text:
Written Statement: The Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Act 2020 – Update on implementation
Cabinet statement
Vaughan Gething MS, Minister for Health and Social Services
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Bill was passed by the Senedd just over one year ago.
My hope, when the Act received Royal Assent in June 2020, was that it could be implemented within two years. However, this last year has been an incredibly difficult time for us all; potentially no more so than for those who plan, deliver and rely on our health and social care services. What we have experienced has been truly unparalleled and at times, may have felt all-consuming.
Today, looking forward, I wish to share this Government's aspirations to implement the Act in full by April 2023. We recognise the immediate years ahead will present further challenges and we may be subject to some ongoing constraints but we remain committed to doing all we can to engage and involve stakeholders in making these important changes.
There is one element of the Act, I hope, will come to fruition this calendar year: the making of Regulations to enable the appointment of statutory Vice Chairs of NHS Trusts – improving their governance and decision-making processes, bringing them in to line with Local Health Boards.
Beyond this, our aim will be to commence the re-focussed duty of quality on NHS bodies (Local Health Boards, NHS Trusts and Special Health Authorities) at the same time as the new duty of candour – which will also apply to primary care providers – from April 2023. This will enable a more transitional and joined-up approach to their introduction. It will afford greater scope to co-ordinate stakeholder involvement in the co-production of statutory guidance and preparation of Regulations, as well as the design and delivery of training for NHS staff. Importantly, it will allow additional time for NHS bodies (and primary care, in respect of candour) to streamline plans and implement changes to their existing policies and procedures, to ensure compliance with the duties from that date.
I can also confirm our intentions to review the Health and Care Standards, alongside development of statutory guidance on the duty of quality; to make adjustments to existing Putting Things Right (NHS complaints) Regulations and guidance, to align these with and support the new duty of candour; and to place a similar duty of candour on independent healthcare providers, using existing powers under the Care Standards Act 2000 – something welcomed by the sector – bringing them in to line with NHS bodies and providers of regulated social care.
With regards to establishment of the Citizen Voice Body for Health and Social Care, foremost, I acknowledge that it has been over five years since we first discussed the creation of such a body. I recognise this has, at times, been unsettling for the staff and members of Community Health Councils (CHCs) but want to give assurance of this Government's intention that the new Body should be established and operational by April 2023, with CHC staff and volunteer members engaged in and fully supported to manage the transition.
Since the Health and Social Care (Quality and Engagement) (Wales) Bill was passed we have seen the publication of The Independent Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Review, chaired by Baroness Julia Cumberlege. In response to the recommendation within that report for the establishment of a Patient Safety Commissioner, I have asked my officials to use some of this additional time to explore the role the Citizen Voice Body, with its consent, could play in meeting this recommendation.
This Government sees the establishment of the Citizen Voice Body as a cornerstone of our work to implement A Healthier Wales: our long-term plan for health and social care; promoting closer integration of health and social care services; and investing in services that promote continuous engagement with the public in these matters.
This critically important work is being taken forward by the Minister for Mental Health, Wellbeing and Welsh Language, jointly with the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services. They recently met with representatives of the Board of CHCs to hear about the activities of Community Health Councils and to understand how CHC staff and volunteer members have adapted to provide vital support for patients by working effectively with health boards throughout the pandemic. The CHC Board members also expressed their enthusiasm to share the CHCs' collective experience and knowledge in shaping and making a success of this new, independent Body that will be a key enabler for engagement with people, in a multitude of ways, in all parts of Wales.
The Citizen Voice Body will be at the heart of conversation with the Welsh public, working together with NHS bodies and local authorities, and alongside other public, independent and volunteer organisations to strengthen the voice of citizens. It will be essential for all partners to establish close working relationships and I anticipate the new Body will prove an excellent source of advice when it comes to determining what matters to people in relation to health and social care.
I want to emphasise this Government's commitment to engaging with stakeholders and citizens to inform and guide our work in implementing the Act. Together we can create the culture and understanding needed, all round, to meet the duties of quality and candour and to ensure the Citizen Voice Body becomes embedded within the health and social care landscape, working well with its partners, representing the views of the public.
Collectively, the measures within the Act will help us to work beyond the difficulties of this last year and move further towards the integration and sustainability aspirations set out in A Healthier Wales; driving improvements in health and social care, and crucially, leading to better outcomes that matter most to the people of Wales.


text:
Carter: Saudi Arabia, UAE to provide special operations forces in Islamic State fight
February 13, 2016 by The New Mail	in Europe
Carter-Saudi-Arabia-UAE-to-provide-special-operations-forces-in-Islamic-State-fight. BRUSSELS, The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have offered to provide special operations forces in the fight against the Isis in Syria, U.S. Secretary of defense Ashton Carter said Friday.
Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter said the United Arab Emirates is prepared to increase its presence in Syria , offering airstrikes and the possibility of ground troops as trainers and advisors, to fight the Islamic State. Photo by Billy Weeks/UPI | License Photo
Carter also told reporters about the UAE's renewed commitment to airstrikes in Syria to fight IS — also identified as Daesh, ISIS and ISIL.
"They indicated to me their willingness now to do more, which is important, specifically to restart their participation in the air campaign, which is very important,"he said after meeting with his UAE counterpart in Brussels.
"We're going to try to give opportunities and power to … particularly Sunni Arabs in Syria who want to re-seize their territory back from ISIL, especially Raqqa."
He added UAE special forces may soon assist in training and equipping local Sunni security forces, thus putting UAE troops on the ground in Syria.
"They have very capable special forces, and they have a unique political, and even moral, role to play in this conflict," Carter said of the Emirates and of Saudi Arabia, each a Sunni nation, "and that makes them important partners in that regard, as well as the very powerful military capability they both bring."
Meanwhile, defense ministers meeting in Brussels are considering adding NATO as a coalition partner, a U.S. Department of Defense statement noted. Carter said a number of NATO countries, following his request for more resources, have pledged additional efforts to fight IS in Syria. The statement said NATO could provide experience in organizational building, training and stabilization support to the campaign.
The meeting in Brussels comes after President Barack Obama's recent approval of an acceleration in the U.S. mission of airstrikes against IS. Although the United States has offered no new munitions to its Sunni partners, the U.S. government's budget for fiscal 2017 includes a request for $1.8 billion for precision guided missiles to use against IS.
Carter noted that nearly all members of the anti-IS coalition have stepped up their involvement, or intend to do so once their governments approve.
BreakingFeaturedMiddle EastNEWSPoliticsworld news
North Korea says Kaesong shutdown leading to 'brink of war'
Pakistan breaks up plan to free U.S. journalist's killer, arrests 97 alleged militants

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
package org.elasticsearch.index.shard;

import joptsimple.OptionParser;
import joptsimple.OptionSet;
import org.apache.lucene.store.BaseDirectoryWrapper;
import org.elasticsearch.ElasticsearchException;
import org.elasticsearch.Version;
import org.elasticsearch.cli.MockTerminal;
import org.elasticsearch.cli.Terminal;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.metadata.IndexMetaData;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.routing.RecoverySource;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.routing.ShardRouting;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.routing.ShardRoutingHelper;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.routing.ShardRoutingState;
import org.elasticsearch.cluster.routing.TestShardRouting;
import org.elasticsearch.common.CheckedFunction;
import org.elasticsearch.common.settings.Settings;
import org.elasticsearch.env.Environment;
import org.elasticsearch.env.NodeEnvironment;
import org.elasticsearch.env.TestEnvironment;
import org.elasticsearch.index.IndexSettings;
import org.elasticsearch.index.MergePolicyConfig;
import org.elasticsearch.index.engine.EngineException;
import org.elasticsearch.index.engine.InternalEngineFactory;
import org.elasticsearch.index.store.Store;
import org.elasticsearch.index.translog.TestTranslog;
import org.elasticsearch.index.translog.TranslogCorruptedException;
import org.elasticsearch.test.CorruptionUtils;
import org.elasticsearch.test.DummyShardLock;
import org.junit.Before;

import java.io.IOException;
import java.nio.file.Files;
import java.nio.file.Path;
import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.Set;
import java.util.regex.Matcher;
import java.util.regex.Pattern;

import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.containsString;
import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.equalTo;
import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.instanceOf;
import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.is;
import static org.hamcrest.Matchers.startsWith;

public class RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommandTests extends IndexShardTestCase {

    private ShardId shardId;
    private ShardRouting routing;
    private Path dataDir;
    private Environment environment;
    private Settings settings;
    private ShardPath shardPath;
    private IndexMetaData indexMetaData;
    private IndexShard indexShard;
    private Path translogPath;
    private Path indexPath;

    @Before
    public void setup() throws IOException {
        shardId = new ShardId("index0", "_na_", 0);
        final String nodeId = randomAlphaOfLength(10);
        routing = TestShardRouting.newShardRouting(shardId, nodeId, true, ShardRoutingState.INITIALIZING,
            RecoverySource.EmptyStoreRecoverySource.INSTANCE);

        dataDir = createTempDir();

        environment =
            TestEnvironment.newEnvironment(Settings.builder()
                .put(Environment.PATH_HOME_SETTING.getKey(), dataDir)
                .putList(Environment.PATH_DATA_SETTING.getKey(), dataDir.toAbsolutePath().toString()).build());

        // create same directory structure as prod does
        final Path path = NodeEnvironment.resolveNodePath(dataDir, 0);
        Files.createDirectories(path);
        settings = Settings.builder()
            .put(IndexMetaData.SETTING_VERSION_CREATED, Version.CURRENT)
            .put(IndexMetaData.SETTING_NUMBER_OF_SHARDS, 1)
            .put(MergePolicyConfig.INDEX_MERGE_ENABLED, false)
            .put(IndexMetaData.SETTING_NUMBER_OF_REPLICAS, 0)
            .build();

        final NodeEnvironment.NodePath nodePath = new NodeEnvironment.NodePath(path);
        shardPath = new ShardPath(false, nodePath.resolve(shardId), nodePath.resolve(shardId), shardId);
        final IndexMetaData.Builder metaData = IndexMetaData.builder(routing.getIndexName())
            .settings(settings)
            .primaryTerm(0, randomIntBetween(1, 100))
            .putMapping("_doc", "{ \"properties\": {} }");
        indexMetaData = metaData.build();

        indexShard = newStartedShard(p ->
                newShard(routing, shardPath, indexMetaData, null, null,
                    new InternalEngineFactory(), () -> {
                    }, EMPTY_EVENT_LISTENER),
            true);

        translogPath = shardPath.resolveTranslog();
        indexPath = shardPath.resolveIndex();
    }

    public void testShardLock() throws Exception {
        indexDocs(indexShard, true);

        final RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand command = new RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand();
        final MockTerminal t = new MockTerminal();
        final OptionParser parser = command.getParser();

        // Try running it before the shard is closed, it should flip out because it can't acquire the lock
        try {
            final OptionSet options = parser.parse("-d", indexPath.toString());
            command.execute(t, options, environment);
            fail("expected the command to fail not being able to acquire the lock");
        } catch (Exception e) {
            assertThat(e.getMessage(), containsString("Failed to lock shard's directory"));
        }

        // close shard
        closeShards(indexShard);

        // Try running it before the shard is corrupted
        try {
            final OptionSet options = parser.parse("-d", indexPath.toString());
            command.execute(t, options, environment);
            fail("expected the command to fail not being able to find a corrupt file marker");
        } catch (ElasticsearchException e) {
            assertThat(e.getMessage(), startsWith("Shard does not seem to be corrupted at"));
            assertThat(t.getOutput(), containsString("Lucene index is clean at"));
        }
    }

    public void testCorruptedIndex() throws Exception {
        final int numDocs = indexDocs(indexShard, true);

        // close shard
        closeShards(indexShard);

        final boolean corruptSegments = randomBoolean();
        CorruptionUtils.corruptIndex(random(), indexPath, corruptSegments);

        // test corrupted shard
        final IndexShard corruptedShard = reopenIndexShard(true);
        allowShardFailures();
        expectThrows(IndexShardRecoveryException.class, () -> newStartedShard(p -> corruptedShard, true));
        closeShards(corruptedShard);

        final RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand command = new RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand();
        final MockTerminal t = new MockTerminal();
        final OptionParser parser = command.getParser();

        // run command with dry-run
        t.addTextInput("n"); // mean dry run
        final OptionSet options = parser.parse("-d", indexPath.toString());
        t.setVerbosity(Terminal.Verbosity.VERBOSE);
        try {
            command.execute(t, options, environment);
            fail();
        } catch (ElasticsearchException e) {
            if (corruptSegments) {
                assertThat(e.getMessage(), is("Index is unrecoverable"));
            } else {
                assertThat(e.getMessage(), containsString("aborted by user"));
            }
        } finally {
            logger.info("--> output:\n{}", t.getOutput());
        }

        if (corruptSegments == false) {

            // run command without dry-run
            t.addTextInput("y");
            command.execute(t, options, environment);

            final String output = t.getOutput();
            logger.info("--> output:\n{}", output);

            // reopen shard
            failOnShardFailures();
            final IndexShard newShard = newStartedShard(p -> reopenIndexShard(false), true);

            final Set<String> shardDocUIDs = getShardDocUIDs(newShard);

            final Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile("Corrupted Lucene index segments found -\\s+(?<docs>\\d+) documents will be lost.");
            final Matcher matcher = pattern.matcher(output);
            assertThat(matcher.find(), equalTo(true));
            final int expectedNumDocs = numDocs - Integer.parseInt(matcher.group("docs"));

            assertThat(shardDocUIDs.size(), equalTo(expectedNumDocs));

            closeShards(newShard);
        }
    }

    public void testCorruptedTranslog() throws Exception {
        final int numDocsToKeep = indexDocs(indexShard, false);

        // close shard
        closeShards(indexShard);

        TestTranslog.corruptRandomTranslogFile(logger, random(), Arrays.asList(translogPath));

        // test corrupted shard
        final IndexShard corruptedShard = reopenIndexShard(true);

        allowShardFailures();
        // it has to fail on start up due to index.shard.check_on_startup = checksum
        final Exception exception = expectThrows(Exception.class, () -> newStartedShard(p -> corruptedShard, true));
        final Throwable cause = exception.getCause() instanceof EngineException ? exception.getCause().getCause() : exception.getCause();
        assertThat(cause, instanceOf(TranslogCorruptedException.class));

        closeShards(corruptedShard);

        final RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand command = new RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand();
        final MockTerminal t = new MockTerminal();
        final OptionParser parser = command.getParser();

        final OptionSet options = parser.parse("-d", translogPath.toString());
        // run command with dry-run
        t.addTextInput("n"); // mean dry run
        t.setVerbosity(Terminal.Verbosity.VERBOSE);
        try {
            command.execute(t, options, environment);
            fail();
        } catch (ElasticsearchException e) {
            assertThat(e.getMessage(), containsString("aborted by user"));
            assertThat(t.getOutput(), containsString("Continue and remove corrupted data from the shard ?"));
        }

        logger.info("--> output:\n{}", t.getOutput());

        // run command without dry-run
        t.reset();
        t.addTextInput("y");
        command.execute(t, options, environment);

        final String output = t.getOutput();
        logger.info("--> output:\n{}", output);

        // reopen shard
        failOnShardFailures();
        final IndexShard newShard = newStartedShard(p -> reopenIndexShard(false), true);

        final Set<String> shardDocUIDs = getShardDocUIDs(newShard);

        assertThat(shardDocUIDs.size(), equalTo(numDocsToKeep));

        closeShards(newShard);
    }

    public void testCorruptedBothIndexAndTranslog() throws Exception {
        // index some docs in several segments
        final int numDocsToKeep = indexDocs(indexShard, false);

        // close shard
        closeShards(indexShard);

        CorruptionUtils.corruptIndex(random(), indexPath, false);

        // test corrupted shard
        final IndexShard corruptedShard = reopenIndexShard(true);
        allowShardFailures();
        expectThrows(IndexShardRecoveryException.class, () -> newStartedShard(p -> corruptedShard, true));
        closeShards(corruptedShard);

        TestTranslog.corruptRandomTranslogFile(logger, random(), Arrays.asList(translogPath));

        final RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand command = new RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand();
        final MockTerminal t = new MockTerminal();
        final OptionParser parser = command.getParser();

        final OptionSet options = parser.parse("-d", translogPath.toString());
        // run command with dry-run
        t.addTextInput("n"); // mean dry run
        t.addTextInput("n"); // mean dry run
        t.setVerbosity(Terminal.Verbosity.VERBOSE);
        try {
            command.execute(t, options, environment);
            fail();
        } catch (ElasticsearchException e) {
            assertThat(e.getMessage(), containsString("aborted by user"));
            assertThat(t.getOutput(), containsString("Continue and remove corrupted data from the shard ?"));
        }

        logger.info("--> output:\n{}", t.getOutput());

        // run command without dry-run
        t.reset();
        t.addTextInput("y");
        command.execute(t, options, environment);

        final String output = t.getOutput();
        logger.info("--> output:\n{}", output);

        // reopen shard
        failOnShardFailures();
        final IndexShard newShard = newStartedShard(p -> reopenIndexShard(false), true);

        final Set<String> shardDocUIDs = getShardDocUIDs(newShard);

        final Pattern pattern = Pattern.compile("Corrupted Lucene index segments found -\\s+(?<docs>\\d+) documents will be lost.");
        final Matcher matcher = pattern.matcher(output);
        assertThat(matcher.find(), equalTo(true));
        final int expectedNumDocs = numDocsToKeep - Integer.parseInt(matcher.group("docs"));

        assertThat(shardDocUIDs.size(), equalTo(expectedNumDocs));

        closeShards(newShard);
    }

    public void testResolveIndexDirectory() throws Exception {
        // index a single doc to have files on a disk
        indexDoc(indexShard, "_doc", "0", "{}");
        flushShard(indexShard, true);
        writeIndexState();

        // close shard
        closeShards(indexShard);

        final RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand command = new RemoveCorruptedShardDataCommand();
        final OptionParser parser = command.getParser();

        // `--index index_name --shard-id 0` has to be resolved to indexPath
        final OptionSet options = parser.parse("--index", shardId.getIndex().getName(),
            "--shard-id", Integer.toString(shardId.id()));

        command.findAndProcessShardPath(options, environment,
            shardPath -> assertThat(shardPath.resolveIndex(), equalTo(indexPath)));

        final OptionSet options2 = parser.parse("--dir", indexPath.toAbsolutePath().toString());
        command.findAndProcessShardPath(options2, environment,
            shardPath -> assertThat(shardPath.resolveIndex(), equalTo(indexPath)));
    }

    private IndexShard reopenIndexShard(boolean corrupted) throws IOException {
        // open shard with the same location
        final ShardRouting shardRouting = ShardRoutingHelper.initWithSameId(indexShard.routingEntry(),
            RecoverySource.ExistingStoreRecoverySource.INSTANCE
        );

        final IndexMetaData metaData = IndexMetaData.builder(indexMetaData)
            .settings(Settings.builder()
                .put(indexShard.indexSettings().getSettings())
                .put(IndexSettings.INDEX_CHECK_ON_STARTUP.getKey(), "checksum"))
            .build();

        CheckedFunction<IndexSettings, Store, IOException> storeProvider =
            corrupted == false ? null :
                indexSettings -> {
                    final ShardId shardId = shardPath.getShardId();
                    final BaseDirectoryWrapper baseDirectoryWrapper = newFSDirectory(shardPath.resolveIndex());
                    // index is corrupted - don't even try to check index on close - it fails
                    baseDirectoryWrapper.setCheckIndexOnClose(false);
                    return new Store(shardId, indexSettings, baseDirectoryWrapper, new DummyShardLock(shardId));
        };

        return newShard(shardRouting, shardPath, metaData, storeProvider, null,
            indexShard.engineFactory, indexShard.getGlobalCheckpointSyncer(), EMPTY_EVENT_LISTENER);
    }

    private int indexDocs(IndexShard indexShard, boolean flushLast) throws IOException {
        // index some docs in several segments
        int numDocs = 0;
        int numDocsToKeep = 0;
        for (int i = 0, attempts = randomIntBetween(5, 10); i < attempts; i++) {
            final int numExtraDocs = between(10, 100);
            for (long j = 0; j < numExtraDocs; j++) {
                indexDoc(indexShard, "_doc", Long.toString(numDocs + j), "{}");
            }
            numDocs += numExtraDocs;

            if (flushLast || i < attempts - 1) {
                numDocsToKeep += numExtraDocs;
                flushShard(indexShard, true);
            }
        }

        logger.info("--> indexed {} docs, {} to keep", numDocs, numDocsToKeep);

        writeIndexState();
        return numDocsToKeep;
    }

    private void writeIndexState() throws IOException {
        // create _state of IndexMetaData
        try(NodeEnvironment nodeEnvironment = new NodeEnvironment(environment.settings(), environment)) {
            final Path[] paths = nodeEnvironment.indexPaths(indexMetaData.getIndex());
            IndexMetaData.FORMAT.write(indexMetaData, paths);
            logger.info("--> index metadata persisted to {} ", Arrays.toString(paths));
        }
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This year's theme is "Embracing the Future, Sharing the Legacy" as we honor the continued impact and bright futures of Kauffman Scholars and Alumni.
Evening attire is required. Space is limited. Please RSVP by Friday, May 31, 2019.
Please select the "Incoming Alumni" option to start the RSVP process.
Include the first and last name of all of your 3 guests. Don't include yourself.
Each community partner invite includes seating for up to two guests.
Heavy appetizer stations and non-alcoholic drinks will be provided during the program.


text:
Q: How to create an alert after 3 confirmations in Pinescript Cross shapes means to sell
Hi all, I have created an indicator, but I'm stuck on how I can create a buy/sell alert after 3 orange cross. Can someone help me with the condition? Thank you!
long = longCondition1 and ta.barssince(longCondition1) < 2 and ta.barssince(longCondition1) < 3
plotshape(long, location=location.belowbar, style=shape.cross, size=size.tiny, color=color.rgb(255,192,203))

I used it but it's not following the condition that it should be plotted after 3 orange cross.

A: If you want to create an alert after three orange crosses in a row, you can do it as follows:
long = longCondition1 and longCondition1[1] and longCondition1[2]

If you want just the first three then your code should look like this:
long = longCondition1 and longCondition1[1] and longCondition1[2] and not longCondition1[3]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Thank you so much for your request to download a copy of the EBS White Paper, "Why Non-Profits Are So Interested in Split-Dollar Life Insurance — Should You Be, Too?"
Click the link below to download the White Paper.
http://execbenefits.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/NonProfit_SplitDollar_WP_v13_withdislosures-7-23-2018.pdf
We hope you find the paper informative. We welcome your call for follow-on questions about the White Paper. Simply contact Bill MacDonald (760-340-4277) or Chris Rich (617-904-9444 x2).
BACK TO RESOURCES LIST
DOWNLOAD WHITEPAPERDOWNLOAD WHITEPAPER
WHITEPAPERS & ARTICLES
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act imposed a new 21% excise tax on compensation paid by a non-profit organization on compensation in excess of $1 million, and on "excess parachute payments." The apparent Congressional intent was to create a degree of symmetry with the $1 million deduction limitation on publicly-traded corporations. However, it has further complicated compensation planning among non-profit organizations and placed them at an even greater competitive disadvantage in their attempt to attract and retain talented executives and professionals.
In our latest and highly detailed white paper, "Why Non-Profits Are So Interested in Split-Dollar Life Insurance—Should You Be, Too?" we tackle how to work around this tax hit to keep the playing field level between non-profits and for-profits as you compete for professional talent.
Suddenly, everyone in non-profits wants to know more about split-dollar life insurance.
Find out why. Download Our Latest White Paper.


text:
The Sanctity of Marriage: Opposing Gay Marriage But Respecting Homosexuals
Monday, January 30, 2012 | Coronavirus →
By Brittney R. Villalva, Christian Post Reporter Follow | Monday, January 30, 2012
The United Kingdom continues to push forward with liberal plans to officially redefine marriage, however Roman Catholic Archbishop, Peter Smith has challenged the government's reasoning, and in doing so highlighted what he believes are serious issues that are frequently misunderstood in the divisive topic.
From 2001 to 2010, Smith served as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Cardiff and is currently the Metropolitan Archbishop of Southwark. According to the archbishop, the government has not given substantial reasoning for attempting to redefine marriage in the country. He defended his position by noting that civil partnerships already offer same-sex couples virtually all the rights of marriage within the U.K.
Within his statement, the archbishop laid out issues that have heavily plagued the Christian community over the past year. A majority of Christians oppose "gay marriage" because of the traditional biblical belief that homosexuality is a sin, and that marriage is defined by the Bible as between one man and one woman. However, gay activists often look to label those who disagree with their push for a redefinition of marriage as hateful or bigots. But the Catholic Church has pointed out, the point of contention is not about civil unions as much as the misusage of a Christian term.
A recent document produced by the Vatican, titled "Considerations Regarding Proposals to Give Legal Recognition to Unions Between Homosexual Persons," explains the difference between homosexual discrimination and the impedance of religious rights and freedoms.
The document first highlights the importance of marriage to the Christian community, stating, "The Church teaches that Christian marriage is an efficacious sign of the covenant between Christ and the Church."
It also explains why same-sex marriage is against the church: "Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go against the natural moral law. Homosexual acts close the sexual act to the gift of life."
However, whereas the document states that many bible verses (Rom 1:24-27; 1 Cor 6:10; 1 Tim 1:10) all condemn homosexual acts "as a serious depravity," it does not suggest that homosexuals are necessarily at fault simply for their feelings.
"This judgment of Scripture does not of course permit us to conclude that all those who suffer from this anomaly are personally responsible for it, but it does attest to the fact that homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."
However, the document also urges Christians to be compassionate and sensitive to homosexuals, and not to discriminate against them. It states: "Nonetheless, according to the teaching of the Church, men and women with homosexual tendencies must be accepted with respect, compassion and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided."
A spokesperson for the Church of England, in a statement to the Christian Institute said, "Opening marriage to same-sex couples would add nothing to the rights and responsibilities that already arise with a civil partnership but would require multiple changes to law, with the definition of marriage having to change for everyone."
Archbishop Smith met with British Home Secretary Theresa May during the week, but could not get an answer as to why the government was considering the motion.
"I suspect the government hasn't really thought out why the definition of marriage should be changed," he said.
"Marriage is not a commodity that can be re-packaged for a new market," the Evangelical Alliance, a Christian organization in the U.K, wrote recently. "The government's plans conflate difference with equality and would fragment and devalue marriage as an authentic relational covenant."
The Evangelical Alliance's statement highlights that the debate goes to the essence of religious freedom, and the importance of keeping the freedoms of faith out of the reach of the state. Many Christians have argued that marriage is a Christian term and is biblically defined – distinguished from civil unions – and so should be kept out of reach of what the state can impose itself on.
Forced redefinition by the state of a traditionally Christian institution imposes on the core beliefs and freedoms of the religion itself, advocates have claimed. Others, however, look to argue that legalizing gay marriage would have no affect on the Christian community, and are bewildered by their strong opposition to the change. But the gay activist agenda has already concerned many Christians in Canada and the U.K.
Ontario became the last province in Canada to legalize "The Accepting Schools Act" that insisted that students were responsible for making communities more inclusive for all people, and in particular to include "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, transsexual, two-spirited, intersexed, queer and questioning people."
Religious parents attempting to raise their children with Christian values opposed such a ruling arguing that it interfered with their parental rights. The Future of Sex Education also proposed a similar recommendation in the United States, which suggested that third graders should be able to "differentiate between gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation." However, Christian advocates fought against the proposals saying that gender refers to the sex of a person, which is decided by God and not humans.
Last November, a U.K. housing manager was demoted, and his salary reduced by 40 percent for a comment he made on Facebook that stated civil partnerships in churches were an "equality too far."
Adrian Smith, a housing manager in the U.K. with Trafford Housing Trust, has worked with the company for over 18 years. In response to the comment, which was made on his private Facebook, the company demoted him and reduced his salary by 40 percent. Smith was found guilty of gross misconduct after it was concluded that his housing association is publicly-funded. The comment was made in regards to a BBC headline that read: "Gay church 'marriages' set to get go-ahead."
Smith even went on to further explain his stance on Facebook, posting after the other comment, "The bible is quite specific that marriage is for men and women if the state wants to offer civil marriage to same-sex then that is up to the state; but they shouldn't impose its rules on places of faith and conscience."
His demotion directly reflected the impedance of religious freedom.
Therefore, Christian advocates have said that despite gay activist claims, regions which have been more liberal with legalizing gay marriage have categorically gone on to further impose on traditional Christian beliefs and their religious freedom.
Trump's 1776 Commission releases report denouncing 'problems of progressive education,' 1619 Project
Trump urges nations to 'stop persecuting people of faith' in Religious Freedom proclamation
Tim Tebow writes children's book celebrating children with special needs


text:
Alte Freunde ist ein deutscher Fernsehfilm von Jan Ruzicka aus dem Jahr 2020. Es handelt sich um den siebten Film der ARD-Reihe Praxis mit Meerblick mit Tanja Wedhorn als Ärztin Nora Kaminski in der Hauptrolle und Benjamin Grüter, Dirk Borchardt, Patrick Heyn, Anne Werner, Morgane Ferru, Lukas Zumbrock, Michael Kind, Petra Kelling, Kai Ivo Baulitz und Julia Schäfle in tragenden Rollen.

Die Erstausstrahlung des Films erfolgte am 6. März 2020 auf dem ARD-Sendeplatz Endlich Freitag im Ersten.

Handlung
Die Zusammenarbeit von Nora Kaminski und Dr. Hannes Stresow hat sich nach dem tragischen Tod von Dr. Freese, Noras gutem Freund und Praxispartner, langsam eingependelt. Dr. Stresow, der lang in der Schweiz gearbeitet hat, ist auf die Insel zurückgekehrt, um sich um die beiden Kinder seiner schwer erkrankten Schwester zu kümmern. Nach einem Einsatz mit dem Notarztwagen, bei dem Nora den Sassnitzer Schulleiter Thorsten Thieme nach einer Strandschlägerei verarztet hat, steht plötzlich Doro Kaminski im Garten von Roswitha Wing, bei der Nora wohnt. Sie hat eine lebensgroße Figur eines bärtigen Seemannes bei sich, die sie Nora unbedingt schenken will und erzählt, dass sie sie einfach habe kennenlernen wollen, bevor man sich eventuell am Strand über den Weg laufe. Doro ist die Frau von Noras Ex-Mann Peer. Peer hat auf der Insel nicht nur ein Appartement gekauft, sondern auch ein Boot. Daher werde man sich in Zukunft wohl häufiger sehen, meint Doro zu Nora und meint außerdem, Nora mitteilen zu müssen, dass Peer und sie planen würden, ein Baby zu bekommen.

Thorsten Thieme weist Auffälligkeiten auf, denen Nora auf den Grund gehen will. Er war vor etwa zehn Jahren an Lymphknotenkrebs erkrankt und vor drei Jahren letztmals bei einer Untersuchung. Da sei alles okay gewesen, versichert er der Ärztin, die festgestellt hat, dass seine Herzfrequenz zu hoch ist. Thieme meint, er habe in letzter Zeit öfter geschwollene Beine und schwitze schnell, eventuell sei der Krebs zurückgekommen. Als Thieme die Praxis verlässt, läuft er Hannes Stresow in die Arme. Er fragt danach, wie es seiner Schwester gehe. Stresow erläutert Nora auf Nachfrage, dass er und Thieme dieselbe Schulklasse besucht hätten. Auf nähere Nachfrage reagiert der Arzt gereizt.

Als Nora Thieme einen wichtigen Termin mitteilen will, ihn telefonisch aber nicht erreicht und bei ihm zu Hause vorbeischaut, findet sie ihn zusammengebrochen im Garten. Sie weist ihn sofort ins Krankenhaus ein. Dr. Stresow überrascht Nora mit der Mitteilung, er habe die Windpocken. Da sie nun auch noch seine Termine übernehmen muss, gerät Nora in Schwierigkeiten. Zumindest gibt es eine gute Nachricht für Thieme hinsichtlich seiner Angst, der Krebs könne zurückgekehrt sein. Das ist nicht der Fall. Allerdings hat er einen Herzklappenfehler. Er braucht möglichst schnell eine neue Herzklappe.

Als Nora ihren Ex-Mann Peer am Abend auf seinem Boot besucht, erliegen beide der momentanen Stimmung und schlafen miteinander. Doro, die krankhaft eifersüchtig sei, wie Peer Nora erzählt, ist zurück nach Berlin gefahren. Am anderen Morgen ist Nora wütend auf sich selbst und flieht fast von Bord.

In der Schule ereignet sich ein Zwischenfall wegen der allgemeinen Teilnahme am Schwimmunterricht, als Stresows Nichte Lisa sich weigert, daran teilzunehmen, da sie schon schwimmen könne. Daraufhin gerät der Arzt mit der Lehrerin Michelle Pfeiffer, die Thieme in seiner Klasse vertritt, aneinander. Als Nora, die dem Gespräch beigewohnt hat, wissen will, was da eben abgelaufen sei, erzählt Stresow ihr, dass Thieme und er zusammen in einer Abiturklasse gewesen seien. Drei Monate vor dem Abi sei er von der Schule geflogen. Er habe an der Bushaltestelle einen Honecker-Witz erzählt, über den alle gelacht hätten – auch Thieme, obwohl er in der FDJ gewesen sei. Allerdings habe er nicht gewusst, dass an der Haltestelle auch die Frau eines hohen Funktionärs gestanden habe. Das sei es dann mit dem Abi gewesen. Als Schülervertreter habe Thieme zusammen mit der Schulleitung sein feindlich-negatives Verhalten verurteilt. Und ausgerechnet so jemand praktiziere jetzt die alten DDR-Methoden an seiner Schule, an den Kindern seiner Schwester. Er sei stolz auf Lisa. Sie habe sein Nein-Sager-Gen geerbt.

Thieme gesteht Nora in einem vertraulichen Moment, das, was ihn wirklich umbringe, sei seine verdammte Einsamkeit. Er bittet sie außerdem, ihm vor seiner Herzoperation noch ein Gespräch mit Stresow zu vermitteln. Er möchte diese Sache vorher geklärt wissen. Zu Stresow meint er dann, er habe ihn seinerzeit aus Feigheit und Opportunismus hängenlassen. Auch wenn er trotzdem Abitur gemacht habe und Arzt geworden sei, ändere das nichts daran, dass er ihn und ihre Freundschaft verraten habe. Er habe beschlossen, sein damaliges Verhalten vor seiner Klasse zu thematisieren. Stresow bietet ihm an, bei dieser Beichte zugegen zu sein. Als Thieme seine Ausführungen beendet hat, steht Stresow auf und umarmt ihn im Beisein der Kinder. An diesem Tag findet zudem in seinem Garten ein Hauskonzert statt, bei dem eine aus Thieme am Schlagzeug, Dr. Heckmann am Saxophon, Ninas ehemaligem Vermieter Michael Kubatsky am Bass und dessen Enkel Patrick an der Gitarre bestehende Combo die erschienenen Gäste musikalisch unterhält. Neben der Musik erwartet sie auch Gegrilltes und Getränke. Die Fäden im Hintergrund hat wieder einmal die Ärztin ohne Doktortitel gezogen.

Produktion, Hintergrund
Alte Freunde wurde vom 29. April bis zum 1. Juli 2019 in Berlin, Rügen und Stralsund gedreht. Produziert wurde der Film von der Real Film Berlin im Auftrag der ARD Degeto. Die Redaktion lag bei Stefan Kruppa und Sascha Schwingel. Olaf Schwarck und Florian Strutz trugen die Verantwortung für die Aufnahmeleitung, Hartmut Damberg und Sandra Moll (ARD Degeto) für die Produktionsleitung und Ira Wysocki für die Herstellungsleitung. Gunther Eschke war für die Dramaturgie zuständig. Die medizinische Beratung unterlag Dr. Beate Rothermel. Produziert wurde der Film von der Real Film Berlin GmbH im Auftrag der ARD Degeto für das Erste.

Tanja Wedhorn charakterisierte ihre Figur Nora Kaminski in einem dpa-Interview folgendermaßen: "Diese Nora hat etwas sehr Gerades und Direktes, ist wenig süßlich und nicht sehr moderat. Hat guten Humor. Ich mag das alles sehr." Die Figur eigne sich wohl auch als Rollenmodell für moderne Frauen.

Rezeption

Veröffentlichung, Einschaltquote
Der am 6. März 2020 im Programm der ARD erstmals ausgestrahlte Film wurde von 4,31 Millionen Zuschauern eingeschaltet. Der Marktanteil lag bei 14,0 Prozent.

Kritik
TV Spielfilm meinte, es gebe "nicht viel Neues in der Reihe". Sie sei "sympathisch, aber vorhersehbar, mehr Melo als Drama", weshalb der Daumen sich zur Seite neigte.

Tilmann P. Gangloff bewertete den Film für das Internetportal evangelisch.de und stellte fest: "Wenn eine TV-Reihe über einen langen Zeitraum erfolgreich sein soll, muss es den Machern gelingen, eine wichtige Voraussetzung zu erfüllen: Die Mitwirkenden sollten den Zuschauern wie alte Freunde vorkommen, mit denen man sich regelmäßig trifft." Sei "das geschafft", spiele es auch "keine Rolle, wenn zwischen den Begegnungen zwölf Monate" lägen; deshalb sei "Nora Kaminski (Tanja Wedhorn), die Heldin von 'Praxis mit Meerblick', umgehend wieder präsent". Es beeinträchtige den "Genuss des siebten Films" auch keineswegs, dass man sich bei den Nebenfiguren zwischendurch frage, "wer wohl wie mit wem verwandt" sei. Zumal Michael Vershinin eine "interessante Geschichte erzähle, deren Hintergrund zurück in die letzten Jahre der DDR" führe. "Für die Qualität von 'Alte Freunde'" stehe "nicht zuletzt Jan Růžička". Der Regisseur habe "für die ARD-Tochter Degeto bereits vorzügliche Arbeiten für den Sendeplatz geliefert, als anspruchsvolle Zuschauer noch einen großen Bogen um die seichten Freitagsfilme gemacht" hätten. Der Kritiker lobte "die gelungene Arbeit Růžičkas mit den Schauspielern, zumal viele Handlungsstränge geschickt eingefädelt" seien. "Für besonders viel Vergnügen" sorgten schließlich "die Dialogduelle zwischen den beiden Praxispartnern, zumal Nora ihrem Kollegen manch' bösen Spruch an den Kopf" werfe. Es sei "nicht zuletzt diese Mixtur, den den Reiz der Reihe" ausmache.

Hans Czerny bedauerte auf der Seite des Fernsehmagazins Prisma, dass das "Rügen-Medical keine lang laufende Serie" sei, "denn die muntere Ärztin Nora (fünf Sterne für Tanja Wedhorn)" sehe man "doch immer wieder gern in ihrer Reihe 'Praxis mit Meerblick'".

In der Berliner Morgenpost konnte Wolfgang Platzeck dem Film hingegen nichts abgewinnen und sprach von "langweilig-leichte[r]" Kost und dass es in der Serie nicht auf "Glaubwürdigkeit" ankomme. Die Folge 'Alte Freunde' gehöre wieder "zu jenen luftleichten Unterhaltungsfilmchen, in denen echte oder angebliche Probleme nur dazu" dienten, "im Handumdrehen gelöst zu werden. Auf Glaubwürdigkeit, Wahrscheinlichkeit, Schlüssigkeit komm[e] es nicht an". Der "nie geforderte Zuschauer" werde "mit einem Alles-wird-gut-Gefühl ins Wochenende entlassen". Das "könnte man hinnehmen, gäbe es wenigstens den einen oder anderen Überraschungsmoment". Abschließend führte Platzeck aus: "Wo alles vorhersehbar ist, spielen die Darsteller, nicht alle gleichermaßen auf der Höhe ihrer Kunst, diesem Wissen leider permanent hinterher."

Weblinks

 Praxis mit Meerblick – Alte Freunde  daserste.de
 Praxis mit Meerblick – Alte Freunde degeto.de

Einzelnachweise

Filmtitel 2020
Deutscher Film
Filmdrama
Fernsehfilm
Alte Freunde

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Some studies have shown that the benefits of maintaining organization may stretch far beyond the obvious. Organization in your life can reduce stress and decrease the time required to complete tasks, which can lead to better eating habits, better sleeping habits, and better overall wellness.
Unfortunately, being organized isn't as common as you'd hope. The average American spends one year of their life looking for lost or misplaced items, and more than 25% of people say they aren't more organized because they don't have time to put organization systems into place.
So while creating a comprehensive organization system would obviously be a good idea, who among us actually has time right now to put towards something like that? Apparently, about 80 million Americans don't. There's hope for us time-starved, hard-working adults. A little creativity goes a long way to make your home more organized and things more accessible. We've gone ahead and taken the liberty of being creative for you and came up with ten quick and straightforward ways to be more organized today—yes, right now.
Double hang clothes with soda can tabs.
Unless you're someone that regularly gets rid of clothes you don't wear, you probably don't have a lot of closet space. You can clear some up without having to go spend money on closet organizers. Simply take the tabs off cans of soda (or whatever cans you're drinking) and run the hook of a hanger through the top circle on the tab. Take a second hanger and run it through the bottom hole, and now you can double hang clothes and save some closet space. You could even triple hang clothes if you wanted, as well as put similar garments together to save time when looking through your closet.
Use toilet paper rolls and shoeboxes to store cords.
The ultimate challenge when it comes to staying organized is managing charging cables and cords for your electronics. Somewhere in everybody's house is a drawer or bag packed full of chargers and headphones that without fail are tangled to the point of insanity. You can end that today. Take old paper towel or toilet paper rolls and line them up in an old shoebox. Simply glue or tape them to the bottom of the box and then store your cords inside the rolls. You could even label each one on top of the box and leave a corner for charging blocks. It may sound cheap (and we admit it is), but your cables will magically stay tangle free.
Put sheet sets inside pillowcases.
Keep your bed sheet sets together with what is probably the easiest hack on this list. After you're done washing and folding sheets, stick the whole set inside of the pillowcase before putting them away. Now each sheet set will be kept together, and there's no more searching for them in your linen closet.
Wash socks in a mesh bag.
Tired of losing socks in the mass of clothes in your washing machine and dryer? Of course you are. Take a small mesh bag and place all your socks in it, then only wash and dry the bag. All your socks will still get cleaned, they'll stay together, and they'll thank you.
Not many things can build up faster if they're ignored than mail. Bills, junk mail, magazines, and other tree-killing wastes pile up if they aren't taken care of. It's more stressful to take care of if you're trying to wrap your arms around disorganized chaos. Solution: purchase some jumbo clothespins, label them, and hang them on the wall, and you can have all your mail sorted and not taking up space on your counter or desk (and definitely not forgotten in your junk drawer.) The only caveat here is that you do need to take care of this mail because jumbo clothespins won't hold 604 bills. They will eventually run out of space, but maybe that's the extra motivation you need to take on the bills.
Oh, and when it comes to bills, most companies allow for e-bills and automatic payments. Just a thought.
Use bread bag tabs to label cords.
Hack number two showed you how to take care of chargers and other electronic cords when they aren't in use. What about the cables that are plugged in behind your computer? Have you ever had the problem of needing to unplug something and not knowing what is what in that powerstrip? Try labeling them with old bread tabs. Any time you buy a loaf of bread, save the little square tabs and label them with a corresponding cord, then hook them onto the wire and never again will you have to track cables to their devices to figure out what they go to.
If you don't eat bread, we're deeply sorry. We're sure your happy friends who still eat bread will let you have their leftover bread bag tabs.
Store plastic bags in old disinfecting wipe containers.
Every single home has a place somewhere where they have a bunch of grocery bags. You go grocery shopping, you bring home a bunch of bags, and you need somewhere to stuff them. Well, how about an old container of disinfecting wipes? It's big enough to hold quite a few bags, and you can pull them out one at a time like tissues, instead of picking through a huge tangled bunch of bags and having to fight for one.
Use a magazine holder to keep tin foil and plastic wrap organized.
There's not really a great place for a bunch of rectangular containers like those that hold tin foil unless you're willing to make your own. The good news is that making your own is quite easy and you won't need to find a place to cram those things anymore. You can purchase a magazine holder for around $10-15. Just hang it on the back of the pantry door using a command strip or any other adhesive used on wood. Then take all your tin foil or saran wrap containers and store them there. They'll be easy to get to and won't take up the all too precious space in your kitchen.
Hang trash bags on a paper towel roll.
Ever tried to pull a new trash bag out from under the sink, only to pull like four out and take the box with you? One great way to save time and avoid potentially misplacing things is to hang your kitchen bags and trash bags on a paper towel holder. They already come in rolls, so all you have to do is hang up the holder. It's as simple as finding an open area of a concealed wall (we imagine you don't want your trash bags easily visible in your kitchen) and hanging a paper towel holder.
Use a shoe organizer to store cleaning products.
A shoe organizer is an excellent tool for organizing all sorts of things beyond just shoes. The slots are sized for shoes but can fit things like cleaning bottles, dress socks, or even cords if you need that much space for them. Cleaning products in particular, such as disinfecting wipes or sprays, are things you want to keep out of reach of the kids. Hanging them on the back of the closet door can be a great way to keep them organized and out of sight. You could even arrange them so that the bottles that are running low are on the bottom, making shopping lists easier.
Hopefully, you can find some use in these quick, simple, and cheap organization hacks that can remove some small stressors from your life. We'd love to hear from you and any awesome organization ideas you have. Share your ideas with FilterEasy on Facebook.
FilterEasy delivers high-quality air filters on a custom schedule, so you never have to remember to change your filter. Get your first order free today.
There's still time before the new year begins. Here are five great ways to indulge in the holiday spirit during the last week of the year.


Once school resumed, I have felt more rushed because I have to make sure that my daughter is ready for her school on time. I also have to get my son ready for his day care. It is better when my husband is home but when he is not, the rush is more than I can handle. Day before yesterday, I got late to wake up. It was almost 7 a.m. and you can imagine the worst. Bouts of emotions – anger, rush, and frustration. And I scolded my daughter who seemed to take forever to get out of bed even though she had been awake a long while.
Because of this rush, I feel like watching a movie peacefully, or sleeping without having to worry about breastfeeding my son in my sleep. And so, I turned to watching Korean Drama. Sometimes it is tedious to watch them, with non-stop episodes and the slow run. But I watched three of them recently. And my husband warned that it was the last one I would be watching. He does not like it because it disturbs my sleep, which results in me not being able to be in the best of shape to cater to my children. I agree with this. So the one I watched last – which is called the 'While You Were Sleeping' has to be the last.
But I have also started reading the love stories. It brings me memories of me in high school. I read novels even when I did not understand meanings of many words/sentences. But in a way, it also helped me grow and understand emotions better. I read them late in the night when my children have gone to bed and I find myself wanting to go on even when my eyes can't keep open. When I was in class 12, I would pray and read novels so much that I would actually wish I had the same passion for the subjects I had to study. From one perspective, it probably did not take me anywhere in my life. But we can also say that it did.
Even now when I ready them, I get to travel, imagine, and be young again. And I think it makes me live better.


Stop asking yourself that what kind of wardrobe you want for your home as we put forth Industrial Metal Wardrobe that possesses the appropriate size and color to suit the normal size and theme of your space, be it basement or living room. In addition, our metal wardrobe features secured corners, pristine surface and simple open doors. The conventional design and modern functionality, our Industrial Metal Wardrobe suits everyone's requirement.


The Highgate boroughs of Camden, Haringey and Islington were all been included in the second phase of the Mayor of London's Solar Together scheme, that held a 'reverse auction' to contract with an installer across London.
The first pilot phase of Solar Together was for four boroughs and, out of 4,000 registrations, more than 1,100 went ahead to accept. The winning company in the first phase of the scheme was SolarCentury (together with Ikea), which offered an average saving of 35 per cent on the cost of solar installations. The winning company in the second phase was Ecolution.
The Governments Feed In Tariff scheme is closing for new installations in April 2019. For solar panels installed before it closes the owner will be paid 3.86p for every kWh generated (or 3.79p if after 1st Jan) plus 5.24p for half of the kWh (called 'export') – regardless of whether you can use the electricity yourself. See here. These will be for 20 years and increased every year for RPI. And are Tax free. You will also save apx 15p kWh on payments to your usual supplier when you use your own electricity. Before committing to this purchase you will be given the precise figures to work out your cost/savings. Note that you will need an up to date Energy Performance Certificate to prove that your house is reasonably energy efficient. See here to check.
The burning issue for Highgate is whether the relevant council will allow solar panels to be installed, depending on whether the property is in a conservation area, listed or not.
If your house or flat is a listed building (or part of a listed building), you will need to apply for listed building consent to install a solar .
If these apply – and the majority of homes in Highgate are in a conservation area – then you will need to apply for full planning permission (flats) or householder planning permission (houses) to proceed with Solar Together. The programme has a helpdesk opne Monday to Friday, 8am-5.30pm on 0800 060 8509, where this can be discussed.
There is more information available on the GLA web site here for the first phase and here for the second phase.
Solar Together London is being run in partnership with iChoosr – independent experts in group buying. Their dedicated helpdesk is available to answer your questions Monday to Friday, 8am-5.30pm on 0800 060 8509.
Note that Londoners outside of these boroughs may still participate in the scheme, but this will be subject to installers' availability in your area.
As part of Community Energy Fortnight Community Energy London held its Powering Forward event at City Hall on Wed 28th June 2017, hosted by AM Leonie Cooper at City Hall.
Leonie Cooper talked about the Environment Committee report 'Getting Warmer' that lists 19 recommendations for the Mayor for Energy for Londoners. Getting Warmer.
There were breakout groups considering how Community Groups in London could work with the Mayor to move from low renewables and high fuel poverty to a cleaner, better London. Community Energy London now speaks for groups in London to ask the Mayor to help Community Energy and to offer their help to him.


sage green kitchen cupboards painted kitchen step inside this traditional soft green kitchen reader kitchen photo gallery beautiful kitchens sage green kitchen cabinet doors.
modern nightstand decor chic mid century modern nightstand mid century modern homes homes modern home designs plans kerala.
pretty neutral wall colors nearly perfect neutrals color palette 2 good neutral paint colors.
english country kitchen pictures country kitchen dining stock photo english country cottage kitchen pictures.
fur sofa throw square shape sheep fur throw for furniture upholstery sheep skin rugs curly fur black faux fur sofa throws.
modern contemporary dining room chandeliers modern dining room chandeliers chandelier over dining room table custom blown glass chandelier modern contemporary dining modern dining table lamps home des.
musha cay island transformed the island of cay into a luxury resort musha cay island cost.
benjamin moore silver gray exterior gray painted colonial exterior benjamin moore silver grey exterior.
black and white living room design simple design black and white living rooms pretentious idea wonderful black white contemporary living room designs modern black and white living room decor.


THE LATEST TREND for cover crops is to use flowering plant mixes, a benefit for both the farmer and pollinators. Seed companies both here and in the U.S. are promoting ready- made "bee friendly" mixes to capitalize on this trend.
PHOTO: COVER CROP MIX ON JULY 9. BUCKWHEAT IS DOMINATING THE MIX OFFERING LOTS OF FLOWERS.
Anne Verhallen, soil management specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), encourages farmers to use flowering plants in their cover crops, either as solid seeds or in mixes. However, she cautions that, as with any cover crop, making the right choice takes careful consideration.
"Part of what gets me going, for example, is that I come across pre-made mixes that had some barley or oats in them — probably as filler and to make the seeds flow through the drill, but barley really does not support pollinators," she says.
Overall, though, Verhallen suggests finding a mix that isn't a 'one-shot deal'.
"What I'd like to see in most of these pollinator mixes is a variety of different species that flower at different times, so you'd always have something flowering in that field," she says.
Verhallen also suggests capitalizing on the opportunity to plant flowering mixes late in the season. For example, the July to August window after wheat is harvested is a great opportunity to plant cover crops that include some flowering species so that you have something flowering in the landscape before the frost sets in.
Before considering this option, farmers need to make sure they do their research and consider the long-term implications of the plants they choose.
"One of the mistakes that I've seen in the past is where they've put buckwheat into a mix. It's a lovely cover crop — but in a mix, unless you have a high tolerance for having buckwheat coming back, it probably is not a good choice. Buckwheat flowers and starts setting seed within about six weeks," says Verhallen.
Mustard is just as attractive to bees but it is not as problematic to control in following crops.
Phacelia is another cover crop option that can grow aggressively, flowers very easily, and is attractive to bees. However, it is also a plant that behaves differently in cover crop mixes. To capitalize on the benefits of phacelia, the best planting option is to grow it as a solid seeded cover crop.
"When you start putting in a mix where phacelia's going to compete with other kinds of plants that have different architecture, it doesn't do as well. It'll find the little open spots but it's not aggressive enough to really shine the way it does in a solid seed," says Verhallen.
PHOTO: COVER CROP MIX ON JULY 27. THIS IMAGE SHOWS THE PROGRESSION OF DIFFERENT PLANTS; NOW SUNFLOWERS, PHACELIA, FABA BEANS, AND CLOVERS ARE FLOWERING, BUCKWHEAT IS MOSTLY FINISHED.
Another thing to consider when planting mixes is that cover crops are meant to cover the ground. Verhallen says she sees a lot of farmers planting things like radishes for large root systems and then plowing it six weeks later. "It kind of negates what they are trying to do — the radish creates biopores with their roots and the tillage cuts off those biopores," she says.
Verhallen also points out that farmers are now seeing sunflowers in their mixes, which can attract unwanted attention. One farmer near Toronto is putting up a sign beside his cover crop field to educate people about what it is and the benefits the plants provide. It's an excellent opportunity to caution people driving by who may want to stop for a photo that it's important not to interfere with what is growing in the field. Sometimes cover crop mixes aren't attractive, so it is important for the general public to know that there is a reason for the mix of plants.
Cover crops, whether they are flowering or non-flowering, are beneficial to help prevent soil erosion, improve overall soil health, or restore nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil. They also help the soil retain these nutrients over the winter months.
PHOTO: LATE FALL PICTURE OF A SIMPLE COVER CROP MIXTURE – DOING ITS JOB COVERING SOIL AND PREVENTING EROSION. MUCH OF THE MIX WILL DIE FROM WINTER FREEZING.
In choosing any cover crop, the first thing to consider is your goals. "It all depends on your management system, but why are you wanting to use a cover crop? What are you trying to get out of it?" asks Verhallen.
Next, she would ask farmers what they are expecting out of it and where the crop fits into their rotation? The same questions apply to flowering cover crops. It could be in the spring or late fall, but farmers need to find what works best for their own farm.
Farmers are seeing the benefits, though, and Verhallen is seeing lots of progress. "There are some guys out there doing such a great job with their cover crops, it's just amazing and you can see the impact on their soils," she says.
Across Ontario, there is growing interest in trying new and different cover crops. Farmers are cautioned though to have a good understanding of each cover crop, how it will grow and how it will behave is important to know when trying these new crops.


text:
Imperial Map Monument
Harhorin, Mongolia
History, geography, and shamanism meet in this eye-catching monument to the greatness of three empires.
The monument. Max Cortesi (Atlas Obscura User)
View of Kharkhorin from Imperial Map Monument. Max Cortesi (Atlas Obscura User)
Happening upon a skull. Max Cortesi (Atlas Obscura User)
One of the maps. Max Cortesi (Atlas Obscura User)
Another map. Max Cortesi (Atlas Obscura User)
Getting closer to the monument. Max Cortesi (Atlas Obscura User)
Top Places in Mongolia
The Zaisan Memorial
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
International Intellectual and Puzzle Museum
Danzanravjaa Museum
Sainshand, Mongolia
Imperial Map Monument commemorates the three empires that settled on the shore of the nearby Orkhon River. Also known as King's Monument and Monument for the Mongol States, it was built in 2004 on a hill overlooking the town of Kharkhorin.
The monument consists of a large pile of stones (a shamanic ovoo) carefully assembled in the shape of a cone, approximately the same size as a tepee, with nine poles protruding from the top. This structure is mounted on a stone-and-concrete platform, and it is surrounded by three walls representing three sections of a circle. The outer sides of these walls feature three colorful mosaics depicting three maps, one for each of the empires.
First, there was the Xiongnu Empire, a confederation of nomadic tribes living in the steppes from around the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. The Turkic Khaganate Empire followed, established by the Göktürks in 682 and lasting only until 744. Finally, and famously, Genghis Khan founded the Mongol Empire of the 13th and 14th centuries.
The Mongol Empire's iconic place in the culture, combined with the shamanic symbolism of the ovoo in the center of the monument, entice people to leave offerings of vodka, milk, tea, rice, and other edible titbits that inevitably attract birds and the occasional herd of goats and sheep passing by. Several animal skulls can also be found around the monument, completing the surreal scene.
It is no coincidence that the Imperial Map Monument is located in Kharkhorin, as this town (then called Karakorum) was the capital of the Mongol Empire under Genghis Khan's successor, Ögedei. Imperial Map Monument is a great vantage point to take in the modern town of Kharkhorin and the Orkhon River, and picture what this collection of dirt roads and low-rise buildings may have looked like in its glory days.
The monument is on the east side of the Orkhon River. It's a roughly 10-minute drive from the more easily located Erdene Zuu Monastery.
empire maps monuments
Max Cortesi
Khushuu National Park Complex
Harhorin
47.1807, 102.8001
Erdene Zuu
Kharkhorin Rock
Taikhar Rock
Kharkhorin, Mongolia
The oldest Buddhist monastery in Mongolia has survived centuries of invasions, political shifts, and religious purges.
A mysterious phallic rock on the grounds of a Buddhist monastery.
Battsengel, Mongolia
People have been scribbling on this massive chunk of granite for more than 1,500 years.
Khustain Nuruu National Park
The grassy landscape is home to the world's last truly wild horses.
Ilhéu das Rolas, São Tomé and Príncipe
Marco do Equador
The equator passes through this tiny island in the eastern Atlantic.
Tomba di Nerone (Tomb of Nero)
Known for centuries as the famous Roman emperor's burial place, this monument is actually something else.
Pierre L'Enfant's (Second) Gravesite
The controversial urban planner who designed Washington, D.C., was buried in Maryland, and can presently be found in Virginia.
East Liverpool, Ohio
The Starting Point of the U.S. Public Land Survey
After covering almost 1.5 billion acres, the survey's still not finished.


text:
College of Forest Resources Directory
Heather Alexander
Phone: 662-325-5809 Email: heather.alexander@msstate.edu
Kropp, H., M. Loranty, S. Natali, A. Kholodov, H. D. Alexander, N. Zimov, M. Mack, S. Spawn. 2019. Tree density influences ecohydrological drivers of plant-water relations in a larch boreal forest in Siberia. Ecohydrology 12(7):e2132. Download
Siegert, C. M., N. Drotar, H. D. Alexander. 2019. Spatial and temporal variability of throughfall among oak and co-occurring non-oak tree species in an upland hardwood forest. Geoscience 9(10):405. Download
Watson, P., H. D. Alexander. 2019. Effects of shrub encroachment and removal on grassland recovery in South Texas Coastal Prairies. Rangeland Ecology and Management 72:275-282. Download
Bjorkman, A. D., I. H. Myers-Smith, S. C. Elmendorf, S. Normand, N. Rüger, P. S. A. Beck, A. Blach-Overgaard, D. Blok, J. H. C. Cornelissen, B. C. Forbes, D. Georges, S. J. Goetz, K. C. Guay, G. H. R. Henry, J. HilleRisLambers, R. D. Hollister, D. N. Karger, J. Kattge, P. Manning, J. S. Prevéy, C. Rixen, G. Schaepman-Strub, H. J. D. Thomas, M. Vellend, M. Wilmking, S. Wipf, M. Carbognani, L. Hermanutz, E. Lévesque, U. Molau, A. Petraglia, N. A. Soudzilovskaia, M. J. Spasojevic, M. Tomaselli, T. Vowles, J. M. Alatalo, H. D. Alexander, A. Anadon-Rosell, S. Angers-Blondin, M. te Beest, L. Berner, R. G. Björk, A. Buchwal, A. Buras, K. Christie, E. J. Cooper, S. Dullinger, B. Elberling, A. Eskelinen, E. R. Frei, O. Grau, P. Grogan, M. Hallinger, K. A. Harper, M. M. P. D. Heijmans, J. Hudson, K. Hülber, M. Iturrate-Garcia, C. M. Iversen, F. Jaroszynska, J. F. Johnstone, R. H. Jørgensen, E. Kaarlejärvi, R. Klady, S. Kuleza, A. Kulonen, L. J. Lamarque, T. Lantz, C. J. Little, J. D. M. Speed, A. Michelsen, A. Milbau, J. Nabe-Nielsen, S. S. Nielsen, J. M. Ninot, S. F. Oberbauer, J. Olofsson, V. G. Onipchenko, S. B. Rumpf, P. Semenchuk, R. Shetti, L. S. Collier, L. E. Street, K. N. Suding, K. D. Tape, A. Trant, U. A. Treier, J. Tremblay, M. Tremblay, S. Venn, S. Weijers, T. Zamin, N. Boulanger-Lapointe, W. A. Gould, D. S. Hik, A. Hofgaard, I. S. Jónsdóttir, J. Jorgenson, J. Klein, B. Magnusson, C. Tweedie, P. A. Wookey, M. Bahn, B. Blonder, P. M. van Bodegom, B. Bond-Lamberty, G. Campetella, B. E. L. Cerabolini, F. S. Chapin III, W. K. Cornwell, J. Craine, M. Dainese, F. T. de Vries, S. Díaz, B. J. Enquist, W. Green, R. Milla, Ü. Niinemets, Y. Onoda, J. C. Ordoñez, W. A. Ozinga, J. Penuelas, H. Poorter, P. Poschlod, P. B. Reich, B. Sandel, B. Schamp, S. Sheremetev, E. Weiher. 2018. Plant functional trait change across a warming tundra biome. Nature 562:57-62. Download
Alexander, H. D., S. Natali, M. Loranty, M. C. Mack, S. Ludwig, S. Davydov, N. Zimov. 2018. Soil burn severity impacts on larch recruitment on permafrost soils of far northeastern Siberia. Forest Ecology and Management 417-144-153. Download
Bjorkman, A. D., I. H. Myers-Smith, S. C. Elmendorf, S. Normand, H. J. D. Thomas, J. M. Alatalo, H. Alexander, A. Anadon-Rosell, S. Angers-Blondin, Y. Bai, G. Baruah, M. te Beest, L. Berner, R. G. Björk, D. Blok, H. Bruelheide, A. Buchwal, A. Buras, M. Carbognani, K. Christie, L. S. Collier, E. J. Cooper, J. H. C. Cornelissen, K. J. M. Dickinson, S. Dullinger, B. Elberling, A. Eskelinen, B. C. Forbes, E. R. Frei, M. Iturrate-Garcia, M. K. Good, O. Grau, P. Green, M. Greve, P. Grogan, S. Haider, T. Hájek, M. Hallinger, K. Happonen, K. A. Harper, M. M. P. D. Heijmans, G. H. R. Henry, L. Hermanutz, R. E. Hewitt, R. D. Hollister, J. Hudson, K. Hülber, C. M. Iversen, F. Jaroszynska, B. Jiménez-Alfaro, J. Johnstone, R. H. Jorgensen, E. Kaarlejärvi, R. Klady, J. Klimešová, A. Korsten, S. Kuleza, A. Kulonen, L. J. Lamarque, T. Lantz, A. Lavalle, J. J. Lembrechts, E. Lévesque, C. J. Little, M. Luoto, P. Macek, M. C. Mack, R. Mathakutha, A. Michelsen, A. Milbau, U. Molau, J. W. Morgan, M. A. Mörsdorf, J. Nabe-Nielsen, S. S. Nielsen, J. M. Ninot, S. F. Oberbauer, J. Olofsson, V. G. Onipchenko, A. Petraglia, C. Pickering, J. S. Prevéy, C. Rixen, S. B. Rumpf, G. Schaepman-Strub, P. Semenchuk, R. Shetti, N. A. Soudzilovskaia, M. J. Spasojevic, J. D. M. Speed, L. E. Street, K. Suding, K. D. Tape, M. Tomaselli, A. Trant, U. A. Treier, J. Tremblay, M. Tremblay, S. Venn, A. Virkkala, T. Vowles, S. Weijers, M. Wilmking, S. Wipf, T. Zamin. 2018. Tundra Trait Team: A database of plant traits spanning the tundra biome. Global Ecology and Biogeography. Download
Djukic, I., S. Kepfer-Rojas, I. K. Schmidt, K. S. Larsen, C. Beier, B. Berg, K. Verheyen, Tea Composition Team. 2018. Early stage litter decomposition across biomes. Science of the Total Environment 628-629:1369-1394. Download
Loranty, M. M., H. Kropp, S. M. Natali, H. D. Alexander, M. C. Mack, N. Zimov, S. P. Davydov. 2018. Vegetation indices do not capture forest cover variation in upland Siberian larch forests. Remote Sensing 10:1686. Download
Loranty, M. M., L. T. Berner, E. Taber, H. Kropp, S. M. Natali, H. D. Alexander, S. P. Davydov. 2018. Understory vegetation controls on active layer dynamics and carbon dioxide fluxes in open-canopy Siberian larch forests. PLoS ONE 13(3):e0194014. Download
Ludwig, S., H. D. Alexander, K. Kielland, P. Mann, S. M. Natali, R. Ruess. 2018. Fire severity effects on soil carbon and nutrients and microbial activities in a Siberian larch forest. Global Change Biology. Download
Alexander, H. D., M. C. Mack. 2017. Gap regeneration within mature deciduous forests of Interior Alaska: implications for future forest successional dynamics. Forest Ecology and Management 396(2017): 35-43. Download
Arthur, M. A., B. A. Blankenship, A. Schörgendorfer, H. D. Alexander. 2017. Alterations to the fuel bed after single and repeated prescribed fires in an Appalachian hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and Management 403:126-136. Download
Jean, M., J. Johnstone, M. Mack, H.D. Alexander. 2017. Patterns of bryophyte succession in a 160 year chronosequence in deciduous and coniferous forests of boreal Alaska. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 47(8):1021-1032. Download
Kropp, H., M. Loranty, H. D. Alexander, L. Berner, S. Natali, S. Spawn. 2017. Hydrologic suppression of transpiration and stomatal conductance in a Siberian Arctic boreal forest. Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences 122: 487-497. Download
Webb, E. E., K. Heard, S. Natali, A. Bunn, H. D. Alexander, L. Berner, A. Kholodov, M. Loranty, J. Schade, V. Spektor, N. Zimov. 2017. Variability in above and belowground carbon stocks in a Siberian larch watershed. Biogeosciences 14:4270-4294. Download
Abbott, B.W., J. B. Jones, E. A. G. Schuur, F. S. Chapin III, W. B. Bowden, M. S. Bret-Harte, H. E. Epstein, M. D. Flannigan, T. K. Harms, T. N. Hollingsworth, M. C. Mack, A. D. McGuire, S. M. Natali, A. V. Rocha, S. E. Tank, M. R. Turetsky, J. E. Vonk, K. P. Wickland, G. R. Aiken, H. D. Alexander, etal. 2016. Biomass offsets little or none of permafrost carbon release from soils, streams, and wildfire: an expert assessment. Environmental Research Letters 11(3): 1-13. Download
Alexander, H. D. and Mack, M. C. 2016. A canopy shift in interior Alaskan boreal forests: consequences for above and belowground carbon and nitrogen pools during post fire succession. Ecosystems 19(1):98-114. Download
Alexander, H. D., Moczygemba, J., and Dick, K. 2016. Growth and survival of thornscrub forest seedlings in response to restoration strategies aimed at alleviating abiotic and biotic stressors. Journal of Arid Environments 124: 180-188. Download
Dick, K., H. D. Alexander, J. D. Moczygemba. 2016. Use of shelter tubes, grass-specific herbicide, and herbivore exclosures to reduce stressors and improve restoration of semi-arid thornscrub forests. Restoration Ecology 24(6):785-793. Download
Loranty, M., W. Liberman-Cribbin, L. T. Berner, H. D. Alexander, S. J. Goetz, A. L. Kholodov, S. N. Natali. 2016. Spatial variation in vegetation productivity trends, fire distrubance, and soil carbon acros arctic-boreal permafrost ecosystems. Environmental Research Letters 11(9):1-14. Download
Arthur, M. A., Blankenship, B.A., Schorgendorfer, A., Carmean, G., Loftis, D. L., and Alexander, H. D., 2015. Stand structure and tree health following repeated prescribed fire in an Appalachian hardwood forest. Forest Ecology and Management 340: 46-61. Download
Berner, L. T., H.D. Alexander, M.M. Loranty, P. Ganzlin, M.C. Mack, S.J. Goetz. 2015. Biomass allometry for alder, dwarf birch, and willow in boreal forest and tundra ecosystems of northeastern Siberia and northern Alaska. Forest Ecology and Management 337:110-118. Download
Broderick, D.E., K.E. Frey, J. Rogan, H.D. Alexander. 2015. Estimating belowground carbon stocks in a permafrost watershed in Northeast Siberia by linking field measurements to Landsat – 5 TM and Worldview – 2 data. GIS and Remote Sensing 52(2):1-25.
Lei, J., B.K. Wylie, D.R. Nossov, B. Peterson, H.D. Alexander, M.C. Mack, J. Rover, M.P. Waldrop, J.W. McFarland, X. Chen, N.J. Pastick. 2015. Spatially explicit estimation of aboveground boreal forest biomass in the Yukon River Basin, Alaska. International Journal of Remote Sensing 36(4):939-953. Download
Alexander, H. D., M. A. Arthur. 2014. Increasing red maple leaf litter alters decomposition rates and nitrogen cycling in historically oak – dominated forests of the eastern U.S. Ecosystems 17:1371-1383. Download
McLauchlan, K.K., P.E. Higuera, D.G. Gavin, S.P. Perakis, M.M. Mack, H.D. Alexander, J. Battles, F. Biondi, B. Buma, D. Colombaroli, S. Enders, D.R. Engstrom, F.S. Hu, J. Marlon, J. Marshall, M. McGlone, J. Morris, L. Nave, B. Shuman, E. Smithwick, D. Urrego, D. Wardle, C. Williams, J.J. Williams. 2014. Reconstructing disturbances and their biogeochemical consequences over multiple timescales. Bioscience 64(2):105-116.
Alexander, H. D., M.C. Mack, S. Goetz, P.S.A. Beck, F. Belshe. 2012. Implications of increased deciduous cover on stand structure and aboveground carbon pools of Alaskan boreal forests. Ecosphere 3(5):45.
Alexander, H. D., M.C. Mack, S. Goetz, P.S.A. Beck, M. Loranty, K. Earl, S. Zimov, S. Davydov, C.C. Thompson. 2012. Carbon accumulation patterns during post– fire succession in Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi) forests of Siberia. Ecosystems 15(7): 1065-1082. Download
Arthur, M. A., H.D. Alexander, D. Dey, C.J. Schweitzer, D.L. Loftis. 2012. Refining the oak – fire hypothesis for management of oak – dominated forests of the eastern United States. Journal of Forestry 110(5): 257-266.
Berner, L. T., P.S.A. Beck, M.M. Loranty, H.D. Alexander, M.C. Mack, S.J. Goetz. 2012. Cajander larch (Larix cajanderi) biomass distribution, fire regime and post – fire recovery in northeastern Siberia. Biogeosciences 9: 3943-3959.
Beck, P. S. A.,S. Goetz, M.C. Mack, H.D. Alexander, J. Yufang, J.T. Randerson, M. Loranty. 2011. The impacts and implications of an intensifying fire regime on boreal forest composition and albedo. Global Change Biology 17: 285-2866.
Alexander, H. D., M. A. Arthur. 2010. Implications of a predicted shift from upland oaks to red maple on forest hydrology and nutrient availability. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 40(4): 716-726.
Alexander, H. D., M. A. Arthur. 2009. Foliar morphology and chemistry of upland oaks, red maple, and sassafras seedlings in response to single and repeated prescribed fires. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 39: 740-754.
Alexander, H. D., M. A. Arthur, D. L. Loftis, S. R. Green. 2008. Survival and growth of upland oak and co – occurring competitor seedlings following single and repeated prescribed fires. Forest Ecology and Management 256: 1021-1030.
Forbes, M., H. D. Alexander, K. H. Dunton. 2008. The effects of pulsed riverine versus non – pulsed wastewater inputs of freshwater on plant community structure in a semi – arid salt marsh. Wetlands 28(4): 984-994.
Alexander, H. D., K. H. Dunton. 2006. Wastewater effluent as an alternative freshwater source in a hypersaline salt marsh: Impacts on salinity, inorganic nitrogen, and emergent vegetation. Journal of Coastal Research 22(2): 377-392.
Alexander, H. D., K. H. Dunton. 2002. Freshwater inundation effects on emergent vegetation of a hypersaline salt marsh. Estuaries 25(6B): 1426-1435.


Build your Dashboard and Application with Materialart in Record Time!
Materialart admin is based on Materialize Css framework, its powerful and easy to customize admin template. It comes with 4 Dashboard Variations, 1600+ Page Templates, Unlimited Color Schemes, 10+ Unique Demos, 500+ UI Elements, 100+ Integrated Plugins, Google material base design & more. You can easily customize this template by refring the documentation.


Allentown, PA (December 2, 2013)―Lehigh County Senior Center proudly unveils its new identity as Lehigh Valley Active Life. This shift signals the organization's commitment to providing resources, expert advice and a variety of programs to older and active adults in the Lehigh Valley. The announcement coincides with the organization's upcoming launch of a newly revamped website and redesigned logo. Also, the organization has incorporated celebrations around the new name into its December 3, 2013 Open House Event. Those in attendance will be able to experience the varied activities and classes available to members. Lehigh Valley Active Life remains at its current location: 1633 Elm Street, Allentown, PA 18102.
Arts: Whether the goal is self-expression through creative arts, storytelling through dance or simple enjoyment by hearing music played by others, the arts have the power to bring together a community. A sampling of what is available through Lehigh Valley Active Life includes classes as diverse as Basic Oriental Painting and Ballroom Dancing, to Big Band performances and Djembe Drumming Circles.
Education: The need and desire to understand and learn starts early and never stops. Spending time with grandchildren often serves as a reminder that discovery and learning are always constants. While the demands of ever-changing technology, on the other hand, make furthering education a requirement. A sampling of what is available through Lehigh Valley Active Life includes classes that offer an introduction to Windows 8 operating system, professional advice on filing taxes, lecture series that cover topics such as bereavement and history discussions on leaders past and present.
Fitness: The general population is aging and living longer. As a result, seniors desire to thrive during their retirement years and appreciate the benefits of leading healthy lifestyles. In particular, physical activity and fitness affect how you feel both in mind and body―today and tomorrow. A sampling of what is available through Lehigh Valley Active Life includes aerobics, strength training, swimming, tai chi, yoga and zumba.
Social Activities: Maintaining and growing social connections with friends, family and community is intrinsically linked to feelings of well-being. Whether that is through new experiences or well-loved pastimes, the benefits remain the same. A sampling of what is available through Lehigh Valley Active Life includes games, ice cream socials and wine tasting outings.
Support Groups: Frequently, people face similar questions or issues, often as a result of major life changes. Surrounded by others, individuals can find strength in numbers and gain a sense of control or simply practical advice. An example of what is available through Lehigh Valley Active Life includes the Life Sharing Events Group, an informational discussion group that covers a variety of things that have importance in your life, for instance difficulties paying bills, having challenging conversations with others.
In order to enhance members' complete experience, the organization will launch a new website prior to the end of the year. New features will give users easy access to all the ways the center supports an active senior lifestyle, including opportunities for learning, fitness, social activities, the arts, technology and travel. As a result, users will be able to engage and learn about what most interests them.


Any one else, having one of these? Anyone know the value?
Came to Norway during ww2, probably with an norwegian SOE agent.
If you decide on a value, and want to sell, would like to buy it.
Can not see the UD stamp....Rusco made same for Thompson, without UD stamp. (4-magz) But 500 Euro with magz are cheap, only mags here for that price. Nice pouch.
Edited by larryhymer, 15 November 2018 - 07:19 PM.
Id love to know more, if you know more about these pouches. I have seen one or two of them, however not with the UD marking. I would venture to say the UD marking was added later, not by RUSCO. Do you have more details.
Now i will also have to check if a 20 round Thompson magazine will fit in these pouches , i think not. My mag pouch is lying well stored in a crate. Can you check this Larryhimer ?
Thompson mag fit the rusco pouch.


text:
Beautypedia > Maybelline New York > The Falsies Push Up Angel Washable Mascara
The Falsies Push Up Angel Washable Mascara
0.33 fl. oz. for $ 9.49
With its extensive line-up of mascaras, it wouldn't seem Maybelline needed another but that hasn't stopped them before—and thankfully the result this time is pretty darn impressive!
The beauty of The Falsies Push Up Angel Washable Mascara lies in its combination of brush and formula, which come together to produce great results. The curved brush features very small plastic bristles on one side. This design ensures that you can apply mascara at the root of lashes easily, then draw the brush out to add curl.
The result is the creation of a very noticeable lift to lashes as well as additional volume, making it a great option for those who want a more "awake" look for their lashes.
The formula is strong enough to hold this lift and curl effect throughout the day, but doesn't make lashes feel crunchy or stiff. It also wears remarkably well without a hint of flaking or smudging, and comes off in a snap with makeup remover or cleanser.
This is one of the better mascaras we've seen (and we're talking both drugstore and department store options), so if you've been looking for one that volumizes and provides lasting lift plus curl, well, what are you waiting for?
Provides noticeable lift to lashes.
Formula is flexible; doesn't leave lashes crunchy or stiff.
Doesn't flake or smudge.
Easy to remove.
Achieve The Falsies push-up effect, now with a lifted winged look. The exclusive push-up wing brush sweeps lashes to the side, while lifting and plumping from the roots. The styling formula holds the lifted wing look in place.
Water, Synthetic Beeswax, Glyceryl Stearate, Polyuethane-35, Paraffin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Stearic Acid, VP/Eicosene Copolymer, Polybutene, Butylene Glycol, Palmitic Acid, Copernica Cerifera Cera/Carnauba Wax, Aminomethyl Propanediol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Myristic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Glycerin, Silica, Propylene Glycol, Laureth-21, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PVP, Methylparaben, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Prunus Avium Flower Extract/Sweet Cherryflower Extract, Citric Acid. May Contain: Iron Oxides, Ultramarines, Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Carmine, Chromium Oxide Greens, Manganese Violet, Black 2, Ferric Ferrocyanide.
Maybelline New York At-A-Glance
Strengths: At least one excellent product (if not several) in almost every category; many excellent foundations; superior mascaras; inexpensive makeup brushes; some terrific concealers, powders, blush, and lip color options.
Weaknesses: Lips balms tend to be a letdown; a few of the Great Lash mascaras are surprisingly average compared to other Maybelline formulas.
Maybelline is one of the best-known and most recognized mass-market makeup lines in the worldit's available in 90 countries. Throughout its long history, which began in 1915 when T. L. Wilson founded the company and named it after his sister, Mabel, and Vaseline (which he combined with coal dust to concoct a mascara for her), the company has prided itself on bringing innovative products to the marketplace. L'Oreal purchased the company in early 1996, and that's when things really started coming together for the Maybelline brand.
Specializing in a large selection of lipsticks, nail polishes, and mascaras, there is a lot to love from this drugstore brand. Many of their foundations are exceptional, and their powders, several mascaras, pencils, matte-finish concealers, and Superstay Lipcolor collection impressed us by offering a high degree of quality for their inexpensive price point.
Maybelline's latest urban image is a positive step, as many of their latest launches have been innovative without resorting to "been-there, done-that" gimmicks. Smart shoppers will note the similarities of a few of Maybellines formulas to products from high-end brands that are also owned by parent company LOreal. That just goes to show conscientious shopping can really save you moneywithout sacrificing quality or performance.
For more information about Maybelline New York, call (800) 944-0730 or visit their interactive Web site at www.maybelline.com.


text:
Q: Matplotlib - Using 1-D arrays in streamplot() So I have found two previous similar questions asked here:
How to use streamplot function when 1D data of x-coordinate, y-coordinate, x-velocity and y-velocity are available?
How to plot Streamlines with Matplotlib given 1-D arrays of X cords, Y cords, U components and V components
The first question deals with arrays of different sizes (which isn't my case, X, Y, U and V will always be of the same length in my example) while the second does provide some more headway becomes incomprehnsible later on in the question and doesn't provide a solution.
Moving onto my problem I have 4, 1-D arrays, the X coordinates and Y coordinates of where each vector is and then the respective U and V values for each vector. I am trying to visualise the vector field (which I can visualise correctly in .quiver) as a streamline visualization using streamplot but I encounter the problem of making U and V 2D. I don't fully understand what the second dimension needs to contain for U and V so any clarification (and code ideally would be great).
The only code I could provide is my implementation of the second link but that doesn't work for me so would be obselete.

A: Use griddata (see also scipy.interpolate.griddata) to interpolate 1D data to a 2D grid.
import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import scipy.interpolate as interpolate

# lowercase variables are 1D arrays
x = np.linspace(0, 2 * np.pi, 10)
y = np.sin(x)
u = np.cos(x)
v = np.sin(x)

# capitalized variables are 2D arrays
xi = np.linspace(x.min(), x.max(), 100)
yi = np.linspace(y.min(), y.max(), 100)
X, Y = np.meshgrid(xi, yi)
U = interpolate.griddata((x, y), u, (X, Y), method='cubic')
V = interpolate.griddata((x, y), v, (X, Y), method='cubic')

plt.figure()
plt.quiver(x, y, u, v, scale_units='xy', angles='xy', scale=1.5)
plt.streamplot(X, Y, U, V, color=U**2+V**2, linewidth=2, cmap=plt.cm.autumn)
plt.show()

import numpy as np
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
import scipy.interpolate as interpolate

# lowercase variables are 1D arrays
x = np.array([1,2,3,4,5])
y = np.array([3,1,5,1,3])
u = np.array([1,1,0,-1,-1])
v = np.array([-0.5,1,-1,1,-0.5])

# capitalized variables are 2D arrays
xi = np.linspace(x.min(), x.max(), 100)
yi = np.linspace(y.min(), y.max(), 100)
X, Y = np.meshgrid(xi, yi)
U = interpolate.griddata((x, y), u, (X, Y), method='nearest')
V = interpolate.griddata((x, y), v, (X, Y), method='nearest')

plt.figure()
plt.quiver(x, y, u, v, scale_units='xy', angles='xy', scale=1.5)
plt.streamplot(X, Y, U, V, color=U**2+V**2, linewidth=2, cmap=plt.cm.autumn)
plt.show()

yields


We are delighted to introduce you to our four very talented soloists, who will take to the stage under the baton of music director Christopher Bowen OAM, in our upcoming all Beethoven Concert on Sunday 12th August 2018, at the Great Hall Sydney University.
In this first of a two part series, we present our soprano and mezzo soprano.
Lyric soprano ANITA KYLE received her Licentiate Diploma in Music (LMusA) in Singing while studying with Maree Ryan at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. She has also attended international summer schools at the American Institute of Music in Graz and the Salzburg Mozarteum in Austria.
Anita has won or been a finalist in a number of important singing competitions. These have included: winner of the National Operatic Aria, Music Teachers' Association of NSW Vocal Scholarship; semi-finalist in the McDonalds' Operatic Aria Scholarship; finalist in the 2MBS-FM Young Performer of the Year; ABC Young Performer Awards, and the Dame Joan Sutherland Scholarship.
While studying with Anthea Moller, Anita was awarded the MTO German-Australian Opera Grant, a 12-month solo contract at the Hessian State Theatre in Wiesbaden, Germany. Her roles there included: the 15 YEAR OLD in Lulu; FRASQUITA in Carmen; SOPHIE in Werther; SANDMAN and DEW FAIRY in Hansel and Gretel; PAPAGENA in The Magic Flute; LUIGIA in Viva La Mamma; PASIPHAE in Ariadne; JUNGFRAU and ENGEL in Das Paradies und die Peri; GOVERNESS in Orpheus and Eurydice; and LIESCHEN in Bach's Coffee Cantata.
In all, she spent four years in Germany, during which she also performed in a number oratorios and recitals. Since returning to Australia, Anita has performed in joint recitals with Gerard Willems and Deborah De Graaf (in Schubert's Der Hirt auf dem Felsen), Brad Cooper and Robert Andrew Greene, as well as with organist Mark Quarmby in the Sydney Town Hall for the Organ Music Society of Sydney. She has also been broadening her repertoire as the soprano soloist in Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras (No.5);Fauré's Requiem;Casals' El cant dels Ocells (The Song of the Birds); Jenkins' The Armed Man and Stella Natalis; Haydn's Mass No. 10 in C Major (Mass in a Time of War) and Mozart's Vesperae solennes de confessore K339, Mass in C Minor K427, Regina Coeli and Requiem; Brahms' Ein Deutsches Requiem; and Bach's Magnificat with the Manly-Warringah Choir under the baton of Dr Carlos Alvarado.
Anita made her debut with Sydney University Graduate Choir in 2015, performing the soprano solo in Handel's Israel in Egypt and has returned as a soloist in C.P.E. Bach's Magnificat; Heinichen's Mass No. 9; Handel's Messiah; and Mendelssohn's Paulus.
Agnes Sarkis was born in Iran to an Armenian family. She graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music with an Advanced Diploma of Opera, 2011 and Graduate Diploma in Music (Opera), 2012, and while there she studied with Barry Ryan. She was a finalist in both the 2013 Bel Canto Award and the 2014 The Sydney Eisteddfod opera scholarship competition.
She has sung a number of roles with Opera Australia, including: MERCÉDÈS in Carmen; OLGA in The Merry Widow; SUZUKI in Madama Butterfly; CHERUBINO in The Marriage of Figaro (Tour); and THIRD LADY in The Magic Flute (Tour). For Opera Australia she has also been a chorus member in Carmen; Madama Butterfly and Turandot on Sydney Harbour; and in La Boheme; Faust; The Pearlfishers; The Magic Flute and Cavallieria Rusticana/Pagliacci.
With other companies, she has sung a number of chorus and solo roles: DAISY BATES in Daisy Bates at Ooldea; PUBLIC OPINION in Orphée aux Enfers; BALKIS in La Rencontre Imprévue; DINAH in Trouble in Tahiti; SYREN in King Arthur; LA SOEUR AINEE in Les Malheurs d'Orphée; FRAU REICH in Die Lustigen Weiber von Windsor; MADAMA ROSA in Il Capanello di Notte; ANDRONICO in Tamerlano; MARIANNA in Il Signor Bruschino; MRS HERRING in Albert Herring; HEN in The Cunning little Vixen (Sydney Chamber Opera) and The Best of G & S (Sydney Opera House).
Agnes was highly commended for the Joan Carden Award, 2011, and was the winner of this Award in 2012.
Agnes last performed with the Sydney University Graduate Choir in May 2014, when she sang works by Mozart and Michael Haydn.
The Choir is very much looking forward to welcoming you to our audience on Sunday 12th August at 3pm, at the Great Hall Sydney University. Tickets are available now at Eventbrite.
This entry was posted in Publicity, Soloists and tagged Agnes Sarkis, Anita Kyle, Beethoven. Bookmark the permalink.


Fortunately, when іt соmеѕ tо mаttrеѕѕеѕ, уоu'rе often аllоwеd a ѕlеер trіаl оf about 90-120 dауѕ. Thіѕ takes into соnѕіdеrаtіоn thе reality thаt уоu dоn't gеt thе chance tо lay on іt bеfоrе уоu сlісk 'Pay Nоw' button, as wеll аѕ the undеrѕtаndіng thаt іt may take up tо 30 dауѕ tо brеаk thе mаttrеѕѕ іn.
Nесtаr gоеѕ over аnd bеуоnd іn аllоwіng thеіr сuѕtоmеrѕ a full 365 dауѕ tо attempt оut their mаttrеѕѕ bеfоrе their buying decision bесоmеѕ a соmmіtmеnt. Nесtаr, іn turn, remains соmmіttеd tо thеіr сuѕtоmеrѕ аѕ thеу оffеr a frее соvеr rерlасеmеnt аt аnу tіmе during оwnеrѕhір along with thеіr bеd insect rерlасеmеnt guаrаntее.
Alѕо, ԛuіltеd іntо the соvеr is a 1-inch layer оf gеl mеmоrу foam. Thіѕ hеlрѕ to relieve рrеѕѕurе аnd соntоur to the body. Gel mеmоrу foam аlѕо dоеѕ a great job оf ѕtауіng сооl tо dеfеnd аgаіnѕt ѕlееріng tоо hоt. I fоund thаt thе соmbіnаtіоn оf thе gel mеmоrу fоаm with thе Tencel mаtеrіаl аdd uр to a ѕоft соvеr layer thаt dоеѕ a gооd jоb оf mаіntаіnіng a соmfоrtаblе bоdу tеmреrаturе.
The Nесtаr mаttrеѕѕ аbѕоrbѕ аnd reduces mоtіоn and has helped curb nighttime ѕlеер disruptions fоr оwnеrѕ аnd our tеѕtіng team аlіkе. Mоtіоn tests ѕhоw mіnіmаl motion асrоѕѕ thе surface оf thе bed. This is because of the multiple layers of memory foam work together efficiently to stop pretty much all motion transfer. Because of this, you and your spouse will break completely all night long.
Fоr those concerned wіth bеdbugѕ, you'll bе рlеаѕеd tо knоw that Nесtаr utіlіzеѕ thеіr Tеnсеl сооlіng cover аѕ a рrеvеntіvе measure tо dесrеаѕе уоur сhаnсеѕ оf falling іntо thе 20 percent оf these Amеrісаnѕ whо will bе impacted by thеѕе bothersome раrаѕіtеѕ that prey whеn уоu'rе the mоѕt vulnerable.
Thіѕ material іѕ bed bug resistant and boosts air сіrсulаtіоn аnd hеаt wісkіng. The Nесtаr соvеr actually сіrсulаtеѕ frеѕh аіr thrоughоut thе mаttrеѕѕ with еvеrу mоvе you mаkе. If thе tіmе соmеѕ that you nееd a new cover, уоu just hаvе tо telephone, аnd they'll send уоu a nеw соvеr in nо additional сhаrgе.
Even at the very edge of the bed, the degree of service is amazing which is hard to find in other brands which use memory foams.
Nectar offers some complementary accessories that are excellent for your new mattress. Accessories like the Adjustable Bed Frame, or the Nectar Foundation, will let you get a better rest during the entire night.
Nectar Adjustable Bed Frame. Remain in charge of your sleep and enjoy the benefits of a great rest. This will allow you to be more productive during the next day. Comes with 100 night home trial and 3 year guarantee.
Nectar Foundation. It is designed and constructed to give you the best rest of your life. Comes with 100 night house trial and forever guarantee.
Nectar Pillow. Come overfilled so that you can adjust according to your need. If the pillow is firm, you can simply remove stuffing until it matches your needs.
Nectar Mattress Protector. Designed with 100% waterproof material. The material is still breathable because of a naturally breathable cotton cap. Your mattress stays cool, clean and comfortable.
Not оnlу does Nectar gіvеѕ a very trаdіtіоnаl mеmоrу fоаm fееl, they аlѕо hаvе a grеаt cost роіnt аnd аmаzіng wаrrаntу and trіаl реrіоd: it includes a 365-day free trial and Forever Warranty making this mattress a great bargain. They also have an excellent customer service department which will answer every question you may have.