day Of The Storm Preparation.
✔ Secure Your Home. Close storm shutters and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
✔ Move Items From Under Trees. In case your tree or its limbs do fail during a storm, make sure to remove items from under the tree's canopy. For example, do not park your vehicle under a tree if you know a storm is approaching, better safe than sorry.
✔ Don't Be A Hero. If a limb does fall on your car or a part of your home, do not go outside to remove it. Your property is not more important than your life and the life of your loved ones. If limbs are falling you are safer inside your house than in your yard.
✔ Inspect Your Property & Trees For Damage.
If you see any of these signs you may need emergency tree service. Call 703.573.3029 to get in contact with our 24/7 emergency Arborist.


The theme of this story concerns the idea that observation determines reality, and takes it to a more profound level than is usual in quantum mechanics. Along the way, the history of π and of four-dimensionality are discussed.
First appeared in THRILLING WONDER STORIES (1950), reprinted in several anthologies, including the author's THE ROSE.


The 83rd edition of the Masters will tee off at Augusta on Thursday. Golf – and particularly the Masters with all its idiosyncratic traditions – is sometimes seen as a bit of a stuck up sport.
Golf Channel in the lead up to the tournament.
Rory McIlroy also gets the impressionist treatment. The Irishman will begin his quest to complete a career Grand Slam when the tournament kicks off.
age in sports and life.
Woods' wardrobe has been making waves with the golfing legend sporting his signature 'mock turtle' shirts, the outfit last seen when he won his fourth Masters title back in 2005.
"Some of the events, like the Open Championship – because the golf courses are so old that there's not a lot of room – there's sometimes 75 to 100 people inside the ropes following us," Woods said. "That gets a little distracting and it gets a little difficult at times.


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Strategy for responsible investment and business Responsible business
Portfolio results 2019
x € million
Funds and mandates
Target size 2022
Secured pipeline 2019
Relative performance 2014 - 2018
Dutch Residential Fund
Dutch Office Fund
Dutch Retail Fund
Dutch Hotel Fund
Dutch Healthcare Fund
Bouwinvest Development
The European portfolio recorded a return of 6.4% 2019 (2018: 4.7%). At year-end 2019, the European portfolio was valued at € 1.2 billion. In 2019, 47% of the investments in the European portfolio had above–average sustainability scores (GRESB 4 or 5 stars). The energy use of the assets declined by 1.4% and CO2 emissions fell by 1.2%.
The European mandate made a total of € 143 million in new investments in 2019, largely in offices and logistics centres. The Europe Mandate has an investment of € 182 million.
The North American portfolio recorded a return of 11.5% (2018: 4.3%). At year-end 2019, the portfolio was valued at
€ 1.4 billion. Currently, 28% of the investments in the North American portfolio have above-average sustainability score (GRESB 4 or 5 stars). The energy use of the assets declined by 0.3% and CO2 emissions were cut back by 0.4%.
The North America Mandate has an investment pipeline of € 441 million. In 2019, Bouwinvest invested a total € 348 million in this region, with investments in affordable homes, healthcare real estate and logistics real estate. The latter investment is focused specifically on small distribution centres in cities in the eastern part of the United States, including Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Baltimore-Washington and central and southern Florida.
De Asia-Pacific portfolio recorded a return of 10.6% in 2019 (2018: 8.9%). At year-end 2019, the portfolio was valued at € 1.1 billion. Last year, 31% of the investments in this portfolio had above-average sustainability scores (GRESB 4 or 5 stars). The energy use of the assets in the Asia-Pacific Mandate declined by 2.5% and CO2 emissions fell by 9.1%.
The Asia-Pacific Mandate has an investment pipeline of € 252 million and invested a total of € 209 million in 2019. Last year, this mandate invested in offices, retail real estate, logistics and student accommodation. For instance, the mandate invested € 88 million in metropolitan areas in the Asia-Pacific region. This was an investment in a portfolio that includes office buildings in Tokyo, Osaka, Hong Kong, Seoul and Auckland.
The Residential Fund recorded a total return of 11.5% in 2019 (2018: 18.2%), with an income return of 2.3% (2018: 2.5%). Capital growth came in at 9.1% in 2019 (2018: 15.4%). At year-end 2019, the Fund had invested capital of € 6.5 billion. The Residential Fund retained its GRESB 4-star rating in 2019. The CO2 emissions from the assets in the Residential Fund increased by 10.3% last year, as a result of an increase in gas consumption. Energy use fell by 2.2% in 2019. The Fund has 22 clients, who signed new commitments for a total of € 190 million in 2019.
The Residential Fund has an investment pipeline of € 784 million and last year signed transactions for € 422 million in new assets. For instance, the Fund invested in 30 natural gas-free apartments in The Hague. The Residential Fund also acquired three projects with 177 homes in Rijswijk, Hoofddorp and Zwolle; invested in 316 homes in Delft and acquired 115 apartments in the De Open Veste project in Purmerend. The Fund also made two investments in Eindhoven: 139 rental apartments in the De Gebroeders project in the Oud-Strijp neighbourhood and 99 apartments in the NEXT project in the Strijp-S neighbourhood. The majority of the homes will be rented in the mid-rental segment.
In 2019, the Retail Fund recorded a total return 4.3% (2018: 5.6%). This was the result of an income return of 4.2% (2018: 3.5%) and capital growth of 0.1% (2018: 2%). At year-end 2019, the Fund had total invested capital of € 979 million. The Retail Fund once again retained it GRESB 4-star rating. The energy use of the assets in the Retail Fund declined by 7.3% in 2019, while CO2 emissions fell by 18.6%. In 2019, the Fund's clients committed a total of € 78 million, taking total commitments to € 90 million. The Fund currently has seven clients.
At this moment, the Fund's investment pipeline is empty. The transaction volume came in at € 8.2 million in 2019. In line with its strategy, the Fund invested in shopping centres for daily goods (convenience). For instance, the Fund completed the modernisation of the Goverwelle centre in Gouda. The Fund also invested in retail units in main shopping streets, including another retail unit on the Demer shopping street in Eindhoven. Following this acquisition, Bouwinvest now has more than 2,000 m2 of retail space on this street.
The Office Fund recorded a total return of 20.3% in 2019 (2018: 11.4%). The income return came in at 2.3% (2018: 2.2%) and capital growth amounted to 17.8% (2018: 9.1%). At year-end 2019, the Office Fund had total invested capital of € 1,077 million. Last year, the Office Fund once again retained its GRESB 5-star rating (the highest). The energy use of the assets in the Office Fund declined by 10.2% in 2019, while CO2 emissions fell by 7.8%. In 2019, the Fund's clients committed a total € 72 million. The Fund currently has seven clients.
The Fund has an investment pipeline of € 134 million and did not sign any new transactions in 2019. January saw the start of construction on the Central Park office building (28,000 m2) in Utrecht. The redevelopment of the former Citroën buildings on the Stadionplein in Amsterdam was also completed last year.
Hotel Fund
The Hotel Fund delivered a total return of 22.3% in 2019 (2018: 17%), with an income return of 4.2% (2018: 4.9%) and capital growth of 17.6% (2018: 11.7%). At year-end 2019, the Fund had total invested capital of € 333 million. The Hotel Fund once again improved its GRESB score considerably in 2019 and raised its GRESB rating to four stars. GRESB named the Hotel Fund the global sector leader in unlisted real estate funds for the second year in a row.
The Hotel Fund has an investment pipeline of € 34 million and signed transactions worth € 25 million in 2019. Hotel Boat & Co in Amsterdam-Houthaven was officially delivered in 2019. Boat & Co offers an innovative hotel concept with 82 spacious hotel apartments, bar and restaurant, spa and gym.
Healthcare Fund
The Healthcare Fund recorded a total return of 7.7% in 2019 (2018: 8.1%), with an income return of 2.8% (2018: 3.0%) and capital growth of 4.8% (2018: 5.0%). At year-end 2019, the Fund had invested capital of € 262 million. The Healthcare Fund improved its sustainability performance considerably in 2019 and was awarded a GRESB 4-star rating, up from a 1-star rating in 2018.
The Fund has an investment pipeline of € 71 million. In 2019, the Fund signed transactions totalling € 85 million for investments in independent care apartments and intramural care facilities in Rijswijk-Buiten, Zoetermeer and Heerenveen. The Healthcare Fund also acquired a care facility in Harderwijk. This facility will be built flexibly and in line with circular building principles and will meet the standards required for WELL certification.
Sustainable real estate investments
Our sustainable real estate investment strategy focuses on the continuous improvement of our sustainability performance by investing in sustainable real estate, improving stakeholder value and acting as a responsible organisation.
Our main goal is to ensure that at least 75% of our invested capital has an above-average sustainability rating (GRESB 4 or 5 stars) by 2021. The share of investments with above-average sustainability scores increased by 2% to 81% in 2019 and is now more than 6% above the minimum target of 75%. This increase was largely due to the fact that the Hotel Fund and the Healthcare Fund were both awarded GRESB 4-star ratings for the first time in 2019. GRESB also named the Hotel Fund global sector leader in the unlisted funds category.
Each quarter, Bouwinvest reports to shareholders on its sustainability performance at fund, mandate and group level. In the third quarter, we provide investors with the updated strategy and the plan per fund/mandate for the next three years. When we update our strategy, we evaluate the previous targets and if necessary we adjust our approach and the targets.
Bouwinvest has raised its target for the percentage of sustainable investments, which came in 81% in 2019, so well above the original minimum target of 75%, to a minimum of 80% for the next three years. Our approach will remain the same.
In 2019, Bouwinvest participated in the PRI benchmark for the first time. For both the strategy and governance module and the property module, we scored an A+, the highest possible score.
Target for improving sustainability performance
In 2021, at least 75% of the invested capital has an above-average sustainability rating (GRESB 4 or 5 stars)
On track: 81.3%
Our sustainable real estate investment strategy is based on two pillars: certified sustainable real estate and reducing our environment impact.
Certified sustainable real estate
Sustainability certificates demonstrate the quality of our buildings, provide us with insight into the current status of our investments in terms of sustainability and potential improvements. We use internationally accepted green building certificates to measure and assess the overall sustainability of our buildings and portfolios.
For the Residential Fund and the Healthcare Fund, Bouwinvest uses the GPR label. The GPR label scores the sustainability performance of buildings based on five themes, including health. The GPR label assesses the reduction measures of noise nuisance, sufficient influx of fresh air, comfortable ventilation and sufficient presence of daylight. In addition, the GPR label process checks user quality, which includes the likes of a safe living environment.
The Retail, Office and Hotel funds use BREEAM-NL certification. BREEAM assesses asset performance and building management on eleven health aspects, comparable to the GPR aspects noise, air quality, thermal comfort, light and visual comfort and user quality. Any acquisitions made by the Dutch funds are subject to strict minimum building label requirements and Bouwinvest has raised its target scores for the standing portfolios. This is how Bouwinvest plans to realise a sustainable portfolio, but also a healthy one. Each year, we evaluate the spread in the portfolio and draw up a plan for improvements. While health has so far been an integral part of the certification schemes, we expect future assessments to look more closely at the specific scores of the underlying aspects that make up a sustainability certificate.
A building that has been certified as sustainable helps to combat climate change and generates broader social, economic, ecological and health benefits. We are convinced that gaining insight in the sustainability performance of our assets reduces risk, ensure higher returns and increases the attractiveness of our real estate and portfolios. In 2019, Bouwinvest was once again one of the biggest clients for the certification of new-build plans using BREEAM-NL. During the Provada property trade fair, Bouwinvest received its 200th GPR building certificate. Bouwinvest was also a co-investor in The Spiral office building (260,000 m²) in New York. Thanks to a number of adjustments in the final design phase of this project – partly at the behest of Bouwinvest – the intended LEED sustainability certificate was adjusted upward to Gold.
The percentage of buildings with green building certificates in the Dutch funds increased to 98.2% in 2019 (2018: 62%). And we also saw an increase in the percentage of buildings with sustainability labels among the GRESB participants in the international mandates. What is more, the international portfolio scored higher than the global average in terms of sustainable building certificates.
Reducing environmental impact
Last year, we once again reduced the environmental impact of the Dutch portfolio via renewable energy generation, i.e. the installation of solar panels and thermal energy storage systems. In addition to this, we include sustainability improvements in strategic maintenance projects. For instance, the use of modern energy-efficient climate control systems, smart lighting systems and the use of new technologies and innovations can all reduce the environmental impact of our assets and portfolios.
Each quarter, the realised reduction in energy use and CO2 emissions per sector fund is reported to the Executive Board of Directors and investors, evaluated and. In the third quarter, Bouwinvest updates and refines the fund plans for the coming three years and submits these to the investors in the funds for approval. When Bouwinvest updates the strategy for the funds, it evaluates the ESG targets (including the reduction of energy use and CO2 emissions). And if necessary, we adjust our approach and our targets.
Over the past few years, the Dutch Residential Fund has implemented a wide range of energy-saving measures and acquired many energy-efficient homes. Thanks to these efforts, 100% of the properties in the residential portfolio had been awarded green energy labels as of 2019.
We see cooperation and targeting real energy use reduction as an essential part of the effort to meet the targets laid down in the Paris Climate agreement. As part of this effort, the Office Fund and technical services provider ENGIE signed the Energy Performance Contract for the WTC The Hague. The aim of this contract is to continue to reduce the energy use in the WTC The Hague in the coming years, effectively making the building Paris-proof, so it can meet the Paris climate targets (for offices: 50 kWh/m2).
The Retail Fund also initiated a collaboration with Albert Heijn. As part of this agreement, we have installed solar panels on the Molenhoek shopping centre in Rosmalen. Bouwinvest leases these panels to Albert Heijn and the energy generated is used to provide electricity for the Albert Heijn supermarket in the centre.
In 2019, Bouwinvest's Dutch portfolio had a total installed sustainable energy capacity of 9.4 MWp. This was in an increase of 4.6 MWp, due in part to the installation of 1.0 MWp of solar panels on homes in the residential portfolio. This puts us well on track to achieve our target of installed capacity of 12.5 MWp by year-end 2021.
In 2019, the final reduction in energy use amounted to 7.7% for the Dutch funds open to investors and 1.1% for the international mandates. The Dutch portfolio reduced CO2 emissions by 6.8% and the international mandates reduced emissions by 3.5%.
The 6.8% reduction in emissions exceeds our target of 3%. In the year ahead, we will be looking at whether we can include the reduction of CO2 emissions in the quarterly reports, to increase the evaluation frequency.
We will continue to devote attention to making sure we have full and complete access to accurate energy use data in time. To improve the access to energy use data, since 2019 we have been working on gaining direct access to energy use data via an environmental data management system. We have now completed the pilot we ran in 2019 and this helped us draw up a tender for a system that will have to be suitable for all types of property and environmental data. In 2020, we will make a start on the implementation of this system. We have also determined a baseline year for each fund for the calculation of reduction targets from 2020 onwards.
On top of this, we have been devoting an increasing amount of attention to climate risks, such as floods, drought, heat and extreme winds. Extreme weather conditions could have an impact on real estate investments, due to the likes of physical damage, the rising costs of resources or changing demands in terms of products and services. This is likely to result in higher maintenance costs, higher insurance costs or limited availability or coverage of insurance policies, but in extreme cases could also result in the permanent loss or (partial) decline in the value of a building, due to changes in the demand for certain products/locations.
This is why Bouwinvest has started to map out its current portfolio's exposure to climate risks. We are doing this by combining climate data with building data and other data. In 2020, we will continue to roll out the analysis in terms of asset and portfolio-specific risks, together with appropriate measures.
In addition to being a big user of energy, the built environment – and the real estate sector – is a major user of raw materials. Circular development and building will be necessary to arrive at a new real estate economy and a sustainable building industry. Buildings built according to circular principles generally have a lower environmental impact, as they tend to reuse what are often scarce raw materials and to reduce waste flows. In addition, circular real estate is more sustainable and generates broader social, economic, ecological health benefits. This is why Bouwinvest, too, has set its sights on circularity. In 2019, we invested in a healthcare facility (Villa Verde) in Harderwijk that will be built according to circular building principles.
On top of this, a team of people from accountancy firm Deloitte, materials passport provider Madaster and eight leading real estate owners, including Bouwinvest, have conducted research into the added value of circular building. This research clearly demonstrates the financial impact of integrating the reuse value of materials in buildings in circular business cases.
Target for sustainable buildings
100% of Dutch portfolio labeled in 2020
Target for environmental impact
Reduction of 5% per year
Achieved: -7.7%
12,5 MWp of installed capacity in 2021
Achieved: c. 10.6 MWp
Improving stakeholder value
Bouwinvest strives to optimise the long-term relationships with its stakeholders. Our most important stakeholders include our clients, local operators, tenants and employees. Clients provide us with capital to invest, local operators help us to invest in buildings outside the Netherlands, our Dutch tenants use our buildings and our employees are essential to achieving our targeted results.
To monitor what our main stakeholder groups think about us, where we could improve our services, or in fact where we are doing well, we regularly conduct various satisfaction surveys. We conduct an annual tenant satisfaction survey, and biennial employee and client satisfaction surveys. The results and improvement points are discussed with the Executive Board of Directors and we publish the outcome in the annual report.
Last year, we conducted our first ever reputation survey, to gain a better understanding of how our stakeholders rate us and what we as an organisation can improve. For this survey, we organised interviews with 45 of our main stakeholders. Clients, consultants who advise pension funds, international partners, Dutch developers and municipal authorities gave us an average score of 7.8. We score highly on items such as entrepreneurship, solidity, enthusiasm, collaboration, expertise and returns. This is something we want to maintain, but there is also room for improvement. Our stakeholders expect us to be more transparent, to provide more information and they want us to have a clear profile on the sustainability front.
Clients see Bouwinvest as a good and professional player. Consultants see Bouwinvest as an effective, solid and professional player. At the same time, both clients and consultants would like to receive timely information on the likes of disappointing results or issues.
International partners are enthusiastic about Bouwinvest. Our peers recognise the development Bouwinvest is going through, but do question our international ambitions. Chain partners value Bouwinvest as a reliable, solid and pleasant partner to work with. Industry organisations see Bouwinvest as an engaged member committed to the sector. Municipal authorities see Bouwinvest as one of the top players in the real estate sector, but find us too modest when it comes to our contribution to cities and communities.
We measure satisfaction among our tenants via an annual tenant satisfaction survey. The teams who are in direct contact with our tenants evaluate the outcome of the surveys. We include any actions necessary to improve the customer journey in our annual planning cycle. We publish the results of the survey in our annual report and discuss these with our property managers so they can make their contribution to improving tenant satisfaction. In 2019, our average tenant satisfaction score was 7.3, which was above our minimum target.
Other initiatives to meet the needs of our tenants include the new tenant portal we developed in 2019. We expect this to help us improve the information we provide to our tenants. In addition, shared mobility company Hely is installing mobility hubs at a number of residential complexes in urban areas. These offer tenants a sustainable alternative to owning and using their own cars. These hubs offer the likes of (electric) shared cars, bikes and cargo bikes that are available to all the tenants in a complex. Hely completed the first hub in Amsterdam North last year.
We also want to contribute to the industry-wide awareness of the environment and social issues. For instance, we teamed up with GRESB to organise the GRESB Annual Results event. One of the aims of this event was to exchange know-how on the consequences of climate risk within the real estate sector.
In 2019, we devoted specific attention to the standard framing and closing of green leases. These contracts include a clause in which both the landlord and the tenant commit to cooperate to make a building more sustainable. Landlords frequently require access to user data, to improve monitoring and to make any sustainability-related efforts more effective. At the same time, landlords commit to listening to any requests tenants may have with regards to improving a building's sustainability.
We are also working full out in the building sector to improve safety, sustainability and local communications through the certification of our building sites. In its agreements with project developers and construction companies, Bouwinvest includes a condition that the building sites in question should be registered with the Dutch Considerate Constructors scheme (Stichting Bewuste Bouwers). This code of conduct provides the entire project team with concrete guidance on how they can consciously work with a view to the local area, the environment and safety and with less inconvenience for local residents, and goes much further than the legal minimum requirements. In 2017, we set ourselves the target of having more 50% of our building projects registered under the Considerate Constructors scheme each year. Every six months, the percentage of Considerate Constructors building sites is reported to the Executive Board of Directors and to our shareholders. If necessary, we then make adjustments. We publish these results in our annual report and they are audited by our external auditor. In 2019, 51% of our building sites were registered under the scheme (2018: 46%). Last year, we also took a seat on the Advisory Board of the Considerate Constructors Foundation.
Because we achieved our target for 2019, our ambition is now to increase that percentage. To achieve this, from 2020 onwards, in the acquisition phase of a project we will initiate a dialogue with project developers on safety in the construction phase.
Bouwinvest is an active member of various sector organisations and is involved in a range of sustainability and liveability-related initiatives. For instance, Bouwinvest is an active participant in the Sustainable Renovation Deltaplan of the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC). This is a long-term sustainability programme for shops, supermarkets, offices, logistics centres and social real estate, including schools and healthcare institutions. The goal is to meet the Paris targets for real estate, but earlier than the date of 2050 set by the Dutch government cabinet. Bouwinvest is participating in both the umbrella working group for the sector as a whole and the working group for retail and office real estate.
The members of the Bouwinvest Executive Board of Directors and its employees actively participate in 50 boards and working groups at organisations such as ULI, IVBN, INREV, ANREV, GRESB, DGBC, NEPROM and FSC Nederland. Bouwinvest is also a partner in the Holland Metropole initiative. Last year, Bouwinvest joined Platform31, Stichting Kennisontwikkeling Gebiedsontwikkeling (Knowledge Exchange Area Development - SKG) and the Dutch National Renovation Platform (NRP).
Targets for improving stakeholder value
Conducting a client and tenant satisfaction survey every two years
Achieved: client satisfaction score 7.8
Satisfaction score of > 7
Achieved: tenant satisfaction score 7.3
Minimum of 50% of building sites registered as Considerate Constructors scheme ('Bewuste Bouwers')
Achieved: 51% registered
Bouwinvest believes it is important to run its business on the basis of integrity, honesty and transparency and we respect the interests of those with whom we maintain relationships. We have embedded these values throughout our organisation and included them in our code of conduct. We believe integrity, honesty and corporate social responsibility are essential to ensure that we do our work properly.
The housing shortage in the Netherlands, primarily in the mid-rental segment with rents between € 720 and € 1,000, in the country's major cities, is a problem we all face. Bouwinvest considers the affordability of homes to be important, not least because we have been investing in urban areas for 20 years or more. We believe that liveable, affordable and inclusive cities provide a better guarantee for the value retention of our investments. This gives us the best chance of long-term stable returns for our clients. We are closely involved in the discussion on affordable mid-rental segment homes. Our contribution is as follows:
In 2019, we maximised the rental increases of our liberalised sector rental homes at inflation plus 0.5%, following a maximised rental increase of inflation plus 0.5% in 2018. This is a temporary solution, but it has an immediate positive impact for tenants.
We have set ourselves the target that 60% of our residential investments must be in affordable mid-rental segment homes.
We were involved in the agreements with the municipal authorities of Utrecht and Amsterdam for the realisation of affordable rental homes.
The Residential Fund's acquisition team monitors the number of mid-rental segment homes that are acquired. When making acquisitions, investment proposals explicitly indicate whether and how many mid-rental segment homes are included in the complex and what requirements have been set for mid-rental segment homes. At the end of the year, the result is explained in the Residential Fund's annual report.
Our investments are less vulnerable to legal, financial and reputation risks as they are a good match with what society requires from us. This also applies to our fiscal conduct. Bouwinvest does not therefore see taxes as a cost item that must be minimised, but as an investment in infrastructure, the legal system and the communities of the jurisdictions in which we invest.
In concrete terms, this means that Bouwinvest takes in to account international initiatives focused on combatting tax evasion and the promotion of greater transparency regarding fiscal matters. Nor do we wish to abide solely with the letter of the law, but also act in accordance with the intention behind legal rules and tax treaties.
We took part in a debate on the culture of the real estate world and the need to continue to boost integrity and transparency in the sector.
A responsible organisation can be expected to organise its procurement in a socially responsible manner. In 2019, Bouwinvest adjusted its procurement policy and made this more sustainable. This is about more than just prices. We also take into account the impact purchasing products has on people and the environment.
Target for being a responsibe organisation
Zero incidents as a result of negligence
Achieved: No issues
Summary of results in 2019
In 2019, Bouwinvest achieved the following results on the sustainable real estate investment front:
Results responsible investment
Continuous improvement of our sustainability performance
81% above-average sustainable investments total portfolio (GRESB 4/5 Stars) (2018: 79%)
100% of the Dutch investments had GRESB 4/5 stars in 2018 (2018: 94%)
35% of investments in the international mandates had GRESB 4/5 stars in 2018 (2018: 41%)
As they did last year, all the Dutch sector funds particated in GRESB.
79% of the international mandates (on the basis of invested capital) participated in GRESB. This is a rise of 4%-point compared with 2018
Sustainability performance:
The Dutch funds have an average GRESB score of 85 points (2018: 79)
The average GRESB score of the international mandates in 2019 (79 points) is equal to previous year and seven points higher than the GRESB global average in 2019 (72 points)*
Sustainable building certificates
98% of the total floor space of the Dutch funds has been awarded a sustainable building certificate (2018: 62%)
The International mandates scored a weighted average of 57 points (2018: 56) on the component sustainable building certificates in GRESB. This is two points higher than the global average (55 points).*
Renewable energy:
The buildings in the Dutch funds had solar panels generating c. 10.6 MWp of electricity in 2019. This was an increase of 4.7 MWp compared with 2018.
12% of the energy consumption of the international investments came from renewable sources in 2019.*
Reduction of energy consumption:
The Dutch portfolio recorded a like-for-like energy reduction of 7.7% compared with 2018 and a reduction of 6.8% in GHG-emissions.
The International mandates recorded a 1.1% reduction in energy consumption in 2018 compared with the previous year and a reduction of 3.5% in GHG-emissions.*
Energy-efficient buildings:
98% of the Dutch portfolio has a green label (51% A-label) and the average energy index improved to 1.10
51% of the construction projects were registered under Considerate Constructors Scheme (2018: 46%).
36 of Bouwinvest's employees have active positions on 50 boards or working groups in sector related organisations i.e. IVBN, ANREV, INREV, AFIRE, VBA, ULI, DGBC and NEPROM
* Results of the most recent GRESB benchmark 2019


text:
from django.core.management.base import NoArgsCommand

import django_sqs

class Command(NoArgsCommand):
    help = "Provides information about used SQS queues and the number of items in each of them."

    def handle_noargs(self, **options):
        print
        print "Active SQS queues"
        print "-----------------"
        print
        for label, queue in django_sqs.queues.items():
            q = queue.get_queue()
            print "%-30s: %4s" % (label, q.count())
            if queue.suffixes:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Despite the use of pre-Mosaic sources and indications of post-Mosaic glosses and elaborations, internal and external evidence affirms the essential Mosaic authorship of the Pentateuch.
Moses' original written word was equivalent to the inerrant Word of God.
Mosaic prophecies were fulfilled and authenticated the supernatural nature of the Pentateuch.
The Pentateuch, authored by Moses, is totally reliable and trustworthy.
Conflict: What was from God and what was from man?


Sinh is an ancient dragon who sleeps in the lowermost depths of Shulva. Long ago the Sunken King erected a grand city and an Eternal Sanctum in which to shelter and worship the magnificence of Sinh. The Sanctum appeared to be a solemn temple, but it was filled with devilish creatures that ensure no trespasser could cause offense. The Sunken King established an order of priestesses who sang to preserve the dragon's deep slumber and the great dragon continued to sleep soundly. That was until honorable Sir Yorgh, leader of the Drakeblood Knights invaded Shulva and set siege to the Eternal Sanctum seeking the blood of the eternal dragon. The black armored Drakeblood Knights, who came from a land long forgotten, believed that fresh dragon blood was sacrosanct and that by obtaining it they could achieve a true understanding of life, transcending their own banal existence. These knights worshiped the blood of dragons and wore red cloth wrapped around their black armor representing the sacred blood of dragons, as well as wielding greatswords with insignia chiseled upon the hilt symbolizing dragon's blood. In response to this invasion, the Sunken King's sanctum knights renounced their own flesh so that they may eternally guard the Sanctum from Sir Yorgh and his Drakeblood Knights, but their efforts were in vain. While Sinh slumbered on, Sir Yorgh disturbed its rest with a single great strike of his spear. With a flash of steel Sir Yorgh's spear pierced the dragon's belly and drew the blood he had coveted. But Sinh was not killed, instead, unable to bear it any longer, Sinh spewed forth the poison that had long brewed within him, blanketing the city in a miasmic cloud of death. Sir Yorgh disappeared into the Eternal Sanctum, the Sunken King, defeated by Sir Yorgh, drowned in the poison and the Drakeblood Knights sunk into the Sanctum along with them. The rain of death toppled the city, and shortly after the dragon's awakening, the towering bulwark, the Eternal Sanctum, crumbled. The knights and soldiers of the Sunken King were asphyxiated by the poison that emitted, their weapons and armor becoming corrupted and corroded by the poison. Even the line of priestesses did not escape the miasma, and their tiaras were warped by poison, perhaps transfiguring them into the monsters we encounter. With the poison exhumed, the dragon's purity was restored. Sir Yorgh's spear still jutted out of Sinh's belly, but the dragon decided to return to its rest. As the Player approaches the city, Sinh is disturbed once more from his slumber and returns to his sanctum, where he awaits his next challenger.
Sinh was poisoned by Nito.
In the introduction to Dark Souls, Nito is shown releasing a "miasma of death and disease" on the Dragons. It is possible that Sinh was affected by this miasma and began hibernating underground. Shulva has a strong theme of death, with the area known as the "cave of the dead" and the numerous tombs and coffins in the Sanctum, which could be a thematic connection to Nito. In addition, the Rotten, who bears Nito's Soul, is fought just before entering Shulva.


I am Myrtle currently 15 and 3/4 weeks young, I am a Phu Quoc Ridge Back with an opinion but that is my age. I have a nest so for those who may be nervous of my kind I do sit quietly there whilst being bribed My favourite at the moment is dried liver.
I am currently making new friends and always up for a play, so bring your humans down they can sit around having their hair done whilst we play. They really do look quite good as they walk out.
It is great I go for strolls on the beach mornings and lunch times where there is always a seagull or two to chase I highly recommend it.
Today we made it all the way down to the fish shop where she bought some fresh sardines, I really do not know why she bothered the rotting ones on the beach are much nicer. When you come down you can have your photo taken with me and I'll add it to my gallery.
Well that was a while ago, I am 2 next month I have lots of new pictures on Instagram @myrtle_quoc look me up. I have still a few opinions, but settle down quickly I am quite unsure of new people so it is best if you ignore me then I find my confidence and come up to you.
I've been told to share ,the shop is not mine I do not own it so please still bring yourself down with your humans just give me a call a little in advance.
Me choosing drinks but I settled for ice cubes!
A fine view from an old Sussex pub of the English Serengeti, a free hair cut or blow-dry to anyone who guesses correctly which pub. It is in Sussex, not far from Sheffield park or Nutley.
This is me at the Vachery on Ashdown Forest and the next photo is of Woody my best pal but unfortunately his human crochets a lot.
having a rest, please come back another day though.


text:
RIP, Little Robot
Pour One out for MASCOT, the Asteroid-Exploring Lander
October 5th 18__Kristin Houser__Filed Under: Off World
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt
MASCOT's lifespan was shorter than the average mayfly's, but we'd like to see an insect accomplish half of what this robot did during the 17 hours it bounced around the asteroid Ryugu.
The German Aerospace Center built MASCOT, which is short for Mobile Asteroid Surface Scout, with help from the National Centre for Space Studies, France's space agency, and it was one of several bots to hitch a ride to Ryugu aboard the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa-2.
The shoebox-sized robot only just touched down on the asteroid on Tuesday, but by Thursday morning, the people running MASCOT's Twitter account declared its demise.
But Not Forgotten
While on Ryugu, MASCOT used four instruments — a camera, a spectrometer, a magnetometer, and a radiometer — to gather data about the small rocky body 180 million miles from Earth. It transmitted that data back home. Scientists will now study it to attempt to improve our understanding of asteroids, and maybe even the origin of our solar system.
Researchers projected MASCOT's non-rechargeable lithium-ion battery would only provide power for 16 hours, so really, the bot was on borrowed time when it finally powered down. And isn't a longer-than-expected life full of adventure all anyone — robot or otherwise — can hope for?
READ MORE: RIP, MASCOT: Hopping Lander Meets Its End on Asteroid Ryugu [Space.com]
More on Ryugu: A Pair of Japanese Robots (Hopefully) Just Landed on an Asteroid
Up Next__The City of Oakland Votes to Ban Facial Recognition >>>


You're invited to Denise's Women Express listen and learn podcast lunch and learn event. Come out ready to: establish your voice and how to use it strategically.
Come join us for this fun hands-on workshop. An extension of the popular Women Express! Podcast. This is your chance to meet host, Denise in person! If you are not already tuned into the podcast check us out at the link below or anywhere you listen to your podcasts!


Large Electric Insert with black glass surround, log set, and choice of ICE or EMBER Decorative Media.
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Sam Allardyce finally admitted his doubts over whether he will still be in charge of Everton next season following his side's 3-1 defeat to West Ham United on Sunday.
The Toffees rounded off their disappointing 2017/18 campaign with yet another lacklustre performance on the road as a brace from Manuel Lanzini either side of half-time and a stunning strike from Marko Arnautovic were enough to overcome Oumar Niasse's sole finish.
And following the defeat - the Blues' 15th of the year - Allardyce admitted to the Liverpool Echo that he was unsure whether his future was on Merseyside.
Asked if he was confident of seeing out his contract with the club, he said: "Confident? I can't quite say after all the rumours I'm reading in the paper because generally there's something and there's no smoke without fire but I'll wait and see when we meet up next week, or this week actually."
"I wouldn't be telling you if I did", he added when questioned if he knew when his meeting with Everton's owners was due to take place.
However, Allardyce's short and spiky press conference took another turn as the former England international boss offered his curious viewpoint as to who wanted the points more.
"Did they want it more? Who had the better chances? I thought we did," the 63-year-old claimed. "I thought Adrian saved them.
"I think because Adrian was so good today with the clearcut chances that we had that he saved, we could have easily acquired a draw. But I think the quality of West Ham's goals, especially the two in the second half, was ultimately the difference - and Adrian by the saves that he made.
"We changed our system at half-time and got control of the game better, got more opportunities to attack West Ham but didn't take advantage of it and then they punished us with two very very good goals."
Niasse grabbed Everton's consolation with a well-taken finish, and Allardyce added: "When we do a little rotation of the system and the subs you see the impact they have.
"We made one at half-time and then when Theo (Walcott) came on, he and Oumar linked up better than he and Cenk (Tosun) had and I think that got us opportunities. Oumar in the box is very sharp, and that's what he got his goal from, and Theo had a goal disallowed which was marginally offside and very unlucky.
"Then Adrian saved from him, and Adrian saved again off Davy Klaassen which might have made it a very tight and close game but unfortunately it didn't, and West Ham, in the end, were very pleased that they had won."


This week's Xbox Live Arcade game is a classic. For 400 points ($5) you can show your kids what games used to look like with Asteroids, and of course the game comes with an exclusive updated version. I'm not sure exactly how much you can do with Asteroids, but the feature list is still pretty impressive.
firing at and destroying asteroids.
all of its classic old-school style.
Digital surround sound complete the gaming experience.
I haven't played Asteroids or any of its clones in a very long time, so this could be a fun game to test my old-school gaming skills. We'll be sure to come back with impressions once we've had some time to play the game.


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And now my uncle's mad!
And a very wavy head.
There's really nothing to it.
I think she's a little bit crazy.
To sit upon the baby.
Depends if they allow the chair.
Someone went and stole my knees.
My feet and legs just won't connect.


As to  linux man page: http://linux.die.net/man/3/backtrace_symbols, The address of the array of string pointers is returned as the function result of backtrace_symbols(). This array is malloced by backtrace_symbols(), and must be freed by the caller. The strings pointed to by the array of pointers need not and should not be freed.


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Festival N°6 is an annual art and music festival held at Portmeirion, Wales. The festival presents a wide range of music genres, including rock and roll, folk, house, techno »
View some feedback from our customers
We have used Tents and Events now for many years and would have no hesitation in recommending them as a thoroughly professional company that always provides an excellent helpful and timely service and has always catered for our needs both with regards to marquee and furniture hire.
Alan Richards, Oxton Cricket Club
Tents and Events are a great company to deal with, they are very friendly and efficient. Prices are competitive and we use them for our events, no fuss no problem, just great service
Eleri Evans, Eryri Young Farmers
Claire's Special Day
Just a note to say a big thank you for providing the marquee etc for our wedding at Maesmor Hall. We really appreciate all your help and advice and everything was spot on! We had an amazing day and are so glad that we chose Tents & Events to make our special day perfect
Linsey & Mike Pearson
We wanted to thank you for all your help, advice and for such a professional service. All this helped make our wedding the most amazingly special day with memories that we'll cherish forever. You've been fantastic. Thank you again
Natalie & James Hughes
We have been working with you (Tents and Events) for ten years now and wouldn't consider using any other company for our marquees. All your staff are very friendly and helpful and we consider Tents & Events to be an integral part of the event team.
Jane Hughes, Event Director
Gwledd Conwy Feast
Ben-
Thank you once again for making all the difference!
Your advice & directions so diplomatically handled beforehand. Your professional & unobtrusive "lads" in the erection of the marquee. Your uncomplicated approach is so refreshing! Thank you.
Felicity Summers
I could hardly let last Saturday and Sunday pass without a note of congratulation and appreciation.
As I recall mentioning to you when we initially met, this is the first occasion we have organised a formal Garden Party. As one or two folks from across the County did mention, this should be Cheshire's equivalent of the Buckingham Palace Garden Party!
Without question, your team certainly ensured that we got off to the best of starts. Andrew and Mal were exceptional and their attention to detail was second to none. They were consummate professionals yet utterly charming and engaging. Nothing was too much trouble for them and their respective lengths of service with Tents & Events provided the utmost confidence for Anita and me. Your selection of four, able-bodied university students ensured all work was completed well and on time.
We did not find Tents & Events in Yellow Pages or even online. As with any highly-regarded and well established businesses, our introduction to you came to us from two close friends, both of whose of whose opinion we hold highly. Not surprisingly over the planning process, a tirade of further endorsements came from six or eight additional sources.
In closing, I write with some gratitude for your contribution and we were delighted that you could both join us to celebrate "all that is good in Cheshire!"
The High Sheriff of Cheshire
We can't thank you enough for the major part you and your company had to play in the organisation of Helen and Tom's wedding. The marquee complex exceeded what Helen, in particular, had in her mind's eye- the space, drapes, bell end, and of course, the reveal curtain which was raised as they were having their first dance- magical.
Jean & John Taylor
Dear Peter, Ben and Jo
Thank you all so much for the amazing marquee you erected for Bel and Ruperts wedding. It was truly fab and you managed all my garden problems fantastically! It was quite a tented village, as everyone said, and looked terrific. All so cosy and warm and really made for a wonderful day.
All your workmen were great and so helpful to me. Thank you for replacing the bush and moving my pots back. Honestly you wouldn't know there had been a marquee there. We were lucky with the weather and staying dry.....not to mention the wind! Do thank all of those involved in the job for their cheery smiles, especially when Bel had a panic about the placement of the entry door. I was delighted to keep everyone topped up with cups of tea and coffee and biscuits.
I can't believe it's all over! Such a great weekend, and I didn't have to worry about a thing thanks to you all.
Helen Taylor, Wirral
We had a lovely time in the beautiful marquee, described as 'the most fancy marquee I've ever seen' by one guest. We felt confident using Tents and Events, due to their vast experience, and the way they were willing to work around our fairly difficult plot was reassuring and very helpful. They came to set up a day early, which was really fantastic, as it allowed us to stop worrying about it, and get on with other jobs. Overall a very positive experience
Rose Fulbright
We would like to thank you for your excellent service and were very happy with everything that we hired from you. All your staff were very helpful and courteous and we would certainly recommend your services to other people.
Many, many thanks in helping to make our celebration a success and you must have also arranged the weather. We were so lucky with that
Rod and Liz Holland
I would just like to say thank you to your guys for being so professional at the event.
Dean Williamson
Tents and Events have provided tents and ancillary support services for family parties and a wedding for our family. Their presentation, organisation and delivery has been first class, often under very testing conditions of wind and weather. We cannot speak too highly of them.
Gina Withenshaw
Dear Jo, Peter and Ben,
We're finally back from a lovely long honeymoon and I just wanted to get in touch to say a huge thank you to you all (and your team) for everything you did to make our wedding so wonderful. Everything in the build up, then during the week itself - especially with all my different questions and last minute requests. Everything seemed to go so brilliantly well and we're so grateful to you all for your role in that!
Annabele Taylor, Bride, 31st January 2016
We just wanted to say a big thank you for our wedding marquee last weekend. It was perfect. We want to say an extra big thank you to Jo who has been so helpful in the whole process and always responded to any questions as quickly and effectively as possible.
We would not hesitate to recommend Tents and Events to anyone planning a big event.
Abi and Chris
Case Study: Beautiful Vintage-Style Wedding in the Heart of the Shropshire Countryside


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Sweco picks up five-year Dublin Airport asset management consultancy framework
Engineering, environmental and design consultancy Sweco, has been appointed to an asset management framework by airport operator DAA to support optimisation of its current and future asset management activities at Dublin Airport, as it welcomes record numbers of passengers.
Dublin Airport was named as the fastest growing major airport in Europe by Airports Council International (ACI) Europe, in 2016, as passenger numbers increased by 11.5% in the 12-month period, with almost 28 million passengers passing through the facility's two terminals. In the first half of this year passenger numbers increased by a further 6%.
As part of its plans to meet growing passenger demand, Dublin Airport has appointed Sweco to its asset management framework to assist with optimising the management of current systems and facilitating investment planning processes for new asset growth.
Peter Chambers, group head of asset care at DAA, said: "We're delighted to appoint Sweco as part of a framework agreement to help Dublin Airport fully utilise its asset base and ensure that it continues to be managed to the highest standards."
Dublin Airport has already achieved ISO 50001 Energy Standard and was the first airport in the world to achieve ISO 55001 Asset Management accreditation. In addition, it has ambitions for advanced levels of asset and energy management maturity as it looks to outperform market and regulatory demands. Sweco's appointment will see the consultancy provide guidance and support to meet these goals.
Sweco will support operational performance, cost and risk data mapping, align to GIS and BIM data structures providing Level 3 maturity and identify innovative ways to improve how it is leveraged in support of high quality and agile business decision making.
Doug Marsh, a technical director in Sweco's asset management team, said: "We are very pleased and proud to have been appointed by Dublin Airport to conduct a wide range of asset management functions.
"We have significant industrial expertise within our different business units that we can use to support Dublin Airport in meeting the needs of its airline and commercial customers, and supporting its aspiration to become the best performing airport in Europe. Sweco offers a unique and innovative perspective on delivering asset management solutions and developing cultural and process maturity, which will meet the business needs of the airport.
If you would like to contact Andy Walker about this, or any other story, please email awalker@infrastructure-intelligence.com.


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Category: Archaeology
Did Recent Scientific Findings Actually Disprove the Biblical Account of Israel's Conquest of Canaan?
This is not an anti-science post. I love science. I have a Bachelor's of Science in Chemical Engineering. I graduated from the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics. I have worked in STEM fields and have taught science to middle and high school students. If I hadn't gone into the Christian ministry, I would be working in STEM fields today.
Due to all my love and appreciation for scientific knowledge and discovery, I was interested when I saw the following title pop up on my news reader, "Ancient DNA counters biblical account of the mysterious Canaanites," a recently published article in Science magazine. I was interested to read the article, not because I expected any scientific findings to render the bible irrelevant, but because I wanted to read for myself what had been discovered in the study.
This article, which you can read for yourself in the link above, presents evidence from a UK based geneticist who extracted DNA samples from ancient skeletons buried in the ancient city of Sidon. Then he compared his data to the DNA of modern Lebanese people. This is what the author of the article wrote in summary:
If the Israelites had wiped out the Canaanites as the Bible claimed, the ancient populations wouldn't have been able to pass on their genes to modern people. Instead, Haber found that the present-day Lebanese population is largely descended from the ancient Canaanites, inheriting more than 90% of their genes from this ancient source.
This would be sound reasoning if the Bible claimed that the Israelites had completely destroyed the ancient Sidonians. But the Bible does not make any such claim. Thus there isn't so much a problem with science here, but with comparing those scientific findings with the actual data found in the biblical narratives.
In fact, in the text of Joshua itself, which tells the story of Israel's conquest, we find a description of areas that had not been conquered by the Israelites in their conquest. In Joshua 13 we read this:
Now Joshua was old and advanced in years, and the LORD said to him, "You are old and advanced in years, and there remains yet very much land to possess. 2 This is the land that yet remains: all the regions of the Philistines, and all those of the Geshurites 3 (from the Shihor, which is east of Egypt, northward to the boundary of Ekron, it is counted as Canaanite; there are five rulers of the Philistines, those of Gaza, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron), and those of the Avvim, 4 in the south, all the land of the Canaanites, and Mearah that belongs to the Sidonians, to Aphek, to the boundary of the Amorites, 5 and the land of the Gebalites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath, 6 all the inhabitants of the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, even all the Sidonians. I myself will drive them out from before the people of Israel. Only allot the land to Israel for an inheritance, as I have commanded you. (Jos. 13:1-6 ESV)
So the text of Joshua explicitly says that they were not able to conquer the Sidonians, along with many other Canaanite peoples that remained in the land. As the biblical narrative continues through the books of the Kings, we to find that these peoples were never displaced and continued to live alongside the Israelites. In fact, there were times in Israel's history that the kings of Sidon had a friendly relationship with Israel and even aided them in the building of their Temple, as we see in Solomon's letter to Hiram King of Tyre:
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. 2 And Solomon sent word to Hiram, 3 "You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. 4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. 5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.' 6 Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians." 7 As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, "Blessed be the LORD this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people." 8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber. (1 Ki. 5:1-8 ESV)
We later find in the last stages of Israel's recorded history in the Old Testament that the Sidonians were still around to help with the rebuilding of the Temple under Ezra:
So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea, to Joppa, according to the grant that they had from Cyrus king of Persia. (Ezr. 3:7 ESV)
Remarkably, we also find in the Gospels the Jesus himself visited the region of Tyre and Sidon and met with a Canaanite woman there, who begged him to heal her daughter of demon possession. So we find that throughout the history of the biblical narrative, there was never a claim that the Sidonians, or any of the Canaanite peoples for that matter, had been completely annihilated as the article in Science magazine claimed.
Now, as I stated above, I have training in science and have a deep appreciation for scientific knowledge and discovery. I also said that this would not be an anti-science post. Let me expand on that briefly. One of the main reasons for my interest in this subject is because I am also a credentialed Historical Theologian. When we approach the science of history we are trained to utilize the many sources at our disposal. Written texts are the most prominent. But scientific disciplines such as genetics and archaeology are a very important piece of that puzzle. Thus the reason why I came to the article with a dose of skepticism (the sensationalist title notwithstanding) is because I have already studied quite a bit in the area of Ancient Near Eastern archeology, and have been convinced of the veracity of the biblical accounts.
The study bible I use in my daily bible reading has excellent notes that often discuss the archaeological findings that verify the text. I have also preached through books of the bible, like Amos, and have had my study enriched by sound archaeology that has surfaced regarding the geographies and peoples mentioned. But the main source of my confidence is founded in the influential work by British archaeologist Kenneth A. Kitchen entitled On the Reliability of the Old Testament. In that tome, which approaches 700 pages, he meticulously compares the biblical text with archaeological findings and shows that while the text cannot always be proven through archaeological science, known archaeological findings do not contradict the basic biblical narrative.
One of the sections Kitchen deals with is the Israelite conquest. The entire chapter is insightful, but I will make two brief points. The first is that we simply have not dug down deep enough in many of these archaeological sites to get to the time periods where evidence for or against the conquest would be found. Kitchen writes (page 183):
In any modern attempt to trace the effects of the campaigns several points need to be made. First, the text of Joshua does not imply huge and massive fiery destructions of every site visited (only Jericho, Ai, and Hazor were burned). The Egyptians did not usually burn cities, preferring to make them into profitable tax-paying vassals; the Hebrews under Joshua sought basically to kill off the Canaanite leadership and manpower, to facilitate later occupation. These Egyptian and Hebrew policies are not readily detectable in the excavated ruin sites. Second, even when a Late Bronze II settlement is found to have been damaged or destroyed, there is no absolute certainty as to who was responsible (Egyptians? Local neighbors? Sea Peoples? The Israelites?). Third, the identifications of some biblical place-names with mounds known today are not always certain — a wrong identification can bring a wrong result. Fourth, the erosion of an ancient settlement mound through the centuries by natural causes or human destruction can result in loss of the evidence for occupation and destruction of particular levels in a site. Fifth, with 95% of the site undug (as is common), the evidence may still be under the ground.
With this in mind, Kitchen carefully surveys the relevant archaeological data and concludes that the biblical narrative is reliable, "Of these twenty-four entries, only four can be regarded as deficient in background finds for LBII [Late Bronze Age II], and in those cases there are factors that account for the deficiency," (page 189).
Therefore, with all due respect and acknowledgment for the scientific knowledge and contributions of geneticists, and with full support and hope that they will continue their work to deepen our knowledge of the Ancient Near East for historians and biblical scholars, the particular conclusion claimed in the title of the article recently published in Science magazine cannot be substantiated. The genetic science is sound, no doubt. But the conclusion is erroneous because the overall science (scientia – Latin for knowledge) of the biblical text and relevant archaeological data has not been adequately considered. I look forward to geneticists working with biblical scholars and ANE archaeologists to further the scientific knowledge of the bible in the future.
Author Tim LeCroyPosted on July 27, 2017 July 27, 2017 Categories Archaeology, Biblical Criticism, Biblical Studies