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Home Community Community News Local women's charity Trevi have ONE WEEK to raise vital funds to support women and children this Christmas
Local women's charity Trevi have ONE WEEK to raise vital funds to support women and children this Christmas
Local women's charity Trevi launch their Big Give Christmas Campaign this week with a powerful video asking for your help to raise nearly £5,000 in online donations.
By giving to the charity this week through the Big Give website, your donation will be worth DOUBLE and have twice the impact in supporting women and children affected by domestic violence and abuse.
They launch their campaign with Michelle's story. Addicted to drugs, pregnant and in an abusive relationship, Michelle couldn't see a way out. Michelle went to Trevi for understanding, support and in the hope of a better life. Now six years later, both mother and daughter are thriving and have the life they deserve.
The Big Give campaign allows the Plymouth-based charity to access a match funding pot. Individual donations to Trevi are being matched by a champion who has pledged to support them - the Monday Charitable Trust will generously match Trevi's donations.
From midday on Tuesday 30 November to midday on Tuesday 7 December, the money raised will have a massive impact on the work Trevi does in supporting women in recovery who access its services from across the UK.
Since 1993, Trevi has helped transform the lives of thousands of women and their children. From rehab and health to housing and employment, they support women in recovery, moving from 'surviving' to 'thriving'. They offer support services through a residential rehabilitation centre, where a dedicated, expert team works with each mother to help her break her addiction for good and be the best mother she can be.
Ongoing support is offered through their Sunflower centre. The centre offers a wrap-around therapeutic service for any woman in need in the City. This could include addictions, mental well-being, health, criminogenic behaviours, domestic abuse and social isolation.
'Without Trevi, I dread to think where I would be now. I have received so much support and learned a whole new way of living and the tools to live a well and happy life with all my children. My toddlers are so happy, and I can now be the mother they need and deserve. My entire future now looks so different, full of hope and excitement, instead of full of fear and dread! It is an amazing and magical place, where life does begin.' Sarah, a mother, supported by Trevi.
Hayley Dann, Trevi Fundraising and Marketing Lead, says, 'This is a fantastic opportunity for us to raise vital funds to ensure that more women and children have the chance to break free from abuse and are given a fresh start in life. By raising £4,300 in online donations this week, we can access a match funding pot already pledged to the charity, which means the total we receive will be nearly £10,000. We want to encourage everyone who would normally support our Christmas appeal to please donate this week so we can ensure our donations will be doubled.'
The charity stresses that donations must be made through The Big Give's website to be doubled in value, and donations made through other online sources will not count towards The Big Give Christmas Campaign.
To donate this week, please visit the Big Give website https://donate.thebiggive.org.uk/campaign/a056900001wWyyaAAC
For more information, please contact communications@trevi.org.uk


Home » News » Sponsor News » BBTS Sponsor News: Last Jedi Luke, Justice League, DC Multiverse, The Flash, Vitruvian HACKS, Marvel, Gundam & More!
Hot Toys is very excited to officially present today, the new 1/6th scale collectible figure of the legendary Jedi Master, Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: The Last Jedi! It features a newly developed head sculpt with remarkable likeness, meticulously tailored outfit with poncho, a lightsaber, a variety of accessories, and a specially designed character-themed figure stand.
Skillfully crafted based on Ben Affleck's appearance as Batman in Justice League, this movie-accurate collectible figure includes 2 interchangeable heads, 3 interchangeable eye pieces and lower faces capturing Ben Affleck's facial expressions in the movie! He features a newly developed head and muscular body, a brand-new Batsuit, leather-like cape, and a selection of gadgets like his Parademon gun!
Fans and collectors will love these highly detailed 6-inch key DC character figures! Each one features 20 points of articulation, detailed battle suits, authentic paint, iconic elements and a bonus piece to build Rebirth Lex Luthor.
These durable welcome door mats are made of heavy duty coir matting and vinyl backing that makes them suitable for outdoor use. Each mat is officially licensed and measure 17 x 29 inches, making them unique gifts for any Star Wars, Marvel, or Nintendo fan!
Take up sword and shield, bow and arrow, or spell and staff and relive the gruesome conflict with the Vitruvian H.A.C.K.S. fantasy figures from Series 2, then use the amazing H.A.C.K.S. system to mix, match and make your own!
Based on the classic film Breakfast at Tiffany's, this 1/6 scale of Holly Golightly, by Star Ace, perfectly captures the elegance of the Audrey Hepburn character. This figure stands about 11.50 inches tall and utilizes a partially seamless body featuring 30 points of articulation.
Schiffer Publishing's engaging text draws the reader easily and quickly into each chapter and the captions provide current values for the items displayed. These books are must-haves for every Transformers, G.I. Joe, and DC fan–whether you have been following them since day one or have just discovered their heroic exploits today!
These Buckle-Down squeaky tennis balls, squeaky plushies, frisbees, and rope & tennis ball dog toys are perfect for your four-legged friend! Mix and match with Buckle-Down's iconic Seatbelt Belt, an exciting blend of fashion and function. Always a conversation starter, the Seatbelt Belt adjusts to perfectly fit your waist while showcasing your unique sense of style.
Magic Square's new line of transforming figures are classically-inspired and transform from robot to vehicles, each featuring unique individual designs.
These Funko figures bring your favorite Harry Potter, Trollhunters, The Walking Dead, and more awesome characters to life with a unique stylized design. Each vinyl figure stands 3 to 6 inches tall in window box packaging, while each SuperCute soft plush features measures 7 to 8 inches tall.
Grab your favorite titled characters as articulated figures, model kits, and statues! Each collectible features series-accurate sculpt and character-specific accessories.
From DC to Rick and Morty, Overwatch to classic horror films, Pop! figures bring your favorite characters to life with a unique stylized design. Each vinyl figure stands 3.75 to 6 inches tall and comes in window box packaging, making them great for display!


An RV also a recreational vehicle, is a motorhome in simple terms. Sometimes selling your RV is the only option that makes financial sense. This is particularly under the circumstance where you want to buy a new RV, or you want to shift from the RV lifestyle. It may be difficult to sell an RV than you would have imagined. This is because an RV is a huge investment that many consumers do not take lightly. Therefore, selling an RV may take time. It may take a long time especially when you are selling an old RV. This is for the reason that you have to outdo competition from dealership companies that sell luxury RVs. This work will discuss some of the tips to keep in mind while selling an RV to stay ahead of the competition.
You should probably consider the fact that you are at a competitive edge while selling the RV. This is the case, since it is costly to purchase a brand new RV form a dealership company. In addition, many buyers know that the value of these motorhomes depreciates very fast even if you have a good payment plan like a mortgage. Fair prices are difficult to come across because, in the end, dealers have to make profits. This puts you in a good position because you can sell your RV cheaply and in the bargain, you can still get a good deal. A car that is well maintained is what the buyers are searching for.
Deciding on where you want to sell the RV is a critical step. This stage is crucial since there are various ways to do it. Only the local audience is focused at when making an offline sale. On the other hand, selling online means that you enlist it in a website like RV forums.
The price of the RV is very important. It is recommended that you ensure the price is high enough so that you get value from your asset but low enough to give you a competitive edge. Setting a reasonable price is not very difficult because you can check what other similar kinds of RVs are sold for. Furthermore, you may get the price from NADA guides. It is better to set your selling price at a slightly lower price because the selling process will be faster.
In the end, plan on the best ads for the RV. Like any other sales, RV customers do not like to be forced into a decision. As such, being honest about the RV's features is the best way to go about it. Potential buyers can tell if you are honest and respect that.


The key to running a successful business operation is keeping things lean. You don't want wasteful expenditure that does not positively impact the bottomline. One of the areas where most businesses end up paying more than they should is buying checks from banks.
Buying checkbooks from banks is a great solution for a personal user, who needs one or two checkbooks per year. However, for a business that issues hundreds of checks per month, ordering printed checks from banks doesn't make financial sense. This is mainly because banks buy checks from third-party printers and then resell them to businesses. This means the final price includes the profit percentage of both the bank and the independent check printing firm.
There are two things you can do to cut down on the cost of procuring business checks. You can order your checks directly from the independent check printers and get checks printed online. You can save some more money if you decide to buy blank check papers online and print on them in your office or business establishment.
Saving Money: When you shift from buying checks from the bank to printing your own check you end up saving almost two thirds of the original cost. If your company issues enough checks, that can lead to a massive saving each year.
Faster Check Filling: When you have a check printing system, you don't need to write checks manually. This enables you to print checks in bulk at a rapid pace.
Freedom to Create Custom Branding: When you print your own checks, you decide the size of your company logo and have greater design freedom. This gives you the power to create a great-looking company check that instantly impresses.
Automated Database Entry of Payments Made: When you use accounting software packages such as Quicken or Quickbooks to print checks, each check payment is automatically entered in a database. This helps you manage your company's finances and create year-end balance sheets.
Issuing Checks for Different Checking Accounts: With the freedom to print the account number and routing number, you can print checks for multiple checking accounts.
Protection of Sensitive Banking Information: Printing your checks in-house eliminates the need to give out sensitive banking information to third-party printing firms.
Reduction in the Number of Rejected Checks Due to Errors: With payee information saved, all you need to do is enter the amount to print the check. This eliminates writing errors and ensures hassle-free check clearance.
Faster Check Delivery: While banks usually take about a week to process a new checkbook order, there are a few check printers that send blank check papers via overnight mail.
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Are Website Templates Worth It?


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Home / News / Search Committee Named for Next Angelo State University President
Search Committee Named for Next Angelo State University President
A nine-member committee will help identify candidates to be the next president of Angelo State University.
The Texas Tech University System Board of Regents and Chancellor Tedd L. Mitchell, M.D., named a search committee today (April 27) to assist in finding the next president of Angelo State University.
"Angelo State University is a wonderful higher education institution on the rise," Mitchell said. "There are countless thriving and exceptional programs at the university, and we look forward to finding a leader who can further build upon its strong momentum. Angelo State's rich history, unique traditions and upward trajectory are factors that make this an attractive position for its next great leader."
The nine-member committee is chaired by Mickey L. Long, former chairman and current member of the TTU System Board of Regents. Long, a 1976 graduate and Distinguished Alumnus of Angelo State University, has spent more than 35 years in the oil and gas industry and has served the university and System in many capacities, including as past chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Carr Scholarship Foundation and member of the Angelo State University Alumni Foundation.
"I take immense pride in the honor of leading the search committee for the president of Angelo State University," Long said. "As a proud alumnus of ASU, and representing the Board of Regents, I am confident that our committee will take a diligent approach to identify a visionary leader who embodies the values and culture of the Ram Family. Our committee includes successful and dedicated leaders from the university and San Angelo community, in addition to steadfast supporters and stakeholders of ASU. I appreciate the commitment of this tremendous group that will guide us in helping find Angelo State's next president."
The search committee, which includes representation from multiple ASU and TTU System constituencies including regents, faculty, deans, donors, alumni, administrators and community members, will begin its work immediately. Other members of the search committee are:
Jamie Akin - Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, Angelo State University; Angelo State University alumna; San Angelo
Kendra Burris– Deputy Chancellor, Office of the Chancellor, Texas Tech University System; Lubbock
Joe Henderson – Former president of Porter Henderson Implement Company; Angelo State University alumnus; San Angelo
Crystal Kreitler – Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Sociology; President, Faculty Senate, Angelo State University; San Angelo
Jean Ann LeGrand – Chairman Emeritus, Angelo State University Alumni Association; Supporter and board member of the ASU Foundation and Angelo State Athletic Foundation; Angelo State University alumna; San Angelo
Alvin New– Partner, BNB Ventures; Owner, 4N Ranches; Board of Director, Texas Tech Foundation; Angelo State University alumnus; San Angelo
John Steinmetz – member of the TTU System Board of Regents; CEO of Vista Bank; Dallas
Paul Swets – Dean and Professor, College of Science and Engineering, Angelo State University; San Angelo
A national search will be conducted for the next Angelo State University president. The committee will help identify potential candidates, assist with initial screenings and ensure their respective constituency groups are kept updated on the progress of the search. Candidate recommendations will be forwarded to the chancellor and the board. The chancellor will provide a recommendation to the Board of Regents, who will make a final appointment.
Angie Wright is serving as the interim president of Angelo State University until the search for a new president has been completed. Wright, a graduate of ASU, has been a member of the Ram Family community for more than three decades. She has been vice president for finance and administration since 2014.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Excellent Soundboard Recording :: Lossless FLAC.
Quote from JM (Muppet): "Some extra information concerning this recording: this is the MUPPET05 remaster bootleg. It must have been three years ago already, but this was a long hidden recording, which I got generously donated by an anonymous trader (who's actually very well known, but for obvious reasons wants to remain anonymous).
I then remastered this recording and MUPPET05 is what it became. Apart from Games, Shock and Biko it also includes Joy Askew on keyboards and vocals (as well as Jean Claude Naimro on keyboards) but doesn't have Paula Cole. Blood of Eden is a beautiful version, way better than the official release IMO."
every P.G. show I've seen has been a jaw dropping experience! I happened to be 1oth row at this one!


Williams' college career is nearing its end, and yet he still has everything in front of him. He's playing with house money now.
He got off to a rocky start, academically suspended for a semester, playing sparingly behind Bryn Renner until Renner got hurt two years ago, and Williams turned out to be an excellent fit for Larry Fedora's offense, leading the Tar Heels to wins in six of their final seven games.
While this season started rough for Marquise Williams, and Larry Fedora even flirted briefly with Mitch Trubisky, Williams has gotten better each week.
As a junior, he fought off competition from Mitch Trubisky to win the starting job, and while his best performance of the season was a five-touchdown day in a win over Georgia Tech, the Tar Heels' biggest win might have been the 45-20 pounding at Duke, where Williams overcame three fumbles by running for two touchdowns and throwing for two more.
While this season started rough for Williams, and Fedora even flirted briefly with Trubisky, Williams has gotten better each week. He could run more if the Tar Heels needed him to run more. They haven't lately, with Elijah Hood so effective.
So now Duke, one of North Carolina's biggest wins a season ago, and Williams' best chance yet to make a statement to all-ACC voters.
There's no James Conner or Duke Johnson or Jameis Winston in the player-of-the-year race this year, only Clemson quarterback DeShaun Watson and Florida State running back Dalvin Cook – and Duke safety Jeremy Cash, if voters are sufficiently open-minded. With Cook battling injury and Cash playing on defense, Watson is the clear leader two-thirds of the way through the season.
Williams still has a chance to change that. While Watson's numbers at the moment are better, Williams isn't far behind.
Watson has more passing yards (1936 to 1623) and touchdowns (20 to 11), while Williams has more rushing yards (528 to 386) and rushing and receiving touchdowns (six to four). Watson plays for a better team, but if North Carolina keeps winning Williams could close the statistical gap while on a collision course to go head-to-head with Watson back in Charlotte, where Williams' season began so dismally.
First, there's a collision Saturday with Duke's defense, a strength-on-strength matchup between one of the ACC's most explosive offenses and one of its hardest-hitting defenses. Williams is surrounded by skilled players like Hood, Quinshad Davis, Ryan Switzer and others, but their quarterback is the fulcrum of the offense.
With a win over Duke, and continued success beyond, Williams has a chance to do what T.J. Yates and Renner before him could not, in large part because of circumstances beyond their control: Get North Carolina to a big-time bowl game.
Williams started slowly, and the South Carolina loss closed doors that are only now reopening. They're open, though, and it's up to Williams to lead the Tar Heels through them.


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Q: How to solve an integral with functional bounds If I have the following:
$\int\limits_{g(b)}^{f(a)} {3c^2dc} $
when solved and expanded does it equal the following:
${(f(a))^3} - {(g(b))^3}$
Or does it use some type of chain rule?

A: $f(a)$ and $g(b)$ are just numbers (depending of $a$ and $b$ but no matter), so you can integrate as if the bounds were constant :
$$\int_{g(b)}^{f(a)} 3c^2 \mathrm{dc} = [c^3]_{g(b)}^{f(a)} = (f(a))^3-(g(b))^3$$

A: $$\int_{g(b)}^{f(a)}3c^2dc=\left[c^3\right]_{g(b)}^{f(a)}=f^3(a)-g^3(b)$$ so yes you are correct

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Latest tax news
Tax news from July 2022
Agent update 98 highlights developments to HMRC online services
Published: 26 Jul 2022 Update History
HMRC is delivering a number of improvements to its digital services. ICAEW's Tax Faculty summarises what is changing.
Employer PAYE: recurring direct debit functionality
HMRC is developing functionality to allow employers to set up a recurring direct debit to pay PAYE and national insurance liabilities. The current system allows only a single payment to be made by direct debit.
Available from around mid-September 2022, there will be a new link in business tax accounts to "Set up a Direct Debit". Once set up, the link will change to "Manage your Direct Debit". An employer will be able to view, change or cancel the direct debit online.
Agents cannot set up direct debits on behalf of clients, as banking rules require direct debits to be set up by a signatory to the bank account.
Employer PAYE liabilities and payments agent viewer
HMRC has been extending the service that gives agents access to employer PAYE accounts on a rolling basis. HMRC expects to remove current restrictions and allow all agents with PAYE online for agents enrolment to access the service soon.
PAYE settlement agreements digital service
HMRC has redesigned the PSA1 form and introduced an electronic submission route.
HMRC is encouraging all employers and agents to submit PSA1 forms online. Unlike the paper version, the digital PSA1 allows employers to submit one form for all employees, regardless of which country they live in.
Controlling staff access to the ASA
The agent services account (ASA) currently gives all staff within a practice access to all client records and tax services – if they have the ASA sign in details and know the right client identifiers. HMRC is developing 'granular permissions' functionality in the ASA that will allow agents to control which staff members can access which client records.
The new functionality is primarily aimed at small to medium sized agents, with up to 1,000 staff. To prepare for the release of this functionality, firms should ensure that they have an administrator role set up in their ASA. Only administrators will have access to this new feature, in the "Manage Account" section on the ASA home page.
Administrators will be able to create access groups and add selected clients and team members to them. Searches by client name, tax reference and tax service will be possible.
HMRC has been testing this new feature with agents and feedback has been positive. The new functionality will be released to a small number of agents before being rolled out fully.
The Tax Faculty welcomes the new functionality. After years of requests, it means that a proper client list will be available in the ASA.
Updates to the VAT registration service from 1 August
HMRC has developed a new VAT registration service (VRS). It has been used by more than 37,000 traders to register their own business. The new service will be switched on for agents on 1 August 2022. The old VAT registration service will be closed from that date.
Key considerations are:
As well as being registered for VAT, the trader is automatically signed up to Making Tax Digital (MTD) VAT. The need to sign up separately for MTD VAT is removed for traders registering using VRS.
Incomplete, unsubmitted VAT applications should be completed by 17:00 on 31 July 2022, or restarted from 1 August using the new service. Any partially completed, saved applications on the old service will be lost after this time. The new service saves applications for up to four weeks. In some cases, it may be more efficient to wait for the new service to be delivered on 1 August to obtain the benefit of the improved functionality, including combined sign up to MTD VAT.
Corporate interest restriction returns - electronic filing is mandatory from 1 September
Functionality to file corporate interest restriction (CIR) returns electronically has been available for some time. From 1 September 2022, it will be mandatory to use one of the two electronic routes.
The two options are:
The online form; and
A commercial software product than uses the relevant APIs to provide the functionality.
The Corporate Interest Restriction (Electronic Communications) Regulations 2022, SI 770/2022, which gives effect to this requirement, was laid before parliament on 7 July 2022. From 1 September 2022, HMRC will not accept CIR returns, appointments or revocations by email, post, or as an attachment to a corporation tax return.
Service changes covered previously
Agent update 98 includes reminders of changes that were covered previously in tax news:
New tax residence indicator tool
A new tool to help taxpayers determine their tax residence status. It is suitable for most people whose affairs are straightforward and covers the automatic overseas, automatic UK and sufficient ties tests.
Moving to the Customs Declaration Service by 30 September 2022
The Customs Declaration Service is replacing the old Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight (CHIEF) system. After 30 September 2022, businesses will no longer be able to make import declarations on CHIEF and will need to make their import declarations on the Customs Declaration Service instead.
Government Gateway — Great Britain driving licence added as additional evidence source
HMRC has added Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) driving licences as an additional option for confirming identity when using HMRC online services.
Read Agent Update 98 in full
Tax Faculty
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The future of tax after COVID
As digital technologies transform society, the UK government is grappling with balancing the books while ensuring its tax system is fit for purpose. Join us as we take a look at the issues and challenges facing the tax system.
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Following your favorite player or group around hilly, 7,214-yard Bethpage Black for the U.S. Open is a daunting task. Spectators are best to find a spot to hang out and watch the action some to them.
POSITION A: The bleachers behind the green at the 15th hole: This might be the most difficult hole on the course with the most treacherous green. The Open might be won or lost on this hole. The bleachers are backed up against the woods behind the elevated green and will be in the shade for much of the day. Great place to watch some of the most difficult and critical approach shots come in and to see the toughest putts on the course.
POSITION B: The bleachers at the par 3 17th hole: No. 17, awash with bunkers, will be another pivotal hole in the championship. The green is difficult for players to hold off the tee. Concession stands and restrooms will also be located near the 17th bleachers.
POSITION C: There are no bleachers at the par 3 8th hole, but it's set in a natural amphitheater with the elevated tee to the green with hills to sit on the side of the green and behind it. A good thing about this hole is it's in an outer reach of the course, so the crowds might be thinner.
POSITION D: The bleachers at the 11th green and 12th tee: Fans can watch players' approach shots into the 11th green and see the players tee off on No. 12 from one set of bleachers. As with No. 8, Nos. 10, 11 and 12 are at the far end of the course and might not attract as many spectators as the holes closer to the clubhouse.
POSITION E: Watching the players tee off from the elevated tee at No. 1 is going to be great. However, with no grandstand behind the tee box, you must get there early to stake out position. It's a spectacular opening look at the course, though, and you'll be close to the practice putting green and the clubhouse.
Cell phones, food and beverages and large bags and coolers are just a few of the more popular items not allowed on the spectator shuttle buses or on the golf course at the upcoming U.S. Open at the Black Course at Bethpage State Park. Gates will open at 6 a.m. daily.
The Championship is a sellout, with more than 45,000 spectators expected each day. No tickets are available for sale on site, but for those who do not have tickets, the U.S. Open merchandise tent will also be open to the general public for a pre-championship sale from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 6-9.
In addition to cell phones, food and beverages and large bags and coolers, ticket-holders are not allowed to bring weapons and knives of any kind, televisions or radios, signs and noisemakers, folding chairs, pets and cameras and camcorders (starting Thursday). Additionally, spectators must not wear metal-spiked shoes.
Ticket-holders should allow extra time for getting to the golf course. All individuals will be personally searched by security personnel prior to boarding a shuttle bus and/or passing through an admission gate.
Assigned spectator parking is noted on all tickets and more than 200 express shuttle buses will run continuously from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily during the week. There will also be extra trains running on the Long Island Railroad to the Farmingdale station, with express shuttle service from the station to the golf course.


"At the moment he's filling in anywhere and everywhere for us and doing a fantastic job"
He's played at left back, right back, left midfield, right midfield, central midfield, and attacking midfield, and Tony Mowbray has been impressed with the consistency shown from Elliott Bennett in each and every one of those positions.
A regular in the Rovers team since Mowbray's appointment in February 2017, Bennett's appeared in 94 of the boss' 113 games in charge of the club.
The 30-year-old utility man, who bagged his first goal of the season at Sheffield Wednesday at the weekend, filled in in the left wing back role.
And discussing Bennett, the boss has been pleased with what he's seen from the former Norwich and Brighton & Hove Albion man.
"Elliott Bennett is filling in, right back isn't his preferred position," Tony admitted.
"I think his ideal role would be playing down one of the sides in a midfield four, putting balls into the box.
"At the moment he's filling in anywhere and everywhere for us and doing a fantastic job.
"He fulfils the expectation I have of him every week. I think he does an amazing job wherever I ask him to play.
"He might not be the trickiest winger, he might not be the strongest tackling full back with the best understanding of the position, but he is a very thoughtful footballer.
"There are lots of footballers that won't show the consistency that Elliott plays with."
Versatile midfielder Elliott Bennett says his relationship with Tony Mowbray is a big reason why he enjoys life at Rovers so much.
Rovers boss Tony Mowbray confesses that the only definite absentee for his side ahead of this weekend's game against Bristol Rovers remains right back Ryan Nyambe.
Manager Tony Mowbray says the spirit in his Rovers camp is second to none, ahead of a crucial final 11 games of the season.


President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday denounced the Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, over allegation that he(Jonathan) refused to act on information that a serving minister recently collected a bribe of $250 million from an oil company.
The President said the governor's charge against him was childish and baseless.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, who spoke on behalf of his boss, said Lamido's allegation was absolutely without any foundation in fact or reality because no such communication had ever taken place between them.
He was reacting to the allegation reportedly made by the governor in a radio interview on Thursday.
He said the allegation was a calculated attempt by the governor to call to question the seriousness of Jonathan administration's efforts to curb corruption.
Abati said, 'We abhor Governor Lamido's descent to the unscrupulous, reckless and thoughtless peddling of arrant falsehood in a puerile effort to score cheap political points against President Jonathan for personal and sectional political gains.
'If, as he claims, Alhaji Lamido has credible information about a minister receiving the said amount as bribe, he should publicly name the minister involved without delay and provide evidence to support his allegation.
'In the event that he is unable to do so, he should be prepared to offer an unreserved apology to the President and Nigerians for his unwarranted and unjust effort to denigrate, disparage and malign the President and the Federal Government.
'While the Jonathan Presidency will continue to make corrupt public officials answerable for their actions, it will not succumb to harassment and blackmail by self-seeking politicians jostling for personal advantage'.
Coincidentally, two of the governor's children were on Friday apprehended by the anti-graft agency for laundering Jigawa State money valued at about N10 billion.


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Benevento Missal to return under new Nazi loot law
The Benevento Missal is likely to be the first artefact to be returned under the new Holocaust (Stolen Art) Restitution Act. This is an interesting case, as it was one of the pointers that highlighted that a chance in the law was necessary. The British Library returned it – but only as a permanent loan, as the law would not allow them to transfer ownership rights. It is also interesting though that the first case highlights the major loophole created by the new law. Because of the difficulty in proving that artefacts were looted specifically by the Nazis, the law instead covers any art looted during that time period – with the assumption that such cases will typically relate to the Holocaust. In the case of the Missal though, there is no specific evidence to tie its removal from Italy to Britain to the Nazis. This fact was highlighted by the Marbles Reunited campaign in a submission to a consultation in 2006 by the DCMS Select Committee. Whilst such returns are admirable, the inconsistencies in the law & piecemeal legislation only serve to highlight that large institutions will not step back & look objectively at restitution issues as a whole, rather than picking bits out here & there, to try & appease people while most cases remain un-discussed.
British Library to return Benevento Missal under Nazi loot law
Ben Hoyle, Arts Correspondent
A medieval book is to become the first item from a British national museum to be returned to its rightful owners under a new law governing looted artefacts.
The Benevento Missal, which was stolen from a cathedral in southern Italy soon after the Allies bombed the city during the Second World War, has been in the collection of the British Library (formerly the British Museum Library) since 1947. After a change in the law, it could be back in Italy within months, according to The Art Newspaper.
The missal's return could also focus attention on other, more high-profile cases, such as the campaign to return the Elgin Marbles and the Benin Bronzes from the British Museum to Athens and Nigeria.
However, the new law would not affect the legal status of such items because the new Holocaust (Return of Cultural Objects) Act applies only to claims dating from the Nazi era.
At present, the British Library and other national museums are legally barred from disposing of items in their collections. Faced with similar claims, the Tate, the British Museum and the Courtauld Institute of Art have all paid financial compensation instead.
The new law, which comes into force in January, creates an exception for objects stolen during the period from 1933 to 1945. The Spoliation Advisory Panel, a body set up by the Government in 2000 to deal with complaints relating to the ownership of items in British museums, recommended four years ago that the missal should be returned to the Metropolitan Chapter of the cathedral city of Benevento, northeast of Naples.
The panel found that the missal had been looted and that the moral claim of the Italians held good. The decision triggered the process that culminated in the new legislation.
The missal is a 12th-century liturgical book in the unique Beneventan script, which flourished in the region from the 8th to the 13th centuries. It was written in the early 12th century at the scriptorium of the monastery of Santa Sofia for the nuns of the Benedictine monastery of St Peter Intra Muros.
It was brought to Britain by an intelligence officer, Captain Douglas Ash, who bought it in Naples in 1944 and later auctioned it in London.
Captain Ash wrote in a letter: "I bought an old book in Naples in April 1944, knowing nothing about it, except that it was very old, being described by the second-hand bookseller as molto antico … I am interested in anything old and have a collection of swords and armour, but this book is completely beyond me."
How the book reached Naples is unknown, but the cathedral argued successfully that it vanished from its library after it was bombed in September 1943, directly relating the loss to "circumstances of the mayhem of war". Jeremy Scott, of the law firm Withers, who represented the cathedral on a pro bono basis, welcomed the new law. "I will be submitting a renewed claim [on the cathedral's behalf] after it comes into force," he said.
A spokesman for the British Library said that the institution was keeping a "watching brief" and added: "We are aware that the legislation went through and there are obvious potential repercussions as far as that item is concerned."
Stolen masterpieces
Pissarro's Le Quai Malaquais et l'Institut, taken by the Nazis, was returned last year to the family of Brigitte and Gottfried Fischer, who fled Vienna in 1938. The family sold it for $2.2 million at Christie's in New York
In 2004 The Liberation of Saint Peter from Prison, attributed to Rembrandt, was returned to the family of Arthur Feldmann, a Czech lawyer killed by the Nazis. The drawing was given voluntarily by an American woman after she realised it had been looted
Pieter de Grebber's Study of a Reading Man was withdrawn at Christie's in 2008 after the Polish authorities said that the Nazis had murdered its owner, Abe Gutnajer, in the Warsaw Ghetto. It was sold for £46,100 for Mr Gutnajer's family
Benevento Missal returned to Italy by British Library under Holocaust (Stolen Art) Restitution Act : October 29, 2010
Benevento Missal returns to its rightful owners : April 20, 2011
Benevento Missal finaly returns home to Italy because of Nazi loot restitution laws : December 31, 2010
New legislation to allow return of Nazi loot : October 20, 2008
Parliamentary bill on Nazi-looted art : April 23, 2009
British Library set to return Benevento Missal : March 23, 2005
Nazi looted artefacts in the UK can now return home : December 4, 2009
Allowing the return of looted art to its owners : April 3, 2009
Tags: Benevento Missal, British Library, Holocaust (Stolen Art) Restitution Bill, Italy, Nazi loot, Restitution, UK


text:
If We Are Being Honest...
I stood there in my front yard thinking it over. Or rather, just kind of staring blindly at the pallet and wondering how did I get to this place. How quickly things have changed. I didn't think about it long, and grabbed at the plastic cover and starting to pull the bags off. Two bags at a time, 40 lbs each, I'd spend the next hour taking 25 trips to the basement to re-stock my wood pellet supply to heat my house.
Not exactly something that pops up as a regular household task as a resident of Phoenix the last 16 years. Moving 2000 lbs of tiny compressed sawdust pellets into a basement. Heck, they don't even have basements in Phoenix. Yet, its exactly those almost routine tasks that remind me of what New England life is all about. Shoveling snow, pulling weeds, raking leaves, cutting wood, and moving bags of pellets. It's what gives Mainers and other cold weather states that edge many softer (see: winter free) states just don't have. In Phoenix you just pay your bills and go about your day, all year round. There is literally nothing to worry about beyond making sure your AC is working. No grass, no leaves, no weeds, no wood. You can just be as lazy as you want. Its why so many people retire there, they are sick of the work it takes to live in a cold weather state.
Lazy doesn't have much place here in Maine though. If you don't put in the work, you might just freeze. But if you put in the work, and you prepare for the conditions that come at you, you are rewarded with one of the most magical places you could ever live.
Much can be said about the running experience you get here on Mount Desert Island, home of Acadia National Park (or most of it) and the town of Bar Harbor, Maine. We're on an island with a population that has less than most Wal-Marts on Black Friday and despite Acadia National Park being one of the top ten most visited national parks (3.5 million visitors last year, another new record) you rarely see anyone on the trails. (At least everything outside of Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the eastern seaboard and the easiest to ascend with that convenient pavement leading its way to the top for all those visitors seeking instant gratification without any of the work.) This is particularly true in the offseason here whe visitors drop to under 500 a day spread over 46,000 acres. Last year I saw not a single person on the trails for 47 straight days. I was starting to think I moved to a deserted island, not Mount Desert Island.
I soon figured out why. It was winter when I moved here last year.
Winter in Acadia
March 6th last year it was -15 with the wind chill. I wore a coat. Several of them.
Before I had even moved from Phoenix I spent almost equal amounts of time preparing for my new position overseeing operations at the iconic and historic Bar Harbor Inn as I did pouring over topo maps of Acadia. I scoured the map and countour lines to understand how each unique path connected to one another, how to string together larger runs, bigger runs, steeper runs. I knew the entire trail system before I crossed the border into Maine. But I was 16 years removed from winter conditions and it quickly showed.
My first runs were in shorts. Because naturally I didn't own any leggings/tights or anything remotely close to "winter running gear." I resorted to my trusty 15 year old Adidas wind pants trying to see if there was also some magical way they would protect me from the inevitable mid section freeze I experienced with each and every run. The park is stunning in a fresh coat of snow and the ice covered rock walls. The unique way mountains light up in the low lying light of winter was enough to get me out the door every morning. And opening the front door every morning and feeling the brutally cold wind was amost enough to get me to turn right back around and go back to sleep every morning. I froze morning after morning trying to figure out the right number of layers to stay warm. (I settled on 19.) But more of what got me out the door was a new trailhead every morning, and the mystique of what I was going to find every day. I was addicted to the unknown, how much I could cram in before work, how much changing terrain could I handle.
"Can I connect the Gorge trail with Cadillac and down the Featherbed and not fall to my death on the ice?" These were the thoughts that ran through my head as I shivered in my truck driving to the trailhead. Often I had to alter the course mid-way through, or sometimes I pushed through and it was the adventure I didn't know I was looking for that day. Every time it was spectacular, and immediately I fell in love with the area. While my wife and kids were still assimilating to the area, I was already hooked.
-13 degrees. Not unusual.
Frozen Eagle Lake
Coming down the North Bubble.
Running the North Bubble at sunrise.
Jen coming up the North Bubble at sunrise.
Getting ready for another negative morning run
Leki Poles. Stability and climbing power in the ice. Almost never run without them in the winter.
Duck Brook frozen over after a quick thaw and freeze.
Jordan Stream.
The Richard Trail under total ice.
The Richard Trail in ice.
The Richard Trail.
Ice walls along the Richard Trail.
This is the trail.
Get Outside. Even in the winter!
Pemetic after a major snowstorm. Wicked high winds often frequent the peaks.
Pemetic.
Kahtoola Microspikes are always in my pack. Snow/Granite mix is common.
Winter in Acadia. Often it looks like this. Pure ice under snowfall, and you on your tail after a fall.
Got lost one day in the snow and found these bobcat prints with her little one.
Moss not giving way to winters weather.
Every cove and bay holds different beaches, with different rocks. Making visiting each all the more fun and intriguing.
Listening to the waves pound the rocks never gets old. No matter how cold the temp is.
Ice walls cover the cliffs all throughout the park.
Ocean Path is incredible year round.
Coming to the top of Champlain Mountain at dawn in fresh new snow.
Route 3 from high above in fresh snow.
Looking out over the cliff at Dorr Mountain at dawn.
Cold. Dark. Winter.
An unusual January thaw brings 12 hours of ice free running!
Green moss year round, just hiding under the ice waiting to come out.
New Years Day run 2018. Freezing, miserably cold. But somehow still fun!
Gorham Mountain in winter, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean.
Mountains. Beach. Rocks. Trees. Acadia has it all.
Running on the Cadillac South Ridge Trail.
Running the North Ridge of Cadillac Mountain in sub-zero temps.
Climbing up Cadillac Mountain as sea smoke billows off the Atlantic in the distance.
Sometimes you just follow the animals. They are smart.
Sea smoke surrounding the entire island on a freezing -22 degree morning run up Sargent.
Nobody is ever in the parking lot when I get there, or leave. Strange.
Moss & Ice.
Carriage roads in the snow. Several miles are groomed during the winter for skiing and snowshoeing.
Sargent Mountain in a sleet storm. Ice. Ice. Ice.
Sargent East Cliffs descent during a snow storm.
Winter in Millinocket! A free marathon the first week of December in cold temps!
Early winter runs before the snow allow for some quiet runs.
Pre-snow trails still feel like fall. Stretching out the season as long as possible.
North Bubble overlook without snow.
North Bubble summit looking out over the Atlantic.
Eagle Lake in the distance at sunrise.
Sea life still captivates me.
The start of winter.
Sand Beach in winter.
Fresh snowfall on Pemetic.
North Bubble under snow.
North Bubble trail looking back at Eagle Lake at sunrise.
Hemlock Trail in winter.
Jesup Trail in winter.
Looking back over Frenchman Bay and Bar Harbor from North Cadillac Trail.
My brother Noah coming up off the shore along the Ocean Path.
Our very first visit to Bar Harbor and Sand Beach. It was -15 this day...
Spring in Acadia
Running in the winter here isn't all rosy Instagram posts. Every mile takes the effort of three and the time I spent doing the extra laundry was excessive at best. After awhile you're just excited to see some dirt. Any dirt.
And eventually, spring arrives in Bar Harbor and the park. Its certainly not in March. The first day of spring on the calendar is meaningless. We had 20 inches of snow on the ground when it hit "spring." April saw several small snow storms but was also 72 degrees on Easter. But it sure wasn't 72 degrees the next day. As any good self respecting New Englander says about the weather, "If you don't like the weather, just wait a minute." Most of April is spent with wet shoes as everything is melting so eventually it just becomes an accepted part of your run. That eventually gets old too but the excitement of seeing dirt patches and slivers of green peeking through, certainly reigns supreme. I ran almost every day of April and soon had covered a huge portion of the 120+ official trails of Acadia and beyond. It became a fun game to find the route that could connect me to a new section I hadn't seen yet, without repeating any prior segments. It was a game I thought and planned out often and called the "Acadian Pac-Man Project." The Pac-Man project soon took over as my primary motivator when the alarm clock went off at 4:30am.
With spring also comes the pure discovery of sections that previously were covered in snow. What was originally a trail I had covered, now looked totally and completely different in the spring. Norumbega mountain was completely ice covered on the Goat Trail every time I took it, and the descent was always ice and snow. Yet in spring it became this stunning mass of bright green moss covering huge granite boulders amongst the tall pines. Light was peeking through on early morning runs and lighting up the wet moss like lanterns. It became a wonderland of color and life. You felt like you were in The Hobbitt every time you visited.
With spring comes more than just newborn wildlife and fresh vegetation. The runners on the island come out of their winter hiding spots and you start to see cars in the parking lots and even occasional hikers around the more popular peaks. While local runners certainly do run in the winter here, very few actually run the mountains and trails. (Clearly all of which are wiser than I am.). Yet with spring comes a new collection of "regulars" that increase your chances from 1% to 5% in seeing another trail runner in the woods. The 46 miles of crushed granite carriage roads are closed for several weeks in April as the imprints during the mud season can ruin the roads, and that pushs people out on the trails. The 20 mile driveable park loop road that circumnavigates a large portion of the national park opens up to traffic in the spring and with that comes Cadillac Mountain access. The park is open for business and that brings out the hikers, runners, andadventurists. Come May 1st, the park is open for business usually and active again.
In May I was fortunate enough to connect with Tom St. Germain, author of an incredible resource "A Walk in the Park, Acadia's Hiking Guide" as well as the best map available of the National Park. (He also co-authored the fascinating "Trails of History; The Story of Mount Desert Island's Paths from Norumbega to Acadia." Tom was someone I found online prior to deciding to move to Maine and interestingly (see: stalker) enough I found him through Strava.com. In researching Bar Harbor and the area as a potential new home, the running community I came to love in Phoenix was something I didn't want to give up. Finding a similar community in Bar Harbor was a key aspect of the decision and I found Tom through activities he'd run in Acadia over the years. As it turns out, Tom is as experienced a runner in Acadia that likely has existed for decades and he's published the literature to prove it. Reaching out to Tom via social media as a total stranger prior to moving to Maine proved to be a pivotal reason we did move. Come May of 2017, I was fortunate to go for a tour of the park with Tom starting from the west side in Seal Cove and finishing after Pemetic Mountain. That came after this 27 mile solo adventure the week before. Reading my comments on that run last May still ring true, "I thought I was a tough trail runner. Then I moved to Maine. Didn't even do 6 other peaks, didn't have the five extra hours to get it in. Or the heart to endure more rocks. 7:44 total time on feet."
That's the challenge of Acadia. As with any trail system, you quickly discover your biggest adversary after you spend enough time on the trails. In Phoenix, and Arizona in general, it was always about the heat and exposure. A long run in the desert was always planned around the available water, or how much water needed to be carried to make it through the chosen trails for the day. Here, water is abundant, particularly when the park is fully open and water fountains are functioning a several trail heads and parking lot locations you come across along your route. While the weather is ever changing, there isn't really much to worry about for the seasoned trail runner in these mountains. What will get you are the rocks.
Specifically the abundant supply of granite rocks. Entire mountain tops of pure granite, stairs of made of granite, boulder fields of granite. I remember finding the first person on an actual trail last winter on Dorr Mountain and even in that brief conversation he mentioned, "Be careful with stress fractures." My first thought was, "Oh please, I'm from Arizona. Land of the Rocks."
He was right. It's an entirely different running experience bounding between loose rocks, and running down granite bedrock for miles. Literally, for miles. It's stunning, rugged, and wild while you are doing it, but it takes a toll on your legs. So running Acadia in the spring, coming off the usually soft and forgiving snow packed trail, becomes an effort in easing into the Acadia Pounding that is the granite cliffs and rocks. Later in the season, with more conditioning, and rotating in carriage roads and soft mossy trails, my legs can handle it. But early on, it's a bruiser. For the casual visitor or runner they'll probably be fine for a weekend trip to Acadia, but week after week, it'll break you down.
Somewhere around late May comes the first leaves on the trees and like the flip of a switch in June, we're in summer.
Heaven on Earth.
Harbor Brook Trail. Take this to the ocean.
Sargent Mountain descent
A morning visit to the beavers at Aunt Betty's Pond.
Spring days at the Bar Harbor Inn & Shore Path
Following along the trail around Eagle Lake.
Getting outside on a cool spring day.
Tom St. Germain coming down the mountain as spring is starting.
Jordan Pond in the spring.
Acadia in the spring.
Tom St. Germain in Acadia.
Acadia's trails on the western side of the island are arguably more rugged, and beautiful, yet have far less visitors. Don't skip them.
Hadlock Brook is always changing throughout the season. Visit after a big rain and it'll be a waterfall.
Kids love running. Especially when its springtime.
Signs of spring.
Champlain Mountain at sunrise. One of the best places to see the first sunrise in the US. Skip Cadillac, climb Champlain.
Trees, & Rocks. No snow. A welcome sight.
Life is blooming everywhere. Mussels are not hard to find here.
Murray trail is full of granite steps and a little used access trail to the top of Cadillac & Dorr. SUPER fun descent.
Ocean path looking back up to Gorham Mountain.
Even in the fog, it lends to a totally unique experience on the trails in Acadia.
Ocean Path. Ever changing, always amazing.
Acadia Mountain in the fog and rain.
Norumbega at the very start of spring. Soft, green, welcoming single track.
The Bar Harbor Inn comes alive in the spring, much like the rest of the island.
Life takes over the island and backyards become zoos.
Green. Sunshine. Light. Spring is here!
This is Acadia. Mossy, wet, green.
Summer in Acadia
Long in daylight, yet short on time sums up the nature of summers on the island. Ranked by National Geographic and the Today Show as one of the best places to visit for the Fourth of July, it's the kind of place you dream about for summers. Time slows down, Saturdays become Tuesdays and weekends become weekdays. Nobody seems to be working and everyone seems to be on vacation. The streets are packed, the parks are full of people hiking, biking, running, and just experiencing the area. It's the busiest time of the year for a lot of residents, particularly those of us in hospitality, so it also limits how much free time there is to enjoy the area. Luckily, the sun is out until after 9pm so even after dinner we'd sneak in hikes or runs before the sun went down. The sun is up at 4am too, so there's plenty of no-headlamp time on the calendar!
Summer in Acadia also brings a lot of visitors you may even know, and with that brings some running companions. One of my favorite things to do in Acadia is show fellow runners the local trails here in the park, and then to see their reactions as we pass through one mountain range after another, up a sheer granite cliff and down a mossy one, and along a river to the Atlantic Ocean. Very few places can you smell the mountain air and ocean air in a few short miles and it provides for some incredibly scenic, and memorable routes that I'll never tire of showing people. Likewise, it brings a greater awareness to the difficulty of the trails in Acadia, often overlooked due to its shortage of elevation. At 1500 ft, its not exactly an imposing mountain on paper, but the grade up several of the mountains here, and quick accumulation of elevation gain, make any run in Acadia extremely difficult, and rewarding. It isn't difficult to put together a 7000 ft gain 20 mile run here, and you could do it a number of different ways covering a variety of different trails. It's part of what makes Acadia such a fascinating running paradise, you're not committed to any one trail for more than a few miles, and always have several options to add, delete, or edit any planned run based on your mood, the conditions, or how much caffeine is racing through your veins at that particular moment. Feel like going straight up a 30% grade? Just wait half a mile, you'll find one. Want to run along a fern covered single track in the woods? Take a left on the Jordan Stream Trail. Feel like running through maple and oak trees? Follow the Kebo Trail to the Gorge. You'll see plenty.
My favorite run of the summer last year was a 41 mile jaunt through the park, hitting most of the peaks, and all in the name of a 40th birthday for the super strong local runner Jen VanDongen. We hit 15 of the 26 peaks in the park and had 9000 feet of gain to show for it. Finishing the route in a dive into the frigid Sand Beach was a truly memorable way to end a 12 hour day in the woods. For the ultrarunners out there, the accessibility of this park is truly unique and almost perfect for these kinds of adventures. I left my truck at Jordan Pond the night prior (parking is very difficult in the summer, planning ahead is key,) a very central location on the eastern side of the island, and stocked it with water and food supplies. Then the following morning we kicked off from the Visitor Center and proceeded with the route. Every few miles we'd pass by another trailhead for parking, most of which have restrooms and some have water fountains. So even what you have to carry is quite limited, because there are frequent re-supply points along the way. To top it off, as Cadillac Mountain is a premiere destination for all visitors of Acadia, they have a gift shop at the top of the mountain! True story, I'm not even making this up. I started to bring a zip lock bag with $6 so I could get a coconut water and a Mexican Coca-Cola when I ran through the top of Cadillac. Literally, nothing on this earth exists that is better than a Mexican Coke at mile 20 something of a summer afternoon. (For those that don't know the difference, Coca-Cola made in Mexico still makes it like Coca-Cola origially did. Before high fructose corn syrup.) It's incredible and became my go-to visit I'd look forward to each weekend trip up there. Best of all, you can finish your runs in the town of Bar Harbor quite easily as well, as it's only 1 mile from the trail heads to town. Finish at the Village Green in the center of town and there are 15 places to buy a beer, poutine or a lobster roll within 15 feet.
It's perfect.
Fall in Acadia
Fall for many of the locals autumn is their favorite time of the year. Traditionally it was when the tourists would start trickling out after Labor Day (now it's Veteran's Day), and that quintessential crisp autumn morning air starts to greet you as you head out the door for your run. And with the change in weather, comes the change in scenery and as the month progresses you see the transition on the trails. As we enter October the leaves are sharp red and oranges, drawing you to a full stop at every opening in the trees. Your pace on any run slows considerably in the fall, it's just spectacular outside and yet again, the trails seem new again. As the leaves fall, the trails become a tricky set of rocks and roots, guesswork of where your foot is actually falling. But you don't really care because you still can't believe how beautiful it is outside and that you are running through this forest and nobody else is out there.
Fall also brings a number of races in the area, most notably the MDI Marathon & Half Marathon (www.runmdi.org) which has been named one of the most beautiful marathons by Runners World and I'm sure other publications and articles. It runs along the coast of the island through the various villages and towns and really highlights all that you can see in the island. Held in mid-October, it's often during foliage season and great weather for a marathon. It has a unique feel to it you won't find at many of the bigger marathons and the charm of the villages and people cheering you on is really something special. And unique, there are some interesting characters you see along the course that capture as much of your attention as the actual scenery. If you're going to come to Acadia to run, and road running is your thing, the MDI Marathon is special and a worthy reason to visit Maine in and of itself. I mean, you get a lobster claw medal. I probably could have just skipped that entire paragraph and just left it at that.
Pemetic Mountain looking down over Eagle Lake.
The Porcupine Islands in the fall.
The Lobster Roll. Simple, traditional, delicious.
Maggie along the Bubble Divide Trail. Maybe the smoothest, most family friendly trail in the park.
The ocean at low tide brings all kinds of knew discoveries.
Left lane, hammer down. Every time. MDI Marathon 2017.
Kids 5K the day before the MDI Marathon. A great event that gets the whole island involved in the marathon. Truly a "Marathon Weekend" everyone on the island is a part of and embraces.
Carriage Roads in the fall.
Route 3 from the Ladder Trail on Dorr.
Looking down on Jordan Pond from the East Sargent Cliffs Trail.
Creeping up on the Tarn.
Leaves are falling and filling in the gaps.
The first frosts on the North Bubble.
Fall in Bar Harbor. Families meeting at the ocean for a giant BBQ.
Sunrise up Pemetic Mountain. One other person on the mountain as we watched 50 cars drive up Cadillac Mountain. Work for the solitude, its there if you want it in Acadia.
Sunrise coming up the North Ridge of Cadillac.
MDI Marathon finisher award.
Ryan coming down the Jordan Carry Path.
Seal Beach section of the MDI Marathon course.
Waves crashing into Otter Cliffs.
Cruise ship departing through the porcupine islands.
Bald Mountain blueberry patches turning red in the fall.
Somewhere in here is a trail. I think.
Eastern Cliffs of Sargent Mountain
The trail through the forest.
Eagle Lake in the fall.
Eagle Lake.
Fall means wood for winter. Start cutting & chopping for winter.
Dorr Mountain at sunrise.
The finish of the MDI Marathon.
Ryan coming up the East Cliffs of Sargent with Jordan Pond and the Atlantic in the background.
Maggie.
Dropping down off Cadillac Mountain with the porcupine mountains in the background.
Dorr Mountain looking own on the town below.
East Cliffs of Sargent Mountain.
Jordan Pond bridge in the fall.
Bald Peak summitt.
Run MDI. Always & Whenever.
It's been almost a full year of running on the island for me. I haven't done everything, I haven't seen everything, but I've seen a lot of the island. What I've seen, I've fallen in love with. It hasn't all been an easy go of it though. The winters have beaten me up bad and I've paid the price physically for some of the routes I've tried. One bad fall after another on the ice has damaged my motivation at times and contributed to the deep, dark "winter blues." Now in my second winter, I yearn for those clear trails again and the impending snow storms aren't quite as charming as they were leading up to Christmas. Yet, it's a part of the lifestyle here and I'll grab my drill, my box of screws, and set a new pair of running shoes for the ice. I'll throw on my running tights, my four layers, hat and mittens and dive out into another negative wind chill morning for a trip through the mountains. If we're being honest though, I don't really like it.
Spring can't come soon enough though as its truly a reward for fighting through these winters. Normally I would be anti-entitlement for any aspect of life, but I feel like I've EARNED the spring this year. We ALL earn these springs and the eventual summers. I've taken more falls, slips, smashes, trips, and pure pain and bruising from these trails than any combined five years of trail running in my life. Every step is an effort, every mile is a battle, and every mountain ascent comes with its own risks.
Spring brings with it new changes, new life, and a literal and psychological rejuvenation. While the winter is beautiful and welcomed on some levels, I'm more excited to repeat this cycle and seeing that green moss poking through the waning snow cover...and sticking around for the summer.
The Acadia Pac-Man Project. Red is most traveled, lighter blue the least traveled areas. All my runs over the last 11 months.
Friction 101: How to Uproot your family and move 3200 miles away to a small town in northern Maine.
About one year ago today I was thinking I was on to something great. I wasn't.
Eleven months ago I was looking for a new job. I found several. One in particular was holding onto my heart, and despite the logistical pieces of it all, I hoped secretly it was the one that was going to come through. After the Patriots made a dramatic comeback to win the Superbowl, my wife and I boarded a plane to fly 3200 miles away to Bangor, Maine.
I know...how do you even say that city? We arrived in the morning in February to temperatures I didn't even recognize. We grabbed our rental car and drove the hour drive to Mount Desert Island, the home of Acadia National Park. We crossed the anticlimatic bridge to the island and I scanned the horizon feverishly for every morsal of positivity I could find to hopefully convince my wife this was the right move. The job was already ours, it was just a matter of us saying "yes." We met the hotel owner, the new President, saw the hotel, did the dinner deep dive and it even snowed. In three days we saw almost no other humans in the town of Bar Harbor. It was insanely cold, the hotel was closed and in full disarray, and 90% of the national park was closed for the winter and inaccessible. It was the hardest pitch imaginable.
In the airport in Bangor on the way back to Phoenix, I called the President of the company and told him we were taking the job. He jokes today he never thought we would say yes.
Life on an island
We came to Bar Harbor, Maine in early March. March 6th to be exact. And as it turns out, that was about the temperature too.
It's not warm here. It's windy. It's brutally cold on some days. And not "oh you just came from the desert' cold. More the "even the Mainers are bundled up like they are going to the top of Everest, not the 12 ft to the grocery store entrance." In fact, most people seem to just leave their cars running in the parking lots of stores and go in and get what they need.
But now having seen some of the winter, spring, summer and now winter again, its clear life here is more about your attitude than about the temperature. From my office in the hotel I have this beautiful view of Agamnot Park right in town on the water. As soon as a spring day peaked through the clouds and it creeped above 55 degrees, people started coming out of the stores and seemingly nowhere, to just go sit in the grass and enjoy the beautiful afternoon. As the spring progressed, I found myself texting my wife that the afternoon was supposed to be really nice, lets go see a new part of the island.
And so we would. And as the summer progressed, we took every one of those opportunities that came our way. We weren't moving this far away from our Arizona family to sit in our houses or sit in my office. We saw a ton of the island, visited the communities, went to events, tried a lot of restaurants and all the shops. We met a lot of people. I just started walking up to people and introducing myself as, "Hi, my name is Jeremy. I just moved here from Phoenix and don't know anyone here." That usually sparked at least a conversation about the weather. We had family and friends visit from all over the country, all summer and into the fall, which helped greatly as both excuses to try new places, but also not feel so far removed from everyone. The move to New England has allowed us to see so much more of our family that is in upstate NY and Vermont. Now a seven hour drive away versus 60. And because of that the kids have seen their grandmother 3 times these last 10 months instead of 3 times in five years. Its a big give and take with the move, and while there certainly is some major takes (my brother and his family in AZ, Jen's parents and friends in AZ), the gives (my parents and sisters are in New England as well as dozens of others) are helping to offset it all.
Acadia National Park - 4K Hyperlapse/Timelapse from Mark Irion on Vimeo.
What's Maine Like?
I'd never stepped foot in Maine before I interviewed here in February. I was from Vermont and like any self respecting New Englander, you never went to another New England state because the assumption was always, "Well, I'm from Vermont, what does Maine have that Vermont doesn't have?"
Turns out, quite a bit and its not even all that similar. The New England spirit is the same, a collective pride in self reliance, independence and general hardiness that even when not vocalized, it's tangible in how people talk about just about anything. Coming to Bar Harbor there is an immediate and palpable spirit of community and an immense amount of pride that people hold for the town and the island (MDI for short) in general. We could live here for 30 more years and still not be considered "locals." People are involved, they treat people with respect (expect on Facebook but that's pretty normal) and you get a real sense of "it takes a village" now knowning many of the families here on the island. When you go to just about any family event, it's not just the mom's with the kids. Almost every event you'll find both parents there for their kids. While you can certainly find that in Arizona if you look hard enough, the neighborhood feel was always something that was missing in my 16 years in AZ. Here, we know a significant portion of the community, and it seems, they know us. "Oh, you're the family from Arizona?" There is a certain amount of charm to that, and while eventually I'm sure seeing someone we know every time we go somewhere will lose that small town charm, for now it's quite reassuring and leaves us with a feeling of belonging. Even if we're not quite sure yet we do.
A few observations about the island and Maine.
There are no brands on the island besides a Circle K, one Subway and a Hannaford grocery store. Well, I actually consider that a positive. Especially the lack of a Starbucks.
There is literally ZERO traffic. The human wall of traffic in the summer is a bit much at times, but generally, it's a breeze getting anywhere.
There is literally ZERO crime. Well, maybe not zero, but it's pretty close. Some locals think it's a gang riddled spot that requires National Guardsmen to be ordered in because some pumpkins were smashed on Cottage Street, but that's small town life. It's basically The Sandlot in the summer here. Or Gilmore Girls. Totally looks like Gilmore Girls. Not that I watch that show...
There is literally ZERO chance you'll get a pizza delivered to our house 6 miles from Bar Harbor. Better stock up, NO delivery available.
There is not a single Taco Bell on the island. It's a "treat" to go to Ellsworth and even that's a KFC combo. Which we all know is not the same as a real Taco Bell.
There are no Mexican restaurants worth spending a dollar at here on the island or in a 50 mile vicinity. And that's a brutal adjustment. In fact, I haven't met a single Mexican since I got here. Which helps explain the challenges.
Oil is wicked expensive to heat your house and since winter is not December 21st until March 21st as that stupid calendar tries to trick you with, it's a bit more than the wickedly expensive AC bill was in Arizona. But the winter here is just as long as the summer in AZ, so that's pretty much a wash.
Maine has an excise tax for your vehicles along with your registration. If you own a newer vehicle, its going to hit you for around a grand to register it. Our property taxes are 33% more than in Phoenix. So that's also not particularly fun.
But you know what is?
We live in one of the most beautiful places on planet earth. Literally and without an ounce of sarcasm or exaggeration. We were so fortunate to find a great home right in the middle of the island and in the town of Bar Harbor. I have a 10 minute commute to work, and am able to take Dean to school each day as it's a couple blocks from the hotel. When he is older, he could literally just walk through town to the hotel after school. Our home has much more space and land than we had in Phoenix. We have a huge backyard and a forest to explore. Our first day we moved in a deer (later named Blueberry until we realized there are a billion deer here and it was a different deer every day...) stood in our lawn eating the grass. A flock of the same wild turkeys come by every morning and we have cardinals, bluebirds and all kinds of wildlife constantly in our yards. It's incredibly peaceful and relaxing just being home.
Acadia National Park is all around us and where I run 99% of the time. It's a wide open national park with access (trail head parking lots) in dozens and dozens of places. You just drive down the road, grab a parking spot and start from a new place. There are over 120 miles of trails over 20 some mountains carved out between inlets and sounds of the Atlantic ocean, and deep, clear lakes and ponds. You climb a 40% grade granite cliff and are granted access to a 360 degree view of the island and the park all around you. It's remarkable and as the seasons progress, every mile is new all over again. Not once has it gotten old, and not once have I tired of any of the miles. It's an incredible place to live and for that, I'm happy to pay the premium in taxes for the privledge to live in this community.
There are a million other incredible reasons why living here in Maine has been a positive change. None of which totally cancel out the challeges that come with leaving behind my brother, his wife Jeanine and their three awesome kids that our kids were so close with. Jen's parents now don't get to see their daughter and grandkids when they want and that's difficult for everyone involved. We miss our Arizona friends greatly, and because of them we return to them in our minds in these blistering cold days in Maine or the month where it just decided to rain every day. For now though, we're at least enjoying Maine and what it has to offer. The kids LOVE Maine, and have met so many great kids here they have become fast friends with. Dean has quite possibly the greatest Kindergarten teacher ever in Ms. Pickers, he absolutely loves going to school and for that we can only be grateful. If the school wasn't so amazing in Bar Harbor, our entire feeling of Maine would be so much different.
Acadia | Maine from 929Media on Vimeo.


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Home >> Things to Do >> San Diego History >> History of Gaslamp Quarter
Once a growing merchant town, the Gaslamp Quarter is now a bustling downtown neighborhood. Learn about some of the area's most important historic moments.
The Historic Gaslamp
The Founding of New Town
Other Historical Facts
New Town and the Gaslamp Quarter
The Gaslamp Quarter, commonly referred to by locals as the Gaslamp, is a cultural and historical center in San Diego, California. The town is a sight to behold now, but looking back at its past reveals an even more impressive and interesting history that created the Gaslamp Quarter as it is today.
The town is considered a historic district by the National Register of Historic Places. Each year, it hosts thousands of visitors looking to learn more about early life in San Diego and the people who shaped its modern appearance and feeling.
When you visit the Gaslamp Quarter, it's easy to see how history is ingrained in every part of its identity. There are many museums that bring the area's past into its present. Even the gas lamps that line the streets are a relic of the past, so entrenched in the town that they were the direct inspiration for the current name.
Of course, the present appearance of the area only tells half the story. To learn the real history of the Gaslamp Quarter, you must start with the founding of a small city established early in the settling of the West known as New Town.
Hotel Indigo San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
Omni San Diego Hotel
The Founding of New Town and Its Development into the Gaslamp Quarter
When Spanish settlers first came to California, they had trouble settling the area that would eventually become the Gaslamp Quarter. There were a number of failed attempts to establish a city in San Diego Bay. While the area wasn't hospitable for the settlers, it was especially attractive to local rabbit populations, and it eventually gained the local nickname 'Rabbitville.'
The land was purchased in 1850 by William Heath Davis, who was a trader and merchant. Despite his investment, very little developing was done to the land to make it more profitable and popular. Still, this initial purchase and renovation of the area paved the way for future developers.
Since its founding, the nearby Old Town, often called the birthplace of California, was the most prominent town in modern-day California. This all changed in 1867, when the real estate developer Alonzo Horton purchased 800 acres of land close to the bay.
To contrast with Old Town, the newly established area was named New Town, and from the moment of its inception it drew attention from the surrounding areas.
While the town always attracted crowds, these crowds were often made up of less savory people. One such person was Wyatt Earp, a notable figure in the town's history. Once best known for being a lawman who fended off outlaws in the west, Earp was also a frequent gambler, and he established multiple gambling halls in New Town.
The trend set by Wyatt Earp continued in the following years. Around the late 1880s to the early 1900s, New Town became best known for its red-light district, the Stingaree. There were many gambling halls, brothels, and bars, and the situation only got worse for many years.
Around 1970, the city shifted its focus toward urban development and historical preservation. This urban renewal led to the restoration of many Victorian homes that now make up the bulk of the buildings in the Gaslamp Quarter. This prioritization of historic artifacts remains the town's mission statement to this day and drives the majority of tourism to the area.
See the City with Go Pass
San Diego City Tour
Your Go Pass is the key to learning about San Diego. Purchase a half day tour of the city, and visit all the most popular locations. Check out La Jolla, Old Town San Diego, Balboa Park and Coronado. Enjoy all San Diego has to offer!
What is a Go San Diego Pass?
The Go San Diego Pass allows visitors to experience more attractions while simultaneously saving money.
With the pass, you can visit San Diego's top attractions like the San Diego Zoo or LEGOLAND, all while saving up to 55% off on admissions. Plus, the pass gives you the ability to skip the line when visiting select attractions.
Historic and Informative Places of Interest
With such a strong focus on history, it's only natural that the Gaslamp Quarter is home to many museums, as well as its own historical foundation. These services work to preserve the shared history of San Diego for life-long residents and curious tourists alike.
There are almost 100 Victorian-style buildings still standing in the town, many of which are still in use today. If you take a trip to the Gaslamp Quarter, or if you're a resident who wants to learn more about the way your home looked hundreds of years ago, these historic sites are a great place to start.
The Gaslamp Museum is a near-mandatory stop on any trip to the Gaslamp Quarter. It is a Victorian house that has been converted into a museum that showcases the many phases of the Gaslamp Quarter's history, from its early days as New Town to more recent developments. In addition to its educational focus, the Gaslamp Museum is also believed to be one of the most haunted buildings in the neighborhood, and ghost tours are frequently offered.
The museum is located in the Davis-Horton house, which also goes by the name William Heath Davis House. Constructed in 1850 after William Heath Davis purchased land in the New Town area, it is the oldest building still standing in San Diego.
Prohibition: San Diego's Original Speakeasy Bar
Prohibition is the original speakeasy bar in San Diego and it is well worth checking. This 1920's atmosphere bar is a great place to grab a craft cocktail or a beer with a friend. You might even catch some live music on your visit
The house has been renovated many times throughout the years, with each renovation keeping the building in good shape, while still preserving all of the historically significant architecture and interior design.
Each room in the house showcases a different period in San Diego's history and the history of the house itself. It has been used as a private residence, a hospital, and even military barracks. Rooms are decorated to reflect the pre-Civil War era, the modern Gaslamp Quarter style, and everything in between.
The Gaslamp Museum is included in the list of attractions applicable for a bundled discount when you buy a Go San Diego pass for your trip. Purchasing a pass through us gets you access to our additional discount on top of the Go San Diego passes already discounted rates!
Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation
The Gaslamp Museum currently functions as the headquarters for the Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation (GQHF). The foundation works to preserve the history of the Gaslamp Quarter and of San Diego, and also to make the knowledge of the area's past accessible to everyone. They are responsible for maintaining and showcasing the Gaslamp Museum, as well as running walking tours to nearby historical landmarks.
As an organization concerned with exploring the Gaslamp Quarter's history, GQHF also runs many community outreach programs that encourage people of all ages to develop an interest toward San Diego's past. They run multiple lectures about different aspects of the area's history each year, and they also host events like the Fallback Festival, a wild west-themed street fair for kids.
San Diego has a significant Chinese population in Kearny Mesa, but there is also a long history of Chinese residents in the Gaslamp Quarter. In the 1860s, Chinese abalone fishermen settled in what is now known as the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District (APTHD).
This area is now part of San Diego's Chinatown, and it's where the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum can be found.
The San Diego Chinese Historical Museum was founded by the San Diego Chinese Historical Society. It is housed in a renovated and repurposed church and school that was originally going to be demolished back in the 1990s. After significant efforts by the Chinese Historical Society, the building was saved, and the museum opened its doors in 1996.
The museum now includes three different buildings as well as a Chinese garden. The exhibits showcase the influence of Chinese culture on past and present San Diego, as well as the area's long history of multiculturalism.
Museum exhibits and attractions include Chinese artifacts, models, historic photographs, works of art, and displays. The museum runs educational programs for those interested in learning more about Chinese history in the Gaslamp Quarter, and there are annual celebrations for events like the Moon Festival, Chinese New Year, and other holidays.
Hard Rock Hotel San Diego
Classic rock style gives a modern edge to Hard Rock Hotel San Diego. Located in the Gaslamp Quarter, this hotel is the perfect home base for your adventure.
Gaslamp Walking Tours
With so many well-preserved historic Victorian-era buildings in the Gaslamp Quarter, it's no surprise that walking tours are a main attraction!
There are many different walking tours to choose from, and each one highlights a different aspect of the Gaslamp Quarter's history. They are a great way to experience the neighborhood and take a more in-depth look at the area's past by learning from a local expert.
The Gaslamp Museum and Gaslamp Quarter Historical Foundation offer multiple walking tours. Daytime tours take visitors past different buildings while a museum docent explains each building's significance. Nighttime tours like the Ghosts of the Gaslamp Tour take a more paranormal angle, showing off the spookier side of San Diego and more specifically, the Gaslamp Quarter.
If you're looking for something a little more unique, check out the Brothels, Bites and Booze: San Diego Gaslamp Walking Tour. This is a culinary tour where you can enjoy great local food and drink, all while learning about the more scandalous history of the Gaslamp District. Tour guides on this tour relay shocking and often little-known information about the history of the infamous red-light district.
The Gaslamp Quarter also is right next to Petco Park, home of the MLB San Diego Padres. The Petco Park Tour is the perfect option for sports fans. Tours include behind-the-scenes locations like the press box, visitors' clubhouse, the dugout, and even a look through San Diego's athletic history with the Breitbard Hall of Fame.
USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum
GoCar: Downtown & Gaslamp Loop
Gaslamp Quarter Trivia and Other Historical Facts
The Gaslamp Quarter's history is incredibly extensive and includes lots of surprising and interesting trivia facts. Here are just a few of the aspects that make this part of San Diego so special.
The Gaslamp Quarter Archway Sign
The large arched sign that welcomes visitors to the Gaslamp Quarter may look like a relic of the past, but it was actually built quite recently (in 1990). Its design is inspired by the Victorian architecture that can be found throughout the rest of the town.
Additional Historic Landmarks
There are many more landmarks in the Gaslamp Quarter that make for excellent stops on sightseeing tours. These include the Old City Hall, the Royal Pie Bakery Building, the Spencer Ogden Building, the Louis Bank of Commerce, and the St. James Hotel. Each of these landmarks help to give the district a unique feeling and character.
Bum the Dog
Bum was a Saint Bernard and Spaniel mix who became a local celebrity in the late 1880s. He arrived as a stowaway on a ship, and while he lived in the Gaslamp Quarter, he ran with the fire brigade, walked in parades, and was known by all.
A statue of Bum can be found behind the Gaslamp Museum.
Sister City
The Gaslamp Quarter's sister city is Edinburgh, Scotland. Like Bum the dog, Edinburgh has its own canine celebrity: Greyfriars Bobby. There is a replica of Greyfriars Bobby's bronze statue in the Gaslamp Quarter, and Edinburgh has a statue of Bum in return!
More San Diego History


A 38 year old female with a positive CT showing axillary lymph nodes and no known primary. Breast cancer was strongly suspected but a mammogram showed dense breasts with no apparent tumor.
PET showed multiple axillary nodes plus the primary right breast malignancy. PET was used to stage properly stage the patient and to locate (Diagnose) the primary.
*Diagnosis of Breast cancer is not a Medicare covered indication.


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Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS Sells Over 2.8 Million Units Worldwide
posted in Everyone 10+, Fighting, National News, New Releases, Upcoming Releases By: Tami | Print This Post
Strong launches in the Americas, Europe and Australia* have propelled the cumulative sales total for Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS to more than 2.8 million sold worldwide. This first-ever portable installment of the game has resonated both with fans and critics, and its initial sales set Nintendo up for a strong holiday season. To keep the momentum going, Nintendo has unveiled the launch date of the Wii U version of the fighting game. The Super Smash Bros. for Wii U game will launch in North America on November 21, just in time for the heart of the holiday shopping season, at a suggested retail price of $64.99. The first wave of Nintendo's interactive amiibo figures will launch the same day at a suggested retail price of $13.99 each. Twelve iconic Nintendo characters will be included in the first wave, with a second wave of six more figures set to launch in December.
"Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS is already in the hands of more than 2.8 million people worldwide, and the road ahead looks great," said Ron Bertram, Nintendo of Canada's vice-president and general manager. "Nintendo's holiday software lineup is more than impressive, and our amiibo figures start a new chapter in the world of Nintendo interactive entertainment. With so many great experiences available, this holiday season is going to be an amazing time to be a Nintendo fan."
As previously announced, the first wave of amiibo includes Mario, Peach, Yoshi, Donkey Kong, Link, Fox, Samus, Wii Fit Trainer, Villager, Pikachu, Kirby and Marth. The second wave that launches in December includes Zelda, Diddy Kong, Luigi, Little Mac, Pit and Captain Falcon.
The amiibo figures can interact wirelessly with compatible games in unique new ways, providing fresh game-play experiences and a great value for consumers. Players simply need to tap them to the Wii U GamePad controller to activate them, and some figures offer compatibility across multiple games – no additional equipment is required. Fans can buy and collect amiibo, to bring them closer to the games and characters they love. Super Smash Bros. for Wii U will support amiibo when it launches on November 21, and upcoming amiibo compatible games include Mario Party 10 and Yoshi's Woolly World, with more to come. Mario Kart 8, available now in stores and the Nintendo eShop, will also support amiibo in the future. A software update may be necessary to use amiibo functionality for these and other amiibo compatible games in the future.
For those who want to play Super Smash Bros. for Wii U with their favourite Nintendo GameCube controller, Nintendo is introducing an adapter that lets up to four original Nintendo GameCube or WaveBird controllers work with the game. The adapter will be available at a suggested retail price of $22.99. Nintendo is also launching a standalone Nintendo GameCube controller emblazoned with the iconic Super Smash Bros. insignia at a suggested retail price of $32.99. Additionally, Nintendo is offering a special bundle that includes Super Smash Bros. for Wii U, one Nintendo GameCube controller and one adapter at a suggested retail price of $99.99, available exclusively at EB Games. All of these items launch November 21.
Never one to be overlooked, Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker was a critical and crowd favourite during the E3 Expo video game trade show in June. The game launches December 5 at a suggested retail price of $44.99 and lets players take control of intrepid explorer Captain Toad as he sets off on adventures like exploring a haunted house or escaping a smoldering volcano. Even though Toad characters have appeared in video games since the original Super Mario Bros. game on NES, this is the first time that one of them gets top billing. The game will also support select amiibo figures in 2015.
For more information, like the Nintendo of Canada Facebook page and follow Nintendo of Canada on Twitter.
* Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS launched on September 13 in Japan, October 3 in the Americas and Europe, and October 4 in Australia. Cumulative sales reflect life-to-date totals in each of those regions. Data from Europe primarily covers Friday October 3 and Saturday, October 4, as the great majority of retail outlets are closed on Sundays across Europe. All sales figures are Nintendo estimates for both digital downloads of games and physical sales.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 7th, 2014 at 8:15 am and is filed under Everyone 10+, Fighting, National News, New Releases, Upcoming Releases. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
1:16 am on October 7th, 2014
Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo #3DS Sells Over 2.8 Million Units Worldwide http://t.co/Bl5H4tqYW3
» 2014 » 10 » 07 » Super Smash Bros. For Nintendo 3DS Sells Over 2.8 Million Units Worldwide


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Kenya's Giant Ivory Bonfire
BURN, BABY, BURN
Kenya's president will ignite 105 tons of ivory in Nairobi National Park.
Nathan Place
Updated Apr. 13, 2017 4:09PM ET / Published Apr. 25, 2016 12:30PM ET
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty
No jewelry will come of the 105 tons of elephant tusks and one ton of rhino horns confiscated by Kenyan officials. Instead, they'll make a beautiful fire.
On April 30, Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta himself will set the ivory ablaze in 12 metal structures in Nairobi National Park. It will be the biggest ivory bonfire by any country in history, and is meant to send a burning message to elephant and rhino poachers.
"The burning is major statement [sic] that we cannot kill wildlife and benefit," Najib Balala, Kenya's cabinet secretary for tourism, told The Star. "Our heritage must be protected."
African elephants are badly endangered, and are at risk of going extinct within the next 50 years due to poaching, according to Kenya's Wildlife Service Director Kitili Mbathi.
But some have criticized the bonfire for wasting materials that, though ill gotten, could be sold to raise funds for conservation.
Kenyan officials have a number of counterarguments to this. For one, there's been an international ban on trading ivory since 1989, which means in order to raise money this way Kenya would literally have to join the black market it's trying to end.
But there's also a more practical argument: Kenya's economy is heavily dependent on tourism, and elephants are one of the country's major attractions.
"We strongly believe elephant [ivory] has more value on a living elephant than outside it because humankind can do without ivory," Patrick Omondi, deputy director of the Kenya Wildlife Service, told Casa Grande Dispatch.
In one very literal sense, that may be true. If a pair of tusks can't be put back on a living elephant, as far as Kenya is concerned, they may as well burn.