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Adeline L. Vanderver, M.D., director of Children's National Health System's Myelin Disorders Clinic has become one of the leaders in an international effort to bring attention to leukodystrophies, a group of diseases that have a high mortality rate among children, with an incidence more common than some widely known disorders..
Leukodystrophies are rare diseases that affect the cells of the brain and the material that surrounds and protects nerve cells, the myelin sheath. Damage to the sheath slows down or blocks messages between the brain and the rest of the body that can impact movement, speaking, vision, hearing, and mental and physical development of the patient. The Myelin Disorders Clinic at Children's National provides comprehensive clinical and research services in the study of inherited myelin disorders.
"A family who receives a diagnosis of a leukodystrophy (LD) is isolated by lack of knowledge. They don't know what they are up against; but just as important, their communities cannot understand the health challenges they will face. They get no support and no recognition," says Dr. Vanderver, neurologist at Center for Genetic Medicine Research at Children's Research Institute and Division of Neurology at Children's National.
Some white matter disorders may be acquired, while others, called leukodystrophies, are genetic. The genetic side of the disease was illustrated in a 1992 film, Lorenzo's Oil, based on the true story of parents in their relentless search for a cure for their son Lorenzo's adrenoleukodystrophy, and an October 2013 documentary, Cracking the Code on Australian Story. Most children affected with LD experience their condition prior to their third birthday and nearly one-third of these children will never reach their eighth birthday. While the diseases are termed rare, their incidence is relatively high, about one in 7,000 births.
Dr. Vanderver says increased advocacy is needed to help parents and families of children who suffer from the leukodystrophies. Various consortia have been established to help, such as the Myelin Disorders Bioregistry Project (MDBP), an international network that includes highly active clinical centers in the U.S. and elsewhere. A broader network, Global Leukodystrophy, also was established to accelerate the discovery of novel variations responsible for pediatric white matter disorders and to translate the findings into clinical treatments.
Children's National has maintained a registry of at least 1,000 families of children with these disorders, Dr. Vanderver says. With the registry, "we are using sophisticated technologies that have resulted in helping us identify new genetic conditions," Dr. Vanderver says.
Although there are more than 30 recognized leukodystrophies, there have been few concerted efforts to dissect genetic heterogeneity and develop targeted therapeutics for this group of disorders, Dr. Vanderver says. There are currently a limited number of clinical sites with expertise in diagnosis and management of patients with leukodystrophies.
"It's a very difficult situation to be in," Dr. Vanderver says of parents and family of children with leukodystrophies. "You need as much community support as someone who has leukemia; you need that kind of outpouring and love. Most people haven't heard the word (about the diseases), and that has to change," Dr. Vanderver says. "Until there is that change, they aren't going to get the help and support they need."
"With advances in molecular biology, we are poised to develop new treatments for most of the known leukodystrophies," Dr. Vanderver says. "However, a significant knowledge gap regarding the natural history of leukodystrophies exists. This is the single greatest impediment to conducting clinical trials in the field."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


This is a Christmas scrapbook kit from Stampin' Up!. I love kits because it is a really easy way to get a lot of pages done really quick. I offered this to my class for January and it went over really well. The kit includes dsp, card stock and stickers that all match. I added 4 pieces of card stock to this kit to make 12 pages.


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Q: How to create a machine learning/visualization module (Pandas/Matplotlib) for use with Jupiter-Notebook My team and I are making a Jupyter Notebook for machine learning and data science work. I'm managing software design so I want to make sure I do this correctly and properly.
Our machine learning leverages common data science libraries:
-pandas
-sklearn
-numpy
-matplotlib
The Notebook deliverable is meant to be used by people with little to no coding expertise. We hope to accomplish this with a variety of Jupyter widgets. To keep the code away from the innocent end-user, we want to import a module into the notebook and have the code in the notebook used for creating widgets wrapping the data science.
For example, we would run a machine learning algorithm on a data frame that processes several countries' CO2 emissions to look at climate change. And we want to make a visualization for which countries emit the most. The code for the ML would be in the imported module. The Notebook would import the module and have widget functions to make calls to the module.
I'd like some feedback on this design. I'm considering taking our ML code and creating the module in PyCharm. I haven't tested if matplotlib visualizations work in PyCharm as well as it works in Jupyter. Any advice and precautions to keep in mind are appreciated.
We've already made most of the ML code across a few notebooks. We're looking to migrate over to a class-based module import to the notebook. I'm looking into packaging and importing into Jupyter to make sure this is possible, clean, and modular.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Thank you for your interest in Green Phoenix Farms. Please use the contact form to send a message, or contact us directly using the information below. If you are interested in hosting a Green Phoenix Farms event, or need help with your Aquaponic system, please do not hesitate to drop us a line.
Hi this is Rodger we spoke on the phone about viewing a working aquaponics system. I'm in Tulsa and going to be in the Dallas area tomorrow april 12th.
I met you briefly at Kathryn's when you were there about a Transition Dallas connection. I am interested in seeing what we could do about an aquaponics system for my house. I have your phone number above, but didn't want to chance interrupting you at work, so shoot me an email and let me know when would be a good time to call – I don't want to put my phone # up here in case it would be automatically put up on your site.
I am not sure what size set up, or at least what size to start with.
Enjoyed reading your blog. We have been dabbling in hydroponics for the last three years and would like to add fish to the plan. We would love to see a working system. Would that be possible?
I met you yesterday at workshop. My friend Hai and I asked you about some duckweed.
When could he come and get some from you?
I met you at Patrizio's Restaurant where you expressed an interest in BNI. I will be emailing you privately, but wanted you to know that I have visited your site, and am intrigued.


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:: Across the board ::
This section contains news and analysis of sweeping developments that affect the overall push and pull towards FTAs and bilateral investment treaties. This means major trends relating to bilateralism, often with global consequences, and other cross-cutting issues. New developments arising from US politics, the WTO or South-South alliance-building, for instance, are often reported here as they tend to have systemic impacts.
last update: May 2012
USTR 2006 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers
7-Apr-2006 USTR
USTR has recently released its latest annual country-by-country assessment of barriers to US trade around the world, Washington's basis for unilateral trade sanctions.
Reasons to worry about bilateral trade pacts
6-Apr-2006 The Nation
An examination of the globalised approach by both EU countries and the US to bilateral FTAs shows that acceleration has occurred as the WTO has lost its effect. While it is easy to rationalise that the global north is acting independently because the WTO is failing, it is more fun to speculate that the global north is acting to stall the WTO since they get much better terms on a one-to-one basis in their agreements with developing countries.
US 'always in the driving seat in FTA talks'
The economic strength of the United States makes it "virtually impossible" for developing nations to negotiate a fair bilateral free-trade agreement, according to Argentina's new ambassador to Thailand.
Free trade pacts are bad for business
25-Mar-2006 Forbes
The WTO on March 22 issued a report criticizing the US pursuit of free trade agreements. The report claims that US free trade agreements create political interests in other countries, which complicate the multilateral process.
US will seek fast renewal of trade authority: Portman
23-Mar-2006 Reuters
The top US trade official said on Wednesday he would push for quick renewal of trade promotion authority, which allows the White House to negotiate agreements that Congress must approve or reject but cannot change.
US seeks trade insurance with bilateral pacts
22-Mar-2006 FT
It's always wise to have a Plan B. As the US urges progress in the "Doha round" of trade talks, it is also chasing bilateral trade deals across east Asia.
Penn serves notice on would-be trade agreement participants
17-Mar-2006 Delta Farm Press
Notice from USDA to countries that aren't too well heeled but would like to try to negotiate a new free trade agreement with the United States: Don't bother.
Roadmap for WTO negotiations on Art. XXIV GATT
The WTO rules for bilateral agreements, set by Art. XXIV of GATT are currently under re-negotiation in the WTO. Below is an internal informal WTO discussion paper on these negotiations. This is an invitation to discuss this paper on the Forum of this website on "bilateralism".
Ways and Means chair says US should drop lagging FTA partners
21-Feb-2006 Resource Center of the Americas
House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) this week said the U.S. should drop partners in free trade agreement negotiations if talks on those agreements are not progressing.
United States planning more free-trade negotiations in 2006
24-Jan-2006 Washington File
The Bush administration hopes to initiate more free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in 2006, possibly with South Korea and Malaysia, US Trade Representative Rob Portman says.
#A18DoA - Global day of action to defeat free trade and investment treaties
Website for the global day of action to defeat free trade and investment treaties #A18DoA
21st Century Trade Agreements: Implications for Long-Run Development Policy
A publication of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the Study of the Longer-Range Future. The paper examines the policy space available under various free trade regimes for countries pursuing industrial policies for development.
Alianza Social Continental
La Alianza Social Continental es un foro de organizaciones y movimientos sociales progresistas de las Américas, creado para intercambiar información, definir estrategias y promover acciones conjuntas, todo ello encaminado a la búsqueda de un modelo de desarrollo alternativo y democrático, que beneficie a nuestros pueblos
Movimientos.org
A multilingual (English, Spanish, Portuguese) website focusing on social movements and their campaigns, including those against bilateral and regional FTAs.
Pambazuka
In this week's edition of the Emerging Powers News Round-Up, read a comprehensive list of news stories and opinion pieces related to China, India and other emerging powers...
People over profit
People Over Profit is a campaign network that unites peoples movements and NGOs across the globe to stop free trade agreements (FTAs) and corporate plunder, launched in October 2016.
Peoples Global Action
In February 1998, movements from all continents met in Geneva to launch a worldwide coordination of resistances to the global market, a new alliance of struggle and mutual support called Peoples' Global Action against "Free" Trade and the World Trade Organisation (PGA).
Regional/Multilateral Integration Agreements
Selected research papers on regional trade agreements, from internationaleconomics.net
SOMO links the negotiations and rules on international trade and investment with the actual conduct of corporations within these rules and agreements.
South Centre
An intergovernmental organisation of developing countries
Stop fast track!
10 days to stop fast track in the United States: Jan 22 - 31 2014
TWN's website is a good source of information and analysis about what's happening within the multilateral trade system (WTO, UNCTAD, G77, etc).
WorldTradeLaw.net offers a free library of current trade news and resources; a database of dispute settlement tables and statistics; and a user-friendly search tool for legal texts, and other documents.


The match of TuS Koblenz vs Eintracht Trier in German Landespokal is started at 2018-11-15 02:43. For this match, the initial Asian Handicap is TuS Koblenz0.0,-0.5; The initial Goals Odds is 3.0,3.5. Totally, TuS Koblenz and Eintracht Trier fought for 7 times before. Over Goals occurred for 3 times and Over Corners occurred for 1 times. TuS Koblenz got 4 win, 1 draw and 0 lost with 12 Goals For and 4 Goals Against.
For the last 15 matches, TuS Koblenz got 5 win, 6 lost and 4 draw with 20 Goals For and 22 Goals Against. The average of Goals For is 1.3 per match and the average of Goals Against is 1.5 per match. The rate of Over Goals is 47%; The rate of Handicap Win is 37%; The rate of win is 33%; The average of corners is 5.1 per match and the rate of Over Corners is 75%.
For the last 15 matches, Eintracht Trier got 5 win, 5 lost and 5 draw with 28 Goals For and 23 Goals Against. The average of Goals For is 1.9 per match and the average of Goals Against is 1.5 per match. The rate of Over Goals is 53%; The rate of Handicap Win is 40%; The rate of win is 33%; The average of corners is 4.5 per match and the rate of Over Corners is 100%.
Except the history stats of TuS Koblenz vs Eintracht Trier, ScoreBing also offers predictions and lineups of TuS Koblenz vs Eintracht Trier, that may help you predict or replay the match.


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President Obama reflects, looks ahead in NPR interview
Written by Caitlin Shamberg Dec. 28, 2014 Politics
NPR's Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep interviews President Barak Obama in the Oval Office on Thursday, December 17, 2014. Photo: Kainaz Amaria/NPR
The president sat down with NPR's Morning Edition Host Steve Inskeep to talk about issues affecting Americans across the country, and to reflect on what he's accomplished and what to expect in the final two years of his presidency on issues like immigration and the economy.
Responding to the ongoing tension between police departments and black communities across the country following the death of Eric Garner in New York, and Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., President Obama said that America is less racially divided than it was when he took office.
"It's understandable the polls might say, you know, that race relations have gotten worse — because when it's in the news and you see something like Ferguson or the Garner case in New York, then it attracts attention. But I assure you, from the perspective of African-Americans or Latinos in poor communities who have been dealing with this all their lives, they wouldn't suggest somehow that it's worse now than it was 10, 15 or 20 years ago," the president told Inskeep.
He also talked about Cuba, health care, the Middle East and, of course, gridlock in Congress. "And, you know, what I've said repeatedly is that I want to work with them; I want to get things done. I don't have another election to run," the president said.
The videotaped conversation with the president and will be available throughout the week.
Here's the full transcript.
Accurate homeless count affects where cash flows. You can help in Duarte KCRW Features
Netflix hikes prices, how will subscribers react? Hollywood Breakdown
President Biden gets report card as he faces challenges on voting rights, Ukraine Left, Right & Center
Omicron has businesses rethinking in-person work Greater LA


An Earth citizen. Lived in different countries and continents. UK and the US recently, where I've done most of my house / cat / dog sittings.
I had dogs as a kid, lived with cats as an adult and looked after parrots in a bird sanctuary in Canada.
In OZ - traveling and exploring possibilities of making it my home. Once I do, I look forward to foster rescues as well as provide animals a forever home.
Update: I've house sits in Blue Mountains and Brisbane looking after cats.
Happy to provide references from previous house sits, and from the bird sanctuary. As well as provide police check from the UK when I've volunteered in a children charity.
What else can I say, it feels like pets see me as one of their pack. Oh and once I've recorded a pet meditation by a friend request, which she is still playing to her animals.
The video I've shared is a love letter to one of the homes I've created.
What else: I've left my home in California in the beginning of Dec 2017, put my stuff in storage and have been traveling ever since.
I'm looking for long term house sitting in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine coast from December 26th until mid February.
My "traveling companion" 'Toto' is a lion cub, who's "writing" a book about our adventures.
I will treat your home and pets as they were my own, with love and care.
p.s. I don't smoke, so primarily look for non smoking houses, or houses where there's no smoking inside.
And since I don't have a car, accessible public transport to Brisbane, Gold Coast and the actual coast, is preferred.
"Leor was a wonderful house sitter. She very clearly loves animals and looked after my house as if it was her own. Everything was very clean when I returned and she sent me beautiful photos of my babies while I was away.


Many people have a spending addiction. In a general sense, it's a problem all across America, and it can be seen every day on billboards, in magazines, and on the TV. If we weren't susceptible to spending money, we wouldn't have so much advertising encouraging the same.
Often our addiction to spending money is tied to our low self-esteem, and that affects our ability to engage in frugal living.
We often spend money to make ourselves feel better.
Spending money can lift our morale temporarily by making us feel affluent. It's much like a drug - we keep feeding the spendaholic in us, but the good feeling doesn't last.
I know a woman that can't have any money in her pocket. Even if she has to take someone out to lunch, she'll spend her money. It can't be saved. It must be spent. She has a spending addiction.
A friend of mine was married to a woman who was addicted to spending money. It was a tremendous burden on him and everyone associated with the couple. He finally had to divorce her to rid himself of an irresponsible person that was legally tied around his neck.
Our state and federal legislatures have a spending addiction, and it's our money they are addicted to. Look at how the country and many of the states are deep in debt. It's not because we make good spending decisions!
Many of us are mild "spendaholics", but some of us are in serious trouble. The first step is to recognize the problem. Let's look at the characteristics of bad decision-making when it comes to spending money. This should help make us more alert to the problem, and hopefully keep us out of deep trouble.
See how many of these characteristics are attributable to your spending behavior. It's not so important the number of characteristics you match, but how deeply ingrained some of the characteristics are in your decision-making with respect to financial matters.
Recurring costs - those associated regular nights out, unread magazine subscriptions, monthly cell phone bills and all-inclusive cable TV subscriptions. They all come calling once a month or annually, and you just keep hanging onto them.
Increasing costs - like a credit card balance that grows ever larger because you pay only a portion of it and let the rest "ride". You're living beyond your means, but it hasn't bit you hard yet.
Also, your lazy son that needed help with rent, and now he needs help with the cost of food and car payments. Where does it stop? Only you can decide, but you just can't decide. That's how you were roped into this situation in the first place.
Unnecessary - costs associated with a pickup truck used to carry the occasional sheet of plywood from the home improvement store; the money you waste cashing your check at the "money store"; the additional car that you "need" because having one car just isn't convenient; and the dock fees, license and registration fees for that fishing or recreational boat that you only use occasionally.
Also, the chalet at the lake that you'll use only a few weeks out of the year, but you pay taxes all year long, homeowners association dues all year long, a mortgage each month, yearly property insurance, and fees for the private golf course that you don't use.
Obligatory - things you must pay for, like the monthly car payment for the (new or used) vehicle that was supposed to save you money with the better fuel economy. Now you realize that it's more expensive than the fuel you'll ever save by owning it.
Also, the spouse and kids begging for new things, better stuff, and money to have fun. You feel obligated to cough up the dough, but is it the best choice in the long run? Or, should you point out that money doesn't grow on trees and people need to earn their keep?
Remember, if people see that you have a spending addiction, they'll help you feed that addiction by finding things for you to spend money on.
Human tar babies - relationships that get financially stickier and stickier. You married one, you're dating one, you're good friends with one. It's all something that you could avoid by making better decisions about the "company you keep".
Risky - items and activities that can't be directed, and are more chance in nature. Examples include powerball, the daily lottery, and gambling. All good examples of throwing your money away on false hope.
Train wrecks - financial accidents just waiting to happen. These include the house you and your buddy are buying and going to fix up and "flip", and the business you bought for reselling stuff you have no experience in and no passion for.
It also includes the over sized house you were convinced to by, and now you can't afford to furnish it. You never thought that it would cost $50,000 to furnish a house.
Conspicuous consumption - the excessively large house you decided to build right along the interstate so everyone could see how successful you are, and the little sports car that you paid above dealer invoice for, so you could be one of the first to have one.
Are you seeing spending addictions here? If not a spending addiction, at least no ability to say no to spending.
At some point you need to understand the value of money and change your mentality of a spending addiction to a mentality of investment for the future - your future. You need to take care of #1 or you'll never be able to take care of anyone else if needs be.
Start looking at the ways you spend money and see if you might have a spending addiction that affects your ability to engage in frugal living.
Read about one of my readers who wrote to me for help with excessive spending.


Home buyers are thrilled with the carefree condo, lock-and-leave lifestyle at two popular communities by Rosehaven Homes. It's a straightforward concept – one that allows residents to lock their door, knowing that the upkeep of their property will be well looked after. Responsibilities, like cutting the grass, raking the leaves, and shovelling the snow are all taken care of, so that travel becomes a care-free pastime.
Odyssey in Grimsby, artist's concept.
Scheduled to open this fall is Odyssey – a luxurious 20-storey condominium residence, along with an exclusive collection of condominium townhomes. Located in Grimsby and surrounded by shopping, dining and entertainment, Odyssey offers a picture-perfect lifestyle that's modern and maintenance-free.
From the high rise condominium building, residents can enjoy expansive views of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment. Spacious, open-concept interiors, in both the condos and townhomes, feature contemporary finishes that complement a range of personal styles.
Grimsby was recently named the best place to live in Niagara by MoneySense magazine. This town has a wonderful selection of restaurants, shopping, spas, recreation centres, art galleries and more. They have recently revitalized their waterfront, and residents of Odyssey have access to the Waterfront Trail. Natural attributes include tree-lined trails and waterfalls along the Niagara Escarpment and Centennial Park. And, close by is Niagara-on-the-Lake with renowned wineries, restaurants and the Shaw Festival.
Here, residents have easy access to the QEW. And come 2021, GO trains are expected to be running from Grimsby to Toronto's Union Station.
Affinity in Burlington, artist's concept.
Construction is well underway at Affinity Condos, but there's still time to secure your condominium in these popular mid rise buildings. A wide selection of one- and two-bedroom suites, plus those with a formal dining room, remain. Sizes range from 575 to 1,272 square feet.
Affinity consists of two six-storey, mid rise buildings, and each includes a fitness/yoga room, a party room with kitchen and a rooftop terrace.
Contemporary suites include wide-plank, laminate flooring throughout, as well as 12- x 24-inch imported porcelain floor tile in the bathrooms, quartz countertops in the kitchen and in the bathrooms, and nine-foot smooth ceilings. Five appliances, state-of-the-art roller blinds, in addition to an underground parking space and a storage unit, are also included.
Affinity is situated in an established residential neighbourhood in Burlington, close to waterfront parks and trails, as well as the GO train, Highway 403 and the QEW.
For those who are on the go, as well as empty-nesters, Affinity condominiums are especially appealing. Simply lock-and-leave for a happy-go-lucky lifestyle.
When a company specializes in a particular product or service, the customer ultimately benefits, as they can be assured that the most advanced research, testing and implementation of said commodity has been performed. The same school of thought is behind Homes by DeSantis. Not only have they perfected their craft in terms of home building, but they have focused on particular areas in which to develop, and, as a result, the home buyer benefits from this intimate knowledge.
DeSantis currently has four sites under construction and new releases scheduled. The waterfront condominiums of AquaZul feature resort-like amenities, including a fitness centre, and a pool with cabanas and a barbecue area.
The final release at Centreville in Beamsville features new designs. Located in the heart of town, this all-encompassing community includes 44 smart townhouses and six commercial spaces.
Myst is an exquisite collection of urban towns located on the shores of Lake Ontario in Stoney Creek. It's positioning affords residents easy access to transit and major arteries.
Coming this fall is the third phase of On The Ridge. Situated high on the Niagara Escarpment, residents of this community will enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities and recreational opportunities.
Century Condos in downtown Grimsby is a mid-rise building that will feature commercial space on the main level. "Century condos is the perfect reward for those who aspire to an elevated living experience," says DeSantis.
Team DeSantis accepts the award for Community of the Year for Lincoln Square from the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders' Association.
Gabriel DeSantis has been immersed in the home building industry for most of his life. In 1996 he was president of the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders' Association – one of the largest in Ontario. He served as a director on the board for the Ontario Home Builders' Association from 1995 to 1997, dedicating much of his time to the New Home Warranty Program (Tarion).
In 2012, DeSantis became the first home builder in the region to build a home, along with their suppliers and contractors, for Habitat for Humanity. DeSantis also contributes to many charitable organizations, including the Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton, as well as the Princess Margaret and St. Joseph's Hospital Foundations.
Gorgeous lakeside views was one of the main reasons that new home buyers flocked to the AQUAZUL waterfront condominium project. Spacious suites and deluxe finishes helped to seal the deal. Homes By DeSantis announces the final release of residences with their Elite Series at this popular Lake Ontario development.
A variety of popular floorplans were released in each of the two condo buildings. These intimate, six- and 10-storey structures include remaining suites that range from 609 to 1,335 square feet – many with lake views.
Purchasers who are looking for a larger suite will be enamoured with the Surfside. This impressive, 1,335-square-foot, two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite, also includes an oversized 645-square-foot terrace, with stunning views of Lake Ontario. The gracious 1,127-square-foot Bayside suite features two bedrooms, plus a den, and two bathrooms. And the 982-square-foot Bayfront suite also includes two bedrooms and two baths.
Sumptuous finishes include a choice of quartz or granite counter tops in the kitchen, as well as extended-height upper cabinets, six appliances, wide-plank laminate flooring and soaring ceilings up to 10 feet.
The features and amenities at AQUAZUL are not only luxurious, but they heighten the resort-like feeling. The third floor club room includes a theatre, a gym and a billiards room, as well as a sprawling balcony perched atop a dramatic two-storey loggia. This elevated outdoor space provides views of the courtyard, pool, cabanas and outdoor grill areas, and, of course, Lake Ontario.
Situated in the town of Grimsby, this Niagara region location is experiencing incredible waterfront growth. The municipality is investing $5 million into a waterfront park that will include promenades and lakeside trails to newly constructed beaches and outdoor pavilions.
DeSantis is pleased to report that AQUAZUL was recently named the mid-rise condominium project of the year by the Hamilton-Halton Home Builders' Association.
With construction well underway, the first residents are scheduled to settle into their new homes in 2019. Only nine residences remain in the final phase of the Elite Series at AQUAZUL.
Rosehaven Homes is proud to offer inspired midrise and highrise condominiums to complement their vast selection of singles, semis and townhomes available at communities across the GTA and Southwestern Ontario.
Building on their success at Affinity Condos in Burlington, Rosehaven is poised to launch Odyssey waterfront condos in Grimsby.
Affinity Condos is under construction but it's not too late to buy at this successful midrise condominium.
There's a great selection of suites available from one-bedroom up to two-bedroom plus formal dining room, ranging in size from 575 up to 1,272 square feet. Affinity consists of two six-storey midrise buildings, each with its own fitness/yoga room, party room with kitchen and rooftop terrace.
The contemporary suites are finished with wide plank laminate flooring throughout and 12-inch x 24-inch imported porcelain floor tile in bathrooms, quartz countertops in the kitchen and bathrooms, 9-foot smooth ceilings. Five appliances, state of the art roller blinds, one underground parking space and a storage unit are included.
Set in a leafy established residential neighbourhood with easy access to the GO Train as well as the 403 & QEW, Affinity is ideal for a wide range of buyers from empty-nesters to first time buyers, commuters and young professionals.
The Waterfront Trail and LaSalle Park are nearby with trails, beach and more. Shopping, schools, and restaurants abound, with Ikea and Mapleview Shopping Centre, cinemas and big box stores minutes away by car or transit. Visit the Presentation Centre soon, located at 516 Plains Road East, or AffinityCondo.com.
Coming soon, Rosehaven is bringing waterfront living to Grimsby with Odyssey, a brilliant 20-storey condominium and townhomes launching this winter by the shores of Lake Ontario.
Odyssey's highrise condominium residence will feature amazing views of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment. Spacious open concept interiors with contemporary finishes will complement your personal style whether it's in a condo or a spacious townhome.
The gorgeous Grimsby waterfront is no longer the neighbourhood's own secret. Here you will discover waterfront parks and conservation areas. Along the Niagara Escarpment are numerous waterfalls as well as miles of tree-lined trails to explore. Odyssey residents will also love the Waterfront Trail at their door.
With the lake right across the street, it's hard to believe that it's only 30 minutes to Oakville, Burlington and St. Catharines. There are renowned wineries to tour, beautiful Niagara On The Lake and Niagara's many attractions. A new Grimsby GO Station is slated to open in 2021 with trains to Toronto's Union Station.
Those who love waterfront condo living surrounded by natural beauty should register online for Odyssey right away at OdysseyLife.ca.


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WORLD Virus damage hits UK as 11,000 jobs are lost
Virus damage hits UK as 11,000 jobs are lost
China Daily Global
People walk through the Canary Wharf financial district of London, Dec 7, 2018. (Photo: Agencies)
The catastrophic impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on business was made plain on Wednesday when employers in the United Kingdom announced 11,000 job cuts in retailing and aviation-two of the sectors hardest hit by the lockdown.
Department store owner John Lewis confirmed it will close some outlets and an unconfirmed number of jobs in an effort to slash costs, while Arcadia and Harrods said they planned to cut as many as 1,180 jobs between them.
Train station and airport food retailer SSP Group says up to 5,000 jobs could go across its UK outlets and head office, as it struggles with the reduction in passenger travel.
Aerospace giant Airbus has said it plans to cut 15,000 jobs worldwide as it deals with the effects of the virus crisis. It will cut 1,700 jobs in the UK, along with thousands more in Germany, Spain and elsewhere. Budget airline Easyjet said it would cut nearly 2,000 flight and cabin crew jobs in the UK.
The Unite union said the Airbus announcement was "another act of industrial vandalism" against the UK aerospace sector.
The company warned in April that it was "bleeding cash at an unprecedented speed" as it struggled with the impact of the pandemic.
It said on Tuesday that production had dropped by 40 percent in recent months, and that it did not expect air traffic to get back to pre-pandemic levels until 2023 at the earliest.
Doctors in the UK have demanded the government provide vital data on spikes of novel coronavirus cases more quickly to local authorities to help them better manage any outbreaks in their areas.
There has been criticism about the length of time it took to get testing data to officials in the city of Leicester, which has been forced to extend lockdown measures after a surge of cases locally.
During prime minister's questions in Parliament on Wednesday, Labour leader Keir Starmer said officials in Leicester had only received full figures on Thursday, and there had been a "lost week whilst the virus was spreading".
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government had first acted on what was happening in the city on June 8, but "unfortunately it did not prove possible to get the results seen elsewhere".
The British Medical Association, the union representing doctors in the UK, said ministers needed to be more open and transparent with COVID-19 data and about how regional spikes in infections will be managed in the future.
In Sweden, the government has appointed a commission to investigate the country's handling of the novel coronavirus pandemic amid mounting criticism of its liberal approach and higher death rate compared with its Nordic neighbors.
The commission will evaluate the measures taken by the government, the authorities, the health regions and local councils to prevent the spread of the virus and the impact of its evolution.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven said at a news briefing that the ability of the entire community to come together is one of Sweden's "great strengths".
"But at the same time this crisis has put a spotlight on shortfalls in our society," he said.
Sweden, which has a population of 10.3 million, has experienced a slight spike in COVID-19 cases over recent weeks, though the Public Health Agency argues this could be due to a significant rise in the number of tests being carried out.
As of Tuesday, the country had registered a total of 68,451 confirmed cases and 5,333 deaths.
Elsewhere in Europe, in the Czech Republic, a party has been held to give the novel coronavirus a "symbolic farewell". Thousands of guests sat at a 500-meter-long table on the Charles Bridge in Prague on Tuesday sharing food and drinks they had brought from home.
There have been fewer than 12,000 infections in the Czech Republic, a country of 10 million. About 350 people have died. The event's organizer said the "symbolic" celebration was possible due to a lack of tourists.
In the UK, cultural institutions are emerging from months of lockdown, and London's National Gallery will be the country's first major museum to reopen on Wednesday after the longest closure in its 196-year history.
Curators at the museum have moved popular pictures to larger rooms, to accommodate the social-distancing measures, and all visits will have to be booked online to help manage numbers.
Other major institutions to reopen next week include the Royal Academy and the Barbican Art Gallery.
The British Museum has not yet set a date for reopening, while the Tate is set to reopen its galleries on July 27.
UK reimposes lockdown on virus-hit city of Leicester
File photo: Sky NewsThe British government on Monday ordered schools and non-essential shops in the central English city of Leicester to close after a localised outbreak of coronavirus.Health Secretary Matt Hancock said nationwide moves to ease a three-month lockdown would be reversed in Leicester, where the infection rate is three times as high as the next worst-affected city."Unfortunately while cases in most parts of the country have fallen since the peak, in Leicester theyve continued to rise," he told parliament after a meeting with local leaders.Schools, which only re-opened for some children on June 1, would close from Thursday and shops that only opened two weeks ago would be shuttered from Tuesday, he said.Plans to reopen pubs, restaurants and cultural sites on July 4 would be scrapped in Leicester -- although they will go ahead elsewhere in England -- and locals are now being advised against all but essential travel."We must control this virus. We must keep people safe," Hancock said."These actions are profoundly in the national interest too. Because its in everyones interest that we control the virus as locally as possible."Local action like this an important tool in our armoury to deal with outbreaks while we get the country back on our feet."Britain has suffered more deaths from the coronavirus than any other country in Europe, recording at least 43,000 deaths. It also faces the prospect of a deep recession as a result of the shutdown called to try slow the spread of the virus.Prime Minister Boris Johnson began easing nationwide stay-at-home orders last month but, in the face of accusations that he is moving too fast, has vowed to clamp down on any localised outbreaks.In what he described as his "whack-a-mole strategy", "where you have a local flare up youve got to empower local authorities to crack down on it properly," he told Times Radio in an interview.Leicester, ...
Jobless claims and depressed economy show damage from virus
The number of laid-off workers seeking U.S. unemployment benefits dipped only slightly last week, and the economy shrank in the first three months of the year — evidence of the ongoing economic damage being inflicted by the viral pandemic.A man walks past a retail store that is going out of business due to the coronavirus pandemic in Winnetka, Ill., Tuesday, June 23, 2020. Illinois Gov. J.B Pritzker announced a package of state grant programs that will help support communities and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and unrest in the area. (Photo: AP)The economy, which contracted 5% in the January-March quarter, is widely expected to shrink at a roughly 30% annual rate in the current April-June quarter. That would be the worst quarterly contraction, by far, since record-keeping began in 1948.The government reported Thursday that the number of laid-off workers who applied for unemployment benefits declined slightly to 1.48 million last week. It was the 12th straight drop. Still, applications for jobless aid have declined just 5% in the past two weeks, a much slower rate of improvement than in April and May.What's more, an additional 700,000 people applied for jobless benefits last week under a new program for self-employed and gig workers that made them eligible for aid for the first time. These figures aren't adjusted for seasonal variations, so the government doesn't include them in the official count.IMPACT ON THE ECONOMY:– US GDP fell at 5.0% rate in Q1; worse is likely on the way– Stocks edge higher on Wall Street following mixed data– Report: State, local aid needed to avert 4 million layoffsThe steady if slow decline in applications does suggest that the job market is gradually healing from the pandemic, which shuttered businesses and sent the unemployment rate up to 14.7% in April, its highest level since the Great Depression. The total number of people who are receiving jobless aid also fell last week, to 19.5 million from 20.3 million, evidence tha...
UK PM vows 'Rooseveltian' response to virus crisis
File photo: AgenciesBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday the coronavirus crisis needed the type of massive economic response US president Franklin D. Roosevelt mobilised to deal with the Great Depression.Johnson told The Times newspapers new radio station that Britain was heading for "bumpy times" as it struggles through its biggest economic contraction on record.He intends to unveil a spending programme in a speech Tuesday his office has simply dubbed "build, build, build"."I think this is the moment for a Rooseveltian approach to the UK, really really moving forward," said Johnson."I really think the investment will pay off."Roosevelt launched the New Deal programme in the 1930s that created a comprehensive social care system whose legacy lives on to this day.The first part of Johnsons initiative earmarks £1 billion ($1.2 billion, 1.1 billion euros) for school repairs."The country has gone through a profound shock. But in those moments you have the opportunity to change and to do things better," Johnson said."We really want to build back better, to do things differently, to invest in infrastructure, transport, broadband -- you name it."Johnsons interview with Times Radio comes a week before the full reopening of restaurants, pubs and other parts of the hospitality, tourism and cultural sectors in England for the first time since March 20.A full lockdown was imposed three days later, and has been one of the longest in Europe.As restrictions ease nationwide, the UKs first local lockdown may soon be introduced in the central city of Leicester to deal with a reported spike in virus cases."I think the crucial thing is that we are ready to crack down on local flare-ups," Johnson said."Thats why youre seeing the steps that are being taken in Leicester."Johnson admitted that his own near-death experience with COVID-19 -- he was treated at an intensive ...


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All families are members of the Parent Network and play an integral role in the culture of KCS.
The Parent Network's mission is to support and advance the KCS culture while building community, both internally (among students, teachers, staff, and KCS families), and externally (among prospective families and local community at large). All families are members of the Parent Network and play an integral role in the culture of KCS.
One of the many incredible things about KCS is the opportunity to engage in student and campus life. There are several wonderful events planned and a multitude of ways you can get involved with the Parent Network. Volunteers are a driving force of the KCS community and make an important contribution to the energetic spirit of the school. We are grateful for all volunteer contributions and strive to support each family's needs and schedules – whether your time availability is a little or a lot, there is no shortage of ways to engage.
The Parent Network is always looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are eager to engage and be a part of the fabric of the school. Please reach out to us if you would like to join our team or have feedback on how we can enhance the KCS experience for all of our children.
We look forward to connecting with you and we wish your child a very memorable 2022-2023 year at KCS. Please reach out any time to theparentnetworkkcs@gmail.com!
Kate Fidani, Natalie Nudds, and Aneta Gauthier
KCS Parent Network Co-Chairs, 2022 - 2023
Derek Logan, Head of School
KCS couldn't do many of the things we do across the school without such committed volunteers and leaders. Thank you to all of our parents, grandparents and alumni who contribute over 4600 volunteer hours to our school each year.
2022-23 Parent Network
Co-Chairs: Kate Fidani and Natalie Nudds
Core Services: Mariana D'Ambrosio
Social & Community: Sarah Horrocks
Student Experience & Four Doors: Amy Graham
New Families: Laura Howarth
Communications: Karen Osmond
Environmentalism: Jenn McLaughlin
Senior School Chair: Aneta Gauthier
STORIES FROM OUR PARENT NETWORK
KCS Superheroes: Wonder Women of Costumes
Our Passionate Parent Community
Sharing Knowledge, One Song at a Time
Sharing the Reason for the Season
Exploring our Diversity
Reaching For the Top: Mt. Everest climber Angus Murray Visits KCS
Stronger Than You Think
Welcome Back Fun Fair 2022


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Q: Sorting of y-axis labels in ggplot I have a biographical dataset in two dataframes:
library(tidyverse)
# dataframe of one-time ovents
one_timers <-
  tribble(~event, ~date,
          "birth", as.Date("1984/02/10"),
          "first toy", as.Date("1984/02/11"),
          "first kiss", as.Date("1992/05/15"),
          "moved out", as.Date("2003/08/29"),
          "first car", as.Date("2002/04/11"),
          "job", as.Date("2000/02/10"))
#dataframe of repeating events, say switchingt between companies that provide internet
sequence <-
  tribble(~event, ~from, ~to,  ~quality,
          "job", as.Date("2000/02/10"), as.Date("2000/02/17"), 2,
          "job", as.Date("2001/05/15"), as.Date("2001/06/10"), 4,
          "job", as.Date("2003/08/29"), as.Date("2004/02/10"), 5,
          "job", as.Date("2004/04/11"), as.Date("2005/01/10"), 10)

And I want create a plot of those events:
# plotting events
one_timers %>%
  ggplot(aes(x = date, y = event)) +
  geom_point()

Which results in:

This plot is okay, but I want events to be sorted chronologically, so I'm switching my event variable to factor end reorder it according to date:
one_timers <-
  one_timers %>%
  mutate(event = event %>% as.factor() %>% forcats::fct_reorder(date))
levels(one_timers$event)
# and it works
one_timers %>%
  ggplot(aes(x = date, y = event)) +
  geom_point()

But now let's complicate it with additional layer, that uses different dataframe. This layer will be under the points (it works just OK if it's above):
one_timers %>%
  ggplot(aes(x = date, y = event)) +
  geom_segment(data = sequence,
               aes(x = from,
                   xend = to,
                   y = event,
                   yend = event,
                   colour = quality),
               size = 3) +
  geom_point()

I've tried coercing event from second dataframe to factor with the same levels and ordering, but it's not that (picture doesn't change at all):
factors <- list(one_timers$event, sequence$event %>% as.factor())
sequence$event <- fct_unify(fs = factors)[[2]]
sequence$event

one_timers %>%
  ggplot(aes(x = date, y = event)) +
  geom_segment(data = sequence,
               aes(x = from,
                   xend = to,
                   y = event,
                   yend = event,
                   colour = quality),
               size = 3) +
  geom_point()
# still doesn't work

Anybody knows how to fix this?

A: Interesting, that adding the segment layer confuses the axis.
I managed to work around by introducing a numerical variable:
one_timers <- one_timers %>% mutate(eventNum = as.numeric(event))
sequence <- sequence %>% mutate(eventNum = which(levels(one_timers$event) %in% event))

one_timers %>%
  ggplot(aes(x = date, y = eventNum)) +
  geom_segment(data = sequence,
               aes(x = from,
                   xend = to,
                   y = eventNum,
                   yend = eventNum,
                   colour = quality),
               size = 3) +
  geom_point() +
  scale_y_continuous("event",
                   breaks = one_timers$eventNum,
                   labels = as.character(one_timers$event))


Read moreMore from that M.Z. has written M.Z.
I have gone to Dream Dinners before and been disappointed with the quality of the food--the chicken was quite fatty, etc. However, I began going to Home Appetit near Concord Mills and have been very impressed there. The food quality is much greater, and I think they ended up being cheaper as well. It is privately owned by two formerly SAHM, and I think it is better because it is not a franchise. They freshly chop all the veggies and make their own sauces. www.homeappetitkitchen.com Hope this helps!
Hi M.- I did the dream dinners when I was about 8 months pregnant thinking it was going to be perfect for when the baby arrived. And although it was very convenient, I felt that the majority of the dishes I enjoyed better when I made them myself- meaning using my own recipes. I think there was only one dish that I really, really liked- the pecan crusted pork chops. There were a couple times I took dishes out of the freezer and they weren't thoroughly defrosted in time for dinner and other dishes that took an hour or so to cook. The overall concept is a good one and the fact that they chop everything up for you and clean up afterwards is obviously fantastic- but my daughter is now 15 months old and I think we actully still have one in the freezer.
I haven't tried Dream Dinners yet. My neighbor has been there and said they really liked it. You can go in and make the meal, or they will do it for you. Hopefully it will work out for you.
I do Dream Dinners quite often. We have only had a few dinners that we didn't like. I don't do the steak meals anymore because the steaks are really small and the quality of the meat didn't seem that great for the price. All the other meats have been tasty. Overall it's been a good experience. I go on a Saturday morning and prepare my meals. I actually stay home with my kids now (who are also 4 and 2 1/2) but it seems that the witching hour starts the minute I start to prepare dinner so I needed a solution where the prep work was done for me and all I really need to do is put it all in the pan. I also like that they give you side dish suggestions, and sometimes some side dishes are even included. The important thing is remembering to take them out of the freezer in time!
I have tried dream dinners and was quite impressed, it was actually very good, as well as easy!
I have heard not such good things about the "super suppers" place.


Hello! We are Richard and Stacey. A husband and wife creative team based in California. Together, the two formed Willhouse Photography to pursue their passions, be creative everyday, document love stories and meet genuine people.
Willhouse embraces life by traveling to new places, adventuring with their dog Willow, serving their local community by supporting numerous organizations and always finding time to enjoy great food with their friends and family.
We gravitate towards the outdoors, vivid color, warm sunsets, real moments, teamwork, timeless style, and savoring the little things in life.
From an early age Richard developed a passion for being creative and started playing the drums at age 11. This love for music still prevails today as he plays often during his down time. Richard as a photographer is a perfect combination of artsy and tech savvy. Plus, he is strongly driven to always do his best and enjoy moments as they are happening. These moments are what he finds when photographing weddings and couples. The big, joyful exchanges that happen when two people are in love and throw a great party to celebrate it.
California girl at heart Stacey loves the outdoors, hiking with her dog, and oceans and lakes (whether on a kayak or swimming). This love for nature is embraced in her approach to photography. Stacey enjoys finding color and natural light and putting the two together to create magic. This joy is never lost and as well as the heart she puts into each photo session. Stacey cares deeply about people and will always go the extra mile for a friend or stranger. As well as puts great care in treating all clients like a good friend.
is to be a friend to you and create timeless images that capture your love story.


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Scientists say an amazingly well-preserved fossil egg, as shown here in this handout image, adds more evidence to the close links between dinosaurs and modern birds. Darla Zelenitsky from the University of Calgary says the embryo of the therapod dinosaur is curled up inside the egg just like a chicken, curled up with its back against the broad end of the egg. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-University of Calgary
Scientist says amazingly preserved fossil egg shows dinosaur, bird links
Embryo of the therapod dinosaur is curled up inside the egg just like a chicken
University of Calgary paleontologist Darla Zelenitsky had seen well-preserved dinosaur egg fossils before, but nothing like this.
"At one point, I'm pretty sure it winked at me," she laughs.
The fossil, the subject of a new paper published Wednesday, is so detailed it's revealing even more about the deep relationships between dinosaurs and birds, their modern-day descendants.
The fossil is from a 65-million-year-old type of theropod dinosaur called an oviraptorid, a species already on an avian evolutionary path.
This beauty, first discovered in China about 20 years ago, is so completely preserved it reveals the posture of the soon-to-be theropod inside its shell. With its back curled up against the broad end of the shell and its head tucked in between its arms and legs, it looks much like an unhatched chicken.
"The skeleton is curled up in a birdlike embryonic pose," Zelenitsky said.
"Birds were thought to have a unique posture within the egg before hatching. It's evident from this fossil that some of these postures seem to have first evolved in their dinosaur ancestors."
It's the first time scientists have been able to see how dinosaur embryos were positioned inside their eggs. Previous egg fossils have been too fragmented.
"This reinforces the link between those theropod dinosaurs and birds."
That link is growing stronger as more evidence comes in.
Dinosaurs have long been known to have sported feathers. Their asymmetrical eggs, with one broad and one pointed end, is another development birds kept. So are eggshells.
"You almost can't tell the difference between the eggshell of a bird and an oviraptorid," Zelenitsky said.
Dinosaurs are now thought to have even sat on their nests before the nestlings hatched.
"There's been a number of skeletons of oviraptorid adults sitting directly on their eggs," said Zelenitsky. "Brooding behaviour is another one that preceded birds."
Dinosaur eggs aren't uncommon fossils. In 1997, 10 of them were found in southern Alberta at the Devil's Coulee site.
But Zelenitsky remains in awe of how well this particular fossil is preserved. The egg, she said, must have been buried quickly, completely and permanently under fine silts — perhaps from a riverbank mudslide or a flood.
It's had to avoid eons of earthquakes and other geological disturbances before making its debut in the scientific press.
"The skeleton of an embryonic dinosaur is so fragile," Zelenitsky said. "They tend to easily break down and fall apart.
"The chances of finding a dinosaur embryo like this, curled in a life position … It's complete from the tip of the snout all the way to the end of the tail.
"I couldn't believe my eyes," she said. "I'd never seen anything like it. It's truly spectacular."
—Bob Weber, The Canadian Press
RELATED: VIDEO: Victoria researcher unveils B.C.'s first unique dinosaur discovery
RELATED: New dinosaur species from Chile had a unique slashing tail
Squirrels force US city to scale back holiday lights in public park
VIDEO: 3 stray pigs at Chilliwack SPCA looking for foster home


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Share this Story: Majority of Canadians say Trudeau should resign following election, believe country more divided than ever: poll
Majority of Canadians say Trudeau should resign following election, believe country more divided than ever: poll
Feelings of regional division, or voter feelings of apathy or distrust, could be the result of a Canadian political culture that is increasingly populist and small-minded
Jesse Snyder
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau gives his victory speech at Liberal campaign headquarters in Montreal, early Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. Photo by Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press
OTTAWA — A vast majority of Canadians believe the country is more divided than ever following the federal election, according to a new poll, with more than half saying Justin Trudeau should step down after a cynical and opportunistic campaign.
In a survey by Maru Public Opinion, 77 per cent of respondents said Canada feels more fractured than ever following a summer campaign that produced roughly the same seat count as the last parliamentary session. Just 23 per cent of respondents said the country is now more unified under Trudeau. A slim majority of respondents (52 per cent) said Canada's democratic system is broken and "needs a major overhaul."
Majority of Canadians say Trudeau should resign following election, believe country more divided than ever: poll Back to video
The results come at a time when divides over regional interests and government-led responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have remained a central issue in Canadian politics. In his acceptance speech earlier this week Trudeau sought to downplay the divisions within Canada, saying "that's not what I see."
But that contention appears to run counter to what recent polling suggests, said John Wright, executive vice-president at Maru Public Opinion, and glosses over some of the deeper feelings of resentments, particularly in oil-dependent provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan.
Respondents in Alberta were most likely to believe Canada is more divided than ever, at 88 per cent, followed by Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario (79 per cent), Atlantic Canada (70 per cent), and Quebec (69 per cent).
"This is a signal to leaders of this country, particularly the prime minister and whoever he's going to end up dancing with, that the public is in need of some healing," he said. "And it starts with him."
Ivison: Are the leaders' days numbered?
Get the Post's full Election 2021 coverage
At the same time, 55 per cent of respondents said Trudeau should step down and allow a new leader to take the helm, compared with 45 per cent who believed he should stay. That was the highest proportion calling on a leader to resign, along with Green Party leader Annamie Paul, for whom 55 per cent of respondents also said she should step down.
Fifty-one per cent of respondents said Conservative leader Erin O'Toole should step down. Just 33 per cent believed Bloc leader Yves-François Blanchet should resign, and 31 per cent for NDP leader Jagmeet Singh.
Feelings of regional division, or even broader feelings of apathy or distrust toward federal institutions, could be the result of a Canadian political culture that is increasingly populist and small-minded, rather than addressing larger societal questions.
After presenting the election as a referendum on the Liberals' broad economic recovery plans and the future composition of the Canadian economy, politicians spent the majority of their oxygen addressing marginal partisan issues like gun control or higher income taxes for the wealthy.
As usual, parties focussed almost entirely on battleground ridings around Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, while skipping over prairie provinces and northern territories.
Wright said that approach was laid out in a series of tweets by Gerald Butts, former principal secretary to Trudeau, after the election result, which praised the "super geniuses" within the Liberal party who managed to squeeze more seats out of fewer overall votes.
Vote efficiency isn't accidental. All three Trudeau Liberal campaigns were among the most efficient in 🇨🇦 history. The unsung team of super geniuses put together and led by @tompitfield at Data Sciences deserves a lot more credit than they've ever received. #Elxn44 (43 and 42) https://t.co/vdZeATm57S
— Gerald Butts (@gmbutts) September 21, 2021
"He talked about the efficiency of the vote, but he didn't reflect on how the country needs to come together," Wright said. "Again, it was a reflection of this sense that winning by micro targeting is the best way, and that power is more important than bringing a country together.
"If all it's going to be is micro campaigning for the minority of votes that you can get, you're going to leave the majority saying: 'What is this all about?'"
Regional resentments were also evident in the Maru poll. Respondents in Alberta were most likely to believe that the democratic process in Canada is broken and in need of a major overhaul, at 63 per cent. The feeling was next-most prominent in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (58 per cent), Atlantic Canada (54 per cent), Ontario (53 per cent), B.C. (48 per cent), and Quebec (44 per cent).
The Conservative Party won the popular vote but lost in seat count for the second consecutive election, which could be deepening dissatisfaction with the Canadian system in some regions.
In Alberta and Saskatchewan in particular, frustrations over the inability by the energy sector to build major pipeline projects due to legal and regulatory wrangling has created discontent with Ottawa.
The Maru poll surveyed 1,510 randomly-selected Canadians between Sept. 20 and Sept. 21, with a margin of error of 2.5 per cent points, 19 times out of 20.
• Email: jsnyder@postmedia.com | Twitter: jesse_snyder


Below is a directory of local Fisheries - Commercials, Natural Lakes & Ponds, Rivers & Canals in and around the Black Country. So before you pack your rods and head off for the unknown, have a look and see what to expect.
Black Country Fishing makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of information about all the fisheries featured on this site but cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Please click here to notify us of any mistakes.
Please note: If you need to enquire about any further information about a venue then please use their direct contact details provided on the relevant venue. DO NOT contact Black Country Fishing as we are a information service only.


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My kids froze meeting Taylor Swift: Ben Affleck
Los Angeles, PTI: Actor Ben Affleck says his two daughters were totally star-struck upon meeting pop star Taylor Swift.
The 44-year-old "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" actor, in a new interview, recalled introducing his children to the "Shake It Off" hitmaker, reported Aceshowbiz.
"I introduced my two girls to Taylor Swift. It was like God came down and walked on water. They didn't say a thing. They were totally frozen," the actor said.
When asked if his children enjoy their time when visiting him on the movie set, Affleck said, "It's good to have your kids be aware of what you do and part of your life. It's good for them to know where I'm going when I go off to work. What's that looks like.
"They're kind of over it. They're not pressed by. It's kind of hard now as pulling teeth to get them come to the set 'cause they know it's bored, but they get candies."
Death toll in Assam, Bihar floods nears 150, over 1.15 crore affected
Defence Minister to visit J&K on Saturday
Lightning kills 8 in Bihar, 9 injured
Karnataka Speaker adjourns House till July 22
Karnataka crisis: Congress moves SC against its July 17 order


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The Inspiration of a Top Hairstylist
Gabriel Georgiou is well-known in the entertainment industry, having worked his magic on celebrities such as Jessica Alba and Robert Downey Jr. (Image: via The Epoch Times)
Gabriel Georgiou, a Greek-born Australian, is well-known in the entertainment industry. This celebrity hairstylist, famous among Hollywood and Bollywood stars alike, has worked with the likes of Jessica Alba and Robert Downey, Jr. He is blessed with creativity. The celebrity's hair is his canvas, and in his hands, scissors, hairspray, and hair dryers can work magic. His stunning creations for film stars on red carpet night earned him the title of "Best Hair Stylist" from the Indian edition of Vogue magazine.
So what is the secret to his success? According to top hairstylist Georgiou, the true source of inspiration is a clean and peaceful heart.
In his hands, scissors, hairspray, and hair dryers can work magic. (Image: via Gabriel Georgiou)
Georgiou attended the Toni & Guy Hairdressing Academy in London and also studied makeup, clothing, wigs, and hairdressing at the Public Technical College (TAFE) in Melbourne. In 1999, Giorgio traveled to Hollywood and soon became very active among celebrities. From Drew Barrymore, Keanu Reeves, Jessica Alba, and others, every top star wanted him to do their hair. From Bollywood to Hollywood, every actor he has worked with, including Priyanka Chopra, is full of praise for his skillful work.
Georgiou styling Vogue magazine's eyewear model. (Image: via Gabriel Georgiou)
World's top hairstylist in demand from the stars
Today, as the world's top hairstylist, Georgiou, with his endless passion and a positive and optimistic experimental spirit, is in demand by the two major movie empires in the East and West; there must be something special behind it. When asked about the secret of his success, he said that he owes his good fortune to practicing Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) every day.
From Bollywood to Hollywood, every actor he has worked with, including Priyanka Chopra, is full of praise for his skillful work. (Image: via Gabriel Georgiou)
Georgiou recalled: "In those days when I was successful, I felt that something was missing in my heart." In 2002, when he was in Australia making a TV commercial and talking to a makeup artist about life and spiritual pursuits, she said she was practicing Falun Dafa and gave him a brief introduction. On first reading through the book Zhuan Falun, Georgiou felt himself resonating with this physical and mental practice. He was drawn to the principles are truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance, and the fact that it is available free of charge. After continuous self-cultivation, he saw improvements, including becoming very healthy, energetic, feeling good, and being able to easily handle various problems.
Though he had all the trimmings of a jet-set lifestyle, he felt something was missing in his heart. (Image: via Taste of Life)
Georgiou was introduced to the spiritual practice Falun Dafa while making a commercial in Australia. (Image: via Li Sha via The Epoch Times)
However, when Georgiou first heard about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, he was shocked. He began to arouse people's attention to the situation in various ways, including participating in parades and peaceful protests. In the year before the Beijing Olympics, when the global "Human Rights Torch Relay" came to Athens and some cities in Australia, he also served as the host.
Not content with just being a top hairstylist, Georgiou also revealed that he is writing a book and planning an exhibition to share his inspiration from ancient Chinese cultivation culture. He hopes to help people understand the inhumane crimes committed against Falun Dafa in China today. At the same time, he will also show the beauty of cultivation and exciting images.
He hopes to help people understand the inhumane crimes committed against Falun Dafa in China today and, at the same time, wants to show the beauty of cultivation. (Image: via Adhiraj Chakrabarti)
Finally, when asked about the most challenging part of being a world-famous hairstylist, he replied: "Live in the colorful bubble of fashion, but don't let it devour you. Be faithful to the heart, be sincere, and don't be confused by this industry." Georgiou has a firm belief: "As a person, you should never forget that life is so beautiful." His positive attitude toward life is a breath of fresh air in the fashion world; his inner peace also flows through his fingers toward each strand of hair.
Translated by Yi Ming and edited by Helen
Helen London


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Mason "Country" Thomas (1925-2011)
September 01, 2011 by Royal in Jazz History, Jazz Obits
My friend of six decades Mason "Country" Thomas, whom I first met and saw perform at a Sunday afternoon jam session in January 1950 at Louie's and Alex's on U Street in Washington, D.C., died on August 24, 2011.
While his main horns were clarinet and tenor and baritone saxophones, at one time or another Country also played soprano and bass saxophones, trumpet, trombone, tuba, and bass fiddle. I was at a Blindfold record session at D.C.'s Charles Hotel on 14th Street (a venerable jazz venue of the 1950s-1970s) one Sunday night in 1951 when nobody could identify the piano player on the 78 rpm that was played. It turned out to be a home-recorded disc of Country, churning out some hot boogie woogie. Incidentally, with perfect pitch and an uncanny ear, Country could hear a tune once or twice and render it with all its nuances. He was also something of a Renaissance man, holding down a day gig as an air-conditioner and refrigeration serviceman. Another of his talents, I was once told by a fellow musician of his, was fashioning reeds for clarinets and saxophones. Country could repair anything mechanical -- automobile engines, washing machines, you name it.
Country played in many Washington-area bands, for example, the Washington Monumentals and bands led by his close musical associate, cornetist Wild Bill Whelan. Country was a regular presence at both the annual Manassas Jazz Festival (1960s-1980s) and the Potomac River Jazz Club's annual all-day-and-evening picnic at Blob's Park in September, sometimes in more than one band. Over the course of his career, Country played most of the jazz venues in the D.C. area. And whenever any of the Eddie Condon gang (e.g., Wild Bill Davison, Bill Whelan's mentor) came to D.C. for gigs, you would always find Country on the bandstand with them. For them, he was first-call reed player. Country remained musically active into his eighties.
Country had a long-time close musical relationship with cornetist Wild Bill Whelan, who died in 2003. Here's Country taking a solo after Whelan.
Here is a slide show with Country playing "Willow Weep For Me" on tenor.
Here is the Washington Post obituary of Country.
And below is the text of my March 1984 Washington Post feature on Country.
Mason "Country" Thomas, Multi-Instrumentalist
By W. Royal Stokes
The countless Washington-area bandstands that have cooked with small combos of which multi-instrumentalist Mason "Country" Thomas was either a member or the leader add up to very nearly a complete roster of D.C. jazz venues of the past four decades [i.e., 1940s-1980s]. They include after-hours clubs like the Villa Bea, hole-in-the-wall but star-studded clubs like the Brown Derby, high-end restaurants such as downtown D.C.'s Blue Mirror and Georgetown's Blue Alley, and all the major hotels. Thomas's trio presently holds forth Mondays through Saturdays in the Garden Lounge of the new J. W. Marriott Hotel at 14th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue.
A registered member of the after-hours "bottle club" Villa Bea at 19th and California in Adams Morgan, with his personal bottle of whiskey on the shelf behind the bar, Thomas often played there. One night in the early 1940s, before he entered the army, he played clarinet until dawn with a pianist who, he later learned, was Erroll Garner. "He wasn't famous yet," says Thomas, "so I didn't know who he was."
Thomas, a native of this city [D.C.], grew up in Arlington, attending Washington and Lee High School and then Augusta Military Academy in Staunton, Virginia. He made up his mind in his mid-teens to become a musician upon hearing on radio the clarinet of Artie Shaw. "I always had a keen interest in music," he explains. "My mother played piano, my father picked guitar and they would have parties where there was a lot of barbershop singing and some people would bring in horns and they'd have kind of jam sessions. They were playing old songs like 'Somebody Stole My Gal' and 'There'll Be Some Changes Made.' I knew all those songs before I ever pick up a horn."
Purchase of a $10 clarinet and introduction to small-band jazz via the record collection of a schoolmate were the first steps in Thomas' self-instruction, subsequently augmented by formal training at the Brooklyn Conservatory of music. He has played all the saxophones professionally except the alto and at one time or another has earned his living playing trumpet, trombone, tuba, and upright bass. As a youngster he took piano lessons and along the way has "picked some guitar."
"My god, you couldn't walk down the street without bumping into all these luminaries," recalls Thomas of strolls down New York's 52nd Street in 1943 just before he went into the army to serve as a rifleman-grenadier in Europe in WW2. Thomas made friends as a teenager visiting New York with the likes of saxophonist Coleman Hawkins, guitarist and bandleader Eddie Condon, and clarinetists Mezz Mezzrow and Pee Wee Russell, the latter a major stylistic influence on him. "Those guys were really something else in those days "cause we were just kids and they treated us like we were the greatest thing in the world, buying us food and everything and watching after us to make sure nothing bad happened to us."
When Thomas returned from the war he lived in New York for part of a year, picking up with his old friends and adding new ones like reed player Ernie Caceres, whom he had heard on V-Disc overseas and been much impressed with. Returning to D.C., he led bands at the Charles Hotel, the Bayou, and the Mayfair, where as sit-ins or guest performers, Louis Armstrong, Wild Bill Davison, Dinah Washington, Hawkins, and many other jazz greats played with this widely respected musician. There were also some periods away from the area for Thomas, for example, playing trombone with clarinetist Tony Parenti in Florida and five years in Las Vegas with trumpeter Wingy Manone and several other bands.
"It isn't like it was before," says Thomas, comparing today's [the 1980s] scene with that of the 1940s and 1950s. When he returned to the area in the early 1960s he found that the all-night jam sessions and the casual sitting-in were a part of history. In their place were "banjos everywhere, sawdust on the floor -- that was all the rage." For a while "there wasn't any demand for what we do." But the jazz scene began to pick up in the mid-1970s and the idiom that Thomas has made his life -- hard-swinging 1940s jazz supplemented by slow-simmering ballads à la tenor saxophonist Ben Webster -- is much in demand in the 1980s. "I've been gigging around here with everybody since then,' he says of the last decade[1970-80s]."
September 01, 2011 /Royal
Jazz History, Jazz Obits


Superorganism is an indie pop band formed in early 2017. The group consists of eight members; lead vocalist Orono Noguchi, alongside Harry, Emily, Ruby, B, Tucan, Soul, and Robert Strange. The group, consisting of international members from England, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, creates electronically-tinged indie pop music.


text:
Darius Black: Role-Playing Today
By Lance Wheeler Legacy Author June 12, 2007
Darius Black has written a new column about Role-playing today in MMORPGs. Darius talks about the D&D days of role-playing and how they are different today in MMORPGs.
He also asks how many Darkfall fans role-play and how do you feel about today's role-playing? You can post in our forums about your opinion.
Column by Darius Black (Warcry Columnist)
It's been a while since I've dipped my feet into the tepid pool that is MMO gaming these days – since WoW opened up that Dire Maul instance, actually (fates take me if I hadn't had enough of killing ogres already). I imagine much hasn't changed in terms of player behavior and interaction.
I was contemplating the evolution of RPGs recently, how they started as pen-and-paper nerd-fests, where pretending you were anything but yourself made life worth living again, if only for the moment. And don't laugh, that's ultimately how a lot of unpopular kids spent a great deal of their social lives. Lightning bolt! Lightning bolt! Oh, how I miss Camp Gondor…
With the advent of video games, the meaning of a Role Playing Game changed a little, staying true to the original in some cases, yet going in a different direction in others. The Japanese take on RPGs would define them as mostly linear, story-driven games with a different, and sometimes altogether absent leveling and experience system. Sure, in both types of games – the old D&D dice-throwing breed and its contemporary offspring, and the huge-sword-wielding, spiky hair breed, and everything between – you "play a role," but by that logic, just about any game out there could be classified the same way. It's fallen onto the other characteristic to define what we call an RPG today: the leveling system.
So where does that leave the actual role-playing aspect? Well, look around at some of the online games for a good example of how it's almost utterly disappeared. I realize I digressed from my first point, but this is where it comes in again: how many people actually enjoy role-playing with each other? And no, that's not an invitation to share the details of your messed-up private life.
When I play an RPG online, I don't notice many people conversing the way a group of medieval (or science-fictionesque) warriors would. It's always aggro this, and pulling that, and when they actually have a conversation, it's about real-life matters. I talk the same way. Why? Because I'm on there playing with friends; because it's easier to interact in abbreviations and slang; because I'd feel kind of silly yelling out something like "Hark, knights of mine kin! Tonight we feast on heathen flesh aplenty and drink the tears of our enemies' wives!" over Ventrilo…
It's a different story with single-player RPGs, where all of the characters around you have a personality relating to the fantasy world you're playing in. The main difference, I guess, is a game's sense of immersion, or the lack-there-of. Because of this, it's hard not to look at MMORPGs as just another IM tool for you and your buddies. I mean, you basically have an elaborate chat-room setup in every massive online game.
But it's not like the gaming companies aren't trying; every good MMO out there has a deep, involving story behind it with lore galore (oh… that was bad). Still, most of us aren't playing for the story. We play out of competition, to gain levels, to collect skulls and shiny new equipment. Online games are, in essence, sports.
PvP oriented games are the most notorious in this respect. Players are there to fight, to compete, and to ultimately kill each other over and over again. Darkfall has what I'm sure will be a highly competitive, hostile gaming environment – this is, if I'm not mistaken, exactly what they're shooting for. In fact, the name 'Agon' is actually of an ancient Greek word meaning contest or challenge.
What Darkfall also has, however, is a huge amount of history and detail woven into the fabric of its world. From the freshly illuminated sands of Rubaiyat, to the mystical forests of Mirendil, we have been offered an in-depth examination of the wonders of Agon time and time again. I'm only wondering if all of this effort on their parts – to make it interesting, immersive, and meaningful as a fantasy universe – will be lost on us.
Now I'm not saying that immersion and role-playing are a horse-and-carriage kind of deal, but one must admit that they often do go hand-in-hand. In our case, we have loads of great material to work with. But, because of the nature of the game, I'm just not sure if we'll actually see players acting the haughty Mirdain, the barbaric Ork, or the nefarious Alfar (though I'm confident anyone joining that faction will have the prerequisite wickedness we'd expect). Should we just expect a jargoned gankfest not unlike what became of Diablo?
Could be cold in here, but I think I just shivered a little.
It's understandable that role-playing isn't exactly everyone's idea of fun. Some people don't feel comfortable putting on a different skin just for amusement. That's cool. In all honesty, ever since I played a female character in Anarchy Online and got some dude sending me free stuff and naughty whispers, I've been a little turned off of the idea too. But I can still have a good time playing with racial tension and good-guy-versus-bad-guy scenarios. It's what makes the experience that much more meaningful, what justifies the whole character creation process. For me, it's what makes it an RPG.
-db
around agon
gamegoddes
the darkfall story
James Bond Continuity Is a Blessing and a Curse for No Time To Die
Black Widow Is Stuck in the Marvel Formula Just as the Rest of Marvel Is Expanding Beyond It
Digest: Six Guns and Laser Swords


text:
package org.apache.hadoop.hbase.regionserver;

import org.apache.hadoop.conf.Configuration;
import org.apache.yetus.audience.InterfaceAudience;
import org.slf4j.Logger;
import org.slf4j.LoggerFactory;

/**
 * MemStoreCompactionStrategy is the root of a class hierarchy which defines the strategy for
 * choosing the next action to apply in an (in-memory) memstore compaction. Possible action are: -
 * No-op - do nothing - Flatten - to change the segment's index from CSLM to a flat representation -
 * Merge - to merge the indices of the segments in the pipeline - Compact - to merge the indices
 * while removing data redundancies In addition while applying flat/merge actions it is possible to
 * count the number of unique keys in the result segment.
 */
@InterfaceAudience.Private
public abstract class MemStoreCompactionStrategy {

  protected static final Logger LOG = LoggerFactory.getLogger(MemStoreCompactionStrategy.class);
  // The upper bound for the number of segments we store in the pipeline prior to merging.
  public static final String COMPACTING_MEMSTORE_THRESHOLD_KEY =
    "hbase.hregion.compacting.pipeline.segments.limit";
  public static final int COMPACTING_MEMSTORE_THRESHOLD_DEFAULT = 2;

  /**
   * Types of actions to be done on the pipeline upon MemStoreCompaction invocation. Note that every
   * value covers the previous ones, i.e. if MERGE is the action it implies that the youngest
   * segment is going to be flatten anyway.
   */
  public enum Action {
    NOOP,
    FLATTEN, // flatten a segment in the pipeline
    FLATTEN_COUNT_UNIQUE_KEYS, // flatten a segment in the pipeline and count its unique keys
    MERGE, // merge all the segments in the pipeline into one
    MERGE_COUNT_UNIQUE_KEYS, // merge all pipeline segments into one and count its unique keys
    COMPACT // compact the data of all pipeline segments
  }

  protected final String cfName;
  // The limit on the number of the segments in the pipeline
  protected final int pipelineThreshold;

  public MemStoreCompactionStrategy(Configuration conf, String cfName) {
    this.cfName = cfName;
    if (conf == null) {
      pipelineThreshold = COMPACTING_MEMSTORE_THRESHOLD_DEFAULT;
    } else {
      pipelineThreshold = // get the limit on the number of the segments in the pipeline
        conf.getInt(COMPACTING_MEMSTORE_THRESHOLD_KEY, COMPACTING_MEMSTORE_THRESHOLD_DEFAULT);
    }
  }

  @Override
  public String toString() {
    return getName() + ", pipelineThreshold=" + this.pipelineThreshold;
  }

  protected abstract String getName();

  // get next compaction action to apply on compaction pipeline
  public abstract Action getAction(VersionedSegmentsList versionedList);

  // update policy stats based on the segment that replaced previous versioned list (in
  // compaction pipeline)
  public void updateStats(Segment replacement) {
  }

  // resets policy stats
  public void resetStats() {
  }

  protected Action simpleMergeOrFlatten(VersionedSegmentsList versionedList, String strategy) {
    int numOfSegments = versionedList.getNumOfSegments();
    if (numOfSegments > pipelineThreshold) {
      // to avoid too many segments, merge now
      LOG.trace("Strategy={}, store={}; merging {} segments", strategy, cfName, numOfSegments);
      return getMergingAction();
    }

    // just flatten a segment
    LOG.trace("Strategy={}, store={}; flattening a segment", strategy, cfName);
    return getFlattenAction();
  }

  protected Action getMergingAction() {
    return Action.MERGE;
  }

  protected Action getFlattenAction() {
    return Action.FLATTEN;
  }

  protected Action compact(VersionedSegmentsList versionedList, String strategyInfo) {
    int numOfSegments = versionedList.getNumOfSegments();
    LOG.trace("{} in-memory compaction for store={} compacting {} segments", strategyInfo, cfName,
      numOfSegments);
    return Action.COMPACT;
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The Ultimate Canadian Geography Quiz: The 49th
In honour of the 200th anniversary of our straight southern boundary, here are 49 questions to test your border brains
Introduction by Will Ferguson
Quiz questions by Nick Walker
Illustration: Kerry Hodgson/Can Geo
Most international borders adhere to some sort of logic. They follow coastlines or rivers, watersheds or natural barriers. They make sense. Not so the 49th parallel north.
The border from the Lake of the Woods to the Rockies was set in October 1818, and was later extended all the way to the Pacific Coast. A Procrustean solution that causes more problems than it solves, it plays havoc with water reservoirs and mountain routes along the way, which more naturally fall north and south.
The border should zigzag wildly up and down like an erratic EKG. Instead, it draws its razor-like line stubbornly to the sea. It defies common sense, slicing off a fingertip of land in British Columbia: Point Roberts, Wash., U.S. territory that can only be accessed via Canada.
It disregards older political boundaries as well: those of the First Nations that had their own trade routes, their own cultural and territorial contours in place long before any surveyors showed up. Indeed, not a single Indigenous culture group is wholly contained within Canada's borders.
The 49th parallel has since become synonymous with Canada's border as a whole, as a shorthand for that larger political divide between the Manifest Destiny to the south and the muddled patchwork to the north. Between melting pot and mosaic, as it were.
But for the majority of Canadians, the 49th parallel is a northern border. Most of our population lives well below it, would have to drive north to reach it. Only three provincial capitals sit above it. (Victoria dangles below at the southern tip of Vancouver Island by design, not accident. It was a pre-emptive claim by the Hudson's Bay Company, aimed at blocking the Americans from extending the line across the lower half of Vancouver Island. Fort Victoria helped pin down the western end of our border.)
The Canada-U.S. border is often heralded as the longest undefended land border in the world. Perhaps. But not uncontested. Our border was born of threats and counter-threats, of sabre-rattling brinkmanship and political chess moves. And any border, even an arbitrary one, shapes us. We grow into our borders, whether we like it or not.
I first reached the 49th parallel as a teenager, during a road trip with my father through Saskatchewan, south of Estevan. We came to a large emptiness marked by competing flags: Canadian on one side, American on the other.
With the confidence that comes with youth, I declared that I didn't believe in borders. They "weren't real." My dad nodded, then gestured to the open landscape. "Well, if you think it's imaginary, try walking across that field, see what happens."
I never took him up on his offer, because I knew that no matter how much I wanted to deny it, borders are real. They matter. So here's to 200 years of defying geography, topography, common sense and Manifest Destiny. Here's to the 49th parallel.
Start the Quiz Just show me the answers!
BORDER BASICS
1. Three sections of this large Canadian park border the 49th parallel.
Photo: mysticenergy/iStock
E.C. Manning Provincial Park, B.C.
Waterton Lakes National Park, Alta.
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Sask.-Alta.
Grasslands National Park, Sask.
2. How long is the section of the Canada-U.S. border that follows the 49th parallel today?
1,050 kilometres
3. Which province shares a longer stretch of the 49th parallel with the United States? It's close!
4. Point Roberts, Wash., is separated from the mainland United States by the 49th parallel, the southern tip of a peninsula just south of Tsawwassen, B.C. What is the geographical term for this kind of unattached land mass?
Map: Chris Brackley/Can Geo
Nodal region
Exclave
5. From the Strait of Georgia, B.C., to Lake of the Woods, Man., the Canada-U.S. border lies exactly along the 49th parallel.
6. The International Boundary Commission maintains more than 8,000 monuments along the entire Canada-U.S. border. How many of these appear on the 49th parallel?
Photo: Modfos/iStock
7. This small piece of Minnesota — the result of a cartographic error — is the only piece of the lower 48 states that lies north of the 49th parallel. What is its name?
The Northwest Angle
The Minnesota Wedge
The Kenora Corner
The Northern Slice
8. The Canada-U.S. stretch of the 49th parallel is the world's longest "straight" international border.
9. How many provinces lie entirely south of the 49th parallel?
10. This is the width of the "border vista," the clearcut strip of land kept free of trees and brush along the entire international boundary.
2 metres
A HISTORIC LINE
11. This is North Dakota's official state nickname, which refers to a large commemorative garden that straddles its border with Manitoba.
Photo: Karen Massier/iStock
Unity Garden State
Botanical Brotherhood State
Peaceful by Nature State
12. Set in 1818, the border along the 49th parallel did not initially extend all the way to the Strait of Georgia and the Pacific Ocean. Where did it end?
The Manitoba-Saskatchewan border
The Saskatchewan-Alberta border
Midway, B.C.
The summit of the Rocky Mountains
13. The border divided the homelands of several First Nations, transforming tribal and family relationships, ancient hunting routes and more. What traditional territory is shown on this map?
14. In 1844, soon-to-be president of the United States James Polk campaigned on taking over all of Oregon Country, a huge territory jointly occupied by Britain and America that stretched all the way to Alaska's southern border. What was his still-famous campaign slogan?
To Alaska and beyond!
Fifty-four forty or fight!
Forty-nine is not enough!
Sixty or here come the Yanks!
15. This person was prime minister of Canada when the 49th parallel was first set as the Canada-U.S. border.
Sir John Abbott
Alexander Mackenzie
There was no Canadian prime minister
16. This popular American belief in the God-given right to expand across the continent gave Britain reason to settle on a firm border in a hurry.
New Imperialism
America's Burden
17. The United States and Britain originally planned to divide their territories along the route of the main east-west pioneer trail.
18. The 49th parallel was nicknamed "the Medicine Line" because of the superior British medical care available in communities north of the border.
19. Which country gained more land in 1818 by agreeing to a straight boundary?
20. Hudson's Bay Company was the first group to make a reference to the 49th parallel as a boundary.
The 49TH AROUND THE GLOBE
21. Mongolia, through which more than 2,000 kilometres of the 49th parallel passes, is the world's least-densely populated country.
Photo: Rawpixel/iStock
22. The 49th parallel south does not pass over any land mass as it crosses the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans.
23. The 49th parallel crosses through this many countries.
24. In the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Ukraine, the 49th crosses this major European mountain range.
Eastern Alps
Caucasus Mountains
Scandinavian Mountains
Carpathian Mountains
25. The 49th crosses the Pacific Ocean without bisecting a single island except for Vancouver Island, on its east side, and Russia's Sakhalin, on its west. Which island is bigger by area?
26. What is the distance between the 49th parallel and the North Pole? (Hint: The north-south circumference of the Earth is 39,931 kilometres.)
27. About one eighth of Earth's surface lies north of the 49th parallel.
28. This country has the longest share of the 49th parallel after Canada.
29. Stand on the Canada-U.S. border between Alberta and Saskatchewan, and this country is on the 49th parallel on the exact opposite side of the Earth.
30. Is Paris south or north of 49?
Photo: pawel.gaul/iStock
31. In 1932, Waterton Lakes National Park, Alta., and Glacier National Park, Mont., were joined across the 49th to create what was then the world's largest park.
Photo: Wirepec/iStock
32. Only two provinces share border crossings with four U.S. states each. Which ones?
British Columbia and Ontario
Alberta and Ontario
British Columbia and Quebec
Ontario and Quebec
33. There are no tunnel or bridge border crossings to the United States between British Columbia and Manitoba.
34. Close to this many Canadians currently live in the United States.
35. This became a requirement for Canadians entering the United States in 2009.
Declaring all purchases in excess of $200
Presenting a driver's licence or other standard government-issued identification card
Submitting to routine vehicle searches
Presenting a valid passport or a Nexus card
36. How many times does Canada's southern border with the U.S. cross north of the 49th parallel?
Zero times
Three times
37. About 1.5 million people cross into Canada from Washington state each year. What state is Canada's next biggest source of visitors along the 49th parallel?
38. Rank these border states in order of most to least visited annually by Canadians.
1-Washington 2-North Dakota 3-New York 4-Maine
39. The Ambassador Bridge, connecting Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, Mich., is the Canada-U.S. border's —
Photo: Bee-Creative/iStock
highest crossing
busiest crossing
slowest crossing
tightest security crossing
40. This massive, border-crossing ecosystem is critical habitat for a high concentration of large carnivores and numerous other endangered species.
Rocky Mountain Stronghold
Corridor of the Sun
Mountain Heart
Crown of the Continent
OUR OTHER BORDERS
41. What issue most recently stirred up the centuries-old Canada-U.S. dispute over tiny Machias Seal Island, in the Gulf of Maine?
Photo: Jill_InspiredByDesign/iStock
The island's strategic position
Seabird protection
Lobster fishing
42. This is the line of latitude that marks the border between southern Quebec and New York and Vermont.
32nd parallel
43. What per cent of Canadians live within 160 kilometres (100 miles) of the U.S. border?
44. Canada has a total of 119 border crossings with the U.S. Which province has the most?
45. How did Canada end up owning all of Vancouver Island, about 7,500 square kilometres of which lies south of the 49th parallel?
Photo: StockstudioX/iStock
Fort Victoria (now the provincial capital) was established before the 49th parallel was stretched to the Pacific
Islands are traditionally not cut in two when determining international boundaries
Inaccurate maps of the day showed all of Vancouver Island lying north of 49
46. Crews clear the southern "border vista" of trees and brush every five or six years, while Canada's northern border with Alaska is cleared every 15 years. Why?
Photo: tibu/iStock
The North is considered less of a liability to national security
Its remoteness makes it much more difficult to access
Shorter growing season
47. This part of the Canada-U.S. border was settled in 1903 after a rush of development in the region a few years before.
The Yukon-Alaska border
The Alaska Panhandle
Southern Vancouver Island and the San Juan Islands
The New Brunswick-Maine border, including Grand Manan Island
48. Many of Canada's interprovincial/territorial borders are drawn along major lines of latitude and longitude.
49. How many U.S. states does Canada border by land and water?
© 2019 Canadian Geographic Enterprises