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Yew Notes
Observations and personal reflections from the Yew Mountain Center.
Yew Mountain Center Awarded $4.1M Icicle Farming Grant
Drive most any back road in West Virginia in the colder months and it will soon be clear that the state has an ideal habitat for wild icicles. A new initiative at the Yew Mountain Center aims to help WV take its rightful place as a leader in the global wild icicle trade. The U.S. Department Of Labor And Family Farms (OLAFF) announced today that it was awarding the Hillsboro, WV non-profit organization $4.1M to pilot a program aimed at growing the region's capacity to supply the world with sustainably-sourced wild and wild-simulated icicles.
"We think this is an incredible opportunity to help mountain families, especially those that live near north-facing rocky outcrops, to earn a significant income while preserving the natural and cultural heritage of the region," said Will "Chill" Lewis, Yew Mountain Center's icicle farming coordinator. "Many here take our icicles for granted, but around the world, Appalachian icicles are increasingly in demand for their clarity, size, and botanical content."
This opportunity arose as an unlikely silver lining of the COVID-19 epidemic as new technology and better systems were developed for cold shipping and storage. Costs of shipping frozen material have fallen in recent months, lowering an important barrier of entry for small producers of icicles.
The organization, known for its experiential education programs has planned a series of "mittens-on" workshops starting in Nov. 2021. Participants will learn production techniques, ethical foraging practices, and strategies to sell their icicles to premium markets. Visit www.yewmountain.org to learn more.
A Love Letter to Trees
In times of challenge, I'm learning that what we pay attention to has heightened importance. Sometimes we need to focus on finding a way forward. Sometimes we need to focus not on a direction, but on the whole experience of a moment. In those times, I find it best to be close to trees.
I don't know what it's like to be a tree. But I like to imagine it sometimes.
Arms outstretched in a permanent embrace of everything that arrives to its spot on the planet. Its solid matter a testament to its whole history. The tips in motion to seek a future in the sun and a present in the soil. Its silent defenses against harm and silent entreaties for cooperation. Silent, but clear and strong enough to sustain its force as a valuable participant in a connected community.
As our understanding of forests deepens (and it does every time we set foot in one if we let it,) we realize how crucial it is to have dedicated places that exalt these ancient ecosystems. We can call it research, forest farming, eco-tourism, forest bathing, plein air painting, outdoor education, hiking, wandering… We believe that all these human activities are, at their essences, prayers to the greater forces at work in these living cathedrals. And, like prayers, they provide focus, direction, and meaning to the smaller transactions of living.
By knowing forests, we know that strong relationships create resilience, shared purposes create power, and diversity creates enduring beauty. In challenging times, we think it's a good idea to pay attention to trees. Trees persist.
persist v. to continue steadily and firmly in some state or course of action.
from Latin per--thoroughly + sistere--to stand
Trees do it with atmosphere, minerals, light, and the cooperation of allies they've been politicking with for eons. The Yew Mountain Center persists with a passionate community of staff, volunteers, participants, and donors…cradled in our community cathedral of trees. This letter and our I Love Yew campaign is our entreaty, our invitation for you to be a part of this collective prayer for a connected, resilient, powerful, and beautiful way forward. And for times spent among the trees where forward is only one of the infinite directions we could go.
Erica Marks
Yew Mountain Center Director
p.s. Like a healthy forest, the Yew Mountain Center is a place of renewal and re-invention fueled by creativity from our communities. Do you have ideas or questions? Please feel free to reach out to any of us at The Yew Mountain Center. We would love to hear from you!
Hug A Tree
Spring Bingo
Download our Spring Bingo card and send us responses for some nice little prizes.
Where the Crawdads Paint
By April Folle, Central Mountain Times
"We hear all the time of people going into nature and finding inspiration, but what is inspiring the wildlife?" Erica Marks, director of the Yew Mountain Center an educational nonprofit organization in Hillsboro, WV, couldn't get that question out of her head. Each trip into the forest revealed another reason to believe that inspiration was lacking among the residents of the natural world. "It's a crisis no one is talking about. People speak of 'happy little trees,' but what if they aren't? What if each 'cheerful' peep of a spring peeper is really an existential cry for help?"
After dwelling on this sad thought for months, she realized what was missing in the "red in tooth and claw" existences of wild creatures: art supplies. "If you think about it, wild animals and plants have extremely limited resources with which to express themselves. This is an underserved population," Marks said. "We give our children markers, glitter glue, crayons…What do the animals have? Rocks and mud?"
Inquiries led her to Dr. Art Zeefardzi, professor of Bioart at the University of Dummköpfe in Frankfurt, Germany. Zeefardzi has been studying the effects an environment rich in art supplies on the wellbeing of blue foxes Vulpes gulpes. His research indicates that foxes who have access to tools with which to express themselves have a measurably greater sense of wellbeing as indicated by the bushiness and carriage of their tails, among other things. "Blue foxes raised with an inexhaustible supply of oil pastels were the most well-adjusted foxes in our studies," writes Zeefardzi in a 2018 publication of the journal Natur.
Motivated to improve the condition of local wildlife, Marks set out to find funding for art supplies to meet the needs of the living things on the 500 acres at the Yew Mountain Center. She wrote letters, applied for grants, and eventually struck up partnership with an anonymous patron of both the arts and nature who donated $1.5 million to start a pilot program. "It's a dream come true," Marks said. "We are going big and seeding the forests, creeks, and meadows with a wide variety of expressive tools." Beyond typical art supplies such as paint, polymer clay, and crayons, they will also be able to put musical instruments into the paws, fins, talons, of the wildlife.
"I'm so excited to see what they will create," said Marks. "But more than that, I am thrilled that wildlife will now have an outlet for their emotions and ideas." Marks said the natural works of art will not be for sale. "This isn't like the elephants painting for tourists in Thailand. This project is about unleashing the innate creativity that we know is flowing through the veins and xylem of wild beings."
For more information and to support the Wildlife Art Supply Project (WASP,) please contact the Yew Mountain Center. info.yewmountain@gmail.com
Photo caption: Bongos and watercolors await use at the Yew Mountain Center. Credit: April Folle
Meet our Wellness Guides
Just like humans, wellness practices comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. We are thrilled to collaborate with local wellness teachers and guides to bring a unique and first time event for the Yew Mountain Center called Wellness Days. Experience a variety of practices that may help you find wellness in your life.
Take a moment to read about some of our guides and we hope you can join us in April. Our schedule includes more instructors, please check it out on our website or FB event page.
Who are you? Annette Naber, Ph.D.
After 20+ years of working as a clinical psychologist, I have re-tooled as a life coach and offer self-development workshops and retreats. I am particularly interested in developing therapeutic techniques that reconnect us to Nature. My favorite process involves Forest Bathing and mindful earth art and journaling. You can find out more at: www.EmeraldMountainSanctuary.com I am also an amateur photographer and enjoy writing and have combined these two passions on my blog: www.BeautyAlongtheRoad.wordpress.com.
What workshop/class are you presenting at The Yew? Forest Bathing & Journaling
How has experiential learning made a difference in your life? Or how has your wellness practice made a difference in your life/life of others? I interweave my own healthy lifestyle (organic gardening, foraging for wild edibles and medicinals, creating my own medicinal tinctures, yoga and movement disciplines) with my teachings and retreats.
Describe a time you were inspired when being outdoors.
When I found a discarded snake skin hanging from a tree, it moved me to contemplate and write about it, research the archetype of snake, and come to a deep realization about my own life that still reverberates in the way I choose to live.
What do you hope participants will get out of the weekend/your workshop?
I am hoping that participants will re-connect deeply with the forest, enjoy the mindful techniques I am teaching and allow these to deepen their Nature experience
Sparrow Huffman, yoga instructor, owner of General Lewis Inn & Stardust Cafe
Who are you? I am Sparrow Huffman, native of Lobelia WV, and RYT 200 yoga instructor. I also dabble in restaurants and hotels when I'm not busy homeschooling and doing yoga.
What workshop/class are you presenting at The Yew? I will be teaching a Roots and Rise early morning flow yoga class where we will firmly establish our foundations, and connection to mama earth, then flow freely from that solid root system.
How has experiential learning made a difference in your life? Or how has your wellness practice made a difference in your life/life of others? I was able to fully heal from a lower back disc injury through yoga practice and so so much more. I love sharing this deep practice with others. The yoga asana practice brings me fully into my physical body, and allows me to release all the mind chatter in order to come into a meditative space.
Describe a time you were inspired when being outdoors. I am inspired by our sweet mama earth every day. I am in awe of our waters and our trees, and her innate ability to heal again and again and again.
What do you hope participants will get out of the weekend/your workshop? I hope to share my deep love for nature, yoga, and community with participants
Anything else you'd like participants to know?
The Yew is the work of many hands and countless hearts. I am honored to add my hands and my heart to this incredible project.
Barbara Stanley, Ashtanga Yoga instructor
I am a 71 year old woman who is a mother, partner, graphic designer, fine artist and Ashtanga Yoga student and practitioner. I've been teaching for 15 years and practicing for 18. I have studied extensively with David Swenson, David Williams, Casie Tavares, Keiko Armstrong and currently Manju Jois, son of Ashtanga Founder Sri K Pattabhi Jois, who I study with regularly and who certified me to teach Ashtanga Primary and Intermediates Series.
What workshop/class are you presenting at The Yew?
We will explore Ashtanga Yoga, a system introduced by the world by Sri K Pattahbi Jois where breath is synchronized with movement through a set series of postures. In Ashtanga the focus is on the breath and energy locks, which builds intense internal heat, purifying the body by eliminating toxins through sweat.
How has experiential learning made a difference in your life? Or how has your wellness practice made a difference in your life/life of others?
Absolutely. Through an individualized hands-on approach, the Mysore Method, my teachers have instilled in my body and mind through asana, pranayama and chanting how to approach my practice and my life.
Over the years many students have told me I have inspired them. Some have gone on to also become yoga teachers, which inspires me.
I live between the Greenbrier River and the Greenbrier River Trail, which is always an inspiring place to be. Nothing inspires me more than being on a beach in Maui with fellow yogis or kayaking down the Greenbrier.
Not many people in WV experience Ashtanga Yoga, one of the oldest systems of yoga. There is a handful of Ashtanga teachers in our state, so learning it can be quite a quest. This system is designed to eventually be part of your daily life where you practice on your own, at your own pace, checking in with your teacher regularly. Originally, this system of yoga was used for healing and that remains the focus, if taught the traditional way. It is also designed to be individualized so anyone can practice. My intention is to inspire those attending during and after class and stress the importance and benefits of integrating a regular yoga practice into their lives.
This will be a no-stress class void of competition, doing the feel good.
Julie Hare, MD is a board certified Family Medicine physician and a certified Ayurvedic Health Coach. She works full time as a clinician at Pocahontas Memorial Hospital's Rural Health Clinic, and serves as the clinic's medical director. She owns and operates Allegheny Integrative Medicine, LLC. Dr. Hare came to Ayurvedic medicine through her own journey in dealing with chronic illness. The impact of this amazing medical system was so powerful she has shifted gears and gone from Ayurvedic patient, to student and now teacher and coach. She currently offers a twice annual online Ayurvedic group cleanse practice (free) and teaches a monthly meditation, movement and somatic therapy class for women 18 over.
"Experiential learning is what medicine is all about. In medical school there is a mantra: see one, do one, teach one. Immersing yourself in all aspects of the learning process, from the start, is how one gains true mastery. One of my most profound, experiential lessons early on was being a patient; I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease in medical school. Becoming a patient with a difficult-to-treat, chronic illness taught me so much about being a doctor. It also illuminated the strengths and short comings of modern medicine and eventually led me down a different path. I have gone from working as a molecular biology researcher at the NIH to finding medicine in meditation and chanting in Sanskrit.
Our fundamental need as planetary creatures is creating a solid connection to the Earth. Paying attention to the cycles of the moon, having seasonal habits and practices, eating organic food, drinking clean water and breathing unpolluted air is our basic nourishment and medicine. I fell in love with West Virginia the moment I set foot here. As an urban child, I am amazed every day that I live on a mountain in the woods. It is my own backyard that allows me constant connection to my true physical world. I drink the water that comes out of the hills, grow my own food and wild gather herbs, mushrooms and plants from the surrounding forest.
My intention for this lecture is to provide an introduction to Ayurveda. It will highlight some core concepts and will provide some take-home knowledge and start using immediately. Specifically, we will explore the doshas together: the fundamental principle of physiologic uniqueness which helps us understand our own bodies and minds and guides us in how to best care for ourselves. Additionally we will look at how establishing a daily routine, a dinacharya, can support our individual fundamental purpose. In other words, how to wake up every day to your dharma."
In love and peace, Namaste,
Julie Hare
Good Anywhere
Maya Angelou said, "I'm convinced of this: Good done anywhere is good done everywhere." And I have to wonder. At the Yew Mountain Center we try to be intensely local, inspired by the landscape under our feet and outside the windows of our cars and homes, fed by our neighbors' livestock, garlic from our own gardens, and apples from homesteads past. We embrace this notion that local is good. And it is. And sometimes it's good to look beyond our own feet and windows. Sometimes we want to speak Spanish and eat a pomegranate. Sometimes we want to fix the world.
I have to wonder. Is learning to hand-tie a traditional Appalachian broom fixing the world? I have no idea. But here's what I do know. When we all sat in the dining room, holding tension on the wet broomcorn with the weights of our bodies, we were drinking from a deep well of world-fixing energy. We sat still, but in an active, alert state of learning, questioning, doing, and supporting each other's efforts. Then it became meditative, almost second nature to us novices—under, over, pull tight, repeat. The patterns emerge. The imperfections we were so worked up about become art. We had made something useful. We had made something beautiful.
Creating a field trip, making lunch, writing a grant, planting goldenseal, making dinner, doing the laundry, answering emails, fixing the well pump, hiring musicians…under, over, pull tight, repeat. Holding something tightly with the weight of our bodies, our ideas, and each other. We are seeing the patterns emerge in interactions with our students and our guests. We hear it when we are in gatherings of organizers and changemakers across the region. They tell us what we hope and believe to be true. We are making something useful. We are making something beautiful.
We have a neighbor who, when she comes over to visit and sees the chaos of our house, reaches for a broom and sweeps while we chat. And when she leaves, that little patch of clean floor makes me better able to handle the rest of my life. That's what brooms and neighbors can create—little clean patches of floor and inner peace. (Is this what sweeping change looks like?)
I believe these little patches of good matter—especially when we look up from our own patches and find ways to connect them with others. Connecting the good pieces has been the best part of creating the Yew Mountain Center. Wait. Did I just I switch from the broom metaphor to a quilt metaphor in the final paragraph?! Is anything more Yew? Thank you for being a good piece.
Yours in Sweeping Change,
p.s. With deep gratitude for Brenda Harmon of Brenwood Forge and Brooms who led the broom making workshop with great patience and skill and for all of the other teachers who create a community of learning at the center.
Welcome, Hannah, the summer AmeriCorps member!
Grafting How-To at the Yew
The importance of the art of grafting fruit trees was first on the list of things that Will Lewis explained at his grafting workshop on Thursday March 21st. In one simple statement he summed it up: "Most fruits that you eat are from a grafted tree." Johnny Appleseed himself, as legend has it, was well known for sowing the seeds of apples far and wide, but perhaps this was because he understood that out of the thousand seedlings he was planting ahead of the settlers maybe one hundred would result in apples that were pleasant to eat. When fruits come from a seed there is always a possibility of cross-pollination that results in a diverse genetic structure. With this diversity comes variability and inconsistency—leaving you with apples called "spitters" that are so bitter they make you want to "spit" them out and are good for cider, but not for eating. The well-known apples we are all used to eating, gala, honey crisp, granny smith, and so on are all originally from a randomly delicious fruiting tree that was named and grafted.
Luckily, we already have many delicious apples readily available, whether they are wild trees or cloned varieties, and can graft from existing trees. If we want to stand on the shoulders of Johnny Appleseed, the first step is to choose our scion wood and rootstock. Scion wood determines taste so that choice is easy: choose an apple you like to eat. Rootstock on the other hand, is what determines the size, height, disease resistance, density of fruit, years to fruit, and lifespan of your tree. Many are partial to dwarf rootstock for instance, because although the trees have a shorter lifespan and are less resilient, they fruit earlier so you get an earlier return on your investment and they require less work to cultivate and harvest. While scion wood can be easily harvested from a tree of your choice, the multiple factors involved in choosing root stock makes it worth getting from a reputable nursery supply so you can be sure of what characteristics you will be getting.
Once these choices have been made, it's time to talk process. Although there are multiple methods of grafting, the workshop focused on the whip and tongue union. This method mechanically binds the scion woods to the rootstock, and the only tools you need are an exceedingly sharp knife (ideally flat on one side and beveled on the other), some wax (toilet bowl wax will do), some wet newspaper or peatmoss, and grafting tape (or flagging tape in a pinch). And of course a wealth of knowledge from a practiced horticulturalist and the company of other eager grafters-in-the-making helps.
The first step is to match your scion wood to a rootstock of a similar circumference. You then clip a section off the top of the rootstock right below a bud, exposing the cambium (a light green ring just beneath the bark that acts as the thoroughfare for nutrients and water). Using your knife, you cut that fresh end into a diagonal slice to increase the surface area of the cambium and increase the chances of your "union;" the more angled the slice, the greater the cambium contact between scion and rootstock. It's important that the cut be one flat unified stroke to avoid gaps between the cambiums.
 You then make a matching sloped cut at the tip of the scion wood, making sure that you have your buds facing upwards. The next cut you make is directly into your freshly cut ends, to create a little notch where you will fit the two together. With each piece prepped, you merge the two notches. If you have more than three buds above the graft you have one final cut to make: cut horizontally above the third bud, because an excess of buds requires too much in the way of water and nutrient support and will take energy away from a successful union.
 Once you've achieved a satisfactory union, you wrap the point of contact with flagging tape to encourage the merger. You then coat the tape and the tip of the scion wood in wax as well. This step is particularly important because this seal is what keeps moisture in your scion wood, and if the scion dries out, you won't get a callous to form joining your graft.
Having made your graft, it's important to place your rootstock in a ball of wet newspaper or paper towel, or in a bag of peat moss for storage. A good storage place will keep your fresh graft at about fifty or sixty degrees as you wait for your callous to form (for peaches and apricots this increases to seventy five degrees). This process should only take about one week. If done well, this method has a success rate of 80 to 90 percent. The question of storage, of course, brings up the question of timing. You want to harvest your scion wood in February, your rootstock in February or March in West Virginia, and more generally in late winter/early spring depending on climate, weather, and location. If you find yourself ahead of schedule and with scion wood but no rootstock, your scion cutting can last a few months in the fridge.
After you have a formed callous and successful graft, and if your ground has thawed it's time to plant! It's important to start with a well-tilled bed and to water attentively as your tree could be in a nursery bed for up to a year. If you are feeling ambitious and planting multiple trees, plant them 16-24 inches apart in the nursery. If buds begin to grow while the plant is in the dark, it is worthwhile to harden off the plant in indirect sunlight before planting.
Speaking of ambitious grafting, now that you know of one way in the art of grafting, you can explore and get creative. Grafting two varieties on one tree for example, is a great way to address the issue of having a singular plum or cherry tree, as both require the cross pollination of a different variety of tree to bear fruit. Henry Lang in New Hampshire even grafted around 230 different varieties to one tree in an attempt to push the boundaries of how much diversity you can achieve with just one tree with grafting.
If this blog has peaked your interest and you want more information, for anything from how to manage your young trees after their first year, to other methods of grafting, these two books come highly recommended by our very own Will Lewis: The Holistic Orchard by Michael Phillips and The Apple Grower by Michael Phillips. Happy Grafting!
Monkeying in our Mountains
The Yew Mountain Center is excited to be part of a small pilot program to introduce a genetically modified raccoon-monkey hybrid into the Appalachian Mountains.
A family of "moncoons" will be released at a remote part of the Yew Mountain Center property and monitored with tracking devices. The new species, Lemur tonto tonto, was created in a remote research facility in the mountains of Madagascar that have a similar climate to the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Researchers from Abriluno University in West Virginia teamed up with a government team of scientists on the small island of Broma, Madagascar. They designed the animal to prefer pests such as the emerald ash borer and woolly hemlock adelgid, invasive insects that are responsible for extensive tree death in this region. In field trials the latest variant, the N-8.2, has also shown to consume more deer ticks, carriers of Lyme's disease, than opossums consume.
The animals will be released just before midnight, April 1, 2019. This date was chosen to coincide with the waning phase of the moon and the emergence of the animals' preferred food. This dark, nighttime introduction will protect them from predators and give them a chance to orient to new surroundings in privacy.
While wildlife officials think this introduction will benefit forests in the region, they warn picnickers and hikers to be alert to these new residents of the forest. "As you might imagine if you know anything about monkeys and raccoons, these animals are uber-bandits, said biologist Pulma Legg. "Be sure to keep a close watch on your food and never leave it unattended. And don't fall for their tricks! I've seen one make a sound like a car alarm to create a distraction while its partner made off with an entire pizza."
Reflections on the Equinox
pull [noun]:
Sometimes it feels like our bones are made of magnets. Meanwhile, the moon goes for its daily walk. The world is always tilted, as if listening to something.
-Megan Moriarty
I am immediately drawn in by the forest. The trees reach out to me, casting themselves into shadows three times as tall as the trunks themselves. The moon beckons also, outwards and upwards on this mountain road.
For anyone else who sought high ground last Wednesday night to watch the moonrise and marvel at its size and brightness as it first peaked out over the treetops, it won't come as a surprise that on that night the intensity of the lunar pull actually increased causing a greater variation in tides. As I begin to walk, my tread slides and I become aware of my feet sinking every so slightly with each step. So fitting on the night of the "worm moon," named for the return of soft ground and the emergence of earthworms.
Although I've spent most of the evening looking up, it's as if the ground is reminding me to look down also. The mud beneath me has a satisfying silt quality to it, and a darkness evident even by moonlight. This nuance in granular composition makes me wonder: What was here before? What lies beneath? What gives rise to this place?
Moss fruiting bodies in the spring snow.
Rattlesnake Plantain
We are at the top of Briery for the super moon and vernal equinox, two celestial events that haven't occurred on the same night since 2000 and won't again until 2030. Although the alignment of cosmic elements isn't something that typically attracts my attention, the intensity of this confluence peaked my interest. A super moon, or a "perigee syzygy," is a full moon that coincides with the closest moment of the moon's orbit. Based on my recent googling, the perigee is the point at which the moon is closest to the Earth in it's orbit, and a syzygy is the lining up of 3 celestial bodies and occurs every full moon, new moon, and eclipse. So not only is the Sun-Earth-Moon system aligned, but the moon is half bathed in light, half shrouded in darkness. And this coincidence also happened to coincide with this year's vernal equinox, the moment when the sun crosses the celestial equator northbound, making the day and night equal in length. And with a good bit of that night left, I decide to continue on my path.
As I walk and wonder how far I would follow the pull of the moon, I find myself at the edge of a large puddle where the road should be. The glassy surface creates another inverted universe, where the moon is still full, but shines up from the ground rather than the sky. As the season when days continue to get longer, Spring seems to be rife with the symbolism of things beginning again, rebirth, regeneration, renewal: to forward thinking and planning.
This night, however, seems to be urging me to reflect. To remember to look down and back, to take a closer look at the soil that gives rise to the Spring, and to seek the magic that can be found underfoot. To reflect on what has already been accomplished before surging forward with everything left to do and prepare.
When I wake the next morning to say my goodbyes to the moon, following it once again up and over a mountain ridge, I am amazed to already find the first signs of Spring beneath my feet as they pass over the grounds of the Yew. Seemingly overnight, determined buds of flowers and ramps have been pulled up and over leaves and snow. As I sit atop a sandstone outcropping surrounded by mountain laurel, I feel a reverence for the winter equal to my excitement for the spring; it is periods of dormancy that allow for new growth. I listen to the birds as the day breaks
and find myself looking forward to a growing season in which I hope to find balance, to notice the reflections in the puddles, the dark side of the moon, and the ground beneath the sprouts.
Ruthie Cartwright
Education Assistant,
AmeriCorps Member
Our common areas in the lodge are now accessible to persons with disabilities and we have an accessible guest room and restrooms. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to attend programs and lodge with us. Special accommodations will be arranged upon request.
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9494 Lobelia Road Hillsboro, WV 24946 USA | info.yewmountain@gmail.com | 304-653-4079
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text:
Fenton, Terry. "Orest Semchishen". The Canadian Encyclopedia, 16 December 2013, Historica Canada. www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/orest-semchishen. Accessed 19 January 2022.
Fenton, T. (2013). Orest Semchishen. In The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/orest-semchishen
Fenton, Terry. "Orest Semchishen." The Canadian Encyclopedia. Historica Canada. Article published February 04, 2009; Last Edited December 16, 2013.
The Canadian Encyclopedia, s.v. "Orest Semchishen," by Terry Fenton, Accessed January 19, 2022, https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/orest-semchishen
Orest Semchishen
Article by Terry Fenton
Orest Semchishen, photographer (b at Mundare, Alta 1932). A radiologist by profession, Semchishen took up photography initially as a hobby.
Semchishen, Orest
Orest Semchishen, photographer (b at Mundare, Alta 1932). A radiologist by profession, Semchishen took up photography initially as a hobby. In the early 1970s, after taking University of Alberta extension classes, he turned to documentary work and since that time has continued to work in the classic documentary tradition. Probably the most important influence on his work is the American photographer Walker Evans, although Semchishen's vision has its own distinct personality and the wide-ranging scope of his work and its comprehensiveness recalls the achievement of the great French photographer Eugène Atget.
Beginning with a survey of Alberta's Byzantine rite churches that were a part of his Ukrainian heritage, Semchishen's oeuvre has expanded to encompass rural communities, city business districts and markets, ethnic groups, fur trappers and prairie farms. In the process he has developed an increasingly sophisticated vision and technique: his prints are marvels of brilliance and tonal balance. Semchishen continues to document exhaustively. He has compiled an extraordinary record of Canadian life, centered on the Prairies but extending across the country.
A resident of Edmonton, Orest Semchishen's works are represented in public collections including those of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, the Edmonton Art Gallery and the CANADIAN MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY PHOTOGRAPHY. Negatives of his photographs are housed in the NATIONAL ARCHIVES OF CANADA.
William Notman
Alexander Henderson
Barbara Astman

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Located just 20 minutes north of Wichita, Newton offers an ideal family environment: affordable, quiet neighborhoods, outstanding schools, and abundant community activities. Newton is a city with pride for its past and great vision for its future.
Bethel College, a four-year liberal arts college in North Newton, is the oldest Mennonite College in North America. As a highlight for the college and community - for more than 35 years, Bethel College has celebrated education, diverse cultural traditions, special foods, fine arts, crafts and friendship at its annual Fall Festival. More than 5,000 people come to Newton and the Bethel campus to enjoy this annual event.
Sand Creek Station is one of the area's finest championship golf courses and is publicly owned by the City of Newton. The course was recently named the Reader's Choice Winner of #1 Public Course in Service and Overall Value by Golf World Magazine. Just 15 minutes from Wichita, the course is a unique golf experience that pays tribute to the community's railroad history.
And if you're looking for relaxed living with golf course views, the new home communities of Sand Creek Station offer a unique lifestyle experience and are marketed exclusively by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty.
Newton is located in Harvey County in south central Kansas. Harvey County is approximately fifteen miles north of the City of Wichita, and is within the northern portion of the Wichita Metropolitan Statistical Area. Harvey County began as a railroad center, with the City of Newton located on the Chisholm Trail. The railroad continues to be an important industry in the County, including the area's Amtrak station in Newton. Harvey County contains seven cities; the cities of Newton, North Newton, Hesston, Halstead, Sedgwick, Burrton, and Walton.
The Newton Office of Berkshire Hathaway Home Services PenFed Realty serves Newton and Harvey County. Our sales professionals are proud members of the community and are a resource for all your home-buying, home-selling and relocation needs.


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17/10/2019 7:26 PM IST
The Creepy Way Facebook And Amazon Profit Off Our Private Data
Shoshana Zuboff, the author of "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism," discusses how tech companies harvest our thoughts, preferences and behaviors.
By James Ball, HuffPost US
Our lives and habits are being tracked. Every time we tap in a Google search, every time we click "Like" on Facebook and every time we make an Amazon purchase, we are giving away information about ourselves: our thoughts, our preferences, our behaviors.
We are providing data that can be packaged up and sold to companies, which then use that data to try to modify our behavior and steer us toward buying their products and services.
Harvard Business School professor Shoshana Zuboff calls it the commodification of human data. In the information era we live in, she explains in her new book, "The Age Of Surveillance Capitalism," we are the marketable product. It's a terrifying idea.
In an interview with HuffPost, Zuboff talks about how this new world is not just a threat to our privacy, but — as it starts to shape our actions — to our democracy itself:
So, what is surveillance capitalism?
It's important to know that in many ways, surveillance capitalism differs dramatically from other forms of capitalism over the last couple of centuries. Capitalism is claiming things that live outside the marketplace, bringing them into the market and turning them into what people call "commodities," things that can be sold and purchased.
Industrial capitalism, which dominated the late 18th, 19th and 20th centuries, famously claimed nature. The trees and the forests and the rivers — these are entities that have a life of their own. Industrial capitalism brought nature into the market dynamic, and nature was reborn. It was called "land," and it was called "real estate." That allowed it to be sold and purchased and become the source of profit.
Surveillance capitalism proceeds according to this pattern, but with a dark and unexpected twist. So unexpected, in fact, that it's taken us quite a while to catch on to what they've actually done. Surveillance capitalism claims private human experience for the market dynamic.
Ultimately, what surveillance capitalists are trying to do is sell predictions. It's not only to know our behavior, but it's to predict our behavior. That's how they make their money.
It says that private human experience is now a source of free, raw material — just like harvesting wheat or collecting ore from a mountain side. [We are] a source of free, raw material that can be processed into data, and those data can be computed and sold and purchased and owned.
That sequence has created the largest, wealthiest and most powerful companies — like Google, Facebook, Microsoft and Amazon — that the world has ever known. All of that begins with the unilateral declaration that private human experience is ours for the taking.
Ultimately, what surveillance capitalists are trying to do is sell predictions. It's not only to know our behavior, but it's to predict our behavior. That's how they make their money.
Mike Blake / Reuters
Shoshana Zuboff speaks during the Milken Institute's 22nd annual Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, on April 30.
Those predictions are not to improve our lives, but rather they're sold to business customers who have a business interest in knowing what we will do next — because that raises the certainty that they have about how to successfully sell us things or how to reward and punish us in real time in order to get us to behave in a way that serves their bottom line.
You've argued before that surveillance capitalism isn't just about monitoring us, but about changing how we act. How does that happen?
[Companies have] got so much information about us that they're now learning in experimental ways how to use that information to actually control our behavior and modify our behavior in the direction that suits their bottom line.
Pokémon Go is a game that was incubated in Google for many years. It was staffed by Google executives, run by Google executives, invented by Google people, spun out of Google, with Google remaining a major investor.
Pokémon Go, it turns out, was a game within a game. People thought they were playing this augmented reality game, when in fact the game itself was designed to herd people through the city to service establishments, restaurants and other kinds of places that paid the game for footfall.
In other words, just as online advertisers pay the companies for click-through, real-world establishments were paying Pokémon Go creators Niantic Labs for guaranteed footfall, actual bodies, real feet in their restaurants, in their bars, in their coffee shops and so forth, including McDonald's and Starbucks.
This was a large-scale experiment, it turned out, in how to use gamification, rewards and punishments to herd people, modify their behavior, get them to go where you want them to go, where you're going to make money on their behavior.
People play Pokémon Go during a gathering to celebrate "Pokémon Day" in Mexico City, Mexico, in August 2016.
What we see is that in order to sell certainty about how people will behave, we are compelled to turn the vast digital architecture on and offline into a global means of shaping how people behave. This is a new kind of power. It means to control our behavior in a direction that fits with their commercial purpose.
There would be quite a lot of people who would look at 20th century capitalism and say, "Yes, maybe they commodified nature." But for the average person, it's meant they were richer at the end of the 20th century than they were at the beginning. If surveillance capitalism will keep that trend going, is that not a good thing?
[The commodification of nature] created economic growth for the first time in human history, and economic growth has contributed everything to our civilizations. It has allowed people to be educated, it has allowed the rise of science, it has allowed the rise of health and the eradication of disease. It's created middle classes.
But we didn't understand the long-term implications of [industrial capitalism's] operations for the planet, for our climate, for our environment. Now, we are facing a planetary crisis.
We've caught on to it very late because we didn't have the science to understand — until very recently. Then, the science was confounded by an ugly politics that has impeded our ability as nations to cope with this challenge.
The young activist Greta Thunberg has become known for saying: "The house is on fire." The planet is, indeed, our house. What I'm saying is that our home is on fire. Society is our home.
We can no longer look forward to a digital future that we can call "home" in a way that we would recognize as something that is consistent with our values of democracy, of individual sovereignty and of human agency.
I believe that we can continue to benefit from economic growth, but with democracy with law and with regulatory regimes. I have not given up. With all of its violence and disappointment, I still believe that capitalism, if correctly tethered to democracy, can be a positive thing for our societies.
Is it naive or is it being optimistic to say that democracy is capable of curtailing surveillance capitalism?
This is a collective action problem. Our democracies have been on the ropes before. If we look at the Gilded Age, the late 19th century — those companies, the JPMorgans and the Standard Oils and so on, the Rockefellers, the people we now call "robber barons" — they weren't called "robber barons" back then. They were just barons. It's in the fullness of time that we turned around and we said, "You know what? They were robbing us."
I know that we can do it because we've done it before. The second thing is that surveillance capitalism is 20 years old. I consider that something positive. It's only 20 years old. It's not like it's got a century of standing. It's young. Now we're learning about it, getting a grip on it and beginning to come together around a new language and a new understanding.
We're just in time to begin this work. We may not have the two or three decades that we had earlier in the 20th-century, but certainly we have the next 10 years to come together and really begin to understand this.
The neoliberal juggernaut that's dominated the last four to five decades has run its course. It's completed its damage. And we're now going to summon democracy to pick up the pieces and put us back together again.
The interview has been edited for clarity and length.
If it matters to you, it matters to us. Support HuffPost's journalism here. For more content and to be part of the "This New World" community, follow our Facebook page.
HuffPost's "This New World" series is funded by Partners for a New Economy and the Kendeda Fund. All content is editorially independent, with no influence or input from the foundations. If you have an idea or tip for the editorial series, send an email to thisnewworld@huffpost.com
James Ball Journalist and author
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What is a Light Reflex Rheography or LRR?
Light reflex Rheography is a refined form of Photo-Plethysmography (PPG). This method is a non-invasive examination which measures the venous blood flow in the lower legs using infrared light, to evaluate the function of venous valves and the effectiveness of venous muscle pump. Venous blood volume changes in the sample area of skin are measured which reflect venous hemodynamic changes in the lower limb. This allows practitioner to diagnose whether symptoms of heaviness, aching and swelling in the legs that many people experience are indeed due to any significant vein disease.
LRR is a simple, inexpensive, and non-invasive bedside test that takes 10 minutes to perform. It is appropriate for the global assessment of calf-pump insufficiency regardless of whether it is caused by varicosities, the postphlebitic syndrome, or deep venous thrombosis. Therefore, very suitable as screening examination to evaluate the function of venous valves whereby measurements can be taken also through medical stockings.
It allows an early recognition of pathological changes so that an early therapy can slow down the development of the disease. For this reason, it is a good method to use as a pre-treatment selection test, especially for varicose veins.
No preparation is required for an LRR test.
How is Light Reflex Rheography performed?
The examination procedure includes two steps: At the beginning a 15-second exercise test must be made which is also called tip-toe-test or muscle pump test. During this exercise the muscle pump in the lower legs is activated to empty the veins what is the pre-condition to measure the refilling of the veins afterwards.
In a second step of the procedure, a wireless pressure probe shaped like a disc is put on each of the patients's legs which measures the amount of blood present in a volume of the epidermis beneath the LRR probe. The change of the venous blood volume during the refilling of the veins is recorded and analysed by a practitioner.
Patients who maintain high pressures in the leg despite this ankle movement may have significant vein disease and require a full range of vein tests such as Ultrasound Duplex studies.


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The Single Best Strategy To Use For Revenge Season 5 dvd boxset sale
September 21, 2018, 5:17 pm / paxtonrerbm.ampblogs.com
Soon after Sherlock is captured with the killer, Joan is compelled to tell Captain Gregson the reality about her position with Sherlock to get Gregson to find him. Meanwhile, Joan gets roped into a blind date by her Buddy, but the man contains a top secret.
The man and his spouse desired to incite a police raid over the gang, but his associate killed him in excess of the gang's money. In the meantime, Joan assists Fiona Helbron, who aided the duo on a current situation and needs to make certain her new boss is just not a criminal. Inside their interactions, Joan realizes that Sherlock is serious about Fiona romantically. Fiona tells Sherlock she likes him and they start a connection.
Sherlock and Joan check into the death of the member of Sherlock's on-line beekeeping community who was a researcher seeking into a lethal Northeast honey bee outbreak. Through the investigation, they meet Tara Parker, a brilliant entomologist, academic plus the leader of New York's beekeeping Culture.
The only segments on the display that are filmed exterior Canada will be the "A Phrase from Us Little ones" interstitials, filmed at elementary educational institutions or other educational web sites inside the Boston place. Beginning in Season 11, the "A Word From Us Little ones" segment was changed by a phase called "Postcards from You", where by live-motion movies despatched in by younger viewers had been spotlighted per episode, and after that replaced with "A Phrase from Us Little ones" in season twelve. The segments are omitted from all airings outdoors the U.S.
In some hotels you can find alternative ways to get to the elevators and you don't have to stroll usually from the reception. If so, It really is fairly easy to have a Lady as part of your area with no everyone noticing it.
They ultimately deduce that the one that murdered the woman was the man who experienced approved the developing web page permit illegally and would earnings handsomely through the bridge collapse by supplying the contract to make a whole new bridge to a business who was paying him beneath the desk. Given that the Expecting mother is about to leave the brownstone, she tells Watson that she has chose to retain the newborn simply because Watson has impressed her to believe that she far too can perform everything.
Some resorts talk to the working Female's ID or involve "registration" of your visitor when you find yourself getting her in towards your room. This takes place particularly in some international locations in Asia. This is certainly great protected so that you can stay away from any drugger or robber hookers.
Sherlock receives a call from Scotland Lawn a couple of missing inspector, Gareth Lestrade, who worked with Sherlock. Sherlock and Joan travel to London, where Sherlock very easily locates Lestrade in a bar and agrees to help solve the case that triggered Lestrade being suspended. Aiming to confirm a loaded man killed his wife, Sherlock, Joan and Lestrade pour more than proof. Refrigerated milk leads them to visit the suspect's dwelling wherever Sherlock discovers a chipped nail, foremost him to the conclusion that the gun was printed applying plastic and melted in acetone.
Sherlock delivers Joan to the internet site of the aircraft crash on a beach; Among the many four victims, he deduces that one of these was murdered. Reviewing further proof such as a recording on the Seems heard over the aircraft ahead of the crash, Sherlock concerns the summary that sand was utilized to jam the aircraft engine as well as the murder target was a person who walked in about the perpetrator at function, his corpse then stuffed in a trunk that induced bodyweight imbalance as well as aircraft's subsequent crash. All evidence details to the aircraft mechanic that's supposedly smuggling cocaine, but more proof display that the real murderer would be the mechanic's boss.
Just after finding suspended by Gregson at the conclusion of the episode "M.", Sherlock decides to invest some time pursuing certainly one of his preferred things to do: riling up conspiracy theorists online. When one of several theorists goes lacking, Sherlock decides to investigate on his own. After locating the person was killed inside a suspicious strike-and-operate incident, Sherlock appears to be like to the sufferer's conspiracy theories in order to see if he experienced hit on just about anything Which may have made him a concentrate on.
Whenever a lifeless serial killer occurs, it's going to take Sherlock and Joan on the trail of 8 achievable suspects, all With all the very same list of Chunk marks. Our duo discovers that the tooth of the lifeless killer, Aaron, was a mildew with the dentures, Consequently possessing the exact bite mark.
Sometimes you can obtain away with it. Quietly slip an expert..escort up or they come up on their own. No-one likes to register names since they turn into identified to the data files.
Meanwhile Marcus is obtainable a job with the US Marshals and shortly discovers that it absolutely was Sherlock who advisable him to your Marshals. Sherlock confesses it had been him and tells him he desires him to take the job due to the fact as soon as the captain retires its unlikely the new captain would look as favourable at Marcus who is effective closely with consultants beyond the NYPD. Detective Bell tells Sherlock that he's not about to go ahead and take task right before Captain Gregson tells him to take the position and He's happy with him.
Alfredo tells Joan that Sherlock continues to be staying away from him. The situation of a useless archaeologist presents new mysteries as the detectives figure out that he was digging more info up an aged landfill in the nineteen eighties. The man was hunting for Nottingham Knights, an aged video clip video game within the eighties which was never released on account of monumentally negative progress critiques. Joan tells Sherlock about Alfredo, so Sherlock pays him a pay a visit to and tells him that he desires new routines to keep up his sobriety.
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The Biggest Gaming News For November 28, 2021
Sunday's tend to be a bit quieter, but it does give us a chance to look back on the week. Today we learned that we've all been playing a whole lot of Halo, and more of us have been using Steam than usual. We also have new content coming to Fortnite, and a much-loved adventure and RTS game is set to get a Switch port.
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim Is Coming To Switch Next Year
13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim is finally coming Switch, almost three years since its initial launch in Japan. The surprise announcement was made today, alongside a trailer that sets the release date as April 14, 2022. 13 Sentinels was a hit when it was released internationally last year, improving its otherwise slow sales from 2019. It also scooped up a bunch of award wins and nominations, so Switch players are in for a treat when it launches on the console next Spring.
Halo Infinite Is At The Top Of Xbox's Most Played And Free Games Charts
Balance is restored: Halo is once again at the top of Xbox's most-played charts. Despite concern from fans when it was revealed last year, Halo Infinite's multiplayer has been a hit so far. There's been some criticism here and there, but on the whole it looks like players are loving it, and reliving their 2000s glory days. And this is before we even have the single-player campaign to play through, so Halo's return to form has likely only just begun.
Steam Had Its Highest Concurrent Players Ever Yesterday
It looks like we've all been doing a lot of gaming this week. Steam had its most concurrent players ever yesterday, with more than 27 million players online. CS:GO took the crown, surprising absolutely no one. What might be most surprising is New World being in fifth place, although this might be because of its Steam autumn sale discount. Cyberpunk 2077 didn't manage to crack the top ten, but it is performing incredibly well in the sale, perhaps boosting the numbers.
The Game Awards Has A World Premiere That Is 2.5 Years In The Making
Speculation time – Geoff Keighley has dropped a hint for a big Game Awards reveal. He didn't say much, other than that it has been two-and-a-half years in the making. He'd already said that there will be 10 new game premieres, but this is likely to be the most exciting of the bunch if we're already getting teased about it. The only other detail we have to go on is that it's faced delays due to COVID-19, but that doesn't help narrow it down either.
Fortnite Adds Nick Fury To The Game
Two things are guaranteed in life: endless MCU content, and an endless stream of Fortnite skins. In the perfect partnership of these two truths, Nick Fury has been added to the game, in case you wanted even more Marvel items in the battle royale. Fury comes alongside some back bling, a new pick-axe (that's not actually a pick-axe), and a high tech glider. You can pick him up on Fortnite now.
Click here to view original web page at www.thegamer.com
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Cyril Gautier of Europcar finally put an end to a three-year drought as he outsprinted Vacansoleil-DCM's Frederik Veuchelen in the rain-soaked Tour du Finistère. The 2010 Route Adélie was his last victory. Following his 2008 U23 European title, Gautier carried a lot of expectations, but evolved mostly into a domestique for Thomas Voeckler and Pierre Rolland, a role he'll embrace again next week at Liège-Bastogne-Liège.
"I know how to work for the others," Gautier said. "It's been too long since I last won a race myself. I'm not a slacker. I always give everything to the team and I hurt myself in training, but when you get in a downward spiral, it's very difficult to get the confidence back. Since I came back from Malaysia in early March, I've been hit by different sicknesses: food poisoning, bronchitis, a cold last week, but on Wednesday at Paris-Camembert, I realized the good form was back, so I was motivated today."
Europcar was represented in the early breakaway by Perrig Quéméneur alongside Armindo Fonseca and Florian Guillou (Bretagne - Séché), Romain Hardy and Rudy Molard (Cofidis), Wouter Mol (Vacansoleil), Javier Aramendia (Caja Rural), Patrick Facchini (Androni), Yves Lampaert (Topsport Vlaanderen - Baloise), Sébastien Reichenbach and Patrick Schelling (IAM Cycling), Ignatas Konovalovas (MTN - Qhubeka), Julian Alaphilippe and Petr Vakoc (Etixx-Inhed).
As they got reined in when the race headed back south towards Quimper, a headwind was coupled with the rainy conditions, and another group went away with 40km to go with Anthony Geslin and Arnold Jeannesson (FDJ), Christophe Le Mével (Cofidis), Tim Declercq (Topsport Vlaanderen), Rémi Cusin (IAM), Florian Sénéchal (Etixx-Ihned), Veuchelen and Gautier.
"I've managed to remain calm for once," Gautier explained. "I waited for the last lap to attack and when I realized that Veuchelen was coming across, I slowed down and I positioned myself behind for the sprint that I launched with 250 metres to go. It was hard. But the bad weather conditions were the same for everyone. Unfortunately, we're used to it by now."
Gautier, being a Breton, scored his second pro win on home soil like the first one. "It's even better to win in Brittany," he said. "I'm proud of where I'm from. I expect more for myself in the future but I'll go to the Giro del Trentino now and I'll be a domestique again in one week for either Voeckler or Rolland at Liège-Bastogne-Liège."


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Home / Fusion / Go: Go
Go: Go
The Holy Grail for fans of Jazz Fusion/Space Rock. This is the original release featuring Steve Winwood, Klaus Schulze, Al Di Meola, and Michael Shrieve. Original Issue. Island Records ILPS 9387 VG****
SKU: SER001027L Categories: Collector's Corner, Electronica, Fusion, Rock Tags: Al Di Meola, Go, Klaus Schulze, Michael Shrieve., Steve Winwood, Stomu Yamash'ta
Japanese Percussionist and Composer Stomu Yamash'ta recorded "Go" in 1976, the first of a Series of legendary (and long out-of-print) albums with the "Go" supergroup that have long been a Holy Grail for fans of Jazz Fusion/Space Rock.
This is the original release featuring Steve Winwood, Klaus Schulze, Al Di Meola, and Michael Shrieve.
Original Issue. Island Records ILPS 9387 VG****
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Williams, John: Images
Go: Go Too
Go: Live From Paris
Soft Machine: Third
Soft Machine: Fifth
Zawinul, Joe: Zawinul


Back in the day, searching for a home was as simple as opening up the newspaper and looking at advertisements. But now, the impact of the digital age is infiltrating many areas of life, and real estate is no exception. 95 percent of homebuyers search websites as one method of shopping for a home, according to the 2017 Report: Real Estate in the Digital Age by National Association of Realtors (NAR). Additionally, 72 percent of homebuyers use their mobile devices as another tool in their home search. These intriguing statistics make a case for the importance of the internet when marketing a rental property. Online search sites have replaced newspaper ads, and virtual tours have replaced in-person showings. With online marketing you have the most exposure if you want to market your property effectively and rent it quickly.
Some people may not be comfortable with marketing to online platforms. Unfamiliarity with online property sites and the time involved in posting to each is enough to deter potential landlords from starting this process. But by employing the aid of a property management company, they can market your property to its fullest potential and provide additional assistance after you sign a lease – ultimately this is your best option.
This seems basic, but it's amazing how many dirty and disorganized homes exist on the market. If you want to attract buyers, don't repel them with filth and messy rooms. Start by discarding any trash, and then pick up and put away shoes, clothes, or other objects lying around. Put everything in its proper place in a neat and orderly fashion. Remember, interested renters want to look in closets, so don't just shove your belongings in there; arrange them neatly. You want the closets to appear spacious, so renters see there is plenty of room for storage.
Deep clean your property after you have decluttered and removed any garbage or debris. Clean behind furniture you don't normally move and all kitchen appliances, wipe off any obvious wall marks, remove any carpet stains, and replace any missing cabinet knobs. Make your home look the way you would want it to if you were moving in. Cleanliness is a basic step, but it's vital to your property's success.
After you've cleaned the inside, move on to the outside. The front of your home is the first impression a potential renter has of your property and you can't afford to make it a bad one. Reliable sources such NAR and HGTV tout the importance of curb appeal and show how making your home's outer appearance great doesn't have to be expensive. Simple tasks such as mowing your lawn and weeding your flowerbeds are good places to start.
After you've tidied up the landscape, consider if some newly planted flowers or bushes may accentuate your property. Do a thorough scan of the exterior of your home. Are there any obvious repairs to address? Would a fresh coat of paint give your home a needed face-lift? Would a different color make the front door pop? Power washing the exterior is another wonderful way to revitalize your home. Lastly, examine the roof. Missing shingles or other roof damage negatively affects your property's value, so address any roof repairs before advertising your property.
Once your property is clean and looking its best, it's time to stage your home for photographing. Make your home look like the alluring living space you see on TV shows. Fluff up the sofa pillows, arrange the furniture with care, and add a vase of flowers to the kitchen table. Pay attention to even the smallest of details and remove random objects from the kitchen and living room surfaces and ensure all toilets seats are down.
Once you've staged your home, you're ready to take photos. High-quality photos can help you receive the highest price for your rental property. 89 percent of buyers find photos extremely useful when shopping online, according to NAR. Consider hiring a professional photographer if you feel incapable of taking high-quality photos.
Lighting dramatically impacts the appeal of your property. Poorly lit, grainy pictures give potential renters the impression the house is dark and gloomy. You want to market your property as warm, welcoming and full of light. If you're unsure of your ability to capture well-lit photos, invest in a professional photographer. If you are comfortable with your photography skills, consider the best angles to showcase each room and the best time of day to capitalize on natural lighting.
Now that your property is picture perfect and ready for advertising, you need to decide the best places to market it. Want to do it yourself? Check out these online rental marketing property resources. Or, if you don't have the time to put into listing your property, contact Bay Management Group today and we can discuss the marketing resources we can offer you.


Established in 2012 by Mickael-François Loir, LE LOIR EN PAPILLON personifies the know-how of elegance in the French tradition through the wearing of suits, bow ties and ties. The tradition and memory of a childhood in rendering homage to his grandfather, an avid hunter and collector of butterflies. LE LOIR EN PAPILLON offers bow ties, lapel pins, limited edition pocket squares created by artists as well as a number of accessories made exclusively for men. Each piece expresses the spirit of dandyism and draws its inspiration from the world of art as well as cabinets of curiosities. LE LOIR EN PAPILLON proposes exceptional French products for men who value their elegance as well as unique objects. Every piece is created entirely by hand and prepared in LE LOIR EN PAPILLON's atelier based in Paris.


text:
package org.hisp.dhis.startup;

import java.util.Locale;

import org.apache.commons.logging.Log;
import org.apache.commons.logging.LogFactory;
import org.hisp.dhis.i18n.I18nLocaleService;
import org.hisp.dhis.i18n.locale.I18nLocale;
import org.hisp.dhis.system.startup.TransactionContextStartupRoutine;
import org.springframework.beans.factory.annotation.Autowired;

import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableSet;

/**
 * Populates default I18nLocales if none exists.
 *
 * @author Lars Helge Overland
 */
public class I18nLocalePopulator
    extends TransactionContextStartupRoutine
{
    private static final Log log = LogFactory.getLog( I18nLocalePopulator.class );

    @Autowired
    private I18nLocaleService localeService;

    private static final ImmutableSet<String> DEFAULT_LOCALES = ImmutableSet.of(
        "af","ar","bi","am","de","dz","en","es","fa","fr","gu","hi","id","it",
        "km","lo","my","ne","nl","no","ps","pt","ru","rw","sw","tg","vi","zh" );

    @Override
    public void executeInTransaction()
    {
        int count = localeService.getI18nLocaleCount();

        if ( count > 0 )
        {
            return;
        }

        for ( String locale : DEFAULT_LOCALES )
        {
            localeService.saveI18nLocale( new I18nLocale( new Locale( locale ) ) );
        }

        log.info( "Populated default locales" );
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Check here for updates to current winter storms.
Following the 2017 Sonoma/Napa conflagrations, which have now been eclipsed by the mega-fires in Shasta and Butte Counties, the Mill Valley Fire Department has been actively evaluating/implementing programs and processes to ensure our lowest overall community risk possible.
Shelter in place has been lifted. The roadway is open, but reduced to one lane.
There have been multiple reports of an unlicensed solicitor driving a newer, white, Toyota Tundra, offering to repair dents and scratches in various parking lots within Mill Valley.
Drink responsibly- Have a designated driver or call a cab or ride-share service.
Beginning Friday, November 23, 2018 to Monday, December 31, 2018, parking meter fees will be temporarily waived to encourage patronage with local businesses. Visitors' downtown will be able to park for free in spots up to the maximum time allotment which is noted on the parking meter.
The Mill Valley Police Officer's Association is pleased to announce, we will again be participating in the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program. This will be the third year the Mill Valley Police Officer's Association has had the honor of providing gifts to Marin County children through the generosity of Mill Valley citizens.
A new phone scam is sweeping the area. In this instance, subjects are calling people/parents and advising them that their child has been kidnapped. Obviously, this type of incident will put parents into a panic and rightfully so.
That's right. Cars parked on the sidewalk are in violation of the California Vehicle Code.
On Wednesday October 3, 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS).
OnWednesday October 3, 2018, the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission(FCC), will conduct a nationwide test of the Wireless Emergency Alerts(WEA) and Emergency Alert System (EAS).
At their meeting on July 30, the City Council heard an informational update on current regulations governing private charter vehicles and tour operations within Mill Valley City limits.
The new 2018/2019 RSVP Parking Permits will go on sale staring July 5, 2018. These permits are valid from August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2019.
The Mill Valley Police Department wishes you a happy 4th of July! Please celebrate safely and responsibly.
If you haven't done so already, please register your security camera system with the Mill Valley Police Department. By registering with us, your camera can play an important role in assisting police officers with investigations - possibly capturing an image pivotal in solving a case.
Bike Stolen and Recovered – Thanks MVPD!
Please avoid the area. Updates will be posted soon.
We need your help! The Mill Valley Police Department has had an increased reporting of vandalism in Mill Valley.
Mill Valley City and School District officials announced today their reaction to the shooting that killed 17 and injured numerous students and adults at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) designates February as Aggressive Driving Awareness Month.
Millions of Americans huddle around the television each year on Super Bowl Sunday! Whether you are tuned in for the commercials, tasty food, gameplay, or just wanting to spend time with friends or family please keep in mind your safety and the safety of others.
A DUI arrest can result from more than just alcohol. Operating a vehicle with illicit drugs or medications in your system also can lead to a DUI charge.
Are you leaving town this holiday season? If you are, you can request extra patrols for your home or business. Whether you are away on vacation or feel added security in your area is necessary for other reasons, the Mill Valley Police Department can arrange for officers to conduct extra patrols in your neighborhood. Simply fill out and submit the Vacation/Extra Patrol form or call the Police Department at (415) 389-4100 to request extra patrols. We hope that providing this service to our community will help citizens rest easy while they are away this holiday season.
In the age of technology and electronic scams, there are people still using old fashioned methods to steal from you. Most prevalent here in Mill Valley have been unwanted solicitors at the door. Magazines, food items, charity, home improvement, and utility scams are the most commonly solicited items presented at doorsteps.
On Friday, December 8th 2017, the Mill Valley Police Department will be conducting a pedestrian crosswalk and awareness operation. The purpose of the operation is to increase the level of safety and awareness for both motorists and pedestrians in regards to traffic laws pertaining to crosswalks.
The Mill Valley Police Department is participating in the Salvation Army's Angel Tree program again this year. If you would like to sponsor a child please feel free to stop by the Police Department during our regular office hours to pick out a tag.
Beginning Friday, November 24, 2017 to Sunday, December 31, 2017, parking meter fees will be temporarily waived to encourage patronage with local businesses. Visitors downtown will be able to park for free in spots up to the maximum time allotment which is noted on the parking meter. Typically that maximum time allotment is 2 hours. Parking enforcement officers will continue to enforce time restrictions and other parking violations during this time, with the exception of expired meters.
Later this week, the Mill Valley Police Department is hosting a shared resources traffic enforcement event (STEP) in an effort to reduce vehicle code violations, and increase safety with the assistance and cooperation of our neighboring Southern Marin agencies.
The City of Mill Valley provided mutual aid assistance to Sonoma County and the City of Santa Rosa in a number of methods from all departments.
City Manager Jim McCann has named Lt. Jacqueline Graf-Reis Interim Police Chief, effective November 2, 2017, in light of current Police Chief Angel Bernal's pending retirement.
The latest updates on the vegetation fire in Sausalito. Local traffic impacts.
The North Bay fires serve as a stark reminder that disaster can strike at any time. Disaster planning is about keeping you safe, warm, and fed after a disaster. ReadyMarin.org suggests you prepare for 5-7 days without power or utilities.Getting prepared can seem overwhelming. Here are some simple steps to get you started.
Approximately 29 City of Mill Valley employees in addition to teachers and staff in the Mill Valley and Tamalpais School Districts, and employees in businesses throughout town live in neighborhoods that have been evacuated, are on standby to evacuate, or are helping family evacuate or prepare to evacuate.
Please beware of scams. The Mill Valley Police Department has received recent reports of people claiming to be police officers over the phone in order to obtain payments. Make sure you verify information with the agency before you wire any funds. Read the full article to learn more.
We have learned that our Mill Valley Fire Chief, Tom Welch, a resident of Santa Rosa, has lost his family home due to the wildfires in the region. His family is safe. At this point we are still learning how other City of Mill Valley employees are impacted as well.
A "YouCaring" site has been set up to assist Chief Welch and other families. Click here to donate.
Our thoughts are with everyone who has been impacted by this disaster.
Join us for this informative forum highlighting the partnership between Project Coyote, Marin Humane, and Marin County Parks.Tuesday, October 24th 7:00-9:00pm at the Mill Valley Public Library.
International Walk to School Day is an event in which millions of children from communities in over 40 countries around the world participate. Walk to School Day in the United States of America began in 1997 as a one-day event aimed at building awareness for walkable communities.
Distracted driving includes any behavior that diverts a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. This can include using a cell phone, eating, applying makeup, talking to passengers, or adjusting a playlist, among other activities.
On Wednesday morning, 09/20/17, at approximately 0517 hours, Mill Valley PD Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 400 block of Lovell Ave regarding an interrupted residential burglary.
The Mill Valley Police Department wants to reiterate the importance of bicycle safety out on our roads.
On Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at approximately 4:55 pm, the Mill Valley Police Department received a suspicious call requesting that a "bomb squad" be sent to the Camino Alto Veterinary Hospital and Wellness Center, located at 125 Camino Alto. It was ultimately determined that the business had received a series of calls throughout the day from an anonymous source that culminated in the threat made to the Mill Valley Police Department.
Mill Valley Police responded and investigated the threat, no suspicious devices were located, and it was determined that the threat was not credible.
Parking is available in the lot at 38 Miller Avenue or in the lot behind D'Angelos if you are an employee with an e-sticker and the "E Zone" parking spaces are blocked by construction activity or equipment.
While Mill Valley is generally a safe community, burglaries and petty thefts from vehicles are fairly common crimes. The good news is that they are often preventable. Although burglaries may seem random in occurrence, burglars often choose easy targets, like houses with the easiest access, the greatest amount of cover, and cars with valuables in plain sight. You can reduce your risk of being a target by removing important items from your vehicle and by remembering to lock your vehicle and home.
As the new school year kicks off, make sure you know the rules and laws concerning yellow school buses.
Community members can dispose of old or unwanted medicine and prescription drugs at the Mill Valley Police Department during regular office hours. Just look for the blue bin in the lobby.
Recently, the Mill Valley Police Department has received several reports of thieves targeting shoppers at local stores. The reports indicate that the thieves are targeting people who keep their personal items inside of shopping carts or baskets while grocery shopping.
The Mill Valley Police Officers Association is pleased to announce our participation in the #PinkPatchProject. The Pink Patch Project is a public awareness campaign designed to bring attention to the fight against breast cancer and to support research organizations in combating this devastating disease. You can buy your own patch at the MVPD for $10.
Last month, the Mill Valley Police Department presented and participated in a two-day active shooter training at Tamalpais High School.
This past week the City of Mill Valley upgraded its parking meters in the downtown area. The new meters allow individuals to use either coins or credit cards.
RSVP stickers for 2017-2018 are now available! Click here to learn more.
The Mill Valley Police Department wishes you a happy 4th of July! Please celebrate safely and responsibly. Remember that fireworks are illegal in Marin County.
This year marks the 107th annual Dipsea Race. The race begins in downtown Mill Valley at 8:30 am on Sunday, June 11th, and ends at Stinson Beach.
The event will impact traffic in the downtown area. Please be aware that there will be changes in parking rules and traffic routes during this time. Signs will be posted along Throckmorton Ave and Lovell Ave to notify you of any changes.
Mill Valley honored those who served our country in a variety of ways this past Monday.
The 2017 Evacuation Drill is a Great Success!
The City of Mill Valley conducted its 10th Annual City-wide area evacuation drill on May 20, 2017. The drill targeted the Edgewood/ Homestead Valley neighborhoods and was conducted in collaboration with the Southern Marin Fire Protection District, PG&E, and many other agencies.
With construction in full swing on Miller Ave, the Mill Valley Police Department would like to remind residents to stay safe. Construction machinery can obstruct a diver's vision and unfamiliar routes can add to a driver's confusion. Motorists should take efforts to drive cautiously and keep an eye out for others on the roadways. Similarly, pedestrians, workers, and cyclists are encouraged to take steps to protect their safety. You can increase your visibility–whether you are jogging, biking, or working along the roadways–by wearing bright clothing and reflective gear, especially at night or in bad weather.
The Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade is schedule for Monday, May 29, 2017. The Parade will begin at Old Mill Park at 10:30 am. The route has been changed this year due to construction on Miller Ave.
Mill Valley is a safe community. However, statistics show that property crimes are becoming more common. Don't be lulled into a complacent "it couldn't happen here" attitude, as burglaries and petty thefts from vehicles are fairly common crimes and, to a large extent, preventable.
The Mill Valley Police Department has seen a recent increase in the number of people reporting frauds and scams. Please be careful this tax season. The IRS will send a bill before calling and will never demand payment over the phone. Learn more about scams by clicking here.
The Mill Valley Police Department has partnered with the Mill Valley Middle School to make the campus safer for everyone. Learn about a recent anti-bias training the department participated in as part of a larger move to repair and prevent harm in our community.
In honor of Distracted Driving Awareness Month this April, the Mill Valley Police Department would like to remind residents to drive carefully. Distracted driving includes any behavior that diverts a person's attention away from the primary task of driving. By driving cautiously and staying focused, we can keep our community safer and reduce the number of collisions on our streets.
The Mill Valley Police Department is interested in partnering with the community for National Night Out. The event, which happens annually, aims to strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the neighborhoods they serve, creating a safer and more connected community. Please contact the police department if you are intersted in participating.
The Mill Valley Police Department is excited to announce its new Security Camera Registration Program. This program allows residents and business owners to register the locations of their security systems with the Police Department so that when a crime occurs, police are able to identify potential footage that could assist in their investigation.
While flooded creeks and streams might appeal to adventurous kids and teens, the strong waters present a serious danger to those who enter. The Mill Valley Police Department has responded to reports of kids boogie boarding in the creeks during the storm, causing officials to make several rescues.
Many schools across the country, dissatisfied with traditional discipline models, are seeking alternative systems to improve the school community. One such alternative system, restorative justice, is proving successful. In Mill Valley, both the middle school and the high school have started to introduce restorative practices. When compared to traditional systems, restorative justice is not only more effective at addressing the true problems on campus, it also builds relationships, creates a better learning environment, and empowers students with problem-solving skills to prevent future problem behavior.
The Mill Valley Police Department has received reports of various door-to-door scams recently. All solicitors are required to have a permit from the City of Mill Valley. Make sure a company is legitimate before donating any money.
The 5th Annual Family Fun Run and Health & Wellness Fair was a huge success last weekend. Members from the Mill Valley Police Department were there to assist and provide education to community members. Congratulations to Isaac, our raffle winner!
Residential Parking Permits are now available for purchase through the Mill Valley Police Department.
The Mill Valley Police Department is proud to announce that it is joining the Mill Valley Rotary.
Mill Valley residents are currently experiencing repeated mail thefts throughout their neighborhoods. The Mill Valley Police Department would like to encourage residents to be vigilant about reporting any suspicious activity to law enforcement and would like to remind community members how to better protect themselves against mail theft.
In response to California Pedestrian Safety Month, the Mill Valley Police Department and Marin County Parks teamed up to promote safe practices on Mill Valley's multi-use path.
In recent weeks, Mill Valley has seen a rise in road sign thefts and vandalism. While stealing a sign might seem like a harmless prank, the act can have serious ramifications. Stealing a sign poses a significant safety threat to our city and can cause confusion for drivers and lead to harmful situations.
The Gun Buyback Program was put on by the Marin County District Attorney's Office and involved the use of local law enforcement facilities that served as collection sites. The Mill Valley Police Department was selected as one of the drop-off centers for Marin, providing a location for citizens to turn in firearms and other weapons on Tuesday, September 13, 2016. A total of 105 firearms were turned in at the Mill Valley Gun Buyback location.


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Specifically, there are certain emerging therapies that could lead to significant costs down the road, according to Optum, which recently released its list of five drugs to watch in 2019.
David Calabrese, OptumRx vice president and chief pharmacy officer, told FierceHealthcare that drugs like these, particularly those for rare diseases, have been consistent cost drivers. He said it's crucial for insurers to be watching these products early, so those with limited value can be determined sooner.
Optum projects spending several years out in its analysis. For example, sales of Zynquista and other sotagliflozin products could peak at $1.3 billion by 2024, according to the report. That drug did hit a snag with the Food and Drug Administration, however, which declined to approve it in March, likely delaying a 2019 launch.
Golodirsen is in development by Sarepta Therapeutics, which also currently offers a similar product in that class, Exondys-51, priced at $300,000 per year—so Optum expects Golodirsen to be similarly costly.
Aside from greater awareness, what can payers do to better manage the costs of expensive new therapies? Alongside monitoring emerging therapies and treatments for rare conditions earlier, Optum has developed clear guidelines for physicians, so they know when it's appropriate to provide these pricey drugs to patients, Calabrese said.
It does this using a digital tool called PreCheck MyScript, which notifies doctors within the electronic health record of their options for certain conditions, what a patient's out-of-pocket costs would be and if a prior authorization is required. Physicians then have the option to apply immediately within in the system for prior authorization if they choose that drug, Calabrese said.
"They'd know immediately whether that product would be approved or not for that given patient at that given time," Calabrese said.
In addition, Optum recommends that payers offer a robust list of biosimilars to ensure that patients have access to lower-cost alternatives to pricey brand drugs. While this is a challenge, as the biosimilar pipeline is limited at present, Calabrese said one of the key functions of its specialty pharmacy is to make patients and doctors more aware of these alternatives.
It's also key to closely monitor drugs like those on Optum's list for effectiveness and any potential negative side effects after offering coverage, so that they're included in formularies where it makes the most sense, he said.


Are all of your Microsoft products up to date? They should be after the latest round of security updates. Microsoft disclosed 61 vulnerabilities this week, 17 of which are rated "critical." If you want to read more about them, visit our blog here. We also have complete Snort rule coverage as well, which you can see here.
We also had two major vulnerability disclosures over the past week. One is actually a re-hash of a bug that appeared to be patched already in the ProtonVPN and NordVPN VPN clients. While the vendors released fixes earlier this year for the flaws, they were insufficient, leaving the products still open to exploitation.
We also discovered multiple SQL injection vulnerabilities in Frappe ERPNext, version 10.1.6. Frappe ERPNext is an open-source enterprise resource planning (ERP) cloud application.
The U.S. formally accused a North Korean hacker of orchestrating the massive WannaCry ransomware attack, as well as a hack on Sony back in 2014. Park Jin Hyok, the hacker, is believed to be linked to the LazarusGroup APT.
The mobile spyware company mSpy leaked millions of their users' information. A now-defunct open server contained users' login information, call logs, contacts, text messages and more — and the server didn't require authentication.
Google alerted dozens of its users that it had been asked to provide information to the FBI related to an investigation into the LuminosityLink RAT. It is currently unclear what data — if any — the company has handed over.
A new government website briefly exposed the social security numbers of about 80 individuals. It was part of a rough launch week for the site.
Several apps on the Mac store were found to be improperly collecting user data. An investigation also revealed that even if the apps are reported to Apple, it can take several months for them to be removed.
Apple is working on a new hub that would make it easier for law enforcement agencies to request users' information during formal investigations. The company is also creating a team that will train those officers on digital evidence.
Description: Microsoft released patches for many of its products as part of its monthly security update. The latest release covered 61 different vulnerabilities, 18 of which were rated "critical." This update also includes two critical advisories, one of which covers security updates to Adobe Flash, and another that deals with a denial-of-service vulnerability in the Microsoft Windows operating system.
"Unauthorized Login Attempts to you PayPal account"


Two faculty members of Samford University's Beeson Divinity School published major monographs with Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press in October.
Dr. Carl L. Beckwith had his monograph, Hilary of Poitiers on the Trinity: From "De Fide" to "De Trinitate," published by Oxford as part of its Oxford Early Christian Studies series. The book traces the evolution of the bishop and theologian, Hilary, and his work, De Trinitate, which was important in understanding the continuing debates over trinitarian matters in the mid- to late-fourth century.
Dr. Osvaldo Padilla had his work, The Speeches of Outsiders in Acts: Poetics, Theology and Historiography, published by Cambridge as part of its Society for New Testament Studies Monograph Series. The book takes an original approach to Luke and his work by concentrating on the speeches of outsiders, unlike previous studies that dealt primarily with insiders, or members of the early Christian church.
Padilla, who joined the Beeson faculty this fall, teaches New testament.
"These two publications within the same month represent a major achievement for these two fine scholars," said Beeson Dean Timothy George.


Cost and time spent in simulation and test grow as more chips are developed for automotive, industrial and medical markets.
Developing semiconductors for safety-critical markets such as automotive, industrial and medical involves a growing list of extra steps that need to be taken pre- and post-manufacturing to ensure product integrity, reliability and security.
• Designs are becoming much more complicated because they require such features as failover and redundancy.
• Designs are undergoing multiple changes prior to production because specifications and standards are either still in development or constantly being updated.
• Systems involving functional safety are becoming much more expensive because the cost of verifying, testing and manufacturing these devices is going up.
Because these markets require more accountability, it also is taking longer for companies to see a return on their investments, and there are no guarantees that when a chip or a system is designed it will actually comply with requirements when it finally reaches production. This is particularly true for automotive, where much of the technology is brand new and constantly being reviewed and revised to optimize it or reduce costs.
Still, there is no shortage of companies vying for a piece of this market. For companies that can win a socket or a place in the overall system, it can have a long-lasting payoff. But winning is another matter, because developing chip for automotive, industrial or medical markets is far different than developing a chip for a smart phone or a consumer device.
Getting in the door of these markets is just the beginning. There are layers of new regulations being added into all of the functional safety markets on a regular basis. A key driver of those updates and changes revolve around security, an enormous and growing problem. While security is considered an add-on in many markets, it can have a direct bearing on safety in cars driving down the highway at high speed or machinery used in an industrial facility such as a nuclear power plant or an oil refinery.
Security in most systems is a function of limiting access to communications channels and making sure there are no aberrations in that data. And this is where the biggest opportunities are for chipmakers with deep expertise in this area.
He said this requires a combination of secure hardware configurations to close off outside access, deep packet inspection, as well as blacklisting and whitelisting of data. In effect, it requires a full security implementation of six of the seven layers of the OSI communications stack. The first layer is considered too hard to hack using today's tools, although that could change.
There are a number of vendors providing solutions to these challenges. Marvell's approach is hardware-based packet filtering. Arm's is to secure the chip's fundamental boot-up as well as the compiler software.
While it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk, most companies believe it will be manageable. The bigger problem will be on the machine learning/AI side for a system's centralized logic.
Another challenge, and one that is less obvious, is getting companies to utilize security when it is available.
Redundancy has always been an expensive but effective way to solve problems in electronics. Redundancy dates back to the early 1950s in computing with the introduction of fault-tolerance, where magnetic drums were connected using relays. But even redundancy has its limits. In 1998, a PanAmSat communications satellite suddenly went quiet due to tin whisker growth after its third redundant processor shorted out, silencing tens of millions of pagers in North America.
Building redundancy into safety critical systems is considered essential. The big questions are where that redundancy should be placed and how much of a system actually needs to be redundant?
This raises the price of systems, of course. Industry experts say these costs can increase between 20% and 50% due to redundancy and extra testing and verification.
The general consensus is that any roadmap here is a good thing, however.
So far, it's unclear if devices developed in one safety-critical market will be applicable in another. The general concepts are the same, but the standards are different. And it's too early to tell if the problems being solved are the same in an industrial operation and an autonomous vehicle, for example.
However, from the tools and processes side there is definitely overlap, and this is where economies of scale can be achieved across markets.
Safety-critical markets typically have been managed by laws and standards, put in place to protect public safety. What's changing is the amount of safety being managed from within devices. The percentage is growing significantly through functional safety electronics rather than mechanically or an external set of rules and human oversight.
This has far-reaching implications that go well beyond the semiconductor industry. Liability in an accident involving functional safety, for example can shift from people to manufacturers or design houses, and courts will have to decide whether best practices were followed or whether negligence was involved. But for the immediate future, the focus is on making systems more reliable, more secure, and much safer than they are today. And there appears to be plenty of opportunity for years to come for those companies that can find a place in this swirl of change.
Functional safety in self-driving vehicles requires big shifts in methodologies, tools, business practices and risk assessment.
Rising complexity, diverging market needs and time-to-market pressures are forcing companies to rethink how they deal with defects.
Second of two parts: Why economies of scale don't work in safety-critical markets.
First in a series: There is a price to pay for adding safety and security into a product, but how do you assess that and control it? The implications are far reaching, and not all techniques provide the same returns.