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Column by Susan Vernon: Island Marble Butterfly Part I - May 2010
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May 01, 2000, was a glorious afternoon for a walk. It seemed like all the wildflowers were in bloom and I was pleased to find seashore lupine casting an especially warm purplish-blue glow on the bluff trail near Cattle Point. Savannah sparrows were singing in the grass. Along the way, I spotted a medium-sized white butterfly that I did not recognize. It had subtle black markings including a black pattern on the tips of its forewings and greenish-yellow mottling on its hindwings. The butterfly was feeding on field mustard. I made a sketch of the stranger in my notebook. That evening, I consulted a field guide and found images of the large marble butterfly, Euchloe ausonides, that resides in Washington State east of the Cascade Crest. I wondered if the butterfly I had seen might be Euchloe, too.
Some time later I learned that biologist John Fleckenstein of the Washington Department of Natural Resources had collected an unfamiliar white butterfly at the south end of San Juan Island in the spring of 1998 while doing a survey. The specimen was initially identified as Euchloe ausonides, "unnamed subspecies" for the San Juan Islands. It appeared to be the same butterfly subspecies that was present on southern Vancouver Island and Gabriola Island, in the Gulf Islands of British Columbia, from 1859 until 1908 when it was thought to have become extinct. In 2001, scientists formally described this newly rediscovered subspecies as Euchloe ausonides insulanus - the island marble butterfly.
News of the island marble's presence prompted more surveys for the butterfly in the San Juan Islands in 2002 - 2004. In 2005, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and other agencies, organizations and individuals conducted surveys for the butterfly on several islands in the archipelago and on mainland counties in northern coastal Puget Sound and the Olympic Peninsula, as well as on Vancouver Island. They found island marbles, but in small numbers, at several new locations – all on San Juan and Lopez Islands.
What an intriguing situation – the rediscovery of an "extinct" butterfly. Where had it been for 90 years? How had it gotten to San Juan Island from Vancouver Island, or had it resided here all along perhaps being mistaken for the common cabbage white butterfly? I was eager to learn more about the little Pieridae—a member of the family of whites, marbles, and sulphur butterflies.
One of my more memorable early encounters with Euchloe was at American Camp. Standing on a ridge overlooking the prairie on a sun drenched day in late April of 2004, I watched nearly thirty creamy white island marbles fluttering with rapid wing beats low over the grass keying on patches of field chickweed growing among a riot of western buttercups, sheep sorrel, willow-herb, field mustard, newly budding hyacinth brodiaea, and stork's bill. The little white butterflies rained down upon the plain. The rich yellow blooms of the mustard plants seemed to beckon the marbles from times gone by.
I returned to the site for several days watching the high spirited butterflies "hill topping" along the ridge and fluttering across the prairie investigating blooming wildflowers and seeming to reject death camas and chocolate lilies as nectar sources When the breeze kicked up, the marbles settled down in a grassy swale to wait out the wind.
I watched island marbles all spring and found another habitat that was a good place for this butterfly, too. Along a backbeach strewn with sun bleached driftwood, the marbles nectared on pepper-grass, yarrow, sea rocket and fiddleneck. Male and female marbles patrolled the beach with straight, strong, fluttering flights occasionally coming together in energetic airborne displays that I hoped would produce a new generation of butterflies to carry on their kind. Finally, as spring leaned into summer, the number of adults quickly declined as the winged phase of their life cycle came to an end. By the summer solstice, the backbeach had lost the luster brought by the little white papillons.
In 2005, I joined the Washington Department of Wildlife's island marble survey team to document the presence of island marble butterflies throughout the archipelago. During the ensuing five field seasons, the surveys produced both encouraging news and heartbreaking disappointments. Each field season has its own unique character: good or bad butterfly weather; the satisfaction of discovering new populations of island marbles far afield from their core location; and, sometimes, the frustrating experience of realizing that a once favored marble site has been lost to development or perhaps adverse winter or spring weather conditions.
Now, in 2010, another island marble season has begun. After nearly a decade of observing this rare butterfly, my anticipation of the field season—from early April through mid-July—has not waned. This spring we've seen sunshine, showers, stiff breezes, and even a hailstorm. I wondered, early on, if the contrary weather would give mixed signals to the marbles preparing to emerge as adult butterflies from the tiny gray chrysalides where they had overwintered. I began searching for adults in the grasslands and remnants of prairie early in the month as field mustard, an important host plant for the cryptic butterflies, began to bloom. By the second week in April, spring azures, silvery blues, cabbage whites, Sara's orangetips, and satyr anglewings had all taken to the air, a good sign that the marbles' appearance was drawing near, as well.
Among the sites where I had found island marbles in the past was a southwest-facing slope on San Juan Island along the shore adjacent to Haro Strait. The headland is steep, rocky, and a tangle of grasses and early blooming plants including field mustard and chickweed. Nearly every day that week, I sojourned to the shore and sat, sometimes for hours, watching and waiting for that first marble to appear.
Cabbage white butterflies - close in appearance to island marbles - were already there: four of them. They flaunted their floppy white wings and fluttered about the slope and down into a swale in an erratic pattern that made them hard to keep track of. When the sun disappeared behind a cloud, the butterflies disappeared into the grass. Some days it rained; other days the wind produced a chill that even I wasn't about to abide for long. And so, I practiced patience.
April 16 was a fine spring day. My hopes for finding my first marble of the season were high. By the time I got to my favored site, the temperature had reached 60 degrees. It was calm and clear - perfect marble weather. I scanned the familiar rocky slope by the sea, got reacquainted with the cabbage whites, settled into the grass with my camera and binoculars, and waited.
How many times, I thought, can I check the same four cabbage white butterflies fluttering in and out of view along the slope and over the ridge? With a wingspan of less than two inches, they were a tiny image to keep track of so far away. But I kept checking – looking for any faint sign of the black and white patterned wing-tips of the marbles, the black bars on its forewings (rather than black dots on the cabbage whites), or the yellowish-green coloring the rare little butterfly displayed on the underside of its wings.
The watching and waiting was not a chore. Tiny silvery blue butterflies animated the air with their swift, darting, sometimes aggressive, aerobatics. An immature bald eagle flew low across the slope casting a dense shadow over the scene. Two crows strutted up and down the ridge; black oystercatchers screamed along the shoreline; gulls slept on the beach; and the first seashore lupine bloomed nearby. The sound of the waves gently nudging the shore seemed to counter-balance the oystercatchers' outburst. It was a glorious afternoon.
After about forty minutes of watching cabbage whites, I grew restless and began a walkabout to check the tall grass for perching butterflies. I found cabbage white #5 basking on a leaf blade, possibly newly emerged and drying its wings. Red-winged blackbirds blared their audacious calls from a nearby wetland as I continued searching.
Then the moment I had been waiting for: my first glimpse of an island marble – Class of 2010. It fluttered earnestly down the slope heading straight for a patch of field mustard. It perched on the bright yellow inflorescence of one plant, then another, and another, supping on the flowers' sweet nectar, so energizing to its new life. The little white butterfly shone brightly in the sun, its black wingtips and distinct black rectangular bar on its forewings clearly diagnostic of the subspecies. The time was 2:43 p.m.
I watched the marble flutter about the rocky slope for several minutes. It was clearly focused on finding food. After years of monitoring this rare butterfly here in the islands – the only place on earth, perhaps, where it exists – I allowed myself the pleasure of welcoming another generation of marbles to the world. But as quickly as the butterfly arrived, it disappeared into the grass as the sun receded into a darkening cloudbank that had insinuated itself into the scene while I was preoccupied with my discovery.
There would be time enough to see more island marble butterflies as the season progressed. Getting this first glimpse of my icon of San Juan Island wildlife was enough for one day, and so I headed home - smiling.
NEXT - PART II: The island marble is one of the treasures of our wildlife community. Its survival is an inspiring story for changing times. The marbles' lives here on San Juan and Lopez Islands are fraught with threats to its longevity, but there is good work being done to help insure that this steadfast butterfly remains in our midst. Next time, I will recount the marbles' fascinating four-stage life cycle that spans nearly a year. Also, I will explain how islanders might get involved in helping island marbles thrive, and thus become a part of this amazing animal's life story.
NOTE: The island marble butterfly is listed by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife as a state candidate species for possible listing as endangered, threatened, or sensitive. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service list the island marble as a species of concern. It is illegal under Washington State law to collect the island marble butterfly, even for catch and release, without a state permit. For more information about the island marble butterfly contact Ann Potter, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife at ann.potter@dfw.wa.gov.
About Susan Vernon
Susan Vernon is a former executive director of The Whale Museum, co-founder of the San Juan Nature Institute, and author of Rainshadow World – A Naturalist's Year in the San Juan Islands.
SAN JUAN NATURE NOTEBOOK / ISLAND MARBLE BUTTERFLY copyright 2010 by Susan Vernon. No part of this column (text or photograph) may be reproduced without the expressed written consent of Susan Vernon. All rights reserved.
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Category Archives: Police & Traffic Law
Drink & Driving, Police & Traffic Law
How much can I drink and stay under the limit?
There is no fool-proof way of drinking and staying under the limit. It depends on:
your metabolism
what you are drinking
how much you are drinking
your current stress levels
whether you've eaten recently
Drink driving in Cyprus.
High risk groups of drivers in Cyprus have a limit of 9 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath (20 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood).
High risk groups:
Novice drivers
vehicles transporting hazardous cargoes
The limit for most drivers.
The limit is lower than England and Wales and the same as Scotland at 22 micrograms per 100 ml of breath (50 milligrams per 100 millilitres of blood).
The reading from 23 to 35 micrograms – fine €100 – 0 – 2 penalty points
reading 36 to 55 micrograms -fine €200 – 2 – 4 penalty points
reading 56 to 70 micrograms – fine €300 – 3 – 6 penalty points
Over 71 micrograms – Prison or fine between €150 – €400 will be determined by the court – 3 – 6 penalty points
Drunk in charge of a vehicle. Determined by the court
© 2016 – 2020, CyprusDriving. All rights reserved.
Police Traffic & Accident Statistics
2010 Accident statistics in Cyprus in Greek.
1999 to 2008. A roundup of accident statistics in Cyprus in English
Traffic Offences Committed By Juveniles For The Years 2005 – 2009. Download
Deaths – drivers and passengers – No Safety Belt 2001 – 2005. Download
Riders – not wearing helmet 2001 – 2005. Download
Accidents by Classification 2001 – 2005. Download
Accident Deaths and Alcohol 1994 – 2005. Download
Casualties by Means of Transport 2001 – 2004. Download
Casualties by Sex and Age 2000 – 2004. Download
Victims According to Age 2000 – 2004. Download
Fatal Traffic Accidents per day 2002 – 2004. Download
Table of Casualties 1999 – 2003. Downloaded
A pdf reader is required to read these documents unless stated.
Department of Transport, Police & Traffic Law
There have been a number of rumours circulating regarding tyres. Here is a brief rundown of the legislation.
The Law and the Biennial Vehicle Inspection (MOT)
The vehicle will fail the test and you may commit traffic offences if:
The tyre does not fit snugly on the rim
The rim is dented or distorted
Different tyre size
Different tread pattern on same axle
Cuts greater than 25 mm or greater than 10 % of width, bulges or other damage.
The grooves of the tread pattern are not at least 1.6mm throughout a continuous band comprising: the central three-quarters of the breadth of tread around the entire outer circumference of the tyre.
The general condition of the tyre of the tyre is poor e.g. perished rubber.
The valve is worn, deformed or broken.
The DOT number
The DOT number is the US Department of Transport number which contains a code for the manufacturer e.g. JJ82, then an internal code for the manufacturers' use and then the date code. Recent tyres have a 4 figure code the first two are the week of manufacture the second two are the year of manufacture.
The DOT code currently has no bearing in Cyprus law. Nor is there any legislation being proposed that would, for example, make it illegal to drive the vehicle on the road fitted with an old tyre. Nor can the vehicle fail the Bi Annual Vehicle Test (MOT) purely on the date of manufacture of the tyre.
The questions regarding DOT dates was brought about by the importing of secondhand tyres from other countries. The importers asked the Department of Transport if it was legal. The answer was that it is, provided the tyres are safe.
A number of other interested parties, who were not happy with the importers, seem to have started this chain of events and wanted to introduce the DOT date restriction.
The Department of Transport did state however that vehicles being submitted to their offices for Type Approval may be refused if they consider the tyres to be too old. This will effect very few people, those who wish a one off Type Approval.
For further advice on tyres I suggest you look at the manufactures website to check their recommendations regarding the longevity of their tyres.
Police, Ambulance and Fire Service in Cyprus use the Emergency number that is valid in all countries of the EU, 112.
Traffic Collisions.
The police will only attend accidents that involve injury, driving offences or special situations where, for example, the road is blocked or futher danger is likely to be caused.
If you are unlucky enough to be involved in any sort of traffic accident while driving on a road in Cyprus, the vehicles should be left in situe unless it is likely to cause danger to other persons or vehicles .
Your insurance documentation should include a number to contact if you are involoved in a crash. This will normally be a recovery company. They will make any arrangements necessary on behlaf of the insurance company.
Emergency Number 112
When you call the emergency number, 112 it is directed to the Police in the first instance.
Police will call an ambulance or the fire service to the scene if required.
Always carry with you:
In a rented car – driving licence – rental documents
In a locally registered car – driving licence – insurance.
Police Officers in Cyprus invariably speak some English and many have a good knowledge of the language.
Police Blue Lights
The Cyprus Police have been driving with their blue lights illuminated while on normal patrol. The policy has now changed because of the road safety implications. However there may be those who continue to use them in error.
Cyprus Police Traffic Patrols
Αστυνομία Κύπρου operate regular traffic patrols and static checks to enforce traffic law. They have modern speed enforcement equipment and carry out regular speed checks.
Sovereign Base Area Police
SBA Police operate similar patrols within their jurisdiction, which is on the British Bases and surrounding areas.
Both forces are especially vigilant regarding excess speed on the Highway.
The Department of Road Transport Police Special Constables
The Department have a number of employees who are appointed as Police Special Constables. They wear Police uniform with insignia denoting they are from the department. They carry out road checks in their own right, mainly for document and construction and use offences.
Most Municipalities employ their own uniformed police to enforce local bye-laws, traffic offences and parking.
Offence Targeting
Police have a policy of targeting a different offence each month.
The limit is lower than the UK.
The limit in Cyprus is 22 micrograms of alcohol per 100 milliliters of breath.
There are several mobile substantive breath test devices in Cyprus. These give the readout that is used in court.
If you have a reading between 25 and 39 you will be detained until a responsible person is able to drive you and your vehicle away from the scene or Police Station. You will then be fined or taken to court. Offences, Fines and Points.
Speed and Traffic Cameras
The speed and traffic camera system was deactivated on 21st September 2007. It would appear that several problems have been encountered in replacing them. It is not anticipated that the will be a speed camera system on the roads of Cyprus for the foreseeable future.
Fixed Penalty Tickets
Many offences are dealt with by way of fixed penalty ticket with a fine. They have introduced a hand held, centrally controlled, computer system for issuing the tickets. Those who refuse a ticket will be reported and a summons to court will follow. Fines are not collected by the officer at the roadside. See – Offences, Fines and Points.
If you are a visitor, the points don't effect you at present, but you should be aware that the EU, is currently trying to introduce an EU driving licence and make certain of the more serious traffic offences prosecutable across its borders. It may take some time to get agreement.
Traffic fines are not paid to the officer at the roadside.
More information on payment of fines….
Offences, Fines and Points.
For some offences your licence can be endorsed with penalty points leading to a driving ban and revocation of your licence. Where penalty points apply the Police Officer is obliged to impose the minimum penalty in each case. For serious offences the driver will be reported and a summons to court will follow.
In the main the offences in Cyprus are similar to those in the UK and Europe. See – Offences, Fines and Points.
Disqualified Drivers
The courts have the power to disqualify drivers for certain offences and those who have accrued 12 points. Points remain on a licence for 3 years. A court can impose a fine or imprisonment on foreign licence holders.
Cyprus may refuse to recognize the validity of a driving licence issued in another State where the holder has a licence that is restricted, suspended or revoked or cancelled in another State.
Pay Traffic fines by credit card online.
Pay Cyprus Police fines
Pay with a credit card through the JCCSmart website.
Set up an account (Its easy).
Click on the POLICE FINES button and follow the instructions.
The site is in Greek and English.
Fines can also be paid at any commercial bank or credit cooperatives in Cyprus or through the Cyprus Police Website.
Pay Municipal Police fines.
To pay municipal fines for parking and local bye-law infringements click the links below.
Latsia
Limassol (via JCC payment system)
Paralimni
Strovolos (via JCC payment system)
Police & Traffic Law, Speed, Visitors & Newcomers
There are several things you should know about speed limits in Cyprus.
The sign indicating you are entering a limit will normally only be displayed on your side of the road.
Having entered a posted limit, you will very rarely find the small repeater signs that you see in the UK. The next sign you will see may be a change in speed limit or when you pass over a municipal boundary.
It is often not clear when a speed limit ceases to apply. You will rarely see a de-restriction sign. There are long stretches of road which could be de-restricted, because of the layout and lack of hazards, but the last limit still appears to apply.
I generally use the sign governing the speed limit for the opposing traffic as a guide for when the de-restriction starts. However this is not foolproof as there are examples where, according to the signs, the opposing traffic on the same road is governed by a different speed limit to you.
Speed limits posted at hazards, such as bends, are usually advisory in the UK. In Cyprus they are technically mandatory and must be obeyed. They are often placed with little thought as to their purpose or the affect they will have on traffic. You will not find many of the locals adhering to them.
Be careful of your speed.
The maximum speed limit allowed is lower than in the UK and can lead to impatience and an itchy right foot.
From the 1st October 2020 the tolerance for being fined for speeding has been reduced.
For a limit of up to 30 km (urban roads and others) the tolerance will be up to 35 km and from 36 and above offenders will be fined.
For a limit of 50 km or more which is the most common in towns and villages, the tolerance will be up to 57 km and from 58 km and above there will be fines. To date the fines have been imposed over 63 km.
For a limit of 65 km tolerance will be 73.5 km and fines will be imposed at 74 km and over.
It does not change the tolerance limit of 20% on motorways and long-city roads which are 100 km and 80 km respectively and remains at 120 km and 97km. respectively.
All speed limits in Cyprus are posted in Kilometers per hour (Kph)
Type of Road Sign Approx.
Highway:
(Motorway) Maximum speed limit 62
Minimum speed limit 40
Built up Areas: Maximum speed limit 31
Country Roads: Maximum speed limit 40
Hazards: Maximum speed limit
Roadworks, bends etc. 18
National Speed
Limit: Maximum speed limit 50
Limit applies: 50
Parking, Police & Traffic Law
Visitors click here.
Do not park on roads where parking is prohibited.
Do not drive or park in pedestrian zones unless there is a sign showing that vehicles displaying the Parking Card are exempt.
The Permit allows a disabled driver:
To park in marked disabled parking bays.
You may park free of charge and without time limit on roads where payment is required. Check locally.
You may park without time limit on roads where parking is free but restricted by time.
People who are eligible to apply for a disabled parking permit (Blue Badge) in Cyprus.
Recipient of Severe Motor Disability Allowance from the Disabled Welfare Service
Persons with a visual disability (the visual acuity of both eyes is such that it does not exceed 6/60 even with the use of corrective lenses)
Persons who have received financial assistance for purchasing a car by the Ministry of Finance according to the Scheme of Financial Assistance to Persons with Disabilities for Purchasing a Car
Persons with intellectual disabilities with additional motor difficulties
The application form can be downloaded here. It has instructions in English.
Each Country has different regulations.
Information regarding the use of Blue Badge Permits in the Countries where it is applicable and where the permit allows you to park can be downloaded here.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A generation after Salazar's fall, Portugal's once-sleepy capital has officially emerged from its former malaise. Experience the old-world charms and high-design energy of a city that is seducing both travelers and native Lisboans alike.
I knew it was going to be a good party when I saw the door vixen. Not only did she look like the love child of Grace Jones and Leigh Bowery—seven feet tall and dipped in cherry-red PVC—but she wouldn't let the glossy-magazine photographer through the door without a mask. It takes a confident host to force habitually nonconformist media people to obey a dress code. But with or without the help of the press, promoter Manuel Reis and his crew could afford to be upbeat about their Malicia in Wonderland Fetish Ball, held on that breezy night at Reis's megaclub Lux, on the Santa Apolónia docks in Lisbon. The parking lot alone was a madhouse. To the left of the door was the fresh-faced Portuguese publicist for Louis Vuitton, dressed as a Roman centurion; behind him stood a troop of Boy Scouts in short-shorts and pumps. Here an astronaut in lipstick, there Francisco Capelo, Lisbon's leading art collector, and his strapping date, both in hundred-year-old Indonesian dragon masks and floor-length feather skirts. All my group had to do next was clear the stiletto-heeled courtiers on the staircase, and then we'd be watching Marilyn Manson's luminous girlfriend (now wife), Dita Von Teese, strip down to a constellation of rhinestone pasties and writhe around on a spotlit bed, which had been hauled in for the night.
Since the 1980's, when Reis opened his first dance club, Fragil, in the neighborhood of Bairro Alto, Lisbon has been known as a town that can get down. Electronic music fans, and the house and techno DJ's who serve them, have long seen the city as a mecca. But there's a spirit of celebration in the air today that's not only for music lovers but also for foodies, design buffs, and aficionados of boutique hotels. "People who have not considered Lisbon as a destination before are considering it now," says hotelier Grace Leo-Andrieu, whose GLA International group manages the airy new 55-room Bairro Alto Hotel straddling the upscale shopping district of Chiado and the earthier Bairro Alto. Leo-Andrieu can choose almost anywhere in the world to open a new place—GLA's portfolio includes the Lancaster in Paris and Mustique's Cotton House. But with the number of American tourists to Lisbon up 5.8 percent, according to the most recent statistics, and European travelers running a close second, Leo-Andrieu is tapping into what she thinks is Lisbon's moment: "There's a feeling of discovery here," she says.
Discovery is an ironic idea to associate with this ancient port, the launch site of all those voyages to India, Africa, and Asia that we should have remembered from history class. It's an apt one, though, and not just for tourists. From the 16th century to the 1960's, the Portuguese were the leading émigrés of Europe. Gradually, however, especially since Portugal joined the European Community (now the European Union) in 1986, lisboetas have awakened to realize that their city is a nice place to come home to, and stopped wanting to take the first boat out of town. "Sure I'd love to live in New York or Paris one of these days, but only temporarily," says my friend Paulo Macedo, Vogue Portugal's fashion director, who has lived in Lisbon and the nearby beach suburb Carcavelos for nearly 20 years. "The quality of life here is too high to walk away from." We're having this conversation over dinner at Pap'Açorda, a casual minimalist mainstay in Bairro Alto that serves top-notch Portuguese soul food to the city's fashion and arts elite. As he finishes off a smooth Alentejo red and the densest, blackest chocolate mousse I've ever seen, Macedo looks around the marble-walled room, its vases exploding with pale pink peonies, its ceiling dripping with Murano glass. "You cannot get what we have anywhere else," he says—certainly you can't get that pudding, some of which he gallantly saves for me—"it's just that it took us a little while to realize it."
When I first visited Macedo and his wife in their sunny central Lisbon apartment last year, I would have found it hard to believe that it would take a burgeoning nouvelle cuisine movement or new glut of day spas to remind natives and visitors alike of Lisbon's long-standing appeal—what Francisco Capelo, the 50-year-old owner of the Museu do Design in Belém, characterizes as "living in Santa Monica surrounded by 800 years of art." It's not as if the light from the Tagus, the river on the city's southern border, never showed off the 18th-century architecture before. Or that Lisbon suddenly grew some neighboring beaches and turned balmy nine months a year. The spectacular wine did not recently become cheap, the seven hills and their dramatic views did not just spring up. But then, living under a fascist dictatorship, as the Portuguese did until 1974, tends to dull one's appreciation of the motherland.
Even under ideal conditions, it takes a good many years to shake off the political and social gloom of fascism—single-party elections, aggressive secret police, and an unsettled economy usually overshadow the joys of piquant olive oil and cunning handicrafts. After the fall of Antonio da Oliveira Salazar's regime, it was a decade before the Portuguese government stabilized. Another few years had to pass before EU membership culturally fused the Portuguese to the rest of Europe—which, until then, tended to consider Portugal an unwashed backwater at the underside of the world—and rebuilt the country's pushcart of an economy into something combustible.
By the second half of the nineties, it was a different story. Portugal's qualification for the euro in 1998 provided a further financial boost, and the nation's infrastructure got a tremendous upgrade when the World Expo came to town that same year. (Says one expat friend, a German beauty editor who has lived in Lisbon for 22 years: "Before Expo, it was as if we didn't have roads.") Lisbon Expo '98 was also responsible for the rehabilitation of the once putrid docks that now house Manuel Reis's Lux, its painfully chic sister restaurant Bica do Sapato (co-owned by Reis and actor John Malkovich), mid-century Modernist furniture boutique Lojadatalaia, and a brand-new fine-foods emporium, Deli Delux. Since 2001, about one-third of the city's abandoned buildings have been renovated on the government's dime, with more lined up. And boutiques from independent fashion designers are popping up on every graffiti-etched corner of Bairro Alto. Even the prime minister, José Socrates, wears Prada.
A further infusion of capital and cleanup came with the Euro 2004 soccer championships. Not a total cleanup, mind you: this is no spit-shined capital like Copenhagen. Take, for example, the popular Cape Verdean dance party I attend at a former slave owner's mansion (no kidding) in the riverside district Santos. The overgrown, ramshackle garden courtyard and peeling, formerly grand frescoes in the main ballroom are more sensuous than sad—the tumbledown state of things certainly hasn't stopped the sixtysomething former head of the Portuguese Bar Association from visiting. And nobody seems to mind crunching through the hundreds of plastic drink cups left behind by all those fauxhawked hipsters partying in the streets of Bairro Alto. By 2:00 a.m. on any weekend, when the last packs of chatty photographers and DJ's and graphic designers and rowdy teenagers finally leave A Capela on Rua Atalaia, or Bicaense on Rua da Bica de Duarte Belo, or any other of the dozens of dimly lit techno-music bars they've flitted into and out of all night, the sight (and sound) of those cups is almost sweet. Besides, they'll be gone in the morning, when stray cats and old ladies resume their daytime dominion of the place.
Just as Lisboans have enjoyed their city's renaissance, so has the international party circuit. For reasons of geographical convenience, touring rock musicians have often ended their European legs in Lisbon, and for the past two years the glitzy Laureus Sports Awards, held in the suburb of Estoril, have brought their own celebrants. And last November, the MTV European Music Awards—the ultimate pop recognition—arrived. "You just have to hope Lisbon doesn't become like Barcelona and lose its traditional flavor," Leo-Andrieu says.
So far, that hasn't seemed to be a problem. In fact, after a generation of fascist malaise, lisboetas are embracing the city's old customs, even those that are still a bit redolent of Salazar. A case in point is fado. The mournful national song of love and loss (fado literally means "fate") was actively promoted by the dictator. The lisboetas I know still turn their noses up at fado clubs, which they consider touristy. But invite a local to join you at a place like Sr. Vinho, a low-ceilinged boîte in the quiet Lapa neighborhood, and you'll see your friend silently mouthing the words as the shawl-draped fadista wails along to the acoustic guitar. Almost everyone has a favorite singer—usually it's Mariza, the striking, half Mozambican superstar with the marcelled platinum-blond bob and global critical acclaim.
Another instance of locals' appreciation for the ambiguous beauty of a checkered past is the enduring social centrality of Lisbon's Four Seasons Hotel the Ritz, a jaw-dropping example of high Modernist glamour that Salazar commissioned through a consortium of local moneymen in 1953. Lisbon had been a big travel hub during World War II (Portugal was officially neutral), but its old-world hotels—the regal Pestana Palace and rococo Avenida Palace, to name two—lacked the cosmopolitan flair that Salazar wanted to project to the outside world. He realized his dream in the Ritz, a capacious, gilt-edged sanctuary with museum-quality sculptures and tapestries on every wall. Now managed by the Four Seasons, the Ritz's hyper-tasteful restaurant Varanda continually attracts a boldfaced mishmash of captains of industry and society doyennes. The light nouvelle-Portuguese menu is predictably strong on seafood, and during lunch, the action hovers around the decadent buffet. In 2003, an appropriately luxurious, 16,000-square-foot spa and a pool were added to the storied hotel. With its tall panels of polished dark wood, high ceilings, and Zen-like relaxation rooms, the facility has become such a destination for locals that the hotel now sells spa memberships.
Lisbon's ever warmer embrace of the past reaches further back than the mid 20th century. Portuguese architect Miguel Cancio Martins, the designer of Paris's Buddha Bar and New York's Man Ray, is finishing his makeover of a late 18th-century mansion on the grand, tree-lined Avenida da Liberdade for Lisbon's Hoteis Heritage group. But, he tells me, it's been his fantasy to build in the oldest part of the city. He's not alone in his ardor for the Alfama, a windy, steep-hilled maze of a neighborhood that dates back to the eighth century—it's already the site of two smart boutique hotels created from old castles: the Heritage group's three-year-old yellow-washed Solar do Castelo, a former 18th-century maisonette inside the walls of a Moorish castle; and the elite, eccentric Palácio Belmonte, an 11-room, antiques-filled oasis fashioned from a 15th-century house. If you walk through Belmonte's brightly painted, eclectically decorated rooms, you'll never see a chambermaid. There's no concierge, not even an on-site kitchen, but make a call to the manager and within 15 minutes whatever you want will be arranged.
Not that shiny new venues are getting short shrift. Droves of locals make weekend-afternoon pilgrimages to the Parque das Nações, which was commissioned for Expo on what used to be a dingy industrial wasteland northeast of central Lisbon. Now it's a large garden adjoined by striking examples of contemporary architecture, especially Alvaro Siza's spaceship-style sports arena and exhibition hall, Pavilhão de Portugal, and Peter Chermayeff's Oceanário, the second-largest aquarium in the world.
Perhaps the Michelin guides are still too busy with Spain to give Portugal adequate attention, but then again, the Portuguese are not exactly masters of public relations. After countless interview requests, I'm still waiting to hear from Manuel Reis. Everyone tells me not to be offended: the man is simply too shy to talk. "Maybe it's because Portugal was such a big empire in the 15th and 16th centuries," proposes Francisco Capelo, Lisbon's resident art mogul and man-about-town. "The very idea of empire inspires nostalgia—and a feeling that you're nothing now. I think this makes the Portuguese sweeter, less aggressive. Compared with the Span-ish, we're certainly lower-profile."
Sure, the Portuguese as a whole are notorious introverts, but not Capelo himself. And thank heaven for that. A puckish firecracker with contagious joie de vivre, he invites me to flip through photo albums of his past parties and galas. It's like Where's Waldo with wardrobe by Jean-Paul Gaultier: Capelo's toothy grin pops up in every picture.
We're sitting in his Alfama town house discussing his unusual lack of Portuguese bashfulness when Capelo erupts, "I like me," and laughs. "And I like things." A look around his house is evidence enough of that: imagine three stories stuffed with 17th-century illuminated Ethiopian manuscripts, photos by Man Ray and Tracey Moffatt, Chapman brothers sculptures, Ettore Sottsass furniture, and hundreds of Indonesian puppets. Now retired from two lucrative careers, in investment banking and the media, Capelo has become addicted to acquiring, but he's generous with his goodies. Ten percent of the Berardo Collection, the wonderful modern-art museum in nearby Sintra that Capelo and his former partner José Berardo created, was selected by Capelo. All of the 1,000 or so pieces at the Museu do Design, housed since 1999 in a corner of the Centro Cultural de Belém, 20 minutes outside the city center, were first bought for his private use. That collection—rich in works by design superstars like Gio Ponti, Arne Jacobsen, Alvar Aalto, and Michael Graves—is among the best of its kind in Europe. Capelo also hopes to create an Asian wing for the Museu de Arte Antiga in Santos, to house his Moghul and Chinese furniture and Indonesian puppets and textiles. (For now, he's content to help me look under the skirts of the marionettes in his sunroom, to prove that they are anatomically correct.) And he is in negotiations with the government to open a fashion museum in Lisbon. Among the 1,160 couture pieces he's waiting to show off are the yellow Jean Desses gown that Renee Zellweger wore to the 2001 Oscars and three gems from Christian Dior's landmark 1947 New Look. And though the minister of culture has been a little slow coming up with the right venue, Capelo is not tempted to decamp his project to Paris or London, where he has additional residences. His treasures are intended strictly for Lisbon. And why not?In a town like this, they'll be in awfully good company.
Lisbon is a sun-drenched city, but thanks to the Tagus River and the Atlantic Ocean, there's always a breeze. August is the only month when temperatures can become uncomfortably hot. In winter, the breeze gets chilly, but the mercury rarely dips below 50.
Continental and Air Portugal operate direct flights from North America to Lisboa International Airport, which lies just outside the city.
8 Praça Luís de Camões;351-21/340-8288; www.bairroaltohotel.com; doubles from $410.
88 Rua Rodrigo da Fonseca; 800/332-3442 or 351-21/381-1400; www.fourseasons.com; doubles from $381.
Stylishly simple and affordable rooms.
180B Avda. da Liberdade; 351-21/351-4060; www.nh-hotels.com; doubles from $203.
14 Páteo Dom Fradique; 888/222-8859 or 351-21/881-6600; www.palaciobelmonte.com; suites from $352.
2 Rua das Cozinhas; 866/376-7831 or 351-21/880-6050; www.heritage.pt; doubles from $230.
A peaceful, antique pension that has been renovated in a modern style.
32-1 Rua das Janelas Verdes, Lapa; 351-21/396-2435; www.yorkhouselisboa.com; doubles from $176.
A local favorite with a Belgian-inflected menu that is hearty yet refined.
12 Travessa do Convento das Bernardas; 351-21/390-2034; dinner for two $88.
The restaurant's glam factor spills over into the less expensive, adjoining café.
Armazém B, Avda. Infante Dom Henrique; 351-21/881-0320; dinner for two $117 (restaurant) or $82 (café).
A menu that mixes Italian dishes (risottos, pastas) with Portuguese ingredients (black pork cheeks, prawns).
35 Rua Santa Marta; 351-21/315-0212; lunch for two $35.
57 Rua da Atalaia; 351-21/346-4811; dinner for two $129.
Some of the best vanilla custard pastéis de nata 57 Rua Dom Pedro V; no phone; dessert for two $10.
Jardim Amália Rodrigues, Rua Marquês da Fronteira, Parque Eduardo VII; 351-21/386-2211; www.restauranteleven.com; dinner for two $164.
Portuguese comfort food opposite Igreja São Miguel, a church you can find only by asking directions. 7 Beco de São Miguel; 351-21/888-1328; dinner for two $47.
Brightly colored, fashion-forward dresses, skirts, and tops.
112 Rua da Rosa; 351-93/633-7795.
Chic ready-to-wear suits and couture gowns from Portuguese society's designer team of choice.
15B Rua Serpa Pinto; 351-21/346-0690.
An Art Nouveau jewelbox crammed with chocolates, port, and other goodies, in the center of Chiado.
Fine foods and wines (assemble a case to ship home some of the local vintages).
Armazém B, Loja 8, Avda. Infante Dom Henrique; 351-21/886-2070; www.delidelux.pt.
A collection of well-priced vintage jewelry, including excellent pieces from the forties and fifties.
Though you're unlikely to schlep home a Knoll chair, don't miss a trip to Manuel Reis's design-furniture boutique, a stone's throw from Bica do Sapato.
Armazém B, Loja 1, Avda. Infante Dom Henrique; 351-21/882-2578.
This glove store has butter-soft lambskin creations that rival anything on the Paris runways—for hundreds of dollars less.
87A Rua do Carmo, Chiado;351-21/342-0295.
Centro Cultural de Belém, Praça do Império; 351-21/361-2400; www.ccb.pt.
This 840-acre park is centrally located right next to the Oriente train station.
This Romanesque cathedral houses 12th- and 13th-century treasures, and the adjoining cloister has an archaeological dig with remains of Roman times.
The sound system is extra powerful and the crowd is scruffy-cute—intentionally so. Frequented by intellectuals and people from the arts, theater, and cinema.
45 Rua Atalaia;351-21/347-0072; no cover.
Infante Dom Henrique, Santa Apolónia; 351-21/882-0890; cover for two $14.
18 Rua do Meio a Lapa; 351-21/397-7456; minimum cover for two $26, dinner for two $94.
By José Saramago. This 1992 magical realist novel from Portugal's leading man of letters tells the story of Inquisition- mad 18th-century Lisbon—and helped earn Saramago a Nobel Prize in Literature.
By Erich Maria Remarque.From the author of All Quiet on the Western Front, the adventures of two refugees desperate to leave the port city as the Third Reich tightens its grip across Europe.
Senhor Vinho, in Lapa, is owned by well-known fadista Maria da Fe; as such, it is an ideal restaurant for hearing Lisbon's unique fado music. The "Portuguese blues", popular since the 1820's, consists of mournful ballads about loss, painful love, and life's difficulties. It is accompanied by an acoustic guitar played with Middle Eastern influences. Exposed beams, tile and plaster walls, brick arched doorways, and dark wood accents set the stage for the fadistas. Signature dishes include the lobster with rice, pork loin with rice and tropical fruit, and lagareiro octopus.
Droves of locals make weekend-afternoon pilgrimages to the Parque das Nações, which was commissioned for Expo on what used to be a dingy industrial wasteland northeast of central Lisbon. Now it's a large garden adjoined by striking examples of contemporary architecture.
The butter-soft lambskin and leather gloves rival anything you'll find in Paris, but at bargain prices.
The shop's collection of well-priced vintage jewelry includes some excellent pieces from the forties and fifties.
This Art Nouveau jewelbox in the center of Chiado is the place for chocolates, fine coffee, and other gourmet treats.
A delicious array of rainbow-colored, fashion-forward dresses, skirts, and tops hangs from meat hooks in this converted butcher shop.
Tucked away up the stairs from the Travessa Terreiro do Trigo and down the San Miguel alley is the restaurant Santo Antonio de Alfama. The three-floored restaurant is done in glamorous cinema-style, with wood wainscoting, red velvet seats, stage lights, and black and white photos of famous actors and singers. Meals begin with complimentary deep fried potato skins with aioli. The best deal is to order a round of starters to share, such as mushrooms stuffed with Gorgonzola, whitebait fried in batter, and breaded brie with raspberry jam. In nice weather, sit on the terrace overgrown with grape vines.
A sleek space in the Amaliá Rodrigues garden of Parque and Michelin-starred chef Joachim Koerper's ambitious Mediterranean menu cemented Eleven's popularity from the moment it opened.
The tiles of the Pastelaria-Padaria Sao Roque claim it is the "Cathedral of Bread", but the bakery also serves up delicious sweets and savories as well. Located on the northern edge of the Bairro Alto, the pastelaria is filled with an ornate dome ceiling, bronze-colored marble columns, curved counters, and art deco azulejos with intricate designs, bright colors, and nature scenes. Locals come here to enjoy treats such as pasteis de nata (custard tarts), meringues, coconut-dusted pao de deus (God's bread), and codfish cakes. There is ample seating indoors but several outdoor tables allow for people-watching during nice weather.
In the mostly commercial Uptown district of Lisbon is Luca, a contemporary, whitewashed dining space that uses Portuguese ingredients like black pork cheeks and prawns in traditional Italian pastas and risottos.
Located in the quiet Lapa neighborhood, the York House hotel is a converted Carmelite convent built in 1606. The surrounding garden and terraces allow for relaxation but the National Museum of Ancient Art, the Rossio square, and the Castle of Sao Jorge are all nearby. The 32 rooms, renovated in 2003, are individually decorated, with wood or antique brick floors, marble bathrooms, accents of wood and tile, and 18th century-style furniture. The bar is located off the terrace, and the restaurant is done with wainscoting of azulejos, crystal chandeliers, and smoky-blue accent walls; French-Portuguese cuisine is served there.
Located between the shopping of Chiado and the nightlife and eateries of Bairro Alto, the Bairro Alto Hotel is housed in an ocher, 19th-century baroque building that overlooks the Luis de Camoes square. Restored in 2001, the 55 rooms blend colonial style and modern sensibilities — painted paneled walls, muted blues, grays, and browns, Brazilian hardwood floors, and modern art. The Flores restaurant serves Portuguese cuisine, while Cafe-Bar BA, with its geometric stained glass windows, has live music and light fare. The BA Terrace has views of Rio Tejo and the old Lisbon rooftops.


Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom is set to take its beloved brand to new heights with a personal approach that is all about the experience.
The casual dining restaurant chain, known for its hand-crafted pizza and world-class craft beer selection, has long been an innovator of using rewards to build a community of faithful followers. The brand boasts one of the industry's first restaurant loyalty programs that has evolved over the past 40 years from a popular punch-card system for beer lovers into a multi-faceted, fully-integrated program that creatively delivers what each customer values most.
Driving engagement through the Old Chicago experience is paying off. Since the launch of the brand's digital platform—OC Rewards—in 2014, loyalty-related sales have doubled from 15 percent to more than 30 percent of total sales now directly tied to loyalty, notes Jason Siska, director of loyalty and chief relationship manager for Old Chicago, a member of CraftWorks Holdings family, the nation's leading operator and franchisor of brewery and craft beer-focused casual dining restaurants.
OC Reward members visit more frequently, and highly engaged members spend more per check.
There is a lot to love about Old Chicago and OC Rewards is designed to share that love at every turn with a unique craft beer and food journey.
At its core, the loyalty program rewards guests one point for every dollar spent on food and beverage and five OC Bucks for every 75 points. Guests earn recognition, prizes, promotional offers, and members-only perks that are seamlessly tracked online and through the mobile app. In return, Old Chicago uses its treasure trove of data to send messages about a specific brewery or style of beer, new LTO menu items, or discounts to encourage a return visit.
There is also a unique experiential component—Old Chicago's famous Mini and World Beer Tours—that enable guests to explore the brand's 110 varieties of handpicked beer selections from around the globe. Depending upon the challenge taken on and completed, guests have the opportunity to earn a plate and a spot on the Hall of Foam, a VIP Loyalty Card, and a VIP beer stein personalized for their use in the restaurant.
With more than 100 restaurants in 23 states, Old Chicago provides extensive franchise support, training, and hands-on help to ensure restaurants inspire loyalty from the start.
During the first few weeks of business, each new store hits the ground running with a Mini-Tour to introduce Old Chicago and the rewards program to the community and build roots for the brand, known for creating a neighborhood feel as a local bar and a place to spend time with new and old friends.
This never-ending quest to look "for things that will excite the guest and create one-on-one relationships" has enabled Old Chicago to continually soar above the loyalty fray in a digital age.
On the road to nationwide growth with strong franchise partners, Old Chicago is set to bring something special to a neighborhood near you. To explore your franchise opportunities, visit http://ocfranchising.com.


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Fired West Valley officer's defense team goes on the offensive
By Pat Reavy@DNewsCrimeTeam Jul 28, 2014, 5:35pm MDT
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Shaun Cowley, a former West Valley police officer who shot and killed Danielle Willard, 21, in November 2012, leaves his hearing with his family. His attorneys, including Paul Cassell who just joined the case, believe he should never have been charged, Monday, July 28, 2014, in Salt Lake City. Tom Smart, Deseret News
Shaun Cowley, (left) a former West Valley police officer who shot and killed Danielle Willard, 21, in November 2012, leaves his hearing with his attorneys, including Paul Cassell (right) who just joined the case, believe Cowley should never have been charged, Monday, July 28, 2014, in Salt Lake City. Tom Smart, Deseret News
Shaun Cowley, a former West Valley police officer who shot and killed Danielle Willard, 21, in November 2012, leaves his hearing with his family. His attorneys, including Paul Cassell who just joined the case, believe Cowley should never have been charged, Monday, July 28, 2014, in Salt Lake City. Tom Smart, Deseret News
Shaun Cowley, a former West Valley police officer who shot and killed Danielle Willard, 21, in November 2012 with his attorneys Lindsay Jarvis, Bret Rawson and Sam Cassell, left to right, believe he should never have been charged, Monday, July 28, 2014, in Salt Lake City. Tom Smart, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — The defense team for former West Valley police detective Shaun Cowley believes not only that the potential jury pool been tainted by prosecutors, but the criminal charge filed against him should be thrown out because it is based on protected testimony.
Cowley, who is charged with manslaughter, a second-degree felony, in the 2012 shooting death of Danielle Willard, made a short, routine court appearance Monday.
Outside the hearing, however, the defense team of Lindsay Jarvis, Bret Rawson and Paul Cassell went on the offensive, filing a 48-page motion asking for what's called a "Kastigar Hearing" and for the manslaughter charge to be dismissed due to the improper use of compelled testimony.
Soon after the Nov. 2, 2012 shooting, the entire West Valley Police Department's Neighborhood Narcotics Unit was scrutinized and investigations were launched both internally and externally. Those investigations ultimately uncovered problems throughout the unit, such as improper handling of evidence.
During this investigation, Cowley was compelled to make "Garrity statements," meaning that he was forced to answer questions for an internal investigation under the threat of being fired. But those statements were obtained with the assurance, "that it would never be used in a criminal investigation or prosecution," Jarvis said.
"Yet the district attorney's office has now taken that information and tried to bring it in so they can ruin Shaun's credibility," she said. Cowley's defense team says some of those statements were improperly given to the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office by West Valley police.
"And as a result, the entire investigation and prosecution team is tainted. The burden is on the state to prove there has been no taint. We do not believe they will be able to meet that burden," Cassell said.
It would be up to the state to prove during a Kastigar Hearing that it did not use his compelled statements in making its decision to prosecute him. Using such statements would violate his Fifth Amendment rights. The defense wants to hold that hearing before Cowley's preliminary hearing. If the state cannot meet its burden, then Jarvis believes the manslaughter charge against him should be thrown out.
Jarvis says not only are statements made by Cowley being illegally used against him, but the statements he gave had nothing to do with what he's charged with. She called it "complete, improper use of information."
Furthermore, Rawson said during District Attorney Sim Gill's press conference to announce the filing of the charge against Cowley, he talked about what forensics and other experts said in their reports, and even presented ballistics diagrams.
"You are essentially laying out your case before the entire public. The problem is, at some point if you are going to file charges, as has been the case here, you've now tainted a jury. Anybody within Salt Lake County who is watching this is potentially no longer in a position to act as an impartial jury member," he said.
Media attorneys in similar cases have argued that while there have been many high-profile cases in Utah, there has never been a case in which there was a reversal of a defendant's conviction because of pretrial publicity.
Also Monday, Cassell — a University of Utah law professor and former federal judge — made his official appearance as co-counsel for Cowley.
"The more I looked at the facts of the case, the more I became convinced that a very good office made a very bad mistake in this case," he said of his decision to join the defense team.
Cassell believes the facts of the case are for the most part not in dispute. What is still in dispute — even after Gill's office found the shooting was not legally justified — is what the law says about officers using deadly force.
"The law says an officer is entitled to use deadly force if he is in a situation where he is facing a situation of serious bodily injury or death. And we think as the evidence comes out in trial, the officer was definitely faced with that kind of threat," Cassell said.
Jarvis also revealed Monday that West Valley City has dissolved its Civil Service Commission, and Cowley — who was scheduled to have a hearing to dispute his firing from the police department — received a notice saying his hearing is no longer happening until further notice.
"West Valley pulled a fast one," Jarvis said. "We will appeal that decision to the Utah Court of Appeals because that's clearly a violation of detective Cowley's rights."
Like the last hearing, security was heightened for Cowley, who attended the hearing with his family. A wall of media photographers and reporters followed him from the courthouse elevators to the courtroom and back.
"Shaun has been in good spirits ever since charges were filed and the reason for that is he's now able to respond to some of those allegations. Up until this point it's been a lot of allegations rendered against him. He's never had the chance to speak. At the preliminary hearing, at his trial, he will finally have the opportunity to tell his side of the story," Jarvis said.
Email: preavy@deseretnews.com
Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam
Ex-federal judge says West Valley detective should never have been charged


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One of the seven emirates of the UAE, Dubai is a cosmopolitan metropolis that has grown steadily to become a global city and the business and cultural hub of the Middle East.
With a perfect winter climate, world-class hotels, superb facilities for a variety of sports and leisure activities and excellent shopping, Dubai has something to offer everyone. Additionally, the emirate is friendly, safe and secure.
Always at the forefront, and wishing to establish the UAE as an international study destination, Dubai opened the world's only Free Zone dedicated to Education in 2007.
Dubai International Academic City (DIAC) is now a premier
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A proud pooch has been honoured in a US high school yearbook after becoming one of the most popular members of class.
Alpha, a male labrador retriever, is a service dog for Andrew 'AJ' Schalk - a 16-year-old student at Stafford High School in Virginia who has Type 1 diabetes.
The pair have been attending school together for about a year, so AJ asked the school yearbook-makers if Alpha could be photographed as an honorary student.
The result is very endearing.
"I started by bringing him once a week, then twice, and so on and so forth until he was fully acclimated," AJ told Mashable.
The dog is now in classes every day, where he sniffs AJ's breath and can alert him if his blood sugar levels are too low or too high.
"The decision to get a service dog came about just to have greater control over my blood sugar and A1C, and Alpha has even saved my life on multiple occasions," AJ said.
"Alpha is not a distraction at all! He lays under my desk during class, and even though everyone knows he is there, everyone still pays attention to class and loves having him there."
Alpha is so popular at the school that AJ's yearbook request was quickly welcomed. He even got an ID card.
"All the teachers and administration were 100 percent supportive," AJ said.
"All my classmates loved seeing Alpha in the yearbook, and people that I didn't know loved the surprise of having a service dog in the yearbook."
AJ, who has one more year at high school, says he plans to get another photo of Alpha in the yearbook again in 2018.


Some people may be unsure of how count English and maths tuition, accumulate behind the latest child-centred methodology teaching, can boost a child's learning gift greatly.
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What is Ski-O? Check out the informational links here.
Click on the club name for more information about the club, and click on the event location for directions. Only those events marked as "ESG Qualifier" are ESG qualifiers.


A reef in the middle of the Karystos Gulf.
In the center of the gulf and about 1 km south from a small island that is just leaving the land. The head of the reef begins at a depth of 16m and ends at a depth of about 25m.
The Reef is flat like a platform. Divers with training of Open Water Divers and up can dive in this dive site.
A very characteristic element is the presence of two major anchors of 2-2.5m and a very thick chain that stretches from the one end of the reef to the other.
Almost permanent residents of the reef are goldblotch groupers, brown meagres and white seabreams.
Schools of common two-banded seabreams and saddled seabreams sparkle around the reef. It is easily accessible by boat and relatively protected from strong northern winds. Sometimes currents are generated which must be taken into consideration in planning the dive.


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Leading From The Jumpseat
It's not about the numbers
[First published in 'Human Resources', HR Institute of New Zealand professional journal, August 2014 #nzhrconf]
This year we commemorated the 70th anniversary of the 1914-18 war – the Great War. It's estimated that 17 million people perished during those four terrible years; hard to even conceive.
On the 25th April 1915, New Zealanders, together with Australians and other Allied troops, landed on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula in what is now Turkey. During the eight-month campaign over 100,000 people died, including 2,721 New Zealanders.
One of those who perished was Trooper Clarence Hall of the Otago Mounted Rifles. He was the son of John and Elizabeth who lived at Riverside, Balclutha, New Zealand. Clarence was killed in action on Sunday 1st August 1915.
Notice how, as you've read this – starting from the millions of people down to the single individual Clarence and his parents John and Elizabeth – the impact of these figures has probably grown in significance. If you happen to live in Balclutha today, or have family there, it might have even more meaning for you. As Joseph Stalin said, "A single death is a tragedy; a million deaths is a statistic". The point of this is the more we remove ourselves from people – individuals – by talking in terms of just numbers, the less connected we feel.
What's true in the extremes of war is true in business too. The larger companies grow, the bigger the numbers become. The bigger the numbers become, the more compelling it is to just focus on the numbers and not think about the real people behind the numbers.
This is completely understandable.
Running a business is a complex, often all-consuming task. Numbers are sometimes easier to handle than thinking about David, John or Emily. Even HR professionals can be drawn into the detached 'corporate speak' where it's all about the numbers and less about the people. And yet the best companies, the best organisations operate like a good family where the connection between business and people remains clear. When that happens the meaning and purpose is sustained too.
This meaning is critical. For organisations to grow and thrive over the long term they need to stay connected to Why it is they do what they do. It's not about profit – that's a result. A Why is a higher purpose – something that goes beyond the individual.
I once asked a US angel investor, Mike, Why he did what he did. "That's easy," chipped in his companion, "Mike's in it for the money." Curious, I asked Mike why he wanted to collect small bits of green paper – dollars. It turns out that it wasn't about the money at all. Mike got his thrill from being able to help bright young entrepreneurs with marvellous ideas to bring them to life. This is Why he did what he did. He didn't need the green bits of paper – it's what they enabled him to do.
Although I never met him I'm absolutely certain that Trooper Clarance Hall knew why he did what he did. It may have started off as a belief in defending his country. On the battlefield that translated into putting his life on the line for those who stood to the left of him and those who stood to the right of him. It was personal.
When we keep it personal, when we stay connected to what we believe, people can be inspired to accomplish remarkable things – be it in extreme circumstances or in daily business. It's this connection that drives us. When we just make it about the numbers, it doesn't inspire anybody – even those like Mike who might initially think that's what it's all about.
If you are an HR professional, you're a people professional. You have an incredible opportunity to keep people connected to people – and not to just see other people as numbers to be juggled or manipulated like any other figures or statistic. You're also perfectly placed to have people think about Why they do what they do – and champion the reason why that's so important to the performance of any organisation and the sense of fulfillment people feel being a part of it.
Manage the numbers; lead the people. Keep it real. Go People Professionals.
Forbes Magazine: How Leaders Can Improve Performance By Giving Up Control
Overcoming Feeling Awkward
Results are achieved by who we're being and not just by what we do.
Peter Docker
© 2022 WhyNot Unlimited
WhyNot is the trading name of Why Not Un Limited, registered in England No: 06396892; and Why Not Press Limited, registered in England No: 13399046; Registered Offices: The Brewhouse, Burford, Oxfordshire OX18 4SG, UK


NORTH EAST, PA… The Genesee women's basketball team earned their second Western New York Athletic Conference victory of the season on Saturday afternoon, by defeating the Mercyhurst Northeast Saints 62-51. The victory puts the Cougars' record to 14-6 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.
LisBeth Pineda Polanco led the scoring with 19 points and five rebounds for the Cougars. Molly Buck scored eight points and collected 10 rebounds. Chevaneese Millington scored eight points. Genesee also had scoring contributions from TaLia Burgess, Grace McComb, Tylasia Weaver, Jordon Wright, Michaela Curletta, and Erina Ishiguro.
Genesee returns home on Monday, February 4, as they welcome the Niagara County Community College Thunderwolves with tip-off scheduled for 5:30 pm.


text:
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Selecting the best Essential Oil.
The number of people suffering from stress and anxiety now is increasing each day. In case you are a victim of any of these issues, then you do not have to be worried about it anymore. You will be able to reduce the stress and also anxiety with the use of these essential oils. Even as some people use this oils, a number of them do not understand how this will help them. You should read more in order to learn more about this oils. You should note that these essential oils will do the same function as they did years back.
For individuals who would be needing antibacterial and also antiviral boosters, you should ensure that you use essential oils since they will also help in relieving the anxiety. In case you have damaged hair or even you are struggling with stress, you are assured that essential oils will be a perfect solution. You will have a healthy lifestyle once you reduce the stress. For you to be productive in school or even at work, you must ensure that you reduce the stress and anxiety. After you have read more about this essential oils, you should ensure that you choose the best.
You are assured that your body will be able to relax and also be soothed once you have chosen to use lemongrass oils. In order to have the mood boost effect, you must ensure that you use these lemongrass oils. Rosewood essential oil is another type of oil that is most looked for since it has the best stress and nervousness relieving effects. Jasmine oil also plays an important role in ensuring that you remain alert as well as soothes your senses and thus being able to control the stress levels. In case you struggle with a lot of stress each day, you do not have to be stressed about this now since lavender essential oil is here to help with this challenge.
You are assured that peppermint essential oil is crucial for your depression needs. This oils will also top your energy levels reserves as they give you the needed mood lift. You can use citronella essential oil as a joint pain reliever and hence you should ensure that you choose it. Another type of oil that you can consider using rose essential oil for your skin nourishment.


text:
Home Farm Family Colin Glen Trust given forest and golf course in community asset transfer
Colin Glen Trust given forest and golf course in community asset transfer
September 16, 2018 Paid
Marking the handover of Colin Glen Forest Park, Northern Ireland Environment Agency Chief Executive David Small and Chairman of the Colin Glen Trust David Raymond. A Community Asset Transfer, signed by both organisations, gives ownership to the Trust in the form of a 999 year lease. It will allow for greater funding and development opportunities for Colin Glen Forest Park.
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has handed over ownership of Colin Glen Forest Park to the Colin Glen Trust. The NIEA, as part of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, have delivered a Community Asset Transfer of the forest park and golf course. The lease confirming the transfer was finalised for 999 years.
Speaking at the event, NIEA Chief Executive David Small said: "This substantive community asset transfer is ground breaking. It provides a wonderful local exemplar for the kind of innovative solutions that can be delivered by government departments to ensure the benefits derived from public assets are maximised for the enjoyment for all.
"As such it is a vibrant demonstration of what modern government, working in partnership with a local group, can achieve for both community and public good, with commitment to invest in social enterprise growth to increase sustainability in the community sector. Colin Glen is a magnificent natural resource and community asset for the area, and it has evolved in recent years under the stewardship of the Colin Glen Trust."
Following the Colin River, Colin Glen Forest Park and golf course stretches along the Belfast Hills in the southwest of the city. It includes some 200 acres of scenic woodland, grassland, waterfalls and pathways.
Mr Small added: "When a community comes together and takes ownership, it can have a transformative effect on a space. Today, Colin Glen Park is a real focal point for the wider area. It is a place of tranquillity and activity. There is a sense of pride in what has and is being achieved, and optimism for the future.
"When the opportunity became available for the trust to draw down multi-million pound funding to develop the recreation and tourism potential, further helping to secure the long term future for the site, the department was very supportive of the trust's vision.
"The trust, since their establishment, have a proven track record of enhancing the facilities available to both the local community and visitors from further afield."
Colin O'Neill, the Chief Executive of Colin Glen Forest Park, said: "This is a tremendous endorsement by NIEA of the very positive role of the park and its contribution to west Belfast and the wider community. It's the start of a new era for all of us.
"The length of lease gives us the security we need to push ahead quickly with the exciting investment plans our board has shaped for the further development of the incredible natural amenities available for local people and visitors to experience and enjoy."
David Raymond, the Colin Glen Trust Chairman, a community-based charitable organisation which advises and oversees activities at the park, added: "It's been our strategic objective for some considerable time to take long-term responsibility for the future development of the park's vast natural resources. Our aim is to realise its enormous potential and to ensure its long-term sustainability for the entire community."
Environment of Rural Affairs
Northern Ireland Environment Agency
Northern Ireland Environmental Agency
The Northern Ireland Environment Agency
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Australia Marine Services (trading as A.M.S. Tugs & Barges) is a rapidly growing Western Australian company offering marine related charter services. We are actively seeking to extend our services in Asia and the Oceania region, focusing on coastal marine construction, mining, offshore oil and gas, and other marine related activities.
A.M.S. Tugs & Barges owns a modern fleet of high quality vessels, and are committed to providing our clients with professional, efficient service and reliable support, and to consistently meet and exceed their expectations. Our main services and operations include the charter and sale of various types and specification of tugboats, workboats, supply vessels, specialised vessels and deck cargo/ballastable barges.
AMS provides exemplary service to our clients!
We offer charter, sales & ship-building of various sizes and specifications of tugs, supply/ support vessels and barges.


The Cuisinart WAF-V100 is a belgian waffle maker that cooks, golden waffles that are crispy on the outside. It has a stylish brushed stainless steel cover for adjusting temperature. The waffle maker comes with five browning settings that create customized results to meet all tastes.
The Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker has many exciting features for users of all types. You can extend the lifetime of your Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker with the purchase of a FactoryOutletStore Factory Protection Plan. See the Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker product video and gallery images above for more details. The Cuisinart Vertical Waffle Maker is sold as a Brand New Unopened Item.


text:
Registration for the 2018 Power of the Purse Opens March 1
Registration for the Power of the Purse luncheon begins Thursday, March 1. Online registration is available for $75 per person and $150 per patron. Maria Hinojosa is the featured speaker for the popular event, taking place on Tuesday, May 22, at the Expo Center at the Crowne Plaza in Asheville. Hinojosa's talk, "My American Experience: Immigration, Disparity and Opportunity," will address the critical issues of migration, immigration and changing demographics.
In 2010, Hinojosa created the Futuro Media Group, a nonprofit producing multimedia journalism that explores diversity and tells stories that may be overlooked by mainstream media. As the Anchor and Executive Producer of the Peabody Award-winning show Latino USA, distributed by NPR; Anchor and Executive Producer of the PBS show America by the Numbers with Maria Hinojosa; and Co-host of In The Thick, Futuro Media's new political podcast, Hinojosa has informed millions about the evolving cultural and political landscape in America and abroad.
Hinojosa has worked for CNN, PBS, CBS, WNBC and WGBH. Her previous projects include PBS' Need to Know series and the WGBH/La Plaza talk show Maria Hinojosa: One-on-One. Hinojosa has received numerous awards for her work including: four Emmys; the 2012 John Chancellor Award for Excellence in Journalism; Robert F. Kennedy Award for Reporting on the Disadvantaged; the Studs Terkel Community Media Award; and the Edward R. Murrow Award from the Overseas Press Club for best documentary for "Child Brides: Stolen Lives."
Hinojosa was born in Mexico City and raised in Chicago. She received her BA from Barnard College. She is currently the Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz Chair of Latin American and Latino Studies at DePaul University in Chicago and a Global Post 'Voces' columnist.
La interpretación simultánea en español estará disponible para el evento de Power of the Purse este año. Por favor llame 828-785-4740 o déjenos saber por correo electrónico (parks@cfwnc.org) si usted requiere servicios interpretativos.
Proceeds from the event benefit The Women's Fund, a CFWNC permanent endowment that supports the unmet needs of women and girls across the region. The program includes the announcement of the 2018 Collaborative High-Impact Women for Women grant.


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RapFest Radio
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#LivenTheLifeOf Zaytoven, The Producerpenuer
#LivenTheLifeOf Immature, R&B's Humble Trio
#LivenTheLifeOf Jackboy, Florida's Hit Making Missile
Key Glock Demands Respect On His Name In "Mr. Glock" Video
A Florida Duo Trina and Jay Burna Make Magic In "Game Time"
California-Native Pofsky Delivers New EP
#LivenTheLifeOf Big Flock, DMV's OG Grandfather
#LivenTheLifeOf Mikey Polo, Rap's Emotional Trapper With Soul
#LivinTheLifeOf Hall 2026, Georgia's Hidden Gem
South Central Jag Discusses Working With Ty Dolla $ign, and Upcoming Campaigns With Dope & Ciroc
ExclusivesHomepage SpotlightMusic
Photo Credit – Pico Shaw
Jag is someone that has been putting in the groundwork over the last five-plus years, whether it has been on the mixtape scene or killing a freestyle. The South-Central native can handle his own. During the beginning of his career, he worked with a variety of heavyweight industry producers such as Kanye West, Ricc Rude, 1500 or Nothing, The Heatmakerz, Dame Taylor, The Animal House, and THX helping to hone his craft as a battle rapper and creating music for commercialization.
In 2009, he would meet Philly native Cassidy and would continue to build a close working affiliation with his Larsiny Family label group. Later that year Cassidy would feature Jag on his Apply Pressure mixtape and gain very positive feedback also leading him to a guest appearance on Shade 45 and numerous performances.
This would prompt Jag to start releasing his own mixtapes featuring various artists. Jag would release his debut album entitled "Dalton Ave" is an 18-track project with production from Grammy Nominated Bizness Boi, and features from the likes of Childish Major, Derrick Milano, and DB Bantino to name a few.
Fast forward to the first quarter of 2018, Jag along with his former Priority Records roster mates District, Albee Al, Ras Kass' were featured in a Sports Center Cypher during the NBA All-Star weekend in February. Also, in the first quarter, JAG made appearances on popular freestyle shows such as Sway in the morning, Statik Selektah, and Power 106's LA Leakers.
He released his single and video to "The Kapernick Effect" in March addressing police brutality towards African Americans.
I recently had an opportunity to speak with Jag about the release of his upcoming 2700 EP later this month. In addition, he discusses some of the campaigns that he is involved with such as, Ciroc, Dope clothing line, and possible collaborations in the future.
You have your new project "2700 EP" dropping next month. Can you talk about the zone were in during the creative process?
I was just in a brand-new zone as an artist, and I was trying to master my craft. I wanted to showcase that I can compete with the top talent in hip-hop.
Earlier this year you release "The Kapernick Effect" why did you feel this was the perfect time to share with the world?
At the direction, music was headed and the events in the streets around police brutality against us as black males. I thought the timing was perfect because nobody was speaking on it and I did not want to release music where it looked like I was following other artists. I wanted to release "The Kapernick Effect" because no one was really talking about it at the time.
How do you want to use your platform to change the world going forward?
I want to use my voice to change things in the hood and let them know that I came from the same place they come from. I had to deal with the same struggles that you are enduring, but you don't have to settle with what is presented to you. In the streets or what is being displayed on the news, you can strive for higher goals. I also want to use my platform to help kids build schools, parks, and give back to my community. We do not have all the luxuries that they have in West Los Angeles, Hollywood or the Valley in south-central our neighborhoods then branch out to the rest of the world.
You had the opportunity to work with Ty Dolla $ign and Trey Songz on this project. Can you tell us about the energy they brought in the booth as the laid their verses?
Well, Trey and I did not get the opportunity to hop in the booth this time around, but we were able to get him on the track via email and shout-outs to him for that. I knew what direction I wanted to take the song before I even sent it to him and I had a vision in my head. Working with Ty is fantastic he is a monster, and he is having the greatest year an R&B artist could have, and I believe he is the Drake of R&B right now!
Can you talk about your upcoming campaign with Ciroc?
Shout out to Ciroc we have a lot of things happening with them around a special they have coming out. The campaign will be featured on television and Ciroc will be involved in sponsoring a couple of listening sessions coming up in a couple of states. Ciroc will be highly involved in my movement moving forward, and I support the company, and they have shown me nothing but love in return.
You also have an upcoming campaign with 'Dope' in September. What can you tell us what the public can expect from this role out?
New clothes and outfits for JAG when fans see me in Dope clothing. The partnership with Dope is a new direction that I want to head into. I think the collaboration that we have is about to be excellent. Especially, being from Los Angeles and the Dope brand has always been popping in that Fairfax and Melrose area.
This has been a great year for you thus far. You have been featured in an NBA Cypher, a couple of freestyle displays during your New York trip and at home in Los Angeles. Out of all those experiences what has been your favorite thus far?
I like it all, but I would have to say the LA Leakers was my favorite because I was home in Los Angeles. I always wanted to showcase my talent on the radio for the world to see.
Have you thought about getting in the booth with Damian Lillard and Lonzo Ball?
I know people who work with Lonzo, and I spoke to Damian Lillard a couple of years back. That is something I would be interested in, and I know Damian Lillard respects the music. I would love to be able to work with him and Lonzo.
Do you have any desire to get into acting?
Definitely! I'm just looking for the right role that I can study for and go audition. I would love to be on film or television it doesn't matter.
Would you be interested in being on Wild n Out?
I love Wild N Out I'm sure the money is good first off and second being on television you get great exposure. Third, if I were able to get on Wild N Out, I would be the best artist on there out of all cast members besides Justina Valentine of course.
Finally, is the 2700 Ep the only project you plan on dropping this year?
I plan on dropping an album before the year is up right around November or December. My birthday is in November, and I'd like to drop around that time of the year to give myself a beautiful birthday present. We will see where it goes!
1500 or NothingAlbee AlBizness Boicassidychildish majorDalton AveDame Taylordb bantinoDerrick MilanoDistrictJAGkanye westla leakersPriority RecordsRas KassRicc RudeThe Animal Housethe heatmakerzTHX
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