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A Few Bad Scientists Are Threatening to Topple Taxonomy
Naming species forms the foundation of biology—but these rogue researchers are exposing the flaws in the system
Taxonomic vandalism can have disastrous consequences for wildlife conservation—but it could also impact human health. Shown here, an African spitting cobra poised to strike. (Greatstock / Alamy)
By Benjamin Jones
Imagine, if you will, getting bit by an African spitting cobra. These reptiles are bad news for several reasons: First, they spit, shooting a potent cocktail of nerve toxins directly into their victims' eyes. But they also chomp down, using their fangs to deliver a nasty bite that can lead to respiratory failure, paralysis, and occasionally even death.
Before you go rushing to the hospital in search of antivenin, you're going to want to look up exactly what kind of snake you're dealing with. But the results are confusing. According to the official record of species names, governed by the International Commission of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN), the snake belongs to the genus Spracklandus. What you don't know is that almost no taxonomists use that name. Instead, most researchers use the unofficial name that pops up in Wikipedia and most scientific journal articles: Afronaja.
This might sound like semantics. But for you, it could mean the difference between life and death. "If you walk in [to the hospital] and say the snake that bit you is called Spracklandus, you might not get the right antivenin," says Scott Thomson, a herpetologist and taxonomist at Brazil's Museum of Zoology at the University of São Paulo. After all, "the doctor is not a herpetologist … he's a medical person trying to save your life."
In fact, Spracklandus is the center of a heated debate within the world of taxonomy—one that could help determine the future of an entire scientific field. And Raymond Hoser, the Australian researcher who gave Spracklandus its official name, is one of the forefront figures in that debate.
By the numbers, Hoser is a taxonomy maven. Between 2000 and 2012 alone, Hoser named three-quarters of all new genera and subgenera of snakes; overall, he's named over 800 taxa, including dozens of snakes and lizards. But prominent taxonomists and other herpetologists—including several interviewed for this piece—say that those numbers are misleading.
According to them, Hoser isn't a prolific scientist at all. What he's really mastered is a very specific kind of scientific "crime": taxonomic vandalism.
To study life on Earth, you need a system. Ours is Linnaean taxonomy, the model started by Swedish biologist Carl Linnaeus in 1735. Linnaeus's two-part species names, often Latin-based, consist of both a genus name and a species name, i.e. Homo sapiens. Like a library's Dewey Decimal system for books, this biological classification system has allowed scientists around the world to study organisms without confusion or overlap for nearly 300 years.
But, like any library, taxonomy is only as good as its librarians—and now a few rogue taxonomists are threatening to expose the flaws within the system. Taxonomic vandals, as they're referred to within the field, are those who name scores of new taxa without presenting sufficient evidence for their finds. Like plagiarists trying to pass off others' work as their own, these glory-seeking scientists use others' original research in order to justify their so-called "discoveries."
"It's unethical name creation based on other people's work," says Mark Scherz, a herpetologist who recently named a new species of fish-scaled gecko. "It's that lack of ethical sensibility that creates that problem."
The goal of taxonomic vandalism is often self-aggrandizement. Even in such an unglamorous field, there is prestige and reward—and with them, the temptation to misbehave. "If you name a new species, there's some notoriety to it," Thomson says. "You get these people that decide that they just want to name everything, so they can go down in history as having named hundreds and hundreds of species."
Taxonomic vandalism isn't a new problem. "Decisions about how to partition life are as much a concern of politics and ethics as of biology," two Australian biologists wrote in a June editorial in the journal Nature on how taxonomy's lack of oversight threatens conservation. They argued that the field needs a new system, by which the rules that govern species names are legally enforceable: "We contend that the scientific community's failure to govern taxonomy … damages the credibility of science and is expensive to society."
But the problem may be getting worse, thanks to the advent of online publishing and loopholes in the species naming code. With vandals at large, some researchers are less inclined to publish or present their work publicly for fear of being scooped, taxonomists told me. "Now there's a hesitation to present our data publically, and that's how scientists communicate," Thomson says. "The problem that causes is that you don't know who is working on what, and then the scientists start stepping on each other's toes."
Smithsonian.com spoke with some of these alleged vandals, and the scientists trying to stop them and save this scientific system.
In 2012, Hoser dubbed this species Oopholis adelynhoserae. According to other taxonomists, it is actually the New Guinea crocodile, Crocodylus novaeguineae. (Wikimedia Commons)
If you're a scientist who wants to name a newly discovered form of life, your first step is to gather two to three lines of evidence—from DNA and morphology, for example—that prove that you're dealing with something new to science. Then you have to obtain a holotype, or an individual of the species that will serve as an identifier for future researchers. Next you'll write up your paper, in which you describe your discovery and name it according to taxonomic naming conventions.
Finally, you send your paper off to a scientific journal for publication. If you are the first to publish, the name you've chosen is cemented into the taxonomic record. But that last step—publication—isn't easy. Or at least, it isn't supposed to be. In theory, the evidence you present must adhere to the high scientific and ethical benchmark of peer-review. Publication can take months, or even years.
However, there's a loophole. The rules for naming a new animal taxon are governed by the ICZN, while the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT) governs plants. And while the ICZN requires that names be published, as defined by the commission's official Code, "publishing" doesn't actually require peer-review.
That definition leaves room for what few would call science: self-publishing. "You can print something in your basement and publish it and everyone in the world that follows the Code is bound to accept whatever it is you published, regardless of how you did so," Doug Yanega, a Commissioner at the ICZN, told me. "No other field of science, other than taxonomy, is subject to allowing people to self-publish."
Thomson agrees. "It's just become too easy to publish," he says.
Why not? When the Code was written, the technologies that allow for self-publishing simply didn't exist. "The Code isn't written under the assumption that people would deliberately try to deceive others," Yanega says. But then came the advance of desktop computing and printing, and with it, the potential for deception.
Moreover, the ICZN has no actual legal recourse against those who generate names using illegitimate or unethical science. That's because the Code, which was last updated in 1999, was written to maintain academic freedom, Yanega says. As the Code reads: "nomenclatural rules are tools that are designed to provide the maximum stability compatible with taxonomic freedom."
Vandals have zeroed in on the self-publishing loophole with great success. Yanega pointed to Trevor Hawkeswood, an Australia-based entomologist accused by some taxonomists of churning out species names that lack scientific merit. Hawkeswood publishes work in his own journal, Calodema, which he started in 2006 as editor and main contributor.
"He has his own journal with himself as the editor, publisher, and chief author," Yanega says. "This is supposed to be science, but it's a pile of publications that have no scientific merit." (In response to questions about the legitimacy of his journal, Hawkeswood delivered a string of expletives directed towards his critics, and contended that Calodema has "heaps of merit.")
Raymond Hoser also owns his own journal, the Australasian Journal of Herpetology (AJH). AJH has faced similar criticism since it was launched in 2009, despite claims by Hoser that the journal is peer-reviewed. "Although the AJH masquerades as a scientific journal, it is perhaps better described as a printed 'blog' because it lacks many of the hallmarks of formal scientific communication, and includes much irrelevant information," wrote Hinrich Kaiser, a researcher at Victor Valley College in California, and colleagues in the peer-reviewed journal Herpetological Review.
Publications like these let bad science through, taxonomists say. According to them, vandals churn out names of so-called "new species" in their journals, often when the scientific evidence to support a discovery is lacking. And if the names are properly constructed and accompanied by characteristics that are "purported" to distinguish the species, they become valid under the Code. "As long as you create a name, state intention that the name is new, and provide just the vaguest description of a species, the name is valid," Scherz says.
Hoser, for his part, doesn't see a problem. "People complain that we name too much stuff," he told me. "But that's bullsh*t. There's a lot out there."
Like a phylogenetic tree, a cladogram illuminates relationships between groups of animals. (Wikimedia Commons)
Taxonomic vandalism usually isn't subtle. Oftentimes, vandals will explicitly steal others' science to support their so-called "discovery," taxonomists told me. "They don't do any of the research, they don't own any of the research," as Thomson puts it. One of the most common lines of evidence they steal is what's known as the phylogenetic tree.
Phylogenetic trees, not unlike family trees, reveal how different animal specimens are related to each other based on their genetics; specimens that are genetically similar are grouped together. In some cases, those groupings represent species that have yet to be named, which scientists call "candidate species." Researchers commonly publish phylogenetic trees on the road to discovering a new species, and then use those published trees as evidence for that species' uniqueness.
However, gathering enough evidence to make a discovery can take months or even years. Meanwhile, culprits like Hoser swoop in. Once the tree is publically available, vandals use it as evidence to justify a "discovery," which they quickly publish in their personal journals. "Vandals go through literature and comb through phylogenetic trees, find a group in the phylogenetic tree that could be named, and quickly give it a name," Scherz said.
It's difficult to pinpoint the total number of species named by vandals, but Thomson estimates there are tens of thousands. Hoser readily admits that he has used this approach to name tens—if not hundreds—of taxa. "I managed to name about 100 genera [of snakes] by basically looking at phylogenetic trees," Hoser said. Among them was the African spitting cobra, Spracklandus.
Another approach is based on a theory called "allopatric speciation," or the evolution of new species through geographic isolation.
The theory states that when animal populations are physically separated without opportunities to interbreed, they can grow genetically distinct. Over time, the populations can become separate species—meaning, in simplistic terms, that they can't successfully reproduce with each other. This is a widely-accepted theory, but not proof in itself. Without DNA samples and a detailed examination of several individuals from each population, it's not so much a discovery as it is a clue.
Taxonomic vandals have been known to take full advantage of this theory to make "discoveries," says Kaiser. To find and name new species, they will search for geographic barriers that cut through the range of an existing species, such as rivers or mountains. If the species populations look different on either side of the barrier—on one side they're red and on the other side they're blue, for example—vandals will automatically declare them two separate species.
"Taxonomic vandals are saying that these are two separate…[species]…but they really have no scientific underpinning of that statement," Kaiser said of this approach. Hoser, Kaiser writes, uses both existing phylogenetic trees and allopatric speciation to justify generating "new" species names.
For his part, Hoser maintains that the distinctions are often self-explanatory. "Sometimes it's so bloody self-evident that you don't need to resort to molecular-f***ing-genetics and DNA to work out the difference," Hoser said. "It's like working out the difference between an elephant and a hippopotamus—they're obviously different animals. You don't need to be a Rhodes Scholar to figure out the difference."
His colleagues disagree. "He puts the name on straight away without any evidence," says Thomson of Hoser. "It's like throwing darts at a dart board with his eyes closed, and every now and then he hits a bull's-eye."
In 2009, Hoser petitioned the ICZN to redefine the lethal Western Diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) as the holotype for a new genus he proposed naming "Hoserea" after his wife. He was declined. (Rolf Nussbaumer Photography / Alamy)
While the ICZN doesn't have the power to regulate these problems, that doesn't mean individual taxonomists are sitting quietly by.
The scientific community often opts collectively to reject the names that vandals ascribe, even if they're technically Code-compliant, according to several taxonomists I spoke with. Strictly speaking, this is against the rules of the Code—the names are official, after all. But according to Wolfgang Wüster, a herpetologist at Bangor University, many herpetologists "are scientists first and nomenclaturists second."
Kaiser, Wüster and other taxonomists have been leading the fight to stamp out vandalism within herpetology. "The scientific community currently appears almost unanimous in their approach not to use Hoser's nomenclature," Wolfgang Denzer, a herpetologist, wrote in a critical review of Hoser's conquests in the open access, peer-reviewed journal Bonn zoological Bulletin.
As stated, many herpetologists refuse to use the name Spracklandus, a name they say is a product of vandalism. Instead they use Afronaja, the name coined by scientists who first published data, which, taxonomists say, Hoser scooped. Unfortunately, this results in what taxonomists call "parallel nomenclature": when a single taxon is known by more than one name.
Parallel nomenclature is exactly what the Code was intended to prevent.
And for good reason. Confusion created by parallel nomenclature complicates any process that depends on unambiguous species names, such as assigning conservation statuses like "Endangered" or "Threatened." As the authors write in the Nature editorial, how a species is classified by taxonomists influences how threatened it appears, and thus how much conservation funding it's likely to receive. As the authors of the editorial write: "Vagueness is not compatible with conservation."
Parallel nomenclature could also make it more difficult to acquire an export permit for research, taxonomists say. "If you are in one country that uses vandalistic names and try to export an animal, your import and export permits won't match, which means animals get held up when you cross borders," Thomson said.
These kind of detrimental consequences—for science and conservation—are why some scientists are calling for a more dramatic solution: revising the Code itself.
A table of "amphibia" from Carl Linnaeus' Systema Naturae. (Carl Linnaeus / Wikimedia Commons)
The boycott against Hoser's names remains widespread and "undeniably effective," Yanega says. So effective, in fact, that Hoser submitted a request to the ICZN in 2013, in which he asked the commission to publicly confirm the validity of the name Spracklandus—a name that is already valid by the rule of the Code.
"He was upset by the boycott," Yanega says, adding that Hoser was seeking validation from the commission.
"The Commission is asked to rule on these seemingly routine matters because widely promulgated recommendations by some herpetologists to use … Afronaja … instead has resulted in instability in nomenclature," the case reads.
But the case isn't just about one genus, one name, and one vandal, say the taxonomists I spoke to. "It's a test of not only which names are going to stand, but also a test—which is how I see it and my colleagues see it—of scientific integrity," Kaiser says.
It's still unclear which way the commission will rule, Yanega says. "It depends on how objective we have to be and how well-phrased the question is before us." If the question, which is still formulating through internal debate, is whether Hoser's name is destabilizing taxonomy—that is, phrased as a technical, but not ethical, question—the commission will likely rule against him, Yanega adds.
But it's possible that the scales may tip the other way, Yanega says. And if they do tip in favor of Hoser, herpetologists I spoke to said that they would have no choice but to abandon the Code altogether. "The rumors among herpetology are that if the Commission rules in Hoser's favor, then it's over," Sherz said. "Then we drop the Code and make our own, because it just can't work like this."
The authors of the Nature editorial offer up a solution: move the code under a different purview. Specifically, they suggest that the International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS)—the biology branch of the International Council for Sciences—should "take decisive leadership" and start a taxonomic commission. The commission, they propose, would establish hardline rules for delineating new species and take charge in reviewing taxonomic papers for compliance. This process, they say, would result in the first ever standardized global species lists.
"In our view, many taxonomists would welcome such a governance structure," the authors write. "Reducing the time spent dealing with different species concepts would probably make the task of describing and cataloguing biodiversity more efficient."
But, barring that, a revision of the Code is unlikely to happen anytime soon, Yanega told me. Because the ICZN strives to act in everyone's best interest, any change requires consensus across the taxonomic community. "Everything is done with some level of cooperation and consensus," he said. "We would indeed be willing to change the rules, if we could ever get the community to come to a consensus as to how the rules should be changed." So far, that hasn't happened.
Part of the problem is that most branches of taxonomy aren't impacted as heavily as herpetology, where many prominent vandals operate. That's because herpetology is home to thousands of undescribed species, so there's plenty of low hanging fruit for vandals to pick. Moreover, "herpetology maybe does attract more interesting characters than other branches of science," says Wüster. "Reptiles are kind of pariahs of the animal world"—as are some of the people who study them, it would appear.
"Other disciplines within taxonomy don't have the same sorts of problems with these same sorts of people," Yanega says. If scientists who study birds and fish, for instance, are less exposed to the problem of vandalism, they're not going to support a stricter Code, he adds: "To them, it sounds like you're being dictatorial or practicing censorship."
But, at least to the herpetologists I spoke to, that's a price that researchers should be willing to pay for good science. "This is a compromise where we might have to give up some academic freedom for the sake of the community," Kaiser says. "This crime needs to be weeded out."
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Some of the best experiences in Napa and Sonoma counties require some extra planning, meaning you have to make an appointment. But they're well worth the effort. A word to the wise—reach out for appointments at these wineries well in advance of your travels. Happy tasting.
Out of a shared passion for fine wine and classical music—the label features the manuscript of Beethoven's Arietta movement from his last Piano Sonata, Opus 111—Fritz Hatton and his wife Caren partnered with winemaker John Kongsgaard and his wife Maggy in 1996 to form Arietta. In 2005, the Hattons bought out the Kongsgaards and invited Andy Erickson—who previously made wine at Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, and Ovis, to name just a few—to become winemaker. At Arietta, Erickson produces Bordeaux-style blends in minuscule quantities—100 cases here, 300 cases thstagere—ranging in price from $65 to $150. Tastings are held deep within the caves at Chateau Boswell, situated north of St. Helena, just off the Silverado Trail. Tip: For those familiar with Auction Napa Valley, you'll know Fritz: for a long time he's been the gifted auctioneer wielding a gavel at Christie's and now for Zachys.
A perfect #napa #autumn day to host friends at the winery.
Fee: $75 per person, which is credited toward purchase of wine, maximum party of 8.
Arietta, 3468 Silverado Trail, Saint Helena, info@ariettawine.com, 707-963-5918.
Wheeler Farms Winery, the brainchild of Bart and Daphne Araujo, houses a handful of Napa's best producers, including Accendo Cellars, Arrow & Branch, Bella Oaks, Kinsman, Roam, TOR, and Vice Versa. For visitors, that means rare opportunities to experience both the wines of Wheeler Farms, made by Sara Donley, as well as the chance to book appointments with any of the aforementioned brands. Guests tasting Wheeler Farms wines are greeted with a non-alcoholic drink and a tour of the chicken coop, orchard, and gardens. With three different tasting experiences offered, you may find yourself in the Wheeler Farms Hospitality House (with stunning views of Mount St. Helena), enjoying a chef-curated farm-to-table experience, or trying a smattering of wines from select custom crush clients as part of the "Winemakers of Wheeler Farms" tasting. Tip: Guests in the market for single-vineyard Cabernets from Napa's Beckstoffer To Kalon, Herb Lamb, Melanson, Cimarossa, and Tierra Roja, can book a private experience with TOR.
Appointments: Thursday to Tuesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Situated just on the outskirts of downtown Napa, smack in the heart of Coombsville, the drive to this estate is beautiful and will take you off the beaten path of Highway 29 and Silverado Trail. Step inside the tasting room at the entrance of Covert's caves and you'll be handed a glass of Azur rosé, which is just as stunning as the twisted-silver-and-gold-metal chandelier that holds court over the room. Covert was founded by three families, including French winemaker Julien Fayard, one of the valley's youngest and sought-after consultants, who grew up in Provence and cut his teeth working at Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafitte. Guests will enjoy a formal seated tasting of Covert's Cabernet Sauvignon wines. Tip: Ask about the library tasting, and opportunities to samples wines from barrel.
While the tasting room accepts walk-ins, the Nomad Heritage Library Tasting Experience is by-appointment-only and features a more Cabernet-focused tasting. You'll sample a couple old vintages of Stewart Cellars' flagship Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, which go back to 2001, along with a tasting of their current-release and one library release of their Nomad Beckstoffer Las Piedras Cabernet Sauvignon. Tips: There's a parking lot behind the buildings, which generally has a spot open when street parking is full. Be sure ask about their new single-vineyard collection wines from Andy Beckstoffer's famed heritage vineyards. And for those among you looking for a unique experience, be sure to ask about the Nomad Collection Series and Experience, which unfolds over two days and includes a personal tour of the six Beckstoffer Heritage Vineyards—some of Napa's greatest sites.
Lovers of deeply rich, golden-colored California Chardonnays will revel in Rolando and Lorena Herrera's luscious, tropical-fruited, rich-baking spiced Carneros beauties. They also produce Russian River Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, and Tempranillo. Two tasting experiences are offered: the Mi Sueño Tasting and Herrera Tasting. Tip: If you live in California, ask about their in-home tasting experiences.
Landing a seat on the back patio is the appointment-only experience you're after here. Frank Family is a tried and true Napa institution all thanks to Rich Frank, a former president of Disney Studios. Tastings occur in an updated Craftsman home, made beautiful by designer Erin Martin. Guests reserve either "Today's Tasting" or "The Elevated Experience" which features five limited-production reserve wines along with artisanal cheese and charcuterie from the new Yountville cafe and market Ottimo. Winemaker Todd Graff joined Frank Family in 2003 after a lengthy stint at Schramsberg and produces a wine range of still and sparkling wines. Tip: Ask about Rich's father who was a World War II veteran and be sure to find out about "The Patriarch" wine named in honor of his dad.
Selecting the right wine to bring to Thanksgiving dinner is a delicate art but @foodandwine makes it easy with their list of wines that check all the boxes. Read why our Napa Valley Zinfandel made their list of "Best Wines to Bring to Thanksgiving Dinner When you're a Guest" - link in Instagram story!
From their perch at 3800 Langtry Road high atop Spring Mountain, you'll enjoy spectacular views overlooking Napa Valley. The focus here is on the classic five Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. Guests will taste their Cain Cuvée—a blend of two vintages and a selection of vineyards; Cain Concept—representing the classic benchlands of the Napa Valley; and Cain Five— the product of their estate Cain Vineyard. Christopher Howell came to Cain as a winemaking consultant in 1990, becoming general manager and winemaker in 1991. His C.V. includes stints at Mouton Rothschild in France and Peter Michael. Tip: Ask for the vineyard hike experience, and hopefully you'll meet Chris and tour with him through their estate vineyard, which offers mesmerizing views, and varying aspects, followed by a tasting of Cain's three current vintages and a library vintage.
Appointments available: Monday through Friday 10:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., or 12:00 p.m.. Saturday 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
This little treasure sits right off Highway 29 in St. Helena on a truly unique "bench," in the narrowest part of the entire valley, smack between the Mayacamas and Vaca Mountains. The tasting room is eclectic—a rotating art exhibit graces the stone walls, and guests are seated in gathering spaces decorated in a patchwork of vintage furniture. There's also a tasting bar, and in the summertime, an area for those with appointments to picnic. Winemaker Laura Díaz Muñoz produces entirely estate-grown Bordeaux-varietal wines, including a dynamite rosé. Tip: Those visiting from the east coast might ask about their "Start Your Day" experience, and if you're into bocce there's a court to satisfy your competitive nature.
Appointments available: Seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Just off Silverado Trail in Yountville, Cliff Lede is a must-visit destination for age-worthy Cabernet Sauvignons, while lovers of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay can taste FEL label offerings. The tasting room does accept walk-ins, and guests can order a and enjoy a pristine garden experience with sculptures and terrific views of the surrounding Vaca Mountains. Inquire about their wines from Savoy Vineyard in the Alexander Valley, which is a world-class vineyard owned by the winery, with a Who's Who of clients that source grapes including Failla, Peay and Auteur. Tip: book a reservation to taste in the Backstage Tasting Lounge where owner Cliff Lede's classic rock music obsession is on full display in rotating exhibits of some incredible rock memorabilia.
For one of the most authentic and old-fashioned experiences in Napa, make the winding trek up Spring Mountain Road to visit with winemaker Charles Smith or his brother, viticulturist Stuart Smith. Take in dramatic views of the valley below through a corridor of 100-year-old olive trees and sample three current releases—Chardonnay, Riesling and Cabernet Sauvignon, all grown on the estate vineyards surrounding the winery on the top of Spring Mountain. You'll be regaled with stories of Napa past and present because the brothers have been growing grapes for 46 years. Tip: ask about Smith-Madrone's Cook's Flat Reserve ($225, with each bottle initialed and numbered). Also, keep an eye out for Smith's son, next-generation winemaker Sam Smith, who will debut his own label Curley St. James—a Cabernet-dominant blend—in the fall of this year. Having sampled it at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen, I can attest that it's a tremendous wine from one of Napa's rising star winemakers.
Appointments available: Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Fee: $25.00 per person—waived with a purchase.
Robert Foley is the undisputed king of Howell Mountain and until very recently it was impossible to visit his open-air crushpad and winery in Angwin, about about an hour northeast of Napa. Foley's wines are the stuff of legend, imbued with exquisite craft of a winemaker whose C.V. is almost unbelievable. The founding winemaker at Pride Mountain Vineyards and Hourglass, his deft hands have also crafted Switchback Ridge, Engel Family, and Padis Vineyards in Napa and he's even produced wines for Red Hook Winery, which is based in New York City. His portfolio spans the gamut from bold, rich, opulent reds like his flagship Claret (Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend), and his world-class Merlot and Charbono wines to a Carneros Pinot Noir, a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, a Syrah and a luscious white Rhone-style Pinot Blanc. In the rare moments when he's not making wine he plays a mean Gibson guitar and tours with The Robert Foley Band. Tip: guests should no this is a no-frills experience in working winery and tasting room. Come for the wines, not the show. If you visit in the next year, rumor has it Foley is releasing a winery-only Mt. Veeder Cabernet in 2018. Get in now.
Appointments available: Wednesday through Saturday at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m..
This is special. Walking distance from most hotels in downtown Napa, at 608 Randolph Street, you'll find Lauren Ackerman's fully-restored Queen Anne Victorian mansion—a place so incredible that if you leave Napa without stopping off, you'll regret it. Guests can book appointments to taste flights of Coombsville appellation current vintages and library selections of Ackerman Family Wines made by Rob Lloyd, as well as flights of Lloyd Cellars. Tour the Victorian, taste in the gardens or spacious carriage house. A formal dining room seats 12 comfortably for multi-course meals plated on antique china, paired with wines. Or take in the state-of-the-art kitchen or grand sitting room, which can accommodate parties up to 50. Tip: ask to view (or taste) in the intimate mahogany-paneled library stocked with rare, old books, and if there's availability for their food and wine class. Above all, inquire about three upstairs guest rooms.
Appointments available: Daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
Fee: $55 to $195 per person depending on experience.
For some of the most-refined, elegant, classic expressions of Napa Valley terroir, a visit to Steve and Jill Matthiasson's farmhouse in the heart of Napa is a must. No matter how crazed your schedule, things slow down at Matthiasson where guests are invited to sit around a picnic table and sample a lineup of beautifully made, finely-delineated wines, typically lower in alcohol and ideal for food given their electric acid profiles. Steve was named San Francisco Chronicle's "Winemaker of the Year" in 2014, and has made wine for Araujo, and currently consults for Dalla Valle, Eisele and works on a separate project called Ashes & Diamonds (located next to Napa's Don Giovanni restaurant) Tip: The Matthiassons have a new winery, projected to open in 2019, which will also entertain small groups by appointment.
Tom Gamble farms roughly 175 acres of prime estate vineyards in Oakville, Mt. Veeder, Rutherford and Yountville, producing classic Bordeaux-varietal wines that are imbued with Old World structure and elegance, while delivering New World hedonism. His winery and tasting room is situated in the heart of the valley in Oakville, hidden from those cruising up and down Highway 29. Once at the winery's door, you might meet Koa, the four-legged Gamble staff member and often Tom Gamble himself. The experience is casual, down-to-earth in an elegant setting, but the wines require serious attention—they are true gems. Tip: if you want an incredible lesson in agricultural heritage and the art of growing grapes in unique pockets around Napa Valley, Tom, a third-generation grower will wow you with knowledge. For instance, after tasting their brilliant Sauvignon Blanc (aged 20 months in French oak) ask how those grapes thrive in their valley-floor location to produce such uniquely Old World traits.
Appointments available: Daily—limited times for a tour and tasting. Inquire. Experiences typically last about 90 minutes.
Fee: $75 to $150 per person—waived with a six bottle purchase and/or membership sign up.
Joe Donelan has ushered in a collection of wines that are about as Rhône and Burgundian-inspired as they come. From small-parcel, cool-climate vineyard sites throughout Sonoma, you'll discover a world of beautifully-made wines, which are now under the helm of David Milner, who took over for Joe Nielsen who will continue to consult. Donelan's highly sought-after single-vineyard Syrahs, Rhône blends, and small-lot Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs, are prized among collectors. Tip: Whatever you do, don't leave without a bottle of the Kobler Vineyard Syrah from Russian River's Green Valley AVA.
Appointments available: 7 days a week between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fee: $35 per person for The Donelan Portfolio Tour & Tasting—fee waived with 3 bottle purchase per person. $60 per person for The Road Less Traveled Tour & Tasting—fee waived with 6 bottle purchase per person.
Everything about Rudd is inspiring — from the elegantly furnished tasting library to the stunning winery outfitted with concrete tanks inspired by those at Petrus and made by the same mason. The late Leslie Rudd's vision of owning a small jewel on a lake, producing wines of impeccable quality, is a realized dream. His daughter, vintner Samantha Rudd, took the helm just before her dad's passing in early 2018.Their breathtaking portfolio includes estate Oakville Cabernets and whites that range from $80 to $250—made to cellar for decades. An experience here is uniquely special as guests are hosted privately and each visit is tailored to the guest's desires. You might spend time touring vineyards high up on Mt. Veeder and visiting RUDD Farms, or tasting in their boathouse, or lakeside greenhouse (designed by architect Howard Backen), in caves or in one of the most fashionable dining rooms in the valley. From casual to formal, no matter the experience, it will wow. Tip: They produce one of the greatest Sauvignon Blancs ever to come off Mt. Veeder, modeled after Bordeaux's famous examples, which you'll sample when you visit.
Appointments available: Monday through Saturday, inquire for times.
Stags' Leap Winery is truly a hidden gem in the highly acclaimed Stags Leap District. Located off a long, private road, in a micro-valley within Napa Valley, sits the nineteenth-century historical stone winery and Victorian era Manor House, nestled against the Stags Leap Palisades east of the Silverado Trail. Here you are invited to make a reservation and visit this magical place with its beautiful gardens and stylish wines including the award-winning five acre field blend, originally planted in 1929, Ne Cede Malis, as well as the opulent, The Leap and Audentia Cabernet Sauvignons. All experiences and tastings are by-appointment-only due to the semi-private location and historical preservation of the Manor House and it's property.
Five partners including winemaker Thomas Rivers Brown built this winery in the spring of 2014 in time for that vintage's harvest. With ample space for tanks and barrels, there is "no compromise on quality," says Rivers Brown, who helped design the production space. The tasting room boasts an industrial chic atmosphere with a fashionable bar and plenty of space for small and large groups. Since Rivers Brown was named "Winemaker of the Year" by Food & Wine, he's produced numerous 100-point wines and earned loads of accolades. Tip: Locals affectionately refer to Rivers Brown as "TRB" and, in addition to tasting Mending Wall wines, ask about his other projects, which include Tamber Bay, Outpost, and a select group of clients including tiny-production Stone the Crows with its line of beautifully structured, rich and age worthy Cabernets and Cabernet blends. Most exciting is the fact that Thomas and his wife Genevieve Marie Welsh are planning a tasting room for Rivers Marie right next to T-Vine Winery off Highway 29 just south of Calistoga.
Appointments available: most days from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Kirk Wesley Hubbard and his wife Denise Mary Selyem founded WesMar in 2000 after having worked for Denise's dad, Ed Selyem of the legendary Williams Selyem Winery. The winery—situated in Sebastopol in the Russian River Valley—was an old apple processing warehouse, and tastings are casual and down to earth in a very raw, working winery space. The duo's primary fruit sources are Hellenthal, Salzgeber, Balletto, and Oehlman vineyards, and a smattering of select Russian River and Sonoma Coast AVA sites. Once grapes are harvested, Kirk and Denise employ very low sulfur usage, and age their Pinots in French Oak for 12 months and then in the bottle 12 months prior to release.
Fee: $20 per person, waived with purchase of a bottle.
Kosta Browne is one of the biggest names in California Pinot Noir—with a long waitlist for allocations. Earlier this year, the winery quietly opened a tasting room in the Barlow. Members can join for a complimentary tour and tasting or opt for the new Gallery Tasting experience—both of which are open to anyone who wants to sign up for the mailing list on the KB website (NB: It's free to sign up, but there is still a one to two year wait period for new members to become active members, with the ability to actually buy wine). A visit to KB begins in a private greeting room with a splash of something white, typically. Upstairs is a suite, where vintage lamps and a stone fireplace from an old French cathedral illuminate a long tasting table that offers a panoramic view of the working winery. Tip: Only active members have access to a library tasting offering a mix of back vintages. For new members, and any active members that wish to participate, there's a new tier of wines dubbed the "Observation Series" that will be available for tasting and purchase. These wines, offered strictly through the tasting room on a limited basis, are ones that winemaker Nico Cueva has identified as unique and worth bottling on their own.
Appointments: "The Gallery Tasting" experience is offered Tuesday through Sundays, by appointment at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Roughly a 20-minute drive from downtown Healdsburg, through winding roads, the sky shines blue in this part of Alexander Valley in Sonoma County. Husband and wife team Justin and Karin Warnelius-Miller produce just two wines: a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Incredibly, the Cabernet is held an astounding seven years in their cold, dark cellars on-site, prior to release, meaning the 2012 Garden Creek Cabernet is the current release.
Appointments: Private tastings including a walk in the hillside vineyards Wednesday thru Saturday at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. or a Library Wine Experience tasting of three Library Wines beginning with a decade old Cabernet Sauvignon. Inquire for availability.
Fee: $50 per person for a vineyard tour and wine tasting, lasts approximately 2 hours, and can accommodate up to 6 guests per group; $75 for Library Wine Experience; joining the Mailing List prior to visiting is requested for priority.
Guests fortunate enough to land an appointment at Occidental Wines will experience their own private tour and seated tasting in the state-of-the-art winery on Steve Kistler's Bodega Ridge property, where they'll see the winemaking process from start to finish and sample three wines while taking in Occidental's history, followed by a stroll through the vineyard, winery and production facilities. Tip: Preference for visits is given to members of their mailing list, especially for weekend appointments. Wines are released just once a year, so if you're visiting sometime in January of 2019 (the next release) you might be in luck.
Appointments available: Monday through Saturday, but subject to change during very busy times of the year like harvest.
Fee: $65 per person, waived with purchase of wine.
Small Vines founder Robert Sloan worked at Sonoma's fabled John Ash & Co. as a wine buyer, and later, equipped with a degree in viticulture, landed a coveted position tending to vines on a collection of vineyards under Dutton Ranch. Warren Dutton himself encouraged Sloan to plant his own vines, and today Small Vines is the genesis of all that work and a family affair, with Paul, his wife Kathryn and their daughters Dakota and Savannah working the land, harvesting, and making the wines. In keeping with the name "Small Vines" the Sloans produce tiny lots of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Guests will tour the vineyard, see the winery, and sample a lineup of current release wines (about 5-7 tastes) in their tasting barn.
As owner and winemaker, Kurt Beitler likes to host private tasting tours whenever possible. Maybe he picked up some of that personal charm from his grandfather or uncle—that's Charlie Wagner, the founder of Caymus Vineyards, and Chuck Wagner, the current steward, respectively. Beitler has worked for the family at Belle Glos Taylor Lane Vineyard, and today is shepherding his own Bohéme label toward cult-stardom. Guests start out with a driving tour into the hills west of Occidental to see Bohème's vineyards, with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. You'll see first-hand just what kind of odds winegrowers are up against in these extreme coastal sites, (hopefully) giving a deeper appreciation for the coastal Pinots and Chardonnays that show off the crystaline purity you'd expect from such sites. The tasting happens around a picnic table in the shade of California redwoods, overlooking the vineyard. You'll return to Occidental for the opportunity to take wines home. All in all, figure about 1.5 hours. Tip: The "Bohemian Highway" runs through the town of Occidental, named for San Francisco's Bohemian Club, which traversed the route in the 1800s.
Appointments: Monday through Saturday, limit of 4 guests per visit.
Kathleen Inman is making some of the finest Pinot Noir right in the heart of Sonoma's Russian River Valley from her humble 100% solar-powered winery and tasting room in Santa Rosa, CA. Relaxed tastings are hosted in one of the two small salons or on her patio, and with a glass of mesmerizing Pinot Noir in hand, guests can take in views of perfectly manicured rows of vines. A typical tasting is of 5-6 current releases with breadsticks provided as a palate cleanser. A no-frills experience, the winery is pet friendly, and the focus is all on these beautifully made Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays, rosés and a sparkling wine. Tip: The parking lot boasts two "Level 2" charging stations for electric cars. And visitors curious to stay the night for more Russian River gallivanting should inquire about the 3-bedroom Craftsman farmhouse that can be rented.
Appointments available: Thursday through Monday at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Fee: $20 per person is waived with a minimum purchase of $100 per person. "Meet the Maker" fees are $35 per person and are also waived with a minimum purchase of $150.
If you've never been to this iconic winery, or tried their Chardonnays and single-vineyard Pinot Noirs from Hyde, Pisoni, Dutton, Zio Tony, Hudson and Alder Springs vineyards, you simply are missing out. For a simple, refined experience and introduction, waste no time in booking a tasting in their Salon at the Sonoma House, which was unveiled in 2014. Tip: Tastings include pairings with locally sourced, specially prepared bites, like tea-smoked duck and sage chicken salad with rose petals.
Appointments available: Seated tastings Thursday through Monday at 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Fee: $75 per person for The Salon Experience, lasts approximately 60 minutes, and can accommodate up to 9 guests per tasting.
From a truly stunning property situated just outside of Occidental between Sebastopol and Bodega Bay, a trip to visit Senses on the Sonoma Coast is a must. The wines are produced by Thomas Rivers Brown — a Food & Wine "Winemaker of the Year." Small groups are treated to an elegant visit highlighting exceptional world-class Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays produced by "TRB," who is known for his decadent Cabernet wines. Three partners — Chris Strieter, Max Thieriot, and Myles Lawrence-Briggs have been friends since preschool, grew up in town, and have built Senses from the ground up. Expect great things from this estate. Tip: fans of A&E's Bates Motel and CBS SEAL Team might recognize a familiar face in actor Max Thieriot, who, if you're fortunate during a visit might make an appearance. And Pinot lovers will be keen to know that TRB is owner of Summa Vineyard across the street, a Pinot Noir site planted even before Hirsch in the Sonoma Coast and that Strieter previously worked at iconic Williams Selyem. All pedigree and terrific wines.


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Pedro de Alcantara
Visiting Professor, Strings
A musician, writer, and teacher. Pedro's books include three volumes published by Oxford University Press: 'Integrated Practice: Coordination, Rhythm & Sound', 'Indirect Procedures: A Musician's Guide to the Alexander Technique' and 'The Integrated String Player: Embodied Vibration.' Other books include 'The Alexander Technique: A Skill for Life' (Crowood Press) and the children's novels 'Befiddled' and 'Backtracked' (Random House). Pedro is currently researching and structuring a new piano method, and drafted a new novel, this time for adults.
He began his music career as a cellist playing the mainstream repertory. Over the years he opened up his field of exploration, and added the voice, improvisation and composition, and multiple instruments such as the Native American flute and the guitar to his creative pursuits. He has composed 'Don't Look Back,' a 65-minute cycle of songs inspired by the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice and scored for cello, voice, piano, and whistling. Performed as a solo show, with theatrical components. He has composed many works for cello in a variety of unorthodox tunings. The work-in-progress that is his piano method is based on about 200 compositions of mine.
Pedro's first CD, 'Old New Worlds' (2004), features 20th-century music for cello and piano. 'Songs & Soundscapes' also on CD (2012), is a program of my explorations for voice, cello, piano, accordion, whistling, and howling. His most recent CD, 'Passages' (2015), is a program of works for solo cello. Three of its pieces are inspired by the music of Johann Sebastian Bach.
Pedro is based in Paris and travels the world giving seminars for musicians, writers, artists, and creative individuals in all fields. www.pedrodealcantara.com
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Parampara, the Heritage Club of The Pupil has organised Madras Memoirs for the students of neighbourhood schools.
Reflections, an exhibition on the heritage and monuments of Chennai, by the students of The Pupil, will be open to all between 19th and 23rd August.
* Required materials to be brought by participants.
Registration on or before 12th August 2013.
Prize distribution on 23rdAugust 2013 at 01.30 pm.
For more details, contact Shameem Banu .S at 044 – 26802013/14/15 or 9952399966.


text:
Ambedkar statue defaced in Chennai
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India Published: Mar 08, 2018, 09:51 AM(IST)
Statues of Ambedkar. Photograph:( Zee News Network )
Adding to the list of statues of leaders being vandalised in various parts of the country, a bust of Dalit leader B R Ambedkar in a residential locality in Chennai was found defaced on Thursday, triggering a protest by locals, police said.
The bust, placed inside a structure covered with a grill in a residential neighbourhood in Tiruvotriyur, was splattered with paint.
As news of the defacement spread, people in the north Chennai area staged a protest. A police team led by Deputy Police Commissioner (DCP) G Shashank Sai visited the spot and assured action against the culprits.
"Based on a complaint from the local people, we have registered an FIR and two special teams have been formed to trace the culprits," the DCP said.
More police pickets have been posted in the area for maintenance of law and order, he said.
A series of incidents of desecration of statues of various leaders, including Ambedkar, rationalist E V Ramasamy "Periyar" and Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee, have been reported from different parts of the country.
The incidents began after statues of Communist icon Vladimir Lenin were pulled down in Tripura following the BJP's victory in the Assembly elections, ending 25 years of Communist rule.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has strongly condemned the vandalism and said stern action would be taken against those found guilty.
PM Modi urges collective global effort to deal with cryptocurrencies
Amid surge in Omicron infection, Mumbai records its first case of black fungus in 2022
Three Indian Navy personnel killed in explosion onboard INS Ranvir
Antrix-Devas deal was a fraud against India: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman slams Congress


text:
YouTube Data Shows Which Artists are Most Popular in Chicago
R. Kelly saw a big numbers in Chicago, but surprisingly the "Ignition" singer got the most views overseas in 2015
Published January 20, 2016 • Updated on January 20, 2016 at 5:18 pm
Thanks to YouTube, we now know which artists ended 2015 on a strong note in Chicago as well as across the world.
The video-sharing website uses a handy tool called Music Insights to track how many views artists receive in different cities and in different countries. YouTube tracked 2,341,252,940 total views in Chicago alone in 2015, according to Music Insights.
So which artists topped the charts in the Windy City? Drake, Fetty Wap and Taylor Swift rounded out the top three, with a combined total of more than 52 million views in Chicago, according to Music Insights.
As to be expected, local talent also saw big success in Chicago, including rappers Lil Durk, Twista, and Lil Bibby. Chicago ranked number one in most views for both Lil Durk and Twista in 2015, according to YouTube. Lil Durk saw nearly 7 million views last year locally, and Twista received more than 1 million views.
Chicago ranked second behind New York for the number of Lil Bibby views, according to YouTube. The "Ain't Hear Bout You" rapper got a total of 1,421,614 views in Chicago last year. In comparison, New York totaled 1,759,847 Lil Bibby views.
R. Kelly also saw a big numbers in Chicago, but surprisingly the "Ignition" singer received the most views overseas in 2015. The Chicago native raked in more than 11 million views in London, more than any other city last year, according to Music Insights.
Chicago also fell behind New York in the total of R. Kelly views on YouTube, hovering above 7 million views, according to the data. His top track in 2015, "I Believe I Can Fly," got more than 57 million views globally.
Music Insights has been collecting data since September of 2014, according to YouTube. The website counts each view of any video that includes the song when tallying the song's total views. The video can be an official video or fan video that uses all or part of a song.
Here's a breakdown of some of the video stats from 2015 courtesy of Music Insights:
Chicago Total Views: 2,341,252,940
Top Artists of 2015 in Chicago:
1. Drake: 19,766,245 Total Views in Chicago
2. Fetty Wap: 16,824,232 Total Views in Chicago
3. Taylor Swift: 15,474,878 Total Views in Chicago
Lil Durk Total Views in U.S.: 79,649,639
Lil Durk Total Views in Chicago: 6,948,209
Lil Bibby Total Views in U.S.: 21,427,888
Lil Bibby Total Views in Chicago: 1,421,614
Twista Total Views in U.S.: 27,310,004
Twista Total Views in Chicago: 1,755,327
R. Kelly Total Views in U.S.: 186,184,729
R. Kelly Total Views Chicago: 7,642,338
R. Kelly Total Views in London: 11,210,597


text:
Discover-insects
Seven-spot ladybird
(Coccinella septempuctata)
© Rachel Travis
Seven spot ladybird, Coccinella 7-punctata, and aphid, Commended 2012 NIW Photography Competition adult category
Worldwide, beetles are the most diverse group of animals, with almost 400,000 known species. In the UK there are about 4000 species (see some examples of their variety in the Beetle Gallery). Beetles are robust and typically have thick wing-cases that usually cover most of the upper surface of the abdomen and conceal the hind wings. Ladybird beetles are attractively coloured: they are also popular with gardeners because most of them feed on aphids. There are 46 species in the UK, and the commonest (and one of the largest) is the Seven-Spot Ladybird.
What do they look like?
The adult Seven-Spot Ladybird is 6-8 mm long. It is easily identified by the seven black spots on the bright red wingcases and the white patches on the front corners of the thorax just behind its eyes. (The closely related Scarce Seven-Spot Ladybird (Coccinella magnifica) is very similar but, as its name suggests, you are much less likely to see this species, which is usually only found close to the nests of wood ants.)
Where do they live?
The Seven-Spot Ladybird feeds on a wide range of aphid species and is therefore found in a variety of habitats, including meadows, hedgerows and gardens.
When can you see them?
The Seven-Spot Ladybird is active from late spring through to autumn. In September and October, adults that have emerged from pupae during that summer find sheltered sites to overwinter, either individually or in groups of up to a dozen.
The eggs are bright yellow and are laid in batches of 10-50 on the underside of leaves among aphid colonies. They hatch after about a week. The larva feeds on aphids for about three or four weeks and then pupates for a week before the adult emerges from the pupal skin.
One Seven-Spot Ladybird eats about 5500 aphids in its life: 500 as a larva and 5000 as an adult. One of the biggest threats to a ladybird larva is another ladybird larva – cannibalism is common. The bright red and black pattern on the wing cases is an example of warning coloration – when disturbed, the Seven-Spot Ladybird produces a yellow fluid that tastes vile!
Even though the yellow fluid tastes so nasty, people in the past used to eat ladybirds to cure toothache: they believed that the fluid was a good pain killer!
The Seven-Spot Ladybird is one of several ladybird species that has been introduced into other countries to control crop pests. However, there are fears in the USA that such introduced ladybirds are displacing native species.
The name ladybird, referring to 'Our Lady the Virgin Mary', comes from the Seven-Spot's colouring: the red represents her cloak, which was usually shown as red in early paintings, and the seven black spots were thought to represent her 'seven joys and seven sorrows'.
Where can they be found?
This species is found in all parts of the UK.
Aposematic ladybirds
The common ladybird has aposematic colouring, the bright red warns predators that it tastes bitter.


Rose Pedal's male #2 Shih Tzu ready for his new home.
Rose Pedal's Male #1 shih tzu ready to go to his new home.
We have Shih Tzu puppies at this time.
Tell me you saw us on Breeders Club, thank you for your interest.


This HDMI wireless extender includes transmitter unit and receiver unit, allows to transmit and extend HDMI signal up to 50 meters long away wirelessly. This wireless extender not only supports point to point configuration, but also supports one to many (1 to 2) and many to many (2 to 2, 2 to 1) configuration has to be purchased separately. It has strong anti-interference ability by running at 5GHz operation frequency, and supports point to point connection. IR passback with 20-60KHz frequency helps to remote control the source device from the receiver side. It is really a very good solution for meeting, conference, home entertainment and multi-media education etc. Note: 1) Transmission distance will be different due to the environment. 2) Wall, brick or glass will shorten the signal cover range or cause big signal loss.
NOTE: Transmission Distance will be varry due to the environment. For example wall, bricks or glass will shorten the signal cover range or cause significant signal loss.


FTD Companies, Inc. (FTD), also trading as Florists' Transworld Delivery is a floral wire service, retailer, and wholesaler based in Downers Grove, Illinois. FTD was founded as Florists' Telegraph Delivery in 1910, to help customers send flowers remotely on the same day by using florists in the FTD network who are near the intended recipient. It was based in Detroit, Michigan and then moved to Southfield, Michigan prior to its move to Downers Grove. It originated as a retailers' cooperative and began a process of demutualization in 1994. It operates two main businesses: The Consumer Business sells flowers and gift items through its websites and The Floral Business sells computer services, software, and even fresh cut flowers to FTD and Interflora affiliated florists.


Gjon Mili, born in 1904 in Albany, arrived in United States in 1923. Seven years later, through his work with Harold Eugene Edgerton of MIT, he made several photographic experiences of capturing sequences of actions using photoflash to immobilize the scene. He was one of earliest on using an electronic flash and a stroboscope light to create images which went beyond the common scientific uses.
Until his death, in 1984, he was a LIFE magazine photographer, where he had several opportunities to photograph several celebrities. Among them, Pablo Picasso. Mili visited him twice and, in both occasions, he found himself involved in unforeseen creative experiences. The result of the first visit, in 1949, is a photograph of Picasso drawing a Centaur with a flashlight.
This extraordinary space drawing is a moment of Picasso's brilliance when faced with new visualization shapes and techniques. When Mili showed him some of his photographs of light patterns formed by skaters, Picasso reacted instantly, drawing in the air successive images with his own finger. Here are the pictures of these meetings.


May 22, 2018 | By mypalate | Filed in: .
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text:
Bren Gun Carrier
Britain's Universal War Machine
One of the most versatile fighting vehicles in the British army and many other forces for a quarter of a century, the Universal Carrier - more popularly known by its original title of Bren Gun Carrier - was developed as a fast and agile infantry-support vehicle.
LandCraft
200 color & black and white illustrations
Dimensions : 11.5 X 8.25 inches
One of the most versatile fighting vehicles in the British army and many other forces for a quarter of a century, the Universal Carrier – more popularly known by its original title of Bren Gun Carrier – was developed as a fast and agile infantry-support vehicle. In this volume in Pen & Sword's LandCraft series, Robert Jackson traces its design and manufacturing history and describes its operational role throughout its long career.
The Bren Carrier served in every theater of the Second World War, from northwest Europe, North Africa and the Soviet Union to the Far East. Then, with the war over, it was operated by many belligerents in a string of other conflicts around the world, including Israel's struggle for independence and the war in Korea.
A selection of archive photographs showing the Bren Carrier in action gives a graphic impression of how adaptable it was and records the variety of equipment it could carry. The book is an excellent source for the modeler, providing details of available kits together with specially commissioned color profiles which illustrate how the Bren Carriers used by different units and armies appeared.
Robert Jackson is the author of over eighty books on military, aviation, naval and scientific subjects. He was defense and science correspondent for a major British newspaper publishing group.
Bren Gun Carrier Reviews
Surviving the Death Railway
Barry Custance Baker
The History of Air Intercept Radar & the British Nightfighter 1935–1959
D-Day Cover Up at Pointe du Hoc
Gary Sterne
Air War Afghanistan
Tim Ripley
Blitzkrieg Unleashed
Richard Hargreaves
Campaigning for Napoleon
Maurice de Tascher
The Few: Fight for the Skies
Philip Kaplan
Sherman Tanks
Dennis Oliver


In fact, it's widely published that as many as 85 percent of B2B buyers will visit your website prior to contacting you. So when you don't have a bricks and mortar location, a professional website is frankly the price of admission to self-employment.
Fortunately, websites are easier than ever to create (and affordable), but I don't recommend going it alone. You'll be best served by getting the advice of a marketing professional who knows how to translate your brand promise into a visual experience that motivates action, understands the pros and cons of the various website builders and is familiar with the basics of Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Your domain name must match your company name. When potential buyers Google your business, you want your website to come up on the first page of search results. The easiest way to do that is to make sure your website address and company name match. And better yet, you want to own the .com and the .org domains. Sometimes I see entrepreneurs opt for a less common extension like .net, .biz or .info because they're emotionally invested in a particular name that is already taken. There's nothing inherently wrong with this approach, but do you really want to risk a potential client landing on someone else's website because conventional wisdom assumes the .com or the .org address is yours?
Research no further and just choose WordPress as your website platform. There are many different website builders that promise an easy experience and great SEO results. And, I don't dispute their claims. But what I've personally witnessed are the frustrations of several small business owners who have websites they've outgrown and now need to totally rebuild on another platform because the "easy" one isn't scalable. Yes, WordPress has a bit more of a learning curve than a drag and drop website builder, but with millions of plugins and themes, you will simply never outgrow it.
Familiarize yourself with SEO, but don't rely on it. Waiting aggressively for the phone to ring or your email inbox to be flooded with requests from potential clients is going to be a very underwhelming experience. But optimizing your website for search engines is a smart investment. Your website developer will do most of the work for you such as registering your site for Google analytics, submitting your XML sitemap and installing an SEO plugin like Yoast on your website to maximize its search rankings. And, the good ones will encourage your to consistently add new content to your site—usually in the form of articles on your blog page. They can even help you develop an editorial calendar that incorporates the most searched keywords so that the content you publish maximizes search traffic.
Hire help and don't be lured by a bargain-basement offer that promises a $500 website will make you rich. So what should a website cost? That's nearly an impossible question to answer and a quick online search will confirm that. Whether you hire an freelance website designer or a digital marketing agency, the one piece of advice I offer clients is to choose someone who understands your business, clients, industry and goals (or is willing to learn). Why? The most challenging aspect of launching a new website is copywriting. If the project is going to take longer than anticipated, it's almost always due to lack of content. By choosing a website developer who can help you put your brand promise into words that are relevant to your audience, you stand a better chance of launching a website that is on time, on point and on budget. A $500 website can be beautiful, but in order for it to be a great deal, you'll need to take ultimate responsibility for content development and SEO research. That being said, websites shouldn't cost a fortune.
Website development can be a complicated project. And, no single article will tell you everything you may want to know about going digital. But as is true for most aspects of life, when you choose a web developer who understands your business and is committed to your success, you're sure to find it to be a positive and exciting experience.


The Jarvis Adirondack is a modern, handcrafted take on the style of deep-seat outdoor chair particular to the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. As well as making a beautiful addition to any garden, these unusual garden chairs offer ultimate outdoor comfort and relaxation. The chair is usually paired with a foot-stool and we also make matching tables.
Every Jarvis garden chair shares the same quality of craftsmanship as Rob's indoor furniture – with extra thought to weather-proofing.
You can order a custom built chair – or set of chairs – by emailing or phoning the workshop.


Here's our list of things you can do during your time at Bramhope Primary School... follow the links below the boxes (in red) to find out more or get involved!
Be a team player helping to win the School House Trophy – which house are you?
Belong to a Lunchtime or after-school Club – chess, gardening club, choir, sports and many more!
Be awarded a Certificate for Success – we give out certificates at our twice weekly assemblies!
Become a fund-raising organiser – join in our whole school fundraisers or if you've got a cause and an idea organise your own!
Come along to PTA events – like the Summer Festival and Scarecrow Hunt and Spooktacular Halloween discos or get involved!
Become a Mathlete and a Times Table Rockstar – learning at home has never been so much fun – challenge yourself!
Speak Spanish – learn the basics of another language and expand your world! Muchas gracias.
Nominate yourself for School Council – or become a Bramhope Buddy or Prefect. Get your voice heard!
Make the most of every opportunity! – check out what's coming up that you could join in with!


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Tyzenhaus palads () er et palads i Vilnius gamle bydel, Litauen i nyklassicistisk stil.

Historie

Historiske kilder nævner en international gotisk bygning på samme sted i 1579. Bygningen stod senere tom og blev ruin. Omkring 1765 blev grunden købt af Antoni Tyzenhaus, der var finansansvarlig for Grodno og en nær ven af den polske konge og storfyrste af Litauen Stanislav Poniatovski. Tyzenhauz var en af periodens bemærkelsesværdige personligheder. Han var ansvarlig for de kongelige ejedomme i storfyrstendømmet Litauen og ansvarlig for en stor industrialiseringsindsats i Grodno-området. I begyndelsen af 1770'erne beordrede han opførelsen af et nyt palads i nyklassicistisk stil.

Huset blev sandsynligvis tegnet af den venetianske arkitekt Giuseppe de Sacco. Efter Tyzenhaus gik konkurs og blev afskediget i 1777, stod paladset tomt. General Fitinhofs enke overtog i 1789 efter Tyzenhaus død i 1785. Året efter overtagelse påbegyndte enken renovering og ombygning af paladset. Arbejdet blev sandsynligvis udført af tyskfødte arkitekt og professor ved det jesuitiske akademi i Vilnius, Martin Knakfuss. Facaden blev ændret og en sal blev bygget. Efter rekonstruktionen havde slottet 30 sale og 16 mindre rum, og var en af de største aristokratiske boliger i Litauen. I 1807 blev endnu en renovering udført af Mikołaj Szulc, hvor interiøret blev moderniseret, og en ny trappe blev føjet til slottet.

Trods ombygningen kom paladset endnu en gang til at stå tomt i 1800-tallet, og blev opdelt i flere butikker og forretninger. Mange døre og vinduer blev indsat i stueetagen og den luksuriøse del af slottet gik i forfald. I begyndelsen af 1900-tallet blev paladset købt af E. Bortkiewicz, der beordrede ombygning af anden etage. Senere, efter byen Vilnius blev en del af Polen i 1922, blev anden og tredje etage endnu engang ombygget for at huse en Hotel Sokołowskiego.

Da Nazi-tyskland bombarderede Vilnius under angrebet på Polen blev bygningen stærkt beskadiget. Den blev yderligere beskadiget under Operation Ostra Brama i 1944, og kun kældrene, stueetagen og ydervæggene stod tilbage. I modsætning til mange andre bygninger i Vokiečių Gatvė blev palæet genopbygget i 1945. For at sikre boliger til de mange hjemløse i Vilnius foretog de sovjetiske myndigheder en omfattende rekonstruktion af Tyzenhaus paladset i 1957 med små lejligheder, samtidigt blev der tilføjet en fjerde etage, som ikke kan ses fra gaden.

Efter Litauen genvandt sin uafhængighed, blev den gamle bydel i Vilnius et prestigefyldt sted, og mange af beboerne i paladset benyttede lejligheden til at sælge deres lejligheder til en høj pris. Ud af de 40 lejligheder paladset var blevet opdelt i, benyttes de fleste til kontorer eller butikker.

Bygningen

Slottet har 3 etager mod gaden og 4 etager mod gården. Gården er helt omkranset af bygninger og er tilgængelig gennem 2 porte, en fra hver af de tilstødende gader. Slottet har en trapezformet grundplan. Mod gaden har bygningen en høj kvist. Paladset har kældre i 2 niveau med hvælvinger, som i øjeblikket ikke er i brug.

Et af mere interessante elementer er skulpturer, som kan ses umiddelbart under taget mod gaden, på facaden er der mange forskellige basrelieffer. Der er rum i to etager ud mod gaden. Alle rum har vinduer både mod gade- og gårdsiden. Væggene ud mod gården er smallere. Loftet var uudnyttet efter ombygningen efter 2. verdenskrig, men udnyttes kommercielt efter sammenbruddet af Sovjetunionen.

Se også
Tyzenhauz-familiens slot i Rokiškis

Eksterne henvisninger

Billeder af Tyzenhaus palads på Crypto blog

Seværdigheder i Vilnius
Litauens historie
Slotte, paladser og palæer i Vilnius

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Abhinav Thakur
Everything Changes | A Short Story
30 Apr, 2021 1.3K words
Cover image by Vadim Fomenok, Unsplash.
Walking through the corridors of my school was always a lonesome errand to ease off boredom, and sometimes, to bunk classes. I did have friends, a lot of them, yet, nobody to connect my heart with. Discovering couples walking hand in hand inside school premises reminded me that such an act is against the 'morals' of schooling, and it's rules at this age, but in actuality, it made me feel empty, and lonely, for myself.
Just like any other boy, I had a crush. The girl was a beauty; black hair, cute eyes and an enticing smile, basically the same old same set of features every teenage guy falls for. To our surprise, she got into a relationship with some tall guy adept at mockery, rendering all of us trolled, as she had vowed in the past to never be one of 'those' girls who drool after a guy. As time and circumstances would have it, like I said, she did the exact opposite, and I was, yet again, alone, with a void in my heart.
I was told not to dwell in the past and move forward in life, to live life king-size and keep on dreaming. Friends who would check the 'plus one' box in an invitation were the very people who imparted this wisdom to me. How would they understand the solitude of a lad who walks empty hallways, checks in on a 'no new messages' inbox and feels a rush in him only when he gets an answer right in a maths class? Times were strange and only academics went smooth. It was time to step up the game, but as they say, almost everything is easier said than done.
Cross-fading began as November neared. What used to be lush green was now twinkling with a hue of white in it's vibrancy. Flashing their blue blazers, students dilly-dallied around the campus, minding their own business. Some remained stubborn and decided not to wear that overpriced apparel, and boasted white full sleeves shirts. Enraged by such a non-abiding nature of the pupils, our school authorities forced most of them to buy blazers from the school kit shop, right after the school assembly. Hue and cry was evident, yet, all those 'white birdies' walked into their respective classes, covered with the same blue linen.
After attending a couple of classes, when a teacher walked out, I stealthily accompanied him in order to escape the building and take shelter under the Olive Anthony Block. The plan was a success and I began to walk around, with no worries of being caught. It was cold, rendering the winter uniform useless as it were; chilling breeze pierced through everything, even the measly woollen socks. Without raising anybody's eyebrows, I sat on one of those humungous red bricks right by the field and wondered about the coaching classes I had to attend after school. The field looked morbid, covered by an impenetrable fog, and that's when it happened.
She walked towards the red brick and stood at its opposite end. I couldn't help but timidly gaze at her. It's funny because even though she stood still, she added grace to everything. This wasn't the girl who ended up with the adept boy, this was someone else, this was something else. Next thing I knew, she was sitting right beside me, looking o'er at the highly extended patch of lawn, and believe me when I say it, as she glanced over, it all came to life. Just her presence made the fog minimal, and those clichéd golden rays of light reach out to us, as if to speak that even in the coldest of worlds, there is beauty.
Although it was certain that geography and time were the only two factors responsible for that lovely change in the scenery, I wanted to believe that it was her; controlling the very elemental forces of nature at her will. She looked no less than an angel, even though I hadn't seen one before.
It's strange how a person, just by being present right where they are, can change the way someone else sees the world. I believe that such people are our personal magicians, granted with special permissions to tingle with our minds, to keep themselves illuminated in our hearts when all the lights are out, to stay etched in our memories forever, when all else is lost.
As she turned towards me, her eyes held me. None of us uttered a word, because her eyes spoke more than her lips ever could, whereas I remained silent, perfectly expressing my nervousness. I felt my heart beating faster, along with a rush within me, which no answer to a question had ever given me. I saw eternity in those enticing eyes, and I can tell you this, it was breath-taking.
At last, she waved her hand, and I knew this was goodbye. Our meeting was short, but really intense. As she retreated to the basketball practice area, I watched the momentary light of my life walk away; still numbed by her aura, knowing that this moment was a rare event, one of those which occur once in a lifetime.
These are the moments that remain a secret with no witnesses, but become a fable, when passed on to your fellow friends as an ultimate revelation, or an anecdote of nostalgia. Nevertheless, I was far away from her, and as I watched her dribble the basketball swiftly through her opponents, with that same clichéd golden sunlight shining over her, I knew we'll never get to unite like that again.
Between all the complications of life, this memory laid dormant for a long time. School ended, life began, and things just kept on moving. Coping up with the world outside the shell of school was difficult; responsibilities, personality, and things that go along with them needed a check, and that is how most of my life went, for a while.
Just like every story has a twist in the tail of a dragon, mine did as well. One fine day, a friend of mine called me up, and talked of a girl, a schoolmate, who was about to tie the knot with a guy. It didn't come to me as a surprise because I've seen a student coming in our classroom, in the middle of a lecture, to give an invitation card of her wedding to her friend. Naturally, it didn't really startle me at first. As I asked him who this girl actually was, he exclaimed, "Man, the basketball player of our school who was coveted by every guy! Haven't you figured out the rest?", and at that moment, somewhere in my mind, a storm surged, activating every memory which had been lulled to sleep for too long, just to recall that one moment, that rare moment, that amazing moment, that impossible moment.
I hung up the call, sat in a trance, and tried to imagine time flowing in front me in neon waves. There was nothing to be said or done. I just smiled and wondered how things change so fast, without letting us realize the shift.
Walking through the corridors of my school was always a lonesome task, and as I walk through the corridors of this grandiose university called Life, for me, nothing changed.
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Tallinn International Rotary Club
June 2015: Teaming up with Team Estonia LOGREP
Some members of the USA Infantry Team Estonia LOGREP, stationed at the Tapa base, started visiting our club in the spring and after learning of our club's philanthropic activities in the country, they suggested that we do a project together. After discussions about a suitable project, we decided to spend a Sunday in June to clean up together a site where former Soviet officers lived outside the base. The site had dilapidated sheds and garages used for storage. Besides some of our club members pitching in, there were also local civilians who came to help out. After the clean-up, the soldiers prepared for lunch an American-style barbecue that was enjoyed by all.
March 2015: Tallinn International Rotary club sponsor Estonian composer
We are delighted to announce our sponsorship of Estonian composer Karin Kuulpak to attend the Chanticleer National Youth Choral Festival™ . This prestigious event takes place on 30th March in in San Fransisco (USA). As Karin prepared to leave we caught up with her and asked her a few questions:
How were you selected for this trip? I took part of the Chanticleer's Student Composer Competition and I managed to win it. Then I was told that my song will be part of Chanticleer's Youth Choral Festival and 300 people will learn and perform it. I just knew I had to be there for the world-premiere
What do you hope the trip will achieve? I hope I can work with the choirs and give them some advise and make sure the performance will be perfect.
How do you feel about going? I'm so excited for the upcoming trip. In my opinion, It is every composer's dream to hear so many singers perform one's song.
What difference has the Rotary's club's support made for you? The Rotary Club's support means so much to me. They helped me reach my goal and now I can go and take part of the amazing event and enjoy the world-premier of my song.
I can't thank them enough. More information about the festival: http://www.chanticleer.org/concerts-and-tickets/bay-area/nycf/
About Karin: Karin has been singing in Lasteekraani Music Studio since 1999 and she joined Estonian TV girls' choir in 2009. She is studying in Gustav Adolf Grammar School. She has graduated from Nõmme Music School where she specialised in Piano and she has spent a year in the United States as an exchange student. Karin enjoys travelling, doing volunteer work at YFU Estonia and spending time with her friends and family.
Copyright © 2018 Tallinn International Rotary Club - All Rights Reserved.


It's the time of year for Christmas cheer but this little slice of joy is just not feeling it. He got dressed up for the festivities when along came a mouse who has decided to help itself to this little Yule Log's vanilla cream filling. Stupid mouse. How can one possibly be cheerful when in this situation?
This adorable sculpture was created with mixed media and is mounted to a 4″ x 4″ wood base. The sculpt stands 7 3/4″ tall.


The transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) market revenue was valued at $2,761 million in 2017 and is expected to reach $8,138 million by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 13.8% from 2018 to 2025. The volume market was valued at 107,011 units in 2017 and is expected to reach 337,778 units by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 14.8% from 2018 to 2025.
Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), also called as transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), is a minimally invasive surgical procedure, which is performed to treat high-risk patients suffering from aortic stenosis. These high-risk patients refer to the patient population who cannot undergo surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) procedure. Older population (above 75 years of age) falls under the high-risk category, as the open-heart procedure is too risky for them. TAVR involves implantation of transcatheter aortic valves to regenerate the blood circulation ability of the aortic valve. The need of transcatheter aortic valve implantation is on the rise due to the increase in prevalence of aortic stenosis.
TAVI experiences market growth due to rise in geriatric population. Furthermore, advancements in the transcatheter aortic valves and increase in adoption rate of TAVI devices drive the market. However, stringent government regulations for approval of transcatheter aortic valves, which are class III medical devices and high cost associated with TAVI hamper the market growth. Conversely, use of TAVI systems for new indications, rise in healthcare expenditure in emerging economies, and increase in the interest of key players in the TAVI market are projected to provide several growth opportunities for the market throughout the forecast period.
The report segments the TAVI market based on procedure and region. According to procedure, it is classified into transfemoral implantation, transapical implantation, and transaortic implantation. Based on region, it is analyzed across North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico), Europe (Germany, France, Italy, Switzerland, UK, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific), and LAMEA (Brazil, Israel, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Rest of LAMEA).
This report provides an extensive analysis of the current and emerging market trends, and dynamics in the global TAVI market.
An in-depth analysis is conducted by constructing market estimations for the key segments between 2017 and 2025.
This report entails the detailed quantitative analysis of the current trends and future estimations through 2017–2025, which assists to identify the prevailing opportunities.
Comprehensive analysis of factors that drive and restrict the growth of the TAVI market is provided.
An in-depth analysis of the current research and clinical developments within the TAVI market is provided.


It should come as no surprise that insurance companies will do everything within their power to either avoid paying a settlement, or reduce that settlement by as much as they possibly can. They are, after all, a business that has a compelling desire to turn their own profit. Unfortunately for victims who rely on those settlements, dealing with the strategies that these companies use can be time consuming and frustrating – unless you're aware of what they are. Recognizing how insurance companies often treat claimants can help you successfully deal with them on your terms, instead of theirs.
If a loved one is injured, be sure to contact Bruce Hagen to discuss your rights and options in a free and confidential consultation.


Our 2017 Sauvignon Blanc has a perfume of Star Jasmine flowers accentuated by bright fresh cut grass. The flavors are bright and zesty with refreshing notes of honey dew melon backed by modest creamy vanilla. This fresh white wine is a sure favorite for summer sipping.
Our Merlot blooms with sweet fruit and hints of pine on the nose. The palate is bursting with tangy currant and luscious blackberry cobbler mingled with hints of coffee and cream which lead to an expressive, full finish with slightly resinous notes.
Rich, dark roasted coffee beans entwined with bright Bing cherry show in the glass of our Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Fresh, wild blueberries commingle with savory baked apple pie on the front palate. The wine is bolstered by opulent bitter dark chocolate and cocoa flavors laced with a beautiful tannin structure. The finish is long and lingers on the palate long after your first sip.
Savory aromas of tea leaves and faded rose petals infuse the nose of this lovely Cabernet Franc. An exquisite medley of plum and walnut mingle with tart blackberry and tobacco essences tantalize the taste buds. The round, rich finish is complemented with hints of subtle tannin.
An estate favorite, our 100% Malbec has enticing aromas of sun-kissed warm red apples which precedes luxurious flavors of chocolate mousse with raspberry puree on the palate. Balanced oak notes weave together with sumptuous bright fruit and cocoa to give this wine both approachability and a decadent mouthfeel.
A bouquet of sweet oak and tart cranberry lead to bright citrus and grapefruit flavors. As the wine lingers on the palate, rich flavors of tart red fruits and cherry compote are laced with soft, subtle tannins. Hints of vanilla and warm nuts pepper the structured finish.
Always a classic, our Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon shows heavenly hints of vanilla on the nose. Succulent, fresh pomegranate explodes on the palate leading to flavors of black coffee, menthol and bright fruits on the mid-palate. The rich, powerful finish is mouthwatering and opulent.
Our signature Bordeaux blend shows a delectable merger of fresh coffee beans and vanillin in the glass. The elegantly tannic mouth feel bursts with flavors of boysenberry and bright fruit with a well integrated tannin structure. The bold, dark fruit flavors and balanced tannins of this wine give it a robust but smooth finish..