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Saatva Made In Usa – Saatva Mattress Comparison
April 13, 2021 by [email protected]
In the sea of mattresses sold online, Saatva stands apart in fundamental ways. It delivers its mattresses via truck, instead of in boxes. While, like other sellers on the internet, it has rapidly increased its inventory, Saatva remains focused on the selection of "luxury" models, each priced, with the exception of its Youth model, over $1500 (for a queen). Saatva Made In Usa
There's no doubt that there's a collection of mattresses which are more luxurious than Saatva's. They have higher coil counts and finer materials.
We find Saatva's mattresses to be one of the most stylish and well-designed options offered by an online retailer.
Over the past two years, we've gathered to test the innerspring Saatva Classic, the memory-foam Loom & Leaf, and the all-latex Zenhaven and have consistently earned a spot as one of our top choices in our reviews of the best foam mattresses as well as the best innerspring mattresses.
We've also used the Saatva Mid-Latex Hybrid and have studied the construction and components of the rest of the mattresses in the Saatva lineup.The majority of mattresses sold online are either hybrids or foams which is why this Saatva Classic stands out. It's one of the few innerspring mattresses that you can buy online.
Pocketed coils provide Saatva Classic Saatva Classic a good amount of bounce close to the top. A plush top adds softness. Also, as with the rest of Saatva's mattresses, the Saatva Classic is delivered by moving trucks, not in the form of a box. Saatva offers the option of a 180-day trial and simple returns.
It's all foam. Loom & Leaf is made with denser memory foam than other mattresses that cost less than $1,000, which means it's less likely to shift in time. For that reason, it's better for people who weigh greater than 200 pounds.
The thick, quilted cover is more cushier and substantial than the sock-like covers that are found on many foam mattresses, and that cover makes the memory foam layer beneath feel less as squishy.
As you'd expect with memory foam beds the Loom and Leaf is able to limit motion better as compared to an innerspring Saatva Classic.The all-foam Zenhaven comprises primarily of latex, specifically Talalay latex. It is made of the rubber tree's milky sap and is intrinsically tough. Talalay is more flexible than Dunlop latex and is usually found in the less expensive latex mattresses that we've tried.
The Zenhaven can be flippable (the Luxury Plush side feels moderately firm, while it's Gentle Firm side feels a little more firm) It could prove helpful if you're not sure what you prefer or if your needs change with time.
This is not a conventionally soft mattress, but it provides a comfortable cushion, good edge support, and a mild springiness.
Due to its inherent durability it is recommended that the Zenhaven will be suitable for those who weigh greater than 200 pounds. Saatva Made In Usa
Solaire (a Bed with air chambers that can be adjusted)
Saatva HD (a hybrid made of latex and coil that is specifically designed for those who weigh between 300 and 500 pounds)
Saatva Youth (a foam-coil hybrid designed for kids aged 3 to 12)
We haven't yet taken an in-depth analysis of Saatva's "natural" claims made by Saatva or of others "eco-friendly" brands.
We do know that the company makes use of thistle or organic wool as a fire retardant (as as opposed to chemicals or fiberglass) and only organic cotton (instead of synthetic blends) in its cover.
Similar to other mattress brands online, Saatva touts such extras as zones for "optimal spinal support" but we're not than thrilled with these extras but we're more impressed by Saatva's customer service that is responsive and its durable coils and foams. Saatva Made In Usa
Who's it for:The Saatva Classic is likely to suit people who prefer a cushy (but not overwhelmingly big and bulky) top layer and a sturdy, resilient feel. The Luxury Firm variant (Saatva's "Medium" offering) that we tried will be suitable for side-, backand stomach sleepers. The softer Plush Soft version caters primarily to those who sleep on their sides, and the Firm version, for stomach and back-sleepers.
The way it feels:We tested the Luxury Firm version of the Saatva Classic-the line's most popular option-and found it to be cushy on top, and with excellent support and bounce. It has an incredibly firm feel but it softens slightly after a break-in period that lasts a couple of months.
What we like:The Saatva Classic is one of the few innerspring mattresses can be purchased online without the ease more commonly associated with purchasing the traditional boxed foam mattress. It contains 416 thick, robust coils in the base, for support, and 884 individually wrapped, more-pliable coils on top for pressure relief. There's a slice of memory foam included in the mix, however the cushioning is actually a 3-inch polyfoam-and-fiber Euro top (an extra layer of cushion sewn under the top layer). The result is a soft and comfortable appeal, being supple, supportive, and with a plushness that doesn't feel overwhelmingly billowy.
We tried the 14 1/2 -inch Saatva Classic in Luxury Firm in a group test of mattresses with innersprings (it's also available in 11 1/2 inches) and it racked up the second-highest percentage of top-pick votes (nine from 39 test participants) in the category of $1,000 to $2,000 (which included the Avocado, the Parachute and the top-ranked WinkBed). Five of the nine test subjects loved it more than the Saatva Classic better than any of the other mattresses in the test that day and included those which cost twice as much and two of the nine testers selected the Saatva Classic as their second choice overall.
In the case of the test at home I was looking at it as if I could sleep in this bed every night. I'm not a fan of a heavy bed, and I liked its Euro top provided what seemed to me like the right amount of cuddling. The bed has some bounce however not enough that my husband's roll woke me up-to me, the feeling of buoyancy was worth the price in motion-isolation.
It's priced at around $1,600 when not in sale (though it often is), the Saatva Classic is the least expensive innerspring mattress that we've tested that feels substantial and luxurious. It also has the advantage that you can choose from three firmness levels-Plush soft, luxury firm or Firm-so you can likely find the right one regardless of what position you sleep in. Contrary to the more soft WinkBed which is another option in the innerspring mattress guide Saatva Classic is Saatva Classic is delivered unboxed by moving companies (so that the "new mattress smell" has already dissipated in the factory and while in transit) This "white glove" delivery is absolutely free. The company offers a generous 180-day trial period, along with a 15-year warranty.
We don't likeabout: If you don't like an extremely bouncy mattress or you're sensitive to your sleep partner's movements You probably won't enjoy the Saatva Classic. Although the top coils are individually wrapped, the bottom ones aren't, which means that the mattress has more motion transfer than the other innerspring choices like that of the WinkBed. If you're not a fan of any bounce it's better to go with Saatva's Loom & Leaf.
It is worth noting that the Saatva Classic also requires a bit of break-in time. When we first test the mattress, in 2018 it was medium-firm. after a year and two-thirds of a year later, we noticed that it softened small amount, but in a pleasant way (at least for me). It's not the case with a "Soft" mattress However, those who prefer it might prefer it out. Plush Soft version, which we haven't tested yet.
The company boasts of an "active Lumbar Zone" technology to provide "additional back support," my husband (who weighs in the vicinity of 200 pounds) was still in search of more support in the Luxury Firm. He might have discovered it in the Firm version but we haven't tested it in the past, and so aren't able to confirm it. In general, we're not awed by the zoned technology, because people have various sizes and shapes and they may spread in a manner that doesn't coincide with the patterns of zoning.
The foam densities of Saatva Classic are lower than those in Saatva Classic are less than those in the Loom & Leaf which is the company's foam-mattress offering. Although company representatives wouldn't divulge the details, we were told that memory foam is at least 3 pounds in cubic feet, and the density of polyfoam is 1 1/2 pounds per cubic foot.
These aren't as high than the density of the Loom & Leaf, but the specifications are standard in an innerspring mattress and particularly one in this price category. Contrary to foam mattresses these mattresses' steel coils offer additional support, and the quilting can help reduce body impressions.
However, as in this Reddit post suggests, certain sleepers have had more success using Saatva mattresses. Saatva mattresses over the course of several years than others; we believe this is based on the sleeper's size and shape. Like all Euromattress – also known as a pillow-top mattress the heavier you are the greater chance of getting imprints and sagging as time passes.
This is why you must rotate your mattress at least every six months. You should also sleep over the bed.
We found only 39 high-quality owner reviews (those that weren't to be fake or ambiguous, and that were posted in the past, both in 2019 and 2020). Although the sample size was relatively small, we think it's interesting that more than 30% of positive comments praised Saatva's customer service. This is more than what we've seen from other online mattress businesses.
We also noticed that six reviewers had mentioned sagging as an issue; one of these reviewers had a weight of more than 200 pounds, and the rest either weighed less than that or did not mention. The majority of them had been using the mattress for more than an entire year prior to the date they wrote their reviews. This suggests that rotating the mattress is vital for heavier individuals who prefer innersprings might want to look at an innerspring mattress that is more durable latex foam, like the Charles P. Rogers Estate SE. Saatva Made In Usa
What it's designed for: All-foam Loom & Leaf appeals to those who appreciate memory foam that cradles, as opposed to engulfing them in a slow, sinky hug. The soft Relaxed Firm model may be best for side-sleepers. This version, called Firm is designed for back- or stomach-sleepers. If you weigh over 200 pounds may also find the Firm to be more comfortable over the Relaxed version.
What it feels like:The Relaxed Firm is an average-firm mattress that supports you without pulling you in. the Firm (which we've only tried in the showroom) is much more firm.
We like: The 12-inch thick Loom & Leaf comes with a sturdy, quilted cover that's similar to what you'd get on a good innerspring mattress (by contrast, the majority of memory foam mattresses have flimsier, sock-like covers). That cover contains its own foam padding, which brings more depth to the normally one-note squishiness of cheaper memory-foam mattresses. I have slept on the Relaxed firm at home for over a week, and I enjoyed the fact that it was soft and solid in the same way. Our husband who likes mattress that are firm, and weighs 70 pounds heavier than me-thought the mattress was too soft.
Whereas most online mattresses have a memory-foam density in the 3-pounds-per-cubic-foot range, the Loom & Leaf's top layer has a 4-pounds-per-cubic-foot density with a gel-infused layer meant to assist with cooling (though cooling features like gel and perforations tend to have minimal impact). The mattress also has a 5-pounds-per-cubic-foot memory-foam layer underneath that top layer. Given those specs we believe that this mattress will be less likely to slide or create body indentions than cheaper foam mattresses, even for those who weigh more than 200 pounds (though perhaps not when you weigh more than 250 pounds; check owner-review feedback below). Like every foam mattress has a high-quality motion isolation.
The year 2020 was the first time we tested our Loom & Leaf Relaxed Firm against the Serta iComfort (both are all-foam mattresses costing more than $1000) The results showed that 20 out of 29 people preferred the Loom & Leaf. "It felt softer" was the most frequent explanation; some even said it was less "cushioned." When we tested with Casper Wave Casper Wave in 2019, the results were less unified (18 to the Wave; 16 for the Loom & Leaf). Those who opted for more of the Loom & Leaf preferred its "cushier" or "more fitting" feel or appreciated the feel of its quilting while those who went with more of the Casper Wave described the Wave as being more supportive and the Loom & Leaf as making the feel of being "stuck."
We are also pleased it that Loom & Leaf, like the rest of Saatva Company's mattresses, comes delivered unboxed, by moving trucks. That means you don't have to let it air out, like you do with many boxed mattresses; most off-gassing is likely to have already been done within the factory.
The thing we don't like about HTML0: We wish Saatva could provide a level of firmness between Relaxed Firm and Firm. two levels appear to be at a minimum, a few degrees from each other. While it is true that the Loom & Leaf has better edge support than other popular online models (such as the Leesa or the Casper), it's not as robust as a combination (like the Leesa Hybrid or the Tempur-Adapt).
Despite the Loom & Leave's cool gel as well as the pin-core (punctured) design, which is advertised on the top layer, I was able to sleep quite warm on this mattress, which was a surprise since I'm usually cold. However, given that it was in the middle of the winter season, I don't feel the cold at all. The tiny holes made to cool the foam could compromise the durability in the mattress, but probably only slightly. Because this Loom & Leaf has a top-layer memory-foam density of 4 tons per cubic foot it should be more durable than your standard foam mattress that costs less than $1,000.
We found only 16 recent, high-quality reviewers of the Loom & Leaf. Similar to similar to the Saatva Classic, good customer service stands out from the positive reviews. In the years 2019 and 2020 reviews, more people have described their experience with the Loom & Leaf as "too firm" rather than "too smooth." However it's difficult to make a conclusion about its feel. A lot of reviewers did not specify if they'd purchased either the Relaxed Firm or Firm.
Also, we noticed that reviewers who are heavier tend to review their experience with the Loom & Leaf as too soft, or even too loose or even. For instance, we saw comments on Reddit regarding the Relaxed Firm version not being firm enough for people who weigh more than 250 pounds; if this is your case, look into to go with the Firm version (though, again, it's very stiff) and the the Tempur-Adapt (which also has dense foam, but with a distinct memory-foam hug). If you weigh well over 200 pounds, you should consider an alternative like the Zenhaven that is built with more durable latex foam. Saatva Made In Usa
We recommend it? Yes.
Who is it to be used for Its latex foam Zenhaven is a good choice for people sleeping in all positions, particularly those who like a supple cushion that doesn't give the "sunk-in" sensation. It's also great for those of all weights that include those who weigh over 200 pounds.
The way it feels This foam mattress can be flipped and comes with handles that let you pick between two options: Its Luxury Plush aspect is at the gentle side of the medium-firm range, and it's good for side-sleepers. The Gentle Firm side offers a slightly firmer feel (the firm claims it's around 20 percent firmer, which sounds right to us).
What we likeabout it: Zenhaven Zenhaven is made up of two latex layers (one that is a zoned one for lower-back support and pressure points although this might not be beneficial according to your body size and the position you sleep on your bed). Latex is a kind of foam made by the milky sap of the rubber tree, and it is intrinsically stronger than polyurethane foam or memory foam, and so we think this mattress will prove durable for those who weigh over 200 pounds.
We are impressed this mattress because the Zenhaven is constructed specifically from Talalay latex which is more soft than Dunlop latex commonly found in less expensive, stiffer latex mattresses, such as the Sleep On Latex Pure Green. Both the luxurious Plush along with the Gentle Firm sides of the Zenhaven are incredibly soft and springy, but not elasticky. The whole bed is also more comfortable than beds made mostly with Dunlop latex.
I lay upon the Zenhaven for a few months. Personally, I prefer a more pillowy feeling (like that of the Saatva Classic) However, the Luxury Plush side of the Zenhaven had grown on me. After using it for a few weeks, I started to appreciate its soft smooth surface, with a slight springiness and cushioned cradle.
My son of 10 is also fond of playing on it, and the Zenhaven's motion isolation isn't a barrier to me feeling it. However, it's sufficient that I'm not aware of my husband's movements during the night. The edge support is higher than the majority of foam mattresses, including on the Loom & Leaf.
Our husband who weighs just under 200 pounds, and who usually rests with his back on, likes the Zenhaven superior to the other mattresses. It is more substantial and attractive than the memory foam Loom & Leaf Relaxed firm as well as the Saatva Classic Luxury Firm.
The Zenhaven is delivered by movers, and not in a container, so you're less likely give off that new-mattress smell in your home. It's possible to switch between the more soft luxury Plush side and Gentle Firm side Gentle Firm side as your preferences and needs change, or if you don't know which level you'll like. Because the mattress is heavy (the queen is 125 weight), Saatva will send moving experts to help you out by completing a single "courtesy" flip.
The things we don't love about HTML0:Although the Zenhaven has a more-supple feel than many other all-latex mattresses sold online but it's less luxurious than similarly priced innersprings or traditional foam mattresses due to the fact that it's not typically "fluffy." The mere 2 (of 29) staffers who were more satisfied than any other model in our 2020 test of foam and hybrid mattresses said they enjoyed that it was supportive, and believed that it could last for a long time. (In the latex category, most staffers in our blind test preferred the PranaSleep Lotus Asana 6 in Plush, which has a latex-polyurethane-foam construction and costs over $1,000 more than the Zenhaven.)
Since the Zenhaven is extremely heavy and has two sides and two-sided, it must be placed on a solid, quality platform bed or frame and boxspring in good shape. Saatva offers the boxspring foundation (which comes in two sizes) as well as a frame made of steel.
We were able to find just 18 reviews from owners of high-quality for the Zenhaven. This is a small sample size to offer any firm, non-subjective conclusions in addition to excellent customer service. However, we did find a particularly descriptive review from a long-term owner who was not sure of his weight (though the owner did state that he was 6 feet 4 inches tall).
He stated that after a year one-half, he was impressed by its cushion and strength however, as he hadn't been rotating the mattress, he noticed a hip impression after which, when he started turning the mattress each six months, he claimed the imprint disappeared. We'll update this page after we've gathered more high-quality reviews. Saatva Made In Usa
Should we use it? It depends.
Who is it to be used forThe Saatva Latex Hybrid is most suited to those who value durability over extravagantness. It's ideal for stomach- and back-sleepers, and for those who toss and turn a lot. It's durable enough for most people, not just those who weigh more than 200 pounds.
How it feels:This 13-inch latex-and-coil hybrid is at the soft end of medium-firm. It's distinctly buoyant and slightly bouncy, and has some cushioning and the feeling of being cradled. It's certainly not luxurious, though, and you'll sleep better in the mattress rather than inside it.
We like:The Saatva Latex Hybrid is built using high-quality materials and construction methods. The quilted top, made from cotton and a layer of wool (a natural fire retardant), is hand-tufted to the layers underneath. Tufting (commonly seen on upholstery or traditional innerspring mattresses) is a form of strong stitching which holds the layers together and can last longer than glue and avoids the potential chemical smell of adhesives. The peaks and valleys created by tufting could reduce any visible body impressions, and more so than the sock-covered and smooth-topped mattresses that you usually see on hybrids that are sold online.
Though most hybrids place the polyurethane layer over coils, this one Saatva Latex Hybrid uses 3 inches of Talalay latex foam (which is ample, compared with the pricey Casper Wave, which uses less). Latex is naturally more durable and breathable than memory foams, or polyurethane. Talalay latex, which is also used in the Zenhaven model, is a much more breathable and supple-feeling foam as opposed to the Dunlop variety often found in low-cost latex mattresses.
Wirecutter supervising editor Wendy Schley tested the Saatva Latex Hybrid for a few months at home. She found it very supportive and sturdy. "It seems like it's floating," she said. "There's some cushioning to it, but it's not luxurious in a plush way." Wendy found that the mattress has a buoyant, springy feel reminiscent of an innerspring. She also never felt stuck in place-but the latex foam provided some motion isolation. Edge support was superb due to the large (13 3/4-gauge) 8-inch coils that run along the edges.
Because of its breathable materials (the Talalay latex, cotton cover and wool layer on the top) and coils that make up the Saatva Latex Hybrid should sleep cooler than all foam mattresses or hybrids made of polyfoams. Wendy who is known to have hot sleep, discovered the Saatva Latex Hybrid to be notably cooler than other mattresses, though we haven't tested it in the summertime.
We haven't found enough high-quality Saatva Latex Hybrid reviews to glean any trends, but we'll keep you updated when we can.
What we don't like: Though the coils are wrapped in a single piece, there's still a touch of motion transfer due to, it's just that, coils. It's minimal compared with movement transfer that's present on Saatva Classic, but it's more pronounced than on all-foam options like Zenhaven, the Loom & Leaf or Zenhaven.
A queen-sized Latex Hybrid contains 789 coils (fewer than in our favorite hybrid mattresses, such as the the Tempur-Adapt as well as the Leesa Hybrid, that have more than 1,000). When a mattress is less dense than coils, this can mean the mattress won't adjust with your physique. But the resilient feel that the layer of latex can make more up for it.
As Wendy discovered, the Saatva Latex Hybrid isn't an ahhh kind of mattress. It's as if it's lifting you up rather than nestling you in. It may not offer enough cushioning to offer adequate pressure relief to side-sleepers or back sleepers who need extra cushioning on specific joints.
Wendy, who sleeps on her back and sides and reported that she occasionally awakened with soreness in her lower back and shoulders following her sleep on the Saatva Latex Hybrid. If you're looking for something more comfortable, you may want to consider the Saatva Classic or the Loom & Leaf (both come in different degree of firmness, with some which feel more soft than the Saatva Latex).
The Latex Hybrid's tufting is highlighted by decorative yarn tassels. They look lovely, but are apparently flimsily attached to the mattress, and some of them that were on the mattress Wendy tried to unraveled after some time. Saatva Made In Usa
Saatva's Solaire is an adjustable air bed made of foam on the top of air chambers which can be programmed to your preferred firmness level using an electronic remote. We haven't yet tried the Solaire yet however we'll update this guide when we've had the chance to. While we wait, let us discuss what we know about the Solaire.
Saatva has introduced Solaire in the year 2019 to compete with the Sleep Number's top-of-the-line i8 bed. Apart from air chambers and remotes and a remote, the Solaire comes with an adjustable pillow top, Talalay the layer of latex, and an infused memory foam layer. It's also $650 cheaper over the Sleep Number's i8.
The remote comes with 50 options as opposed to Sleep Number's 20 settings, but it's hard to say whether people even need this many. At a glance, the comfort components look like they'd provide a more-curve-conforming cradle than Sleep Number's polyurethane foam layers.
But, as always it's impossible to know what we're getting until we lay down on the mattress. Solaire's Talalay latex components suggest long-lasting However, because Sleep Number doesn't divulge details on its foam materials, we can't say that one bed has more durability than another.
No matter if you want one of the twins or a king size, or something else, you can order this Solaire in any size as the standard model. If you decide to go with a queen or a king or split king, you can upgrade to the Upper-Flex queen or king, or split king. All of them feature dual air chambers so sleep partners can pick the firmness level they prefer.
The standard model is compatible with every bed frame (including adjustable bases). The Upper-Flex queen King and split king option are designed to work specifically on adjustable bases that permit the two sides to adjust separately.
It is worth noting that the Saatva Company offers its own adjustable frames, such as Lineal Adjustable Base Standard and the Lineal Adjustable Base Standard and the Lineal Adjustable Base Upper-Flex. With the frame's upper-flex, couples can utilize a remote to position their shoulders and heads separately (for example, one of them can sleep on a flat bed while the other one sits and reads the book).
The Upper-Flex designed for the split king Solaire can also allow both people to raise their lower bodies independently. We didn't have enough top-quality owner reviews to list here, but we'll update this guide once we're able test the bed for ourselves and collect more reviews. Saatva Made In Usa
In May of 2019, Saatva introduced the Saatva HD which is a hybrid mattress designed for people who weigh between 300 and 500 pounds. We haven't tested this mattress yet, but we're planning to do so in the future.
Similar to Saatva Classic and the Loom & Leaf, the Saatva HD has a pillowy quilted top layer however the firm coils and foam underneath are said to support heavier weights.We're particularly interested in the HD's pillow top, since experts have told us that, for people who weigh more pillows can be more susceptible to indentations.
The HD's other components, however, seem promising as far as durability is concerned: There is a latex layer, which is typically stronger than memory foam, as well as a memory-foam layer, which has a density of 5 pounds per cubic foot (more than the 4-pounds-per-cubic-foot minimum that experts typically recommend for people who weigh over 200 pounds). Additionally is that the HD's 12 1/2 -gauge coils are thicker than those found in the other models of the company and those of its rivals including the Big Fig.
However, these aren't the only criteria that affect the mattress's longevity and, by itself, does not make for a desirable mattress. We'll explore these questions further in an forthcoming guide to mattresses for those who weigh more than 200 pounds.Saatva "strongly recommends" that you put this mattress on a sturdy platform bed with vertical center support.
If not, they advised us to buy the HD along with its special "high durability" wooden-slat base.We also spotted a few user reviews that were positive. When we've collected enough information to glean any trends and are able try the mattress out, we'll send an update. Saatva Made In Usa
It's called the Saatva Youth is the company's new bed made of coils and foams for children, costs more than some mattresses for adults. It is however double-sided, featuring an inner coil sandwiched between two foam layers and a mattress that can expand with the child.
Its first layer is intended for children aged 3 to 7 and is comprised of zoned polyfoam with density ranging between 1.4 and 1.8 tons per square foot.
On the second side, intended for older kids (the company says between ages 8 and 12) the foam density is 1.5 grams per cubic foot. It's also a bit less spongy due to its pairing with the more firm side that's part of the coil. The 13 3/4-gauge coils range from 330 to a twin to 350 for a twin-XL. They also go up to 462 in a full.
The Saatva Youth is 10 inches thick and bunk-bed-friendly-as long as the bed's guardrail is at least 5 inches higher than the mattress, for safety reasons. People who prefer natural materials will appreciate that the mattress is wrapped in a thick, quilted organic cotton cover. It also uses thistle pulp (as instead of chemical sprays or fiberglass) as the flame retardant. We haven't yet tested this mattress and we haven't seen any reviews online. But we hope to assess it for a future guide on mattresses for children.
The Saatva Youth The company's new bed made of coils and foams for children is more expensive than mattresses designed for adults. It is however double-sided, featuring the coil layer sandwiched between two layers of foam which means that the mattress will be able to grow with a child.
Its first layer is designed for children aged 3 to 7 and is comprised of polyfoam zones with density ranging between 1.4 and 1.8 kg per cubic foot.
On the second side, intended for older kids (the company says ages 8 through 12), the foam density is 1.5 grams per cubic foot, and is slightly less softer since it's coupled with the more solid side of the coil unit. The 13 3/4-gauge coils range from 330 in a twin to 350 in a twin XL. They also go up to 462 in the full.
The Saatva Youth is 10 inches thick and bunk-bed-friendly-as long as the bed's guardrail is at least 5 inches higher than the mattress, for safety reasons. People who prefer natural materials might appreciate that the mattress is wrapped in a quilted, thick organic-cotton covers and utilizes thistle pulp (as opposed to fiberglass or chemical sprays) to act as a flame-resistant. We haven't yet tested this mattress as we haven't found any online reviews.
However, we'd like to test it for a future guide to mattresses for kids. Saatva Made In Usa


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Clientelism or client politics is the exchange of goods and services for political support, often involving an implicit or explicit quid-pro-quo. It is closely related to patronage politics and vote buying. Clientelism involves an asymmetric relationship between groups of political actors described as patrons, brokers, and clients. In client politics, an organized minority or interest group benefits at the expense of the public. Client politics may have a strong interaction with the dynamics of identity politics. This is particularly common in a pluralist system, such as in the United States, where minorities can have considerable power shaping public policy. The opposite of client politics is 'entrepreneurial' politics, or conviction politics.

Although many definitions for clientelism have been proposed, according to the political scientist Allen Hicken, it is generally thought that there are four key elements of clientelistic relationships:

 Dyadic relationships: Simply, these are two-way relationships.
 Contingency: Delivery of a service to a citizen by a politician or broker is contingent on the citizen's actions on behalf of the politician or party through which they are receiving services.
 Hierarchy: The politician or party is in a higher position of power than the citizen.
 Iteration: The relationship is not a one-off exchange, but rather, ongoing.

Contingency and iteration are the two components shared across most definitions of clientelism.

Origins
The origin of the practice has been traced to ancient Rome. Here relationships between the patron (patronus) and client (cliens) were seen as crucial to understanding the political process. While the obligations between these were mutual, the key point is they were hierarchical. These relationships might be best viewed not as an entity but rather as a network (clientela), with the patronus himself perhaps being obligated to someone of greater power, and the cliens perhaps having more than one patron. These extensions increase the possibilities of conflicting interests arising. While the familia was the basic unit underlying Roman society, the interlocking networks (clientela) acted as restrictions on their autonomy but allowed a more complex society to develop. Historians of the late medieval period evolved the concept into bastard feudalism. There is, as is usual, ambiguity in the use of political terminology and the terms "clientelism", the "patron–client relationship", "patronage" and the political machine are sometimes used to describe similar or related concepts.

The reigns of Julius Caesar (49–44 BCE) and Tiberius (14–16 AD) have been characterized as examples of widespread clientelism. In the 1500s, French political theorist Étienne de La Boétie did not use the term clientelism, but described the practice of emperors who used gifts to the public to gain loyalty from those who were eager to accept what amounted to bribery:
Tyrants would distribute largesse, a bushel of wheat, a gallon of wine, and a sesterce [coin]: and then everybody would shamelessly cry, "Long live the King!" The fools did not realize that they were merely recovering a portion of their own property, and that their ruler could not have given them what they were receiving without having first taken it from them. A man might one day be presented with a sesterce and gorge himself at the public feast, lauding Tiberius and Nero for handsome liberality, who on the morrow, would be forced to abandon his property to their avarice, his children to their lust, his very blood to the cruelty of these magnificent emperors, without offering any more resistance than a stone or a tree stump. The mob has always behaved in this way—eagerly open to bribes.

Mechanics
Susan Stokes et al. distinguish clientelism as a form of non-programmatic policy within distributive politics. It meets the criteria through failing to meet the two requirements of programmatic distribution, that are (1) 'formalized and public' and (2) 'shape actual distribution of benefits or resources'. Within non-programmatic policy, clientelism is then distinguished from 'pork-barrel politics' in that voters are given a benefit or are able to avoid a cost conditional on their returning the favor with a vote. The patron/client system can be defined as a mutual arrangement between a person that has authority, social status, wealth, or some other personal resource (patron) and another who benefits from their support or influence (client). The patron provides selective access to goods and opportunities, and place themselves or their support in positions from which they can divert resources and services in their favor.  Their partners-clients- are expected to buy support, and in some cases, votes. Patrons target low-income families to exchange their needed resources for their abundant resources: time, a vote, and insertion into networks of other potential supporters whom they can influence. However, patrons are unable to access the information needed to effectively form the exchange; thus they hire intermediaries, brokers, that more equipped to find out what the targeted voter needs, which voters will require less prodding, and if the voter followed through on their end of the bargain. As Stokes, Dunning, Nazareno, and Brusco emphasize, brokers in turn serve political leaders, and they may also not target resources exactly as leaders would wish; the resulting principal-agent problems can have important implications for understanding how clientelism works.

Standard modeling of clientelism assumes that politicians are able to monitor votes, and in turn, reward or punish voters based on their choices. Quid pro quo would dissolve in the absence of such monitoring, rendering clientelism highly inefficient at best and completely ineffective at worst. However, evidence suggests that systematic monitoring of voter choice at the polls is surprisingly uncommon.

Patronage, turnout buying, abstention buying, and vote buying are subcategories of clientelism. Patronage refers to an intra-party flow of benefits to members. Turnout buying, coined by Nichter, treats or bribes voters to the polls whereas abstention buying treats or bribes voters to keep them from going to the polls. Vote buying is a direct transfer of goods or services, in exchange for one's support and vote.  The result for the good or service is a question of did you or will you vote for me?
A key to understanding clientelism might come in stressing not only the mutually beneficial relationships of exchange but also asymmetries in power or standing. Implied is a certain selectivity in access to key resources and markets. Those with access, the patrons (and/or sometimes sub-patrons or brokers) rely on the subordination and dependence of the clients. In return for receiving some benefits the clients should provide political support.

Forms of clientelism
Politicians can engage in clientelism on either (or both) a group or individual level. One way individual level clientelism can manifest itself is in a vote buying relationship: a politician gives a citizen goods or services, and, in exchange, that individual citizen promises to vote for that politician in the next election. Individual level clientelism can also be carried out through coercion where citizens are threatened with lack of goods or services unless they vote for a certain politician or party. The relationship can also work in the opposite direction, where voters pressure politicians into clientelistic relationships in exchange for electoral support.

Stokes' research on clientelism in Argentina assumed that the Peronist Party was providing financial support to prospective voters to buy their votes. It was hypothesized that Peronists targeted moderately-opposed voters because they were thought to be easily persuaded to change sides at the party's minimal expense. Stokes elaborated on the need of the Peronist Party to be able to track its clientele despite the secret ballot system. Stokes's argument was that the potential for vote buying depends on the accuracy with which the patron party, the Peronists in the case of Argentina, can monitor votes. She uses evidence to show that overall smaller communities offer less anonymity, which makes it easier for the patrons to find out who committed to supporting them. Thus, Stokes concluded that to be one of the reasons that vote buying is more frequent in relatively-small communities. Another reason is that smaller communities are generally poorer. Furthermore, smaller communities, which are generally poorer and have a greater need for resources, are a more attractive target.

Research by Nichter promoted a simpler hypothesis for the Argentinian election cycle: to prove Peronists that were solely buying supporting voters' turnout, not all of their votes. He dismissed Stokes's arguments on patrons spying on smaller and poorer communities and instead said the Peronists initially targeted votes assumed to be their strong supporters. In that case, the patrons would be reasonably sure that they received a vote from a person who receives a good from them.

In many young low-income democracies, clientelism may assume the form of group-level targeting in which parties channel benefits to specific groups of voters that are conditional on past or future electoral support. For group-based targeting to work, parties must find efficient ways to distribute benefits while also holding voters accountable, ensuring that they keep their commitments. That leads parties to hire intermediaries, often referred to as 'brokers', who supply them with fine-grained information about who needs what and what sorts of voters will and will not vote for them, regardless of the benefit(s) provided. Party brokers are not the only type of intermediaries that mediate clientelist exchanges. There are also organizational brokers who represent specific interest groups but mobilize voters for multiple parties, hybrid brokers who also represent specific interest groups but demonstrate strong party loyalties, and independent brokers who neither represent specific group interests nor exhibit stable partisan attachments.

Scholarly consensus has thus far eluded the question of why parties channel clientelist benefits to certain groups more than others. Some of the earlier work on group-level targeting argues that politicians are more likely to direct party largesse to their co-ethnics because ethnicity helps parties solve the commitment problems that are so critical to making clientelism work. Some of the more contemporary work underscores the salience of partisan loyalties: politicians direct the bulk of their vote-buying efforts at persuadable swing voters, those who are either indifferent to the party's professed programmatic goals or moderately opposed to them. Some studies have challenged those claims but suggest that most instances of vote-buying in clientelist democracies might actually be instances of turnout-buying in which parties shower benefits on their most loyal supporters in the hope they will show up at the polling booth on election day. However, the lack of well-developed political machines does not preclude clientelist targeting. Recent studies have shown that in many emerging democracies, parties often lack the organizational capacity to monitor individual-level voting behavior and so they finetune their targeting strategies by updating their beliefs about what sorts of groups have been most responsive to their clientelist appeals.

Clientelism in context
Clientelism may not look the same from context to context. Several individual and country-level factors may shape if and how clientelism takes hold in a country including the types of individual leaders, socio-economic status of individuals, economic development, democratization, and institutional factors. In some contexts, clientelistic behavior is almost expected, as such interactions can become embedded in the formal political structures. Some types of leaders such as hereditary traditional leaders, who remain in power for extended periods of time, are more effective in carrying out clientelistic relationships than others such as elected officials. Research has also shown that politicians can benefit electorally from clientelistic relationships by gaining support from those who receive goods from them, but there are also potential costs since clientelistic politicians may lose support from wealthier voters, who do not engage in clientelistic relationships themselves view the practice negatively. Not all voters view clientelistic behavior as a positive trait in politicians, especially voters of higher socioeconomic statuses. In short, there is no single factor that causes clientelism to take hold.

Consequences
Clientelism has generally-negative consequences on democracy and government and has more uncertain consequences on the economy.

The accountability relationship in a democracy in which voters hold elected officials accountable for their actions, is undermined by clientelism. That is because clientelism makes votes contingent on gifts to clients, rather than the performance of elected officials in office. Clientelism also degrades democratic institutions such as the secret ballot and administrative oversight. Such factors both weaken democratic institutions and negatively impact the efficiency of government.

Corruption and the perception of corruption have also been established as strongly correlated with clientelist systems for many reasons. One is that patrons often appear above the law in many clientelist systems. Also, some acts in clientelist systems such as vote buying, could be inherently illegal. Finally, resources needed for patrons to maintain the clientelist system may require illicit means to obtain goods. A 2021 study found that voters in clientelist systems are less willing to punish corrupt politicians electorally.

Some scholars believe that because patrons focus on the control and procurement of private goods, they also neglect public goods such as roads and public schools, which aid economic development. Scholars also note that rent-seeking and corruption, prevalent in clientelist systems, could negatively impact the economy as well. Nevertheless, there is still great uncertainty in the economic effects of clientelism.

Controversy
It is common to link clientelism with corruption; both involve political actors using public and private resources for personal gain, but they are not synonymous. Corruption is commonly defined as "dishonest and fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery", while political clientelism is seen as "the distribution of benefits targeted to individuals or groups in exchange for electoral support". It is common to associate the two together because they moderately overlap. There are different forms of corruption that have nothing to do with clientelism, such as voter intimidation or ballot stuffing. "Clientelism is considered negative because its intention is to generate 'private' revenue for patrons and clients and, as a result obstruct 'public' revenue for members of the general community who are not a part of the patron-client arrangement."

Clientelism as a strategy of political organisation is substantially different from other strategies which rely on appeals to wider programmatic objectives or simply emphasize higher degrees of competence. It is often assumed that clientelism is a vestige of political underdevelopment, a form of corruption, and that political modernization will reduce or end it. But alternative views stressing the persistence of clientelism – and the patronage associated with it – have been recognized.

See also
Big man
Politics of the Belly
Corruption
Earmark (politics)
Electoral district
Cronyism
Graft
Identity politics
Interest group liberalism
Lobbying
Minoritarianism
Money loop
Neopatrimonialism
Pay to play
Political corruption
Political machine
Pork barrel
Political family
Political dynasty
Prebendalism
Rent-seeking
Tammany Hall
Votebank

References

Political terminology
Political corruption
Public choice theory

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Steve Perrin, a long time Berkeley resident, comes out to the park once or twice a week to fly his electric model airplanes. I watched as he launched his craft by hand into the wind, and admired the height, distance, and acrobatics he achieved with his radio control set. Steve said that planes like the one he has in his hand here can be bought commercially for about $150 and the radio control is about another $200. He gets about ten minutes of flight on a battery charge. Apart from a soft whine on takeoff, this craft flew without a sound. It's a very different experience from the drones you also see in the park. Although quiet drones are said to exist on the market, the only ones I've seen in the park so far are screamers. Cesar Chavez is the only park in the area where they're allowed.


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Appointment of NIA DG, Exclusive Prerogative of President-ONSA
PMB: In the Step of Founding Fathers
Home Security Again, Nigerian Troops Neutralise Terrorists, Detonate IEDs in Borno
Again, Nigerian Troops Neutralise Terrorists, Detonate IEDs in Borno
Sagir Musa
Boko Haram vehicle destroyed by Nigerian troops
In its routine effort in providing and maintaining a secure, and steady passage of persons and goods as well as free vehicular movements along some notable roads/Main Supply Routes (MSR) in the North East, troops of 26 Brigade Garrison on patrol and escort duties of civilian merchants and commuters along Wala village and adjoining communities on Saturday, the 22nd of June 2019, had a fierce encounter with desperate terrorists' ambush team desperately craving for food and other essentials.
During the encounter, troops swiftly responded with heavy gunfire, thwarted the ambush, exterminated two terrorists and captured two AK 47 Rifles.
Subsequently, intelligence revealed that the terrorists were informed by their informants of the troops movement in order to use the opportunity to grab foodstuff that they direly need for survival.
In order to consolidate on the gains achieved from the ambush clearance, further exploitation of the general area and beyond was undertaken with the troops of 121 Task Force Battalion dispatched to reinforce the 26 Brigade Garrison.
During advance, troops discovered 2 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) concealed along their axis of advance. The IEDs were successfully detonated and cleared.
Despite the IED threat, the resilient troops proceeded further to ensure the general area is cleared of terrorists and explosives. There is no casualty on the part of Nigerian Army troops during the operation.
Instructively, the exploits in the ongoing operation "HALAKA DODO" is yielding successes. The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Brigadier General Abdulmalik Bulama Biu on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff commended the troops for the successes achieved, and urged them to be more vigorous and decisive to end the insurgency. He also conveyed the assurance of the unyielding support of the Chief of Army Staff in this regard.
Acting Director Army Public Relations
Army Commissions Supermarket in Military Barracks
In line with the Barracks Investment Initiative Programme initiated by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai, to uplift the welfare and overall living conditions of personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA) and their families, the NA Armoured Corps, Obienu Barracks has commissioned a Cooperative Society Super Market, a subsidiary of NA Armoured Corps Personnel Welfare Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society Limited on the 22nd of Jun 2019.
The commissioning was done on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, by the Commander Armoured Corps Major General JO Akomolafe.
In his remarks at the occasion, the Coordinator of the super market project, Colonel SI Ajibo (rtd) expressed delight to have witnessed the impactful occasion geared towards uplifting the welfare of troops and their families, and urged all personnel to patronise the shop to ensure its continuity and prosperity.
While the Commander Armoured Corps in his remarks, appreciated the COAS for the initiative and various supports in the areas of troops accommodation and medical supplies to the Barracks community. He also commended the collective efforts of officers and soldiers of the Corps as pillars for the successes so far recorded by the scheme.
According to him "the welfare of personnel of the NA is of paramount concern to the COAS and the various commanders under him, we will collectively achieve the desire of the COAS in this regard".
209 days 12 hours 39 minutes 14 seconds,
191 days 14 hours 20 minutes 39 seconds
IEDs
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TRIP PLANNER 25 days in Italy, Greece & Paris Itinerary
25 days in Italy, Greece & Paris Itinerary
Created using Inspirock Europe tour itinerary maker
Start: Toronto, Canada
Positano, Italy
— 1 night
Mykonos Town, Greece
Fira, Greece
End: Toronto, Canada
Thu, Sep 7 - Sun, Oct 1 Edit
Paris, France — 4 nights
City of Light
A beautiful and romantic city fit for any itinerary, Paris brims with historic associations and remains vastly influential in the realms of culture, art, fashion, food and design.
Popular historic sites such as Le Petit Trianon and Cathedrale Saint-Louis des Invalides are in your itinerary. Chateau of Maisons-Laffitte and La Maison Picassiette are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Explore the numerous day-trip ideas around Paris: Chartres (Eglise St-Aignan & Chartres Historic Preservation Area) and Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis (in Saint-Denis). The adventure continues: wander the streets of 7eme Arrondissement, contemplate the long history of Le Palais Royal, don't miss a visit to Luxembourg Palace, and ponder the world of politics at Hotel de Ville.
To find maps, reviews, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Paris online travel planner.
Toronto, Canada to Paris is an approximately 10.5-hour flight. You'll lose 6 hours traveling from Toronto to Paris due to the time zone difference. Expect a daytime high around 24°C in September, and nighttime lows around 13°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 11th (Mon) to allow time to fly to Venice.
Historic Sites · Neighborhoods
Chartres, Basilica Cathedral of Saint-Denis, Le Petit Trianon, Chateau of Maisons-Laffitte
Find places to stay Sep 7 — 11:
Government Building
La Maison Picassiette
Eglise St-Aignan
Venice, Italy — 2 nights
City of Romance
Virtually unchanged for the last six centuries, Venice is actually a group of islands made famous by a series of canals, bridges, monuments, piazzas, and narrow pedestrian lanes.
On the 12th (Tue), explore the galleries of Ca' d'Oro, take in the spiritual surroundings of Chiesa di San Salvador, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chiesa di San Moise, then don't miss a visit to Campo Santa Margherita, then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Church of San Pantalon, and finally stop by Santa Croce.
For traveler tips, other places to visit, ratings, and other tourist information, use the Venice trip itinerary builder site.
Fly from Paris to Venice in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or drive. Traveling from Paris in September, things will get a bit warmer in Venice: highs are around 29°C and lows about 17°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 13th (Wed) early enough to drive to Florence.
Historic Sites · Neighborhoods · Museums
Find places to stay Sep 11 — 13:
Chiesa di San Salvador
Church of San Pantalon
See Italy Travel Guide
Florence, Italy — 3 nights
Birthplace of the Italian Renaissance
Considered a cultural, artistic, and architectural jewel of Italy, Florence is the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance.
Florence American Cemetery and Memorial and Oltrarno are good opportunities to explore the local culture. Step off the beaten path and head to Convento di San Francesco and Museo dell'Opera di Santa Croce. Next up on the itinerary: examine the collection at Mus.e Firenze Palazzo Vecchio, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Chiesa di San Salvatore in Ognissanti, take in the architecture and atmosphere at Holy Trinity, and don't miss a visit to Torre di Arnolfo.
Make your Florence itinerary with Inspirock to find out what to see and where to go.
Drive from Venice to Florence in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a train; or take a bus. Expect a daytime high around 30°C in September, and nighttime lows around 17°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 16th (Sat) so you can catch the train to Rome.
Things to do in Florence
Historic Sites · Museums · Neighborhoods · Shopping
Florence American Cemetery and Memorial, Convento di San Francesco
Florence American Cemetery and Memorial
Museo dell'Opera di Santa Croce
See Tuscany Travel Guide
Rome, Italy — 2 nights
Aptly nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome is the birthplace of the Roman Empire, one of the world's greatest civilizations ever.
Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem and Via Appia Antica will appeal to history buffs. Step off the beaten path and head to Basilica Parrochiale San Lorenzo in Lucina and Palazzo Colonna - Galleria Colonna. The adventure continues: pause for some serene contemplation at Chiesa di Sant'Andrea al Quirinale, appreciate the history behind Trajan's Column, take in the awesome beauty at Colle Aventino, and contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Abbazia delle Tre Fontane.
To see other places to visit, more things to do, ratings, and tourist information, go to the Rome road trip planner.
Getting from Florence to Rome by train takes about 2.5 hours. Other options: fly; or drive. September in Rome sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 18°C at night. Cap off your sightseeing on the 18th (Mon) early enough to go by car to Positano.
Historic Sites · Parks · Museums · Nature
Vatican Necropolis
Basilica dei SS. Ambrogio e Carlo al Corso
Via Appia Antica
Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem
Positano, Italy — 3 nights
Often referred to as the gem of the Amalfi Coast, Positano remains one of southern Italy's most sought-after vacation locales, thanks to its hillside location and picturesque, pastel buildings.
On the 19th (Tue), trek along Ravello-Minori Walk, then contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Duomo di Ravello, then hike along Ravello - Atrani Walk, and finally appreciate the extensive heritage of Centro Storico. Keep things going the next day: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Church of Santa Maria Assunta, tour the pleasant surroundings at Arienzo Beach Club, Positano, add some adventure to your tour with a kayaking and canoeing tour, then view the masterpieces at Absolute Positano, and finally get engrossed in the history at MAR - Museo Archeologico Romano Positano.
For more things to do, maps, ratings, and other tourist information, go to the Positano trip builder tool.
You can drive from Rome to Positano in 3.5 hours. Other options are to do a combination of train and bus; or take a bus. Plan for a bit warmer nights when traveling from Rome in September since evenings lows in Positano dip to 23°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 21st (Thu) early enough to drive to Sorrento.
Things to do in Positano
Outdoors · Parks · Trails · Historic Sites
Ravello, Centro Storico
Ravello - Atrani Walk
Arienzo Beach Club, Positano
See Amalfi Coast Travel Guide
Sorrento, Italy — 4 nights
Land of the Sirens
A lovely town easily accessible from almost anywhere in the country, Sorrento overlooks the Bay of Naples and sits right on the Amalfi Drive.
Eschew the tourist crowds and head to Chiesa di San Prisco e Agnello and Cattedrale di Sorrento. Your inner history buff will appreciate Duomo dei San Filippo e Giacomo and Il Vallone dei Mulini. Change things up with these side-trips from Sorrento: Pompeii (Villa di Giulia Felice, Casa del Fauno, &more). The adventure continues: contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Basilica di Sant'Antonino, view the masterpieces at Gallery Raffaele Celentano, admire the natural beauty at I Giardini di Cataldo, and walk around Villa Comunale.
For ratings, other places to visit, more things to do, and tourist information, read Sorrento route builder.
Drive from Positano to Sorrento in an hour. Alternatively, you can ride a ferry; or take a bus. September in Sorrento sees daily highs of 31°C and lows of 23°C at night. Finish your sightseeing early on the 25th (Mon) to allow enough time to fly to Athens.
Things to do in Sorrento
Historic Sites · Museums · Parks · Shopping
Pompeii, Chiesa di San Prisco e Agnello
House of Menander (Casa del Menandro)
Villa di Giulia Felice
House of Venus in the Shell
Athens, Greece — 1 night
The Birthplace of Democracy
One of the world's most ancient cities, Athens remains Europe's undisputed historical and cultural capital.
Kick off your visit on the 25th (Mon): appreciate the history behind Erechtheion, then take in the dramatic natural features at Areopagus, then contemplate the long history of Stoa of Attalos, and finally examine the collection at Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the next day: take in the pleasant sights at First Cemetery of Athens, then pause for some serene contemplation at Church of Kapnikarea, then identify plant and animal life at ARCHELON Τhe Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Vouliagmeni Beach.
To find maps, reviews, photos, and tourist information, read our Athens trip itinerary planning app.
Traveling by flight from Sorrento to Athens takes 5 hours. Alternatively, you can do a combination of car and ferry; or do a combination of train, bus, and ferry. The time zone difference moving from Central European Standard Time to Eastern European Standard Time is 1 hour. Expect a daytime high around 34°C in September, and nighttime lows around 24°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 26th (Tue) so you can fly to Mykonos Town.
Historic Sites · Parks · Nature · Beaches
ARCHELON Τhe Sea Turtle Protection Society of Greece, Vouliagmeni Beach
Vouliagmeni Beach
Kotsanas Museum of Ancient Greek Technology
See Greece Travel Guide
Mykonos Town, Greece — 2 nights
Chora Mykonos
A holiday in Mykonos Town offers a chance to relax on picturesque beaches and explore a labyrinth of charming streets lined with traditional white houses.
Kick off your visit on the 27th (Wed): indulge in some personalized pampering at some of the best spas, then indulge your thirst for a good beer at Mykonos Brewing Company, then tour the pleasant surroundings at Agios Ioannis Beach, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Kapari Beach. On the 28th (Thu), you'll have a packed day of sightseeing: stop by Gioras Wood Medieval Mykonian Bakery, then pause for some serene contemplation at Agios Nikolakis Church, and then take in the waterfront activity at Old Port.
To see maps, more things to do, other places to visit, and other tourist information, read our Mykonos Town day trip planning website.
You can fly from Athens to Mykonos Town in 2.5 hours. Another option is to do a combination of taxi and ferry. Traveling from Athens in September, you will find days in Mykonos Town are little chillier (30°C), and nights are about the same (24°C). Finish up your sightseeing early on the 28th (Thu) so you can catch the ferry to Fira.
Things to do in Mykonos Town
Parks · Beaches · Outdoors · Spas
Agios Ioannis Beach
Kapari Beach
See Mykonos Travel Guide
Fira, Greece — 3 nights
Fira, the busy capital of Santorini, sits on the very edge of a volcanic caldera.
You'll explore the less-touristy side of things at Vlychada Beach and Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist. Deepen your sense of the past at sights like Cathedral Church Of Candlemas Of The Lord and Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral. Change things up with a short trip to La Ponta in Akrotiri (about 30 minutes away). Next up on the itinerary: examine the collection at Cultural Village, learn about winemaking at Venetsanos Winery, browse the exhibits of Eduart Gjopalaj Workshop, and explore the world behind art at MATI Art Gallery.
For traveler tips, other places to visit, and tourist information, read Fira travel itinerary planner.
Traveling by ferry from Mykonos Town to Fira takes 2.5 hours. Alternatively, you can fly. September in Fira sees daily highs of 32°C and lows of 24°C at night. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 1st (Sun) so you can catch the flight back home.
Things to do in Fira
Museums · Historic Sites · Wineries · Shopping
Pyrgos, Vlychada Beach, Venetsanos Winery, Estate Argyros, Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos
Find places to stay Sep 28 — Oct 1:
MATI Art Gallery
Vlychada Beach
Castelli of Pyrgos
See Santorini Travel Guide
Amalfi Coast trip planner
Venice trip planner
Mykonos Town trip planner
Fira trip planner
Italy travel guide
Landmarks · Ruins · Beaches
Italy is a land of high fashion, fine art, exquisite architecture, luxury sports cars, outstanding cuisine--and an insatiable taste for "la dolce vita." It's also home to the greatest number of World Heritage Sites in the world, making it an ideal place for your next holiday. The country boasts a varied landscape of mountain ranges, alpine lakes, and coastal towns, so it's no wonder travelers often refer to it as the bel paese (beautiful country). With so many places to visit, visitors often have a difficult time planning their itinerary. The smaller villages each feature a distinct character and a blend of architecture, art, and cuisine. In the country, you'll find countless archeological sites dating back to Roman times and beyond. The country's cities and seaside resorts are cosmopolitan powerhouses with museums, galleries, restaurants, shops, open-air markets, and pedestrian-friendly historic areas.
Tuscany travel guide
Landmarks · Art Museums · Sacred & Religious Sites
Known for its landscapes, traditions, and history, Tuscany possesses an unparalleled artistic legacy that continues to influence world culture. Regarded as the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance, the region boasts a lengthy list of attractions, including world-class museums, art galleries, and archeological sites. With a distinct culture and a very strong linguistic identity, this region is sometimes referred to as a nation within a nation. A land of picture-postcard areas, Tuscany contains plenty of places to visit on your holiday, with seven World Heritage Sites, including the historic town centers of Florence and Siena. With more than 120 protected nature preserves, Tuscany is not only a land of culture and historic monuments, but also a great place to discover and enjoy the Italian outdoors. Take it slowly here (as the locals do), and give yourself plenty of time to get to know the local culture and cuisine of Tuscany's medieval towns and ancient villages.
Amalfi Coast travel guide
Sacred & Religious Sites · Landmarks · Gardens
Renowned for its beautiful landscape and medieval fishing villages that cling precariously to the Mediterranean cliffs, the Amalfi Coast is one of Italy's top vacation destinations. This World Heritage Site stretches for about 50 km (30 mi) on the southern side of the Sorrentine peninsula and offers numerous places to visit, from terraced lemon gardens and whitewashed villas to cliff-top views of the sea. Explore the coastline's towns, bays, and resorts. During the peak tourist season, the Amalfi Coast's single seaside road is often jammed with dozens of buses. For that reason, the ubiquitous scooter may be the best way to get around and sightsee. You can also access quite a bit by bicycle.
Greece travel guide
Beaches · Ruins · Nightlife
Few places manage to capture the world's imagination quite like Greece, a land of sun-kissed coastlines, tranquil whitewashed villages, lively seaside towns, and well-preserved ancient sites. One of the world's top tourist destinations since ancient times, the country draws nearly 20 million visitors each year. Athens, the birthplace of Western civilization, continues to attract the biggest crowds and serves as a base for exploring the country and its 227 inhabited islands. Away from its cities, Greece features a picturesque countryside of olive groves, vineyards, and tiny settlements nestled against rolling hills and rugged mountain ranges. Explore the old mainland on foot and discover the islands on a guided boat or ferry tour.
Mykonos travel guide
Beaches · Landmarks · Nightlife
Island of the Winds
Local tradition claims that Mykonos, the trendiest of the Cyclades group of islands, came into existence from the petrified bodies of giants killed by the mythological hero Hercules. Named after the grandson of the god Apollo, this cosmopolitan "Ibiza of Greece" offers modern tourists a blend of glamour and simplicity. Be prepared for hip and loud dance clubs along the coastline and quieter areas farther from the water. Avoid cruise ship crowds thronging the narrow streets by exploring the small villages located in the center of the island. The easiest way to discover the island's golden beaches is by guided boat tour, private car, or motorcycle.
Santorini travel guide
Beaches · Landmarks · Ruins
Wine Island
Known for dramatic views and romantic sunsets, the island of Santorini draws visitors with its long string of black, white, and red beaches. The largest and most significant of a small group of volcanic islands located just 200 km (120 mi) southeast of Greece's mainland, Santorini boasts just over 15,000 permanent residents. Created by a massive volcanic eruption that likely destroyed a single large island, the archipelago still features an active volcano, which saw its last eruption in the 1950s. The easiest way to explore Santorini's craggy coastline is on foot. Start by visiting the archaeological sites on the island's southwestern side, which offer a chance to discover the area's ancient past with unobstructed views of the famed volcano.
Images and information provided through Inspirock ® Trip Planner


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Сателит Црни Витез () према уфолозима и теоретичарима завере је назив за објекат који се појављује у Земљиној поларној орбити. Уфолози верују да је објекат стар око 13.000 година, те да су ванземаљског порекла. Будући да је објекат виђен још од времена првих мисија у свемиру, вероватно је да то нису остаци сателита или ракета.

Наводно постоји веза између овог објекта и сигнала који је Никола Тесла ухватио помоћу радија, 1899. године. Веровало се да је тај сигнал дошао из свемира. Истраживачи из Америчког ратног ваздухопловства, међу којима је био и Доналд Кејхо, наводно су открили у земљиној орбити два објекта за које су рекли како су земљини природни сателити. Тада ни један сателит који је направио човек није био послат у свемир.

Референце

Мистерије
Уфологија


The USA Triathlon Women's Committee is seeking nominations for the Spirit of Judy Flannery Award, which was established in 1997 in honor of Judy Flannery. Flannery, a Grand Masters multisport athlete, served as the first Women's Commission chair and was killed in a bike accident.
The Women's Committee re-introduced this award last year in honor of her memory and to support talented female triathletes who have contributed meaningfully to our sport. Past winners include: Clarinda Brueck, Celeste Callahan, Dottie Dorian, Sue Falsey, Melissa Merson, Kate Knight-Perry and Cherie Gruenfeld.
Current female member in good standing of USA Triathlon, a preference will be noted for nominees in the Masters or Grand Masters division.
Past award winners are not eligible.
To nominate a deserving female triathlete, submit a letter of recommendation that addresses each of the criteria listed above to Lana Fountain, USAT Women's Committee Chair at triunifyhouston@gmail.com. Deadline for nominations is Aug. 31, 2017.
The USA Triathlon Women's Committee is focused on creating a resource for female athletes of all levels and socioeconomic backgrounds by mentoring professional growth for women in the sport of triathlon. The Women's Committee is concentrating on the quality of training as well as opportunities available for women in positions of authority and decision-making within associations that govern the sport. The WC is a national committee of women from all over the U.S. with a variety of professions and diverse levels of participation in triathlon. Find us on Facebook.


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Global RiskNews Briefs
US providing $308 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan
On Tuesday, the National Security Council announced that the US is providing $308 million in humanitarian aid to the people of Afghanistan. The announcement comes as the country faces difficulties in the Covid-19 pandemic and severe economic pressure. The US will also provide additional Covid-19 vaccine doses. The humanitarian assistance comes months after the US fully withdrew its military forces from the country. Since then, several countries have been pressuring the US and its allies to take action against a dire humanitarian crisis in the country. The US has provided $782 million in humanitarian assistance to the country, including the new aid, since October 2021.
Earlier this year, lawmakers from the House of Representatives wrote the Secretary of State and Treasury Secretary, urging the administration to release frozen Afghan funds to a United Nations agency in order to pay teacher salaries and provide meals to children in schools on the condition that girls can continue to attend. In addition, the lawmakers advised officials to clarify sanctions exemptions to humanitarian aid to allow financial institutions to inject capital into the Afghan economy. In December, the Biden administration announced that it was lifting certain restrictions on the types of aid that humanitarian organizations can provide to Afghanistan.
Read More: US providing $308 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan
Tags:AfghanistanHumanitarian AidUS
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Version 2 were tasked with lighting up Moor Park a Grade I listed Palladian mansion. The location is set within several hundred acres of parkland to the south-east of Rickmansworth in Hertfordshire. It is called Moor Park Mansion because it is in the old park of the Manor of More.


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Q: Selected color of prompt/message in empty text box I want to create Text box with prompt when it is empty. I use setMessage method and it's working fine. How can I change default color of prompt?

A: If you want to change the color of the prompt, just add a Listener to the focus events.
public class StackOverflow
{
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
        final Display display = new Display();
        Shell shell = new Shell(display);
        shell.setText("StackOverflow");
        shell.setLayout(new GridLayout(1, true));

        final Text text = new Text(shell, SWT.BORDER | SWT.SEARCH);
        text.setForeground(display.getSystemColor(SWT.COLOR_RED));
        text.setText("Enter something");
        text.setLayoutData(new GridData(SWT.FILL, SWT.BEGINNING, true, true));

        text.addListener(SWT.FocusOut, new Listener()
        {
            @Override
            public void handleEvent(Event arg0)
            {
                if("".equals(text.getText()))
                {
                    text.setForeground(display.getSystemColor(SWT.COLOR_RED));
                    text.setText("Enter something");
                }
            }
        });

        text.addListener(SWT.FocusIn, new Listener()
        {
            @Override
            public void handleEvent(Event arg0)
            {

                if("Enter something".equals(text.getText()))
                {
                    text.setForeground(display.getSystemColor(SWT.COLOR_BLACK));
                    text.setText("");
                }
            }
        });

        Label label = new Label(shell, SWT.NONE);
        label.setFocus();
        label.forceFocus();

        shell.pack();
        shell.open();
        while (!shell.isDisposed())
        {
            if (!display.readAndDispatch())
                display.sleep();
        }
        display.dispose();
    }
}

Unfocussed/empty:

Focussed/not empty:

As you can see, the "prompt" is now red.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange