Ruqayyah bint Hussain or Sukaina (Sakina is a derivative of "Sakoon" meaning "Peace") was the daughter of Husayn ibn 'Alī and Rubab (the daughter of the chief of the Kinda Imra al-Qays tribe).
Sayeda Sakina was born on 20 Rajab, 56 AH. Her titles includes Sakina, Ma'sūmah, Aatika, Kulthūm, and Zaynab. Her early years were said to have been spent in Medina. Her brothers included Ali ibn Husayn, Ali al-Akbar ibn Husayn, Ali Asghar ibn Husayn. Her sisters included Fāṭimah aṣ-Ṣughrá and Fāṭimah al-Kubrá also known as Sakinah.
She accompanied her father, Imam Hussain, grandson of the Holy Prophet, when he traveled from Mecca to Kufa, now known as Iraq. On the 2nd Muharram 61 AH (680 CE), Imam Hussain and his 72 family and companions were forced to camp in the plains of Karbala by Yazid's army of 1000 men. Yazid ibn Muawiyyah was the evil, power hungry leader who was on the throne but wanted to have the religious authority by getting allegiance from Imam Hussain. Imam Hussain could not give up his principles to falsehood and moreover save the future of true Islam. On the 10th of Muharram, the entire household of Imam his companions were killed and the survivors were captured. These survivors included Imam's sisters, wives, and daughters including Sakina, the family members of the companions of Imam and Imam's son Imam Zainul Abeddin who was ill and could not participate in the battle.
In Damascus Yazid thought that he has won his throne and was enjoying each moment and was imposing torments upon the women and children of Imam and his companions, however Imam's sister Zaynab daughter of Ali, his son Imam Zainul Abeddin, Imam's daughter Fatima al-Kubra and other delivered sermons and fought their case in front of entire court of tyrant.
Sayeda Sakina bint al-Husayn was the daughter of Hussain ibn Ali. Sakina is a derivative of "Sakoon" meaning "Peace".
Sayeda Sakina was the most beloved daughter of Hussain ibn Ali and used to sleep on his chest every night. Hussain ibn Ali was often heard saying, "A house without Sayeda Sakina would not be worth living in".
Like any other four-to-five year old, when Sayeda Sakina went to bed at night she wanted to spend some time with her father. Hussain ibn Ali would tell her stories of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad and of the battles fought by her grandfather Ali ibn Abi Talib.
There was a special bond between Sayeda Sakina and her paternal uncle, Abbas ibn Ali. He loved her more than he did his own children. If Sayeda Sakina requested for anything, Abbas ibn Ali would not rest until he fulfilled her request. During the journey from Medina to Mecca and then Mecca to Karbala, Abbas ibn Ali was often seen riding up to the mehmil (a special saddle made for women) in which Sayeda Sakina sat to make sure that she had everything she wanted. Sayeda Sakina loved her uncle just as much. While in Medina, she would several times a day, visit the house in which Abbas ibn Ali lived with his family and his mother, Ummul Banin.
On the 2nd of Muharram, the army of Yazid ibn Muawiya began to gather at Karbala, Hussain ibn Ali said to his sister Zaynab bint Ali, "The time has come for you to get Sukaina used to going to sleep without me". Sayeda Sakina would follow her father at night and Hussain ibn Ali had to gently take her to Zaynab bint Ali or Rubab.
On the 7th of Muharram, by the order of Yazid ibn Muawiya, the army didn't let Hussain ibn Ali get water from the Euphrates. The water became scarce in the camp of Hussain ibn Ali, Sayeda Sakina shared whatever little water she had with other children. When soon there was no water at all, the thirsty children would look at Sayeda Sakina with their eyes full of hope. The situation got so bad that Sayeda Sakina's lips were parched with thirst.
But soon, Sayeda Sakina came out holding a dried up mashk (water-bag), leading 42 other children, each holding a dry water-bag. The children were shouting as if in chorus, Al Atash, Ya Ammahu (I am thirsty, O my uncle Abbas!). She walked up to Abbas ibn Ali and told him that the children had all come to her asking for water. He could see that thirst, aggravated by the scorching heat of the desert, was squeezing their young lives out of them. Abbas ibn Ali went to Hussain ibn Ali and requested his permission to go and get water for Sukaina and the other children. Hussain ibn Ali rejected his request; once again, by saying to him that he is his army's commander and because of that he cannot go and fight. Abbas ibn Ali used Sayeda Sakina request to gain Hussain ibn Ali's permission, and Hussain ibn Ali agreed. Abbas put Sayeda Sakina's mashk on the Alam (Flag), mounted his horse and rode up to Hussain ibn Ali.
When Abbas ibn Ali went to get the water, the children gathered around Sayeda Sakina with their little cups, knowing that as soon as Abbas ibn Ali would bring water, Sukaina would first make sure that they had some before taking any herself. Sayeda Sakina was standing next to Hussain ibn Ali, also with her eyes fixed on the Alam of Abbas ibn Ali. Abbas reached the river bank fighting Yazid's men trying to block his way, killing anyone with his spear that tried to stop his progress. Abbas' bravery was well known among the Arabs and the Yazid's troops started to flee in different directions. As he bent down to fill the mashk, the Alam disappeared from sight. Sayeda Sakina was frightened and looked at her father. Hussain ibn Ali said, Sayeda Sakina, your uncle Abbas is at the river bank. Sayeda Sakina smiled and said, Alhamdulillah (all praise is for Allah), and called out all the children to welcome Abbas.
With the water-bag filled, Abbas ibn Ali wanted to get the water to the anxiously waiting children as quickly as possible. Seeing him gallop towards the camp of Hussain ibn Ali, Umar ibn Sa'ad shouted from the enemy ranks that if even a single drop of water reaches Hussain's camp, it would be impossible to fight them on the battlefield. When arrows were coming from all sides, Abbas had only one thought in his mind, how to protect the water-bag than his life. Abbas ibn Ali lost both his arms during the attack, trying to save the water-bag. The Alam fell onto the ground. Sayeda Sakina could not see it any longer. She looked at Hussain ibn Ali, but he turned his face away. Sayeda Sakina began to tremble with fear and her eyes filled with tears. She raised her hands and prayed, "Ya Allah! Do not let them kill my uncle Abbas, I will not ask for water again and ran inside the tent to her mother".
The tyrannical forces of Yazid came to the tents. They looted all the belongings of Hussain ibn Ali and his supporters. They even snatched away the hijab of the ladies. Shimr, the most evil of Yazid's men, came too. Sayeda Sakina was crying for her father. Instead of comforting words, Shimr slapped Sayeda Sakina's face and pulled off earrings from her ears. Blood poured from little Sayeda Sakina's ears. Surely they would stop now. But they did not. One-by-one they set fire to the tents. The helpless ladies and children ran from one tent to another. Sayeda Sakina's dress was on fire, her ears were bleeding. All Sayeda Sakina wanted was her dear father.
She ran to the battlefield screaming: "Father, where are you? Father, father, speak to me father." As the night descended, since Hussain ibn Ali's head was cut off by Yazid's army, Zaynab bint Ali, the daughter of Ali ibn Abi Talib, took it on herself to protect the ladies and children. She gathered all the ladies and children, in to one small space in between the gutted tents. Ali ibn Hussain lay on the ground surrounded by these widows and orphans. There was no fire, no light. Only the moon cast its dull light. After a little while, Zaynab bint Ali noticed that Sayeda Sakina was missing. She asked Rubab, but even she did not know where Sukaina was. The two holy ladies (A.S.) panicked and ran out of the tents looking for her.
The two ladies (A.S.) searched everywhere for the young girl but in vain. Finally, in desperation, Zaynab bint Ali went to the place where the body of her brother Hussain ibn Ali lay and cried, "O my brother, Sayeda Sakina, who you left in my care, is nowhere to be found. Where shall I look for her in this wilderness?" Just then, the moon came out from behind a cloud and Zaynab bint Ali saw Sayeda Sakina laid on her father, sleeping on his chest like she always used to.
She shook the child awake and said, "Oh, Sayeda Sakina! How did you recognize your father? A person can be recognized by their face or the clothes they wear. Your father is beheaded and his clothes are covered with red scars of blood." Sukaina replied innocently, "I wanted to tell my father about what the people had done to me. I wanted to tell him how Shimr had robbed the earrings that my father had so lovingly given me. I wanted to tell him how he had ripped them from my ears leaving my earlobes torn and bleeding. I wanted to tell him how the beast had mercilessly slapped me' when I cried in pain. When I was running aimlessly in the desert I thought I heard my father's voice telling me he was here [Ilaiya Ilaiya Sakina]. I followed the voice and I found him lying here. I told him everything and then I felt like sleeping on his chest the way I always did, for the last time. So I kept my head on his chest and slept till you came."
Zaynab took the jug of water. As She went to Sayeda Sakina who had fallen into a fretful sleep. Gently she stroked Sayeda Sakina's uncombed hair. Sayeda Sakina opened her eyes. Zaynab bint Ali said, "Here is some water Sukaina, please drink a little. You have been thirsty for so long. On hearing the word "water" Sayeda Sakina cried out hopefully, has my uncle Abbas come back? When she was told that Hurr's widow had brought the water, she got up, went to Hurr's widow, thanked her and then asked Zaynab bint Ali, Have you all drank water? Zaynab bint Ali shook her head. Sayeda Sakina asked, why then do you ask me to drink water? Zaynab bint Ali said, because, my dear, you are the youngest". Sayeda Sakina replied, no, Asghar is the youngest.
The next day, the caravan of the unfortunate was made to start traveling towards Kufa. Ali ibn Hussain, regardless of being fatally ill, was bound in heavy chains and forced to walk barefooted as the Ladies, including the granddaughters of the Islamic prophet Muhammad, were forced to sit on bare backs of the camels and with their necks and hands tied tightly in ropes. The caravan suffered the tortures of the journey and when they reached Kufa they were forced to march through public roads and through the streets of Kufa. Suddenly the camel on Sayeda Sakina and the Zaynab bint Ali were seated, stopped near a house. Zaynab bint Ali eyes fell on Sayeda Sakina and immediately knew that she had something to say. She asked her and Sayeda Sakina answered, I want to ask you for something, I know my dear aunt, that at this moment it is impossible for you to fulfill it. When Zaynab bint Ali insisted, Sayeda Sakina replied, O my dear aunt my throat is so dry I do not think I can endure my thirst anymore. Sayeda Sakina's words were heard by the women who were on the top of the houses so that they could see the holy caravan march clearly. Among these women, a goodhearted lady immediately got up from the crowd and rushed home to bring water for Sayeda Sakina.
From Kufa, the next phase of the journey started for the family member of Hussain ibn Ali, as prisoners. This journey was to take them to Damascus, in Syria, which was the capital of Yazid. Sukaina was tied, with a rope, on a bare camel. At one point in the journey, Sayeda Sakina fell from her camel. The caravan didn't stop. No one, apart from her family members, noticed the fall of Syeda Sakina. After this incidence, the wretched army changed the formation of the holy prisoners. Ali ibn Hussain, was already tied with chains in his neck and feet, the wretched army tied his son, Muhammad al-Baqir, on Ali ibn Hussain's back and then the same rope was tied on his sister, Sayeda Sakina's neck, so that Ali ibn Hussain could not stand straight. If he did stand straight, the rope used to get tight and strangle Sayeda Sakina.
Even at these times of hardship and misery, Sayeda Sakina always thought of the others first. She would console her mother on the death of Ali Asghar and when she saw any other lady or child weeping Sayeda Sakina would put her little arms around her. In those days, it used to take thirty two days, on a camel, to reach Damascus, but the family members of Hussain ibn Ali were taken in such a way that it only took them sixteen days to reach Damascus.
In the dungeon Zainab tried to console her and said that she should soon meet her father and with these words tried to make her go to sleep.But one night when Sakina was asleep she woke up crying and started to look for her father everywhere. All the Holy ladies tried to console her so she would stop crying but she didn't get any peace and continued :"O my dear aunt , Where is my father? , a few minutes ago I was with my father and he kissed me and said that "my dear Sakina you will soon be with me." But where is my father now?"
When Sakina told her dream all the Holy ladies started to cry and now this noise of crying was heard by Yazid at his court.Yazid sent the severed head of Imam Husain A.S to the prison and when Bibi Sakina received the head of her father she started to cry even more and hold it very tight and asked her father :"Who cut off my father's head , who martyred my father, why are we held as captives?"
With these words of sorrow suddenly Sakina was quiet.Everyone thought that Bibi Sakina had finally gone to sleep again but this was not a temporary sleep, Sakina had now gone into a permanent sleep and joined her Holy Father in Heaven.Sayeda Sakina was buried in the same dungeon. Zaynab bint Ali held the still child as Ali ibn Hussain dug a grave for his sister in the dungeon. Sayeda Sakina's clothes were burnt in Karbala, and due to injuries, had intermingled with her flesh. Therefore, she was buried in the same burnt, ripped clothes right there in the Dungeon of Syria. As the grave was being filled up after the burial the mother let out a scream. All the ladies huddled around her, and the prison walls began to shake with the cry, "Ya Sakina, Ya Mazloomah (O Sakina! O Oppressed one!)". When the time came and they were released from the prison, Rubaab came to the grave of her beloved daughter, placing her cheek on Sakina's grave and cried out, Speak to me Sakina. Only a word, my child, speak to me." Also that the dungeon was black, no light and Bibi Sakina was afraid of dark.


Farm surf forecast is for near shore open water. Breaking waves will often be smaller at less exposed spots.
Offshore winds at Farm blow from the W.
Short Range Forecast: Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Thu night. Cool air temperatures (max 16°C on Wed night, min 12°C on Fri morning). Winds increasing (calm on Tue night, strong winds from the WSW by Thu night). Long Range Forecast:Light rain (total 4mm), mostly falling on Mon night. Cool air temperatures (max 16°C on Mon afternoon, min 12°C on Fri night). Winds decreasing (fresh winds from the W on Sat afternoon, calm by Tue morning).
The surf report / weather widget below is available to embed on third party websites free of charge and provides a summary of our Farm surf forecast. Simply grab the html code snippet that we provide and paste it into your own site. You can choose your preferred language and metric/imperial units for the surf forecast feed to suit users of your site. Click here to get the code.
The above surf forecast table for Farm provides essential information for determining whether the surfing conditions will be good over the next 7 days. A general guide to surfing at Farm can be found by selecting the local surf guide option on the grey menu. Our Farm surf forecast is unique since it includes wave energy (power) that defines the real feel of the surf rather than just the height or the period. If you surf the same spot (Farm) regularly then make a mental note of the wave energy from the surf forecast table each time you go. Very soon you may start to choose your surf days based on the wave energy alone combined with our forecast of favourable offshore wind conditions. Our star ratings will help here and of course you will also find the usual wave height and period predictions on our surf forecasts as well as a full break down of the swell components under our advanced users option (to reveal that, click the little Einstein character under the tide times).
Further information to help with frequently asked questions about our surf forecast for Farm may be found under the help tab on the top menu and also by moving your mouse over the question marks on the surf forecast table itself. Please always bear in mind that the forecast is for near-shore open water and local factors at each surf break influence the actual breaking wave height, such as the beach / reef profile, water depths offshore and shelter.
Farm is 30 km (19 miles) from Mornington. If you plan a holiday in Mornington Peninsula, look for hotels and other accommodation in Mornington. Mornington has rooms for a wide range of budgets as well as car hire and transport links.


A Mills Education is Within Your Reach.
Mills commits substantial resources to ensure that talented students from all backgrounds can afford a Mills education without taking on excessive debt. Each of our graduate programs offers financial aid (that you don't have to pay back) in the form of scholarships or assistantships or fellowships. In most cases, award decisions are based on the strength of your admission application and the financial information submitted with your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
*Inclusion in this list does not imply an endorsement from Mills College.
Visit our financial aid for graduate students page for information on how to apply for financial aid and federal low-interest student loans.


The 4 Days Trip to Goa package is an ideal option for holidaymakers to enjoy the sun, sand, and surf with Hotel stay at Sun Kissed plaza Goa.
On arrival at the Goa railway station/airport, you will be received by our agent's representative and taken to the hotel. After check-in, the hotel takes rest for some time. Enjoy the first day by exploring the sun-kissed beaches of Goa and eat the special food items of Goa such as Goan fish curry and pork vindaloo.
After taking breakfast, move ahead on a full day North Goa sightseeing tour. Firstly visit the ancient Fort Aguada and then visit the Coco Beach, Calangute Annexe, Calangute Beach, Baga Beach and Anjuna Beach. At the end of your second day, Goa tour comes back again in the hotel and stay overnight.
Optional: Ask your travel agent to include watersports while customizing your Goa tour package.
After enjoying a delicious breakfast, visit the tourist hotspots of South Goa on the 3rd day of your Goa tour. Visit Shri Manguesh Temple at Priol and Shri Shantadurga Temple at Kavlem.
Further, go to explore the churches of Old Goa such as Se Cathedral and Basilica of Bom Jesus. After lunch, visit the Dona Paula Bay & Miramar Beach. Afterward, enjoy the street shopping at the Panjim Market.
In the evening, enjoy the pleasant time in boat cruise at the Mandovi River. At night, come back to the hotel and sleep off the night.
On the fourth day of your Goa trip. Say goodbye to Goa with good memories. After breakfast, check-out from the hotel and get ready for the railway station/airport to reach your home destination.
Airport , Railway Station(Vasco/Madgao/Thivim) and Bus Stand (Mapusa/Panjim) Scheduled transfers by ac coach.
Well appointed air-conditioned room with TV, telephone.
Two bottles of Mineral water complimentary in the room replenished daily.
Complimentary use of Tea /Coffee maker. Replenishment done once during the day.
Extra Bed/mattress for extra paying person or child.
Check-in time 14:00 hrs. And Check-out time 11:00 hrs.


text:
///<reference path="../reference.ts" />

module Plottable {

export type ClickCallback = (point: Point) => void;

export module Interactions {
  export class Click extends Interaction {

    private _mouseDispatcher: Plottable.Dispatchers.Mouse;
    private _touchDispatcher: Plottable.Dispatchers.Touch;
    private _clickedDown = false;
    private _onClickCallbacks = new Utils.CallbackSet<ClickCallback>();

    private _mouseDownCallback = (p: Point) => this._handleClickDown(p);
    private _mouseUpCallback = (p: Point) => this._handleClickUp(p);

    private _touchStartCallback = (ids: number[], idToPoint: Point[]) => this._handleClickDown(idToPoint[ids[0]]);
    private _touchEndCallback = (ids: number[], idToPoint: Point[]) => this._handleClickUp(idToPoint[ids[0]]);
    private _touchCancelCallback = (ids: number[], idToPoint: Point[]) => this._clickedDown = false;

    protected _anchor(component: Component) {
      super._anchor(component);

      this._mouseDispatcher = Dispatchers.Mouse.getDispatcher(<SVGElement> component.content().node());
      this._mouseDispatcher.onMouseDown(this._mouseDownCallback);
      this._mouseDispatcher.onMouseUp(this._mouseUpCallback);

      this._touchDispatcher = Dispatchers.Touch.getDispatcher(<SVGElement> component.content().node());
      this._touchDispatcher.onTouchStart(this._touchStartCallback);
      this._touchDispatcher.onTouchEnd(this._touchEndCallback);
      this._touchDispatcher.onTouchCancel(this._touchCancelCallback);
    }

    protected _unanchor() {
      super._unanchor();
      this._mouseDispatcher.offMouseDown(this._mouseDownCallback);
      this._mouseDispatcher.offMouseUp(this._mouseUpCallback);
      this._mouseDispatcher = null;

      this._touchDispatcher.offTouchStart(this._touchStartCallback);
      this._touchDispatcher.offTouchEnd(this._touchEndCallback);
      this._touchDispatcher.offTouchCancel(this._touchCancelCallback);
      this._touchDispatcher = null;
    }

    private _handleClickDown(p: Point) {
      let translatedPoint = this._translateToComponentSpace(p);
      if (this._isInsideComponent(translatedPoint)) {
        this._clickedDown = true;
      }
    }

    private _handleClickUp(p: Point) {
      let translatedPoint = this._translateToComponentSpace(p);
      if (this._clickedDown && this._isInsideComponent(translatedPoint)) {
        this._onClickCallbacks.callCallbacks(translatedPoint);
      }
      this._clickedDown = false;
    }

    /**
     * Adds a callback to be called when the Component is clicked.
     *
     * @param {ClickCallback} callback
     * @return {Interactions.Click} The calling Click Interaction.
     */
    public onClick(callback: ClickCallback) {
      this._onClickCallbacks.add(callback);
      return this;
    }

    /**
     * Removes a callback that would be called when the Component is clicked.
     *
     * @param {ClickCallback} callback
     * @return {Interactions.Click} The calling Click Interaction.
     */
    public offClick(callback: ClickCallback) {
      this._onClickCallbacks.delete(callback);
      return this;
    }
  }
}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
ГЕС Рок-Айленд — гідроелектростанція у штаті Вашингтон (Сполучені Штати Америки). Знаходячись між ГЕС Роккі-Річ (вище за течією) та ГЕС Ванапум, входить до складу каскаду на річці Колумбія, що починається в Канаді та має устя на узбережжі Тихого океану на межі штатів Вашингтон та Орегон.

Річку перекрили бетонною греблею довжиною 1097 метрів, яка утримує витягнуте по долині Колумбії на 32 км водосховище з площею поверхні 13,4 км2 та об'ємом 130 млн м3 (корисний об'єм 15,4 млн м3, що забезпечується коливанням рівня між позначками 185,6 та 186,8 метра НРМ).

У 1933-му станцію ввели в експлуатацію з чотирма турбінами потужністю по 15 МВт (наразі три з них модернізовані до показника у 20,7 МВт), до яких в 1951—1953 роках додали ще шість потужністю по 22,5 МВт. А в 1979-му запустили в роботу другий машинний зал із вісьмома турбінами потужністю по 51,3 МВт. Крім того, існує допоміжний агрегат з показником 1,2 МВт.

Турбіни першого залу відносяться до пропелерного типу, тоді як у другому встановлені бульбові. Вони використовують різницю висот між верхнім та нижнім б'єфом у 12 метрів та виробляють 2,6 млрд кВт-год електроенергії на рік.

Примітки

Рок-Айленд
Греблі Колумбії
Челан (округ, Вашингтон)
Дуглас (округ, Вашингтон)
засновані у США 1933

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Health (Amendment) Act 2004
Open Pdf Oscail PDF
Number 19 of 2004
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Preliminary and General
Short title, collective citation, construction and commencement.
Repeals.
Amendment of section 4 of Principal Act.
Amendment of section 13 of Principal Act.
Amendment of section 3 of Act of 1996.
Amendment of section 11 of Act of 1996.
Amendment of Health Act 1947.
Eastern Regional Health Authority and Area Health Boards
Performance of functions of Eastern Regional Health Authority and Area Health Boards.
Other Provisions Relating to Health Boards, Eastern Regional Health Authority and Area Health Boards
Amendment of section 220 of the Local Government Act 2001.
Termination of office.
Provisions consequent upon section 27.
Accountability to certain committees of Houses of Oireachtas.
Repeal of Enactments
Acts Referred to
Health Act 1947
1947, No. 28
1970, No. 1
Health Acts 1947 to 2001
Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996
Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act 1999
Local Government Act 2001
AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE HEALTH BOARDS ESTABLISHED UNDER THE HEALTH ACT 1970, THE EASTERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY, THE NORTHERN AREA HEALTH BOARD, THE EAST COAST AREA HEALTH BOARD AND THE SOUTH-WESTERN AREA HEALTH BOARD SHALL CEASE TO HOLD OFFICE UPON THE COMMENCEMENT OF THIS ACT; TO PROVIDE THAT THE FUNCTIONS OF THOSE BODIES SHALL BE PERFORMED BY THEIR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND, IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, BY THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND CHILDREN; TO REMOVE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN RESERVED AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS; FOR THOSE PURPOSES TO AMEND THE HEALTH ACT 1970, THE HEALTH (AMENDMENT) (NO. 3) ACT 1996, THE HEALTH (EASTERN REGIONAL HEALTH AUTHORITY) ACT 1999 AND OTHER ENACTMENTS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH.
[8th June, 2004]
BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:
1.—(1) This Act may be cited as the Health (Amendment) Act 2004.
(2) The Health Acts 1947 to 2001 and this Act may be cited as the Health Acts 1947 to 2004 and shall be construed together as one Act.
(3) This Act shall come into operation on such day or days as the Minister may appoint by order or orders either generally or with reference to any particular purpose or provision and different days may be so appointed for different purposes and for the repeal of different enactments effected by section 3 and the Schedule .
2.—(1) In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
"Act of 1996" means the Health (Amendment) (No. 3) Act 1996 ;
"Act of 1999" means the Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act 1999 ;
"Area Health Board" has the meaning assigned to it by the Act of 1999;
"Eastern Regional Health Authority" means the Eastern Regional Health Authority established by section 7 of the Act of 1999;
"health board" has the same meaning as it has in the Principal Act;
"Minister" means the Minister for Health and Children;
"Principal Act" means the Health Act 1970 ; and
"Regional Chief Executive" has the meaning assigned to it by section 12 of the Act of 1999.
(2) In this Act—
(a) a reference to a Part, section or Schedule is a reference to a Part or section of, or Schedule to, this Act unless it is indicated that a reference to some other enactment is intended,
(b) a reference to a subsection is a reference to the subsection of the section in which the reference occurs, unless it is indicated that a reference to some other provision is intended, and
(c) a reference to any enactment shall be construed as a reference to that enactment, as amended, adapted or extended, whether before or after the commencement of this subsection, by or under any subsequent enactment.
3.—(1) The enactments mentioned in column (2) of the Schedule are repealed to the extent mentioned in column (3) of that Schedule.
(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the following provisions of the Health Board Regulations 1970 ( S.I. No. 170 of 1970 ) shall continue in force after the commencement of subsection (1) (insofar as that subsection relates to section 4 of the Principal Act), that is to say:
(a) paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 5;
(b) paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 6;
(c) paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 7;
(d) paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 8;
(e) paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 9;
(f) paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 10; and
(g) paragraphs (1) and (2) of regulation 11.
4.—Section 4 of the Principal Act is amended by the deletion, in subsection (1), of the words "and, subject to subsection (2), shall specify the membership of each health board", and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
(1) For the administration of the health services in the State, the Minister shall after consultation with the Minister for Local Government by regulations establish such number of boards (to be known and in this Act referred to as health boards) as may appear to him to be appropriate, and by such regulations shall specify the title and define the functional area of each health board so established.
5.—Section 5 of the Principal Act is amended by the insertion of the following subsection:
"(4) The seal of the board shall be authenticated by the signature of the chief executive officer of the board, or any person for the time being performing the functions of chief executive officer of the board, and the signature of another officer of the board authorised to act in that behalf.".
6.—(1) Section 13 of the Principal Act is amended by—
(a) the deletion, in paragraph (a) of subsection (2), of ", after consultation with the chairman of the health board (or, in his absence, the vice-chairman),",
(b) the substitution, in paragraph (b) of that subsection, of "the Minister" for "the chairman of the health board (or, in his absence, the vice-chairman)",
(c) the substitution, in paragraph (d) of that subsection, of "the Minister" for "the chairman of the health board with the consent of the Minister", and
(d) the deletion, in subsection (9), of the words "after consultation with the chairman of the board or, in his absence, the vice-chairman of the board",
and the said subsections (2) and (9) as so amended are set out in the Table to this subsection.
(2) (a) Where a chief executive officer will for any reason, other than suspension from performance of his duties, be temporarily unable to act as such, he may appoint one of the other officers of that board to act as deputy chief executive officer for the duration of such inability.
(b) Where a chief executive officer has for any reason become temporarily unable to act as such and either he has not made an appointment under this subsection or an appointment made under this subsection, whether by such chief executive officer or otherwise, has become terminated under paragraph (d), or on account of the death or resignation of the appointee, the Minister may appoint one of the other officers of that board to act as deputy chief executive officer for the remainder of the duration of such inability.
(c) The Minister may specify classes of officers who may be appointed as deputy chief executive officer and any appointment under this subsection shall comply with any such specification.
(d) An appointment as deputy chief executive officer may at any time be terminated by the Minister.
(e) An appointment as deputy chief executive officer shall terminate on the chief executive officer ceasing to be such officer.
(9) A temporary appointment of a chief executive officer may be made by the Minister.
(2) Section 13 of the Principal Act is amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (8):
"(8) The appointment of a chief executive officer pursuant to a recommendation of the Local Appointments Commissioners shall be a function of the Minister.".
7.—Section 22 of the Principal Act is amended, in subsection (1), by the deletion of the words ", after consultation with the chairman of the board or, in his absence, the vice-chairman of the board,", and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
(1) Whenever, in respect of an officer of a health board other than the chief executive officer, there is, in the opinion of the chief executive officer, reason to believe that the officer has misconducted himself in relation to his office or is otherwise unfit to hold office, the chief executive officer may suspend the officer from the performance of the duties of his office while the alleged misconduct or unfitness is being inquired into and any disciplinary action to be taken in regard thereto is being determined.
8.—Section 23 of the Principal Act is amended, in subsection (1), by the substitution of "and (3)" for "to (4)", and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), an officer or servant of a health board appointed under section 14 may be removed from being such officer or servant by the chief executive officer to the board.
9.—The Act of 1996 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 3:
"3.—The functions of a health board shall be performed by its chief executive officer.".
10.—Section 4 of the Act of 1996 is amended, in subsection (3), by the substitution of "functions" for "executive functions", and the said subsection (3) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
(3) A chief executive officer shall furnish the Minister with such information (including financial information) in relation to the performance of his or her functions as the Minister may from time to time require.
11.—Section 6 of the Act of 1996 is amended by—
(a) the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3):
"(3) If a service plan is not submitted to the Minister in accordance with subsection (1), the Minister may, by direction in writing, require the chief executive officer of the health board concerned to submit a service plan to him or her—
(a) not later than 10 days from the receipt of the direction by the chief executive officer, or
(b) not later than such earlier date as may be specified in the direction,
and the chief executive officer of that health board shall comply with any such direction.",
(b) the substitution, in subsection (1), of "make" for "adopt", and
(c) the substitution, in subsection (6), of the words "direct the chief executive officer to make modifications to the service plan and the chief executive officer shall comply with any such direction" for "direct the health board or, in the case of a service plan submitted in accordance with subsection (4), the chief executive officer, to make modifications to the service plan and the board or the chief executive officer, as the case may be, shall comply with any such direction",
and the said subsections (1) and (6) as so amended are set out in the Table to this section.
(1) Subject to section 7(1)(a), a health board shall, within—
(a) 42 days, or
(b) such shorter period not being less than 21 days as the Minister may direct in any particular case,
of the receipt by the board of a determination, make and submit to the Minister a service plan.
(6) Where in the opinion of the Minister the service plan of a health board—
(a) does not contain such information as was specified under subsection (2),
(b) proposes net expenditure which exceeds the net expenditure as determined by the Minister, or
(c) is not in accordance with the policies and objectives of the Minister or of the Government in so far as they relate to the functions of the board,
the Minister may, not later than 21 days after the receipt by him or her of the service plan, direct the chief executive officer to make modifications to the service plan and the chief executive officer shall comply with any such direction.
12.—Section 11 of the Act of 1996 is amended by the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (3):
"(3) The annual financial statements of a health board shall be submitted to the Comptroller and Auditor General on or before the 1st day of April in the year immediately following the financial year to which they relate.".
13.—Section 14 of the Act of 1996 is amended by—
(a) the substitution, in subsection (2), of "Minister" for "health board",
(b) the substitution, in subsection (3), of "Minister" for "health board with the consent of the Minister", and
(c) the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (5):
"(5) The appointment pursuant to a recommendation by the Local Appointments Commissioners and the removal of a chief executive officer in accordance with this section shall be a function of the Minister.",
(2) A person appointed as chief executive officer after the commencement of this section shall hold office under a contract of service in writing with the Minister upon such terms and conditions (including terms and conditions relating to remuneration and expenses) as may be determined by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance and specified in the contract.
(3) A chief executive officer to whom this section applies may be removed from office by the Minister in accordance with the terms and conditions of his or her contract of service.
(a) the substitution, in subsection (1), of "make" for "adopt", and
(b) the substitution, in subsection (4), of "making" for "adopting",
(1) A health board shall, not later than the 30th day of June in each year, prepare and make a report (which shall be known as and in this section is referred to as an "annual report") in relation to the performance of its functions during the preceeding year.
(4) As soon as may be after making an annual report, a health board shall submit a copy thereof to the Minister.
15.—(1) Section 78 of the Act of 1947 is amended, in subsection (1), by the substitution of the words "with the consent of the Minister" for "subject to any general directions given by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance", and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this subsection.
(1) A health board may, for the purpose of its powers and duties under this Act, acquire land either by agreement, with the consent of the Minister, or compulsorily under this Part of the Act and the Acts incorporated therewith.
(2) Section 89 of the Act of 1947 is amended, in subsection (1), by the substitution of the words "with the consent of the Minister" for "subject to any general directions given by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance", and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this subsection.
(1) A health board may, with the consent of the Minister, sell, exchange, let or otherwise dispose of any land vested in it.
(3) In this section "Act of 1947" means the Health Act 1947 .
16.—Section 4 of the Act of 1999 is amended by the substitution of "section 21(14)" for "sections 11(2), 16(1) and 21(14)", and the said section 4 as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
4.—Every order made under section 5 and every regulation made under section 21(14) shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order or regulation is passed by either such House within the next subsequent 21 days on which that House has sat after the order or regulation is laid before it, the order or regulation shall be annulled accordingly but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.
17.—Section 5 of the Act of 1999 is amended, in subsection (1), by the deletion of the words "and the local authority concerned", and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, by order amend the First Schedule.
18.—Section 7 of the Act of 1999 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection:
"(3A) The seal of the Authority shall be authenticated by the signature of the Regional Chief Executive, or any person for the time being performing the functions of the Regional Chief Executive, and the signature of another officer of the Authority authorised to act in that behalf.".
19.—Section 10 of the Act of 1999 is amended, in subsection (2)(a), by the deletion of the words "section 9(2) and", and the said subsection (2)(a) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
(2) (a) Subject to subsection (3), the Authority shall, having regard to the resources available to it, make and carry out an arrangement with each Area Health Board for the provision within the Area Health Board's functional area of services which, immediately before the establishment day, were provided by the Eastern Health Board.
20.—Section 12 of the Act of 1999 is amended, in subsection (1), by the substitution of "the Minister shall" for "the Authority shall", and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
(1) Subject to subsection (3) and notwithstanding any other enactment, the Minister shall, pursuant to a recommendation from the Local Appointments Commissioners, appoint a person who shall act as the chief executive officer of the Authority and such person shall be known and in this Act referred to as the Regional Chief Executive.
21.—Section 14 of the Act of 1999 is amended by the insertion of the following subsection:
"(3A) The seal of an Area Health Board shall be authenticated by the signature of its area chief executive, or any other person for the time being performing the functions of area chief executive in relation to that Area Health Board, and another officer of that Area Health Board authorised to act in that behalf.".
22.—Section 15 of the Act of 1999 is amended, in subsection (1), by the deletion of the words "in accordance with section 9(1)", and the said subsection (1) as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
(1) An Area Health Board shall perform, with respect to its functional area and on behalf of the Authority, such functions as are specified by the Authority and shall carry out such other functions as provided by this Act or as may from time to time be conferred on it by the Authority.
23.—(1) Section 17 of the Act of 1999 is amended by the substitution, in subsections (1) and (3), of "Minister" for "Authority".
(2) Section 17 of the Act of 1999 is amended by the substitution, in subsection (10), of "Minister" for "Authority, with the consent of the Minister,", and the said subsection (10) as so amended is set out in the Table to this subsection.
(10) An area chief executive may be removed from office by the Minister in accordance with the terms and conditions of his or her contract of service.
(a) the substitution, in subsection (4), of "functions" for "executive functions" in each place that it occurs, and
(b) the substitution of the following subsection for subsection (16):
"(16) The chief executive officer of a health board may require the Executive to perform a function on his or her behalf.".
25.—The Act of 1999 is amended by—
(a) the insertion of the following section:
"8A.—The functions of the Authority shall be performed by the Regional Chief Executive.",
(b) the insertion of the following section:
"15A.—The functions of an Area Health Board shall be performed by its area chief executive.".
26.— Section 220 of the Local Government Act 2001 is amended, in the definition in subsection (1) of "linked body", by the deletion of the words "a health board established under the Health Act, 1970 , the Eastern Regional Health Authority, and Area Health Board established under the Health (Eastern Regional Health Authority) Act, 1999 ,", and the said definition as so amended is set out in the Table to this section.
"linked body" means a vocational education committee, a school attendance committee, a harbour board, a joint body and any other body—
(a) which is required by law to be composed wholly or partly of persons nominated, elected or appointed by a local authority or by 2 or more local authorities, or
(b) which is required by law to include one or more persons, who hold membership of such linked body by virtue of being Cathaoirleach or by holding any other office or position relating to membership of a local authority.
27.—(1) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, was a member of a health board shall cease to hold office as such member upon and from the date of the said commencement.
(2) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, was a member of the Eastern Regional Health Authority shall cease to hold office as such member upon and from the date of the said commencement.
(3) Every person who, immediately before the commencement of this section, was a member of an Area Health Board shall cease to hold office as such member upon and from the date of the said commencement.
Provisions consequent upon section 27 .
28.—(1) Anything commenced and not completed before the commencement of Part 2 and section 27 by a health board may, on or after such commencement, be carried on or completed by the chief executive officer of that health board.
(2) Anything commenced and not completed before the commencement of Part 3 and section 27 by the Eastern Regional Health Authority may, on or after such commencement, be carried on or completed by the Regional Chief Executive.
(3) Anything commenced and not completed before the commencement of Part 3 and section 27 by an Area Health Board may, on or after such commencement, be carried on or completed by the chief executive officer of that Area Health Board.
29.—(1) Subject to subsection (2), a chief executive officer shall, at the request in writing of a Committee, attend before it to give account for the general administration of the health body concerned.
(2) A chief executive officer shall not be required to give account before a Committee for any matter which is or has been or is likely to be the subject of proceedings before a court or tribunal in the State.
(3) Where a chief executive officer is of the opinion that a matter in respect of which he or she is requested to give an account before a Committee is a matter to which subsection (2) applies, he or she shall inform the Committee of that opinion and the reasons for the opinion and, unless the information is conveyed to the Committee at a time when the chief executive officer concerned is before it, the information shall be so conveyed in writing.
(4) Where a chief executive officer has informed a Committee of his or her opinion in accordance with subsection (3) and the Committee does not withdraw the request referred to in subsection (1) in so far as it relates to a matter the subject of that opinion—
(a) the chief executive officer concerned may, not later than 21 days after being informed by the Committee of its decision not to do so, apply to the High Court in a summary manner for determination of the question whether the matter is one to which subsection (2) applies, or
(b) the Chairperson of the Committee may, on behalf of the Committee, make such an application,
and the High Court shall determine that matter.
(5) Pending the determination of an application under subsection (4), the chief executive officer concerned shall not attend before the Committee to give account for the matter the subject of the application.
(6) If the High Court determines that the matter concerned is one to which subsection (2) applies, the Committee shall withdraw the request referred to in subsection (1), but if the High Court determines that subsection (2) does not apply, the chief executive officer concerned shall attend before the Committee to give account for the matter.
(7) In the performance of his or her duties under this section, a chief executive officer shall not question or express an opinion on the merits of any policy of the Government or a Minister of the Government or on the merits of the objectives of such a policy.
(8) In this section—
"chief executive officer" means—
(a) the chief executive officer of a health board,
(b) the Regional Chief Executive, or
(c) the area chief executive of an Area Health Board;
"Committee" means a committee appointed by either House of the Oireachtas or jointly by both Houses of the Oireachtas or a subcommittee of such a committee, other than—
(a) the Committee established under the Standing Orders of Dáil Éireann to examine and report to Dáil Éireann on the appropriation accounts and reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General, or
(b) the Committee on Members' Interests of Dáil Éireann or the Committee on Members' Interests of Seanad Éireann;
"health body" means—
(a) a health board,
(b) the Eastern Regional Health Authority, or
(c) an Area Health Board.
Section 3 .
Number and Year
Extent of Repeal
No. 28 of 1947
Section 89(4) (inserted by section 18(e) of the Act of 1996).
No. 1 of 1970
Section 4(2), (3) and (4), section 5(1)(d) and (e), section 5(2) and (3), section 8, section 9, section 10, section 12, section 21(2) and (3), section 23(4),
Second Schedule (insofar as it applies to a health board, an Area Health Board or the Eastern Regional Health Authority).
The definitions in section 1(1) of "executive function" and the definition in that section of "reserved function" (inserted by section 24(a) of the Act of 1999),
Section 2(2),
Section 4(1) (inserted by section 24 (c) of the Act of 1999) and (2), section 6(4), (5) and (7), section 7(6), section 8(3), section 9(2), section 11(5), section 12, section 15(3), First Schedule.
The definitions, in section 2(1), of "executive function", "registered dentist", "registered dispensing chemist and druggist", "registered medical practitioner", "registered nurse", "registered pharmaceutical chemist", "registered psychiatric nurse" and "reserved function",
Section 9, section 11, section 12(6), section 15(6), section 16, section 17(5) and (11).
Paragraph 18(7) of Schedule 10.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Hillsboro city council is considering what to include in a policy for power customers who generate their own electricity.
Tuesday was not the first time the council has discussed developing such a policy. In October, city administrator Larry Paine brought information on the subject but had not prepared information on standards for connecting customers to the city system.
Paine said no citizens have yet asked to have meters connected for this purpose, but the city did get a phone call asking about its policy.
"It's time to look at a policy," Paine said.
People dependent on electricity for medical needs that would be jeopardized by a shut-off could get extra time to pay under a proposal advanced by Paine.
He proposes that customers who require continuous electrical access for medical reasons submit a signed release from a medical practitioner indicating the need as a medical necessity, and that the city send a letter to the customer notifying them that the city will disconnect service in 30 days if they don't take action to bring the account current.
Under current policy, the city mails a shut-off notice giving delinquent customers 10 days to bring the account current and then the city can shut off power.
Three city employees were recognized for years of service. Doug Sisk and Jason Plett were given awards for 10 years of service and Ben Steketee was given an award for 15 years.
Council members renewed a shared use agreement with USD 410 for use of city-owned sports facilities for $4,250 per year.


The AIMU Committees are listed below, click on the name of each to see a listing of their membership, chairperson and mission statement.
The minutes of the committee meetings are password protected and can be viewed by members of AIMU only.
William Rowland Endurance Specialty Holdings, Ltd.
Sean Dalton (IUMI Cargo Committee) Munich Reinsurance America, Inc.
Mark Cheglikov Zurich Insurance Co.
Thomas Costello Zurich Insurance Co.
Patricia Quinn TM Claims Services, Inc.
Peter Wiswell Zurich Insurance Co.
Gerson Smith Swiss Reinsurance America Corp.
Ralph Salce Tokio Marine Management, Inc.
Peter Knowles KALM Seas Insurance, Inc.
Steve Lewis Shipowners Claims Bureau, Inc.
Russ J. Johnson Navigators Management Services Inc.
Tracy Kiffer (alternate) Navigators Management Services Inc.
Judy Cooke Transatlantic Reinsurance Co.
Lisa Chines, Chair LChines@navg.com Navigators Management Company, Inc.
Christian Platusich Talbot Underwriting Services (US) Ltd.
Craig McGinnes Brit Insurance Services USA Inc.
Claudio Crivici Castlerock Risk Services, LLC.
Patrick O'Neill, Chair patrick.oneill@aon.com Aon Risk Services, Inc.
Kevin Mullady Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.
Ann Jones Frenkel & Co., Ltd.
Bill Trufant G & M Marine, Inc.
Richard Haverlin Hugh Wood, Inc.
Tom Clune Great American Ins. Co.


text:
Menu Beekeeping in San Diego County
10 Steps to Beekeeping
About Bees
Bee Biology and Behavior
Beekeeping & Hive Management
History & Importance
Laws & Policies
Bee Safety
Online Beekeeping Course
Beekeeping in San Diego County
Africanized Honey Bee in a hive. Source: CISR, UC Riverside
Africanized honeybees (AHB) were first detected in California in 1994 and since have become the majority of feral bee colonies found in nature. Although the AHB is the same species as the European honeybee (EHB), the most common bee used in the United States for agriculture and for honey production, it differs from the EHB in its behavior.
The AHB is much more defensive than the EHB and will protect their colonies in greater numbers, which typically leads to more stinging incidences when a nest is disturbed. They are also known to follow and attack intruders for up to a quarter mile away. This defensive behavior is thought to have evolved because of the many biological competitors in the bees' native Africa where only the most defensive bees can survive.
The EHB are kept by beekeepers for their manageable traits that include gentleness, reduced swarming, and high honey hoarding. For beekeepers, the presence of the AHB in their colonies can have an economic impact. When compared to EHB, AHB have reduced honey production, abscond quicker, and swarm more often.
If an increase in defensive behavior is noticed in a managed bee colony, it is a good probability that AHB have attacked and occupied the hive. Therefore, the colony will have to be re-queened in order to reestablish it with EHB. See the UC BMP's of Beekeeping for more information on this procedure.
Bee Alert: Africanized Honey Bee Facts
(UC ANR Publication) (PDF)
Africanized Honey Bee
Center of Invasive Species Research (CISR), UC Riverside (Website)
Africanized Honey Bee Facts
(County of San Diego) (PDF)
La abeja africanizada en California
(Publications from University of Florida IFAS)
How to Protect Yourself from Africanized Honey Bees
This site provides education and outreach to the public and beekeepers to protect public safety within San Diego County in response to the the new apiary ordinance. The site has been developed by the University of California Cooperative Extension - Farm and Home Advisers Office in San Diego County with support from the San Diego County - Agriculture, Weights, and Measures Office.
Webmaster Email: bdianna@ucanr.edu


Adie Davies is dedicated to giving her clients the best possible service. Since launching her career in 2005 she has won awards and created an impressive record as a real estate professional due to the total commitment she gives her clients.
After raising her daughter on a lifestyle block in Riwaka (Motueka) amidst ponies, sheep, chickens and a menagerie of other pets, Adie moved to Whanganui in 2003 attracted by the property market opportunities and the beauty and central location of the city. After a long career in banking and a variety of customer service jobs, Adie decided to achieve her qualifications in Real Estate and started her career in Real Estate.
Adie owns two properties here in Whanganui, both villas, which she enjoys renovating in her spare time. Adie also enjoys the outdoors, exploring new places and meeting new people. She is passionate about her three grandchildren who she enjoys spending time with and being involved in their activities.
Adie has travelled extensively and particularly loves the climate and people of the South Pacific. Her personality and wealth of life experiences means Adie is able to relate to people from all walks of life.
Adie is proud of the amount of repeat and referral business she receives and promises your enquiries will receive the prompt and professional attention they deserve.
Always super helpful and friendly. Made everything very easy for us.
Adie Davies is not just a high professional consultant but also a person who is kind, friendly, easy to deal with.
You would have to be amazing and completely faultless.


text:
engadget.com Go back Open original
Russia is considering leaving the ISS for its own space station
For over two decades, the International Space Station (ISS) has served as a collaborative research vessel for astronauts from around the world. Science experiments conducted on the permanently manned spacecraft are viewed as integral to future exploration and have even provided the foundation for breakthroughs here on Earth. More than a research lab, the ISS Program has been hailed as a post-Cold War diplomatic triumph for partners Russia and the US, which operate the spacecraft alongside Canada, Europe and Japan.
But now, geopolitics are threatening to put that work at risk. Russia is mulling the launch of its own orbital space station in 2025 as it debates withdrawing from the ISS Program to go it alone, reports the AFP. The country's space agency has reportedly started work on the station's first core module, according to a statement shared on Telegram by Roscosmos chief Dmitry Rogozin. Moscow says its deliberations are based on the age of the ISS, but it's hard to ignore the impact of recent events on the ground.
"When we make a decision we will start negotiations with our partners on forms and conditions of cooperation beyond 2024," Roscosmos told AFP in a statement.
Russia lost controlling access to the ISS last year after SpaceX performed its first operational mission to the orbiting lab for NASA. Vladimir Putin has also warned that the US' decision to launch a Space Force suggests the White House views space as a "military theatre and plans to conduct operations there." Meanwhile, the Biden administration's criticism of Russia's treatment of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny — and growing fears over a military conflict in Ukraine — have further ruptured relations between the two sides.
Russia also has a history of operating space laboratories. It previously built the Mir, a modular space station that was in orbit for 15 years and is reportedly working with China on a planned research station on the Moon.


KARACHI: While the frequency and intensity of heatwaves have increased significantly in the recent past in this particular region, the government seems practically unaware and ill-prepared to deal with the threat.
Urban centres in particular have borne the brunt with hundreds of fatalities resulting from unprecedented heatwaves this year alone. According to Bilal Khalid, a representative of non-governmental organisation (NGO) LEAD Pakistan, by the time the heatwave was detected in Karachi, it had already claimed hundreds of lives. "Heatwave is practically undetectable," he stressed.
He was speaking at a workshop, titled 'Public Engagement Workshop: Facilitating Karachi City in Heat Wave Management', arranged by LEAD Pakistan and Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), who are undertaking a project to facilitate the Karachi city district government in heatwave management.
A severe heat wave had hit Europe in the year 2003 which killed 15,000 people only in France out of a total 70,000. It was considered to be the worst health crisis since World War II. After the crisis, Khalid explained, France developed a two-pronged response strategy: prevention and management.
Speaking about the preventive strategy, he said that information dissemination was vital. This includes brochures on heatwave risk prevention, information campaigns before summer season, heatwave 'blue plan' for collective residential establishments and heat wave 'white plan' for health establishments.
Faster than a melting glacier?
According to the blue plan, such setups that have more housing such as nursing homes where the elderly population resides, must be mapped so that the town office has complete information regarding the old population as they are the most vulnerable to heatwaves.
The white plan, explained Bilal, is for hospitals. "It is essentially a very common-sensical plan," he said, adding that according to this plan, usually if a heatwave was about to hit, the leaves of all medical staff would be cancelled.
Speaking about the response strategy management that France has adopted, he said that they have developed national and local heatwave management mechanisms, which were based on the level of heat alerts and have also identified agencies to work on it.
According to an international journal of epidemiology study of 2006, in a heatwave in France during the year 2006 (from July 11 to July 28), about 2,065 excess deaths occurred." Considering the observed temperatures and with the hypothesis that heat-related mortality had not changed since 2003, 6,452 excess deaths were predicted for the period," he said, adding that the observed mortality during the 2006 heatwave was thus markedly less than the expected mortality.
Speaking about the heatwave that Karachi recently faced, Urban Unit CEO Dr Nasir Javed said that fasting contributed much to the fatalities. He said that almost 30 per cent of the female population is exempt from fasting. Adding up the children, minorities and the old population, he said that around 50 per cent of the population did not fast and we end up shutting down all restaurants and eateries in the city during Ramazan. "This makes access to water very difficult," he said.
Meanwhile, urban planner Farhan Anwar said that the government mostly gave knee-jerk responses, which were usually useless. He said that proper planning needed to be done. "Census, including the vulnerability assessment, should be done. We don't even have the surface temperature mapping, which is also very vital for handling heatwaves," he said. Karachi, according to Anwar, is a very fragmented city. Hence, he said, standard operation procedures should be developed for hospitals and the water board. He also emphasised the need for decentralisation of power in the city to solve problems.


Every year, Australians wait for Christmas eagerly, and as we reach the end of 2015, it is time to decide what to serve in the Christmas party. Christmas is incomplete without delicious food and quality drinks. However, while it is easy to purchase wine and champagne from the market, people love to eat homemade dishes on this special day. So, this year, you can cook some great dishes at home and serve your guests to make them enjoy the Christmas event. Here are some great recipes for X-Mas day.
# Corn and shallot blini with smoked trout: When people start gathering at your home in the evening, you must serve them some finger food so that they can chat and eat at the same time. This dish is the perfect finger food for Christmas. You will need the following ingredients to cook this. 185 ml milk, 1 egg, 1 cup of flour, 420g can corn kernels, sliced shallots, salt, olive oil, 150g ocean trout, and half cup extra light sour cream.
At first, you should whisk the milk and egg together in a bowl. Take another bowl and mix the flour, corn, shallot and salt. Now, add corn mixture with the milk mixture and whisk it until a smooth batter is formed. Place a large non-stick frying pan on the oven and pour olive oil. Once it becomes medium hot, put a tablespoonful of corn mixture into the pan, as many as you wish. Cook the blinis until the color turns golden. Finally, cut the trout slices in three portions. Place the blinis on a plate and add trout, rocket and sour cream as toppings. Season them with pepper before serving to bring that hot and sour flavor.
# Traditional Christmas cheese ball: When guests sit at the dining table for dinner, you should start the food fiesta with an appetizer like cheese ball. It's everyone's favorite and does not take much time to prepare. Here is how you can cook the best cheese-ball for your guests. The required ingredients are 8 ounce cream cheese, 2.5 ounce chopped smoked beef, 2.25 ounce chopped green olives, 1 minced Vidalia, Worcestershire sauce, and chopped walnuts 1 cup.
Take a bowl and mix the cream cheese, olives, onion, beef, and Worcestershire sauce together. Once the mixture is perfect, try to give it the shape of a semi-circular ball. Cover the bowl and place it inside the refrigerator for minimum 2 hours. When you are sure that the cheese-ball has become firm, bring it out. Now, place a waxed paper on a flat surface and sprinkle walnut on the paper. Roll the cheese-ball in the walnut and then place it on the serving plate.
# Old fashioned glazed ham: How can your Christmas celebrations be complete without everyone's favorite ham? In order to cook this dish, you need 3/4 cup Dijon mustard, half cup light brown sugar, chopped thyme leaves 2 teaspoons, 14 pound cooked and smoked ham, 3/4 cup pineapple juice and 20 canned pineapple rings.
In a bowl, mix Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and thyme together. Now, preheat the oven to 350 degree F. Take a large roasting pan and pour the pineapple juice in it. After that, rub the ham using mustard glaze and place it inside the roasting pan. Next, put the ham inside the oven and bake it for 2 hours. After every 20 minutes, brush it with the pineapple juice.
Now, make the oven 400 degrees F hot. It is time to make your dish pretty. So, using toothpicks, place the pineapple rings around the ham. Sprinkle some brown sugar over the pineapple rings and place the roasting pan inside the oven once again. Bake the dish until the pineapple rings turn golden brown. Remove the dish from the oven and let it rest for minimum 15 minutes. Then slice the ham and serve.
# White chocolate hazelnut pie: End the party with this delicious dessert. You need 1¼ cups of cold milk, two tbsp hazelnut flavored instant coffee powder, white chocolate flavored instant pudding and pie filling, one tub (8 Oz.) chilled non-dairy whipped topping and 1 keebler ready crust chocolate pie crust to prepare the dessert.
Take a large bowl and whisk together coffee powder and milk. Add pudding mix with it and beat it with wire whisk for one minute. The mixture will be thick. Now, whisk in half of the whipped topping and spread the mixture in crust. Top it with the remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate the dish for some time, and then serve to the guests.
So, you can prepare and serve these dishes in your Christmas party. However, if you are planning to invite several people and make the event really grand, it is better to hire professional party caterers because they take care of everything. From preparing the food and drinks to serving them in style, the catering service provider will make sure everything is done in such a way that your guests are satisfied.


text:
Pluralism Project Newsletter
• Dr. Diana L. Eck's Comments
• Dr. Eck on "Religion and its Role in Global Affairs"
• Close to Home: Dr. Eck Gives Talk at Old Ship Church
• On the Road: Dr. Eck Speaks in Charlotte, North Carolina
• Thank You to 2006 Contributors
• Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sherif Visit
• "Muslims in Europe and the United States: A Transatlantic Comparison"
• Touchstones Interfaith Series
• 2007 Summer Internships
• Golden Rule Curriculum
• Religious Diversity News: Top Headlines
• International News: Top Headlines
Dr. Diana L. Eck's Comments
As 2007 begins, we have embarked upon a period of transition as we implement a new organizational framework. I regretfully announce that this will mean the departure of Grove Harris, who has served as our Managing Director.For over a decade, Grove has contributed enormously to the research and expansion of the Pluralism Project through her own work and through her work with our student staff and network of affiliates. I have outlined her accomplishments in my letter posted online at: http://pluralism.org/about/2007_reorganization.php
She will continue some of her work as an affiliate of the Pluralism Project: http://www.pluralism.org/affiliates/harris/
On January 31, forty friends and colleagues gathered at the Pluralism Project to honor Grove. It was a wonderful evening of celebration.
We are grateful, and wish her all the best. Thank you, Grove.
Dr. Eck on "Religion and its Role in Global Affairs"
Dr. Eck speaks about the ways in which religion unites and divides people throughout the world on: Religion and its Role in Global Affairs, Part I, broadcast on Public Radio International's The World on Christmas Day 2006.
Close to Home: Dr. Eck Gives Talk at Old Ship Church
On Sunday, January 14, Diana Eck spoke at the 325th anniversary celebration of the Old Ship Meeting House in Hingham, Massachusetts, the oldest wooden "meetinghouse in continuous ecclesiastical use in the United States." Her address was entitled, "The New New England and the Old Ship."
On the Road: Dr. Eck Speaks in Charlotte, North Carolina
In late January, Diana Eck traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina to speak at the Levine Museum of the New South, where the "Families of Abraham" exhibit is currently on display. Families of Abraham celebrates the faith traditions and lives of Jewish, Christian, and Muslim families in Charlotte. Six photographers photographed eleven families over the course of a year and the exhibit provides a compelling portrait of these families and their religious traditions. See Religious Diversity News below for an interview conducted with Diana in advance of her visit. During this visit, Diana also gave an evening lecture at the Myers Park Baptist Church.
Levine Museum of the New South website: www.museumofthenewsouth.org
Thank You to 2006 Contributors
Thank you to all those who have contributed to the Pluralism Project this past year, whether through research, outreach in your own community, or through a financial gift. We would like to highlight our 2006 Friends of the Project. Your generosity has helped us to amplify our efforts.
Friends of the Project
Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sherif Visit
On December 7, 2006, the Pluralism Project welcomed Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sherif, current Imam of the Islamic Cultural Institute (ICI) in St. Clair Shores, Michigan to its offices for a visit with Dr. Diana Eck, Dr. Leila Ahmed of Harvard Divinity School, and Pluralism Project staff. Trained at Al-Azhar, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sherif is a former student of Sheikh Ali Gomaa, the current Grand Mufti of Egypt. Before his recent move to the US to head up ICI, Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sherif was Imam of two mega-mosques in Giza, a large working-class district in Cairo. He also runs the Al-Kamal Association for Social and Charitable Activity and is a member of the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs. Sheikh Muhammad Al-Sherif had last visited the Pluralism Project in May 2006 as part of the US Department of State's International Visitor Program.
Islamic Cultural Institute website: www.icionline.org
"Muslims in Europe and the United States: A Transatlantic Comparison"
This conference, organized by Dr. Jocelyne Cesari of the Islam in the West Program at the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, was held at Harvard University on December 15-16, 2006. Participants presented the results of a six-nation study conducted in Europe on the status of Muslims. Scholars who are currently working on this topic in the US offered comparative perspectives and suggested directions for future research.
Conference papers are available online.
Islam in the West Program website: http://cmes.hmdc.harvard.edu/research/iw
Touchstones Interfaith Series
On January 9, 2007, Assistant Director Kathryn Lohre and Research Associate Deonnie Moodie gave a presentation on pluralism in Winchester, Massachusetts. The occasion was the kickoff for a six-part interfaith series sponsored by Touchstones, a women's spirituality group at the First Congregational Church of Winchester, Massachusetts. Their presentation included an introduction to religious pluralism, a slide show of various religious centers in Boston that were part of Dr. Eck's World Religions in Boston course last fall, and an overview of our women's networks initiative. This was followed by a lively question and answer session. An enormous thank you to our gracious hosts!
The Pluralism Project at Harvard University seeks interns for the summer of 2007. Interns will be involved in a wide variety of projects including research, site visits, outreach, website and database maintenance, and administrative tasks.
For more information see: http://www.pluralism.org/resources/calendar/summer_internships.php
Golden Rule Curriculum
A new addition to our Online Interfaith Resources is the Golden Rule Curriculum. Developed by the Scarboro Missions of Canada as part of their interfaith dialogue outreach, this curriculum is a tool intended "primarily for high school juniors and seniors (ages 16 to 18) to demonstrate that the Golden Rule is more than a behavioral guide for small children." It contains exercises and resources that focus on the Golden Rule throughout various cultures and faith traditions in order to engage students in discussions on ethical principles and moral behavior.
For more information see: http://www.pluralism.org/research/profiles/display.php?profile=74171
Religious Diversity News: Top Headlines
Buddhist Congresswoman Sworn in, Urges Tolerance
Rep. Mazie Hirono, a Buddhist woman and a Hawaii Democrat, is sworn into Congress using no book at all.
American Muslim Models Interfaith Group on Peace Corps
Affiliate Eboo Patel's Interfaith Youth Core provides a viable model for interfaith service.
Q&A with Diana Eck: A Look at Charlotte's Diverse Religious Scene
Dr. Diana L. Eck gives an interview in advance of her visit to Charlotte, North Carolina to speak at the Levine Museum of the New South in celebration of the exhibit, "Families of Abraham."
Valley Muslims Seek Equality in School Holidays
Senior Researcher Elinor Pierce offers commentary on how schools are (or are not) accommodating religious holidays.
International News: Top Headlines
Buddhism Gains Foothold in the Bay (New Zealand)
Immigrants from Laos and Thailand have increased the Buddhist population in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
A link to our cross-reference for coverage of Hajj 2006.
Six Religions Exchange Views on Care for the Dying (China)
The Interreligious Dialogue Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese hosted a multi-religious dialogue in December 2006 on religious views of death and dying.


My first video ad for my essential oil case!
First post here, I don't know how often this will happen, but I'll try to share pictures, of current projects and life events; thoughts; and perhaps even poetry when I find or maybe write something worth sharing.
Anyway, Welcome to my blog and website!
Make free to browse around, things are a work in progress.


text:
Pre-operative Nutrition Support in Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery.
Burden S
Todd C
Hill J
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (2012)
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd008879.pub2
Background: Post-operative management in gastrointestinal (GI) surgery is becoming well established with 'Enhanced Recovery After Surgery' protocols starting 24 hours prior to surgery with carbohydrate loading and early oral or enteral feeding given to patients the first day following surgery. However, whether or not nutritional intervention should be initiated earlier in the preoperative period remains unclear. Poor pre-operative nutritional status has been linked consistently to an increase in post-operative complications and poorer surgical outcome.Objectives: To review the literature on preoperative nutritional support in patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery (GI).Search methods: The searches were initially run in March 2011 and subsequently updated in February 2012. Databases including all EBM Reviews (Cochrane DSR, ACP Journal Club, DARE, CCTR, CMR, HTA and NHSEED) MEDLINE, EMBASE, AMED, British Nursing Index Archive using OvidSP were included and a search was run on each database separately after which duplicates were excluded.Selection criteria: The inclusion criteria were randomised controlled trials that evaluated pre-operative nutritional support in GI surgical participants using a nutritional formula delivered by a parenteral, enteral or oral route. The primary outcomes included post-operative complications and length of hospital stay.Data collection and analysis: Two observers screened the abstracts for inclusion in the review and performed data extraction. Bias was assessed for each of the included studies using the bias assessment tables in the Cochrane Software Review Manager (version 5.1, Cochrane Collaboration). The trials were analysed using risk ratios with Mantel-Haenszel in fixed effects methods displayed with heterogeneity. Meta-analyses were undertaken on trials evaluating immune enhancing (IE) nutrition, standard oral supplements, enteral and parenteral nutrition (PN) which were administered pre-operatively.Study characteristics were summarised in tables. Dichotomous and ratio data were entered into meta-analyses for the primary outcomes. These were then summarised in tables with assumed and corresponding risk with relative effect giving 95% confidence intervals.Main results: The searches identified 9900 titles and, after excluding duplicates, 6433 titles were initially screened. After the initial title screen, 6266 were excluded. Abstracts were screened for 167 studies and 33 articles were identified as meeting the inclusion criteria, of which 13 were included in the review after an assessment of the complete manuscripts.Seven trials evaluating IE nutrition were included in the review, of which 6 were combined in a meta-analysis. These studies showed a low to moderate level of heterogeneity and significantly reduced total post-operative complications (risk ratio (RR) 0.67 CI 0.53 to 0.84). Three trials evaluating PN were included in a meta-analysis and a significant reduction in post-operative complications was demonstrated (RR 0.64 95% CI 0.46 to 0.87) with low heterogeneity, in predominantly malnourished participants. Two trials evaluating enteral nutrition (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.56 to 1.10) and 3 trials evaluating standard oral supplements (RR 1.01 95% CI 0.56 to 1.10) were included, neither of which showed any difference in the primary outcomes.Authors' conclusions: There have been significant benefits demonstrated with pre-operative administration of IE nutrition in some high quality trials. However, bias was identified which may limit the generalizability of these results to all GI surgical candidates and the data needs to be placed in context with other recent innovations in surgical management (eg-ERAS). Some unwanted effects have also been reported with components of IE nutrition in critical care patients and it is unknown whether there would be detrimental effects by administering IE nutrition to patients who could require critical care support after their surgery. The studies evaluating PN demonstrated that the provision of PN to predominantly malnourished surgical candidates r duced post-operative complications; however, these data may not be applicable to current clinical practice, not least because they have involved a high degree of 'hyperalimentation'. Trials evaluating enteral or oral nutrition were inconclusive and further studies are required to select GI surgical patients for these nutritional interventions.
Burden, S., Todd, C., Hill, J., & Lal, S. (2012). Pre-operative Nutrition Support in Patients Undergoing Gastrointestinal Surgery. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.cd008879.pub2


Robert Thatcher, who operated an illegal opioid pill manufacturing ring, could spend at least 10 years in prison for pleading guilty.
The leader of an Elmira-based opioid trafficking operation, linked to at least two deadly overdoses, has pleaded guilty to a federal drug charge that could send him to prison for 10 years.
Robert Ian Thatcher, 30, pleaded guilty Thursday in Rochester's federal courthouse to a felony count of conspiracy to possess and to distribute U-47700, along with 100 grams or more of furanyl fentanyl. The opioid pills were manufactured at homes in Sayre and Catlin, then sold around the Elmira area.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said Thatcher's guilty plea carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, with up to life as a possibility. A judge will have the final say at sentencing Feb. 7, and Thatcher remains in federal custody.
Thatcher, of Somerset Drive in Elmira, used eBay to purchase tableting machines and other components to make the opioid pills. He and a co-defendant, Maximillian Sams, also imported bulk amounts of furanyl fentanyl and U-47700 from Chinese suppliers.
With access to the "dark web," Thatcher and a co-conspirator used other people in New York and Pennsylvania to receive the drug shipments.
Tens of thousands of pills were manufactured illegally, said New York's Western District U.S. Attorney James Kennedy, and they were made to look like legitimate 30-milligram Percocet pills.
As of Friday, 13 members and associates of Thatcher's drug operation have been convicted of federal drug charges.
Additionally, Elmira resident Isaiah McLaurin was convicted of witness tampering against a member of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.
Authorities believe Thatcher's fentanyl ring was directly involved with overdose deaths in the Elmira and Corning areas.
One of the victims, a 21-year-old woman, died from drug toxicity due to furanyl fentanyl and U-47700, and another, a 21-year-old man, died from toxicity due to acetyl fentanyl, lorazepam and alprazolam, court records said.
Kennedy's office said another person overdosed more than once after using the pills but was revived with Narcan by emergency responders and survived.
Fentanyl is a hospital-grade synthetic opioid that is cheaper on the street and many times more potent than heroin.
The danger stems from an addict accustomed to taking a certain amount of heroin, then ingesting a certain amount of fentanyl, which produces a much higher opioid effect.
Investigators used confidential sources while building their case.
One of those sources told police Thatcher's pills were being sold for $30 per pill. Thatcher allegedly made more than $750,000 from selling the fentanyl pills around the Elmira area.
Despite lacking evidence of legitimate employment, Thatcher's bank account swelled in cash deposits over a roughly two-year period, court records said.
The U.S. Attorney's Office said investigators learned that in early 2017, Thatcher arranged for a package of furanyl fentanyl that was ordered over the "dark web" to be sent to a co-conspirator.
Federal Customs and Border Protection officers examined the package at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. It contained 249 grams of furanyl fentanyl.
Once the opioid pills were illegally manufactured, Thatcher and Sams would send them in large amounts to fellow conspirators.
The drugs were distributed to street-level customers in the Elmira area, as well as in North Carolina.
Drug traffickers often arrange for packages containing contraband to be delivered to trusted associates in order to avoid prosecution, should the package be intercepted by law enforcement, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent Sabatino Smith said in court documents.
Law enforcement agents executed a search warrant in Sayre on May 16, 2017, where they found a stash of 244 pills containing furanyl fentanyl. Four long guns and ammunition were also seized.
Two days later, investigators searched a Catlin residence — both locations were used in Thatcher's drug operation — and confiscated materials used to manufacture the pills.
Agencies involved in the investigation included the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations-Buffalo, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Elmira Police Department, New York State Police and Pennsylvania State Police.


text:
Conductor Sees Wheeling as Good Fit
WHEELING — Conductor Silas Huff thinks Wheeling would be the right place for him to pursue the next phase of his musical career.
Huff, who also is a teacher and composer, is one of five candidates for music director of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.
He is conducting the WSO's next pops concert, "Super Heroes!" at the Capitol Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 18. He also is leading the orchestra's season-ending Masterworks concert at 7:30 p.m. May 17.
Huff, Andres Franco, Timothy Hankewich, John Devlin and Roger Kalia are finalists for the position, which was vacated by Andre Raphel at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season.
Currently, Huff is teaching at the University of Colorado at Boulder and working with the Colorado Pops Orchestra and the Boulder Concert Band.
"I'm looking for the next big thing in my career progression. I think the Wheeling Symphony is the place for me," he said. "The next appropriate step in my career progression would be as music director of an orchestra about the size of Wheeling."
As Huff prepares to visit this month, he said, "I'm very excited about looking into the programming and finding out what the orchestra and the musicians need and what the community is interested in, and melding the two."
Noting audiences like to hear "war horses" and old favorites, he warned that if orchestras play only traditional fare, they could become "irrelevant museums."
Huff said, "I'm looking to American music and pops programs and things that are interactive. I'm very interested in technology."
He commented, "Orchestras that don't program in that direction are not doing themselves or the industry any favors. I suspect Wheeling also wants to be on the cutting edge of programming in the 21st century."
For a concert in Boulder, he programmed an interactive pops program that involved technology. Concert-goers used their smartphones to take a survey during the performance. "The audience felt totally engaged. They were not only listening to the music on stage, but also having a conversation," he said.
He observed that when people visit museums now, they receive electronic devices that provide information about the exhibits.
"Why is going to the orchestra an exercise in sitting still for 45 minutes and not an interactive experience? There must be some way to engage the audience in technology but not interfere (with the performance)," he said.
If selected for the WSO position, Huff said he and his wife Taylor Morris intend to reside in the Wheeling area.
"I think it's really important for artistic leaders to be part of the community and get to know them," he commented. "When you become a member of the community, you know what they need. You get feedback with community leaders, parents, shopkeepers. You get the heartbeat of a city and what makes the orchestra tick."
He added, "I love to live in the city where I'm working — to have the little daily interactions instead of just flying in."
Huff remarked, "I've lived in a different city for two years for about a decade. It's time to settle down. I would not mind settling down for a decade or longer."
The timing for a move is right because his contract with the university runs out in May.
Huff visited the Friendly City several years ago when his cousin married a woman from Wheeling. They now reside in Canton, Ohio, while her parents live in the Wheeling area.
Regarding his upcoming visit, Huff said, "I'm really excited to get there and meet the community and the orchestra and the staff."
The Jan. 18 program will feature "the best theme songs from the best super hero movies," he said, adding, "I'm hoping the audience comes wearing costumes. There will be trivia questions and interactive survey questions … It's going to be a multi-media extravaganza."
Huff anticipates having more interaction with the community when he returns for the May Masterworks concert. "I'll be in town a few more days. You can learn a lot about an orchestra and about a conductor in a three-hour rehearsal," he added.
The May 17 concert will conclude with Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 4, an "ebullient, very exciting piece of music" that will provide "a slam-dunk finish" to the season, he said. Also on the program will be "United Artists" by composer Kenneth Fuchs, who wrote a commissioned piece for the WSO a few years ago, and Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21, featuring guest pianist Soyeon Kate Lee.
Huff's varied career has included service as an Army music officer. "I had a great time in the Army. It was a great honor to serve my country," he said.
During his Army stint, he said, "I spent a little time doing musical support in the Middle East … I got to see what military musicians do in combat zones. Music heals the soul and bolsters the spirit of people who need it the most. They do not have much entertainment. It was pretty important work."
Reflecting on his musical journey, he said, "I've done a little bit of everything … Everything is fresh and new. I taught little kids for a while, big kids for a while. I was an opera producer in New York for a couple of years and conducted the Astoria Symphony Orchestra in Queens.
"I haven't had the same job two times in a row. I kind of know how to do everything. I've written grants, press releases and scripts for school kids. I've just kind of done it all."
The Texas native also helped to launch the Round Rock Symphony Orchestra in Texas and conducted performances of the Moscow Ballet's "Great Russian Nutcracker" in Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Albany and Baltimore. He studied at Texas State University and earned a Master of Music degree in music theory and composition from the University of California at Los Angeles.
An outdoorsman, he enjoys bicycling, camping and hiking. "It's why Colorado suits me now and why I think West Virginia might suit me, too," he remarked.
Huff has been reading about Wheeling's bike trails and the city's revitalization. "It seems like a pretty exciting time in Wheeling and I'm excited to be part of it," he said.
His wife is a successful author and editor. "She works a lot. She's such a great partner for me. She's an artist, not a musician, but we 'get' each other," he said. "She's really flexible; she works mostly from home. She's ready to go wherever my career takes me because her career is not impacted by that."
Huff and Morris have been together for over 20 years. "Our career paths have paralleled a lot," he said. "Slowly, brick by brick, we built careers parallel to each other. We've taken turns being breadwinner."
Reunion Notebook
Moundsville Class of '60 Moundsville High School Class of 1960 will hold a luncheon at the Guest House in ...
Eastern Star Miriam Chapter 1, Order of the Eastern Star, will meet at Monument Place, 91 Kruger St., Wheeling, ...
Gosnell Marks 104 Years
People's University to Explore Wheeling's Labor History for Wheeling 250
Society Plans Day Trip to Cass Scenic Railroad Aug. 17


HOUSTON (AP) — A man accused of killing his Houston-area girlfriend and providing details to her mother by phone has been captured in Mexico.
San Diego County, California, jail records show 42-year-old Troy Aaron Clay was being held Friday on a Texas murder warrant.
The U.S. Marshal's Service says Clay was caught in Tijuana, Mexico, and turned over Thursday night to San Diego police.
The case involves the fatal stabbing of 36-year-old Melissa Morden.
Patricia Morden says she called Clay on Oct. 10 about why the couple never showed up for dinner. Investigators say Clay told the mother that he became enraged after earlier finding another man at the couple's apartment in Humble (UHM'-buhl).
The mother contacted police, who found Melissa Morden's body.
Online jail records don't list an attorney to speak for Clay.


June 30, 2006 • In the right hands, remixes have tremendous power: Producers can transform mediocrities into masterpieces, and they can recontextualize music outside its original genre. Djinji Brown approaches Kahil El'Zabar's "Running in the Streets" with an appropriately light touch.
June 30, 2006 • The Smithsonian American Art Museum reopens Saturday after a 6-year renovation. One new feature is an conservation lab with floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Conservators accustomed to careful, detailed and solitary work on fragile art will now have an audience.
June 30, 2006 • What are critics saying about this weekend's top movies? Notes on The Devil Wears Prada, Superman Returns and Strangers with Candy. Mark Jordan Legan reports.
June 29, 2006 • Hot Chip is clearly made up of geeky music obsessives, each far-reaching in his musical ideas. A quirky, intelligent collection of songs, the band's new album The Warning owes as much to Prince and Aphex Twin as it does to The Beach Boys, New Order and Beck.
June 29, 2006 • The long awaited Cirque du Soleil production called Love opens this weekend at the Mirage in Las Vegas. The show brings together two powerhouses in popular entertainment: the world famous acrobatic troupe from Canada and the music of the Beatles.
June 28, 2006 • A bunch of friends from high school form a rock band, united by the dream of getting heard -- and against long odds, it happens. But then comes the rock 'n' roll nightmare: After a first flash of exposure, the band spends the next few years trying to replicate its success. This could have happened to the Walkmen, which formed when most of its members were in high school, at St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. A Hundred Miles Off, the third Walkmen CD, came out recently.
June 28, 2006 • Singer, songwriter and pianist Regina Spektor's new CD is Begin to Hope. The Russian emigre, who came to the United States when she was 9, says her songs aren't about herself and likens writing songs to writing fiction.
June 28, 2006 • It's been 25 years since Jacques Cousteau unveiled an undersea adventure on network TV. Now comes a bit of drama from the great adventurer's grandson: Shark: Mind of a Demon with Fabian Cousteau. It's a CBS special. Andrew Wallenstein has a review.


On Friday, May 2nd, Floor Obsession teamed up with advertising agency Knarf and the PMT Dance Studio to bring something special for the 3rd annual MCA Day.
Adam 'MCA' Yauch was most well known for being apart of the Beastie Boys group. He passed away 3 years ago after a three year long battle against cancer.
In memorial, the agency wanted to bring together something to remember Yauch by which they came up with the idea to bring two things that Adam cared about dearly together, Buddhism and Hip Hop/Bboys.
Check out Franklin "Gin" Chen and Jason "Chem" Ng along with two other fellow Bboys, Stephen Pyo and Erich Reyes rip it up to the hit Beastie Boys song, Ch-Check it out.
The Video ended up being viral due to many online news sources and hit over a million plays on Vimeo in a couple of days.
← France Travels, Break the Floor Recap!


As the snow melts away, a little girl helps her Nana prepare the garden beds. The little girl's curiosity leads her to question what is beneath the soil. While earthworms are below the soil stirring things up, the young girl and her Nana pull up weeds in the garden. As the spring turns to summer, the little girl watches as sprouts turn into tasty treats like crunchy green beans and juicy tomatoes. As the summer fades into fall, the little girl learns about new and different critters underneath the dirt preparing for winter. The story comes to a close as the little girl's grandpa calls her inside to enjoy a warm bowl of soup, likely prepared from their fall harvest. This story is an engaging exploration of the natural world.
Author Kate Messner will have your child wondering what lies beneath the mysterious garden soil in their backyard. The charming illustrations by Christopher Silas Neal do a lovely job of depicting the life of critters both above and beneath the garden. The evocative illustrations will take you back to your childhood and likely bring back pleasant gardening memories.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt is sure to bring joy to readers of all ages. As an extra bonus, this book includes additional learning opportunities with fun facts on each of the critters mentioned in this story and suggestions for further reading to keep your child's curiosity growing. This captivating story is highly recommended as you begin preparing your garden beds for the new planting season.
Kate Messner is the award-winning author of Over and Under the Snow, Sea Monster's First Day, Sea Monster and the Bossy Fish, and more than a dozen other books for young readers. Kate lives on Lake Champlain with her family.
Christopher Silas Neal is an award-winning illustrator whose work is published regularly in the New York Times and shown in galleries. He teaches illustration at Pratt Institute and lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Up in the Garden and Down in the Dirt, by Kate Messner, was reviewed by Jillian Sciacca. Discover more books like Bunny Slopes by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with Books About Critters, Christopher Silas Neal, Gardening, Kate Messner, and Outdoor Exploration.
Jill Sciacca, M.S. Ed (Early Childhood Reading and Literacy), has spent time teaching preschool, kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade. She currently is a faculty member at the University of Phoenix where she teaches for the College of Humanities and Sciences, as well as the College of Education. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two-year-old daughter Gianna and her husband, Jack. Jill also loves a good adventure and can often be found skiing at Monarch Mountain. She was born and raised in Colorado and has no plans to leave. You can follow Jill on Twitter @jillian_sciacca and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/Jillian-Sciacca).