text:
We assume that iconic buildings were always in the site they currently grace. We cannot imagine Pisa without its leaning tower or Paris without its Eiffel Tower. Yet each structure, however iconic now, was once the subject of vigorous council debates, contradictory community input, contested tenders, budgetary problems, technical concerns and finally uncertain public use.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge was no different. This week is the 80th anniversary of its opening in March 1932.
Sydney Harbour Bridge today. Note the Art Deco pylons.
Virtually since the beginning of European settlement in Sydney, transportation links between the north and south shores of Sydney Harbour had been problematic. I am very proud to see that my favourite architect from the colonial period, Francis Greenway, recommended to Governor Macquarie that the North Shore should be linked to Sydney by a bridge. In letters to The Australian in 1825 ex-convict Greenway wrote that such a bridge would 'give an idea of strength and magnificence that would reflect credit and glory on the colony and the Mother Country'.
Over the next few decades, engineers proposed every possible design type eg truss bridges, arch bridges or floating bridges.
But it wasn't until governmental engineer John C Bradfield (1867-1943) took hold of the project that Sydney could make this long-held fantasy a reality. He favoured building a cantilever overpass, without piers, between Dawes Point and McMahons Point.
In 1916 the Legislative Assembly (lower state house) passed the Bill for the construction of a cantilever bridge. It was going to happen, at last.
Of course we know that projects don't necessarily run smoothly. In this case, the Legislative Council (upper state house) rejected the legislation on the grounds that money would be better used for the war effort. This setback did not deter Bradfield who developed the full specifications and scheme to finance the construction of a cantilever bridge. In 1921 he went on a research tour overseas which convinced him that tenders should be called for both cantilever and arch designs.
Finally, in the post-war period, the necessary Act for the construction of a high-level cantilever or arch bridge across Sydney Harbour was passed; it was to connect Dawes Point with Milson's Point. The 1922 Act provided for both the construction of the bridge and the construction of electric railway lines.
In 1923 tenders were called for a cantilever or arch bridge. Twenty tenders were received from local companies and from abroad. In March 1924 the contract was given to the English firm Dorman Long & Co of Middlesbrough with a design for an arch bridge at a tender price of £4.2 million. The arch design was not only cheaper than the cantilever and suspension proposals, but had the advantage of greater rigidity. This would be important for the heavy traffic that the bridge was going to be carrying.
Thomas Tait was the consulting architect to Dorman Long with responsibility for the design of the purely decorative pylons. Tait drew on the Roman cenotaph form and on the iconography of Egyptian monuments to add a war memorial symbol after the Great War.
Under construction. Photo credit: National Library of Australia
Construction began in 1923 and of course there was great pain for the location population. The first thing that happened was the demolition of 800 solid homes. The owners of these homes received compensation, but their tenant occupants did not. And eventually there was also considerable morbidity and mortality amongst the workers.
The contractors set up two workshops at Milson's Point on the North Shore where the girders were made from steel. Abutments, which supported the ends of the bridge, were contained at the base of the very Art Deco pylons. They prevented the bridge from stretching or compressing due to temperature variations. The steel used for the bridge was largely imported. 80% came from Redcar in the North East of Britain while the rest was locally made. The granite used was quarried in the south coast town of Moruya, and the concrete used was also Australian made. The total weight of the bridge was 52,800 tonnes, and six million hand-driven rivets held the bridge together.
The two arches met at the centre of the span in August 1930. The road, and the two sets of tram and railway tracks, were completed in 1931. Power, lines telephone lines, water, gas and drainage pipes were all added to the bridge in that year. In January 1932, the first test steam locomotive crossed the bridge without incident.
Bradfield on test-train on Sydney Harbour Bridge, 1932. State Records NSW
Premier Jack Lang opened the Harbour Bridge on 19th March 1932. One moment of ugliness occurred with Francis Edward de Groot, a member of a nasty rightwing organisation called the New Guard, disrupted the opening ceremony by slashing the ceremonial ribbon before the Premier was able to officially open the bridge. But in typical Australian fashion, the ribbon was simply stuck back together and the Premier completed his task.
I am amazed that the opening celebrations were an all-singing all-dancing roadshow since we know that Sydney, like most of the world, was suffering terribly from Great Depression in 1932. Yet half a million people participated in the Venetian-type carnival with floats, bands and a procession of passenger ships under the Bridge. It was a very big party!
poster, opening celebrations, 1932
The total financial cost of the bridge was £10 million which was not paid off in full for another 55 years. But the money was well spent. Sydney had a symbol that, from 1932 on, would be instantly recognised around the world.
Labels: architecture, Australia, history, inter-war, Sydney
What a wonderfully triumphant tale of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It is, as you say, more, much more than simply a way of going from A to B. For us, at least, it symbolises the indomitable spirit of a nation, an icon of hope and achievement in the face of adversity. Perhaps as in 1932, the sentiment behind its construction remains the same in 2012. Happy Anniversary!!!
diane b said...
Thanks for the interesting history of the bridge. Happy Birthday beautiful bridge, There is nothing better than flying home from overseas and looking out the cabin window and seeing the Aussie icon bridge greet you home.
John Tyrrell said...
Fascinating. Another building with similar iconic status is of course Tower Bridge in London (1894). I wonder if our generation will have left behind any such buildings.
Incidentally Sydney Harbour Bridge has its imitator in the UK, a bridge over the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey begun in 1956 and opened in 1961. English Heritage has accorded it Grade II listed status.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silver_Jubilee_Bridge
you are so right... The Great Depression was so appalling that building a mammoth construction was amazing. It was for transport of course, but it seemed like a symbol of triumph.
Will the Olympic Games do it for Britain?
I know that feeling EXACTLY. I love going overseas each July (if funds allow) and love every moment away. But there is something tear-filled about seeing something iconically Australian before landing.
Britain has a much bigger population and a much longer history, so there may be many iconic buildings.
If I had to choose, I might go for St Paul's cathedral. It represents all that was amazing about London's dogged recovery from the Great Fire.
Travel France Online said...
It is a truly beautiful structure and it is amazing to think thatmany of these metal architecture were not supposed to last forever and were more of a display in those time. I ma not surprised as metal archi (along with the Eiffel Tower etc...) was so in breach with the previous styles and could have been regarded as "working class style' in a way. There are a real feat of architecture and they perfectly blend in their surroundings, so glad previous governements were wise enough not to get rid of them!
The only dispaapointment i had about Sydney bridge is that you can't walk on it and that the "Rock" to which it links is so "small". But i presume it's the wat it goes for most of us , reality is always quite understated compared to our imagination! But still a splendid structure as i wrote earlier on!
Great tribute for the old girl.
I heard that if it was built today, it would be a concrete construction. That wouldn't look so impressive. But then I think what about the Anzac Bridge? It is mostly concrete but still quite impressive.
DeeBee
I am never sure why one monument immediately wins the hearts and minds of the local citizens, and another is despised by half the population.
The Eiffel Tower is a classic case; it avoided being destroyed only accidentally i.e when people saw that the tower could be used with communications.
But working class style? I don't know. Perhaps too ugly, too cumbersome, too modern, too industrial.
Sydney Harbour Bridge had one great advantage - it had arguably the most beautiful harbour setting in the known world.
old girl is right :) Happy 80th birthday this week :)
great choice, for a comparison. ANZAC bridge has elegant pylons and cables, yet I bet there wouldn't be a soul outside Australia who could pick it out in a photo. Even outside Sydney!
The Harbour Bridge, on the other hand, would be recognised by almost everyone.
elegancemaison said...
Thank you for this post. I have a family story that connects with the building of Sydney Harbour Bridge and the 80th anniversary, that I posted about on my blog yesterday. (Not to mention two beautiful Australian grandchildren who live not far from the bridge.)
thanks for dropping in. We have a lot in common - my older son married an Israeli girl and lives there. I know how difficult it must be to have your grandchildren in Australia, on the other side of the world. However it is a great excuse to travel.
Something you mentioned that I had totally forgotten - the bridge history exhibition at the Pylon Lookout. Important for visitors to read.
I hate to ask the blindingly obvious, but what did North Shore people do, before the bridge?
The NSW Government (Sydney Harbour Bridge) page says:
Before the Bridge was built, travellers to the North Shore went by steam ferry. Two ferries operated, _originally conveying horse-drawn vehicles and later motor cars_. One ferry service went from Bennelong Point, to the Jeffrey Street terminal at Milsons Point on the northern side of the harbour. The other went from Dawes Point to Blues Point on the northern side.
Milsons Point operated as the ferry–train–tram interchange for the North Shore until the Sydney Harbour Bridge was constructed.
Hels thank you for your comment on my Bridge blog post. Isn't it funny/strange how our darlings flee the nest and end up on the other side of the world? But good for them, I say and these days at least we have electronic communications - Skype/email and cheap phone calls.
I miss both our daughters who now live in Australia and soon our son who is planning to relocate in California. All great holiday destinations, but we are choosing not to choose between them and probably settling for our own dream of a home in France. C'est la vie.
Don001 said...
Interesting article and thank you for the prompt that the bridge was now 80 years old. I then wrote my own blog but hopefully without stepping on your toes! Thank you for your interesting blogs, keep up the good work.
not at all. The more people writing history blogs, the better!
I will create a link to your post straight away.
Xenophon said...
The pylons look very interesting indeed, could also be German of the 1930s.
Futhermore its this historicism which decorated bridges with neo-gothic, neo-classic and whatever towers. To me it looks kind of neo-egyptian? Which reminds me of some publich buildings in France.
since the pylons had no function at the time and were purely decorative, I suppose the designers could feel free to choose to build in any style they liked and to use any material they liked. http://tinyurl.com/cc9zrza
The Sydney Harbour Bridge Honour Roll says that Thomas Tait was the consulting architect to Dorman Long
on pylons. In designing Sydney's pylons, Tait drew on the Roman cenotaph form and on the iconography of Egyptian monuments, to symbolise the British Empire's
mourning for those who had died in the Great War.
I will add the reference to the original post, so thank you.
Intelliblog said...
All great buildings have a more or less chequered history. Seeing the SHB is such a vital structure for the functioning of Sydney, no wonder there was controversy surrounding its construction.
Considering it's quite old now, it's still going strong! Happy anniversary!
that is so true - all public structures have a rocky road, after they are created, but particularly beforehand when the details are yet to be set in concrete (pun intended).
Sometimes the controversy goes on for ever. Think of Tate Modern, built in the former Bankside Power Station in London. 4.5 million visitors a year, and 5 million opinions regarding the management and development of the gallery.
Car Rental Perth said...
what a wonderful bridge thanks sharing the picture blog....
4WD Ute Hire said...
LOVELY PHOTOGRAPHY THANKS FOR SHARING THE PICTURE BLOG.......
thank you. However I do like to think of Art and Architecture, mainly as a history or an art history blog, not a picture blog.
Megan Payne said...
It's rare to see a perfect arc-structured bridge like "The Coathanger." The Sydney Harbour Bridge was opened in 1932 and, according to the Guinness World Records, it is the world's widest long-span bridge. If I'm not mistaken, its design was influenced by New York's bridge called Hell Gate.
Megan,
isn't that interesting. When we look at The Hell Gate Bridge that connects Wards Island to Astoria Queens in New York, the influence is clear. And the timing is right too: Hell Gate 1916 was completed before Sydney Harbour Bridge was designed.
The Hell Gate Bridge is certainly mentioned in non-scholarly architectural texts like Wikipaedia. So now I will go back to the original histories to see what Bradfield knew about New York bridge designs. Many many thanks.
jeronimus said...
Shame that a New Guard martinet tainted the opening of the bridge.
One of John Howard's sons has said that JH's father was probably a member of the NG. He certainly agreed with their ideas. Some of NG adopted the nazi swastika, and their is evidence that they were planning a coup in NSW. If they had been successful, it's not inconceivable that Australia could have ended up with a nazi style fascist government.
Very few people know about this part of our history, dismissing de Groot as a lone nutter.
jeronimus
Historical analysis of 1931 and 1932 certainly supports you regarding NSW. The most dissatisfied elements of the returned soldiers from WW1 were faced with the worst depression in our history, a popular state Labour party with progressive social programmes and increased laws for the rich.
The New Guard was a thoroughly nasty fascist group that would have taken down the democratically elected government of NSW. But not, I think, the other states. Victoria's rightwing League of National Security did not plan to oust the state Labour government and imprison the premier, EJ Hogan.
So while NSW (state) could indeed have been taken over by fascists, it seems less likely that Australia (feds) could have ended up with a nazi style fascist government.
Mind you, have a look at the British Union of Fascists, formed at the same time as NSW's New Guard :(
Alphonse Daigle said...
I'm impressed with what Megan said. For this reason, I assume, she knows a lot about bridges. The Hell Gate Bridge was once the world's longest steel arch bridge until the Bayonne Bridge was opened sometime between 1931 and 1932. It was surpassed again by the Sydney Harbour Bridge. If I'm not mistaken, the original design of the bridge which was made by Gustav Lindenthal, had a gap of 15 feet (4.6 m) between the steel arch and the masonry towers.
I love these comparisons, thank you. Gustav Lindenthal was indeed the civil engineer who designed the Hell Gate Bridge in New York City, completed in 1917. It still reminds me very much of the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
I knew that Bayonne Bridge between NY and NJ was designed by bridge-builder Othmar Ammann and was opened in 1931. What I did not know was that Gustav Lindenthal was Ammann's teacher. So thank you.
Hi Love the Harbour Bridge Picture, im from Kodak and I need a picture of the bridge. Would I have permission to use your photo?
it is a fine structure, isn't it? I would happily share any photo that is over 100 years old without official consent, but alas this is a relatively new photo.


In business you will almost always have to organise some kind of conference at some point, whether it's for your employees, prospective clients or your suppliers. Often impressing these people with a great event venue and service helps more than the idea, pitch or discussion itself. There are lots of great places to organise a business conference in Sydney, but some of the more popular locations are near the central business district itself. Also offering excellent Sydney accommodation.
Organising a conference in the business district is a no brainer, because assuming your guests are all in business in the area, they won't have far to travel. Nobody likes driving for hours to get to a business conference. Also the area itself is quite beautiful, which helps to alleviate some of the stress business dealings can bring. The area around the Sydney Harbour is particularly inspiring and can help relax and inspire all parties involved.
The traditional venue for business conferences has and continues to be hotels. There are many Sydney hotels located around the business and harbour region offering ideal Sydney venues for hire that all make perfect choices for your event. Hotels are usually high on the list because they offer a lot of specific services.
Pier One Sydney Harbour hosts high quality designated venue rooms to hold the event itself. These come with all sorts of audio-visual equipment, allowing for recording of the meeting, communication with other guests via the internet, projector and slide show equipment, among other things. Just phone the Events team (+61 2 8298 9999) ahead of time and ask about our conferencing services.
Conferences shouldn't be taxing and stressful, thus hotels with ample leisure facilities make for great venues. During breaks guests can go to the bar for a relaxing drink or meal. They can hit the gym or retire to a room. Thanks to our great location in The Rocks, guests can also head out and do some shopping, eat at a nearby restaurant or visit the harbour. When organising a conference it is a good idea to keep these leisure activities in mind, because if it is intense, everybody will want a break at some point. You may also need to cater to people that have to stay over night due to travel, or the conference itself can span a whole weekend. Being close to a lot of facilities and activities makes this process a lot easier.
No matter what the theme of your conference or needs of your guests, organising it near the Sydney Harbour and business district will always gain good results and help make the day go down well.
Pier One Sydney Harbour prides itself in offering the highest standard in event venues and service. For more information make an online conference or meeting enquiry or please contact our friendly and professional Pier One Sydney Harbour Conference and Events team on +61 2 8298 9999.


Newly completed! Hungarian Partridge in flight wall mount. The bird is in a right flying pose with wings fully spread and breast facing the room. The mount is attached to a piece of weathered wood and hangs from a single screw. Beautiful plumage and coloring throughout with bright hues of grays and browns. Taxidermy craftsmanship quality rating of "Premier". A perfect addition to any man cave, trophy room, office or cabin decor.


Investors generally dislike risk, so it's no surprise that so many have embraced diversification. It spreads out investment exposures and can reduce the chance of really bad outcomes. As such, it's often called one of the few 'free lunches' in investments; an opportunity to reduce risk without impacting the expected return. But as investors have found out over the last few years, it can feel quite painful to miss out on the returns that, with the benefit of hindsight, a more concentrated portfolio would have given.
Diversification is nothing new; there has been a gradual journey for many pension schemes from UK equities to global assets, as shown below. This is increasingly being replicated by retail investors.
This is the idea with a diversified multi-asset portfolio. An investor owns a wide spread of assets, so it's unlikely that returns will be stellar, as that would require everything to perform at the same time.
The return on a portfolio of 60% equities and 40% bonds from 1998 to 2013 was significantly higher than the weighted sum of the total return on the two asset classes. This is sometimes known as the 'diversification bonus'. Performance volatility can affect the overall rate of return as large drawdowns can have a serious and detrimental impact on returns.
For example, a portfolio that suffers a -50% return followed by a 50% return (or vice versa) is only worth 75% of its original value. Diversification reduces the size of the worst events, or volatility, and so this detrimental effect can be reduced.
As large swings in returns are reduced by diversification, this may result in a systematically higher rate of return than the weighted average returns on the underlying investment would suggest - a point that isfrequently missed when assessing the return potential of strategies.
For the diversification bonus to work, it is important that the portfolio rebalances periodically; if not, the rate of return achieved must be the same as the weighted average of the underlying investments. Otherwise, it is simply the same as holding several segregated portfolios of different assets.
Systematically reducing exposure to the best performing assets and reinvesting the proceeds into those that have performed least well, in order to get back to the target portfolio weights, is rebalancing in the same way as the old saying, 'buy low and sell high'.
Even more importantly, this effect compounds over time, as shown below, which demonstrates the historical analysis of a rebalancing portfolio of equities and bonds.
Just as there will always be an individual equity that outperforms all the others, there will always be an asset class that outperforms within a diversified portfolio. The temptation is to believe, with hindsight, that this outperformance was inevitable and the winning strategy was obvious; that in this instance, putting all the eggs in one basket was a good strategy.
The same can of course be true over the longer term too. For example, from 1994 to 2012, US dollar denominated emerging market government bonds (sterling hedged) gave a return of over 500%.
However, just because an asset class demonstrates strong performance over an extended period, it doesn't mean that this performance will continue into the future, evidenced by its performance since 2012.
This highlights the potential dangers of assuming history repeats itself or that asset class movements are accurately predictable in advance. The grey lines represent return series for other asset classes over the same period.
By understanding that diversification can mean missing out on the chance of very high, unexpected returns, investors can hopefully enjoy the benefits more, without a bitter aftertaste.
Some view investing as making a series of bets. In reality, being a diversified investor is a bit more like owning a casino, rather than being a gambler at one of the tables.
There will always be individual investors who through a combination of luck and skill leave with a better return on their investment than the casino owners. But there will also be those who do worse, far worse. And much like a casino, accepting lots of small investment bets can provide a source of sustained and systematic income that concentrated gamblers can't benefit from.
The complexities of diversification go to show that there are no simple investment decisions. However, even where an investor has high conviction views on particular markets, the arguments that favour diversification are persuasive and it is likely to still play a role. In cases where an investor has few strong market views, it can form the cornerstone of a strategy that offers more than the sum of its parts.
Adapted from "Diversification helps, but it's not quite a free lunch", John Roe, Diversified Thinking. To read the original, click here.


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Gli Ristoranti di Firenze, Italia … The Restaurants of Florence, Italy
Osteria Vini e Vecchi Sapori
Via dei Magazzini, 3R
50122, Firenze (Florence, Italy)
Tel: 39.055.293.045
Prices: € € € € €
We, literally, stumbled upon Vini e Vecchi Sapori while heading for the Palazzo Vecchio and Piazza della Signoria, the busiest and most famous square in Florence. The streets in Florence are made of large stones, not so evenly laid and sometimes causing tourists to stumble. I had heard of this restaurant through word of mouth and reviews on Yelp, but was not sure where it was. We almost missed it if not for my clumsy feet, hurling me toward the menu outside the door.
The menu says, in English, "NO PIZZA NO STEAK NO ICE" and consisted of five to seven each of the antipasti (appetizers), primi (first courses), and secondi (second courses) followed by a few contorni (side dishes) and dolce (desserts). The menu changes each day depending on what the chef feels like cooking and the fresh ingredients available. The choices on our first visit were enticing, so we asked if we could get a reservation that night…WRONG!
Tomaso, the 3o something owner and front man, is thin with Harry Potterish glasses and wavy brown hair. He was extremely nice as he explained that the restaurant was sold out for the next week, so we asked for the first available table, which was seven days away on the following Saturday at 9:00PM (fairly early by Italian standards). We snatched the reservation quicker than turtle tucks his head and waited, and waited, and waited…
When Saturday rolled around, we arrived at the appointed hour and Thomaso greeted me at the door…Signor Sorrentino, welcome! Impressed that he remembered my name after only one encounter, the festivities began. The restaurant is very small in a very old building with tall (18 foot) ceilings and tile floors. Beside the five or six tables, there is only a glass refrigerator case, like you would see in a deli, a small counter, and the door to the bathroom and to the kitchen (different doors). The walls are smothered, but tastefully so, with an eclectic variety of original art and prints, making the small room, I mean restaurant, warm and inviting.
Pappardelle con Ragu di Anatra
The restaurant sits on a short, narrow, quiet street just north of the Piazza della Signoria and has five tables or so, holding about 20 people. It reminds me of my favorite Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, Palermo, run by my old friend Tony, an immigrant from Palermo, Sicily and a warm, wonderful person. When Palermo opened back in the late 1970's, it was just as small and quaint. Now Palermo is huge and packed every night of the week, a few blocks west of its old location. I hope that the same does not happen to Vini e Vecchi Sapori for it will lose much of its charm.
Paccheri con Fiori di Zucca e Zafferano
Thomaso sat us, then sat with us to explain the night's menu. My wife's dear friend Maddalena was with us and we were celebrating her birthday. We had visited Pistoia and Lucca by train that day, and had eaten foccacia con mozzarrella, prosciutto cotto, e carciofi (thin, herb covered bread with mozzarella, cooked ham, and artichoke inside) in Lucca that was larger than expected, so we decided to skip the antipasti and save room for the wonderful selection of primi and secondi. We started with the pappardelle con ragu di anatra (pappardelle are very wide fettucini-type pasta and they were covered in a rich minced duck sauce – €9) and paccheri con fiori di zucca e zafferano (yellow zucchini flowers and saffron – €8). The papparedelle con ragu di anatra was out of this world, just enough to satiate the palate for the time being, but never to be forgotten. The paccheri con fiori di zucca e zafferano was delightfully done in a rich, creamy sauce and the pasta was thick and al dente, just firm enough to hold all of the wonderful sauce. I had never had saffron, a spice used mostly in the Middle East, in an Italian pasta sauce before, but it was creamy and dreamy. I hinted to Thomaso about obtaining the recipe, but will wait until we establish ourselves as regulars to make such a proposition.
Ossobuco con Piselli
Having trouble deciding whether to have the scaloppine alla pizzaiola (similar to veal parmigiana, but much better – €14) or the ossobuco con piselli (veal shank – slow cooked with peas), Thomaso decided for me, it was the ossobuco (€14) and I was not disappointed! The veal shank was cooked to perfection, not huge by American standards, and falling off the bone with a hint of marsala wine sauce. It was delicious, the best ossobuco I have eaten and I have had a few. My wife had the torta ai carciofi (artichoke omelette – €8), but she wolfed it down while I was talking to the couple from Shang Hai at the table next to us, so I did not have the opportunity to get a taste.
Friends from Shang Hai & Jordon…Tomaso
Our meal was accompanied by a litre of sparkling water (€2) and a litre of Chianti wine (€14), which was dark, rich, and flavorful with hints of berry and chocolate. Being so small, you easily fall into conversation with the table next to you. The first diners were a couple from San Francisco, she a teacher on break, and very nice, he a silicon valley marketing executive, seemingly very impressed with himself and eager to end the conversation. The next couple was from Shang Hai and it turns out that his family was from Glendale, California where I spent much of my childhood and college years, moving to Hacienda Heights after his graduation, where I had spent all of my school years. What a small world! Emma is Chinese, a native of Shanh Hai, and extremely engaging and sweet. The couple on their other side, I thought were from Holland by the accent, turned out to be from Jordon and were equally as warm and engaging. It was one of the most delightful dinners I have experienced in a long time.
Front Door & Tall Ceilings
Finally, the dessert was ordered, while I was talking to Emma about her soon to be baby (due on Christmas day), so I did not have a choice in the matter. We tasted the tiramisu (€5), which was light and refreshing and minus the coffee, which by this time in the evening would probably have kept us awake all night, and the meringato ("big meringue" with cream and chocolate – €5), which was good, but not outstanding.
The bill came to €86, but Thomaso rounded it off to €80 even, so we left a generous tip, which usually is not required in Italy. On the way out we met the chef, Thomaso's mother, and congratulated her on her wonderful meal, telling "ritorniamo prossima Sabato" ("we will return next Saturday") and the Saturday after that, and the one after that …
HOOAH … It's the "BOMB"!
Vini e Vecchi Sapori gets 9 BOMBS OUT OF 10 ("bombs" are good) from CombatCritic…my highest rating yet!
Via Palazzuolo 100r, 50123 Firenze
Tel: 39.055.28.43.02
Fax: 39.055.28.43.02
Email: info@trattoriadagiorgio.it
http://www.trattoriadagiorgio.it
A hidden gem! At €13 for a 3 course, excellent dinner (€12 for lunch), wine and water included, Trattoria da Giorgio is a terrific BARGAIN!
Diners select from a primo (first course, usually pasta or soup), second (secondo…that wasn't so hard! – usually a meat dish, but not necessarily), contorno (side dish – vegetables, salad, french fries – accompany the secondo), 1/4 litre of wine or a can of Italian beer, and 1/3 litre of water…ALL INCLUDED IN THE PRICE…NO TAX…SERVICE INCLUDED (although you should always leave a little something extra if the service was good).
Pasta and risotto dishes are moderate in size, just large enough to allow room for your secondo and maybe a little dessert. The ravioli with butter & salvia (sage, not something to smoke) was perfectly cooker light with a hint of sage and the ravioli slightly al dente as they should be. The bigoli tartufo nero (thick spaghetti with black truffle cream sauce) were also excellent, thick and rich as you would expect from a truffle sauce. The risotto (rice) with asparagus and radicchio (not, radish, but a red cabbage-type vegetable) was of a perfect consistency and delicious while not overwhelming. The farfalle (butterfly) pasta bolognese (creamy meat sauce originating in Bologna…where else) with peas and mushrooms was outrageous and the pasta, again, cooked to perfection.
On our first visit, my wife and I both had the scallopini al tartufo (pork tenderloin in a cream and black truffle sauce) and it was WONDERFUL! The pork tenderloins were medium in thickness and the sauce rich and creamy, softening the somewhat stale bread as I sopped-up what was left on my plate…not much! On our second visit, my wife had the prosciutto e melone (thinly sliced, cured (not cooked) ham, usually from Parma and white melon, similar to a cantaloupe in size and consistency, but not quite as sweet). The prosciutto was a bit dry, but delicious and the melon perfectly ripe. I, on the other hand, could not make up my mind between the insalata caprese (sliced tomatoes and mozzarella di buffala with freach basil and drizzled with extra virgin olive oil) or the scallopine marsala (thin veal medallions covered in a rich marsala wine reduction with walnuts). I love caprese and it rarely varies much in Italy, so I went for the scallopine…I was not disappointed! The veal was thin and tender as it should be and the marsala sauce was the best I have had in an Italian restaurant, and I have ordered it in many restaurants all over Italy, thick and rich….YUM!
Dolce (Desserts)
The tiramisu, €3, was icing on the cake on our first visit, an excellent mixture of mascarpone cheese, savoiardi cookies, coffee, cocoa, sugar, egg, amaretto…and two spoons of course! We tried the pear tort, all desserts are €3, smothered in warm chocolate sauce on our second visit and were not disappointed. The tort was warm and fresh, fresher than the bread unfortunately, and the chocolate sauce equally so, tasty and not overwhelming.
The service on our first visit was excellent and friendly, even though the place was packed (the place seats only around 50 diners at a time) and when the bill (conto) arrived, the extra 1/4 litre of wine we ordered and the service charge (servizio or coperto) were missing, so we left a generous tip. On our second visit, we arrived very early (by Italian standards), around 7:00 PM, and the trattoria was basically empty. The tattoo covered waiter seemed a bit overwhelmed by our arrival and spent more time surfing the internet than taking care of customers. We had to ask the chef for wine and my wife had to get up to get the dessert menu becaise our waiter had mysteriously disappeared. The chef seemed embarrassed by all of this, as he should be, but it really did not detract from our wonderful meal.
Trattoria da Giorgio – Florence, Italy
The only other disappointment remains to be the bread, while tasty, is obviously leftover from lunch, possibly yesterday's. In any event, we will be returning again over the next month and will add menu items as we go…buon appetito da Giorgio!
Trattoria da Giorgio gets a very respectable 8 BOMBS (bombs are good) out of 10 from CombatCritic:
Abondanza…Simpatico…Buonissimo…La Vinaina is a Bargain and Treat in Residential Florence!
La Vinaina Firenze
Via dell'Agnolo, 48r, 50122
Phone: +39.055.234.4120
My wife and I visited La Vinaina on several occasions with the students of the University of Kansas in July 2012. Our apartment was just around the corner and we enjoyed the proximity, warm welcome, fresh ingredients, and very reasonable prices for lunch.
Being a chef and food restaurant critic, having traveled to 46 countries around the world, I have eaten at few restaurants with the impeccable quality and value as we found at La Vinaina.
The pasta and bread…always fresh; the meat and fish…always prepared to perfection; the service…always attentive and friendly. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody…on a budget, like students, to more EXCLUSIVE and seasoned travelers alike. There is something for everyone at La Vinaina!
Watch my video collage dedicated to our friends at La Vinaina on CombatCritic TV:
Watch My Video of La Vinaina and Surrounding Area on CombatCritic TV!
or read more about this wonderful cucina tipica toscana in The CombatCritic Chronicle:
http://www.CombatCritic.com
I have also posted reviews on Yelp, Trip Advisor, and Fousquare…search for "CombatCritic" and send a Friend request.
CombatCritic gives La Vinaina 7 BOMBS OUT OF 10…bombs in this case are good!
LIKE La Vinaina on Facebook!
Trattoria Lounge Bar Il Girasole
Via dell'Agnolo, 91R
Phone: 39 348 8768071
Web: www.trattoriagirasole.it
Email: info@trattoriagirasole.it
Bring your fan…it's hot, and I am not talking about the food. Beside the lack of AC, the pizza was good, although a bit overpriced and the house wine (della casa) not inexpensive (7 Euros/Half litre), but as hot as the room.
We had a pizza with prosciutto, walnuts, and gorgonzola cheese (7 Euros) and another with salame piccante (similar to American pepperoni, but much better), mozzarella, and tomato sauce. The salame pizza was very good, reminding me of pizza napolitana (Naples style) and the pizza prosciutto was dry and crisp, not all that great.
The owner told us he is Egyptian and the staff were mostly Eastern European. Considering the heat, and the great amount of sweat emanating from the owner, the service was good, not great. Thankfully, the owner did not bend over our table and our pizza was served senza (without) sweat!
Trattoria Il Girasole gets a very mediocre 4 BOMBS (bombs are good) out of 10 from CombatCritic:
Osteria Santo Spirito
Piazza Santo Spirito, Firenze
http://www.osteriasantospirito.it/
Osteria Santo Spirito is a small osteria with outdoor (covered) patio on the Piazza Santo Spirito, varied menu, and fairly reasonable prices.
The Spezzatino Di Manzo (beef stew) was HUGE and delicious (€15) with big, tender chunks of beef and potatoes in a gravy much like you would find it the US. The gnocchi in salsa di formaggio gorgonzola e tartufo (€10 – cheese and truffle sauce) al forno (baked) was scrumptious and plentiful. The ravioli in cream and walnut sauce looked delicious and was also also huge (€12). The insalata mista (mixed green salad) came in a bowl the size of a cooking pot and was fresh and colorful.
The crostata di mirtilli (blackberry tort) was warm and tasty, and the accompanying caffe Italiano completed the meal nicely. The service was fair and the staff spoke English well. In all it was a nice lunch at moderate prices. Smaller portions and prices are also available on some dishes.
CombatCritic gives Osteria Santo Spirito 6 bombs out of 10.
Buon Appetito … A Presto!
I Ristoranti di Firenze…The Restaurants of Florence, Italy
April 30, 2013 March 23, 2015 / CombatCritic	/ Leave a comment
Thomaso, the 3o something owner and front man, is thin with Harry Potterish glasses and wavy brown hair. He was extremely nice as he explained that the restaurant was sold out for the next week, so we asked for the first available table, which was seven days away on the following Saturday at 9:00PM (fairly early by Italian standards). We snatched the reservation quicker than turtle tucks his head and waited, and waited, and waited…
Friends from Shang Hai & Jordon…Thomaso (back)
The bill came to €86, but Thomaso rounded it off to €80 even, so we left a generous tip, which usually is not required in Italy. On the way out we met the chef, Thomaso's mother, and congratulated her on her wonderful meal, telling "ritorniamo prossima Sabato" ("we will return next Saturday") and the Saturday after that, and the one after that…
HOOAH…it's the "BOMB"!
http://www.CombatCritic.blogspot.com
Buon Appetito…A Presto!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Podiatry is a specialty concerned with treating diseases, injuries, and malformations of the feet.
Many people experience complications with this part of the body and all its ligaments and bones. Our feet support the weight and force of our bodies every time we take a step. Our feet take a daily beating. The most common problems of the feet are associated with constant use, ill-fitting shoes, and improper alignment. Many patients opt for foot surgery as a means for treating ailments of the feet.
A podiatrist is a medical doctor who focuses on taking care of the ankles, feet and lower legs. He or she makes use of surgical or non-surgical methods to treat the patients. He or she is usually trained in surgery involving bones of feet and ankles as well as a patient's soft tissue and skin.
Our experts can work with athletes who have sports injuries, diabetic patients who have low circulation in lower extremities, geriatric patients who have leg and foot problems related to aging, and patients with skin diseases or nail problems. We also have ample expertise in helping people with chronic lower back pain or chronic pain in any other part of the body.
Podiatric Surgery is usually recommended for patients who are not responding well to other treatment option. When surgery is conducted, a podiatric surgeon will do a surgical treatment of the foot and all its associated structures. It's a day case procedure in which a local anesthetic is usually used to ensure that the patient feels minimal pain or discomfort.
Post-surgery, most people will be asked to take several precautions like keeping the area dry, icing the foot, wearing protective devices and doing post-surgery treatment options. These will ensure that there is a shorter recovery period and a person can use the leg, foot or the affected area as soon as possible.
Say no to all malformations, injuries, and diseases related to your feet with Brand Surgical Institute. Call on 818-243-9999 for a consult regarding Podiatry Surgery California. We handle arthritis of the toe, heels & ankle, foot deformities, Morton's neuroma, plantar fasciitis and warts among other problems.


J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2019 May;30(7):547-560. doi: 10.1080/09205063.2019.1586303. Epub 2019 Apr 7.
Zhang Y1, Zhao J1, Yang G1, Zhou Y1, Gao W1, Wu G1, Li X1, Mao C2, Sheng T3, Zhou M1.
a Department of Vascular Surgery , Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School , Nanjing , People's Republic of China.
b School of Chemistry and National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Biomedical Functional Materials, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Biofunctional Materials Materials Science , Nanjing Normal University , Nanjing , People's Republic of China.
c Department of Vascular and Interventional Radiology , Wujin People's Hospital Affilicated to Jiangsu University , Changzhou , People's Republic of China.
Bioresorbable vascular scaffolds are expected to replace the traditional metal stent, avoiding the long-term complications of metal stents. However, it is hard for the traditional scaffold manufacturing process to meet the requirements of individualized treatment for vascular lesions, which requires different morphologies. Here, we used a new method of scaffold manufacturing, three-dimensional printing technology, to prepare bioresorbable vascular scaffolds. The fabricated scaffold was loaded with sirolimus mixed with scaffold preparation material for slow drug release. The engineered, drug- loaded, bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) was analyzed and tested in vivo. The scaffolds produced by three-dimensional printing technology exhibited good mechanical properties and in vitro degradation performance. The results also suggested that these scaffolds could maintain effective radial strength after long-term degradation and sustained release of the drug. As a new scaffold preparation method, it may provide a promising idea for developing bioresorbable vascular scaffold technology.


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Ohio State vs. Michigan, Auburn vs. Alabama, Florida vs. Georgia, Army vs. Navy — the list goes on. These are some of the biggest rivalries in college football and they go back over a hundred years, with cities shutting down for a week in preparation of the game itself.
Tied at 1-1 after the last two seasons, the renewed Pitt-Penn State rivalry is back in full swing, with the next installment being featured on prime time Saturday on ABC. But this year's and next year's game may be the last for a while, and it may not be worth Pitt's time to keep the rivalry going after that.
After a 16-year hiatus, Pitt beat Penn State 42-39 in 2016 at Heinz Field. The game set a record attendance for any Pittsburgh sporting event with 69,983 fans, and although the game ultimately didn't mean much in the course of a season, the Penn State win was a signature victory of the Panthers' 2016 season.
Penn State crushed Pitt 33-14 last season with 109,898 fans in attendance at State College — the eighth all-time highest attendance in Beaver Stadium history and the largest since 2009. With that victory, the Nittany Lions took the all-time lead in the series 51-43-4 heading into Saturday's contest.
The current agreement between Pitt and Penn State will come to a conclusion in 2019 with the 100th meeting in Happy Valley. The two schools have spoken openly about the rivalry and what the future holds for it.
Pitt Athletic Director Heather Lyke has spoken very highly of the rivalry and the desire to continue it going forward.
"I've been in as much contact as I can with [Penn State AD] Sandy [Barbour], who I have a lot of respect for at Penn State — tremendous leader, tremendous mentor, tremendous friend to me. We have an agreement before them, but it has not been signed. We have asked to extend the games for four more years, starting in 2026," Lyke said in an April 2018 press conference.
Lyke makes a strong point by saying if Penn State doesn't express the same desire to play as Pitt does, then the school shouldn't wait around for them. Lyke doesn't want to let them dictate the rivalry — and she shouldn't. If other top-notch schools are interested in playing the Panthers, then Pitt should work those games out.
Penn State head coach James Franklin spoke earlier this year about the series and why it may cease to exist, citing the College Football Playoff system as a reason why a matchup with Pitt — which carries neither the high pedigree of a top-tier team nor the sheer vulnerability of an FCS opponent — may be illogical to schedule.
Franklin did, however, speak positively of the current rivalry.
If Franklin thinks it's so "awesome," Penn State should hurry up and sign another deal to play Pitt annually. Otherwise, there are plenty of other rivals Pitt can play, like West Virginia, which will be returning to play Pitt in 2022.
Pitt's rivalry with West Virginia — or "the Backyard Brawl," as it's called — is as significant if not more so than Pitt's rivalry with Penn State. The two schools have met 104 times with Pitt holding a 61-40-3 advantage all time. The last time the two teams met, in 2011, the Mountaineers beat the Panthers 21-20 in West Virginia.
Pitt's rivalry with West Virginia also brought about what was perhaps Pitt's most memorable moment of the last 20 years — when the 4-7 Panthers shocked the No. 2 Mountaineers in 2007, winning the game 13-9 and ending the Mountaineers' title hopes.
Another rivalry with a significant amount of history and bad blood is Pitt's rivalry with Notre Dame, which renews this year at Notre Dame on Oct. 13.
The two teams have faced off 70 times with Notre Dame holding a 48-21-1 record all-time in the series. The two teams played annually between 1996 and 2013, including some classic games like Pitt's 36-33 quadruple-overtime win in 2008 or Notre Dame's 29-26 triple-overtime victory in 2012.
Either of these rivalries would bring comparable crowds out to Heinz Field if Pitt focused on keeping them alive and both West Virginia and Notre Dame seemed more willing to meet Pitt halfway.
Pitt needs to stop pushing "The Keystone Game" rivalry with Penn State if its rival school is making negotiations difficult. Of course, the game will set record attendances when played, but it isn't worth going through the trouble.


It is not effective at all to present new ideas in a dry matter-of-fact tone. The first step must be to win the attention of the group by persuading people that we have something of interest to say. An intrusive manner of speech is almost inevitable, probably backed up by hyperbole, drama and startling claims. Strong feelings are almost de rigueur - and to be felt not just acted out.
Before the emancipation of women, it was accepted that certain categories of people were of lesser worth. These people – women – felt great indignation about this, and refused to continue to play along. They demanded full participation in life, as adults.
It is implicit that, for a community to operate effectively there must be mutuality in the exchange of opinions, so that each and every viewpoint is aired and heard.
In this way our life values are maintained both individually and as a community.
The responsibility, which goes along with this, is that we must desist from bias and bigotry and present our case in a reasonable and reasoned fashion.
This is how the worldwide reconstruction of situations unfolds without bloodshed. Diplomacy and democracy are attempts to resolve social stresses peacefully.
Unless all responsible members of a group have a franchise to exercise their perspectives and urges, then unreasoned conflict is inevitable, and the bloodletting begins. Opening up the power-sharing process eventually leads to benefits for all, in unimagined ways. All members of the community will enjoy an enlarged reach of privilege once false restrictions are lifted.
Yet, realistically, we have also to remember that those in position are always reluctant to diminish their influence. Power must be taken, it cannot ever be given, and righteous indignation is the first legitimate step towards justice – often followed by demands.


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Jennifer Haid
Jennifer's Story
Jennifer joined Watsi on January 19th, 2019. Two years ago, Jennifer joined our Universal Fund, supporting life-changing treatments for a new Watsi patient every month. Jennifer's most recent donation supported Juliana, a single mom from Kenya, to fund a fracture repair on her right leg.
Jennifer has funded healthcare for 25 patients in 7 countries.
All patients funded by Jennifer
Juliana is a farmer from Kenya and a single mother of 9 children, the youngest being 9 months old. Their family hails from Kapkoder village in Elgeyo Marakwet County. Juliana shared that her husband left the family almost two years ago and now she is the breadwinner. Seven of her children are all in school and she is unable to pay their school fees as well as putting food to the table. From her small scale farming and firewood harvesting Juliana is able to raise approximately $30 per month which is not meeting their family needs. On a sunny January evening, Juliana injured her right leg while she was going home from her daily duties. She didn't know that she had broken her leg until when she stood up she had a sharp pain on her right leg. Now she is not able to walk on her own and is in severe pain. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On January 18th, Juliana will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This treatment will help her heal well and walk easily again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,016 to fund her procedure. Juliana is feeling mostly worried for her children and is hoping that she gets treated quickly for fast recovery and can go on to support her family
63%funded
$375to go
Periya is a baby boy from Tanzania. He is the youngest in a family of three children. Periya was born at home because the hospital is very far from where they live. His mother had no problems when giving birth, but she was caught by surprise when she saw that her baby's right foot was not normal. At first, she thought that massaging Periya's foot would bring it back to normal, but as time went by, there was still no change. Though her husband did not think it necessary, Periya's mother kept asking relatives where she could get her son treated, and she was eventually directed to Watsi's Medical Partner Care Center ALMC-The Plaster House. There, Periya was diagnosed with clubfoot of his right foot. Clubfoot is a condition in which the foot is twisted out of shape. This causes difficulty walking and even wearing shoes. However, the treatment he needs is costly for their family. Periya's father sells traditional herbal medicines, while his mother is a homemaker and mostly herds cattle. They are not able to afford the treatment and appeal for financial help. On December 15th, surgeons at our medical partner's care center will perform clubfoot repair surgery on Periya. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $935 to fund Periya's clubfoot repair. After treatment, he will be able to walk more easily and his quality of life will significantly improve. Periya's mother shared, "I would like for my baby's foot to be straightened so that he can stand and walk properly when the time comes."
Joshua is a student from Uganda. He is a third born in a family of six children. He is currently in seventh grade, and he hopes to graduate and continue with school. Joshua's parents are both subsistence farmers. Joshua was diagnosed with bilateral genu valgus, or a condition known as "knock-knees." His legs bow inward, causing his knees to touch. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, it is difficult for Joshua to walk for long distances because he experiences pain as his knees continue knocking each other. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $880 to fund corrective surgery for Joshua. The procedure is scheduled to take place on November 13th. Treatment will hopefully restore Joshua's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Joshua says "My legs are limiting me so much from walking, working, and playing football. I appreciate any help you can provide me."
Kupha is a 45-year-old woman from Kenya and has six children. In 2014, Kupha started experiencing some pain in her upper jaw. After some time, her jaw started to swell and the pain worsened. Both cold and hot food triggered pain that would last day and night. She went to a nearby facility in Kwale County to seek care, and was given some pain medication that worked for a while. She later returned for a surgery to remove the swollen tissue. Though she recovered well, the following year, Kupha started experiencing pain and swelling again. Upon returning to the same facility for a checkup, the doctor told her that no further treatment could be done. A few years later, Kupha heard about Kijabe Hospital and came for an examination in January 2020. The doctors diagnosed her with a benign maxillary mass and scheduled her for an excision surgery. During the surgery, they will put in a plate and screws to hold together her maxillar. However, Kupha and her family are not able to raise funds needed for the surgery. After the death of her husband a few years ago, Kupha has been struggling to provide for her six children. Her firstborn son is the main breadwinner of the family and also attends college, partially sponsored by the county government of Kwale. He does some casual jobs when he is not in class to feed the family, and also facilitates his mother's hospital visits. Kupha was able to raise some money for her treatment, but she does not have enough financial support and appeals for help. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $1,500 to cover the cost of Kupha's surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on October 15th and will be a ten hour long surgery. Hopefully, this treatment will alleviate her of further severe pain and swelling. Kupha shared, "With the pain that I have endured over the years, it has made it difficult for me to look for work and provide for my family. I will be happy when I receive the required treatment for my condition."
$1,500raised
Agnes, a mother of eight children, arrived in our Watsi reps' office looking frail, drained, and in deep thought. She had given up getting medical attention and had requested her children to take her home before we intervened. She is mourning her husband who recently succumbed to cancer. Furthermore, doctors recently discovered she has a high-grade stromal tumor and requires surgery to remove the ovarian mass, which has been causing her severe discomfort. She shared her story with us: during the first week of May 2020, Agnes started feeling a sharp pain in the lower part of her stomach. She thought they were just normal pains and therefore got pain medication from a nearby chemist. Days later, her pains continued to increase, this time accompanied by bleeding. Alarmed she visited the nearest health centre where she was referred to Kijabe Hospital for further review. Several tests were conducted when she visited the facility and doctors discovered that she has symptomatic uterine fibroids. She underwent surgery but later doctors discovered that she has a mass in her ovaries that requires excursion. Despite having approval from the National Health Insurance program, the amount is not enough to cover the cost of surgery and she needs financial assistance. Agnes was widowed barely a month ago after her husband's long battle to cancer. The cost of taking care of her husband has depleted the limited family resources they had. Equally, she has also been sick and had several trips that made her close the little shop they were running from their home. She has no source of income after they closed down their shop. Her kids don't yet have a stable source of income, and with what they do have, they have been instrumental in paying for her husband's medical bills and cost of the funeral. Agnes shared, "I recently buried my husband as a result of cancer. I have been ailing and in a lot of pain. I had to close my small shop and therefore have no source of income. I am unable to afford this much-needed surgery and request for assistance."
Susana is a 62-year-old farmer from Kenya. She is a talkative and happy grandmother who lives in along the Kerio Valley. Susana is a mother of four and is a subsistence farmer in the upcountry. She plants millet and sorghum in her small farm along the valley to meet her daily needs. She lives in a mud house with her husband. She shared that her four children did not finish school due to lack of money and are in the village doing casual jobs like working in hotels, while her two daughters are married. Susana was well until the Sunday, August 9th when she accidentally fell and injured her left hip. She is currently in pain and unable to walk. Fortunately, surgeons at our medical partner can help. On August 13th, Susana will undergo a fracture repair procedure, called an open reduction and internal fixation. This procedure will help her walk again. Now, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $1,016 to fund this procedure. Susana shared, "I want to get back on my feet and resume my normal duties of farming and taking care of my husband."
Shedrack is an infant from Tanzania. He is the fourth born child to his mother and one of sixteen children to his father. Shedrack's mother keeps cows and goats and his father works as a guard. Since birth, Shedrack has had a bilateral inguinal hernia. The hernia may result in intestinal obstruction resulting in tissue damage or death. Fortunately, on July 16th, he will undergo hernia repair surgery at our medical partner's care center. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $566 to fund Shedrack's surgery. Once completed, this procedure will hopefully allow him to live more comfortably and confidently. Shedrack's mother shared, "Please help my son get this treatment so that he is no longer in pain and he is able to eat and feed well."
Gilbert is a calm and polite boy. He is the second born in a family of four children and hails from Dagoretti in Nairobi county. He is in 3rd grade at a primary school in Nairobi and aspires to be a pilot. Gilbert was brought to our hospital by his mother because he was experiencing pain and could not walk long distances. He has had this condition since he was three years old and it has significantly impacted his ability to go to school. Gilbert's mother shared that, "I sometimes carry him to school as his knees knock against each other which hinders his movement. But when I have money, I will pay for a motorbike to take him and his brother to school." His mother works part-time cleaning houses, washing clothes, and performing other household work she may be given. Gibert's father is a street pastor and works as a street vendor. The family lives in a one-bedroom rental house in Nairobi and they shared with us that they feel life is hard because they do not have the resources to buy everything they need. Gilbert was able to already have his right leg treated which is now healed. He now needs support for the surgery on his left knee. With both knees healed, Gilbert will be able to walk comfortably and continue with his studies.
Josphina is an elderly woman from Kenya. She is a 68-year-old joyful grandmother who was admitted to the hospital three weeks ago with a proximal tibia fracture after she was involved in a road traffic accident. Sokome was crossing the road when she was run over by a speeding motorcycle. She fractured her right leg and suffered serious wounds on her leg. She was rushed to a government hospital where a cast was applied and was admitted for daily cleaning and dressing. Sokome kept complaining of pain on her limb until she was referred to Watsi's Medical Partner's hospital and diagnosed with a grade 3 open tibia fracture after an x-ray examination. Doctors treated her with debridement and external fixation. She has progressed well, with good healing with the exception of a 2x2cm non-healing wound with soft tissue loss and exposed bone. She requires a flap to cover the wound and allow healing, and post-surgery rehabilitation when she is discharged home. Sokome is a mother of three and grandmother to twelve. She is a maize and millet farmer in a rural village. She is a widow after her husband died two months ago after suffering a longtime illness and now lives with her son in a two-roomed house with an iron sheet as its roof. Sokome requires financial support for a successful surgery. Before coming to the hospital, her family had spent much of their money treating her. They have done their best for the hospital bill for her first surgery until this time when they can't afford another surgery for Sokome. Fortunately, our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is helping Josphina receive treatment. On May 15th, surgeons at their care center will perform a skin grafting and wound cover so she will be out of risk of further complications. Now, she needs help to fund this $1,169 procedure. Josphina says, "I am worried about my health and the obstacles I might face; would I be able to walk again, would I face social problems or financial challenges? My only hope is to walk again."
Nita is a sixth-grade student from Cambodia. She has two brothers, and her favorite subjects in school are Khmer literature and English. She hopes to become a doctor when she gets older. When she was just one year old, Nita had an ear infection. This infection caused the tympanic membrane, or the ear drum, in her right ear to perforate. For this reason, Nita experiences discharge, itchiness, and hearing loss. She struggles to concentrate at school and cannot hear others well or communicate easily. Nita traveled to our medical partner's care center to receive treatment. On February 26th, she will undergo a myringoplasty procedure in her right ear. During this procedure, surgeons will close the perforation. Our medical partner, Children's Surgical Centre, is requesting $464 to fund this procedure. This covers medications, supplies, and inpatient care. "I hope that my daughter's surgery will go smoothly and her ear drum will heal and she will have good hearing again." -Nita's Mother
Lemayan is an active little boy from Tanzania. He is the fourth born to his mother, who is the eldest wife to her husband and has five children. Lemayan's father has two wives and a total of six children. Both wives live together in the same homestead, but each one has their own mud house. They live in harmony, mainly keeping livestock - cows, goats and sheep. Three of the children are currently going to school. Lemayan was diagnosed with genu varus, meaning his legs are curved outward. This condition is typically caused by an excessive accumulation of fluoride in the bones, which often stems from contaminated drinking water. As a result, he has a difficult time walking. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare, is requesting $838 to fund corrective surgery for Lemayan. The procedure is scheduled to take place on March 10th. Treatment will hopefully restore Lemayan's mobility, allow him to participate in a variety of activities, and greatly decrease his risk of future complications. Lemayan's father says, "I wish my son to get treatment and later on join school."
Lomunyaki is a 3-month-old baby boy from Tanzania. He is the only child to his parents. Lomunyak's mother is staying at her parent's home after giving birth to Lomunyak. Lomunyaki's father didn't want to take his son to the hospital thus the mother was forced to ran away and go seek help from her parents. Her parents are livestock keepers with very little income but they were able to get some money and took Lomunyaki to a clinic. Lomunyaki was born with spina bifida, a type of neural tube defect in which the spine does not properly close around the spinal cord. Without treatment, Lomunyaki is at risk of lower-limb paralysis, infection of the exposed nervous tissue, development of tethered cord syndrome, and possible developmental delays. Our medical partner, African Mission Healthcare Foundation, is requesting $966 to cover the cost of Lomunyaki's spina bifida closure surgery. The procedure is scheduled to take place on February 12th. This procedure will hopefully spare Lomunyaki from the risks associated with his condition, instead allowing him to grow and develop along a healthier trajectory. Lomunyaki's mother says, "I was very shocked when I gave birth to Lomunyaki; he is my first born and him born with a disability made me feel very bad like there was something wrong with my womb. Please help my son get this treatment."
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Last night, while having a wonderful conversation with Ruth Kalinka, design geek girl extraordinaire, I realized something significant: We are living in significantly good times.
These are pretty much all of the values underpinning the Web 2.0 era. And it IS an era...not a technology. It just happens to be spread by technology and those of us who share these values are able to connect around the world.
In the 90's and early 2000's, I was constantly frustrated...as was Ruth. No matter where we turned, the lesson seemed to be that the only way to success was to be extremely competitive...dog eat dog sort of competitive. In fact, the assholes always seemed to win. The good guys did, in fact, finish last. Now, the tables have turned. Because of the ability for anyone to publish their experiences, the assholes are being called out more often and people are taking them to task...strengthened by the fact that we can gather in great numbers now to fight the 800 lb gorilla.
Now, I know it's not all utopic and the entire world isn't there yet, but the more I travel, the more I see it growing. Cory Doctorow's whuffie of Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom isn't science fiction any longer. It's all around us. A world in which the capital exchanged only grows when given away and others are treated well sounds to me a helluvalot nicer than a world in which people do awful things to one another for the gain of capital.
I do think we are rapidly moving toward that world and some of us are already enjoying the fruits of that world as if it is ubiquitous. There will be downsides, of course. Harder work. Less security. Less hedonism. And with transparency comes a loss of privacy. Of course, many are also facing the troubles of having this epiphany, then discovering their loved ones haven't quite yet, creating the natural tension that occurs when one person changes and the other doesn't.
But I do think we are now living in good times. Generous times. And technological as well as political changes in the next couple of years will help catapult more and more people into this brave, new value system...for personal and business life.


text:
Em matemática, o teorema da raiz complexa conjugada estabelece que se P é um polinômio em uma variável com coeficientes reais, e a + bi é uma raiz de P com a e b números reais, então seu complexo conjugado a − bi é também uma raiz de P.

Disto segue (e do teorema fundamental da álgebra), que se o grau de um polinômio real é ímpar, o mesmo tem no mínimo uma raiz real. Isto pode ser também provado usando o teorema do valor intermediário.

Exemplos e consequências
O polinômio x2 + 1 = 0 tem raízes ±i.
Qualquer matriz real quadrada de grau ímpar tem no mínimo um autovalor real. Por exemplo, se a matriz é ortogonal, então 1 ou −1 é um autovalor.
O polinômio

tem raízes

e pode assim ser fatorado como

Calculando o produto dos dois últimos fatores, as partes imaginárias são canceladas, resultando

Os fatores não-reais surgem em pares que quando multiplicados fornecem polinômios quadráticos com coeficientes reais. Como todo polinômio com coeficientes complexos pode ser fatorado em fatores de grau um (esta é uma maneira de estabelecer o teorema fundamental da álgebra), segue que todo polinômio com coeficientes reais pode ser fatorado em fatores de grau não maior que 2: justamente grau 1 e fatores quadráticos.

Corolário sobre polinômios de grau ímpar
Segue do presente teorema e do teorema fundamental da álgebra que se o grau de um polinômio real é ímpar, o mesmo tem necessariamente no mínimo uma raiz real.

Isto pode ser provado como segue.
Desde que raízes complexas não-reais ocorrem em pares conjugados, existe um número par das mesmas;
Mas um polinômio de grau ímpar tem número ímpar de raíze;
Portanto algumas raízes devem ser reais.

Prova simples
Uma prova do teorema é como segue:

Considere o polinômio

onde todos os ar são reais. Suponha que algum número complexo ζ seja uma raiz de P, isto é P(ζ) = 0. É necessário mostrar que

também deve ser satisfeito.

Se P(ζ) = 0, então

que pode ser expresso na forma

Agora

e dada a propriedade de conjugação dos complexos

Como

segue que

Isto é,

Teoremas em análise complexa
Polinómios
Teoremas em álgebra

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is having a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of USD 570 billion (2014). It has stayed as an oil-driven economy for a few decades until recently but has successfully diversified. 71% of its economy is earned from non-oil sectors today. A substantial contribution towards diversification is from its huge construction projects, widening manufacture base and services sector. Effect of thriving tourism also puts in sizably into this economic spread.
Unification in 1971 brought the seven emirates together (Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah, and Umm al-Quwain), and thrived towards collective development which lacked before unification. The economy shifted from being fishing, pearl-diving and seafaring to cultured pearls and oil-based wealth. on-oil trade of UAE has grown more than 27 times from 1981-2012.
According to 2013 data, the United Arab Emirates makes the 25th largest export economy globally. With a national GDP of USD 402 billion, exports from UAE were worth USD 197 billion and imports were valued at USD 205 billion during 2013. The top exports include Crude petroleum (USD 92.9 billion), refined petroleum (USD 24.6 billion), gold (USD 17.9 billion), petroleum gas (USD 11.9billion) and raw aluminium (USD 3.69 billion). Top imports of UAE are gold (USD 15.7billion), jewellery (USD 15.5billion), broadcasting equipment (USD 11.4billion), cars (USD 10.5billion) and refined petroleum (USD 9.3billion). World Shipping Council confirms that the two of the globe's 50 container ports are stationed in UAE and Dubai boasts of its port's position listed among top 10 best container ports. Key industries that are in huge demand to venture into UAE are- services of construction, materials, supplies, professional services, aerospace companies, energy, tourism products and services, luxury hotels, creative arts, culture, entertainment, cutting edge- products and high-end medical services.
How to establish a business in UAE?
World Bank ranking of Ease of Doing Business has put UAE on top 31. The market of UEA is open to the outer world through the ways of Joint Partnerships or through Free Trade Zones.
Register a company under and obtain a trade licence (from DED). Gain the approval from the concerned Department or ministry if specific permissions are required. (Locally incorporated entities may be formed under the UAE Civil Code or incorporated under Federal Law No. 8 of 1984 Concerning Commercial Companies (as amended by Federal Law No. 15 of 1998) (the Companies Law)).
Most consultancy services including law, medicine and research falls under this category. Such an entity may be 100% foreign owned though a national agent must be employed by all such entities. The national agent will provide them services of applying with the government of UAE for the required licences, permits and visas. The provisions of the Companies Law do not apply to entities formed under the UAE Civil Code.
Major benefit of forming a business entity in Free Zone is that the entity can be completely foreigner owned. There is no minimum capital requirement for a representative office. However, many free zones have made it mandate for a business to spring in Free Zone should have a capital around USD 13600. These FTEs can operate under the terms and regulations enlisted in their licence and cannot operate outside FTZ. Licences differ among Free Zones but all of them only allow you to do business among Free Zones or internationally.
This is an entity without the foreign national's physical presence in UAE. He can tie up with a wholly local owned entity or UAE national. Large scale import or export of goods from UAE can resort to this form of doing business. Under this form, the foreign business and the commercial agent agree to the terms of the sales commission, the territory of the distributorship and the duration of the relationship. Exclusivity, commissions and termination are the protection afforded to agents under the UAE Commercial Agencies Law.
As per articles 313 to 316 of the Companies Law, a representative office may only conduct marketing and administrative functions on behalf of its foreign parent. However, obtaining a trade licence and employing a national are just as mandatory.
Registration and licencing application, as well as proof of reserved trade name.
Photocopy of applicant's passport and applicant's naturalisation identification.
Approval issued by other Government authorities according to the type of activity.
Applicants under 21 years should submit a permission to do business from the court.
After initial approval receipt, all the above-mentioned documents along with the photocopy of office lease including plot number needs to be submitted. Original photocopy of the Memorandum of Association duly authenticated by the Notary Public also to be submitted to seek final business approval.
Department of Economic Development (DED) has to be furnished with company registration application and the proposed company name and notarize the company's MoA (Memorandum of Association) in the DED. After filing all the company documents with DED and the Emirati's Chamber of Commerce, you obtain a trade licence.
Apply for an establishment card in the Ministry of Labour and register the native worker with the Ministry's General Authority for Pension and Social Security.
You need to apply and obtain one or more of these licences- Commercial licence (covers all trading activities), Professional licence (covers export and import of professional services), Industrial licence (to cover industrial or manufacturing activities).


Should students have lockers at our school?
When you were younger how did you picture high school? Did you picture it with a large with a large football field, thousands of students, large hallways, huge events, and most importantly, did you picture high school with many lockers? We bet you did.
High schools are always stereotyped in movies; huge schools with large amount of lockers all over. But are lockers really important to have in school, especially in our school?
Although many students do want lockers due to others schools having lockers, our school doesn't necessarily need them.
Many other schools like Linda Marquez High School, South Gate High School, Bell High School, etc. have lockers to help students manage their school utensils due to their large campus.
We do not have a large campus which would make lockers a waste of space, especially since we have a small school.
Although some might argue that lockers do provide a securable location to provide to students to place their valuables, lockers can also be used to place unsafe objects, or illegal substances.
Lockers are not only unuseful for our school but are also expensive especially if everyone at this school gets a locker. The school money can be used for other things.
So in short, lockers wouldn't benefit our school.


Embassy of Dutch Creativity is an initiative by a few of the biggest trade associations in the Netherlands. This Dutch creative trade mission, taking place during the Cannes Lions Festival. The mission is to inspire the global creative community with the Dutch spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship and Amsterdam's creative DNA: open-minded, multicultural and interdisciplinary. To visualize this, we got inspired by the Dutch art movement 'De Stijl', resulting in a vibrant visual identity.


Hey, guys. Been lurking for a while. Happy to say I'm another Iphone convert. Rocked a jailbroken 3GS for over three years before making the plunge.
I've read a lot here, so I'm fairly familiar with the standard quirks. My question specifically is whether AT&T pre-installed portico on my 920.
When searching for updates, I'm given the message that no updates are available. But my camera has the last-minute loss-of-focus on the preview image when taking pictures that most people report pre-portico.
Thankfully, my battery life is around the 1.5-2 day range. I attribute this mainly to thoughtful choices at setup - opting out of automated reporting to MS, not setting up the cloud, keeping wireless off when I'm not using it, keeping brightness at low, etc.
Can anyone of you that has portico check to see if those match your readings?
So are others getting the preview loss of focus post-portigo, too? Or am I just a lucky guy?
Reboots and battery issues... Was a hidden factory QC software not deleted?
My phone was finally shipped!


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Materials & Care Instructions: Machine wash warm on the gentle cycle. Hang dry. 100% polyester.


text:
Lotte Chemical Group Faces an Uncertain Future After Court Case Finds Chairman Guilty of Bribery
Clariant Huntsman Merger Failed – The Whole Story
Published by PatrickGage at February 27, 2018
Alex Roepers
Atlantic Investment Management
Corvex
Corvex Management
Hariolf Kottman
Peter R. Huntsman
Exploring Why The Clariant Huntsman Corporation Merger Failed – The Rise of Activist Investors
When Clariant CEO Hariolf Kottman and Huntsman CEO, Peter R. Huntsman, announced a 'merger of equals' on May 22nd, 2017, no one knew that the merger would lie in tatters by the end of the year. The joint announcement, apparently approved unanimously by both Boards of Directors, presented a clear and definitive agreement to combine through an all-stock transaction. The newly merged company, which would have been known as HuntsmanClariant, would have been a global specialty chemical company, benefitting from innovation and an increased growth profile in diverse geographic regions and end markets. The idea was to provide a platform for the development of new products and a promise to deliver increased returns and shareholder value.
The details of the merger were set to give Clariant shareholders 52% and Huntsman shareholders 48% with a Board of Directors with equal representation. Global Headquarters would have been in Pratteln, Switzerland, with Operational Headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas. The new company would have had a dual stock exchange listing on the New York Stock Exchange and the SIX Swiss Exchange.
In the announcement, the merger was due to close by the end of 2017, subject to shareholder approval – and that is where the agreement began to unravel.
Activist Investors Geared Up for a Fight
In July 2017, news reports started circulating about activist investors starting to derail the merger. Corvex Management and 40 North, an investment firm, made the announcement that they had purchased shares in Clariant and raised their combined stake to 7.2% to try to force Clariant to look for alternatives to the Huntsman merger. Hedge fund manager Keith Meister of White Tale, which is the investment vehicle of 40 North, aggressively increased the firm's investment in Clariant to 15.2% during September 2017, while announcing plans to buy more stock ahead of a shareholder vote on the proposed merger.
White Tale Leads the Charge in Switzerland
White Tale representatives travelled to Switzerland to rally support from other shareholders ahead of the vote, while Clariant released a media campaign to show investors how beneficial the merger would be. Almost immediately, supporters of the merger began questioning whether it would pass due to the Clariant company law that needed a two-thirds majority to pass the motion. Supporters of the merger included Alex Roepers, CEO of Atlantic Investment Management, who noted that they would maintain a position in Clariant, but pointed out that despite White Tale's 15% stake and efforts to block the deal, they had not presented any alternatives to the merger.
White Tale's stance was that the merger would not deliver the promised benefits, expose Clariant to Huntsman's debts, and weaken the company overall.
In a joint statement on October 27th, 2017, Clariant and Huntsman announced that the merger would be abandoned. While this could be chalked up as a win for activist investors led by White Tale, it may have exposed Clariant as a potential takeover target. White Tale is expected to take a seat on the board of Clariant as their now biggest shareholder.


text:
Q: Xpages - log messages from applications land in incorrect database despite different locations in xsp.properties In my xpages application I use the OpenLog database to log events and errors. I do this via the OpenNTF Domino API e.g.:
XspOpenLogUtil.logError(e);

In xpages application X I have set in the xsp.properties:

xsp.openlog.filepath=Reuse/OpenLog.nsf

In xpages application Y I have set in the xsp.properties:

xsp.openlog.filepath=ProjectY/OpenLog.nsf

Both openlog databases reside on the server.
However I notice that application X has started to log in the OpenLog database for application Y. Why is that and how can I avoid this? Is the location for Openlog somewhere else defined for the OpenNTF Domino API?
I read in the XSPOpenLogItem class:
@Override
    public String getLogDbName() {
        try {
            if (StringUtil.isEmpty(logDbName_)) {
                String logDbName_ = ODAPlatform.getXspPropertyAsString("xsp.openlog.filepath"); //$NON-NLS-1$
                if (StringUtil.isEmpty(logDbName_)) {
                    super.setLogDbName("OpenLog.nsf"); //$NON-NLS-1$
                } else if ("[CURRENT]".equalsIgnoreCase(logDbName_)) { //$NON-NLS-1$
                    super.setLogDbName(getCurrentDatabase().getFilePath());
                } else {
                    super.setLogDbName(logDbName_);
                }
            }
            return super.getLogDbName();
        } catch (Throwable t) {
            DominoUtils.handleException(t);
            return "OpenLog.nsf"; //$NON-NLS-1$
        }
    }

So the correct xsp.properties are set

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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An ultra-gentle light cleansing foam for the face, with a 100% natural scent combining the delicate fragrance of jasmine and the freshness of water fruits, suitable for sensitive skin.


text:
Revision as of 12:03, 27 October 2011 by Commendatori (Talk | contribs)
- "Magick is the Science and Art of causing Change to occur in conformity with Will" - Aleister Crowley
- "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." - Arthur C. Clarke
- "There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception" - Aldous Huxley
1.1.1 Demons in the Bible
Magic has experienced a vast reappearance in the 20th century with the popularity of Aleister Crowley, who, consulting many of the ancient systems, devised his own brand of ceremonial magic. He suggested the spelling of the word "magic" be made with a "k" at the end to signify the difference between stageshow conjuring magic and serious occult magic, and that device is used almost exclusively now in reference to the occult. He is infamous for referring to himself as "The Great Beast", but left behind a great following of serious students of the occult.[8]
"Practitioners of magic down through the ages have done so in a wide variety of ways. Most often, there is a great deal of sombre ritual and ceremonial performance, aimed at altering the magician's consciousness in order to promote a conducive state for magic to take place. In the earliest earth-based (pagan) religions, the seasons were celebrated, and rituals were in a serious, but celebratory tone. The cunning women of folk-medicine often had no elaborate ceremonies to follow, and only practiced the knowledge passed down through the generations of their families. In more native religions, shamanistic magic is also very ritual oriented, including many sacred objects and mind-altering experiences to guide the shaman. Modern magic, too, depends heavily on ceremony and ritual. Objects included in magical workings (ancient and modern) often include(d) knives (athames), swords, wooden wands, chalices, candles, salt, various containers (for holding herbs, incense, water, wine and other necessary items), writing instruments for drawing various magical symbols, chalk for marking out the circle in which the ritual is performed, bells, and other sacred objects. The magician wears clothing that is designated for ritual purpose only, and often bathes before the ritual in order to purify him/herself." [9]
"Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:(http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+25:41&version=NIV Matthew 25:41)
- "The majority of modern mediumistic apparitions are but elemental creatures masquerading through bodies composed of thought substance supplied by the very persons desiring to behold these wraiths of decarnate beings." - ( Manly P. Hall in Ceremonial Magick and Sorcery)
- "…in the arcanum of magic it is declared that 'he controls the soul who controls the blood of another.' " - Manly P. Hall
Because of its heretical nature, the Cabala was not generally promulgated among the Jews but remained the "secret doctrine" of "elect" Jews. That is to say, certain Jews who were deemed worthy could comprehend hidden teachings in the written Torah and, through mystical techniques, make direct contact with "God." Among these practices are rapid recitation of the "Holy Name of God" (YHVH, or Tetragrammaton), meditation on the 11 Sephiroth of the Tree of Life which are believed to be emanations of God, learning to use the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet as force-carrying energy patterns which serve as the building blocks of the cosmos, and, finally, transcending the space/time limitations of the physical world to realize one's "inner divinity." This "secret doctrine" has been preserved throughout the ages to the present time by a spiritual brotherhood who progress individually to various stages of enlightenment and proficiency in the hidden wisdom—from "elect" to "adepts" to "wise men" to "adepts in grace":
Here are a selection of Abraxas Gems, amulets and seals. In most cases we find the classic depiction of Abraxas, with a roosters head, man's torso and snakes for legs. [7]


text:
Palmarès

Žalgiris Kaunas: 2020-21

Žalgiris Kaunas: 2020-21

Collegamenti esterni


text:
Masked gunman leaves Brockton man injured
Cody Shepard The Enterprise @cshepard_ENT
A 29-year-old city man was injured in a shooting Thursday evening on Cairn Road.
BROCKTON — A masked gunman firing from a sedan left a 29-year-old city man injured Thursday evening, police said.
Officers responded to a report of a shooting in the area of 73 Cairn Road at about 7:01 p.m. A resident called police and reported hearing up to five gunshots in the area.
An officer who was in the area at the time also told dispatch he heard about five to seven gunshots.
"A witness reported that someone fired shots from a silver sedan and that the operator wore a mask and drove away towards Court Street," said police spokesman Darren Duarte.
We can deliver news just like this directly to your inbox. You can sign up for This Just In (a daily 7:30 p.m. newsletter with items we've posted that day), News Alerts (so you don't miss anything important) and more. It's customized to your preferences -- and it'll only take a few seconds.
Police did not specify what kind of mask the alleged gunman was wearing, but it comes in a time when many people are wearing face masks and coverings in public due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Witnesses told police that a victim was driven to the hospital in a private vehicle. Police called Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital and confirmed that a victim with gunshot wounds was dropped off outside and walked into the emergency room.
Police say the victim, a 29-year-old man, had a gunshot wound to the leg and hand.
"At the scene, investigators discovered two vehicles received damage from the gunfire," Duarte said. "Police also recovered four 9mm shell casings."
A sheriff's deputy with the Plymouth County Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to photograph the scene and document evidence.
"Brockton police detectives are actively working on the investigation," Duarte said Friday morning.
Anyone with information on the shooting is asked to contact Brockton police detectives at 508-941-0234. Tips can be submitted anonymously via text message by sending the word "BROCKTON" and the tip information to "CRIMES" (274637).
Senior reporter Cody Shepard can be reached by email at cshepard@enterprisenews.com. You can follow him on Twitter at @cshepard_ENT.