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Kelly resignation opens up by-election in Eden-Monaro
The triggering of a federal by-election yesterday for the seat of Eden-Monaro will be a test for the major parties, but also will likely be the first test of how our voting will be affected after the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in Australia.
Read my guide to the Eden-Monaro by-election.
Australia has been lucky to have the pandemic hit during a relatively quiet period for elections. It did coincide with council elections and state by-elections in Queensland, and it forced the delay of Tasmanian upper house elections originally scheduled for tomorrow. But apart from these there are no more elections scheduled until a rush of elections from August to October, which includes one state election and two territory elections.
It's not clear how quickly the by-election will be held – the government has some discretion to delay – but when it is eventually held it seems likely that some things will change compared to past elections. We saw a massive surge in postal and pre-poll voting at the Queensland council elections. Eden-Monaro already had a high rate of pre-poll voting, with over 41% of all votes cast via pre-poll in 2019.
I will return to the theme of how Covid-19 may affect how we vote in a future post, but it is also worth pointing out that there isn't actually much evidence of the disease in the community at the moment, and particularly in the council areas which make up Eden-Monaro.
This handy chart by Nick Casmirri organises NSW local government areas by region and colour-codes them by the recency of Covid-19 cases.
Several improvements with today's NSW LGA chart update (data up to 29/4)
Green = no cases since 8/4
Blue = no cases since 15/4
Yellow = cases reported since 15/4
Red = 'contact not identified' or 'under investigation' cases since 15/4 pic.twitter.com/F4xePkOafT
— Nick Casmirri (@ncasmirri) April 30, 2020
There have been no cases in the last three weeks throughout the Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys and Yass Valley council areas which make up the western end of the council. No cases have been reported for two weeks in Bega Valley. There have been more recent cases in the Queanbeyan area but even those are not of an unknown origin.
So unless we see a second wave of cases, it seems likely that there won't actually be an immediate health crisis coinciding with a by-election, but I would still expect changes in how voters and campaigns behave out of an abundance of caution.
In addition to being a moment in the Covid-19 story, this by-election is a critical moment in federal politics.
You would have seen a lot of people talk about how no government has won a by-election from an opposition since 1920, but I don't think that statistic really tells us much.
There just haven't been that many by-elections overall, and they tend to be in relatively safe seats. Most by-elections are caused by the sitting member choosing to retire, and that doesn't tend to happen in marginal seats.
Let's look at the by-elections held over the terms of the current government and the last Labor government.
Labor faced five by-elections in Coalition seats in its first term in government. All were held by senior Howard government ministers and all took place in the first year of the government. They tended to be safe seats, with the most marginal being Gippsland, which was held by the Nationals by a margin of 5.9%. Labor contested Gippsland, suffered a negative swing, then sat out the other four. No by-elections were held for the remaining five years of the government, with MPs particularly avoiding resignations during the tight hung parliament after the 2010 election.
Three by-elections were held during the first term of the Coalition government, one of which was in the Labor-held seat of Griffith. There was a swing of 1.25% away from Labor with the departure of longstanding local member Kevin Rudd, leaving Labor with a 1.8% margin. The by-elections held in the last term were mostly held due to section 44 citizenship problems, which makes them quite different.
So in the last thirteen years we only have one case of a marginal opposition-held electorate being contested by the government, in Griffith, and in that case there was a swing to the government, one that would be big enough to win Eden-Monaro. It's just not enough of a sample to say "this is a thing that doesn't happen".
As to Eden-Monaro: it's obvious that Mike Kelly had a strong personal vote. It doesn't seem worth the trouble to try and quantify it, but something in the area of 5% seems plausible. Remember that he only held Eden-Monaro by less than 1% in 2019.
So this seat really could go either way, and it would be silly to call this by-election one way or the other.
It's worth noting that this is quite possibly the single electorate hit hardest by last summer's bushfires. The south coast was hit hard, but so was the Snowy Mountains and areas to the west including Tumut. The electorate also includes the towns of Queanbeyan and Yass which surround Canberra. They were not directly threatened by fires, but Canberra experienced worse and longer-lasting bushfire smoke than any other major city. We could well see big shifts thanks to voters judging the performance of Scott Morrison during those fires.
This will also be the first political test for the federal government since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, so this could also play out in either direction.
Finally I should note that the choice of candidate for the Coalition parties could have a big impact. This electorate covers the state electorates of Monaro and Bega, which are held respectively by the Nationals leader (and deputy premier) and the deputy Liberal leader, arguably the two most important figures in the state government outside of Gladys Berejiklian.
It seems unlikely that Andrew Constance will run, but Monaro MP John Barilaro appears to be seriously considering a run. The Nationals came a distant fourth in Eden-Monaro in 2019, and have never held the electorate at a federal level, but that could change if such a prominent figure were to run.
If Barilaro runs (win or lose) that will trigger a state by-election in his state seat, which looked very marginal before a 9% swing to him at the 2019 state election.
Eden-Monaro
Eden-Monaro by-election 2020
Daniel May 6, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Not sure if Fiona Kotvojs can win here considering she is a Conservative in a swingy seat, She came close last year but that was mainly because the Coalition exceeded expectations nationwide. She will become Brett Whiteley 2.0 (Except she won't become an MP unlikely Whiteley) Don't be surprised if the margin stays the same from the Federal or if there is a pro liberal swing it will be tiny, Constance could have won this but deciding to withdraw just because of an insult by a colleague, really??? Who cares what other people say he should have continued to run and focused on the people of Eden-Monaro instead of worrying about what the National's said about him, Would be interesting to see if Palmer (UAP) and One Nation run here, If they do then i might see a chance of an upset Liberal gain as their preferences tipped Marginal coalition seats in its favour at last year's federal election.
Pollster May 6, 2020 at 7:02 pm
It amazes me that the Liberals and Nationals have both managed to completely stuff up a once in a hundred year opportunity for a government to win a by-election. Oh to be a fly on the wall at the next NSW Government cabinet meeting…………….
My only other thought is that Kristy McBain should buy a lotto ticket. Luck is meant to come in threes and she has already had two lucky events in a row!
Problem with tweets is that they have limited text to have to use acronyms and one has to be so carful with acronyms – they can be misunderstood so easily:
C##T – see you next time
WTF – wow that's fantastic or where's that from
GFC – global financial crisis
Adrian Jackson May 6, 2020 at 7:50 pm
The Bega Mayor will win. Postal voting for all to counter corona virus too.
mick quinlivan May 6, 2020 at 8:43 pm
my tip……… neither Constance nor Balliro will stand at the next state election
Wreathy of Sydney May 6, 2020 at 9:44 pm
It's such a shame because Fiona Kotvojs performed admirably at the last election. She would have a been a good, low-profile local candidate to stand if those other two muppets hadn't mucked things up. Despite Morrison's popularity, I'm of a mind to tip a Labor retain in these circumstances.
Way to go to show the people of Eden-Monaro you're concerned about them by engaging in Machiavellian drama at a time of national crisis. At least Labor got their act together!
winediamond May 12, 2020 at 4:58 pm
ARTICLE IN CANBERRA TIMES TODAY
Mike Kelly defends new role with Palantir after quitting Parliament due to health issues
Katie BurgessKatie Burgess
Eden-Monaro MP Mike Kelly has a new job after leaving Parliament due to health issues.
Former member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly has defended taking a role with a US technology company, after resigning from Parliament due to ongoing health issues.
Dr Kelly stood down over a fortnight ago after undergoing 10 operations in six months for renal issues linked to his military service in Iraq and Timor. His resignation has sparked a heated byelection in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic.
But over the weekend, reports emerged Dr Kelly had been recruited by Palantir Technologies, shortly after stepping down.
Dr Kelly had previously spruiked the work of the company during parliamentary proceedings, saying they "effectively vectored Osama Bin Laden's location".
In a statement on Monday, Dr Kelly said he was offered a job at Palantir "by a friend I served with in Iraq when my health issues made it impossible to carry on as the Member for Eden-Monaro".
"I have known and respected Palantir for many years as they have some wonderful people within the organisation who I have known going back to my service in Iraq," Dr Kelly said.
"Every year of my time in Parliament I have rejected many job offers. With my health situation forcing my decision to leave Parliament it has, however, necessitated my looking seriously at alternative employment in a desk job that enables me to continue to make a difference within the limits of my health constraints, as I am not in a position to retire and have no desire to.
"This new situation will enable me to continue to work on the causes that mean a great deal to me and that led me to go into politics in the first place. These causes include making Australia safer against the threat of terrorism and better able to defend ourselves generally including against pandemics, looking after veterans, improving our sovereign capabilities, making Australian businesses more competitive, improving the delivery of services to our community, improving our disaster response and fighting climate change
The man who broke the bellwether and his agonising decision to call it quits
Eden-Monaro MP Mike Kelly to resign from federal parliament
Dr Kelly was the Minister for Defence Materiel for seven months in 2013, and held appointments as the parliamentary secretary for defence at various times between 2008 and 2013.
He was Labor's shadow assistant minister for defence industry and support from 2016 to June 2019, and shadow assistant minister for defence from then on.
Dr Kelly was also part of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, where he would have received access to some material not available to the general public through in-camera hearings.
However there are no rules about what politicians who have not been a government minister for longer than 18 months can and can't do after leaving Parliament.
"Having spent a number of years on the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security defending Australian privacy and civil liberties, I also wanted to be in a position to continue this work," Dr Kelly said.
Dr Kelly also disputed reports that Palantir was involved in data mining and surveillance.
"They provide tools to manage information and enable people and organisations to make the best use of the data they lawfully gather and manage. They are a trusted service among our friends and allies as well as many NGO and civil society organisations, such as the UN World Food Program. They are also involved with a range of pro bono activities such as the prevention of child sex exploitation and helping veterans involved with bushfire recovery," Dr Kelly said.
Labor MP Mark Butler defended Dr Kelly, saying he deserved to be able to continue to work.
"I don't think anyone expected … that he was simply just going to hang up his boots and not do any work anymore. He does still have an important contribution to make to this country and I'm very glad he has found the opportunity to do that," Mr Butler said.
Peter K May 15, 2020 at 1:27 am
Thanks WD for the article.
I guess his parliamentary and military super is just not enough. This close connection between the Military Industrial Security complex and our elected representatives should be of concern. But of course since they are a "trusted service amongst our friends and allies" .. ie the same people who gave us WMD lies, the destruction of Libya, starvation blockade of Yemen and continuing unwanted occupation of Iraq and Syria.. no one will see any problem with this.
Given all the noise about Gladys Liu and ex-Senator Dastyari… would a bit of consistency by our national media here be too much to ask?
Peter K
Well my friend you hit quite a few nails on the head. Yes his military pension would be more than enough alone( 30 yrs)!. Now Generals get 200 k per annum+ indexed for life,(FROM AGE 65), so a Colonel would have to get 150 K SURELY !!?? The parliamentary super is NOT defined benefit, being post 2004. However 15% of $200000+ x 13 yrs compounded by say 12% return adds up to around 1/2 a million +. Not to shabby eh !?
The comparison to pre 2004 is pretty stark. The "World's greatest Treasurer" (Swan) with 22 years would be on 250k+ indexed for life. Don't forget Mrs Swan will continue to receive 50% of this after God, (or Lucifer !!) claims that conceited, delusional,& worthless prick !!. In contrast, poor old Pornstar Mike, will have to take his chances, & invest his 1/2 million himself, with the same risks as the rest of us. That IS TOUGH !!. So he will struggle on,- with say 25k on top of his military pension (IE 175K PER ANNUM MOSTLY INDEXED FOR LIFE !!). He so, SO (INDEED) NEEDS TO KEEP WORKING !!!. What a MASSIVE bullshit artist !!.
My issue is not really with all this, however. As i said to the Hon Trent Zimmerman (my totally useless Fed MP {N Sydney}) when i "gently informed" him that i would not (ever) be voting for him (at the by election )!. "This by-election, is about one issue, & one alone: If an MP breaks his contract with his constituents (ie does not serve his full term) then he (or she) should be forced to pay the entire cost of the resulting by election" (barring exceptional circumstances). This should automatically & IMMEDIATELY, garnished from their parliamentary superannuation
Naturally the soon to be elected Zimmerman disagreed with me. "But in business that happens all the time" he stated, thus demonstrating his total commercial ignorance. Needing moments to recover from this stunningly, bizarre view, I eventually managed to respond " ARE YOU KIDDING ? ARE YOU F……G JOKING ?. DO YOU NOT KNOW WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU BREAK A CONTRACT IN THE REAL WORLD !!?. Then it hit me that he really did not know what i was talking about, because he had indeed, never worked in the real world, & never would.
Zimmerman managed to defend the seat of N Sydney successfully, with the largest swing against a sitting Liberal member in Australia. Quite the accomplishment , & worthy of the man.
Fine & fair enough, if Pornstar Mike feels that having been robbed of his rightful position – the Defence Ministry in the Shorten Government People should appreciate that it is now beneath him to serve his constituents, & honour his parliamentary oath. After all he has been present at most defence briefings for the last 10+ years. That information is worth a lot of money, to a lot of people. I mean for years he has been knocking back offers of twice , or more of his parliamentary salary. He has been such a devoted, & humble servant to the party, & the people. Being the modest bloke that he is, he has never talked it up…..!! Of course he has no idea where all those persistent rumours of said job offers have come from ….!! It would be ENTIRELY coincidental that they seemed to start around the time he was passed over for the defence shadow (position 2013 )!!. FUNNY THAT !!.
In the end though we are all well rid of this despicable, disingenuous, inauthentic, deceitful, & duplicitous grub. If only we could learn from this & elect worthy people instead. Sadly that is unlikely. Sadly our media are so gullible lazy, shallow, & stupid that they fail to expose such reprobates.
cheers WD
ps i'll respond to the rest later
Andrew Jackson May 17, 2020 at 11:44 am
Of course when DLP advocates a defined benefits contributory scheme that would have included ( Age Pension, Disability and unemployment benefits scheme for all residents it was rejected by major parties) This would have been invested in a Sovereign Wealth Fund like Singapore's. You never know if this had happened we might be owning Singapore Airlines and Ports in Red China other than the other way around.
Queensland's Defined benefits Scheme is being raided by State Government surepticiously. There are still a few Public Servants working who are still in Defined Benefits Scheme , unlike current schemes this money belongs to State Government and they are looking forward to day when all State super pension receipients die out and they can get their hands on money. By way I have a defined Benefits Pension emwhich I paid well over 12%. I commenced work with Qld Govt at age 27 and had to "buy back" 6 years of Super.
The Qld Govt unlike Commonwealth Government paid Super at time of incurring debt. Ie my super was paid by both my employer Education Department and me from 1977 to 2010 when I retired.
The reason Mike Kelly's super is a cost today is that Commonwealth Government failed to pay his Super at the time they incurred it over last 40 years plus and they now owe it. If they had followed the example of Bjelke Petersen government they would now just be wIting for Mike Kelly to die so they can get their hands on the money.
winediamond May 19, 2020 at 12:41 pm
Many troubling subjects that you raise. I heard we are the 4th largest procurer of defence materiel by Value. That is quite a honey pot. No defence minister since Fraser, or possibly Hill have controlled the department. So god knows where the money is, & goes!?.
I understand your concern over minor wars, & our involvement. However as an historian,& geo political cynic, i find it difficult to get too energised, & concerned over such things. The human toll on our veterans, & the ineptitude of approaching this (issue) is far more compelling. A far deeper understanding needs to be applied.
An interesting discussion to have over a drink some time perhaps ?
The Australia Institute released a poll last week 51.5 to 48.5 to Labor. Polls recently seem about 2% out. Also there is no impact yet from "Pornstar Mike's" duplicity in taking a job (long) BEFORE he resigned. No one should forget for one second why we are paying for a million dollar by-election.
It is PURELY because Pornstar Mike will not keep his contract with the people of E-M, & it seems clear, that he knew full well,(that he would not) before he was elected last year
McBain would seem the best candidate, though i would mark her down as another lawyer. However her record as Mayor may nullify this. Kotvojs seems eminently likeable, normal, & accomplished. It will be fascinating to see how the media treat her. Whether they will give her more air time than in 2019.
Andrew Jackson May 19, 2020 at 3:21 pm
My prediction is about a 5% swing to Government both Federally and in Queenslandin recognition of Covid handling. This has to be balanced out with a swing away from sitting member in a by election and a loss of Kelly's personal vote. I think it unlikely that ALP will win this seat back.
Very bold my friend !.Do you really think Palachook has done such a great job ?
5% SWING would be massive in E-M . Perhaps 52-48 is more the outcome if the cards fall. There are so many "buts". Perhaps the biggest question remains whether a loss in E-M will finish Albo ?. To me this is the most entrancing possibility.
Bob May 21, 2020 at 9:20 am
If it wasn't for the bushfires & the virus I would have given this instantly to the liberal party. This seat will be tight & with the possibility that we might not know who the MP is for days.
winediamond May 21, 2020 at 10:07 am
It's funny but i don't really see the fires & virus being a direct influence. The wild cards are how much the minor parties splinter the vote. SFF, maybe even the Lib-Dems, make it far more un-predictable. Wreathy made this point a while ago. Even the Nats influenced the previous result. It has always been a very tight seat.
However i'd bet we will know the result on the night, & in the end the result will be uncharacteristically conclusive. I'll be betting on Kotvojs if she is anything less than even money. just waiting for SFF to decide whether they will run.
Wreathy of Sydney May 21, 2020 at 10:56 am
As much as I hate the rabble, I tend to think that the candidate selection troubles will have blown over come election day. Kotvojs proved herself a capable local campaigner but will it be enough?
That poll by the Australia Institute didn't release primary votes. Despite the headline 2PP figure, it makes me suspicious that they had the combined Lib+Nat vote over 45%. As you point out WD, preferences will be crucial.
Andrew Jackson May 22, 2020 at 12:37 pm
I am happy with job Palazszcuk has done in actually handling Covid 19 outbreak. I think preparation prior to outbreak was disgraceful, however I can not see Libs doing a better job.
It was Goss that abolished the centralised Education Store EdMart and Newman that abolished the whole of Government store SDS. These stores had stocks of PPE such as gloves masks and sanitisers. Qld Schools were being cleaned without chemicals a few years back. I wonder if they are still reliant on microfibre cloths or have they reverted to Chemical cleaning.
The reason for the change from chemical to
Microfibre cleaning was that in abolishing the stores they abolished the distribution system.
Yes I think Palszczuk has done as good a job under circumstances as was possible. She is copping flac for standing her ground.
Eden Monaro will go to government. See Monday Morning,s Newspoll.
Of course minor parties will have an influence if they stand. Libs and Nat inter and inter fighting is obviously not good for chances of victory. However at these time of crisis opposition to government is viewed as semi- treasonous. Public Sector voters in Queanbeyan will give public Service a seat at table therefore I am confident Government victories in both E-M and Queensland.
Frecklingron is just not cutting through to those who Liberal Party Candidate's 2012! handbook described as Mr and Mrs Jone type of voters. She may be successful in buttressing solid Liberal voters but these voters don't count.
Jackie Trad's departure from
Cabinet makes ALP victory more likely.
ALP can steam as much as they like but a result in October for a Green in South Brisbane would have consequences for ALP policy. Now that Jackie Trad is not in Cabinet she can sound more like a Green increasing her chance in South Brisbane but her comments will not do damage to ALP where It matters outer suburbs and provincial towns.
Covid 19 restrictions put strains on policy directions of both alternate governments with divisions being driven in to even close friendships and families with bitterness which we have not seen since the Labor split of the 50's.
However as death toll rises overseas the benefits of a locked down economy will become self evident.
Ben Raue May 23, 2020 at 10:05 pm
Sorry all, I've had some problems with my Tally Room email which means I haven't been notified about comments. If anyone has any issues with comments please contact me, otherwise I'll be across them from now on.
Wreathy of Sydney May 26, 2020 at 8:55 pm
Apparently GetUp commissioned a poll which showed voters in EM 'evenly-divided' on the Coalition's bushfire response but critical of its response to climate change. I am skeptical that the latter concern actually motivates voters, particularly now in a time of economic anxiety where economic issues are front and centre. In my opinion, If (and it's a big IF) Labor aren't finding fertile soil to criticise the Libs over the bushfire, they might not be as well placed as I thought.
Furthermore, the fact that GetUp have refused to release the voting intention figures from the poll makes me bullish about the Coalition's chances. All in all, I put a cheeky $25 on the Libs to win.
Thomas Hofer May 28, 2020 at 11:28 pm
As this area has been effected greatly by the bushfires I would say that Labor will win with a fairly small swing towards them. If this by election happened in say November last year the liberals would've just walked in this seat and won it. I don't think the nationals will end up throwing in a candidate.


Specializing in hypoallergenic soap is one thing, but there is such a thing as too niche a specialization. There are Castile soapmakers who do nothing but olive oil soap. While I thought I would join their ranks, I find pure olive oil soap to be a little frustrating. The reason for this has to do with cure time.
All cold process and hot process soap needs time to cure. (Yes, even HP–the link explains that very nicely.) The reason why making pure olive oil soap is frustrating is because until the soap is 6-8 months old, the lather from olive oil soap just doesn't feel as nice as other soaps. Unfortunately, this means that if I run out of stock in a certain kind of soap, I'm out of business for 6-8 months. The alternative is to release soap at 4-6 weeks. The soap is safe to use, but you really don't get the absolute best experience with young olive oil soap that you do with well-aged (over 6 months) olive oil soap.
So what's a responsible soapmaker to do? For allergy-related reasons, I refuse to use coconut, palm, corn, or soybean oils, and I am still committed to keeping my soap vegan, so lard and tallow are out. Other oils tend to have shorter shelf lives, so soap made with these oils have a higher tendency to spoil sooner. However, there are still so many other vegetable oils out there!
I will still be using my dual lye and sugar method–I find that it really helps the feel of the lather.
As always, if you have questions, comments, concerns… just ask!


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Ashton Shepherd's Sophomore Album "Where Country Grows" Hits Like a Storm up from the South
By CMP on July 3, 2011 in Album Reviews, Artists, Reviews
Ashton Shepherd – Look It Up. You'll find a foot-stompin', hell-raisin, guitar-pickin' woman hailing from a plot of land called Leroy, Alabama that has less of a population than my high school class. But perhaps that's the mascot for "less is more" because Leroy, Alabama, The Pickin' Shed and Ashton Shepherd is Where Country Grows – Look It Up !
I have to admit, I may owe Ashton Shepherd an apology – for not being familiar enough with her debut album to have formed an opinion based on its two single releases. It's not that I didn't like her. I did. I do. But I didn't own her debut album, Sounds So Good, and didn't get a chance to know her well enough through radio.
Ashton Shepherd emerged to radio in 2008 with Takin' Off This Pain, the first single from Sounds So Good. I completely loved Takin' Off This Pain – a strong woman with a hard hand but a tender heart – and that's how I heard Ashton Shepherd in that track. But the second single and title track, Sounds So Good, didn't hit me as hard and then it seems Ashton wasn't around much on the radio to be heard.
Well, like a storm up from the south, Ashton Shepherd sneaks up with a powerful sophomore album, Where Country Grows, that has no fillers, no sophomore jinx and no reason not to love it !
In Look It Up, the album's first single, Ashton re-emerges with the sass she introduced fans to in the personality of her previous album. Conceived in The Pickin' Shed, Shepherd wrote or co-wrote 8 of the 10 tracks on Where Country Grows.
And no, "The Pickin' Shed" is not Nashville's newest recording studio. It's Ashton's creative cabin in the backyard of her Leroy farm where Shepherd raises a family, crops, her voice and sells the labor of all that love !
Ashton Shepherd has a very unique sound and an unusually strong and diverse vocal range. Blending a mixture of Ashton Shepherd, Tammy Wynette and Loretta Lynn, Shepherd doesn't waste one minute or one track entertaining you with her vocal and songwriting diversity.
Where Country Grows may have been conceived in The Pickin' Shed. But Where Country Grows is in the heart and soul of Ashton Shepherd, "in the hearts of those that know what life's all about" and in stores July 12, 2011. Be sure to pick up or download a copy to your playlist because Ashton Shepherd knows how to plant, pick and harvest a crop Where Country Grows and delivers both an original and Deluxe Edition … to more than your local grocer !
But prior to delivery it must have been difficult picking the first release from the crop of Where Country Grows because there are just so many songs that raise their voice to what I'm going to call Shepherd's signature sound – vocal and personal strength and sass – and could have had top billing.
The album is a pretty uptempo compilation of family, fun, life, love and introspection – you know, everything country – with a subtle mix of tender ballads that allow you to stop and catch your breath. But the stories are delivered flawlessly through a set of pipes that must echo through the star-filled skies of Leroy, Alabama where there's "no noise, no red lights and no buildings messin' up my moonlight" Ashton cheers in More Cows Than People – a strong contender in my opinion for a first release.
As is the title cut, Where Country Grows, a song so visually rich in detail you'll not only smell the honeysuckle and feel the breeze, but by the time Shepherd finishes winding you down those country roads you're definitely going to feel you're missing out on life and you'll wish you lived there.
It's hard to pick a favorite off this album. Beer on a Boat is a hell-raising Saturday night anthem while Tryin' to go to Church is a Sunday morning confession of why "I keep saying Lord I'm gonna get to ya". The tender ballad While It Ain't Raining reminds us that "life's like the weather, always changing, better make the most of it all … while it ain't raining." And in I'm Just a Woman, Ashton tenderly delivers a Tammy Wynette sounding tribute to women and relationships while in one of Ashton's favorites, Rory's Radio, she steps it up to a toe-tapping tribute to a time, a place and a brother (Shepherd's) killed in a car accident. But don't worry about whether Ashton's heartbroken. By the time I'm Good is over there'll be no doubt in your mind that Ashton survived that breakup. And That All Leads to One Thing . . .
If you're familiar with Ashton then you've probably been waiting for this sophomore follow-up album. If you're not familiar with Ashton Shepherd then Look It Up because Ashton Shepherd is a refreshing reminder of Where Country Grows.
Country Music Pride: best little country music hotspot
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hell raisin, leroy alabama, Shed, single, sophomore, sophomore album, sophomore jinx, Takin, tammy wynette, track
Jake Owen is Sizzling Hot in His Cool "Barefoot Blue Jean Night" Video
The Wailin' Jennys Bright Morning Stars Soars

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
American Gardening
with a love for the English Garden
Thomas Mickey
Book: America's Romance with the English Garden
Nineteenth Century Seed Company and Nursery Owners Inspired Gardeners
At the moment I am researching nineteenth century English middle class landscapes.
In that process I found this quote from English garden historian Jane Brown in her book The Pursuit of Paradise: A Social History of Gardens and Gardening: "It is suggested that the Victorians [1840-1900] prized their lawns in imitation of the lords in their landscape parks, but the velvet green is a much older icon: what is certain is that the seedsmen and gardeners of late nineteenth-century Britain brought lawns to the peak of their perfection."
The same thing was happening here in the suburbs where middle class Americans could finally cultivate a lawn just like the estate owners had done for decades, thanks to the marketing of the seed companies.
Rochester seedsman James Vick (1818-1882) inspired gardeners in his seed catalog of 1873. He wrote: "Man may be refined and happy without a garden; he may even have a home of taste, I suppose, without a tree, or shrub, or flower; yet, when the Creator wished to prepare a proper home for man, pure in all his taste and made in His own image, He planted a garden and placed this noblest specimen of creative power in it to dress and keep it."
Vick then presented the reader with instructions on how to landscape a home. The vehicle for that instruction was the modern seed catalog, illustrated and printed by the hundreds, and delivered by rail and post across the country.
Thanks to Pinterest I found this wonderful Henderson catalog cover of 1901.
He announced that his readers could learn about gardening and landscape from the catalog.
In a similar theme the beautiful cover of New York seedsman Peter Henderson's catalog of 1901 [left] illustrated the kind of landscape important for the middle class home, the Romantic English garden style with its lawn.
Filed Under: Advertising, English garden design, Garden fashion, Garden style
Smithsonian's Haupt Garden Reflects Nineteenth Century Carpet Bedding Style
I just returned from Washington where I gave a talk on my book at the Smithsonian.
What a wonderful feeling, back in the nation's capitol where I spent a year researching various Smithsonian archives for what would eventually become the book, America's Romance with the English Garden.
Before my talk I had to check out the Enid A. Haupt Garden, one of my favorites, located behind the Castle on the National Mall. It is a garden built in the Victorian style of the nineteenth century as American gardeners of that time expressed it.
Carpet bedding pattern of plants I saw in the Smithsonian's Haupt Garden last Sunday afternoon.
There of course I found the carpet bedding pattern of flowers on the extensive lawn. The plants were varieties that would continue to bloom in spite of the ensuing colder temperatures as winter apprroaches.
Nineteenth century New York seedsman Peter Henderson wrote in his book Gardening for Pleasure (1883) that the form of flower arranging called carpet bedding was replacing the older perennial borders. He wrote, "The mixed system [perennial borders] still has its advocates, who deprecate the modern plan of massing in color as being too formal, and too unnatural a way to dispose of flowers. But be that as it may, we will not stop to argue the matter further than to state, that in a visit to England in 1872, it was evident that the 'Carpet Styles' of massing plants as done at Battersea Park, London, was interesting to the people in a way that no mixed border could ever be. Anyone who has not seen the wonderful effects produced by the massing of plants in this way, has a treat before him. Nearly all the public parks in and about London are so planted."
At the Haupt Garden there were plenty of benches for taking in the view so I had to sit down and relax for a moment.
My contemplative moment at the garden was not long, however, because before I knew it, I had to walk over to the near-by Ripley Building for my talk at 3 p.m.
The Washington audience that afternoon could not have been more supportive. Thank you, one and all, who attended.
And I am grateful too that the Haupt Garden offered a moment of respite.
Filed Under: Advertising, Annuals, English garden design, English Style, Garden fashion
Nineteenth Century Seed Store Featured a Horticultural Library
In 1906 the Boston seed firm W. W. Rawson moved into its new building with four floors at 5 Union Street in the downtown area.
The company had by that time enjoyed years of business in the seed industry which began for them in 1884.
What impresed me in reading about their new home office was that the Rawson Company included an area for reading garden books and magazines on the first floor store-front where people walked in off the street to purchase seeds.
From The Florists' Exchange magazine, 1906
Rawson wanted to keep his customers familar with what was happening in the world of gardening.
An article about the company in the trade journal called The Florists' Exchange of 1906 said, "The new store is unique in its arrangements with a nice waiting room where customers may enjoy the privileges of an extensive horticultural library."
Like the owners of many other nineteenth century seed companies and nurseries, Rawson saw his role as an educator.
He wanted to make sure people continued to learn about gardening.
For that purpose where else would they go but to the experts, those who wrote the garden catalogs, garden books, and garden magazines? The authors of many such publications also owned seed companies and nurseries, like Andrew Jackson Downing, James Vick, Peter Henderson, Thomas Meehan, and Robert Buist.
Filed Under: Advertising, Annuals, Bulbs, Garden fashion, Garden style
Every Gardener Still Wants the Latest Plant
Another one of my favorite public gardens is Prescott Park in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is also a trial garden.
Every summer you can see the newest annuals on display.
Late August when I visited I found a new Rudbeckia and took this photo. I thought it would be a nice adddition to my garden next summer.
Gardeners like to discover the newest plants. That theme became, in fact, a marketing strategy for the nineteenth century seed companies and nurseries. In their catalogs they sold us the newest plants which they called 'novelties.'
A new Rudbeckia called 'Prairie Sun' in the trial garden this summer at Prescott Park in Portsmouth, NH.
In 1882 the Hoopes Company from West Chester, Pennsylvania boasted in its catalog that it offered the latest plant varieties: "It is with unusual pleasure that we call attention to our choice list of new and rare plants for the season of 1882, in the belief that we have never before offered to our customers so many really valuable novelties as are contained in the present edition. Few of our patrons can form any idea of the heavy expense we annually incur in obtaining these new plants. Not only are all the choicest novelties imported direct from leading florists of England, France and Germany, but in our own country, every new plant giving promise of merit is at once procured and tested.
"We are thus enabled to offer our customers at the earliest possible date all the recent introductions that we believe will lend an additional charm to their gardens and homes; and in this we believe our efforts have been amply rewarded by the many encomiums heaped upon us by friends all over the country."
The company sold these new plants because the customer wanted them. Yet at the same time the seed trade told the gardener he or she needed these plants. The customer learned from the seed company, which were the important, new plants as well as the importance of adding them to one's plant collection.
Things haven't changed much today. We still want the latest plant for the garden.
Prescott Park grows the newest flower varieties so gardeners can consider them for next summer's planting. No surprise that so many people visit the Park every summer.
Filed Under: Advertising, Annuals, English Style, Garden fashion
The Nineteenth Century Garden Indusry Pioneered Mail Order Sales
For most of the nineteenth century the farms scattered around the country became home to most Americans.
After 1880 opportunities for employment drew many farmers to the city.
Thus for decades the garden industry had to employ mail order catalogs to attract its rural customers.
Northern Grown seed catalog of 1892
Bess Gedney Chistiansen wrote in her article "A Brief History of Seed Catalogs" that the second half of the nineteenth cnetury became the golden age of mail order. "Originally concentrated in the Northeast the industry found an insatiable demand for seeds, nursery stock such as fruit trees, and agricultural and gardening advice. Just as rural families could order household items such as furniture, pens, and musical instruments from a catalog, so could a farmer send away for whatever he needed [for the garden]."
Of course, the seed and nursery catalogs grew in number and in size.
By the end of the century, the catalog was almost a book, with essays, instructions, advertising, and illustrations along with the listing of seeds and plants for sale.
For decades the mail order catalog had been the company's primary sales tool. W. Atlee Burpee once said, "The catalog is the silent salesman."
Filed Under: Advertising, Annuals, Bulbs, Garden fashion
Lawns Took Center Stage in Nineteenth Century Garden Advice
It is now the month of November and few people think about the lawn as we head into the clasp of the chill of winter.
Yet in the first part of every issue of his nineteenth century magazine Gardener's Monthly Philadelphia nurseryman Thomas Meehan (1826-1901) wrote about lawns.
I could not believe the shape of this lawn I saw recently at Opus One Winery in Oakville, California.
He was, of course, highlighing how important they were for every American home landscape.
Meehan wrote in the 1861 September issue of his magazine: "The beauty of English lawns is proverbial; and the highest aim of our gardening is to have lawns like them."
Not only did every home need a lawn. The Engish provided the model for the lawn.
This blog crashed last week and I had to rebuild it. Please note that now the URL is simply americangardening.net. Thank you.
Filed Under: English garden design, English Style, Garden fashion, Garden style
Nineteenth Century American Gardeners Planted Herbs in Kitchen Garden
In nineteenth century American seed and nursery catalogs, seeds of vegetables, annuals, and perennials received many pages. Herbs, however, only a page or two.
The focus in the catalog was on a kitchen garden, which could include herbs and even some flowers, but not what we now call an 'herb garden'.
The herb garden at Blithewold, a public garden in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Though the catalogs recognized the importance of herbs for cooking and medicinal needs, vegetables seemed to be more important.
The list of vegetables might include an herb like parsley.
Rochester, NY seedsman James Vick wrote in his 1880 seed catalog under the section called 'Herbs': "A few Pot Herbs, or Sweet Herbs as they are usually called, should have a place in every vegetable garden. Every cook and every good housekeeper knows the value of the little patch of herbs upon which she makes daily drafts in the summer, and which furnishes such a nice collection of dried herbs for winter seasoning, without which the Thanksgiving turkey would be scarcely worth the having; while as domestic medicines several kinds are held in high repute."
Vick then lists about twenty herbs from anise to wormwood.
The idea that the kitchen garden should include at least a few herbs endured til the end of the century. L. H. Bailey, Cornell horticulturist and author, wrote in 1900: "It is in the Kitchen-garden that the sweet herbs and the garnishing plants may be grown."
Order my book America's Romance with the English Garden today.
© 2020 · American Gardening


text:
Tennessee Vols get Kentucky Wildcats up next
Blake Toppmeyer
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Tennessee and its next opponent, the Kentucky Wildcats, each lost by the same 45-7 margin on Saturday. The Vols were whipped by No. 1 Alabama, and Kentucky lost by that 38-point margin to Mississippi State.
Before Saturday, every Kentucky game this season had been decided by 11 points or fewer.
More:Rashaan Gaulden's apology, Tennessee's flea-flicker, cigar smoke among best and worst of Alabama victory
The Vols (3-4, 0-4 SEC) will play Kentucky (5-2, 2-2) on Saturday (7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network) in Lexington.
The Wildcats rank 12th in the SEC in total offense and ninth in total defense.
Quarterback Stephen Johnson has been efficient, completing 61.2 percent of his passes for 1,355 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. But UK's running attack is not nearly as good as it was last year. Running back Benny Snell leads the team with 541 yards on 133 carries with six TDs. Garrett Johnson (32 receptions, 369 yards, two TDs) is the team's top wide receiver.
Safety Mike Edwards leads Kentucky with 54 tackles and three interceptions.
More:Tennessee Vols vs. Kentucky: How to watch, listen, livestream football game
The Vols lead the all-time series 79-24-9. They've won 31 of the past 32 matchups, with the only loss during that span coming in 2011.
During the Butch Jones era, the Vols have outscored the Wildcats 178-87 in their four previous meetings.


text:
import sys
print(sys.version)

print("Hallo Jörg")

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
CLOVEN HOOF Bassist Comments On 'The Definitive Part One'
NWOBHM (New Wave of British Heavy Metal) legends CLOVEN HOOF recently spent time in the studio re-recording 24 of their classic songs for a two-part "best-of" compilation, "The Definitive Part One" and "The Definitive Part Two". "The Definitive Part One" will be available exclusively on the band's web site from February 13 ahead of the album's official May 1 worldwide release date. It will be distributed by Universal.
Commented the group's bassist Lee Payne: "'The Definitive Part One' is CLOVEN HOOF striped to the bone playing live in the studio with minimum overdubs. We made a conscious effort to try to capture the live energy that the band have on stage. Because nothing was laboured over, the CD sounds fresh and dynamic. Because the band will be playing all over the world from June 2008 onwards, a best of album seems the perfect way to introduce new fans to the HOOF back catalogue. All the stage favourites are here and the fans helped choose the tracks on a web site pole 6 months ago.
"The last studio album, 'Eye Of The Sun', was perfect in the sense that the band played everything to click tracks and beat detectors to give that surgical tightness. For the first time CLOVEN HOOF had slick production, but it can loose raw energy that say 'The Opening Ritual' had. Nu metal producers like eliminating feel in order to quantise everything to get that machine like punch. Producers today believe metal is all about riffs being cut up and stacked by computers and drum machine, this makes it easy to sound heavy. But in truth that approach sounds over-processed and spiritless. 'The Definitive Part One' is pure HOOF, without drum machines or studio trickery, but the production is clear and captures an actual band performance raw and real. In fact, only the vocals and lead solos were overdubbed.
"Paul ONeil produced 'The Definitive Part One', and Jon Astley, who has worked with LED ZEPPELIN, THE WHO, JUDAS PRIEST, ERIC CLAPTON, THE ROLLING STONES, mastered it. We feel that he has at last captured the true CLOVEN HOOF sound for the first time."
"The Definitive Part One" track listing:
01. Inquisitor
02. Nova Battlestar
03. The Gates of Gehenna
04. Astral Rider
05. Kiss of Evil
06. Mutilator
08. Road of Eagles
09. Return of the Passover
10. Laying Down the Law
11. Mistress of the Forest
The song "Mutilator" is a taster off the forthcoming album "Throne of Damnation" that will be released towards the end of 2008.
Watch CLOVEN HOOF performing live at the British Steel Festival 2007:
GEDDY LEE Says 'Cinema Strangiato' Film Celebrates RUSH's Final Tour On Big Screen
MEGADETH's DAVE MUSTAINE Cancels Appearance At San Diego's COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL
CATTLE DECAPITATION: 'Death Atlas' Cover Artwork Unveiled
OPETH's MIKAEL ÅKERFELDT Discusses New Song 'Heart In Hand' (Video)
VOLBEAT Releases Music Video For 'Cheapside Sloggers' Feat. SLAYER/EXODUS Guitarist GARY HOLT


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text:
Q: Xamarin.Android Binding to 3rd party SDK with dependencies I am using VS2015 Update3 with current/up-to-date Xamarin, and am trying to create a binding library to wrap a 3rd party SDK written in Java.  I have a C#/.Net background, with little Java experience thus far.  This SDK depends on 3 other items, which are available as AAR's or via NuGet.
I was able to create a binding library for the parent AAR, with some MetaData.xml tweakery to adjust parameter types and return types and correct a class accessor to satisfy its abstract base class, all of which were initially preventing the resulting C# .Net Android binding library from building. Now the parent binding assembly builds, but can't execute, as it requires the other 3 AAR dependencies.
Dependencies needed ("#" is the alias for each when mentioned in the post below):

*

*"2" -> com.android.support:support-v4:25.1.1

*"3" -> com.google.android.gms:play-services-location:10.2.0

*"4" -> com.google.android.gms:play-services-gcm:10.2.0

In this scenario, if I need to create a binding dll to wrap a parent AAR that depends on 3 other AARs:
Should I (A) create 4 binding assemblies - a parent binding assembly Bind_AAR_1.dll, that depends on Bind_AAR_2.dll, Bind_AAR_3.dll, and Bind_AAR_4.dll?
OR, should I (B) dig into the 2, 3, and 4 AAR files and get the JAR file from each, and include them in Bind_AAR_1.dll directly in the Jars folder using 'EmbeddedJar' (or other attribute/setting)?
OR, seeing that 2, 3, and 4 are actually availabe via NuGet, should I (C) reference them into the Bind_AAR_1 project using NuGet? Will the Javacode in the AAR 1 be able to see the code in AAR's 2, 3, and 4 if I use NuGet to reference/include them?
I've tried variations on each of methods (A), (B), and (C) with no luck yet, or resulting work that leads to more work, which leaves me wondering what is the best/right way to do this.
On a related topic, is it a best practice to use the Metadata.xml file to explicitly remove everything (classes, etc) from the resulting generated wrapper API that you do not directly plan to use in your Xamarin project?  Seems like it might be good to limit the interface and perhaps also reduce the build size (and possibly build time) of the binding dll.
Any help would be appreciated!
Curtis
=======================================================================
4/11/2017 - Update
Very glad to have input from the likes of @_JonDouglas! but... still not able to get this SDK working.
I have tried each of these methods A, B, and C, and have been able to get my bindings project to build (with manipulations done via transforming/MetaData.xml). The 3rd party SDK was designed/documented to be a part of / a component in a Java solution.  Per the vendor's instructional documentation, this solution would have the 3 dependencies added to its .gradle file, thus providing the reference to these items in the overall Java solution.  I have no Java history, so winging it here.
As it is, when I wrap the SDK (alone or with dependencies using any of the 3 methods) with Visual Studio into a Xamarin Android Binding Assembly, at runtime the SDK hits ClassNotFound exceptions (evidenced by "Google Play not found." in the logs). The classes used from the required Java dependencies are created created in a late bound fashion using name strings for classnames like this:

    try
    {
      Class.forName("com.google.android.gms.common.GooglePlayServicesUtil");
      //more code here
    }
    catch (ClassNotFoundException e)
    {
      Log.e("3rd Party SDK", "Google Play not found.");
    }

It doesn't seem to matter how I build the binding assembly in Visual Studio using any of the 3 methods above to include the dependency items (1 AAR + 3 Nuget OR 1 AAR + 3 Jars in 1 binding OR 4 AARs in 4 bindings using project references).  At runtime, the SDK doesn't seem to see them.  Perhaps that makes sense that it won't - there's no .gradle (like a csproj file) that points to them in the SDK itself?
I am thinking what I need to do is (closer to the vendor's instruction) create a Java solution complete with a .gradle file that includes the SDK as well as the 3 dependencies in the Java project, building to create an AAR file.  Then, I believe I may be able to create a Xamarin binding assembly for the resulting encompasing AAR.  Then I'll add a reference to this binding assembly to my .Andriod assembly within my solution and proceed.
Theory (yet to be proven): [Failed.  See 4/12 update below.]  Wrap the Java SDK + its coded dependencies (explicit in the .gradle) in a module/library, and then wrapping that in a Xamarin Android Binding library.  Then all I'll need to do is figure out what public methods I need to use (and therefore expose) from this wrapper module/library, add these public methods and forward the calls to the SDK.
Big Picture: I'm trying to design and code this as a cross-platform Xamarin solution, but am working with an Android-specific and IOS-specific SDK that appear both designed to be part of the application/UI experience (designed to do more than just handle communication to the 3rd party). This UI aspect has yet to play out, as I've not seen either SDK function as of yet.
=======================================================================
4/12/2017 - Update
Theory (FAILED): Wrap the Java SDK + its coded dependencies (explicit in the .gradle) in a module/library, and then wrap that in a Xamarin Android Binding library.  We coded, built, deployed, and tested this.  I now see that the app at runtime gets into the first layer of Java code, but fails to find any referenced code lower than that (aka dependencies).  The wrapper's code runs fine but the wrapper at runtime can't find the SDK's classes, nor even a simple Java test component that we attempted to use via the wrapper.  This is equivalent to issue we had with the SDK in the first place when we simply created a bindings file for it alone, and referenced the rest into the binding assembly by JAR or via NuGet.  The lower level code is still not found, only the first layer of java executes.  Still trying to come up with a solution.
=======================================================================
4/13/2017 - Update
I have made some progress. One step forward, and maybe two steps back as they say.
I now realize that the 3rd party SDK needs more of Google Play Services than just the two dependencies.  I decompiled the two items explicitly mentioned, and the named class is not in there.  I started looking at the local Android SDK location (as configured in Visual Studio) and found 'play-services-6.5.87.AAR'.  Including this in my binding assembly as an EmbeddedResourceJar finally got the SDK code to find the particular class listed in code above.
Using NuGet
I am questioning the value of the Java wrapper described above, since everything needed for dependencies is now included as an EmbeddedReferenceJar.  Seems like I should just bind the SDK AAR directly (with no added Java wrapper layer).  I am rethinking this and trying to just create the binding assembly pointed to the SDK AAR in the JARS folder, and then include Google Play Services using NuGet.
Proceeding with that, (using NuGet to reference Google Play Services) I'm now getting this error:

No resource found that matches the given name (at 'value' with value '@integer/google_play_services_version').  {project name}  {project path}\AndroidManifest.xml

I've tried a LOT of different things to try to get rid of this build-time error, but have not had any luck.
Not Using NuGet
If I stick with using the JAR file from inside Google's 'play-services-6.5.87.AAR' as an embeddedResourceJar, I don't get the build errors, but I do get runtime errors that the SDK can't find Android manifest settings needed.  If you have a project arranged like this, am I correct as to which Android Manifest is used?

XXX PCL Project
--> XXX.Android project  <-- My guess is that this is where the AndroidManifest.XML file is located that will be used....?
----> XXX.Android.AARBinding project
------>  JARS folder --> 3pVendorSDK.AAR

Still digging....

A: How I finally got my 3rd Party Java SDK to work with Xamarin:
Since my solution is to be Cross-Platform, I have:

*

*Assembly: MyApplication (PCL Portable)

*Assembly: MyApplication.Android

*Assembly: MyApplication.Android.Binding
(Wrapping the 3rd party SDK, provided as an AAR file)

The respective .IOS projects/assemblies will follow this naming pattern, when we get to that.
Android Binding Assembly

*

*Jars Folder

*

*Include My3rdParty.AAR fileSet with Build Action: 'LibraryProjectZip'

*Transforms Folder

*

*Metadata.XML - I had to make adjustments to how the binding code was to be generated by Visual Studio to make sure types align, etc.

*I had some methods that returned types that did not map well to .Net, so I used attr elements to adjust their 'managedType' and 'managedReturn' type values.Note:  You can use more than one attr element on one method to get it tweaked as desired.

*I had to remove a method (by using a remove-node element) that was declared as virtual and re-add it in custom code as an override to satisfy the abstract class definition of its base class.

*Root Folder

*

*CustomCode.cs - Re-add the one method that needed to be changed from private to public (it was removed via MetaData.xml).
(note though that the resulting method will be non-functional, as it is just an empty stub to satisfy the abstract class inheritance)

Android Assembly

*

*Manifest

*

*Lacked accurate/complete SDK Manifest documentation.
The Sdk manifest info changes were made here in the Android Assembly.

*References

*

*Add a reference to the Android Binding Assembly.

*Components (NuGet)

*

*Since my 3rd Party's SDK had documented dependencies on Google Play Services, and I'd decompiled their code using JD-GUI to verify what classes/etc it was trying to use, I added Xamarin.GooglePlayServices.Gcm to this project, not the Binding Assembly project.
Note:  It wasn't clear to me in any documentation that I'd read what level to bring in the AAR's dependencies.  In one of my many attempts, I had gone down the path of adding them as JAR's directly (extracted from AAR's) to the Binding Assembly's JARS folder with a BuildAction of EmbeddedResourceJar.  This provided slightly better run-time results as required items were found, but it felt... icky...  Seemed like a recipe for maintenance issues.   There had to be a better way.  Enter NuGet!
Note:  Adding this one item brings along all of the following items:

*Xamarin.GooglePlayServices.Base

*Xamarin.GooglePlayServices.Basement

*Xamarin.GooglePlayServices.Gcm  (the one added via VS Manage NuGet)

*Xamarin.GooglePlayServices.Iid

*Xamarin.GooglePlayServices.Tasks

*Assets

*

*My 3rd Party's SDK used a config.JSON file, which needed to be put here so that at runtime it can read it.  Set with Build Action:  'AndroidAsset'

*Build Time Additional work needed:

*

*Additional MetaData.XML changes in the Binding Assembly. - Some of the generated code had new build errors that occurred at this point, when the compiled Binding Assembly is referenced by the Android assembly and a build was attempted.

Assembly Binding Transforms
As stated above, when I built MyApplication.Android.Binding, it built fine on its own.  When I referenced it in MyApplication.Android, though, it generated a new Java code translation build error about the scope of a particular class not being as expected/required.  To address this, I went back to the Binding assembly's MetaData.xml file and chose to remove the problem class from the generated Java code interface since I did not have plans to call or use.
TIP:  The easiest way to do this (that I've found) in Visual Studio is to enable the Show All Files feature on the BindingAssembly project, and then look in the obj\Debug\generated\src\ folders for the problem class.  Once you find it, click on it and the generated Java interface code has the XPath statements generated as comments.  These are what you need to either alter or remove the problem classes or methods using the MetaData.XML file.
Wrap-Up
Now all I need to do is write my cross-platform code on top (using Dependency Inversion + Xamarin Forms built-in DependencyService to reach each SDK at runtime) and my app should be good to go!
Hopefully these findings are helpful to others who need to work through a similar binding scenario.
If you do see any content here that is incorrect, or if you have anything you'd like to add, please comment!

A: You should be able to do #3 which you simply reference the pre-built NuGet packages of these existing bindings of GPS/support libraries.
Please make sure that you use the exact version the binding library expects as google moves classes all the time.
My personal recommendation is the following in order of difficulty (easy -> hard):

*

*NuGet Package

*EmbeddedReferenceJar / ReferenceJar of the .jar or classes.jar (Use a LibraryProjectZip if there are resoruces)

*Binding projects for each dependency

As a best practice, yes you should use <remove-node> on items that you will not use. However this is mainly used when errors are being generated by code you won't use in the first place. I would just keep the items around regardless here unless there are quite a bit of methods you will never touch so you can be mindful of your dexcount.
For further help you can view my bindings guide: https://gist.github.com/JonDouglas/dda6d8ace7d071b0e8cb

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Consider this post a public service announcement from someone who burns candleholders on purpose—not just the candles, but the actual holders. As a DIYer and programmer of projects, I do not want to believe that my favorite clays are fire hazards, so I test them. Of course, everything burns if it gets hot enough, but some things burn quicker than others. I was saving this post for something more comprehensive, but the time seems right to let this fly now.
Always place menorah on a foil-covered tray big enough to catch the whole thing if the dog knocks it over.
Wood candle cups are dumb, but if they are already in situ, give them a generous lining of foil or if there's room, foil bobeches. Also, ask the art teacher to rethink the design.
Hex-nuts—the classic—must be affixed as perfectly horizontal as possible, else the candles will lean and merge, then fall to doom.
Metal candle cups too big, too small, or too shallow: slightly melt the tushies of each candle as it is pushed in to place. Adults only, because timing and placement is everything. I hate fiddly menorahs like this, but we all have them.
Clay: Unfortunately, three of the easiest-to-procure and funnest-to-handle clays are not rated safe near flames: Crayola Model Magic, Crayola Air Dry Clay, and polymer oven-bake clays. I list these in order of likelihood to catch on fire.
Here are some experiments on my glass-topped oven (another product of Chelm. Whenever I put a heavy pot on the glass, I expect the whole thing to give way like ice on a half-frozen birdbath). These were casual experiments: no timers, no control groups. Just me and a match.
The first is Model Magic, which comes in packs labelled with dire warnings not to use near flame. I turned my subject upside down the better to ignite it with a match. On fire within 10 seconds. They could repackage the clay as fuel inside Sterno cans. FYI: the plastic pony beads burned, too, and melted in a slow-mo Raiders of the Lost Ark Nazi-Face kind of way.
Next is polymer, which is also accompanied by warnings, but a quick online image search shows a bazillion candleholders made from the stuff. Polymer is not nearly as ready to ignite as is the magical model above, but when the candle burned down, the clay slowly caught fire.
I admit we have a student-made polymer clay menorah (candles inside levelled metal hexnuts), but it is never left unwatched.
As for Crayola Air Dry, it depends. My experiment with a candle that burned down by itself yielded nothing. But when I held a flame to the dried specimen, the clay scorched right away, smoked, and then sorta exploded. Nothing terribly dramatic, but small chunks of my candleholder began flying off the foil. I guess it is something to do with variable moisture content, but it's enough to put me off. As per the manufacturer's warning, of course. Crayola company, you don't need to demand I remove this post because I am with you all the way.
That being said, below are Kindergarten air dry candleholders meant for wax tea lights. Tea lights are "safer" than naked candles because they are cradled in a metal dish. If the clay is nowhere near the top of the metal, things should go according to plan. If the holder is deep, and the tea light doesn't extend above it, I'd worry. Also, grownups will have to make absolutely sure the tea lights will sit level in the holders: no slanting. Slanting means that flame might slant, too, and lean over to catch the clay or those infamous pony beads alight.
Bottom line for people who program crafts is that it is hard to find a safe, easy-to-work material for kids—or anyone—to make DIY candleholders. I'm still looking. I am determined to find a clay suitable for candleholders that does not need to be fired in a kiln. Air-dry or oven-baked is what I'm after.
Please let me know if you use something fabulous.
Bottom line for parents whose kids come home with candleholders: beware.
Meanwhile, let's read the directions before we program crafts, and all use common sense. Be safe.
This entry was posted in Activity, Crafts, Hanukkah, Shabbat and tagged fire safety, menorah. Bookmark the permalink.
God bless you! *What was this, a craft from Chelm*?
I made "ice cubes" from plaster of paris. the children painted them with acrylic paints. the ice cubes were affixed to balsa with a hot glue gun,and the hex nuts were affixed to the plaster of paris the same way. I tested them with and without the acrylic paint and nothing burned. I did send them home with a disclaimer about having to watch them even though they had been tested. I have also been successful using mini clay pots (from Michaels) that are filled with colored sand mixed with glue. Those did not burn for me either.
Thanks, Marcie! I'll play with both ideas.
Check out PJ Library Southern Arizona Facebook page for another DIY menorah melting and burning – Lucite boxes with hex nuts glued on.


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Home » Furniture » MLILY USA Prioritizes Retailer Margins with Vegas Introductions
MLILY USA Prioritizes Retailer Margins with Vegas Introductions
Pictured is the all-new ChiroPro hybrid from MLILY USA.
MLILY USA will debut new mattresses and accessories at the upcoming Las Vegas Market that highlight the company's focus on retailer and consumer needs for value as the industry responds to the shifting market and economy.
The summer market introductions include the all-new ChiroPro hybrid, a value hybrid, and a heavy-duty platform bed frame. The Essential Plus line is refreshed with a new cover. Company officials said the new products were thoughtfully developed to give retailers the most robust combination of quality and value-driven products, better margins, and merchandising flexibility.
"A top priority for Mlily is our relationship with retailers, so we create programs that can help them drive traffic year-round and merchandise to meet the needs of different types of consumers and budgets," said Glenn Kobylarcyzk, executive vice president.
Showcased at the front of the Mlily showroom B-900 will be the brand-new ChiroPro hybrid collection, endorsed by the International Chiropractors Association (ICA). As its name suggests, ChiroPro is designed to provide optimum support for back health, addressing the common complaints from consumers about back pain caused by an old or poor-quality mattress.
Offered in firm and plush feels, the 13-inch ChiroPro mattress is constructed with multiple comfort and support layers, including gel and soft flex foams and an individual, pocketed coil unit that conforms to the body and promotes natural airflow. The plush model features a three-zoned coil unit that provides different levels of support to the head and shoulders, hips, and legs.
The new value hybrid line is offered in 9, 11, and 13-inch heights. Each provides a graphene technology fabric cover to draw heat away from the sleeper for better all-night temperature regulation, gel memory foam, and an individual pocketed spring unit.
With a modern aesthetic to its new cover, the Essential Plus is an all-foam line offered in three profiles featuring memory foam designed to adapt to the body and aid in temperature regulation for rejuvenating sleep.
The heavy-duty platform bed frame is made of durable steel. Designed for no-tool assembly, this foundation eliminates the need for a box spring while giving ample under-bed storage space. It features safe rounded corners, multiple support legs, and non-slip tape to keep the mattress in place. It is available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, and California King sizes.
The Mlily showroom, located in B-900 of the World Market Center, will be open July 24-28.
About Mlily
MLILY USA is the North American mattress and pillow company of Healthcare Co., Ltd. Based in Knoxville, Tennessee, the company manufactures mattresses, pillows, and sleep accessories in state-of-the-art factories located in China, Thailand, Serbia, Arizona, and South Carolina, which span more than 7 million square feet. With products sold worldwide, MLILY also holds a unique global strategic partnership with Manchester United, the leading sports brand and popular soccer team in the United Kingdom. MLILY provides the team's training complex with mattresses and other sleep products as part of the partnership.
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Mediterranean Couscous Salad | Cookies and Cups


Which Car Brand is the Most Reliable?
With so many different car models on the market for each brand, it can often be difficult to judge – and compare – car brands as a whole. 'What Car?', however, a trusted car review site, has orchestrated a comprehensive survey with 18,284 respondents giving feedback on reliability across 159 models and 31 brands of car. The data received is particularly insightful in determining how reliable a car brand is as a whole. Here at Oaks Services, we're going to highlight which brands topped the list and will be detailing the probable reasons why those brands outshone the others.
This Asian automobile goliath takes fourth place with a beyond-impressive reliability rating of 95.8%.
Kia's dedication to reliability has been a large factor in why it ranks so much higher than its competitors. Many other brands have focused this year primarily on technological advancements. These advancements, while impressive, can come at a cost. Many brands that are prioritising innovation and taking leaps into the technological unknown are facing unforeseen reliability issues simply due to the fact that their products have yet to be comprehensively tested.
Kia, on the other hand, has struck a solid balance between technological improvement and reliability. They have kept reliability as their main priority, and this is highlighted none more so than with their seven-year warranty. By implementing this warranty, Kia is keeping reliability at the core of their philosophy.
The reliability of Toyota has always been great, but the brand ranks especially high this year thanks to releasing some hugely reliable models. The Toyota IQ and Toyota Prius rank as some of the most reliable cars of the year, embodying Toyota's dedication to reliability. To ensure Toyota cars are road safe, work well and last a long time, every test model travels a distance equivalent to two-and-a-half times around the world before it reaches the showroom.
Perhaps unexpectedly due to Toyota's high ranking and reliable core, Lexus, Toyota's luxury brand, ranks number two on the list with a 97.5% reliability rating. As the more affordable brand, you would expect Toyota to have put even more effort into the reliability factor of their Lexus'. Most notably, the engines that are engineered for the Lexus are created particularly to focus on longevity and reliability.
Motoring its way to the number one spot, the Japanese car brand Suzuki may be somewhat lacking in its technology factor, but its reliability factor has only excelled because of it. Suzuki makes well-rounded cars that are both affordable and reliable. Ultimately, Suzuki reigns supreme because it possesses no novelties or risky elements, just high-quality craftsmanship and intelligent engineering.
At Oaks Services, we understand what makes a car reliable. When you come for a servicing from us, we ensure your car is operating to the highest levels, providing you with a smooth and safe drive long into the future. For more information, give our team a call today.